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When Emilia's clear voice echoed through the study, it was followed by a stifling silence that seemed to evade the atmosphere.
Crusch closed her eyes, speaking almost to herself. "So that's how it is. Even with the Dragon's approval, as a Half-Elf, you lack any real advantage or supporters in the Royal Selection. Therefore, you need to form an alliance early to secure your position and avoid being eliminated right away."
Crusch's guess hit the mark.
If Fang Li didn't understand Crusch's straightforward nature, he might have suspected that the earlier "declaration of war" was a deliberate act to catch them off guard.
However, it wasn't difficult to deduce what Crusch was thinking.
Apart from someone like Felt, who lacked political experience, the other Royal Selection candidates could easily guess Emilia's situation.
"I understand the situation," Crusch said, opening her eyes and looking at Emilia. "Indeed, among the five Royal Selection candidates, the conflict between you and me is the least clear. Forming an equal alliance temporarily, until the other candidates are dealt with, certainly has its benefits."
Hearing this, Emilia leaned forward eagerly. "Then we can..."
"Wait, don't be hasty," Crusch raised a hand to interrupt Emilia, speaking decisively. "While forming a covenant has no downsides, if there are no benefits, there's no need for such an alliance either, right?"
Emilia lowered her head slightly when she heard these words.
Clearly, Emilia had anticipated Crusch would say this.
It was only natural.
"You want to form a covenant with me to secure your position and avoid being seen as the weakest and eliminated first," Crusch stated bluntly. "But that's your goal. What benefits do I gain from forming a covenant with you?"
As soon as Crusch finished speaking, Ferris chimed in.
"From what we know, although Margrave Roswaal supports Emilia Sama, and he's powerful enough to support the entire border alone, that's all there is to it."
Ferris, dropping his playful demeanor, spoke sharply, "Honestly, Emilia Sama's camp lacks both manpower and popularity. Forming a covenant with you only brings us Margrave Roswaal, the strongest magic user, but nothing else. Even if the Mathers family supports your finances, the Karsten Family doesn't lack in that area either."
"In summary," Ferris concluded with a smile, "forming a covenant with Emilia Sama means we only give without receiving any benefits. There's no reason to form such a covenant."
Though what Ferrid said was harsh, this was the truth.
In essence, Crusch and her allies meant one thing.
"What do you offer to entice us?" Crusch asked Emilia. "If your offer truly meets the 'equal' condition, then I won't hesitate to accept."
This was Crusch's point.
This time, it was Emilia who closed her eyes.
Rem also closed her eyes, adopting a bystander's stance, perfectly embodying a servant's demeanor.
As for Fang Li, he exchanged a glance with someone.
That person was Wilhelm, who remained equally silent.
Then, Fang Li looked at Emilia.
He knew that while Emilia was innocent and kind, she was not thoughtless.
If it were this young girl, she should be able to understand, right?
Understand where the current atmosphere would lead.
And Emilia did not disappoint Fang Li.
"Don't need to hesitate...?" Emilia suddenly opened her eyes, her purple gaze locking onto Crusch. "If Lady Crusch speaks so decisively, it means I have something you want, right?"
Emilia hit the nail on the head.
Crusch also revealed a satisfied expression on her face when she heard this.
This expression told everyone that Emilia was correct.
"Please, tell me," Emilia spoke solemnly. "What should I offer?"
"It's simple." Crusch turned her gaze and her eyes landed directly on Fang Li.
Fang Li raised an eyebrow slightly.
Emilia seemed to realize something, exclaiming, "Could it be..."
"Yes." Crusch nodded firmly, presenting her condition.
"I want Fang Li Sama's strength."
...
The negotiation concluded swiftly after that.
The final outcome was a successful covenant between Emilia's camp and Crusch's camp.
What did this signify?
It meant Crusch had obtained what she wanted.
"Is this really okay?" Emilia asked Fang Li as soon as they returned to their guest room in the Karsten estate.
"This is clearly my issue. There's no reason for you to make sacrifices alone."
At that moment, Emilia's eyes were filled with guilt.
Guilt for her own helplessness.
If possible, Emilia would rather be the one making sacrifices, and not making Fang Li do it.
This was Emilia's nature.
In response, Fang Li merely shook his head, saying, "I've already told you, this benefits me too, and I am not doing this solely because of you."
With that, Fang Li moved to the window and drew back the curtains.
Below, the bustling activity in the courtyard continued unabated.
From there, he could see it.
From the Dragon Carriages below, people were unloading heavy crates one by one.
Those crates were filled with martial tools.
Watching this scene, Fang Li smiled.
"I originally planned to get involved if an opportunity arose. Now, the opportunity has come to me. Why not take it?"
Hearing Fang Li's words, Emilia didn't know what to say.
Then, she recalled the details of the recent meeting.
...
After stating her demand, Crusch didn't give Emilia time to be surprised or object. She immediately added, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to pull Fang Li Sama into my camp with this opportunity."
Indeed, her earlier words might have sounded like she was treating Fang Li as a bargaining chip.
However, given Crusch's character, she wouldn't engage in such underhanded tactics.
Crusch's request had one purpose.
To gather reliable combat power for the upcoming battles.
With this in mind, Crusch spoke seriously.
"You know about the Hakugei (White Whale), don't you?"
...
A sudden, indescribable tension filled the space due to Crusch's words.
"Hakugei (White Whale)?"
Emilia reacted strongly to this sentence, and she raised her head with her purple eyes glittering in shock.
It wasn't just Emilia. Even Rem, who usually maintained a poker face, showed a fleeting expression of surprise.
In contrast, Fang Li furrowed his brow and exchanged another glance with Wilhelm.
But Wilhelm's demeanor had completely changed from before.
He remained silent, yet in his usually dignified and powerful eyes, a fierce fire was burning.
It was a dark, intense fire named hatred.
Wilhelm, known as the 'Sword Demon', exuded a ghostly aura filled with this burning hatred.
Most people, facing such an imposing presence, would find their legs weakening and they would find themself unable to move.
Even the silver-haired half-elf with a contract with a great spirit and the Oni girl known for her combat prowess held their breath in the presence of Wilhelm.
Crusch and Ferris remained silent as if they had expected this reaction from Wilhelm.
Perhaps no one present, including Fang Li, failed to understand why Wilhelm reacted this way.
However, no one voiced it.
Especially the kind-hearted Emilia, who diverted the topic slightly, asking, "The Hakugei (White Whale) you mentioned, Crusch Sama, could it be that Hakugei (White Whale)?"
"Of course." Crusch nodded solemnly, her charming face tense. "When it comes to Hakugei (White Whale), there is only one creature known as the 'Demon Beast of the Mist' in this world."
With this statement, everyone fell silent simultaneously, enhancing the heavy atmosphere around them.
The "Demon Beast of the Mist."
When discussing Demon Beasts, aside from those created by the Witch four hundred years ago with magical power, there's no second thought.
Meili was one who controlled Demon Beasts.
Today, Demon Beasts exist in every corner of the world and are familiar to all.
However, even among the Demon Beasts that have ravaged the world for four centuries, there exist those considered the most emblematic.
The most vicious, most brutal, most terrifying, and most powerful Demon Beasts.
These are collectively known as the "Sandai Majū (Three Great Demon Beasts)."
The Hakugei (White Whale), known as the "Demon Beast of the Mist," is one of these Sandai Majū (Three Great Demon Beasts).
"For four hundred years, it has been elusive, with no fixed habitat, wandering the world's corners, devouring all life it encounters, not allowing even existence — the Hakugei (White Whale)."
Crusch's gaze on Emilia sharpened as she spoke with unprecedented intensity.
"It is considered a symbol of disaster and misfortune, appearing randomly, unpredictably, and irresistibly, leading to annihilation wherever it goes."
"Because of it, countless merchant caravans between nations have suffered, with untold blood spilled."
"Because of it, the Kingdom sent out an extermination squad, but not one person returned."
"If there's anything in this world worth everyone's hatred, besides the Witch of Envy, it is the Hakugei (White Whale) and its kin among the Sandai Majū (Three Great Demon Beasts)."
Crusch finally revealed her goal.
"I want to slay it."
"For that, I need Fang Li Sama's power."
The impact of this revelation struck Emilia and Rem deeply.
Slay the Hakugei (White Whale)?
Slay the Demon Beast that has ravaged the world for four hundred years, regarded as a natural disaster, annihilating even the Kingdom's extermination squads?
So, that's why Crusch's mansion had so many people coming and going, and such a large stockpile of weapons and supplies?
Emilia and Rem were caught off guard by this unexpected information.
But an even more significant impact was Crusch's intention to enlist Fang Li in this battle.
This was what Emilia and Rem were most concerned about.
So, Emilia couldn't help but ask.
"Why?"
To Emilia's question, Crusch gave this answer.
"There are various reasons, but the primary reason is the honor of slaying the Hakugei (White Whale)."
A Demon Beast that even the Kingdom's extermination squads failed to kill, ravaging the world for four hundred years?
If Crusch were to succeed in this endeavor, her fame and popularity would skyrocket, giving her a significant advantage in the Royal Selection.
Indeed, this was a compelling reason.
But Emilia's true question was not this.
And Fang Li voiced what Emilia truly wanted to ask.
"For a Demon Beast that annihilated even the Kingdom's extermination squads, what difference would my power make?"
Fang Li spoke coldly.
"That's what Emilia wanted to ask, right?"
That was indeed the straightforward question.
It was a logical query.
Even though many knew Fang Li was extraordinary, no one believed he alone could alter the outcome against such a disaster.
So why would Crusch insist on Fang Li's assistance as a condition for forming an alliance with Emilia?
"I can give you a reason."
Crusch looked at Fang Li and spoke with utmost seriousness.
"I believe your abilities will be crucial in the upcoming battles."
This reason was hardly acceptable.
Crusch knew little about Fang Li's capabilities, learning only bits from Wilhelm.
"That's not enough to use my abilities as a bargaining chip for an alliance." Fang Li bluntly pointed out.
"If I'm not mistaken, Duchess Crusch, you aim to publicly announce 'the knight who once threatened the dragon fights alongside me,' hence proposing this condition."
Crusch didn't respond, only offering a smile of admiration and respect.
Before Emilia could react, Fang Li gave his answer.
"Very well, I accept."
...
You can read ahead up to 70 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/GGS6395
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