The long negotiation finally concluded. Subaru let out a soft breath, her tense shoulders relaxing. She had worried that Lady Crusch might hesitate to form an alliance due to Emilia's half-elf status, but it now seemed her concerns were entirely unfounded.
As expected of Crusch, who proposed breaking the contract with the Divine Dragon, Subaru thought to herself. She truly wasn't someone to be bound by worldly prejudices.
The final alliance terms were clear and straightforward:
- Subaru's side provides detailed information on the White Whale and Carlisle's combat support.
- All honors for subjugating the White Whale go to Crusch's faction.
- Crusch must form a formal alliance with Emilia's faction.
- Immediately after the White Whale subjugation, reinforcements will be dispatched to counter the Witch Cult's attack.
Anastasia interjected at the opportune moment. "Our merchant caravan will handle the supply logistics, you know~" She narrowed her fox-like eyes. "At a fair price, of course~"
Subaru clearly saw the glint in the merchant lady's eyes. Although Anastasia was the second beneficiary of the White Whale subjugation, this person would absolutely not miss the chance to make a huge profit.
However, she also put in effort to make both sides owe her favors. "But well~ I'll also lend you my private mercenary group. Consider it... an investment in future relations?"
"Though there are still many uncertainties... since it has come to this-" Crusch extended her hand to Subaru. "May our cooperation be fruitful, Subaru."
Subaru quickly grasped her hand, feeling the warmth of her strong grip. "The pleasure is ours!"
After the commotion gradually subsided and the third-party representatives departed, the three were led by a attendant to an elegant tea room to rest. Outside, in Cruschs Residence's courtyard, the hurried footsteps of soldiers and the roars of ground dragons echoed.
Just as Subaru picked up her teacup, the door was gently pulled open. An old swordsman stood quietly outside.
"Mister Wilhelm?" Carlisle put down his teacup and rose. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
The old man's steps into the tea room were as light as falling leaves. He maintained a distance of five paces from the three.
"This old man has a request." Wilhelm bowed deeply, "On the subjugation battlefield... if there is an opportunity to deliver the final blow to the White Whale..."
Carlisle suddenly understood. He, of course, knew that the Former Sword Saint, Theresia van Astrea, had died in the White Whale subjugation battle. All of this old man's remaining obsession in life was condensed into this request.
"Please rise." Carlisle quickly stepped forward to support Wilhelm. "This is your revenge. I will do my utmost to create an opportunity for you to personally slay your enemy."
When Wilhelm looked up, Subaru was shocked to see a glint of moisture in the old man's cloudy eyes.
"This kindness... this Old Man Will never forget."
The white-haired old swordsman slowly turned to Subaru, his weathered face appearing particularly aged in the setting sun. Wilhelm suddenly bent his knees.
"My deepest thanks! I swear by the name of Wilhelm van Astrea... that you are willing to grant this old man this opportunity... this chance to personally subjugate that hateful Mabeast who stole my beloved..., This kindness..." He paused, "This old man... no, I... in this life... truly have no way to repay it..."
After saying this, the old man slowly turned and left. His hunched figure looked particularly lonely in the empty corridor. The renowned "Sword Demon" of the entire kingdom now appeared to be nothing more than a solitary old man.
— — — — — —
The sounds of commotion outside the window gradually subsided, and the lingering rays of the setting sun streamed through the tea room window, casting warm patches of light on the floor. Carlisle quietly watched Subaru, who was talking with Felix.
"Um..." Subaru hesitated. "What exactly is the grudge between Mister Wilhelm and the White Whale?"
Felix's cat ears twitched slightly, his usually lively expression suddenly becoming serious. "It's more than just a grudge, Subaru." His voice deepened a few shades, "The subjugation of the White Whale can be said to be Old Man Will's lifelong obsession. The Former Sword Saint, Old Man Will's wife, Lady Theresia, was sacrificed in the last White Whale subjugation battle."
"Old Man Will still..." Felix continued, the fur on his tail slightly bristling, "hasn't forgiven himself for not being by Lady Theresia's side at that time. After that, to get revenge, Old Man Will ran around the entire world like a madman. He searched for every location where the White Whale appeared, verified every rumor, and spent a full fourteen years..."
"Fourteen years..." Subaru murmured, repeating the number. She thought of how the few short days she experienced in reincarnation were enough to make one collapse, yet this old man had persevered for fourteen years... A sudden pang of bitterness welled up in her chest.
"But even so..." Felix's cat ears drooped, "Old Man Will still didn't succeed. Even if he found information about the White Whale's appearance, he couldn't organize a subjugation team. That subjugation battle was lost too terribly; the Sword Saint's sacrifice elevated the entire kingdom's fear of the White Whale to an unprecedented level."
"Old Man Will wanted to organize a subjugation team..." Felix shook his head with a bitter smile, "But at that time, no one had the courage to challenge the White Whale. In the end... Old Man Will even prepared to go subjugate it alone."
"Even knowing he couldn't win... he still intended to go...?" Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible. "He... he's also an idiot..."
"But!" Felix suddenly raised his voice, his cat tail perked high, breaking the heavy atmosphere, "This time it's different!" His eyes sparkled, "We have accurate information about the White Whale's appearance! Lady Crusch has assembled an elite subjugation team! Plus Subaru's information and Carlisle's strength!"
He excitedly slapped the table. "This time, we will definitely make the White Whale disappear from the world forever! This must be destiny's reward for Old Man Will's fourteen years of persistence!"
"Mm..." Subaru looked out at the soldiers gathering outside the window. "It will definitely succeed."
"Oh, right, right~" Felix suddenly leaned closer. "Subaru is going to the battlefield too, right? Although Carlisle is very strong, he can't always be your personal bodyguard~" He winked slyly, "Do you want to go pick a cool Earth dragon as a mount?"
...
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