"Tell me, do you really have so little faith in my strength?"
Shendu rolled her eyes at them, a faint smile glimmering within her blood-red pupils.
She knew these three beautiful girls were worried about her. Otherwise, they would never have said such things. The thought made her feel that caring about them had not been in vain.
"It's not that we don't trust you. We're afraid!"
Emilia let out a deep sigh before continuing.
"In four hundred years, the White Whale has endured countless subjugation attempts. Even if Sister Shendu goes, you would still be stepping into near-certain death."
"I don't want Sister Shendu to be in danger. I absolutely won't allow that to happen."
Emilia's gaze was resolute. Within her amethyst-like eyes was a determination that refused to yield.
"Yes! Ram thinks so too. Lady Shendu, you're someone very important to us."
Ram chimed in agreement.
"Rem feels the same way. As your maid, I will never allow my master to face danger."
Rem's eyes were firm, as though she had awakened to some extraordinary resolve.
The subjugation campaign fourteen years ago was still vivid in Emilia and the others' memories. The story had spread far and wide, filling many with fear of the White Whale.
After all, the publicly acknowledged strongest Sword Saint at the time had died at the White Whale's hands. Even the immensely powerful Sword Demon had failed to save him.
Other heroes had also suffered disastrous defeats. The bloody lesson forced these young women to be cautious.
Of course, in Shendu's view, the Witch Cult's manipulation behind the scenes had been masterful—shifting all the hatred onto the White Whale. But she had no intention of letting them off so easily.
"There's something else, Sister Shendu. Don't forget—Felt is your younger sister. If she knew you were injured by the White Whale, she would definitely have Reinhard take action."
Rem, recalling Shendu's background, reminded her once more. She was no longer merely an ordinary traveler.
"And the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild is Lady Shendu's enterprise. If anything happened to you, Akane would surely organize a subjugation force and grind the White Whale to dust."
Ram cleverly brought up Akane's name, hoping the silver-haired girl before her would calm down and not face danger alone.
"That's right, Sister Shendu. You're a major figure now. You absolutely cannot face danger by yourself, or we'll all be heartbroken."
Emilia stepped closer, taking Shendu's hand as she spoke with concern.
The truth was that Shendu's accumulated advantages kept stacking up. Her status had become increasingly special.
If she were to die, the royal capital would undoubtedly descend into chaos. No one could predict the consequences. The mages under the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild were not to be taken lightly.
"In the end, you're still worried about my strength. But I'm telling you, I'm really not weak."
"In my eyes, the White Whale is nothing more than a third-rate Witchbeast. I was even thinking of killing it and eating the meat."
The reason Shendu dared to speak so arrogantly was simple—she possessed no shortage of cheats. Any one of them alone represented formidable power.
To be honest, confronting one of the Three Great Witchbeasts was also part of her mission considerations. As long as she displayed her strength and made the name Shendu famous, that would be enough.
Moreover, she knew quite a bit about the White Whale. Playing with it for a while posed no problem.
Seeing how resolute Shendu was, Emilia could only sigh helplessly. She fixed her slightly stern violet gaze on the silver-haired, red-eyed girl before her.
"Sister Shendu, have you truly made up your mind?"
Emilia's tone shifted, her attitude becoming serious.
"Your coronation to the throne will need the White Whale as a stepping stone. I'm willing to pave the way for you. Trust me, Emilia. Don't forget our promise!"
At those words, Emilia recalled the promise they had made that night. The worry in her expression faded, replaced by calm.
"Alright. Be careful on the road. The lesser spirits will bless you with smooth passage."
At last, Emilia's expression turned resolute. She gently raised a finger, and countless tiny spirits like fireflies began to swirl around her.
It seemed Emilia had finally chosen to trust Shendu, believing the silver-haired girl would keep her word.
"Wait, Lady Emilia, you—"
Hearing Emilia agree, Ram was momentarily stunned. She had not expected her to give in so quickly.
After all, the White Whale was one of the Three Great Witchbeasts. Its strength was immense—otherwise, so many would not have died without accomplishing anything.
Yet even so, Emilia chose to believe in Shendu. Ram could not help but sigh inwardly. Perhaps Lady Emilia had truly grown.
"Enough, Ram. I've always trusted Sister Shendu. This time, I trust her as well!"
Emilia's expression turned solemn, no longer clouded by fear or dread.
"Very well."
Seeing Emilia's unwavering look, Ram felt helpless but said nothing further. She could only hope that everything Shendu said was true.
"In that case, Ram, you stay by Lady Emilia's side. I'll accompany Lady Shendu."
Once everything had settled, Rem spoke up, surprising Ram.
"Rem, are you sure you want to go?"
Ram was astonished by her sister's resolve.
"I am Lady Shendu's personal maid. Following her is my responsibility. No matter what, I will stay close to my master."
After Rem finished speaking, Shendu felt immensely satisfied. Emilia and Ram, on the other hand, were completely stunned by Rem's determination.
Soon after, the two of them boarded a dragon carriage and headed toward the Lifaus Highway. But as they approached, they found the area already shrouded in vast stretches of white fog.
From afar, a landmark great tree could be seen ahead, while the rest of the scenery seemed swallowed by the mist. Shendu found the sight rather novel.
To the people of this world, this white fog carried a heavy sense of ill omen.
Over the past four hundred years, countless individuals had died at the hands of the Witchbeast White Whale. Even so, many still pressed forward, seeking to eliminate it.
However, Shendu wondered how it would compare to her Shadowkhan.
"The area covered by the fog does contain traces of magic. I wonder what level this so-called Witchbeast of the Mist truly stands at."
Shendu admired the view outside as she spoke thoughtfully.
"Hehe, Lady Shendu, you really haven't taken this matter to heart at all. Rem is actually quite afraid of this Witchbeast."
Rem smiled as she looked at her.
"Don't worry. If I speak like this, it's because I have confidence. Please don't be concerned—everything will be fine."
Shendu gently patted Rem's head. This reassuring little maid was someone she trusted deeply to keep by her side.
Shendu finally understood why Natsuki Subaru had developed such deep feelings for Rem.
After all, she was not only attentive but also possessed a personality perfectly to one's liking. She was undoubtedly an excellent little maid.
Bringing this little maid to other worlds for some leisurely travels didn't seem like a bad idea either.
Perhaps there would be new kinds of amusement. That wasn't impossible.
"Since Lady Shendu says so, Rem naturally won't be afraid anymore!"
Sitting inside the dragon carriage, Rem's mood improved considerably after receiving Shendu's reassurance. Her expression gradually returned to calm.
"How interesting, Rem. I find myself liking you more and more."
Looking at the blue-haired little maid before her, Shendu felt that the girl's personality was quite admirable. She had truly been afraid just moments ago, yet now she had regained her composure. That alone spoke volumes about her mental resilience.
More importantly, when facing danger, she did not scream or panic. Instead, she adapted quickly and calmed herself in an instant. She was far from a mindless character.
In some respects, Rem's psychological strength was even greater than Emilia's.
"Hehe, then I'll make Lady Shendu like me even more."
The oni race was naturally respectful of the strong and deeply grateful for kindness. Shendu had saved her and possessed overwhelming power. Every action Shendu took drew Rem's attention.
Now, Rem wholeheartedly acknowledged Shendu and regarded her as her true master.
As they spoke, the dragon carriage passed through increasingly dense fog. Soon, the surroundings became so thick with mist that one could not see one's own hand before their face. The highway, shrouded in haze, felt eerily silent and tranquil.
Gazing at the impenetrable fog, Shendu's eyes turned blood-red once more as the Eye of Truth activated.
Her crimson gaze pierced through the layers of mist, reaching deep into its core. A massive shape appeared within her sight.
The enormous silhouette indeed bore the outline of a whale from her previous world, yet it was distinctly different. At a glance, it radiated danger.
Having fought numerous Witchbeasts before, Shendu could tell that this creature was likely stronger than any she had encountered thus far. That was her first impression.
"A creature called the White Whale sounds aquatic by nature, yet it flies through the sky. How peculiar."
Shendu teased lightly. Rem giggled beside her, finding the remark amusing.
"Lady Shendu, Witchbeasts are special lifeforms created by a Witch. It's only natural that they defy common sense. So... Lady Shendu, have you sensed its presence?"
Although she claimed not to be afraid, a trace of tension lingered in her voice.
After all, the White Whale was one of the world's calamities. For four hundred years it had resisted extermination. With only the two of them present, what they could accomplish remained to be seen.
"Yes. My magic power is quite high. A large monster like that—once it detects me—will follow the scent and come straight for us."
Shendu watched the carriage roll forward, a faint smile curving her lips.
At the same time, the shadow beneath her feet slowly seeped into the ground. Within the region blanketed by white fog, vast stretches of inky black shadows spread like spilled ink, silently covering the area.
That was right. Shendu had no need for assistance from the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild.
She herself was an army.
With the overwhelming numbers of the Shadowkhan at her command, even if the White Whale wished to stir up chaos, it would be unable to make any real waves.
"Please don't scare me, Lady Shendu!"
Hearing her words, Rem's heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
What Shendu implied was that she intended to use herself as bait to lure the White Whale. Rem had not expected that, and the unpredictability left her uneasy.
"I never joke. From the moment I arrived here, I've been releasing my magic power. I'm using myself as bait to set the stage. The White Whale has already noticed us. A little closer, and we'll encounter the legendary beast."
Shendu narrowed her eyes, calmly sensing the surroundings. Nothing escaped her awareness. Countless Shadowkhan lay hidden nearby, awaiting the moment of summoning.
The fog could obscure vision, but it could not conceal the presence of living beings. From the very beginning, the White Whale had known their location.
As for why it had not attacked yet, Shendu guessed it was surveying the area to see whether more prey had entered.
Within the fog, the White Whale was the undisputed hunter. Anyone targeted by it rarely met a favorable end.
Historically, wherever the White Whale descended, few dared intrude. Those foolish enough to do so were swiftly slain by the terrifying Witchbeast.
The mist covering the highway consisted of two kinds. One was ordinary dense fog. The other was the White Whale's Fog of Elimination. Though both appeared similar, their effects were entirely different.
After the dragon carriage entered the deepest part of the mist, Shendu felt nothing unusual. She was aware that the White Whale possessed certain Authorities, yet in terms of raw combat ability, it was still inferior to the Archbishop of Lust.
Standing within the suffocating haze, Shendu closed her eyes to sense her surroundings. Beside her, Rem's tension reached its peak, her flail already clenched tightly in her hand.
The more dangerous the moment, the more Rem wished to remain by Shendu's side. Even if this battle meant no return, she would not retreat in fear.
"It's coming. The White Whale is very close. Prepare yourself!"
"Yes!"
Shendu lightly tapped her foot against the floor of the carriage. In an instant, a spatial gate opened before the dragon carriage, swallowing the ground dragon whole.
At the critical moment, Shendu had no intention of letting the creature die needlessly. With spatial magic, she transferred it directly back to the inn.
With the ground dragon gone, the carriage continued to slide forward briefly before gradually coming to a halt.
No sooner had it vanished than an even denser surge of fog, accompanied by a violent gale, crashed down upon their position.
Feeling the crushing wind pressure, Shendu seized Rem's hand and vanished from the spot in an instant.
Crash!
The luxurious carriage behind them was smashed into splinters by the sudden tempest. Countless wooden fragments scattered into the air, disappearing within the dense mist.
With the fog blocking everything, even sunlight could not penetrate it. Visibility was reduced to an unimaginable low.
"This is bad... In such an environment, even you would be restricted in battle, Lady Shendu, wouldn't you?"
Rem stared at the surrounding mist, fully aware of how abnormal it was.
"A little. But not much."
"I've already thought of a solution."
Shendu smiled faintly. From her system space, she drew out the newly forged holy sword. The moment she grasped it, golden light began to shine through the fog.
"Holy Radiance."
Having obtained the world's Divine Protection, Shendu channeled the sword's power. Raising it high, she swung it lightly.
A streak of golden sword light cleaved through the dense mist. The purifying force erupted outward, and in an instant, the surrounding fog was completely dispelled—as though it had never existed.
As the mist gradually vanished, even the legendary Fog of Elimination was severed in a single strike. Rem's eye, partially hidden behind her bangs, widened in shock.
With the highway cleared, the White Whale finally revealed itself before them—hovering in midair, staring straight at them.
Its size was truly immense. Originally created by Daphne to alleviate the world's famine, it was meant to provide endless meat once slain. The Great Rabbit had been conceived with a similar intention.
The desire itself had been good—but it lacked common sense.
Now that Shendu was facing the White Whale personally, once this was over, she could indeed sample its flesh and see whether the legendary Witchbeast tasted delicious.
When the fog was swept away by the holy sword, the White Whale seemed momentarily surprised that these two humans possessed such ability.
Even so, the Witchbeast did not regard them as a serious threat.