Chapter 24(219): Battle? No, This Is a Hunt!
Listening to Hikigaya's words, everyone felt a momentary sense of disorientation.
To lose one's very existence meant that no one in this world would ever remember them, and that was far more terrifying than death itself.
That's right, they weren't afraid of death. What they feared was that after dying, no one would remember their contributions.
Hikigaya: "Even so, are you still willing to take this step forward?"
"This assembly was formed voluntarily. To be honest, what I want is not people burdened by past grudges. If you feel fear, it's perfectly fine to leave right now."
"What I need is your genuine fighting spirit, and absolute obedience to orders. No matter what kind of situation you face, you must remain calm."
"That is the quality a true warrior should possess."
Hikigaya's words left everyone present momentarily stunned. Normally, on the eve of a decisive battle, someone would say encouraging words to stir up morale. But Hikigaya was different. He wanted everyone here to understand that life only comes once. Even if it meant wagering the meaning of their existence, only those with such resolve could truly defeat the White Whale.
Priscilla: "What a long-winded fellow…"
Crusch revealed an appreciative smile: "This man… really knows how to grasp the weaknesses of human nature."
Hikigaya: "For many years, the appearance of the White Whale has caused countless innocent people to die in its jaws, even stealing away memories that should have been ours. As members of this country, it is a calamity."
"And what we are doing now is not for revenge, nor to vent our resentment, but simply for the sake of those who come after us, willing to give everything we have."
"The meaning of the dead is always defined by the living. That has always been the case."
No one left the hall. Compared to their earlier smiles, their faces were now filled with resolve.
They clenched their fists tightly, bidding farewell to their pasts. Their trembling bodies were overcoming their instinctive fear of death.
Only in this way could their potential be forced to its absolute limit.
Hikigaya: "Let us subjugate the White Whale, and put an end to this great chapter of history."
"The location is the Lifaus Highway, the Great Tree of Flugel. That is where our decisive battle will take place!"
In the conference hall, thunderous shouts erupted instantly. Soldiers filled with fighting spirit prepared to step onto the battlefield.
Crusch: "I respect you more and more, Sir Hikigaya."
Hikigaya: "If Miss Crusch were the one giving the speech, I'm sure you would've done far better than I did. To be honest, I'm not good at this sort of thing."
Felix: "Fili~li down here is totally fired up! Hikigaya-kyun did great!"
Wilhelm: "Once again, thank you for this opportunity, Hikigaya-dono."
More and more people gathered around, and Hikigaya quickly became the center of attention.
Al: "Princess, should we go join the crowd?"
Priscilla: "I am the one who should be watched by all. I have no intention of going over there."
Al: "Alright then, I'll go."
Priscilla moved to draw her Yang Sword Vollachia once more.
[Horikita Manabu: "He gathered everyone together this quickly. I have to say, Hikigaya has exploited every usable resource down to the system itself."]
[Yukinoshita Haruno: "I never thought there'd come a day when Hikigaya would stand on a podium and say something like this. Even big sis here is getting excited."]
[Hiratsuka Shizuka: "You really do sound like you come with built-in sarcasm every time you open your mouth."]
[Yukinoshita Haruno: "Aren't you happy, Shizuka? Seeing your student reach this point."]
[Yukinoshita Yukino: "Please don't project your own emotions into other people's hearts."]
[Yukinoshita Haruno: "Oh? I see~ But Yukino is right. I really do like this version of Hikigaya-kun."]
[Yukinoshita Yukino clenched her fists, clearly irritated at being outmaneuvered like this.]
With time being extremely tight, the hundred-man subjugation squad formed by Hikigaya quickly began a strategy meeting.
Because he had once promised to defeat the White Whale without losing a single person, and in reality, although Hikigaya had exchanged his life for vast amounts of information, he had never pushed the White Whale into a corner before, so…
He wasn't certain what special attack methods the White Whale might have. However, one thing was clear, due to the Witch's scent, the White Whale seemed particularly fond of him, similar to the mabeasts encountered in the village.
Since that was the case, Hikigaya naturally intended to exploit this fact. Among this group of people, only his life was the least valuable. As long as he wished, he could repeat the cycle countless times.
And because of that, his plan had begun to take shape.
He would draw all of the White Whale's attention onto himself and create an overwhelming advantage through a preemptive strike.
Of course, upon hearing this plan, everyone found it difficult to accept. From their perspective, their safety was being exchanged solely through Hikigaya alone.
Crusch: "Have you made up your mind, Sir Hikigaya."
Priscilla: "Even a normal assault wouldn't necessarily lose. If you're in a hurry to throw your life away, I won't stop you."
Mimi: "Mimi thinks this is really dangerous!"
Ricardo: "Letting an ordinary person do something like this, why not let me, the captain, take that role instead?"
Hikigaya shook his head: "No… as a mabeast, the White Whale is only attracted to the Witch's scent. You have no appeal to it at all. This role can only be filled by me."
Rem: "Hikigaya-kun… Rem believes in you… but it really is very dangerous."
Hikigaya gently patted her head. Toward this girl who had always stayed by his side, he had long since deeply felt the warmth she gave him.
Hikigaya: "Don't worry. I'll be safe. Just like always."
Priscilla: "Tch, what an arrogant man."
Hikigaya: "Hey now, coming from you, that line doesn't really fit, does it?"
Crusch: "Since Sir Hikigaya has such confidence, then let us believe in him. After all, the one who gathered us all here… was you, Hikigaya."
Facing everyone's support, Hikigaya nodded in satisfaction. At this point, everything was proceeding according to his plan, but…
If the White Whale was drawn here by the Witch's scent, then besides himself, the one capable of emitting such a scent was the Archbishop of Sloth.
But… was it really reasonable to simply pin this on him?
Up until now, Hikigaya had yet to encounter any other Sin Archbishops. If another were to appear at this moment, it would deal a massive blow to this plan.
While thinking about this, Hikigaya was led out of the meeting by Felix.
Felix: "Since you're heading onto the battlefield too, a fast Ground Dragon is absolutely necessary, right?"
Hikigaya: "But I don't know how to control one… Even if I had a Ground Dragon, it wouldn't necessarily..."
Felix: "Hikigaya-kyun, did you forget that you've got an all-purpose Rem by your side?"
Rem lowered her head shyly.
Hikigaya: "In that case, I'll accept your kindness. But just so you know, I don't really have anything I can give you in return."
Felix patted Hikigaya on the shoulder: "Lady Crusch said that as long as you survive, that's the best outcome!"
He hadn't expected Crusch to be this concerned about him. Feeling unexpectedly flattered by this sudden care, Hikigaya simply began selecting from among the Ground Dragons.
That said, Hikigaya was no expert at all. He didn't even know the differences between the various Ground Dragons. Rather than him choosing a Ground Dragon, it was more like the Ground Dragons were choosing him.
Looking at one unmotivated Ground Dragon after another, Hikigaya felt a bit helpless. He thought about himself, perhaps this was exactly the impression he used to give others. Completely unreliable when it really mattered.
If he chose a Ground Dragon with no drive, and it ran just a little slower, he might very well be bitten to death by the White Whale. So at times like this, it was best to be as careful as possible.
After circling the third round, Hikigaya noticed that one Ground Dragon had remained extremely excited the entire time, and every time Hikigaya walked up to it, it would continuously stick out its tongue at him.
What, are you striking a pose or something?
In any case, compared to the other Ground Dragons, this one clearly looked different.
"This one."
Felix: "You're not going to look a bit more?"
Hikigaya gently shook his head: "It might sound strange, but I feel like there's a kind of natural chemistry between us."
As he said that, he reached out his hand, and the Ground Dragon obediently rubbed against it.
Rem: "I thought this Ground Dragon was famous for being unruly."
Hikigaya: "If we're talking about unruly, nothing beats Priscilla, right? Felix, does it have a name?"
Felix: "Uh, not yet… Also, it'd be better if you didn't let Lady Priscilla hear what you just said, otherwise…"
Felix got goosebumps all over his body.
Hikigaya didn't really care. After all, he knew very well that Priscilla was just difficult on the surface.
"Then let's call him Hayama."
"Hayama?"
"Hikigaya-kun, what does Hayama mean?"
Hikigaya revealed an extremely sinister smile: "Hayama is someone who likes to hop around everywhere."
Rem: "Hikigaya-kun… your eyes are scary…"
Felix: "That doesn't feel like a good name at all…"
[Inside the group chat, everyone from the Service Club was left speechless. Even though they knew this was Hikigaya's prank, it was still the kind of prank that gave people a headache.]
[Yuigahama: "Hikki, your personality really is awful…"]
[Yukinoshita Yukino covered her face and laughed quietly: "Hikigaya-kun… could there really be a pet in this world named Hikigaya-kun too?"]
[Hikigaya: "Uh, I honestly don't know, but I really hope not."]
[Iroha: "Senpai, your personality is as dark as your dead fish eyes!"]
[Hayama smiled helplessly, clearly not taking it to heart.]
[Miura let out a helpless sigh. If it were the old her, she would've immediately stood up for Hayama, but after seeing Hikigaya's past and everything he had endured, she felt that this level of joking really didn't amount to much.]
[If someone has already overcome the fear of death, then they're no longer just a high school student on the same level as them.]
[As for the most excited person in the room, it had to be Ebina. Her glasses were practically shining as she clasped her hands under her chin, clearly bursting with things she wanted to say.]
["Th-th-th-this could it be… a love that transcends worlds?!"]
["Has the bond between Hayama-kun and Hikigaya-kun evolved into something that even the boundary between humans and animals can't ignore?!"]
["Amazing, amazing! Hikigaya-kun sitting on top, riding Hayama underneath like that… this scene is incredible!"]
[Hikigaya: "Wait, is that really something you're allowed to say?!"]
[Miura reacted instantly, clamping her hand firmly over Ebina's mouth before she could say another word.]
["Hina, calm down first. This is just Hikigaya's bad taste… it's not what you're imagining. Right, Hikigaya-kun?"]
[Hikigaya nodded vigorously.]
[Ebina somehow became even more excited. Even with her mouth covered, she continued muttering: "Ah… bad taste… Hikigaya-kun's bad taste… with Hayama-kun…"]
[Hikigaya: "No… isn't this really wrong? Why does it sound so weird when it comes out of your mouth, Ebina?"]
[Iroha: "On that point, it's hard not to agree."]
[The process of calming Ebina down was destined to be long and difficult, and at the same time…]
After a full day of rest and recovery, everyone conducted a final equipment check. At Hikigaya's request, they made sure to include wind magic users.
Along the way, despite the fact that they were about to face the White Whale, perhaps due to the strong impact of Hikigaya's speech the day before, there was no heavy tension in the air.
Moreover, with Captain Ricardo present, morale remained high the entire time, and Mimi and Hetaro, both mercenaries from [Iron Fang], brought plenty of liveliness to the group.
After all, Mimi was just too cute.
Priscilla remained as arrogant as ever. While everyone else rode Ground Dragons, she alone sat in a dragon carriage, so there was hardly any interaction along the way.
However, every now and then, Hikigaya could feel a gaze coming from inside the carriage.
'Hey, hey, is this really necessary? I just won once or twice when I got lucky. You're not going to hold a grudge for the rest of your life, right…'
Hikigaya really wanted to say that to Priscilla, but he didn't even need to think to know what kind of outcome that mocking tone would lead to.
As for Wilhelm and Crusch, they had clearly been anticipating this day for a long time as well. For the White Whale that had killed Wilhelm's beloved wife, this day was the very meaning of his continued life.
Maintaining this high spirit, the group didn't stop moving. By dusk, they finally arrived at the designated location, the Great Tree of Flugel.
There was still some time before the White Whale's appearance, and what needed to be done now was to set up formations and devices in advance.
Against the deep night, as long as there were devices to illuminate the sky, this battlefield would belong to Hikigaya and the others.
And against the dense fog, as long as the wind mages' positions were arranged beforehand, it wouldn't be much of a problem.
No matter what, as long as the formation didn't fall into chaos, this battle would definitely proceed smoothly.
Everyone had a reason to fight. Everyone had a reason they couldn't die. If the outcome of all this pointed only to failure, if the result of this battle could only be defeat, then Hikigaya would shoulder it all alone.
Countless deaths were all for this moment.
The waiting process was undoubtedly long, and the White Whale's exact appearance was never fixed to a single point in time.
Hikigaya took a deep breath and looked at everyone behind him: "Are you ready?"
"Let's go…!"
Then…
Hikigaya took another deep breath and, riding Rem's Ground Dragon, charged straight out.
"I can die and retu..."
The Witch's hands tightly grasped his heart, yet at that very moment, gently released it.
Rem: "Hikigaya-kun, the smell on you is really awful."
Hikigaya: "That's exactly the effect I want. Rem… are you ready?!"
"Of course!"
Watching Hikigaya take the lead, Crusch and Priscilla could only stare… momentarily dazed.
This guy… he really isn't joking around.
Wilhelm: "As expected, he truly is a monster. To overcome the fear of death at such a young age…"
Because it was the first time seeing this colossal creature at such close range, everyone's brows involuntarily furrowed.
Even after that declaration back then, now that they were truly facing one of the Three Great Mabeasts, fear still crept in.
Even their bodies trembled, and their movements slowed.
It was as if all of this had been prepared as a stage for Hikigaya alone. Only he had completely cast aside life and death. Even though he stood in the most dangerous position, he still charged ahead without hesitation.
Priscilla: "Hmph, what a fool who doesn't know the value of his life."
Saying that, she didn't wait for any orders and directly leapt out from the back of the dragon carriage. Drawing the Yang Sword straight from the void, she sliced through the transport canopy behind her.
Al let out a helpless sigh and rushed out as well.
This wasn't part of Hikigaya's plan. After all, before the White Whale had even launched an attack, rushing out recklessly was obviously dangerous.
But it was precisely because of their actions that Crusch finally snapped back to her senses.
She smiled faintly and gently raised her hand.
"All units… attack!"
Countless radiant magic beams surged toward the White Whale like a rainbow, inflicting devastating damage at the point of convergence.
Hikigaya noticed the two behind him and had clearly expected that they wouldn't follow orders.
Hikigaya: "Priscilla, I'll act as the bait later. You and Al strike when the opening appears."
Priscilla: "I have no interest in listening to the prattle of a common fool."
Al: "No problem, brother."
Although Priscilla said that, she remained close behind Hikigaya, clearly not throwing a tantrum at a time like this.
Rem: "[Night Driver] is coming. Please close your eyes."
Facing the power of Night Driver directly could even cause blindness. Hikigaya was surprisingly obedient and immediately closed his eyes.
Bang!
A cannon-like starlight blasted forth, illuminating the desolate night as if countless stars had ignited at once. The darkness within a hundred-mile radius vanished instantly. Feeling the blinding light through his eyelids, Hikigaya slowly opened his eyes.
"This really is… awe-inspiring power."
Because the White Whale had been continuously bombarded by rainbow-like magic, and now exposed to the light, its massive body was revealed in full.
But… It was also thanks to this light that everyone finally saw the damaged patches of skin on the White Whale's body.
Rem: "Are you scared?"
Hikigaya: "I've imagined this scene countless times. Compared to fear, I'm more excited."
"Now, Rem!"
Rem flashed a confident smile and urged 'Hayama' forward.
"I can die and retu..."
The Witch's scent spread once more. Instead of charging toward the crowded troops, the White Whale immediately turned and headed straight for Hikigaya.
Its enormous body moved with frightening speed. If this continued, it would catch up to Hikigaya very soon.
But… Priscilla and Wilhelm wouldn't allow it so easily.
Priscilla swung her Yang Sword, flames instantly engulfing the blade in her grip. Like a refined fire spell, she slashed forward.
As for Wilhelm, it seemed he had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Standing atop a rapidly moving Ground Dragon, he leapt into the air with a terrifying jump no human should be capable of.
Gripping his sword tightly, the vengeance buried in his heart for fourteen long years ignited. At this moment, he could not afford to fail.
"Fall here, and become nothing but a corpse!"
"Roooaaaar!"
The White Whale's roar and Wilhelm's gaze seemed to freeze time itself. When Hikigaya came back to his senses…
A massive eye had already slid off under Wilhelm's blade, and a huge gash remained on the White Whale's body.
At the same time, Priscilla's attack struck the White Whale's other eye. Though it didn't sever it as completely as Wilhelm's strike, it still caused massive damage.
Seizing the moment it lost its vision, Ricardo, Mimi, and Al leapt forward, coordinating with Crusch's invisible sword that ignored distance. Their famous [Hundred-Man Slash] instantly carved across its hide.
Everyone surged forward with an overwhelming fighting spirit, as if engraving their marks onto the collapsed White Whale's skin.
One of the Three Great Mabeasts, the White Whale, was trampled beneath their feet.
(End of this chapter)