In the courtyard of Cruschs Residence, a white-haired old man in a black butler uniform stood silently in the center of the stone path.
His weathered eyes gazed at the flowerbed not far away.
Suddenly, the old man's ear twitched.
He slowly turned, and a servant stood respectfully three paces away.
"Sir Wilhelm," the servant's voice came, "Lady Crusch requests your presence in the reception room."
Wilhelm ran his hand over the hilt of the sword at his waist.
"Are there important guests?" His voice was as deep as the lingering note of a cello, "I understand."
The servant bowed deeply again, retreated three steps, and then turned to leave.
Wilhelm's gaze returned to the flowerbed.
A certain figure from his memories re-emerged among the flowers, causing the corners of his wrinkled eyes to twitch slightly.
"I hope..." he murmured softly, "this time, we don't repeat past mistakes."
— — — — — —
The reception room, more luxurious than any in Roswaal Mansion, was filled with the scent of expensive incense, yet it couldn't mask the invisible sense of pressure.
On opposite sides of the table, two figures sat facing each other.
Crusch Karsten, a Royal Selection Candidate known for her iron will, had long green hair that gleamed nobly in the candlelight.
"Sir Perfect Knight's sudden visit is quite unexpected.
Could it be... that you have finally considered accepting our alliance conditions?"
Her amber eyes fixed on the black-haired girl opposite her.
Crusch frowned slightly; if she remembered correctly, this person should be a maid from Border Count Roswaal's household.
Yet, at this moment, the girl sat brazenly in the guest of honor's seat, while the renowned knight stood behind her like a guard.
The guardians on either side of Crusch were equally striking.
On her right, a seemingly young girl with twitching cat ears was in fact a handsome young man named Felix Argyle, Lugunica's most outstanding healing mage, a Royal Guard Knight honored with the title of [Azure].
On the left, the white-haired old man appeared humble but unconsciously exuded an intimidating presence.
Wilhelm van Astrea; that surname alone was enough to command respect from any swordsman.
The Former Sword Saint's partner, a legendary sword master known as the [Sword Demon] who had awed the four corners of the world.
Subaru took a deep breath and turned her head to look at Carlisle beside her.
The Knight returned her a reassuring smile.
"Yes, she'll be here soon."
His voice caused Subaru's tense shoulders to relax slightly.
Subaru clenched her fists under the table.
She looked up, meeting Crusch's amber eyes directly.
"Lady Crusch, we genuinely hope to forge an alliance with your esteemed party on equal terms.
However, I regret to inform you that the condition you previously proposed... we cannot accept."
Subaru's mind quickly flashed through the impending crises.
Disasters escalating like levels in a game.
First was the White Whale entrenched on the plains; that colossal beast had to be eliminated first.
Then came the ever-present Witch Cult, requiring her to rush back to the Mansion within a specific time limit... otherwise, the rampage of the Beast of the End would make the situation even worse.
The frozen world in her memory sent shivers down her spine.
And that nightmare she had only met once, Pandora.
According to the scenes in her memory, did that Witch want Carlisle's sword?
"Understood."
Crusch elegantly took a sip of tea, the cup clinking against the saucer.
"It seems Subaru has discovered some... uncertain factors?
After all, Emilia's special status indeed tends to attract some uninvited guests..."
The moment she set down her teacup, her red lips parted slightly.
"For example... the Witch Cult."
As her words fell, Rem's eyes showed a dangerous emotion.
"However..." Crusch's gaze shifted to Carlisle.
"With Sir Perfect Knight's strength, even against an Archbishop of Sin, he could..."
Subaru smiled bitterly in her heart.
She knew Carlisle's strength, and precisely because of that, she understood the danger of him bearing all the combat power alone.
The image of that figure burning through his life flashed in her mind, and a pang of pain shot through her chest.
Subaru calculated the available combat power.
Roswaal was currently unable to return to the Mansion; this was information Rem had revealed on the way.
That clown-like mage always seemed to be absent at crucial moments.
Beatrice's attitude was still unclear, and as for that cat-like spirit... after things were over, she definitely needed to have a good "talk" with it.
"Lady Crusch."
Subaru suddenly stood up, placing her hands on the table.
"Placing the entire burden on one person's shoulders... this foolish mistake, I will never make a second time."
"I see."
Every syllable she uttered carried the rhythm unique to nobility.
"However, Subaru..." She suddenly emphasized the honorific.
"Given that you explicitly reject our previously proposed alliance conditions, what tangible benefits can this so-called alliance truly bring us?"
"More importantly, what... price is Emilia truly willing to pay?"
The surface of the tea reflected Subaru's suddenly bright eyes.
At this moment, Subaru felt as if she were on a giant strategic chessboard.
Every fragment of her past loops pieced together into a complete picture in her mind: the precise time nodes of the White Whale's appearance, the unusual surge in ironware purchases in the capital...
These seemingly unrelated clues suddenly connected into a clear trajectory.
"We can provide..." Subaru sat back down.
"The bargaining chip that Lady Crusch currently desires most."
Crusch leaned forward slightly.
"Oh?" Her voice rose dangerously at the end, "The bargaining chip I need most... that's an interesting way of putting it."
Subaru's lips curved into an arc.
"For the past two days, some... intriguing news has been circulating in the streets and alleys of the capital."
She paused deliberately.
"Someone is extensively acquiring refined ironware, high-quality weapons, and especially... those excellent ground dragons suitable for long-distance raids, which have been almost completely bought out."
The old Sword Demon's eyes sharpened.
Crusch calmly spread her hands on the table.
"I see, it is indeed our party making the acquisitions."
A hint of admiration flashed in her eyes.
"However, this is not a secret that needs to be concealed; a little investigation would reveal it.
The real question is..." Her voice suddenly turned cold.
"What connection does this have to Subaru's so-called bargaining chip?"
"The White Whale."
This simple phrase hit the reception room like a heavy hammer.
Felix's cat ears shot up, and the fur on his tail bristled.
"Eh? The White, White Whale? Subaru, why did you suddenly mention that... Lady Crusch... you're preparing to subjugate the White Whale, aren't you?"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Felix excitedly waved his hands, "The topic's jumping too fast! Acquiring supplies could also be for attacking..." He suddenly clapped a hand over his mouth, shrinking his neck under Crusch's warning gaze, like a child who had done something wrong.
"My apologies."
Crusch nodded slightly, "Felix is just like that; please understand.
It seems Subaru received information about the White Whale's appearance and the rumors in the city to arrive at her conclusion.
So, what exactly is the bargaining chip?"
"The White Whale's sighting locations and activity patterns... are no longer a secret to Lady Crusch."
She looked directly into Crusch's eyes.
"And the bargaining chip we are willing to provide is... top-secret intelligence regarding that demon beast's special abilities, including the true terrifying nature of its infamous mist."
...
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