"Taking a closer look... it really is a disgusting creature."
Subaru hovered a thousand meters in the air, observing the legendary White Whale up close for the first time.
The White Whale's massive body was a sickly grey white, at least fifty meters long, nearly one and a half times larger than the largest whale species on Earth, the blue whale.
The cold night wind carried a putrid stench, making her wrinkle her nose instinctively.
A memory suddenly surfaced. In that now distant world, she had once visited an aquarium.
The whales there had round, adorable heads, playfully spraying water at visitors and making crisp, childlike calls.
The trainers had said they were "golden retrievers of the ocean," docile and intelligent.
But this one... the Witch's twisted sense of humor was truly appalling.
Subaru scrutinized the strange pink halo surrounding the White Whale. Its glow in the night resembled rotten phosphorescence, making her feel deeply uncomfortable.
Even more disgusting was its gaping maw, lined with hook like fangs covering what should have been smooth gums, constantly emitting the stench of decaying flesh.
"What's the point of creating such a monster?" Subaru muttered to herself, then shook her head. "Forget it. Why do I need to understand the Witch's thought process?"
The White Whale had clearly noticed this uninvited guest.
Its massive body turned gracefully in the air, its single eye locking onto Subaru's figure.
That maddening scent continued to emanate from this tiny human.
Just as the two were about to collide, Subaru suddenly accelerated upward, then lightly landed on the White Whale's rough back.
The sensation was even more disgusting than she had imagined. The fine hairs covering its skin were as hard as steel needles.
"We have too many grievances between us..." Subaru's fingers traced the scars left from past battles, her voice as cold as ice. "You dared to make the whole world forget him. If it were not for the time limit, I would truly make you wish for death."
She suddenly raised her hand.
"El Minya!"
Several amethyst arrows materialized in the air, shooting toward the White Whale's wounds with sharp, piercing sounds.
The damage from the attack was minimal, but it was more than enough to enrage the beast.
"Woooooah!"
The White Whale let out an angry roar, its massive body twisting violently.
Subaru was flung into the air, and in that brief moment of weightlessness, she saw that the White Whale had already turned around, its single eye burning with furious intent.
"Ha! Already angry?" Subaru stabilized herself midair, took a deep breath, and suddenly flashed a provocative smile. "Then let me tell you another secret."
She shouted toward the White Whale.
"I will Return by Dea-!"
A familiar sensation immediately surged through her heart, but this time she deliberately allowed the Witch's aura to fully erupt.
The intense scent instantly drove the White Whale into a frenzy. It abandoned all tactics and defense, charging toward Subaru like a starving beast.
"It took the bait!"
Subaru instantly dispelled her flight magic, her body beginning to free fall like a kite with a snapped string.
The howling wind tore at her clothes, and the weightless sensation made her stomach churn, yet her smile only grew brighter.
Looking at the White Whale diving down after her, Subaru made a childish face.
"It really is a brainless, stupid whale! So easy to lure!" Her voice was torn apart by the rushing wind. "Being desired by something this disgusting... I am definitely going to have nightmares!"
The White Whale's roar split the clouds like thunder. Its massive grey white body carried Subaru downward as it broke through the cloud layer, revealing its ferocious full form beneath the moonlight.
The waiting subjugation force below instantly erupted into deafening cheers.
"Attention, everyone!" Crusch raised her longsword high, her voice cutting through the battlefield. "Attack immediately after the Perfect Knight delivers the decisive blow!"
"Yes, Sir!"
Hundreds of voices merged into a thunderous wave.
The Earth Dragons, sensing their riders' fighting spirit, let out defiant snarls.
At the very front of the battlefield, Carlisle stood tall like a drawn blade.
The longsword he held in both hands gathered a terrifying amount of power.
The moment the White Whale fully revealed itself, the white light surrounding the sword erupted skyward before cascading down like a waterfall, flowing along the blade like liquid radiance.
"Strike!"
With that clear command, the light transformed into a roaring torrent, surging toward the White Whale.
Everything in its path seemed to be torn apart.
Wilhelm gazed at the figure standing at the center of the light, and for a moment, he seemed to see the silhouette of another red haired swordswoman.
The old man's eyes grew slightly moist.
This devastating stream of light, upon reaching Subaru, softened into a gentle breeze, circling around her harmlessly, while the White Whale faced its true nightmare.
It watched in horror as its fins melted like snow under the light, its massive body spinning uncontrollably as it began to fall.
"Woooooah!"
Its mournful cry sent birds fleeing for miles.
Subaru covered her ears, watching the monster struggle in agony at such close range. Its grey white skin and fur melted away like wax, exposing the flesh beneath.
"Ul Huma!"
Carlisle's figure shot upward like a blue meteor.
At the same time, Crusch's command ignited the full assault.
"All forces, attack!"
Wilhelm charged forward, his mount surging toward the falling White Whale.
Behind him, the cavalry thundered forward, kicking up dust that obscured the sky.
The Iron Fang's wolf riders flanked from the sides, and Ricardo's booming voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Lads! Let this beast see what we are made of!"
Amid the violent winds of descent, Subaru suddenly felt a warm presence envelop her.
A familiar scent drifted over as strong arms caught her securely.
"Well done." Carlisle's slightly unsteady breath brushed against her hair.
Subaru realized she was being held in a princess carry.
Carlisle's blue hair fluttered in the wind.
Though his face was pale, his arms remained as steady as stone.
"Yay! This is a huge win!" Subaru cheered, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Not only did the plan succeed, but I even got a princess carry from the Perfect Knight. Totally worth it!"
Carlisle's ears instantly turned crimson, and he almost lost control of his flight magic.
"Do not move!"
At that moment, the White Whale crashed heavily to the ground, sending dust and debris into the air.
When the smoke cleared, the once invincible monster stared in terror at the approaching army.
It struggled to fly, but its melted fins made that impossible.
Two figures leapt onto its scarred back like lightning.
"Fourteen years of hatred, repaid in full!" Each strike of Wilhelm's blade carried decades of vengeance.
"Take this, old man's blade!" Ricardo's massive weapon carved through flesh as his laughter rang out.
Soldiers swarmed like a tide. Swords, spears, and war hammers flashed under the moonlight as they struck relentlessly.
Rem's Morning Star traced elegant arcs, each heavy impact shaking the White Whale's body.
"Wooo!"
The creature cried out in pain, instinctively trying to release its mist, only to discover in horror that its spiracles had already been destroyed by Carlisle's attack.
It could only thrash wildly, its tail lashing the ground in desperation.
Rem gracefully dodged the sweeping tail, her blue hair dancing in the wind.
She stood near the massive fin, her expression cold.
"You really like Subaru's scent, do you not?" Her voice was chilling. "I am sorry... but no matter how much you desire it, you cannot have it."
Her fingers formed seals as ice crystals gathered around her.
"Subaru's non blood related family slots..." magic condensed in her palm, "are already full!"
"Ul Huma!"
A massive ice spike shot forward, pinning the White Whale's tail firmly to the ground, completely immobilizing it.
---
Carlisle slowly descended with Subaru at the edge of the battlefield.
The White Whale's cries gradually weakened in the distance.
The night wind swept across the plains, carrying both the scent of blood and the promise of victory.
He gently set Subaru down.
The moment her feet touched the ground, a faint trace of disappointment flickered in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Carlisle noticed and sighed softly. "Do you want me to keep holding you?"
Subaru's face flushed instantly.
Before she could respond, urgent hoofbeats approached.
Patrasche, carrying Rem, rushed toward them.
The Earth Dragon came to a sharp halt, kicking up dust.
Rem dismounted lightly.
"Subaru! Are you alright?"
She quickly stepped forward, carefully checking her condition before letting out a relieved sigh.
Then her gaze shifted between Subaru and Carlisle, her lips forming a slight pout.
"Rem... is a little envious."
"Huh? Envious of what?" Subaru asked, confused.
Rem's voice grew softer.
"It is just... Carlisle holding Subaru..." her ears turned red, "Rem wants that too..."
"Woah!" Subaru's face turned bright red as she waved her hands. "Re.. Rem, what are you saying!"
Carlisle coughed awkwardly, pretending to observe the distant battlefield, though his flushed ears betrayed him.
Patrasche leaned forward at the right moment, affectionately rubbing her nose against Subaru's cheek, clearly expressing her own dissatisfaction.
"Alright, alright, thank you, Patrasche too." Subaru laughed, hugging the dragon's neck.
The night wind slowly cleared the smoke of battle.
Starlight once again illuminated the scarred land.
Under the moonlight, the silhouettes of the three and their dragon companion appeared warm and peaceful.
Note- One last chapter and then white whale arc will end.
...
Re@d adv@nce ch@pters on p@t
guilt_free_daoist
Jo!n d!sc0rd I!nk in synops!s.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.