The expedition for the “White Whale Subjugation,” led by Crusch Karsten, is set to commence.

Crusch has full command of the subjugation team she organized, and the team leader is the legendary swordsman of the “Sword Demon” heritage—Wilhelm van Astraea.

The subjugation team following Wilhelm is divided into around ten small squads, each led by veteran soldiers who participated in speeches in the garden.

Each squad consists of approximately fifteen members, making the total number of Crusch’s subjugation team around one hundred fifty.

On the other hand, the total troop strength doesn’t end there; a group of beastmen mercenaries led by Ricardo, borrowed from Anastasia—an organization colloquially known as the “Iron Fang”—comprises thirty men. Ricardo oversees the entire unit, with two vice-captains under his leadership.

The vice-captains are—

“Mimi here!”

“Hetero here!”

Two cat-like beastmen bow respectfully—no, two individuals.

Their short fur is orange, and they stand no taller than Subaru’s waist, mirroring the image of small humanoid beastmen that Subaru had in mind.

To add, they have adorably cute faces, and their pure white robes that cover everything but their heads suit them well. Simply put,

“They’re cute enough to want to kidnap!”

“I’m often told that.”

“My big sister always says stuff like that…”

In response to Subaru’s remark, the girl who calls herself Mimi nods, while the boy named Hetero chastises her in a slightly flustered manner. It seems they’re twins, given their identical appearance.

While wondering how beastmen give birth, possibly similar to animals where many are born at once, Subaru nods at the two and asks,

“So you mentioned being vice-captains… Are you two skilled?”

“Of course! The two of us together are unbeatable!”

“Uh… yeah, that’s right. We’ll do our best together!”

Is the assertive sister being led by the more reserved and cautious brother? Subaru wonders if all twins in this world are like this, with only the elder sister leaving the responsibilities to the younger.

In any case,

“The actual captain tends to act impulsively and totally ignores his surroundings when the battle starts.”

“So we give everyone instructions in place of the captain.”

“Really… I can imagine the struggle…”

Subaru can easily envision a large figure bursting into laughter, charging into the center of the battlefield.

Perhaps the duo’s perspective aligns with his imagination, as Hetero’s small shoulders sag, replying with a despondent,

“While we’ll follow Crusch-sama’s command, we’ll incorporate our own methods when fighting the White Whale. So, please, Subaru-san, we’d like to avoid causing confusion…”

“What…? I’m surprised by how seriously considerate you are. You’re small, but you’ve thought of a lot of things.”

“Fufu, aren’t I impressive?”

“Big sister gets carried away too easily again… What a cutie.”

After praising Hetero, who seems to be presenting a reasonable argument, Mimi inexplicably puffs up with pride. Hetero, while chiding Mimi, mutters his true feelings quietly. It appears her arrogance could be partly due to her brother.

—Currently, the subjugation team, numbering about one hundred eighty, is marching toward the Great Tree of Flugel, where the decisive battle with the White Whale will take place.

After the pre-battle speech at Crusch’s residence, Subaru and the others promptly joined the subjugation team outside the royal capital, traveling about half a day’s journey at a leisurely pace.

According to his portable device, the time remaining until the expected appearance of the White Whale is precisely half a day. Having already departed from the royal capital for about five hours, they’ve reached the halfway point—there should be time to catch their breath before the decisive battle with the White Whale.

“Once we reach the tree, we’ll have to confirm the final details of the strategy. I think my movements will be quite important as well.”

“This time, it’s better if Rem remains close to Subaru-kun instead of heading to the front lines. I really don’t want to have any regrets like with the Juggernaut.”

Leaning beside the driving chair, Rem, holding the reins, quietly ignites a resolve in response to Subaru’s words as she steers the Earth Dragon, occasionally glancing at him.

“Actually, I’m against it. I think it’s far too dangerous to draw in the White Whale with the lingering scent of the witch… And first and foremost, it’s concerning that smell is emanating from you, Subaru-kun.”

“I’m using whatever I can if it raises our chances, even by a fraction. I’ve got so many areas I’m lacking in, and if I don’t do this, I’ll be left behind.”

“You’re wonderful, Subaru-kun.”

In front of Subaru, Rem remains adamant about her stance, pursing her lips as if sulking. Though it’s a small gesture, it reveals the emotions she holds, causing Subaru to struggle to suppress a gentle smile.

Rem, who has trained herself to maintain a calm demeanor, has expressed some emotional softness after opening up during the beast incident. Still, her previous hardness is almost nonexistent now.

Since his exposure of internal vulnerabilities and her confessions of feelings, her expressive nature has intensified compared to before.

“It’s indeed true that we’ve set in motion the time that was once stagnant.”

That’s precisely why,

“I want to win.”

Subaru whispers that hope, now overcoming the previous loops’ misfortunes, filled with newfound confidence.

The relationship with Crusch’s faction, once dismissed, has actually improved. And his bond with Rem is stronger than before, despite laying bare his embarrassing inner self.

Yet, on the other hand, it’s also true that they’ve walked onto a road far more perilous than before.

The threat of the White Whale remains vividly etched in Subaru’s heart, having faced it firsthand.

Even Rem, with her strength, was utterly powerless against it, and the sheer might of a single tail swipe had obliterated even the large dragon carriage. The memory of that moment haunts him.

Just thinking about facing it sends tremors through his limbs.

Yet, every time Subaru’s heart wavers,

“—”

Rem’s gaze, piercing and perceptive, cuts through the fears, making his heart blaze with defiance. In her presence, in the eyes that observe him, he cannot remain the weak and pitiful Natsuki Subaru.

To regain his composure, it’s not about pessimistic despair but hopeful optimism that’s fitting.

Yet reality demands they tread a dangerous path, with no time for plenty of preparations.

What Subaru can do is to call upon the best personnel within the limited time frame and hand over all other roles to them as usual, relying on others.

Still, they do not expect Subaru to do more, nor treat him as useless.

Just in each moment, they aim to do what little they can.

For someone like him, whose capabilities are severely limited, he must grasp the breadth of those capabilities and consider what can be done within that narrow margin.

“Hey, bro. —You’ve got a determined look on your face.”

Suddenly, Ricardo, standing beside the dragon carriage, chuckles at Subaru.

He glares at the dog beastman carrying a great axe on his back, as Subaru forces a confident grin.

“Of course! It may be a bit late, but I’ve got it all locked down. The determined me is amazing, you know? I mean, I’m not giving up on the future even if I die!”

“That’s a greedy thought! If the lady were to hear that, I’d wager she’d be overjoyed! I think you’d be a perfect match for the lady’s friends, bro!”

“Were it not for our respective positions, I wouldn’t mind a handshake. …Ah, but getting close to Anastasia seems to come with complications.”

Subaru suddenly recalls the handsome man likely standing beside Anastasia.

It feels like ages since he was bloodied after being beaten in the training grounds. Though only five days have passed within this world that cannot share the loops.

Ricardo places a hand over his large mouth, chuckling mischievously as he regards Subaru with a glint in his eyes, seemingly aware of Subaru’s earlier embarrassing incident.

Naturally, a hint of sourness wells up in Subaru’s chest, and he turns away.

“If you’re gonna laugh, at least do it fully. I’m aware I was completely clueless back then.”

“No, no, that’s a different story! Well, you’ll understand in a bit, and it’d be rude to spill everything here!”

With an odd sense of understanding, Ricardo flicks the thin mustache at his nose, separating the topics.

Subaru is about to voice a query, but realizes he’s unlikely to receive satisfactory answers and decides to change the subject.

“By the way, something’s been on my mind since we left the royal capital.”

“What is it? You can ask me anything! We’re on friendly terms, even if we don’t know each other well! Unless it’s a serious matter, I’m more than willing to share! …But if it’s something serious, it’s gonna cost you!”

“You’re pretty strict about the details, it seems like you’re definitely Kararagi. That massive dog you’re riding is something else, though.”

Pointing at the creature under Ricardo, who seems excited, Subaru struggles to find the right words to express himself.

The beastman mercenaries led by Ricardo ride a different creature from the Earth Dragons led by Crusch’s subjugation team.

Perhaps calling it a large dog is the closest description. Its body is massive, surpassing even lions or tigers in size while possessing an elegance that doesn’t pale in comparison to Earth Dragons, barring its low stance.

“Ah, you don’t see this much around here, huh? This is a creature called a Liger, and it’s highly valued in Kararagi, much like the Earth Dragons. Apparently, due to territorial disputes, it’s pretty rare in other nations like Lugnica.”

“A Liger…”

At first glance, Subaru thinks it resembles a subspecies of Urgalm. However, its head lacks horns, and despite having the traits of a fierce beast, it has a distinctly amiable expression compared to demonic creatures.

If the demonic beasts lean towards wolves, then Ligers undoubtedly lean towards dogs.

However, the sight of Ricardo, a dog-beastman, riding on such a fantastically large dog feels oddly off to the observer—

“Doesn’t this create a peculiar image? You don’t feel any discomfort at all?”

“People do mention it sometimes, but it doesn’t bother me. For us, we clearly differentiate between beastmen and animals just based on appearance. So, if you think that, don’t worry about it.”

“No, I’ll apologize for saying so. My bad.”

“Ha ha, how noble of you!”

With a broad smile revealing his teeth, Ricardo affectionately pats the Liger’s neck. Although the Liger does not react, its habitual gesture of nudging its master evokes a sense of dog-like loyalty, as if there’s a connection shared between them despite the distance.

“Comparing Ligers to Earth Dragons, they may lack horsepower, but in terms of agility, they’re on another level. If battle turns into a melee against the White Whale, it’ll be our show, so watch closely.”

“Horsepower, huh. Dragons and dogs are popular, but I guess pulling power is described that way. …By the way, I haven’t seen any horses around.”

Subaru has heard rumors that they exist from Emilia, but the fact he hasn’t encountered any so far suggests they’re not that common.

Then Subaru points backward, indicating the subjugation team trailing behind.

“So, you’re hauling one vehicle with multiple beasts like a dog sled. But considering the possibility of tiring the dogs out before the main event, wouldn’t it have been better to leave it to the Earth Dragons?”

“We must manage our own baggage at least. And it’s great that you worry, but the Ligers are trained specifically for pulling carts. It’s no good to spoil them, and besides, the White Whale isn’t the only enemy.”

Subaru flinches slightly, barely suppressing the anxiety that surges in him. Meanwhile, Ricardo appears oblivious to Subaru’s surprise.

“If we encounter thieves on the way, we won’t have time to deal with handover issues, right? So, we handle our own troubles as much as we can.”

“…With such a fully armed squad, if they have the courage to attack, they wouldn’t be thieves. If they would, it’d just be a long-winded suicide.”

“That’s true!!”

Ricardo cheerfully laughs and suddenly strikes the Liger’s back, causing it to bark deeply and surge forward.

Following that, it seems to race towards the front where Crusch leads the charge.

Watching the back of that creature dash off, Subaru takes a breath, mentally shifting gears.

The impending clash with the White Whale—after overcoming this monumental battle, Subaru still has walls to scale.

“Being a hero is tougher than I thought, for real.”

While expressing his exhaustion, a smile creeps onto Subaru’s face.

Now that what he must do aligns with what he wants, and there are people willing to help him do just that—could there be a more fulfilling scenario than this?

Before the upcoming battle, their fighting spirit is exuberantly high—time to take on destiny once again.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Fortunately, the march proceeded smoothly without any trouble, and the subjugation team arrived at the Great Tree of Flugel just as the moon began to rise—marking the beginning of the night with approximately six hours left until the White Whale’s appearance.

In the last endeavor, circumstances prevented thorough observation, but once again, gazing up at the trunk of a tree older than a thousand years from the original world, Subaru can’t shake the grandeur that overtakes him as he reaches the base.

“Wow—this is huge!”

“You seem thrilled, Subaru-kun.”

Standing atop a bulging root of the enormous tree, Subaru exclaims excitedly while grinning, prompting a small laugh from Rem as she comments.

“Because, you see, men naturally get moved by big strong things. I was amazed when I first saw an Earth Dragon, but the wonders of nature are on another level. Flugel really did a fantastic job here.”

He praises the wisdom of the wise man who supposedly planted the tree. He seems to have accomplished little else, but if he has left a mark in history, that’s sufficient. He just hopes it’s not out of mere vanity—

“Oh, someone’s carved their name into the trunk. What kind of idiot does this? It’s not like we’re school kids on a trip. Such a lack of manners. Rem, lend me a carving knife.”

“I don’t have one, and even if it were Subaru-kun, you shouldn’t.”

As Subaru tries to beat on the trunk to leave a mark, Rem admonishes him playfully. Pouting in dissatisfaction, he jumps down from the tree’s root.

“It’s about to happen here, right?”

“Yeah, it’s about to happen. When the time comes, my phone… this magical device will ring.”

He takes out the mobile phone, swinging the strap around his finger as he responds to Rem. The timer is set and will ring at fifteen hours and thirteen minutes—exactly when the White Whale is expected to appear.

There are no lies in this regard, and Crusch and the others have already agreed to this after their arrival. While he felt guilty about not being able to reveal everything, for now, he finds solace in accepting that they’ll understand once they witness the results.

Even for Rem, holding the truth inside requires enduring greater pain—

“This magical device will alert us to the presence of the beast…”

“Ah, yes, indeed. To be honest, without this, my worth in this situation would… well…”

“—Are you joking?”

Abruptly, Rem narrows her eyes, a serious tone sweeping over the air, causing Subaru’s heartbeat to stop.

A breathless “Hah!” escapes, and with that, his heart resumes its rhythm. What did Rem just ask him? Raising his gaze and meeting her eyes, the intent behind her question is unmistakable, and he trembles at her words, stuttering,

“W-wait, what do you mean? If this is a lie, how could I…?”

“You’ve switched to Kararagi dialect, which doesn’t suit you at all.”

“No, seriously, what kind of accusation is that? Crusch and the others believed—”

Realizing his usual deceptive tactics won’t work here, Subaru attempts to craft a false narrative.

If he were to be pursued about this, it would surely worsen the situation. In previous loops at the mansion, the Witch’s grasp activated when Subaru’s mouth was on the verge of revealing the “Return by Death” information.

It wasn’t because Subaru intended to speak; even in situations where silence was critical, that grasp inflicted pain on his heart. Now, with its evolution to crush Emilia’s heart, he cannot unveil this truth to Rem.

—He must not let Rem find out.

“Crusch-sama and the others have judged that there’s no need for Subaru-kun to lie. Rather than necessity, it’s more about weighing the consequences of lying. If you do, it won’t just turn Crusch-sama against you but also Anastasia-sama and the merchant guild in the royal capital.”

“T-that’s…”

Unable to deny the reality, broad lashes around the eyes that anticipated twinkling crescendos flare in his chest.

Crusch would have no trouble countering Subaru’s faltering logic. Russell or Anastasia, both of them, who are well-versed in negotiations would also draw their rebuttals from him.

Yet, even so, it’s significant that they let these doubts go, not out of trust in Subaru, but because of the circumstances they share.

Subaru orchestrated the scene, and there’s no need for him to deceive those present.

Of course, Subaru understands this and has conducted his alliance negotiations with this in mind, acknowledging his own insignificance while ensuring relatability within their ranks.

Thus, it’s safe to say they don’t need to pry too deeply into the “lie” Subaru spun. If the result follows through, the trivial discrepancies in his narrative would be entirely forgettable.

But Rem doesn’t share that same stance.

Her position remains unchanged; she’s on Subaru’s side. Subaru knows all too well she’s the one who’s become most concerned and caring in this alternate world.

Continuing to lie to her feels distinct from deceiving Crusch and the others, steadily eroding Subaru’s heart. He even yearns to embrace the affection she earns with genuine sincerity.

Yet, that’s an absolute impossibility.

“Rem, I—”

“It’s okay, Subaru-kun.”

“Eh?”

Subaru attempts to respond in a manner that protects her, yet those efforts are immediately rejected by Rem, who shakes her head, a soft smile gracing her lips.

Startled, unable to speak, Rem gazes at him earnestly,

“I can tell that you’re lying, Subaru-kun. I’ve been watching you all this time.”

Brimming with shyness, Rem shyly gestures at her lips before pointing a finger at Subaru.

“I also understand how you can’t share the reason for that lie. But you don’t have to worry about me just because you can’t tell me! I trust you entirely.”

“—”

“The moment you say that you know where the White Whale will appear, I believe you. If you say the Witch Cult is targeting Emilia-sama and the others, I trust that too. If you claim the moon will fall and the nation will perish, then I’ll believe that as well.”

“…I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Yes, you’re right. But that just shows how serious you truly are.”

With her smile fading, Rem intensely locks her gaze on Subaru. She slowly lowers herself, grasping the hem of her skirt and bowing before him.

“With my body and heart, I am completely devoted to you, Subaru-kun. So I will never doubt you now or in the future.”

“—”

“Therefore, you don’t need to pressure yourself to make me believe you or to trick me with lies—there’s no need for that at all.”

Subaru fights tears as a wave of warmth overcomes him, almost choking him.

Raising his face, he opens his trembling mouth,

“Ah, looking up at this giant tree truly does lift my spirits!”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Honestly, if I don’t take a moment to gaze up at this magnificent tree for a while, I’ll be uneasy. Not that I have any particular reason, though.”

“Yes, indeed.”

Keeping his face directed upwards to avoid letting tears fall, Subaru maintains his false bravado.

Such fragile strength is tenderly embraced by Rem’s compassionate care.

Now, once more, Subaru recognizes the sheer foolishness within himself.

He should have fully confided in Rem from the very beginning.

While he knows he cannot reveal everything, had he at least conveyed the tragic occurrences he anticipated, he could have surely avoided the tragedies of the second and third looping.

Because he felt unable to explain the reasons, believing he would be disbelieved, Subaru trapped himself into solitude, repeating past failures.

But Rem was different.

She never asked for explanations. Without needing to speak, she trusted Subaru. Even now, she loves and cherishes him even when he cannot voice the truth.

“Instead of saying sorry, it’s all about gratitude, right?”

Safeguarding the dam of tears with all his might, Subaru finally lowers his face to meet Rem’s gaze. In response to Subaru’s words, Rem beams with a full smile and nods,

“Thank you, then. And I am even more thankful for Subaru-kun than he realizes!”

“It feels like I’m receiving way more than I can repay, honestly.”

“That’s not true at all.”

Nodding while looking down, Rem denies Subaru’s statement with an earnest tone.

Raising an eyebrow at her demeanor, Subaru tries to negate her denial further, but she interrupts him.

“Even though I know discussing this would hurt you, it’s my selfishness.”

“I don’t even think in those terms. I’m the one at fault for hiding things.”

“Still, it’s ultimately selfish. And for that, I’m sorry.”

Her voice carries a tinge of self-mockery, yet the expression on Rem’s face is bright. Delighted at how her contradictory demeanor catches Subaru off-guard, she tilts her head slightly.

“I want to be someone you can share the burdens with, and not being able to be that is unbearably sorrowful for me.”

“I…”

Rem’s resolve and sincerity radiate, sending ripples of warmth through Subaru.

Leaning against the mighty trunk, he inhales deeply.

The courage to voice the warmth bubbling in his chest.

“I—like Emilia.”

“Yes.”

This is a reiteration of words he exchanged with her before.

He knows full well such words could cause her significant hurt and distress, and yet he dares to utter them again.

However,

“But—”

“—”

“But just looking at you makes my heart tremble… It’s alright if you think I’m a horrible person for this.”

He knows well that these words are incredibly self-serving.

But those untainted feelings are genuine. Though he understands he cannot reciprocate Rem’s feelings, the warmth she brings solely through her words is unmatched.

Rem exhales a breath filled with fervor,

“Really, Subaru-kun is a terrible person.”

“…I know.”

“It’s a lie. I love you.”

“I… I get it!”

His face turns beet red in an instant as Rem explicitly states her feelings again.

Had it been daytime, the blush would have been glaring. To conceal this red face, Subaru strides ahead.

“It’s time to head back. We need to get in shape, both mentally and physically, before the White Whale appears.”

As he passes beside Rem, he takes her dangling right hand into his own.

Muttering a small “ah” as her hand is grasped, Rem quickly matches Subaru’s strides, gazing at his profile with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Subaru-kun.”

“…What?”

“Rem would even be okay with being the second wife.”

Subaru falters in his step, halted by such an unexpected declaration.

Casting a quick glance, he finds Rem’s expression reminiscent of a mischievous cat, eagerly awaiting his response with her tail swishing behind her.

Geez, this girl is just—

“If Emilia-tan were open to polygamy…”

“Then once we return, we’ll have to persuade Emilia-sama. I’ll do my best!”

With determination, she clenches her fist with her other hand, smiling encouragingly.

The lightheartedness breaks down any tension, and Subaru recognizes once more just how powerless he feels before her.

With Emilia and Rem, men ultimately find they cannot compete against women in these scenarios.

Confronting this weakness was nowhere near the struggle he had faced many times before.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

— As the time draws near, a palpable tension fills the air at the base of the tree.

The assembled subjugation team, having alternated meals and short rests, is in prime condition.

The Earth Dragon and Liger, after their long march, have also received ample rest and are waiting expectantly for their riders’ commands.

With bated breath, calmed hearts, everyone awaits the moment.

Even without needing to, they hold their breaths, as if any sound—such as the rustling of a blade could disrupt the waiting silence.

This evening, the rapidly flowing clouds over the Leafaus Highway cast fleeting shadows across the moonlit sky.

Whenever the light is cloaked by the drifting clouds, many look upwards, fearing it may be the manifestation of some giant beast. The atmosphere brims with watchfulness.

“Only a few more minutes until the set time.”

Quietly murmuring, Crusch glances to see Felix nodding beside her.

Even Felix, who has served beside Crusch for years and is accustomed to such situations, entirely neglects his usual quips.

Engulfed in tense anticipation, it’s not about succumbing to fear—he recognizes his role as a critical lifeline to this subjugation team.

The number of ultimate victors in this battle will be drastically influenced by Felix’s performance.

While Crusch does not doubt her faction’s victory, she isn’t naïve enough to believe they can defeat the White Whale without sacrifice. Yet, she possesses enough confidence to at least minimize the necessary sacrifices.

After all, that trust placed in her subordinate, Felix, borders on the line between confidence and questioning.

Wilhelm has already drawn both swords from his waist, poised for action at a moment’s notice.

His serene presence radiates an honed aura that is undeniably refined, matching this moment marked by significance.

Crusch cannot help but feel admiration at the sheer purity of Wilhelm’s swordsman spirit.

The human soul can be elevated this way, purely and singularly, to such loftiness.

She earnestly wishes to reach that level one day.

Alongside Wilhelm, others in the subjugation team wear faces of palpable tension, their morale keener than ever.

They follow Crusch’s orders, prepared for a preemptive strike, already finished with their silent preparations. They must harbor some hesitation regarding tonight’s venture, as there’s little time left to build the crucial trust needed to solidify the details.

Regardless, they choose not to voice any discord—an acknowledgment of Crusch’s decisions and a recognition of their responsibility.

A scorching sensation of determination ignites within her.

As the expiration time approaches, with the impending aura of death, fire, and blood closing in, Crusch begins to grasp the essence of her aliveness.

Striving to be noble as a ruler, she reminds herself and tries to act accordingly.

However, she does not renounce the immutable, ingrained part of her nature.

That is—

“—!”

Suddenly, an echoing sound resonates on the Leafaus Highway, shrouded in darkness.

The harmonious sounds intertwine and form a melody, shaking the very eardrums.

As she turns her attention to its source, her eyes meet Subaru, who stands shining a magic item in his hand; one from which that sound emanates.

In essence—

“Everyone, stay alert—”

Per Subaru’s declaration, the magical device signals that the White Whale will appear within a minute.

If he is to be believed, it’s not a mystery if that immense body begins to swim across the sky at this very moment. As for the place, it undeniably lies here as the magic device has indicated.

Skepticism may abound, but Subaru has no reason to create doubt. Naturally, Crusch sharpens her senses, waiting for its emergence.

However,

“—”

In the silence, no signs of the mighty beast can be perceived.

Though it’s not quite right to express that she feels let down, the fact that nothing has occurred after one minute sends a rare premonition of unrest through Crusch.

She hesitates to think the possibility of deception, yet…

The silence on the Leafaus Highway remains undisturbed, and the landscape shows no sign of change.

Even now, shadows cast by the clouds covering the moon envelop their sight in darkness.

“—”

Crusch looks up and immediately curses her naïve thoughts.

The moonlight flickers behind clouds, casting shadows away.

The darkened clouds steadily descend, looming ever closer.

It casts a shadow of an incomprehensibly large fish, suspended in the sky.

As Crusch gasps, nearly all members of the subjugation team immediately sense the same fact. When their unified resolve solidifies, their gazes fixate upon Crusch.

—they await her order for a preemptive strike.

They’ve succeeded in suppressing the head of the White Whale’s appearance.

Now, they simply need to enact the ambush and dominate the battlefield.

“—”

Drawing a breath, Crusch steels herself to issue the first command.

The White Whale remains unaware of their puny existence. With a measured head tilt, it seemingly surveys its surroundings.

Crusch notices the movement is shaky, and opportunities are rife.

“All personnel—”

Prepared to order a full-scale attack, she lets it slip,

“—Release it!!”

“—Alhuman!!”

Crusch is overtaken by her troops’ rallying cry, accompanied by the incantation of magic, unleashing powerful mana.

With a tremendous density and formidable ice pillars, four supreme structures simultaneously manifest into the world—their strike seizes the White Whale’s body, followed promptly by its anguished roar and a torrent of blood dousing the ground.

Startled, Subaru and Rem, riding atop Earth Dragons, spring into action. Subaru, clutching tightly onto Rem, pumps his fist in triumph, while Rem wears a complete expression of satisfaction after fulfilling her covenant.

The decisive actions taken by the two send the subjugation team into a whirl of confusion.

Seeing this, a smile spreads uncontrollably across Crusch’s face.

Not in anger, but in laughter.

“Everyone—follow those fools!!”

Crusch’s command rose above the tumult, instantly igniting a fervent response. The subjugation team reflexively launched their attacks.

A massive cloud of dust billowed up as the White Whale’s second ear-piercing roar resounded, echoing throughout the night sky of Leafaus Highway.

—The subjugation battle against the White Whale has officially begun.

“`

 

---