Royal Capital, Royal Guard headquarters.
A handsome man with fiery red hair, Reinhard, sat at his desk, handling the day's work with a quill in hand.
A small stack of documents lay before him. Reinhard showed no sign of worry, processing them at a steady pace, diligently fulfilling his duties.
Since the queen had yet to appear, maintaining daily public order was of utmost importance. From time to time, Reinhard would personally patrol the streets to deal with any destabilizing elements.
Just as Reinhard was absorbed in his work, the door outside was suddenly pushed open, causing the red-haired knight to pause.
"Please, come in!"
Reinhard set down his quill and straightened in his seat, speaking gently.
"Lord Reinhard, Miss Felt wishes to see you. She originally intended to barge in, but I stopped her. Would you like to meet her?"
At the doorway, a knight dressed in white robes looked at Reinhard and asked respectfully.
"Oh? Is that so? Let Felt come in."
Upon hearing that Felt, who possessed royal blood, wished to see him, Reinhard waved his hand, signaling for the knight to allow the willful young lady inside.
Sure enough, once Reinhard gave his permission, Felt quickly pushed open the door and walked in, lifting her long skirt as she did so. However, there was a hint of tension on her face.
"Hey, Reinhard—or whatever. Hurry up and head to the Lifaus Highway. It's urgent. I need you there immediately."
Felt stepped forward, staring at the handsome man before her as she issued her command.
"My name is Reinhard, Lady Felt. Please try to remember it."
Reinhard forced a wry smile at her response.
"Whatever. Just come with me now! I heard the White Whale has appeared on the highway. Sister Shendu is over there—she might be in trouble. You have to help deal with that Witchbeast."
Felt spoke bluntly, without a trace of humor.
"I am aware. Miss Shendu went there alone. That was the report from the Royal Guard. However, the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild has made no move, so she likely has everything under control."
Reinhard understood the White Whale's strength. In his view, Shendu might not emerge entirely unscathed, but at most she would face some difficulty.
If the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild were to mobilize, thousands upon thousands of mages acting together could produce an astonishing effect and potentially suppress the White Whale outright.
"No. I'm worried about Sister Shendu. I don't care what you say—stop talking and come with me now."
"Very well. After all, you are my liege."
Reinhard looked at the blonde girl. Seeing how deeply she cared for her Big Sister, he set aside his work and departed with her in a dragon carriage toward their destination.
Inside the carriage, Felt remained extremely anxious. Lady Shendu had always taken care of her, and she held her in very high regard.
"Hey, Reinhard—or whatever. If the White Whale appeared, why didn't you people subjugate it before?"
Felt glanced at him, her tone filled with resentment.
Reinhard could only sigh helplessly. As the strongest Sword Saint, he could not act as he pleased. Every movement he made was monitored by the kingdom.
The Witchbeast had ravaged the continent for four hundred years. Reinhard had long wished to eliminate it, but the nobles opposed him, forbidding him from wandering outside at will.
After all, such overwhelming military strength was dangerous no matter where it was deployed. The kingdom would not allow him to act lightly.
"I'm sorry. As the Sword Saint, I am constantly regulated by the kingdom. They would not permit me to go outside freely. If not for your command, Lady Felt, I would not be leaving at all this time."
Reinhard shook his head, offering his explanation.
"Hmph. When I rise to the top of this kingdom, I'll kill every disobedient noble."
Felt's expression turned icy as she voiced her disgust for those short-sighted aristocrats.
Reinhard smiled bitterly. His master was certainly aggressive. Yet toward Lady Shendu, she showed nothing but respect. Even he, the strongest Sword Saint, did not receive such regard.
"I only hope Miss Shendu is not gambling with her life," Reinhard murmured.
Protecting such a master required no small amount of effort, but that was his duty.
Since he had chosen a candidate for the throne, Reinhard would devote himself to helping her ascend it—even if it required sacrifice.
Meanwhile, within the territory of the Hoshin Company.
"Hahaha! This is truly heaven-sent!"
Upon learning that Shendu was facing the White Whale alone, Anastasia burst into laughter. The purple-haired knight beside her wore an expression of mild exasperation.
"Lady Anastasia, please calm yourself. The situation is not yet fully clear. We should verify the details before celebrating," said Julius, the second seat of the knight order, attempting to temper her excitement.
"I know. I'm just a little too happy."
Anastasia grinned.
The thought of the president of the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild confronting the White Whale alone filled her with smug satisfaction.
That day, Shendu had drawn far too much attention, hindering the development of her own company. Naturally, she had accumulated a measure of resentment.
Now that she knew Shendu was facing the strongest Witchbeast alone, Anastasia could not help but feel delighted. She almost wished the White Whale would eliminate that woman entirely.
In any case, she deeply disliked her and did not believe she would survive.
"Then should we do something? The White Whale possesses tremendous combat power and has long been feared by the royal capital. If we were to eliminate it, we would gain immense glory."
Knowing of the White Whale's appearance, Julius felt stirred as well. He even felt an urge to prove himself.
"Hehe, exactly. Risk and opportunity go hand in hand. I've already sent people to investigate the movements of all factions. It won't be long before we have the results."
Anastasia spoke calmly.
In less than five minutes, a member of the company delivered a top-secret report into her hands.
The intelligence was simple. It detailed Reinhard's departure and Crusch leading her forces toward the Lifaus Highway.
All signs indicated that others shared their thoughts—seeking a share of the spoils from this event.
After reading the report, Anastasia revealed a rare smile of satisfaction.
"As expected. Julius, take a look at this."
She handed him the intelligence. Julius read it carefully, and a trace of shock flickered in his previously calm eyes.
"So many forces are participating in this operation. It seems we must act as well. However, the Divine Dragon Merchant Guild's silence is rather suspicious."
Julius shook his head, sensing that something about the situation was troublesome.
"Ignore them. We'll sit back and watch the show. The rest isn't worth worrying about."
Anastasia paused briefly before adding, "Assemble our legion. We'll take part in this operation as well. Slaying the White Whale will make our company famous."
"Understood. I'll gather them at once, Lady Anastasia."
Without hesitation, Julius turned and began making arrangements. He intended to complete the mobilization as swiftly as possible. For them, timing was everything.
Time is money—that was Anastasia's creed.
So when Julius delivered the summons, the members of their legion quickly assembled.
Among them were numerous demi-human mages, all gathering together in preparation for the coming battle.
Just as Crusch finished assembling her forces and arrived near the Lifaus Highway, they spotted a dragon carriage from the Royal Guard stopping in front of them.
"That carriage... could it be Reinhard's?"
Recognizing it, Crusch leapt down from her horse and strode forward in full military attire.
"It has been a while, Lady Crusch. Are you heading there as well?"
After stepping out of the carriage, the red-haired knight looked at Crusch in mild surprise. There was only one reason she would be here.
"The White Whale has ravaged the continent for far too long. Today, it must be eliminated."
Crusch gripped the hilt of her sword, her gaze stern.
Whether as a royal candidate or as a soldier, she could not ignore this matter.
"A commendable resolve, Lady Crusch."
Reinhard spoke with sincere admiration. For a young woman who fought for her country and its people, he held considerable respect.
Just as the two finished speaking, Wilhelm—hand resting on his sword—walked over as well. Looking at Reinhard, he greeted him.
"Reinhard, what brings you here? Without the nobles' approval, you are not permitted to act alone."
Wilhelm's voice carried genuine surprise.
"My apologies, Grandfather. My supporter ordered me to come. Naturally, I must obey my master's command."
Reinhard gave a wry smile, though he did not consider it a bad thing.
His status was special. There were many things he could not do freely. But with Felt as a shield, he was able to take certain actions he otherwise could not.
"I see."
Wilhelm glanced at Felt but said no more.
"Everyone, save the reminiscing for later. We must head to the Lifaus Highway at once!"
Crusch drew her sword and addressed them firmly.
A hillside blocked their view of the highway, completely obscuring the scene beyond. To reach their destination, they had to cross it first.
"Yeah! If you've got something to say, say it after the White Whale's dead!"
Felt stomped her foot, her expression utterly serious.
Soon, the combined forces advanced at full speed over the hill. The Lifaus Highway finally came into view—and with it, a battle that had yet to conclude.
They saw countless ninja with bat-like wings filling the sky, launching relentless attacks at the White Whale. Each sweep of the creature's massive tail fin crushed several, yet even more immediately surged forward to replace them.
Golden beams streaked through the air from all directions, blanketing the White Whale in a dazzling barrage. The sky itself seemed to glow under the continuous assault.
Under the sustained strikes, the White Whale's once impenetrable hide now resembled the surface of the moon—scarred and cratered.
Even an invincible Witchbeast would weaken under such relentless attrition. Its attacks were no longer as overwhelming as before.
"Unbelievable... To hold off a Witchbeast alone for this long. Miss Shendu truly is formidable."
Crusch could not hide her astonishment. If such a powerful individual could be recruited, achieving her goals would become far easier.
"Those familiars appear to be shadow-element constructs. Their power is not insignificant."
Reinhard observed calmly, quickly grasping the key to the situation.
Though he did not wield magic himself, his insight was extraordinary. He could perceive the essence of things—and he deeply respected Shendu's strength.
With her own power alone, she had matched the White Whale blow for blow—and even gained the upper hand.
"Wait—something's changing, nya!"
Felix narrowed his eyes, noticing the ninja drawing closer together. The magical energy within each of them seemed unusually dense.
Under his warning, countless ninja threw themselves forward in waves. The moment they collided with the White Whale's massive body—
Boom!
A thunderous explosion erupted.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The detonations continued for over ten minutes. Everyone present had no choice but to shut their eyes to avoid being blinded by the searing light.
When the explosions finally subsided, the White Whale's condition had worsened considerably.
What had once been shallow craters had become three massive cavities blasted into its body. Crimson blood poured down its enormous frame, spilling onto the ground like flowing streams.
Yet it still lived.
The Witchbeast's vitality was terrifying. Though heavily wounded, it was far from defeated.
Even so, the display was astonishing—equivalent to unleashing more than a dozen A-rank spells simultaneously. Only Miss Shendu could orchestrate such an overwhelming spectacle.
"How magnificent and dazzling. We've arrived at just the right time. And you—so you've come as well."
As Crusch watched the ongoing battle, Anastasia approached with a teasing tone.
"Hmph. You're here for the same reason, aren't you?"
Crusch's attitude was far from friendly. She disliked the merchant woman's personality as much as her methods.
"Of course. Such a grand performance—how could the Hoshin Company not take a share?"
Anastasia observed the White Whale carefully. Despite the severe damage, it remained very much alive, only moderately injured.
Given enough time, it might even recover.
Seeing Shendu continuously summoning more ninja and launching fresh waves of attacks, Anastasia could not help but admit that the woman truly had her methods.
"Then let our abilities decide the outcome," Crusch replied coldly, unwilling to yield in the slightest.
"Roar!"
Under Shendu's relentless assault, the White Whale let out another furious cry. After scattering nearby ninja, its massive eye locked onto the true source of the threat.
"Not good! The White Whale is targeting Miss Shendu, nya!"
From a distance, Felix immediately understood.
The creature had realized that if this continued, it would perish. For the sake of survival, it chose to eliminate the arrogant human commanding the assault.
With a deafening roar, its mountain-like body suddenly plunged downward at terrifying speed.
"What?!"
The onlookers gasped in shock as they watched the colossal form descend. Its jaws opened wide, rows of sharp teeth gleaming as it prepared to crush the figure on the ground.
But what happened next stunned everyone.
Faster than the White Whale's descent was a silver-haired girl clad in black gothic attire. Before the beast could reach the ground, she had already intercepted it.
Shendu gazed at the White Whale with playful indifference. Dense black-purple magic enveloped her entire forearm, radiating oppressive force.
It was the power of the Ox Talisman—infused with a trace of shadow energy.
The two forces merged.
She threw a single punch.
Bang!
The impact landed squarely on the White Whale's grotesque face.
A visible dent formed instantly. Blood burst forth like a river, splashing across the earth.
And that was not all.
The overwhelming, irresistible force sent the massive Witchbeast hurtling upward—soaring high into the sky, nearly reaching the edge of the atmosphere before beginning its descent once more.
While falling from such heights, the White Whale seemed to sense imminent danger. It forced itself to recover a fragment of strength, stabilizing its body and resuming its flight.
But the moment it reappeared at that altitude, the surrounding ninja surged in once again.
Relentless attacks rained down without pause, giving the White Whale no chance to react.