Chapter 25 (220): Total Assault on Sloth
"Fire!"
"Bang bang bang…" Countless light waves poured out like inexhaustible shockwaves, all crashing into the White Whale.
"Roooaaaar!"
Once again, the White Whale let out a roar that shook the sky as it lay on the ground.
Al: "So this is the legendary White Whale… not all that impressive, huh…"
Crusch: "Being able to seize the initiative like this is absolutely crucial. We truly owe this to Hikigaya."
Hikigaya: "Hey, hey, don't start popping champagne at halftime…"
The battle was not yet over.
Underestimating the enemy would only lead to an ending no one could accept.
In the distance, Wilhelm and Captain Ricardo were still maintaining flawless coordination, seemingly intending to directly bring down the White Whale before them.
However…
'Too hasty… staking the chance of victory on a single blow like this is far too risky.'
He moved to Crusch's side and said to her: "Activate magic and aim for its remaining eye. Once it loses its sight completely, aside from relying on its sense of smell, it has no other means left."
Crusch strongly agreed with Hikigaya's plan. After all, a moment of recklessness could lead to endless regret. What mattered most right now was steadily wearing down the White Whale's vitality.
Upon receiving the order, the captain and Wilhelm quickly withdrew from the front line. His body looked as if it were bathed in blood, like a messenger from hell.
"It's hard to imagine that this is the true strength of the White Whale… that my beloved wife would die by its hand."
Hikigaya: "Do not lower your guard…"
Crusch: "Hikigaya is right."
The White Whale stared down the mercenary group before it. Its skin now bore visibly irreparable wounds, and compared to earlier, its eye had begun to swell red, as if enraged. It let out a furious roar toward the sky.
"Roooooar!"
White fog continuously spewed from its body, spreading on a scale that looked as if it would engulf everything within several kilometers in the next moment.
Hikigaya: "Now!"
Crusch: "Use wind magic!"
"Boom..."
Those who came into contact with this toxic fog would lose their very existence after death, and every appearance of the White Whale was always accompanied by this white mist. Understanding this clearly, Hikigaya naturally would not give it that chance.
Before the fog could spread, it was instantly destroyed by the combined full-force attack of everyone present. Beyond the dissipating mist, only a White Whale that had begun to pant heavily remained.
"Then… this is the moment."
Crusch: "All units… charge!"
With one eye torn out and the other having suffered catastrophic damage, the White Whale had almost completely lost any ability to resist. Facing knights who leapt onto its body and continuously swung their blades, it was like a lamb awaiting slaughter, utterly incapable of fighting back.
However… This still wasn't enough.
Riding Rem's Ground Dragon, Hikigaya approached the White Whale head-on. Even facing its gaping maw, he felt no fear at all.
'Let's see whether you still have the power to strike back. This time, we'll know…'
"I can die..."
The Witch's scent erupted for the third time. Just as expected, the White Whale, which had collapsed on the ground moments before, suddenly went berserk and began relentlessly pursuing Hikigaya.
Rem: "Ice Bind!"
Without hesitation, Rem instantly formed a massive pillar of ice to block the White Whale's charge. Even so, it still wasn't enough.
Wilhelm, Ricardo, Al, as well as Crusch and Priscilla, realized that this was the best opportunity they would get. The five of them gathered every last bit of strength they had remaining and unleashed a full-power strike.
"Boom..."
Like food laid out on a platter, the White Whale collapsed beside the Great Tree of Flugel. As the final red threads faded from its eyes, its life was declared ended at that very moment.
Hikigaya finally let out a soft sigh of relief. It wasn't until dawn gradually arrived that his body went limp, collapsing from the Ground Dragon as if completely drained.
Fortunately, Rem reacted in time, grabbing him and holding him tightly.
Rem: "You did well, Hikigaya-kun."
Hikigaya: "Yeah… but this is only the beginning."
Rem: "Even so, you shouldn't push yourself too hard."
Wilhelm gazed at the rising morning sun. Memories of the past flooded his mind like a tide, and the hatred and obsession with revenge that had bound him for so many years were finally released at this moment.
"It's over, Theresia."
"Theresia… this old man… I… I loved you deeply."
Even such a powerful warrior could not hold back his tears at this moment. It was as if the meaning of his life had finally been affirmed.
Just as Hikigaya had said, there were no casualties in this battle. Even so, many had exhausted their magic or suffered minor injuries, but compared to the achievement they had accomplished, this was the smallest possible price.
Crusch: "Here and now, we have exterminated the White Whale!"
"The White Whale that plagued the world for four hundred years has been personally subjugated by Wilhelm van Astrea!"
"Roar!"
The soldiers erupted in earth-shaking cheers. They had waited far too long for this moment, and even now, everything before their eyes felt unreal.
Al: "Princess, looks like we won."
Priscilla placed her hands on her hips, her expression calm and elegant as ever: "I never once considered the possibility of losing."
"However… I find myself becoming more and more interested in that man."
Hearing those words, Al's body trembled slightly. What kind of expression lay beneath his helmet was impossible to tell, perhaps even he himself didn't know. But there was one thing he understood clearly…
The 'interest' Priscilla spoke of was not treating him as a toy or a plaything. Rather, it was a growing curiosity toward the sheer resolve Hikigaya had displayed.
And it was precisely this desire that made her determination to defeat Hikigaya even stronger.
…
[Horikita Manabu: "What an astonishing outcome. It seems Hikigaya has already fully adapted to life over there."]
[Kiryuin: "Not just Priscilla, even I've started looking at him differently. What a pity… that I didn't get to interact with him more back when we were at school."]
[Kiriyama: "Weren't you the one who said you weren't interested in men? You really are hard to understand, Kiryuin."]
[Kiryuin: "I'm only interested in the strong, and they have to be overwhelmingly strong. Right now, Hikigaya fits that description…"]
[Asahina: "To make even Kiryuin-san say something like that, Hikigaya-kun truly isn't the same person we once knew."]
[Ryuen: "That's only natural. Living in a world where death is always one step away, even with infinite loops, dying again and again will strip away hesitation."]
[Koenji: "What a beautiful man."]
[Hiyori: "If that's the case, then the White Whale battle is over. Does that mean once the Sloth Archbishop is defeated, everything will finally end?"]
[Horikita Suzune: "If things go smoothly… perhaps."]
Holding Rem tightly against him, Hikigaya felt an indescribable warmth spread through his body.
He had truly waited far too long for this battle, and had sacrificed far too many lives for it.
Rem blushed as she gazed at the distant sunset, tears in her eyes as she spoke: "That's wonderful… I knew Hikigaya-kun could do it… truly wonderful."
Hikigaya: "Thank you, Rem. Truly… thank you for everything."
Rem puffed out her cheeks: "Hikigaya-kun always says things people don't quite understand. But… Rem thanks you too."
As the two spoke, Crusch approached him.
"Are you alright, Hikigaya?"
"More or less as I expected, so I'm fine."
Seeing Hikigaya holding Rem tightly, Crusch couldn't help but smile wryly: "You don't look 'fine' at all."
"Only after losing something do you learn to cherish it. This battle taught me that lesson."
Struck by Hikigaya's words, Crusch froze for a moment, then smiled once more: "It seems there's still much I must learn from you, Sir Hikigaya."
"No. Compared to me, everyone in the subjugation force, and Miss Crusch, are the ones I should be learning from."
"There's no need to be so modest, Sir Hikigaya. When all of us hesitated, only you charged forward without a second thought. I know this clearly, at that moment, I was no match for you."
Hikigaya: "That was just luck."
A gentle breeze passed by, and Crusch's face relaxed into a relieved smile.
"That's the one thing that carries a hint of falsehood. How wonderful… I thought you never lied."
"Even so…"
"Sir Hikigaya, I will report your achievements to the royal capital. And so… if you are willing, I would like to invite you into my house and grant you the rewards befitting your accomplishments."
Hikigaya gave a helpless smile, glanced at Rem beside him, and answered without hesitation: "I'm very sorry, but I cannot accept your offer, Miss Crusch. That is the one thing I cannot change."
Crusch smiled again, looking somewhat resigned: "I expected as much, but it still stings a little. After all, I do think I have some feminine charm."
Hikigaya: "No, this isn't your fault, Miss Crusch…"
Crusch: "I can't quite tell whether that was meant to comfort me or stab me… Still, Sir Hikigaya, whether as an ally or an opponent, you have my utmost respect. I look forward to the day we can truly face each other head-on."
Hikigaya: "I also look forward to the day we can share a drink together again."
Crusch: "Next, I plan to transport the White Whale's corpse and the wounded back to the royal capital. The remaining forces will be placed under your command, let this be the perfect finale to this battle. Defeat the Archbishop of [Sloth]."
Hikigaya: "Then I accept with gratitude."
Mimi: "Mimi will help too! And of course, the Captain will as well!"
Ricardo: "Anyway, our boss said so!"
Priscilla glanced at Al: "You'll help as well."
Hikigaya: "This…"
Crusch: "You understand, don't you? For other royal candidates to assist another faction's territory would normally be the greatest detriment to Lady Emilia. But this time is different, because you earned their trust with your own resolve."
Wilhelm: "Naturally. That includes this old man."
Felix: "And Fili~li too!"
Hikigaya: "Once again, my thanks."
Rem: "Rem wants to..."
Hikigaya: "No. Don't force yourself…"
Anyone could see that Rem had already exhausted her last bit of mana. Even her face was pale.
Rem: "No… Rem wants to stay by your side, Hikigaya-kun. If something were to happen to you… Rem…"
Hikigaya: "Idiot. Nothing is going to happen to me, Rem. You just need to believe in me, like you always have. That's enough. I will definitely help Emilia overcome this crisis."
Rem: "But…"
Hikigaya: "Please trust me."
Felix: "Rem-chi, you should trust us too. With us here, we'll definitely protect Hikigaya-kyun."
After everyone's persuasion, Rem reluctantly accepted this outcome.
As she was about to leave, Hikigaya gently patted her head: "Don't worry. Everyone at the mansion will be safe."
Rem: "Mm. Rem believes in you."
...
There was still far too little information about the Archbishop of Sloth. Even through countless deaths, Hikigaya had yet to uncover Sloth's true ability. However, the Invisible Hands, those were something only he himself could see. That much, he knew for certain.
So this would be the first real attempt. Inside the mansion, the villagers should already have been evacuated and the troops organized, waiting for their arrival.
Everyone prepared to move out. Since most of them hadn't been injured, their departure was swift.
But before that, another group finally joined the fight.
"Julius. It's been a while."
"Sir Hikigaya, your gallant figure has once again displayed the glory of the Knights. Please allow me to express my respect."
He gently knelt and kissed the back of his hand.
'Uh… I mean, I get it, but this guy isn't gay, right…'
Hikigaya: "Time is short. Let's move."
Wilhelm: "Yes."
'If the previous battle was one we had anticipated in advance… then the next one… will be a battle completely beyond prediction.'
'Casualties, defeat… everything is possible…'
'Hikigaya, think. What information can I still make immediate use of?'
'The two times I came into contact with Sloth, it was always because of the Witch Cultists… being drawn in by them… Could it be because of the Witch's scent on me?'
'If that's the case, then I might be able to turn that against them, use it to locate Sloth and launch a preemptive all-out attack.'
'Then, the Witch Cultists themselves can be resisted by everyone together. I think this is the only viable method available right now.'
'And Sloth once mistook me for another Sin Archbishop. In fact, I can use that misunderstanding as part of a trap.'
In just a brief moment, a complete plan took shape in his mind.
The instant the battle ended, Hikigaya had already sent word ahead to the village. Because the timing was much earlier than expected, the Witch Cult likely hadn't launched their full assault yet. It was precisely during this window that he needed to communicate with Ram in advance.
After entering the village, Ram was indeed waiting deep within the forest, just as expected, and Julius quickly noticed her presence.
"Don't attack, Julius."
Ram slowly stepped forward, and when her face became visible to everyone, Felix froze in place.
"She really looks exactly like Rem."
Hikigaya: "Sorry to keep you waiting."
Ram: "Where's Rem?"
Hikigaya: "She overused her mana and returned to the royal capital to rest. What's the situation in the village right now?"
Ram: "Just as you instructed, everyone has been evacuated from the village. The Witch Cult hasn't made a move yet."
Hikigaya: "Then let's go meet him… Petelgeuse."
….
Walking through the desolate depths of the forest, Hikigaya quickly noticed the Witch Cultists trailing behind him. Their black robes were far too conspicuous, no matter how fast they moved, it was impossible not to notice them.
However, just as Hikigaya had predicted, they didn't attack him. Instead, they acted like guiding needles, constantly leading him forward.
Hikigaya: "Hey, is it really okay for you to keep following me like this? I've got something to say to your boss. How about you step back for now?"
Hearing Hikigaya's words, the Witch Cultists hesitated not at all and instantly vanished with a series of 'swish swish swish' sounds.
Because he followed the route guided by the Witch Cultists, Hikigaya left marks along the way and memorized the path.
Pushing aside the grass that blocked out the sunlight, the Sin Archbishop of Sloth, Petelgeuse, was clearly waiting there for quite some time.
His appearance was unchanged. That striking black robe seemed like an extension of his very being. Tilting his head grotesquely, he spoke: "You kept me waiting, O faithful follower of the Witch!"
"I am a Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult, bearing the office of [Sloth], Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti… desu!"
As he stuck out his grotesque tongue, Hikigaya showed no reaction. He was already used to it.
"Welcome, beloved child favored by the Witch."
"Alright, alright, enough nonsense! I hate villain monologues the most. Since I'm already here, I won't bother pretending anymore…"
"Move!"
The troops who had followed the markings surged out at that very moment without hesitation. Perhaps due to the overwhelming victory against the White Whale, their morale was extremely high.
Mimi hopped forward, using her sonic attack to completely cut off Sloth's retreat.
"Very well, very well… I see now. Come! Now is the time to determine which of us is more worthy of the Witch's love!"
Struck by this sudden ambush, whether from shock or sheer madness, Sloth began violently biting his own fingers until blood sprayed everywhere.
However…
Wilhelm appeared instantly from above, and amid Sloth's shrill screams, cleaved his body cleanly in two.
"Slash!"
Before Hikigaya's eyes, Sloth was split apart just like that.
Hikigaya: "Didn't that villain die a little too easily…"
Felix: "It does feel that way…"
Ram: "This was the one Hikigaya-kun was afraid of?"
Al: "Feels like we didn't even get to fight…"
Julius: "I have the same impression…"
Hikigaya: "Either way, confirm his death first."
After searching the body, the only useful item was a book titled [Gospel]. Everyone else seemed deeply fearful of it, but Hikigaya had seen the same kind of book on Beatrice's desk.
Yet when he looked at the text inside, Hikigaya found it strangely incomprehensible. Despite studying the language of this world, he couldn't understand a single word written in that book.
Only after confirming that Sloth was truly dead did Hikigaya finally leave, and at the same time, the mercenaries finished off two units of [Fingers].
Since the [Fingers] were nothing more than a disorganized mob, the following battles were no more difficult than a routine cleanup, at least, that's what it looked like.
But Hikigaya didn't think so.
He had already witnessed far too many unexpected turns in this world…
'Hopefully I'm just being overly cautious.'
Just as Hikigaya turned to leave, a deeply unsettling, chilling presence suddenly surged from behind him.
"Watch out!"
Before Hikigaya could even turn around, drops of boiling blood splattered across his face, drenching his head.
Organs and severed limbs littered the ground, torn apart by [Invisible Hands], and Hikigaya, reacting the fastest, immediately rushed in.
'What the hell is going on!'
Julius reacted just as quickly and followed him inside.
Within the forest, Hikigaya fully activated his wind magic. Four throwing knives were already drawn in his hands, and the instant he saw the Witch Cultist wielding [Invisible Hands], he hurled them without hesitation.
The accuracy and power were slightly lacking, but that didn't matter…
Using subtle wind magic, he forcibly altered the trajectory of the knives, sending them straight toward the cultist's head.
At that moment, the cultist finally stopped moving. He forcibly endured the attack, a massive hole bursting open in his head, yet his body still twitched grotesquely.
"What's going on…"
"A Finger… desu!"
That identical, twisted head tilt made it clear to Hikigaya, this was Petelgeuse, though with a completely different face.
The [Invisible Hands] closed in relentlessly. Facing this predicament, Hikigaya stopped wasting words and threw the rest of his knives.
In the final moment they bought time, Julius charged in. Just like before, he severed the cultist cleanly at the waist as if slicing through empty air.
(End of this chapter)