At night, the earth dragon carriage sped along the muddy road. Subaru gripped the handrail of the carriage, her gaze shifting between the serious-faced Carlisle and Rem.
Just a few hours earlier, Carlisle had burst into her room.
"Something has happened at the Mansion. We must return immediately," he said, a rare anxiety flickering in his blue eyes. "But Subaru, you can stay in the Royal Capital. I will ask Lady Crusch and Felix to look after you, and I will come back for you once the crisis is over."
But she refused. She did not want to simply stand by and watch things unfold, and she knew a little magic herself. She should be able to be of some use, right?
Suddenly, the ground dragon carriage braked without warning. Carlisle jumped out.
"What's wrong? Why did we stop?"
"I am very sorry, Knight," the coachman hired by Carlisle wiped sweat from his brow. "There is a problem with the road ahead. We cannot go any further."
Carlisle looked around and saw that the entire road was filled with stopped ground dragon carriages, their coachmen whispering to each other. A bad premonition immediately formed in his heart, and he quickly walked toward the nearest merchant caravan.
"Excuse me, what happened ahead? Why is everyone stopped here?" he called out to a merchant who was organizing his goods.
The merchant pointed nervously ahead. "There is a thick fog up ahead..."
Fog? Carlisle frowned. Why would fog cause so many ground dragon carriages to stop? Even with fog, it should not delay travel this much. Then he suddenly realized something.
Wait. It is impossible for there to be fog at night during this season.
In this world, abnormal fog often meant something far more dangerous.
He lowered his voice and asked, "Could it be... the White Whale?"
The merchant's face turned pale and he nodded. "With this kind of thick fog appearing at this time, it is most likely that monster. Although no one has seen it with their own eyes, who would dare gamble their life? Everyone is waiting for the fog to clear."
"Can't we take a detour?" Carlisle pressed. "Avoid this foggy area?"
"There is no way around it, Sir," the merchant said with a bitter smile, shaking his head and pointing into the distance. "You can see for yourself. The fog has already spread to the horizon. If we force a detour, it would probably take several more days."
Carlisle looked in the direction the merchant indicated and saw a thick white fog in the distance, like a living creature devouring the entire road. The outlines of the distant mountains had already blurred.
He took a deep breath.
"I understand. Thank you for the information."
After thanking the merchant again, Carlisle turned and returned to the carriage.
"What happened, Carlisle-kun?" Rem immediately asked.
"There is a thick fog ahead, possibly the White Whale," Carlisle answered concisely.
"The White Whale?" Subaru trembled at the word.
She suddenly remembered the records she had read in the Mansion's study. The most terrifying calamities in this world, the Three Great Demonic Beasts. The White Whale, the Great Rabbit, and the Black Serpent. All were said to have been created by the Witch four hundred years ago.
The legendary White Whale that roams within the mist.
Right up ahead?
Subaru instinctively pinched her cheek, trying to confirm this was not a dream. Something she had read about only a few days ago had suddenly become an imminent threat. The unreal feeling left her mind blank.
Carlisle turned to Rem.
"Rem, how much time do we have left?"
Rem's hands clutched her skirt.
"There isn't... much time left." Her voice trembled slightly. "The unease is growing stronger and stronger. My sister is..."
Carlisle nodded in understanding.
As twins, Rem and Ram shared a special connection. When one was in danger, the other would instinctively feel an intense sense of unease. This bond was far more sensitive and reliable than any communication magic.
"I understand."
Carlisle's right hand rested on the hilt of his sword.
"Then we must find a way to break through this fog."
"Listen." Carlisle turned to the two of them. "I have a suggestion. The two of you stay here and wait. I will go ahead and scout the path."
"No!"
Subaru suddenly stood up.
"That is one of the Three Great Demonic Beasts! You are going alone? What if you really encounter the White Whale?"
"Then I will try to subjugate it."
The carriage suddenly became eerily quiet.
Subaru's voice trembled unconsciously.
"...Can you win?"
Carlisle lowered his gaze.
Silence spread between the three of them.
After a long moment, he spoke in a low voice.
"...I don't know. But it is too late to take a detour. We need to return to the Mansion as quickly as possible. This is the only path."
"Carlisle-kun."
Rem suddenly spoke, her slender fingers gripping his cape tightly.
"Please let Rem accompany you."
"No. It is too dangerous. I cannot allow you to risk yourselves."
"Then why," Rem said, her blue eyes shining with stubborn determination, "do you allow yourself to venture into danger alone, Carlisle-kun? Since it was Rem who insisted we return urgently, you should not bear all the risks alone."
Her voice grew steadier.
"After dealing with the White Whale, do you still plan to face the crisis at the Mansion by yourself?"
"Exactly!" Subaru quickly agreed, forcing a light tone into her voice. "And besides, what if it is just normal fog? That is the legendary White Whale. How could we be so lucky to run into it..."
Carlisle looked at the two stubborn young women before him and ruffled his hair in frustration. Blue strands fell across his brow, emphasizing his troubled expression.
"Why won't you just listen?" he pleaded. "What must I do to make you stay here obediently?"
But Subaru and Rem's gazes remained firm.
Just as Carlisle could not allow them to face danger, they would never allow him to face danger alone.
"...Alright."
Carlisle finally gave in with a bitter smile.
"But on one condition. If we truly encounter danger, I must be the one to handle it."
His voice suddenly became firm and unquestionable.
"This is not a negotiation."
Without waiting for their response, he turned and jumped out of the carriage. The coachman was nervously wringing his hands, and Carlisle directly handed him a heavy money pouch.
"Mr. Coachman, this is your agreed payment. Also... please sell this earth dragon carriage to us."
The coachman opened the pouch and his eyes widened. By estimation, the coins inside were enough to purchase two earth dragon carriages.
He stammered, "Knight, you... are you really going? That is the White Whale. Even you..."
"Thank you for your concern," Carlisle gently interrupted. "Please return safely."
He deftly climbed into the driver's seat, his fingers gripping the reins. The earth dragon let out a low snort and began moving, galloping into the depths of the thick fog.
---
The ground dragon carriage sped along a dark forest path, its wheels rustling over damp fallen leaves. Carlisle's knuckles, gripping the reins, were slightly pale. The crisp sound of branches snapping occasionally echoed from within the fog, making the atmosphere inside the carriage even more tense.
Subaru pressed herself against the carriage window. Her breath condensed into pale frost against the glass. Her fingers unconsciously scratched at the window frame as the terrifying legends of the White Whale flashed through her mind.
Merchant caravans devoured without a trace.
Travelers forever lost in the mist.
"Subaru... are you very worried?"
Rem's soft voice broke the silence. Her hands rested neatly in her lap, her blue eyes filled with concern.
"Ah... mm..."
Subaru forced a smile, her fingers twisting the hem of her skirt.
"Just a little..."
"Is it because you are worried Carlisle-kun will confront the White Whale?"
"Isn't that obvious!" Subaru suddenly became agitated. "That blockhead will definitely say something like 'This is my duty' and then charge in alone..."
Her voice gradually grew quieter until it became almost a whisper.
Rem suddenly leaned forward and gently covered Subaru's cold hand with her warm palm.
"Please do not worry. Carlisle-kun is a strong person who can even repel a horde of Demonic Beasts by himself."
Her eyes curved into gentle crescents.
"And Rem will protect Subaru well."
Rem suddenly showed a mischievous smile and leaned close to Subaru's ear.
"Protecting the First Lady is the Second Lady's duty, after all."
"F-First Lady?!"
Subaru instantly sprang from her seat, hitting her head on the carriage ceiling with a loud thump. She did not even bother rubbing it.
"You... you are talking nonsense! And what is with that 'Second Lady' strange setting! I will not give him to you. Carlisle clearly belongs to me!"
"Eh?"
Rem blinked innocently.
"Rem did not say she wanted to take Carlisle-kun away. We can all live together, and Rem even offered to be the second one..."
"That is not the point!"
Subaru waved her hands frantically.
"This is bigamy! You will go to jail!"
"Big... amy?"
Rem tilted her head in confusion, her hair swaying gently.
"Ah... that is right..."
Subaru suddenly slumped her shoulders in defeat.
"This is another world after all..."
Then, as if remembering something, she suddenly looked up, her face as red as a ripe apple.
"Wait! Even if it is another world, I still..."
Before she could finish speaking, the scenery outside the window suddenly opened.
The ground dragon carriage stopped its bumpy ride and entered a plain. Subaru's gaze was drawn toward the towering giant tree in the distance, which stood majestically even within the thick fog.
"We have already reached the Flugel Tree..."
The enormous tree, acting as a landmark, made Subaru sigh in relief. This meant that after crossing this plain, they would reach the Mansion.
It seemed that Lady Luck had favored them.
They had not encountered the legendary White Whale.
However, this sense of relief lasted only a moment.
The ground dragon carriage suddenly stopped.
Carlisle abruptly pulled open the carriage door, his face grim.
"What's wrong? Why did we stop?" Subaru asked uneasily.
"The earth dragon refuses to move forward," Carlisle said in a low voice. " are you afraid of something?."
Subaru leaned outside.
The sight before her instantly made her breath catch.
The entire plain ahead was swallowed by thick white fog. It rolled and writhed like a living creature as it slowly approached them.
"Woooooo..."
Suddenly, a long, ethereal whale cry pierced the sky, causing the carriage windows to vibrate.
"It is the White Whale."
Carlisle's hand was already on the hilt of his sword.
"It is right ahead."
"Listen, Rem."
Carlisle suddenly turned toward her.
"You drive the earth dragon carriage. I will go ahead and clear the path. Remember, no matter what happens, do not stop. Do you understand?"
"Wait a moment."
Rem refused immediately.
"Rem wants to go with Carlisle-kun."
"No!"
For once, Carlisle raised his voice.
"I cannot focus on protecting you during battle."
Seeing Rem about to argue again, his tone softened.
"Please... Lady Emilia might be in danger."
Then he looked at Subaru.
"And I am entrusting Subaru to you."
Subaru's golden eyes trembled violently. Her pale lips quivered slightly, her face filled with a silent plea asking him not to go.
When Carlisle's warm palm gently patted her head, the girl suddenly grabbed his sleeve tightly.
"Please..."
Her voice was barely louder than a whisper.
"Do not do anything reckless..."
Carlisle paused.
Then he showed a reassuring smile.
"Mm."
...
Read advance chapters on p@treon
[email protected]/guilt_free_daoist
Join disc0rd link in synopsis.
GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.