Royal Capital Inn.
"Subaru, I still don't understand..." Emilia's silver hair gleamed like pearls in the candlelight, her amethyst eyes shimmering with confusion. "Why am I the only one excluded from the White Whale subjugation? My magic should be able to help."
"Emilia-tan~" Natsuki Subaru deliberately put on a relaxed expression, waving his hand. "Rough work like subjugating the White Whale is best left to Crusch's regular army and me. You're a candidate for the throne, you know? You should stay in the Royal Capital and handle more important matters."
He knew better than anyone just how perilous the upcoming battles would be. The White Whale, the Witch Cult, the Sin Archbishops... a single mistake in any part could lead to irreversible doom.
"But, Subaru..." Emilia frowned slightly.
"Hey, Emilia-tan, don't you trust me? I'm your number one knight, you know," Natsuki Subaru interrupted Emilia, speaking half-jokingly.
"It's not that I don't trust you..." Emilia suddenly took a step forward, so close he could smell the faint, elegant fragrance from her. "I just... I don't want you to bear so much alone."
Emilia was always like this. Even though she was the one who needed protection the most, she was always worrying about others. Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru reached out and gently patted Emilia's shoulder, grinning. "Don't worry! I'm the one who defeated the kingdom's finest knight, Julius, you know. What's a mere White Whale? Besides, Old Man Wilhelm and the others are with us this time. It's perfectly safe!"
"..." Emilia was silent for a moment, finally letting out a soft sigh. "...Subaru, promise me you won't push yourself too hard."
"I know, Emilia-tan." Natsuki Subaru smiled and nodded.
"...Then I'll head back to my room first."
"Alright."
Watching Emilia's departing figure, Natsuki Subaru's smile gradually faded, replaced by a look of gravity.
"Subaru, you're worried about Lady Emilia's safety, aren't you?" A gentle voice came from behind. Natsuki Subaru turned to see Rem standing quietly in the shadows of the corridor, her blue hair cascading over her shoulders, her azure eyes filled with understanding.
"Rem..." Natsuki Subaru looked at her and managed a small smile. "I guess I can't hide it from you."
"Because Rem is very familiar with Subaru's expression," Rem said, taking a few steps closer, her voice as gentle as ever. "It's the look you have when you're thinking about how to protect someone important."
Natsuki Subaru was silent for a moment, then said to Rem in a low voice, "This subjugation... we might run into people from the Witch Cult."
"The Witch Cult..." Rem's blue pupils contracted slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "So, Subaru wishes for Rem to stay in the Royal Capital and take care of Lady Emilia?"
"Mm." Natsuki Subaru looked at the lovely Rem before him and nodded. "Although Reinhard is here, but..."
"Rem understands. Subaru is entrusting Rem with protecting Lady Emilia, right?" Rem clasped her hands in front of her skirt and said before he could finish, "Please rest assured. Even if it costs my life..."
"Stop! Hold it right there!" Natsuki Subaru hastily reached out and covered Rem's mouth. Only when he felt the softness of her lips did he realize his impoliteness and quickly withdrew his hand. "You're forbidden from saying anything about risking your life! I want you both to be safe and sound, that's an order! If you encounter any danger, your first priority is to escape with Emilia, understand?"
"Yes." Rem blinked her azure eyes, then gave a reassuring smile. "If an accident occurs, Rem will immediately notify the Royal Guard Knights and prioritize ensuring Lady Emilia's safe retreat."
As expected of Rem... gentle, considerate, and understanding. With someone as reliable as Rem here, plus Reinhard who would occasionally patrol, there shouldn't be any problem even if the Witch Cult attacked. A warm current washed over Natsuki Subaru's heart, and he couldn't help but reach out and ruffle Rem's soft blue hair. "Thanks, Rem."
"Rem wishes Subaru... the best of luck in battle." A faint blush colored Rem's cheeks, but she didn't shy away, her upturned face filled with determination. "Rem will always... always pray for Subaru's victory."
"Yeah, you two just wait in the Royal Capital for my triumphant return..." Halfway through his sentence, Natsuki Subaru suddenly froze, scratching his hair in annoyance. "Crap, why does that sound like I just raised a death flag..."
"Flag? What's that?" Rem tilted her head, confused.
"Uh, it's the kind of line... where you don't come back after saying it..." Natsuki Subaru gave a dry laugh, then shook his head forcefully. "No, no, I'd better take back such an unlucky thing to say."
Watching Natsuki Subaru's exaggerated movements, Rem couldn't help but let out a light laugh. "Subaru really is strange."
"What's strange is the malice of this world!" Natsuki Subaru sighed softly. At least in the Royal Capital, Emilia and Rem were safe.
...
Crusch's Mansion.
The setting sun dyed the entire training ground a golden-red. The neatly trimmed lawn rippled like waves in the evening breeze. Two figures moved at high speed across the grass, the whistling sound of wooden swords cutting through the air rising and falling.
"Swoosh—thwack!" The moment the wooden swords clashed, clippings of grass exploded like fireworks.
Natsuki Subaru's figure created several afterimages under the setting sun. His movements seemed casual, yet he always managed to evade Wilhelm's blade by a hair's breadth.
"Hah—" On the other side, Wilhelm's breathing had become heavy, his white sideburns soaked with sweat. What shocked him even more was that every time their wooden swords clashed, the recoil that traveled up his arm reminded him of sparring with his wife, Theresia, forty years ago. This kind of oppressive feeling... he hadn't experienced it since Theresia was gone.
"Lord Subaru, be careful!" Wilhelm suddenly changed his move, his wooden sword transforming into seven illusory images that enveloped Natsuki Subaru's vital points. This was the ultimate technique he had once used to defeat the former Sword Saint—the Seven Lights Consecutive Slash!
"Nice one!" Natsuki Subaru's eyes lit up. Under his dynamic vision, the afterimages that would have confused an ordinary person were as clear as if in slow motion. He swung his sword casually, and the wooden blade accurately passed through all the illusions, tapping against the spine of Wilhelm's real sword.
"Clang!" With a crisp sound, Wilhelm retreated three steps before stabilizing himself. Deep footprints were left on the lawn, blades of grass clinging to his mud-stained boot soles.
"Lord Subaru, your strength has improved remarkably." As Wilhelm sheathed his sword, an unusual glint flashed in his twilight-colored eyes.
"Mister Wilhelm, it's all thanks to your guidance." Natsuki Subaru smiled and flicked his wooden sword. He was genuinely grateful; after all, the combat experience of this Sword Demon, who had once defeated a Sword Saint, was far beyond what the monsters in the dungeon could compare to.
But... it felt... too easy? Natsuki Subaru quietly rolled his shoulders. It was known that in the previous exchange, he hadn't even used fifty percent of his strength, yet he was able to keep up with all of Wilhelm's variations with ease. After all, his level 34 physical constitution made Wilhelm's fierce sword strikes look like they were in slow motion. However, Mister Wilhelm probably wasn't using his full strength either, since it was just a spar.
"..." Wilhelm silently gazed at the black-haired young man before him, his expression complex.
"What's wrong?" Noticing his gaze, Natsuki Subaru looked down at his own attire in confusion.
"No, it's nothing." Wilhelm averted his gaze, but his white eyebrows were slightly furrowed. Strange... Natsuki Subaru's sword pressure is even fiercer than it was three days ago. During that exchange just now, the faint oppressive feeling I felt... even I found it daunting. And he saw through all my attack routes... but how is that possible? How could he have such a breakthrough in just a few days?
"Subaru-kyun, and Old Man Wil, Lady Crusch says it's time to discuss tomorrow's White Whale subjugation~" Just then, Ferris peeked out from behind a colonnade pillar, his cat ears twitching in the sunset.
"Understood." Natsuki Subaru nodded in reply, noticing Wilhelm was still standing in place. "Mister Wilhelm?"
"Yes, this old man understands." Wilhelm seemed to wake from a dream, shaking his head. Then he stared intently at Natsuki Subaru. "...Tomorrow's White Whale subjugation, I look forward to Lord Subaru's performance."
"I will not disappoint." Natsuki Subaru nodded solemnly. As he turned to leave, he didn't notice the undisguised shock in Wilhelm's gaze as he watched his retreating back.
At that very moment, the wooden sword that had accompanied Wilhelm for thirty years suddenly made a crisp 'crack' sound and broke in two.
...
The night was as dark as ink, the bright moon high in the sky. Crusch's mansion was enveloped in tranquility. Staying overnight in the Royal Capital for the first time, Natsuki Subaru tossed and turned, unable to sleep, which made him feel a bit uncomfortable.
"Maybe it's because Emilia and Rem aren't here..." Natsuki Subaru sighed, put on a robe, and decided to take a walk in the courtyard.
"Hmm? Is that..." Under the moonlight, a green-haired young woman in light armor stood quietly by a flowerbed. The silver glow on her armor, the surrounding blooming flowers, and her sharp sword strangely merged into one, forming an exquisitely beautiful picture. This beautiful woman, blooming under the moon, was none other than Crusch Karsten.
To call this sight Athena would not be an overstatement. No... perhaps Valkyrie would be more fitting. Natsuki Subaru looked at the young woman under the moonlight and couldn't help but marvel internally: As expected of the one known as the Valkyrie of the Karsten domain.
"Still awake, Natsuki Subaru?" Crusch, sensing his gaze, turned her head, the moonlight flowing in her emerald eyes. "Am I disturbing you? If so, I am deeply sorry."
"No, no, it's entirely my own issue." Natsuki Subaru quickly waved his hands. "Rather, Miss Crusch, to be wearing armor so late at night, are you preparing for tomorrow's battle?" Speaking of which, to be fully armed at this hour, could it be that Crusch has been standing here since evening?
"Tomorrow is the day of the White Whale subjugation." Crusch's gaze turned to the distant night sky, her voice filled with firm resolve. "Thanks to the intelligence you provided, we have made full preparations. I believe this battle will surely be a success."
"Right, what is the specific departure time for tomorrow?"
"Considering personnel deployment and supply preparations, we expect to depart at eight o'clock on Sun Day."
"As expected of Miss Crusch, such high efficiency."
The night wind blew again, bringing with it a faint floral scent. Crusch looked at Natsuki Subaru, her voice a little softer than usual. "Since we have this rare meeting under the moon, I wonder if you would be willing to accompany me for a walk?"
Eh? Is this... an invitation? Natsuki Subaru paused for a moment, then a smile appeared as he fell into step with Crusch. "...It would be my honor."
The bright moonlight dappled on the small path in the courtyard. The two walked side-by-side, their footsteps sounding particularly clear in the quiet night.
"It's rather embarrassing to say," Crusch was the first to break the silence, "but although I occasionally take a walk in the courtyard to clear my mind, a situation like walking with you like this has probably not happened in a very long time."
"I'm quite surprised that Miss Crusch has such an interest." The moment Natsuki Subaru said it, he regretted it a little. Oops, that sounds like I'm mocking her...
"In your eyes, I am probably a stiff and uninteresting person." A slight smile lifted the corners of Crusch's lips. The moonlight flowed over her armor, plating her heroic silhouette with a soft silver edge.
It's over, she misunderstood! Natsuki Subaru waved his hands. "Ah, my apologies, Miss Crusch! I shouldn't have commented so presumptuously..."
"It doesn't matter. The self in others' eyes is ultimately built upon one's past actions. You and I have known each other for only a short time, so it is natural to judge me by what you see before you." Crusch shook her head and continued, "Besides... who can say with certainty that the self in one's own mind is the true self?"
"..." Natsuki Subaru was at a loss for words.
"Do you know why I like to walk like this?" Crusch suddenly stopped, her fingertips lightly touching a blooming rose beside her.
"Is it because... the night wind is pleasant?" Natsuki Subaru guessed. "Or these beautiful flowers?"
"These are certainly wonderful, but not the main reason." Crusch's gaze became distant, looking past the garden towards the starry sky far away. "This garden holds too many precious memories, be it the garden of my home or the small gardens of the Royal Castle. Whenever I stop here, those bygone times become vivid again, surfacing in my heart."
"Memories..." Natsuki Subaru quietly watched Crusch's profile under the moonlight, noticing a trace of elusive loneliness in her emerald eyes, and suddenly understood something. So that's it... even someone as strong as Crusch needs a place to remember the past.
"Life is never smooth sailing." Crusch's tone suddenly shifted, becoming resolute again, the previous softness seeming like an illusion. "But it is the lessons learned from failure that allow me to continue moving forward."
"Miss Crusch, you really are..." Natsuki Subaru gazed at Crusch's beautiful profile under the moonlight, wanting to say more but stopping himself.
"Hmm? What did you want to say?" Crusch tilted her head slightly, her long green hair swaying gently in the night wind.
"No, it's just that I feel Miss Crusch is more real than I imagined." Natsuki Subaru scratched his head and said seriously, "During the day, in front of everyone, you always seem so perfect and flawless."
It was known that the Duchess Crusch Karsten, famous for her handsome and beautiful image, though born with a gentle face, always kept her thin lips pursed in a serious expression. That upright posture and sharp gaze exuded a capable aura at all times. She was the very picture of the unassailable strong woman in people's minds.
"Perfect and flawless?" Crusch was taken aback at first, then chuckled lightly. "You think too highly of me. As the heir to a duchy of the Kingdom of Lugnica and a Royal Candidate, even being called a Valkyrie, I am but an ordinary person who can get lost and make mistakes."
"But it is precisely such a Miss Crusch who is all the more admirable," Natsuki Subaru said sincerely, looking at Crusch. "To be able to face one's own shortcomings and draw strength from them to move forward—not everyone has that kind of courage."
"You really..." Crusch's beautiful emerald eyes widened slightly, and then she revealed a rare, gentle smile. "...know how to talk."
Then, Crusch turned to face the distance, the moonlight outlining her graceful profile. "Speaking of which, my dream also began from that time. This is something that only I can do: to stand in the present, embrace the past, and create the future."
The night wind blew gently. Crusch's voice carried a hint of reminiscence. Then she turned to Natsuki Subaru, her emerald eyes shining in the moonlight. "This is the answer that only the true Crusch Karsten can find... What about you? The one named Natsuki Subaru, what kind of scenery do you see from here?"
"Me..." Natsuki Subaru spread his hands, a bright smile on his face, and said with great seriousness, "My dream is much simpler! To be able to eat food made by Rem every day, to be gently called 'Subaru' by Rem, and then to sunbathe with my head on Emilia's lap... Ah, of course, I also have to save the world or something, that's just on the side!"
"Eh..." Crusch first showed a look of surprise, then couldn't help but laugh out loud. "That is... quite a dream in your style." Then, Crusch shook her head again, but her eyes held a rare warmth. "However, to be able to so frankly state what you wish to protect, that sincerity is perhaps your greatest strength."
"Am I being praised by Miss Crusch?" Natsuki Subaru scratched the back of his head, feigning embarrassment. His face was smiling, but his eyes were more serious than ever before. "But seriously, although my dream sounds unpromising, to achieve it, I would risk my life!"
That's right... to protect this gentleness, to be able to see their smiles again—even if a god stands in my way, I will definitely carve out a bloody path! Under the moonlight, a fervent determination burned in Natsuki Subaru's eyes.
"It seems so." Crusch nodded lightly, a faint smile on her lips. "Talking with you is very interesting; one always loses track of time without realizing."
"I will head back first. You should also get some rest soon. We will need your strength for the White Whale subjugation tomorrow."
"Mm, Miss Crusch, see you tomorrow."
Crusch's figure gradually merged into the moonlight, the crisp sound of her armor and sword clinking together fading into the distance of the courtyard. Natsuki Subaru watched her depart, then couldn't help but give a big stretch, his joints making a 'kaba' sound.
"I didn't expect to have such a nice chat with Crusch. But she's right, there's a tough battle to fight tomorrow..." Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru took a deep breath and turned towards his room.
—Tomorrow, the battle begins.
___
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