The next day, the sun shone brightly.
"—Four hundred years."
With Crusch's low and solemn voice, the White Whale subjugation operation officially began. The atmosphere on site was grave, thick with tension. Under the fervent gazes of all present, the upright figure of Crusch stood proudly at the head of the formation. She planted the treasured sword engraved with the Karsten family crest—the Fanged Lion—into the ground, resting both hands on its hilt as she slowly surveyed every warrior present.
Natsuki Subaru, dressed in simple black attire, stood on the left side of the ranks, unable to help but marvel internally: Even though they are both Royal Candidates, the dignity and leadership aura Crusch possesses seems almost innate. In contrast, although Emilia is gentle and kind, in such a situation, she would probably find it difficult to command the same presence and awe as Crusch. Crusch truly is the most kingly candidate.
"Four hundred years have passed since the dark era when the Witch of Envy threatened the world." Crusch raised her right hand, her voice firm and powerful. "The White Whale, born from the Witch's hand, has treated the world as its hunting ground for four hundred years, viewing humans as prey, wantonly trampling the weak. This monster still roams the world today."
It was worth noting that, as the Witch of Envy who once destroyed half the world, her terrifying legend still circulated even four hundred years later. And the White Whale, a creation of the Witch, continued to wreak havoc upon humanity even after losing its master. Particularly in the great subjugation fourteen years ago, the Mabeast White Whale caused heavy casualties in various countries, devouring the lives of countless brave warriors. After all, to have survived for four hundred years was, in itself, proof of the White Whale's terrifying strength.
Of course, the White Whale was created by Daphne, the Witch of Gluttony, over four hundred years ago. It was said that Daphne, with the initial intention of creating a creature that was enormous, rich in meat, and could feed more people, endowed the White Whale with astonishing survivability and destructive power. However, contrary to her wishes, this creation, which should have benefited humanity, instead became a calamity threatening human existence. For four hundred years, the White Whale had brought profound disasters upon human society. Its disruption of the Kingdom of Lugnica's trade routes was particularly severe, causing innumerable merchants to suffer huge losses. Although the kingdom's army had organized subjugations multiple times, due to the White Whale's elusive movements, formidable defensive capabilities, and unclear specific abilities, every subjugation attempt had ended in failure.
Precisely because of this, every warrior participating in this subjugation operation could hardly conceal their excitement. They knew well that this might be humanity's best chance to end the White Whale's four-hundred-year reign of terror.
"Four hundred years, countless lives have been taken by the White Whale." Crusch's voice was as heavy as cold iron, echoing in the silent hall. "Wherever that life-devouring white fog passed, only incomplete corpses and shattered families remained. Due to the White Whale's fog characteristic, we cannot even count the exact number of victims. How many people have vanished without a trace in the mist, without even a tombstone for their loved ones to mourn at."
Crusch's words made the atmosphere on site even graver. Natsuki Subaru keenly noticed that the shoulders of several veteran soldiers in the front row were trembling slightly, their calloused hands gripping their weapons so tightly that their knuckles turned white. Further away, a warrior was digging his bloodied fingernails into his palm, as if trying to suppress his inner grief and indignation with physical pain. And in the center of the crowd, the old Sword Demon Wilhelm stood silently with his eyes closed, but Natsuki Subaru clearly saw the veins bulging on the back of the hand gripping his sword.
At this moment, Natsuki Subaru truly felt that every warrior present harbored a blood feud with the White Whale. Perhaps a beloved wife had met with misfortune on her way home, or perhaps comrades-in-arms had been forever lost in that white fog. Four hundred years of accumulated resentment now transformed into a tangible pressure, weighing heavily on everyone's heart.
"However—" Crusch's voice suddenly rose, like a sharp sword unsheathed, cutting through the heavy air. "Today, we gather here to personally end this four-hundred-year-long nightmare! We will subjugate the White Whale and claim a blood debt for all the lives lost! Let those souls who didn't even have time to cry out finally find peace!"
"Slay the White Whale!"
"Avenge the fallen souls!"
The soldiers' indignant shouts rose one after another.
Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, Crusch suddenly turned and extended her hand towards Natsuki Subaru. "The smooth preparation of this subjugation operation is entirely thanks to the crucial intelligence provided by Knight Natsuki Subaru. Now, please let him say a few words to us."
"Me? Now?" Natsuki Subaru's eyes widened, his finger unconsciously pointing at himself. He had completely unexpected to be called upon suddenly, much less to give a speech in front of hundreds of battle-hardened elite warriors.
"It's him!"
"That's right, the young man who defeated the kingdom's finest knight..."
"His strength is not to be underestimated; even Julius lost to him..."
"Even Lady Crusch acknowledges his strength..."
A rising murmur of discussion spread through the crowd. Natsuki Subaru could clearly feel countless fervent gazes focused on him, a feeling like standing in the spotlight on stage. Those gazes were mixed with doubt, expectation, and even a hint of awe. This kind of occasion really makes one a little nervous. But I have to say something.
"Everyone..." Natsuki Subaru took a deep breath, stepped forward, and slowly began to speak. "Today, we stand here, not for anything else, but to end this nightmare that has lasted for four hundred years!"
Then, Natsuki Subaru pointed to Crusch. "Here, we have the most outstanding commander!"
He pointed to the old Sword Demon, Wilhelm. "We have the strongest warrior!"
Finally, he pointed to everyone present. "And we have countless ordinary people who are unwilling to lose anyone important again!"
"The White Whale is strong? So what!" Natsuki Subaru's voice resounded through the hall. "No matter how strong it is, it's just a solitary Mabeast! And we—we are a whole! For four hundred years, it has treated us as prey, but today—right at this moment! The positions of hunter and prey are about to be reversed!"
The warriors below began to stir; some gripped their weapons tighter, while fighting spirit ignited in the eyes of others.
"I'm not good at saying grandiose things." Natsuki Subaru looked at the crowd, paused for a moment, then his voice suddenly rose. "I just want to say—if the White Whale wants to devour us, then let it taste what it's like to be stuffed to death! If it wants to toy with our lives, then let it see just how terrifying humans can be when pushed to the brink!"
Isn't this speech a bit too chuuni? Natsuki Subaru silently retorted to himself, but seeing the ignited gazes of the warriors below, his resolve became even firmer. Then, he continued, "Today, we will make history! Not as another number on the White Whale's kill list, but as the—heroes—who will end this four-hundred-year nightmare!"
"OOOOHHH!!" A thunderous roar swept across the entire square. Even Natsuki Subaru himself felt a surge of heat in his chest. Looks like my speech was quite effective...
Crusch stepped forward, her emerald eyes shining with approval. "A splendid speech. I didn't expect you to possess such talent."
"Haha... Miss Crusch, you flatter me." Natsuki Subaru smiled embarrassedly. "I was just speaking my mind."
"Super~ awesome, meow~" Ferris bounced over from the side, his pair of grey cat ears twitching excitedly. "Subaru-kyun, you were super cool just now, almost like a different person, meow."
"Hey, hey, Ferris, you make it sound like I'm usually unreliable, don't you?" Natsuki Subaru said, feigning anger.
"Isn't that so?" Ferris blinked playfully. "Subaru-kyun, who's usually all smiles and jokes, suddenly being so cool, I almost fell for you, meow~"
"Err... cut it out!" Natsuki Subaru waved his hand, a dark line on his forehead, then said seriously, "But next, subjugating the White Whale is the main event."
"Indeed." Crusch nodded lightly, her armor gleaming in the morning light. "Your speech has ignited the warriors' fighting spirit. Now it's time to let the White Whale witness our determination."
"Lord Subaru, well said." Wilhelm, who had approached at some point, spoke, his aged voice carrying a rare excitement. "Such passion reminds this old man of his younger days."
"It was nothing..." Natsuki Subaru said modestly.
Wilhelm patted Natsuki Subaru's shoulder. "Maintain this momentum. Today's victory will surely be ours."
At this moment, Crusch opportunely stepped forward, her longsword sweeping sharply forward. "All units, advance! Target—Lifaus Plains, Flugel's Tree!"
"HOOAH—!!" The response thundered, and the roar of hundreds of warriors marching in unison made the very earth tremble.
"Today, with our hands—we will eliminate the White Whale!!"
Led by Duchess Crusch Karsten, the White Whale subjugation expedition commenced.
Ferris stood beside Natsuki Subaru, his tail held high. "Subaru-kyun, we'll definitely win, meow~"
"Of course!" Natsuki Subaru showed a confident smile. "Because this time, we've made complete preparations!"
The party set off from the Royal Capital in dozens of dragon carriages and on Earth Dragons, a grand procession. Since the great subjugation fourteen years ago, this was the first large-scale operation to eliminate one of the Three Great Mabeasts, the White Whale. An unprecedentedly fierce battle could be anticipated.
The composition of this expedition force included the main subjugation party led by Crusch, with Wilhelm van Astrea of the Sword Saint lineage as its captain. The subjugation party following Wilhelm was divided into fifteen squads, each led by the veterans who had participated in the hall speech. Each squad had fifteen members, bringing Crusch's subjugation force to a total of about two hundred and twenty.
However, the total combat strength was not limited to this. At the decisive battleground, Flugel's Tree, there should be a supply team sent ahead by Crusch, currently transporting necessary materials and setting up formations. In addition, there was Anastasia's support: the beastman mercenary group, the Iron Fang, led by Ricardo. They numbered thirty in total; besides Captain Ricardo, there were also two vice-captains.
At this moment, Natsuki Subaru stood on the lead dragon carriage. His level 34 perception allowed him to clearly capture the aura fluctuations of everyone in the procession.
"Such a lineup... is truly unprecedented." Gazing at the vast subjugation force behind him, Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but show a confident smile. His level 34 strength, coupled with his detailed knowledge of the White Whale's weaknesses, filled him with confidence for the upcoming battle. This subjugation was not only to eradicate the White Whale that had plagued the land for four hundred years but also to enhance the prestige of Emilia's faction in the kingdom. No matter what, he had to achieve victory.
"Mimi's here—!" An orange figure suddenly leaped over from a nearby dragon carriage, accurately landing in Natsuki Subaru's arms.
"Hey, hey, be careful!" Natsuki Subaru helplessly supported the lively little one; his level 34 physical constitution allowed him to easily absorb the impact.
"Big brother, we meet again!" Mimi tilted up her cute little face, her orange cat ears twitching excitedly.
"I am Hetaro." Another calm voice sounded. Hetaro bowed respectfully, a stark contrast to his lively sister.
Natsuki Subaru squatted down, looking at the demi-human siblings at eye level, and said, "Speaking of which, this is no game. The White Whale is more dangerous than any enemy we've faced before."
"Of course, I know!" Mimi puffed out her chest proudly, her pure white robe billowing lightly in the wind. "Mimi is the vice-captain of the Iron Fang, and I'm very strong!"
"We have the Divine Protection of Trisection," Hetaro added, the corners of his eyes slightly drooping. "We can share damage amongst ourselves."
"Is that so..." Natsuki Subaru certainly knew the strength of these siblings. Mimi, as the strongest fighter among the three siblings, combined with their unique damage-sharing Divine Protection, possessed considerable combat power.
"Rest assured, Mimi will protect big brother!" Mimi declared confidently, waving her small fists.
"Err... I think I should be the one saying that." Natsuki Subaru chuckled and ruffled Mimi's head. "Stick close to me later; we'll watch out for each other."
"Well now, little..." A gruff voice suddenly interjected. On a nearby dragon carriage, a dog-like beastman carrying a giant cleaver grinned. "You look mighty confident there."
This person was none other than the captain of the Iron Fang, Ricardo.
"We have a thorough understanding of the White Whale's intelligence. This subjugation is absolutely foolproof," Natsuki Subaru replied with full confidence.
"Such bold words again." Ricardo laughed heartily. "If the young lady heard that, she'd surely be pleased. Little bro really is a good fit to be the young lady's friend."
"Captain Ricardo, you flatter me." Natsuki Subaru waved his hand modestly, but the confidence in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
"Little bro defeated Julius; that's real strength," Ricardo said, patting his broad chest with an impressed look. "Even if I faced Julius, I wouldn't necessarily have a chance of winning."
"That was just a fluke." Though Natsuki Subaru said this, he knew in his heart that his level 34 strength was indeed a world apart from before.
And so, in a relaxed atmosphere, the subjugation party reached their destination without incident. The towering silhouette of Flugel's Tree was already clearly visible; the decisive battle was about to begin.
___
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