What was that?
All right, I'll repeat myself one more time.
I propose an alliance between the Emilia and Crusch camps, on equal terms.
To that end, I'll provide the time and location
of the White Whale's next appearance.
That's the one card I can play.
The Witch Cult?
Yeah, they're on the move and they've set their sights on Emilia.
Roswaal-sama feared that might happen as well.
I want to stop them,
but I don't have the fighting strength.
I have to start negotiating now to pull some together.
Will you help me?
The White Whale?
Please forgive my indiscretion.
I suppose I still have much to learn.
And?
It is rather sudden that you would bring up the White Whale.
Not at all.
When we began this negotiation,
I mentioned the magic stones found in Roswaal's domain, in Elior Forest.
If sharing the mining rights is insufficient,
I need to offer something on top of that.
Crusch-san, I'm certain that my information will aid
in your plan to subjugate the White Whale.
Let me ask one thing, Natsuki Subaru.
What gave you that idea?
That remark was not one you might pass off as a baseless accusation.
For these past few days,
some things have bothered me.
First, the increase in traffic to and from your mansion.
It's been just a bit excessive.
Also, in the capital, I heard you've been purchasing weapons and armor.
Plus...
If Crusch-sama's goal should be attained,
I'm sure it would suit your desires, Wilhelm-dono.
You seemed to be planning something big.
Of course, I can't prove it.
Maybe I only made the connection
because I know the White Whale will be appearing soon.
I have another question, Natsuki Subaru.
On what grounds do you know that the White Whale will appear?
This.
What in the world is this?
The moment before that happened...
It's what you'd call a metia.
It tells me when and where the White Whale will appear.
I find this a bit hard to believe...
But I see that you are not lying.
I'm glad you think that, but are you sure you want to believe me so easily?
Lies will get you nyowhere with Crusch-sama.
She has the divine protection of wind-reading!
Uh, say what?
When a person lies, a telling wind blows around them.
I can see that wind.
No such thing was around you.
Does that mean you'll agree to an alliance
in exchange for my information on the White Whale?
You're getting ahead of yourself, Natsuki Subaru.
Whether I agree to it,
and whether I believe you are separate matters.
My decision will determine
the outcome of the royal selection, if not the kingdom's very future.
It cannot be made lightly.
Mind if I listen in on this lil' chat, too?
Pardon us.
Anastasia Hoshin...
Russell Fellow?
Well, y'all asked us to come, and here ya are,
startin' without us.
You can hardly call that fair. Let us in on this.
Was it Natsuki Subaru who asked you to come here?
Well, to be exact, it was this gal he keeps with him.
I only heard the gist,
but if you're really plannin' to subjugate the White Whale, I look forward to it!
For us business folk,
whether the White Whale's around is a life-or-death matter.
Of course, our mercenary team will help y'all.
In addition to the White Whale, I'm interested
in the concession that Natsuki-dono
proposed of mining rights to the magic stones.
If the alliance is formed,
magic stones from pristine veins
will be distributed to the capital through you, Crusch-sama.
As the merchant guild's representative, I cannot let the offer go unheard.
Natsuki Subaru called you as well?
I'll say it once more.
What I offer in return for the alliance is
a share in the magic stone mining rights
and information on when and where the White Whale will appear.
In other words, the fuel needed to subjugate the witchfiend
that's terrorized the world for so long!
If what I say makes no sense to you, forget I said it.
But if your goal and my wish align,
then let's take down the White Whale!
Let's go on a hunt!
I still have several questions,
but it was brilliant of you to uncover my plans.
Then...
I have questions, as well as doubts.
Many things you say are unclear to me,
so I have difficulty agreeing immediately.
However...
I shall choose to trust your eyes
and the spirit that led you to create this situation.
Then the deal is struck.
There were a few touch-and-go moments,
but I'm glad it worked out, Natsuki-dono.
I trust the promise we made prior to the negotiation still stands.
Yeah, you were a big help, Russell-san.
Once the subjugation is complete, I'll give you the metia.
So you did lay some groundwork before coming here.
I'm assuming you were waiting outside the door for your moment to enter?
The timing of our interruption was up to us, though.
Well, as far as negotiations go, I guess that just passes?
Took you long enough!
I thought you were never gonna enter!
When negotiatin', you gotta make your move at the right time.
Well, as you're gettin' ready for the subjugation and such,
don't forget to patronize the Hoshin Company.
You paved the way before negotiations began?
You are surprisingly shrewd, Natsuki Subaru.
My preparation and review paid off, that's all.
To be honest, I couldn't be more relieved.
Well, that's plain to see.
I guess we managed to save face by staying in the capital.
Right, Rem?
Yes, you are truly wonderful, Subaru-kun.
Subaru-dono...
I thank you.
Huh?
I offer you gratitude
equal to that which I offer to my lady, Duchess Crusch Karsten.
E-Er, that's, um...
As perceptive as you are,
I am sure you're aware, but if I may introduce myself...
My family name is Astrea.
I took the former Sword Saint, Theresia van Astrea, as my wife,
giving me the honor of the bloodline's lowest seat.
That is who I, Wilhelm van Astrea, am.
I thank you for so kindly granting this old man
the opportunity to slay the loathsome witchfiend that took my wife.
S-Sure! Of course I knew that!
I figured Crusch-san would accept my offer, keeping that in mind—
Natsuki Subaru...
The wind of untruth is blowing from you.
I get it now.
You bought all the carriages for this,
and that's why I had trouble getting one back to the mansion.
You're still awake?
As if I could sleep.
Everyone else is working through the night.
They have nyo choice.
We have little time.
Yeah, the White Whale will appear tomorrow night,
in the area around Flügel's Tree.
So, given the travel time, we'll just barely make it.
Besides, can't you see it in nyall their faces?
Nyot a single one is preparing unwillingly.
Everyone wants to be rid of the White Whale,
especially Old Man Wil.
He said it took his wife...
Yeah.
He's been chasing after the White Whale all this time.
Ever since it killed the former Sword Saint, his wife.
The former Sword Saint...
Well, now you know,
so you should stop worrying and get to sleep.
There's nyothing you can do to help
with supply distribution or organization, anyway.
Even if that's true,
that doesn't mean you have to say it!
I'm supposed to pick one of these?
What is it nyow? You don't like them?
It's not that!
I'm glad you're letting me borrow one,
but I have no idea what makes one good!
Do I look like a veteran who's studied nothing but land dragons for decades or some—
Are you that one from...
Looks like this is the one.
I am surprised.
That land dragon is a breed known for its extreme pride.
Ferris, I'll take this one.
It's love at first sight!
Sure thing.
But don't say, "Love at first sight."
You're making Rem-chan all pouty!
I'm not pouty!
I'll be nice to it! I can do it!
Huh!? Wha...
My lady was tellin' me about you.
You're the star of this little show, aren't ya?
That logo...
And a Kararagi accent from a beastman...
Then, you're with Anastasia?
What, you knew?
I'm Ricardo, head of her mercenary team.
Nice to meet you, too, lil' lady!
Keep it down! Also, you're huge!
You'll snap my neck!
Hey! My lady!
Whoa, hey!
Ow...
So that is the pride of Anastasia Hoshin, the Iron Fang.
I see.
They all look quite strong.
Did you rest well last night?
I nearly died a second ago...
Oh, so I guess you're fighting too?
You think I am capable
of sitting in a chair, waiting for good news?
If anything, I'm much more surprised you are participating.
Can you fight?
Nope, I can't.
But even if I can't fight,
I think this human will prove pretty useful against the White Whale.
I must ask... On what grounds?
I'm not all that happy about it myself,
but it seems there's something about me that attracts witchfiends.
What?
It is true.
Thanks to that attribute, Subaru-kun has previously saved my life.
So, on the land dragon I'm borrowing,
I'll run around under White Whale's nose and draw its attention,
while you guys launch an all-out attack!
That's the tactic I'd recommend, anyway.
Under the White Whale's... nose?
Shockingly, I sense no lies in that statement.
I never thought
I would doubt my divine protection as often as I have in the past half day.
They're here.
Crusch-sama, we have arrived.
Is this boy...
Yes, he is.
Thank you, young man.
Huh?
Thanks to you, our wish may come true.
We could not be happier.
Thank you.
It seems all of them have a history with the White Whale.
Then, they're like Wilhelm-san?
Yes,
many are men who have retired from the front lines.
They have joined our subjugation force at Wilhelm's invitation.
Their morale and experience
is comparable to those of the capital's active knights.
Crusch-sama, it's time.
Right.
Four hundred years.
Since the White Whale, created by the Witch of Envy,
made the world its hunting ground,
trampling the weak and dominating the land as if it were its owner,
four hundred years have passed.
Countless lives have been lost in that time.
Given its fog's unscrupulous nature, as well,
the number of graves we cannot even inscribe with names will only rise.
But those days of sitting idle end today!
Today, those of us here will end it!
We shall strike down the White Whale, and stop further tragedy!
We shall give the sorrow, which was never allowed to come to pass,
a chance to shed overdue tears!
We move out!
Our destination is Flügel's Tree, on the Lifaus Highway.
Tonight, we shall slay the White Whale with our own hands!
I'm Mimi! Glad to know ya!
My name's Hetaro. Nice to meet you.
Yep, nice to meet you.
Anyway, not that I doubted it, but...
You really are the second-in-command, huh?
Huh? Have we met somewhere before?
Hmm... I totally can't remember at all!
C-Come on, Sis,
you have to sit up properly.
Totally can't...
Don't worry about it. Just talking to myself.
I'm Natsuki Subaru.
So you two are brother and sister, huh?
Yes, my big sister and I will do our—
When Mimi and Hetaro are together, we're the strongest!
And the captain's also here, so we're the super strongest!
Uh, my sister and the captain tend to be a little rash,
Strongest! Strongest! Super strongest!
so I usually give the orders.
I see...
Must be rough...
What's the matter, bro? Ya look awful gloomy!
Whose fault is that?
A captain shouldn't make trouble for his men.
Hey, that's a nice land dragon ya got there.
Hey!
Is it?
I borrowed this one because it seemed to like me, but...
Come to think of it,
the things you guys ride look kinda bizarre.
They're called rigers.
But ya don't see 'em too often in these parts.
They ain't as strong as land dragons,
but they're much more agile.
If it comes to a brawl against the Whale,
that's where they really shine, so watch close.
Shouldn't you have had land dragons pull the cargo, then?
We've gotta manage our luggage on our own.
If ya think the White Whale's our only enemy,
you'll get the rug pulled out from under ya.
Ain't no guarantee we won't run into thieves on the road, after all.
If anyone's got the guts to take on a fully armed group like this,
they wouldn't settle for being thieves.
Good point!
It looks like Ricardo-sama is trying to ease everyone's nerves.
Subaru-kun?
I thought I'd prepared myself for this.
You can tell the hero inside to awaken,
but it really isn't as easy as it sounds.
It's huge!
You sound happy, Subaru-kun.
Oh, looks like people have carved their names into the trunk.
We aren't on some field trip.
That's just bad manners...
Rem, get me a chisel!
Even you should know that will get you in trouble, Subaru-kun.
With me, for starters.
So the White Whale is coming here?
Honestly, I am opposed to
using the witch's scent to draw the White Whale here.
It's too dangerous.
I'll use whatever I can.
If it gives us even a slightly better chance of winning, it's worth it.
For a guy who lacks in every way like me,
this is the only way to make up for that.
You are wonderful, Subaru-kun.
That metia will tell you when the White Whale is coming?
Yeah,
I set it to make noise when it's time.
To be honest, without this—
That's a lie.
Wh-Why're ya sayin' that!?
If it's a lie, how d'ya think I'm gonna...
You're speaking in something like the Kararagi dialect.
It doesn't suit you at all.
No, no, no! I mean, there's no way I could be lying!
Even Crusch-san said—
It's all right, Subaru-kun.
I can always tell when you're lying.
I also know that you cannot tell me why you do so.
So there is no need to convince me
or wrap everything in lies,
or try to take the blame on yourself like that.
Because...
I have complete faith in you, Subaru-kun.
Man!
Looking up at this huge tree sure fires you up, huh?
Yes, it does.
I'm gonna have to stare at it for a long time, or I'll never relax!
I won't be able to look down for a while!
Yes, you're right.
I should say "thank you" instead of "sorry" right now, huh?
You're welcome.
Besides, I am far more grateful to you, Subaru-kun.
So we're even.
Uh...
Wilhelm-san?
I heard a bit of the story from Ferris.
That you've been seeking revenge on the Whale ever since it took your wife.
Please forget that.
It was all time idly spent in an old man's delusions.
You truly love your wife, do you not?
Yes, I love my wife.
More than anyone.
And no matter how much time passes.
My wife was a woman who loved to look at flowers.
She never wished to wield a sword,
but the sword loved her more than anyone.
With no choice but to live for the sword,
my wife accepted her fate.
When I married her, I took it from her,
forcing her to abandon the title of "Sword Saint."
But the sword would not allow her to do that.
Subaru-dono, I thank you again.
In this battle, I can find answers in my own sword.
And perhaps I shall finally be able to visit my wife's grave.
At last, I can go and see her.
Let's work together to beat the hell out of that damn whale.
I'll give it everything I've got too.
Only a short time remains.
Troops, be on guard!
I don't see it...
It isn't coming?
Is that...
Troops—
Let him have it!
Al Huma!
Troops! Follow those two fools!
Battle Against the White Whale
Subaru-dono, do you know the three checks of a happy and fulfilling life?
Oh, I've heard of those somewhere.
First, there would be the paycheck and how to handle the husband's hard earned money.
For example, my wife would buy all sorts of flowers, jewellery and clothes using my money.
Well, atleast there was not a boring moment.
What is the second check?
My wife was particularly strict with managing the money, however.
She had a modest lifestyle,
yet she would not act accordingly every now and then on holidays.
Admittedly, this paricular trait of hers was quite enchanting indeed.
Ah...
Well, what exactly is the second now...
Yes, well, she did favor flowers a lot.
All day long, she kept talking about flowers.
And even when I got fed up,
after a quarrel I would only fall in love even more.
Oh well, forget about it!
Next time: Wilhelm van Astrea
Wow, how quickly he got sidetracked.