"Our destination, the Flugel Tree! Tonight!" Crusch's voice was filled with an undeniable resolve. "We will personally put an end to the calamity that has plagued us for four centuries! The White Whale of the Mist it will vanish from this land forever!"
The clanging of the soldiers' armor and weapons, and their shouts, were deafening.
Subaru stood amidst the crowd, gazing in awe at the boiling battle spirit around her. She noticed that many soldiers' armor bore special family crests, the insignia of families whose members had sacrificed themselves in the White Whale subjugation fourteen years ago. The fire burning in these warriors' eyes was not just battle spirit, but also a hatred and obsession passed down through two generations.
This force, with Crusch as its supreme commander and Wilhelm van Astrea, the husband of the Former Sword Saint, as the subjugation squad leader, had gathered over two hundred of the most valiant warriors.
The Iron Fang mercenary group was deployed in full under the leadership of their captain, Ricardo. The orange-haired beast-kin siblings, Mimi and Hetaro who had also put away their usual playfulness and were solemnly checking their weapons.
The most powerful presence in the entire contingent was undoubtedly Carlisle Eltheran, the knight from Emilia's faction. He stood silently at the very front of the formation, exuding a reassuring aura.
This force, bringing together the top combat power of three Royal Selection Candidates, was in no way inferior in spirit to the subjugation army led by the Sword Saint of yesteryear.
As the vast procession departed the Royal Capital, Felix rode his Earth dragon to Carlisle's side. The cat-eared boy, for once, had dropped his usual playful demeanor and asked with concern.
"Carlisle-san, are you really not going to rest for a bit?" He gestured towards the setting moon. "It's still half a night's journey to the White Whale's haunt. And…" He lowered his voice. "After we finish off the White Whale, we'll have to rush to deal with those lunatics from the Witch Cult. If you don't conserve your strength now…"
Carlisle gently shook his head, his blue eyes still bright in the night. "No need to worry, I'm still quite energetic." He looked back at the slowly moving dragon carriage; Subaru and Rem had already gone to rest. After experiencing so many emotional ups and downs today, and enduring such difficult negotiations, they were exhausted.
Inside the slowly advancing dragon carriage, Subaru was wrapped in a thick blanket, curled up on a soft cushion, sleeping soundly. Her black hair was disheveled around her cheeks, gently rising and falling with her steady breaths.
Rem had initially insisted on standing watch, but after Carlisle's repeated insistence, she finally conceded to rest. She was now gently dozing in the seat next to Subaru.
Felix wagged his cat tail, looking at Carlisle with a mischievous expression.
"Honestly…" Felix let out an exaggerated sigh, his cat ears twitching slightly with the shake of his head. "Carlisle-san worries too much, doesn't he? He's practically like an overprotective old father~"
Carlisle smiled gently. "Caring for others is one of my hobbies." His gaze unconsciously drifted towards the dragon carriage. "Seeing important people rest peacefully is the greatest satisfaction for me."
"Hehe~" Felix suddenly leaned closer. "But if Carlisle-san keeps taking such meticulous care of her, Subaru will never grow up, will she?"
The night wind suddenly grew stronger, ruffling Carlisle's blue hair.
Carlisle was silent for a moment. "If it's not necessary…" His voice was so soft it was almost a soliloquy. "I don't wish for her to be forced to grow up too much. If a person grows too quickly…"
His gaze became distant.
"It must mean she has experienced too much pain. If possible… I would rather she always remain as innocent and carefree as she is now."
"Wah!" Felix suddenly cried out, startling the nearby ground dragons into snorting. "This isn't just ordinary concern anymore! Carlisle-san is completely spoiling her beyond measure, isn't he?!" He dramatically hugged his own tail. "She's practically more pampered than the pets kept by those noble lords!"
Carlisle shook his head helplessly, but did not deny it. He looked up into the distance and said softly.
"After everything is over… it won't be too late to let her grow slowly."
——————
When the subjugation force's banner was finally planted in front of the forest leading to the Flugel Tree, everyone was awestruck by the sight before them. An endless expanse of white mist churned like a living thing on the horizon, and the night wind, laden with mist, swept across their faces, bringing an icy chill.
Subaru and Rem had already woken up and were now standing in the center of the formation. Carlisle keenly noticed that the blue-haired maid's gaze towards him contained an unidentifiable emotion.
"All units, prepare!" Crusch's voice cut through the entire area. "Final check of weapons and armor!" Felix quickly walked over, leading Subaru towards the command tent. "Subaru, we need to confirm a few more details…"
Subaru cast a glance back, then followed Felix.
Carlisle was sitting on a rock, maintaining his sword, when he suddenly felt a prickling sensation on his back. He looked up and met Rem's unwavering gaze. Those usually docile blue eyes now held a startling intensity.
Carlisle felt a little uncomfortable under her stare. "Rem…" He had just opened his mouth when his voice caught in his throat. This was because the girl suddenly rushed into his arms, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist like iron bands.
"Wait, Rem?" Carlisle was instantly flustered, his ear tips turning red at a visible speed. He instinctively tried to gently push her away, but she hugged him even tighter.
The soldiers in the distance discreetly looked away.
"Please don't move…" Rem's voice was muffled against his chest. "Just for a moment…" Her Fingers dug deeply into the knight's back, as if confirming the reality of his warmth.
Carlisle froze in place. He slowly raised his hand, hesitating before gently stroking Rem's head.
"Are you worried, Rem? I promise you… this time, I will return safely with everyone."
Rem did not respond. She buried herself completely in his embrace, fragments of that nightmare still lingering in her mind.
In the dream, Subaru's golden eyes were bloodshot, and she gripped Rem's shoulders tightly. "Rem… do you still remember Carlisle?"
Her dream self had a confused expression.
"Carlisle… who is that?"
This answer made the waking Rem, in reality, break out in a cold sweat that drenched her clothes. At the end of the dream, she seemed to be fighting some green-haired madman, and just as she was about to breathe her last, a beam of fire suddenly pierced through the mist… followed by an ending where she perished with her enemy.
When she woke up, there were still fresh tear stains on her pillow.
She was not afraid of death. But the dream self who had forgotten Carlisle… the self who showed a strange expression when faced with Subaru's tearful pleas, was more terrifying than any nightmare.
"Carlisle…" Rem's voice trembled slightly. She buried her face deeper into the knight's chest, breathing in his reassuring scent. "Please promise Rem…"
"If… if one day Rem forgets you… please… please make Rem remember…"
...
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