Chapter 13: Part 13- Subjugation Of The White Whale
FYI
Scene/ POV
: Speech
- Thoughts
[Flashback]
"Quoting"
(Author Note)
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Karsten Estate.
I walked over to Crsuch.
Koji: I think it's time to plan our assault on the White Whale.
Crusch: Of course.
Koji: Alright. The White Whale will likely face this way when it appears.
Crusch: Alright then we should have our troops in the area prepared sooner.
Koji: Agreed.
Crusch: The unsanctioned faction of Knights includes about 40 knights and Lord Barnes.
Koji: They will be helpful in the battle.
Crsuch: We'll keep them a bit away from the action.
Koji: No. If we did that there would be no point in bringing them.
Crusch: There could be casualties. Are you sure?
Koji: I am.
Emilia: But...
Koji: It will be fine.
Emilia sighed.
Emilia: The location of the Whale is closer to the Roswal estate than here so we should gather our forces there.
Koji: We should send a letter home first.
Emilia: Right.
Emilia sat down and wrote a short letter signing it when Barnes walked in.
Barnes: Tell me the details.
I walked over showing him the location the Whale would appear. His eyes still locked onto me with suspicion.
Koji: It's closer to the Emilia Camp so we're gathering our forces there.
Barnes: Agreed. I'll send my men there but I ask you this Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. How will we determine whether you kept your end o the bargain?
Koji: How many men do yu have in that faction?
Barnes: 47.
I wrote down the number on paper and gave it to him.
Koji: That is the number of men. No matter what happens that number will be accurate.
Barnes: This will do.
Koji: One last thing before we go. Does anyone here know of a being that has a similar power to the White Whale?
They all seemed to not be able to recall anything.
Koji- I see so either it is unknown or doesn't exist.
Koji: Then let's make our way to the Roswal estate.
We were leaving when Wilhelm stopped Barnes.
Wilhelm: Barnes... about Reinhard. Thank you for everything.
Barnes: I did only what Reinhard needed.
Barnes seemed to have disdain for Wilhelm.
Wilhelm: You've done what I should have for so long. I'm just glad you were there or him.
Barnes: My issues with you stem from how you left Reinhard alone but now I see regret in your eyes.
Wilhelm: I was a fool. I realise that all too well. I can't make up fo the past but by defeating the White Whale maybe I can look him in the eye again.
Barne's face softened.
Barnes: Let's go.
Everyone left the Karsten estate with Crusch leaving only 4 guards to watch over the estate.
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Roswal Estate
We arrived back at the estate as Rem and Ram welcomed us.
Rem and Ram: It's an honour to have you here with us. Lorde Barnes. Lady Crusch.
Barnes: Where is the Margrave? We need to speak with him.
Ram: Lord Roswal has gone away to another location. We will not be able to hear from him for a while.
Koji- It's always like this when it comes to Roswal.
Emilia: Well it can't be helped. Are you prepared?
Rem: We are.
Ram: Ready for when the time comes.
Rem: Kiyotaka- Kun. Let's go clean up the residence.
Barnes: Excuse me?
Koji: Don't mind her Lord Barnes. I was a butler before becoming a Knight.
Barnes: Oh I see.
Ram: Since when did you become a Knight Ayanotaka?
Koji: It's a long story. For now, we need to get ready.
We only had two days left so this was a given.
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Location Of The White Whale
Everyone gathered at the location and Crusch made an inspiring speech to everyone there.
Crusch: We will end it's reign of terror here and now! Never again will we have to leave our fallen comrades in unmarked graves!
Everyone began cheering with several men that Wilhelm had recruited coming to me and thanking me. Many of them had gripped their hands till they bled while listening to Crusch's speech.
Koji- That White Whale. It truly has caused trouble for everyone here. Myself included.
Emilia and I walked over to see Wilhelm staring at the sky.
Koji: Astrea-Sama. How are you doing?
Emilia: Wilhelm-San.
Wilhelm: That thing that we're going to kill on this day. It took my wife from me.
Koji: I see. So that's why you have that look on your face right now.
Emilia: You must have really loved your wife.
His look was that of determination.
Koji: This is why you continued to train and get stronger.
Emilia- Is this what it means to love someone?
Wilhelm: These old bones won't let me get stronger but I can't afford for them to weaken me. Because I have to kill that thing.
Koji: I see.
Wilhelm began telling me the story of how he met his wife. Even I have to admit it was sweet.
Koji: Today is the day it dies.
I extended my hand to him and he shook it. Emilia smiled seeing this.
Wilhelm: Indeed.
Eventually, everything calmed down as the time drew near I patted my borrowed ground Dragon don't he head. Me and Emilia got on it.
Koji- Any minute now.
Emilia- We're really going to fight the White Whale...
Crusch: Keep your eyes sharp men!
Crusch- It's almost here...
Wilhelm- The White Whale.
Barnes- Where is it?
The Whale appeared floating in the sky. In my previous loop, I had only seen its eye. Now that I could see it in its entirety. It was a haunting sight. It was like the evil oozing from it could grip a person's very soul. Because of this, my guard was up before I even saw it. It was most likely the same for everyone else. I could feel Emilia shaking behind me. I grabbed her arms snapping her out of it.
Koji: Stay calm. Keep a cool head.
Emilia: Right.
Barnes: It's here! Get ready men!
Crusch: Prepare yourselves!
I rushed out on my ground dragon first.
Emilia: Eh?
Koji: El Donna!
I sent spiked pillars into the sky at the whale.
Emilia: Al: Huma!
She sent icicles as the projectiles stabbed into it as blood gushed out of the wound. Everyone seemed shocked at how quickly I responded to it appearing but Barnes took the initiative.
Barnes: Go men. Kill it!
Our entire forces charged forward.
Cursch: Charge!
Koji: El Donna!
I fired more projectiles at it. Then projectiles of mana fired at the White Whale hitting it dead center.
Koji: They're firing the Night banisher!
Emilia: Got it.
We closed our eyes as the mana projectile lit up the sky. The White Whale's eyes adjusted and it roared sending up clouds of dust. It then raced towards me and Emilia.
Koji- It's fast.
Emilia: Al Huma!
Icicles hit it in the face as a slash of wind hit it as well. I looked back to see Crusch's blade glowing.
Koji- So she can do that huh
Crusch: You greatly underestimate us looking away like that Mabeast.
It roared in pain before getting bombarded with Mana Projectiles again.
Crusch: Disperse!
The soldiers dispersed as Wilhelm arrived.
Wilhelm: I've waited for 14 years for this moment. Die and leave behind your corpse.
The White Whale rushed at him only for him to jump stabbing it in the head and riding it. He then ran on top of its back while cutting it eventually getting to its eye which he stabbed. He then jumped off of it's back onto his ground dragon rushing away from it as it attempted to bite him.
Koji- Wilhelm Van Astrea... you're simply spectacular.
Emilia: Al Huma!
More icicles hit the beast.
Crucsh laughed another attack followed by a group of mages unleashing Al Goa. The attack didn't seem effective.
Koji- It has resistance to magic huh?
It turned its attention towards Barne's men who were charging at it.
Koji: Emilia. I'm getting off.
Emilia: Eh? Why?
Koji: I'm gonna go and kill that thing.
Emilia: You're crazy.
Koji: I guess I am.
I ran on foot towards it.
Koji: White Whale! When I die I...
As expected the Whale turned its attention to me rushing towards me a wind slash hit it as I calculated the right response and jumped forming a spear in my hand and stabbing it in it's other eye.
Koji- I'm not strong enough to do it like Wilhelm yet but I can at least do this much.
It roared in pain as Baren's men rushed towards it. Jumping on it and hacking away. I then saw the openings in the White Whal'es scales.
Koji: Everyone get to Lady Crusch now!
I shouted at the top of my lungs as everyone rushed to her position. I jumped on someone else's ground dragon as I rode with them to Crusch. As expected the White whale expelled a fog. Crucsh cleared the fog using her wind attack.
Koji: Did we lose any?
Knight: I don't know but I don't think so.
Koji: Lord Barnes. How many Knights are in your faction?
Barnes: 47.
Koji: Check the paper.
Barnes: It says 47.
Koji: Good then I guess we haven't lost any men from your faction.
Barnes looked at me differently. It wasn't suspicion anymore. More like he was intrigued.
Crusch: Everyone get ready. This isn't over yet.
Suddenly a scream could be heard as dozens of others screamed in pain clawing at themselves. I swiftly knocked out these men where I found them.
Koji- They gave away our position!
Koji: Those who can still move. Get them out of here. Disperse now before the White Whale reaches out location!
Crusch: Hurry men!
Koji: Patrasche!
I called my ground dragon as it came to me.
Emilia: Kiyotaka.
Koji: I need you to help them. Patrasche and I need to handle something else.
Emilia: Okay.
Emilia got off helping the others as I got on Patrasche.
Koji: Let's go, girl.
Patrache rushed off with me on her. I patted her head.
Koji: We're heading somewhere really dangerous so I'll feed you lots of meat when we get back so don't die on me.
Patrasche roared with determination.
Koji: When I die I...
With this, the White Whale lunged at us.
Koji: El Donna!
A spiked pillar erupted from the ground deflecting the White Whale's path.
Koji: Come on girl! hang in there okay?
I patted Patrasche's head as when the White Whale redirected to attack us Wilhelm came in stabbing it in the head as several other Knights including Barnes helped him and then they dispersed with Wilhelm landing in the saddle of his ground dragon and rushing away alongside me.
Wilhelm: Keep your eyes alert it could...
I jumped off Patrashce pushing Wilhelm off his ground dragon as the White Whale's attack hit the area. Because of this Wilhelm was clear of the attack but the backlash of the fall was painful. I tried to get up.
Wilhelm: Kiyotaka-Dono!
I looked behind me. Too late. The White Whale got me in it's mouth.
Wilhelm: No. This... this can't be.
Barnes: Damn it!
Barnes rushed in stabbing the White Whale.
Barnes: Die you monster!
Suddenly the White Whale's mouth was forced open as a metal rod was holding the mouth open.
Koji: This metal creation from mana ability is really helpful.
Koji- If I didn't have it I would have to restart this loop.
I jumped out of the mouth.
Koji: Patrasche!
Patrasche rushed over to me. Thankfully she hadn't been injured by the attack. I mounted her as the rod snapped and the White Whale closed its mouth floating into the sky. Everyone had already cleared the area but as I looked up there were three of them. Three White Whales. What is this?
The Knights began to lose hope.
Knight: we're going to die.
Knight: It's hopeless.
I shouted for all of them to hear.
Crusch tcched.
Crusch: What now?
I observed the White Whales.
Emilia: There's three of them now?
Koji: No. There's still only 1.
Emilia: What?
Koji: Look at the eyes. Both of those ones have two eyes but then look at the one above. It's completely blind. Courtesy of me and Astrea-Sama.
Wilhelm: I see so those two are only doppelgangers.
Koji: I can get you two up there but we'll need you to get ready to catch us, Emilia.
Emilia: Got it.
Koji: But still I need the troops to distract the other two clones.
Barnes: Men!!! lay down your lives! We will kill that beast today if it is with the last breath we breathe! Distract the two Whales so that Lord Wilhelm and Lady Crusch can kill the real one!
The knights looked to Barnes. His faction nodded.
Crusch: Men! We are so close. Fight so that we may see the end of this day! Fight!
All of the Knights and soldiers cheered as they began to rush in and pelt attacks at the White Whales.
Koji: Hold on to me okay?
Wilhelm and Crsuch hugged me holding on tight.
Koji: Let's go!
I formed a pole as it began extending pulling us up. I created several supports to ensure the ole didn't snap as we got high up.
Koji: It can't see so this it our chance. Lord Astrea. Get it's mouth open!
I grabbed his arm and threw him at the White whale as he began cutting it up and as it screamed in agony I threw Crusch upwards.
Koji: Right in it's mouth!
Crusch swung her sword and the wind blade cut into the White Whale's upper mouth as it fell to the ground. The metal rod snapped as Emilia formed an ice slide to reduce our speed until we reached the ground. The landing was painful but there were no serious injuries.
Emilia: That was insane! I hope you know that! You could have died!
Koji: I know. Thanks for saving us.
Emilia: Honestly thought. Kiyotaka. You really are amazing.
Barnes walked up to me and extended his hand.
Barnes: As promised not a single member of my faction died.
Koji: You don't want to check the paper?
He took out the paper and without even looking at it he ripped it up.
Barnes: I trust you.
I smiled.
Koji: I'm glad.
Me and Emilia walked over to Wilhelm who was walking towards the White Whale.
Wilhelm: Still alive are you? Well, I'll put you out of your misery. This is for my wife Theresia Van Astrea!
He stabbed and slashed at the White Whale killing it as its clones disappeared.
Koji: You did it.
Wilhelm was crying.
Wilhelm: After so long. It's finally over Therisia. Therisia I... I love you.
Crusch: The White Whale has been defeated by Wilhelm Van Astrea! Now men we have won this battle!
Koji: How many casualties?
Crush: At least 20.
Barnes: That's much lower than it should be. We owe it all to this man.
Barnes presented me to the crowd as they cheered for me but my vision became blurry as I fell to the ground. I was exhausted. I fell asleep.
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To Be Continued
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