10

Out on the streets of the capital, Rem had turned to face her hero with a faint sense of curiosity as he stood still, wondering what was suddenly coming over him. There was faint shock and concern the moment that she saw his haunted expression before he slowly started to reach out to her with shaking hands to grip her arms.

It was clear that Subaru was barely able to stand but the reason for it wasn't clear in the slightest, but there was no hesitation from Rem to immediately bring the man into a gentle embrace, one that Subaru so strongly craved as he wrapped his arms around her, clinging on for whatever warmth he could feel.

"There, there, your Rem is here," Rem said as she gently stroked Subaru's hair, hoping that she would begin to feel his shaking begin to decrease. 'The witch's scent has grown on him again…' she couldn't but grimly think, making sure to keep it to herself.

"Rem… Rem…" Subaru repeatedly mumbled as he continued to hold on. 'She's alive! She's alive!' he kept telling himself over and over in his mind, trying use to the fact to block out the visions of her various previous deaths. From one of many of the cult attacks and personally from the 'Unseen hands' of Petelgeuse, alongside the death he had just experienced. And he was powerless to do anything.

"He was just one… and yet… and yet there was nothing I could do…" Subaru sobbed to himself. He didn't know where they had come from, but shortly after the whale Grassis, Cecily and Leo had disappeared. But it was only likely that it was something to do with the cultists that had attacked them instead.

"It's alright Subaru, if ever there's something you can't do alone then your Rem will be more than willing to help you." The blue-haired maid continued to comfort him without worry for whatever confusing words managed to leave his mouth.

Their deaths were practically inexplicable with the way that they had died, it had likely looked like one of the most peaceful deaths that he had ever experienced but it was far from the truth. "It… it was so cold…" Subaru mumbled as Rem continued to stroke him. "So empty… so quite… I was so useless and helpless… it felt like everything… everything that I was just sucked out of me…"

It had felt almost as if he had been killed spiritually before finally facing a proper death, it wasn't painful like when the witch touched his heart, but the haunting, freezing grip impacted him just as much. He didn't know how it was possible for even a cultist to be able to do such a thing without them being an archbishop, but it didn't matter. Not anymore.

And without saying anything, Subaru suddenly pulled away from Rem whilst snatching her hand and hurriedly pulling her through the streets to whatever empty place he could find…

"Master!" Cecily happily cried out as she came bounding down the corridor to greet Leo with a blinding smile on her face. "Are you all done training now?" she asked as they walked along.

"That's right, Kou and I didn't think there was much point in pushing them any further. Unlike Reinhard, I can't strike the right balance between challenging them and not going too hard so I wore them out quickly." Leo nonchalantly replied. "I wonder just what he's currently up to?"

"He's the sword saint, right? The strongest in the world? He'll be back in no time, no matter who he's facing!" Cecily cheered, "But we'll be even stronger than him one day!"

"Now that would only happen in a dream," Leo said with a soft laugh at the prospect that the spirit spoke of. "I don't even know what I would do with all that power, I don't even know the reputation I would gain from it, not that I think it would be any good if I'm viewed as a warlock."

"Hey! You shouldn't call yourself that, you're better than that and I know it!" Cecily replied in a huff, "A warlock or a witch isn't a light thing master, I wonder if you fully comprehend it yet…"

"Maybe not… I guess I'm treating it the same as thinking of a historical fact or something out of a fairy tale with how everyone makes it sound."

"But it's not!" Cecily cried out. "It should be the last thing you're willing to call yourself!"

"I know, I know… I don't mean to treat it like that." Leo sighed in response as he pattered her on the head. 'But it's always a looming possibility, especially with Heinkel after all…'

Cecily merely looked up at him with a worried expression, having no issue with reading her contractor's mind from his expression alone. 'Master usually looks fine but he really worries about these things… I wish that there weren't people that put him into this position!' she thought to herself with a burning determination. Of course, she couldn't simply 'remove' Heinkel, but it wouldn't stop her from taking the first chance to neutralize the trouble the man possessed the moment the opportunity would arise either.

"Sir Leo," Flam called out to him, snapping the contractor and spirit from their thoughts as they noticed the twin maid girls just a little further up the corridor from them. "Subaru has visited the manor, asking Miss Felt to lend him your aid for something and she wishes to see you." The little girl explained with a faintly troubled expression, knowing that Leo wouldn't be pleased with the development as they all remembered yesterday's events.

As per expectations, both Leo and Cecily quickly turned sour upon hearing the situation from the maid as it was reflected in their expressions. "Why does that meanie think he can ask for anything from us!? He was horrible yesterday!" Cecily sulked on the spot with a pout.

"I understand your feelings, but there seems to be something different with Subaru today… I can't say we could explain it but…" Grassis replied before spotting to exchange a conflicted expression with her sister before continuing. "Something seems to have changed for him."

"Really?" Leo asked, confused as to what the twins could mean. 'Has he had another sudden change of mental state? I can't put up with him getting any worse but…'

"If Felt's calling then I'll go. Doesn't mean I'll be enthused to help…" Leo sighed as the girls nodded in response, already turning around to lead him towards the room that Felt and Subaru were having their meeting in…

"So will you help me!" Subaru suddenly proclaimed as he bowed in his seat, lowering his head to his lap as he directed himself towards Leo and Cecily, the two of them were only able to look back in shock at the sudden ludicrous request that Subaru had made of them.

"You're planning on taking on the white whale?!" Felt exclaimed in pure shock and horror at the prospect that Subaru was hoping to take on.

"And it's not stopping there, I need to beat the witch cult as well. Otherwise, Emilia will be in danger to them." Subaru restated as he looked back up with an unshakable, unwavering gaze of pure determination. It was clear that whatever had gotten into his mind, it appeared that there was no way that someone would be able to shake it out of him.

"Just to catch me up to speed, what exactly is the white whale?" Leo asked, unable to grasp the size of the task that Subaru wanted to tackle from the atmosphere alone.

"The white whale is one of the three great mabeasts, created by the witch and has plagued the world for the last 400 years." Flam was quick to answer, "There have been attempts to slay it across history, but none have shown the slightest success. We haven't even learned much about the beast, making it treated like a natural disaster and calamity as a lasting impact of the witch."

"And Subaru is planning on just beating that thing before promptly moving onto a cult next?" Leo said, completely unable to comprehend Subaru's actions.

"The witch cult is also known to be infamously difficult to combat and remains a mystery as to their inner workings. There have been some dated victories against them but… they are few and far, and all record great losses as well." Grassis added on as she lowered her head.

"He's insane…" Cecily mumbled to herself as she looked at Subaru almost with a sense of pity. "There's no way you can succeed, it's a suicide mission! And you won't bring my contractor down with you!"

"Hey, it's not like I'm going in without a plan and hoping on brute force!" Subaru frantically countered, almost with a sense of desperation. "It's a four-way alliance!"

"And how are you pulling that one off? Which camp is the one being left out on this?" Leo asked with suspicion.

"You're not the first people I've asked you know? I already got Crusch and Anastasia onboard yesterday and the night was spent preparing to leave. It's just that I remembered you and thought it would be a massive help as well!" Subaru explained with an awkward smile.

"No." Cecily firmly replied with a huff, something that failed to fully display her as someone to take seriously from her position on Leo's lap, looking more like an upset child.

"No?!" A panicked Subaru repeated, in horror at the response.

"You ask all of this of Master, of us, but have you forgotten how you treated us yesterday? You even went as far as calling Master a warlock!" Cecily shouted out with a pointed, accusatory finger that made Subaru flinch in response, almost as if he had suddenly recalled just what he was being accused of.

"Right… and I apologize for that… my head was in the wrong place, but please don't let it affect the lives of others! I mean it that everyone is in danger and that we need your help!" Subaru continued to plead, once more lowering his head to the spirit and her contractor. And yet despite the focused determination in his eyes, they could somehow already see him standing on some tipping point as desperation began to take the form of budding tears in his eyes.

"Well... what do you think? It's not like I'm going to force you to go running off to fight the white whale." Felt eventually said, breaking the brief tense silence as all eyes darted to Leo for his final answer.

"You said that you have a plan, didn't you? And what exactly do you want me for?" Leo said with a hard expression. "I'm not going on a suicide mission, and I don't see why you would come just for me still. I'm not going to make a massive impact in comparison to an army."

"It's not about that! I mean, you've been training with Reinhard, haven't you? Surely, you've gotten stronger, and you have Cecily with you! You shouldn't underestimate her either!" Subaru said as he tried to keep his cool yet remained unable to hide his strained expression as a bead of sweat trickled down his face from sheer tension. "And your authority…"

"Don't mention Master's authority!" Cecily snapped back, "He's already pushed himself too far with his authority that he nearly ran out of od! He's not using it again like that!"

"Huh?! No, it doesn't need to be used like that! Felix is the best healer in the kingdom so he's the lifeline for us all! But isn't he able to use it to take od from things? I was thinking it's an opinion of taking down the white whale that only he has available…"

"I still don't want to go exposed as a warlock, if people realize it could easily turn to shunning me you know? I thought this was made clear in Roswall's manor." Leo added on with a far-from-pleased expression alongside the glares of all the other girls in the room beside Rem.

"Right, right, you don't have to I was just mentioning as a possibility, like a last resort!" Subaru hurriedly said, "There's just one reason in particular that I need you there for…"

"And that is?"

"The white whale is a mabeast, and that means it's attracted to the witch's scent. I don't plan on telling anyone how but I'll be initially relying on you to help me lure it into a trap." Subaru explained with an awkward expression, leaving Leo to look at him almost bewildered. "The both of us together are enough to get the whale to come to us, and then during the battle I plan to use my scent to lead it by the nose to sure as a distraction so everyone else can do all out!"

"That is an incredibly dangerous position…" Grassis commented.

"I know but, I'm sure that between Rem, Cecily and Leo we'll be fine. They can blast it if it gets too close for comfort." Subaru replied as he began to settle down again. "It might be down to us to make sure that the whale doesn't do too much damage to the army, and I know you're no slouch in power either!"

"So, your overall wish for Sir Leo is for him to help you lure out the whale and occasionally assist in distracting it, alongside fighting it as a prominent fighter with Lady Cecily compared to the other soldiers. And if things should start looking too bad, to serve as a final secret weapon in the form of his authority." Flam summarized the talk as Subaru hesitantly nodded in response, unable to find any faults in her words nor think of any way to soften up what she said.

"And why should we help?" Leo asked as he completely focused on Subaru.

"Because I know you wouldn't leave innocent people to die if you knew you could do something about it…" Subaru replied, doing his best to keep uncertainty out of his voice. "If that isn't enough then I'm sure that a reward could be prepared as well… I'm sure that Roswall would be willing to thank you, I'm sure he'll understand."

Leo released a heavy sigh in response which kept Subaru in suspense as he remained unaware of just what Leo was currently thinking until he finally locked eyes again, his gaze heavy and resolute before he even spoke a word. 'Honestly, it's rather unnerving with how much he knows as times… how did he get this far from just a couple of days of being the joke in the throne room.?"

"Fine, but I want to avoid explanations on why that plan is possible as much as possible, without it being suspicious to them." Leo sighed in response whilst Subaru had enough energy to pump a small fist with his victory in excitement and relief.

"Rem is very proud of your achievement Subaru," Rem said with a small smile as everyone glanced at the enthused boy.

"Thanks, but this is nothing yet. Now we can really take on the real challenge" Subaru replied before turning back to the members of the Felt camp. "We'll be going ahead to Crusch's place if you still want to prepare a bit, but make sure that you don't take too long because we tight enough on time to leave as is!"

"Got it, we'll see you there then," Leo replied as Subaru waved goodbye whilst Rem took a bow before the pair left the room, instantly making their way back to continue their plans whilst the Felt camp began to enter some silence at his leave.

"Are you really doing this big bro?" Felt asked with concern whilst Leo discreetly held tightly onto Cecily's hand, an action that the spirit quickly reciprocated.

"If there's a chance then I should try, otherwise I'm risking more people to die right? Besides, we might be more important than we believe towards this." Leo replied, doing his best to fake calmness as the prospect of what he was attempting went through his mind.

"Master is a good person, I'm sure that everyone will succeed thanks to us!" Cecily proudly proclaimed as she puffed out her small chest again as if to attempt to try and hype herself up for the momentous mission they were getting involved with.

"We shall stick with you until the end." Flam and Grassis send in unison with a weak smile until they noticed Leo's troubled look, but they never let it faze them as they instantly spoke before Leo had the chance. "We know how you feel but we insist on coming, please don't feel the need to worry about us as we will make sure not to get in the way."

"Sir Leo, this is going to be a fight where every person will matter. We wish to be able to play some part in assisting as well, especially if you are already getting involved. It is partly our duty bestowed on us by Sir Reinhard to help take care of your safety and health." The twins said with resolute determination as they stood firm together. The sight of the two of them was hardly reminiscent of the maids he had first met who immediately did whatever they were told without bringing their own emotions into things.

"Fine… but can I at least ask you to keep to a supporting role?" Leo asked with a weak and worried expression to which the maids eagerly nodded in response, pleased that he was accepting of them. 'Besides, their divine blessings might come in handy at some point, it's the only form of instant or even simply fast communication that we've got.'

Felt, however, remained silent for a few moments as she watched the group with careful eyes before she finally made up her mind with a small huff yet it was loud enough to get the room's attention. "Alright, I've decided!" Felt said as she got up. "Twin maids! Go get the sword from before!" she declared with a pointed finger, as Flam and Grassis immediately nodded in response before hurrying out of the room.

"Uh, I've already got a sword you know?" Leo replied as he tapped against the sheathed blade that was resting against the sofa he was sitting on.

"I know that! But Reinhard kept saying this one was special somehow, not that I cared how at the time. I just wanted to see if he would listen to me." Felt replied.

"There aren't many special swords in the world, I wonder what you got…" Cecily pondered to herself as they waited for the maids to return, something that didn't take long as one of them opened the door for the other to walk in, carefully carrying a sword in an incredibly fancy sheath.

"That's the one," Felt said as Grassis presented the sword to Leo who accepted the blade to satisfy his curiosity about it. "I wasn't really listening or understanding whatever Reinhard said about it but I'm sure that either one of them could tell you."

"It seems high quality, but how can a sword be special besides that?" Leo asked as he carefully took the blade out of its sheath after Cecily had left his lap to allow him to do so. Even as he pointed the blade into the air there was a particular sheen and shine to the blade, it felt light yet despite that it somehow felt the blade's ability to deal definitive, heavy strikes.

"Oh!" Cecily suddenly exclaimed as something came to her mind. "That's Zeam! You got Zeam!"

"It's a named sword?" Leo said.

"It's not just any named blade, it's a sword of power!" Cecily excitedly replied, almost as if she was ready to begin hopping on the spot.

"The sword you hold, Sir Leo, is referred to as the sword of life, Zeam. One of the ten swords of power." Grassis explained.

"Each of the swords of power is said to be the sharpest swords in the world, and they never dull nor will they break, no matter how much use they may experience. Furthermore, Zeam in particular is said to be able to cut and destroy a person's very soul if it's infused with enough mana." Flam added on as everyone in the room admired the blade's perfection as they could make out a clear reflection on it from how well polished it was, or perhaps it was simply another trait from the sword's nature.

"If it's a soul-destroying sword, why isn't it call something like the Soulsplitter instead of the sword of life?" Leo could help but ask as he finally returned the sword to its equally magnificent sheath.

"Does it matter?" Felt replied, "You should just be grateful that I'm giving it to you and stop complaining about things like that."

"Is this because you're concerned about me fighting the whale?"

"Hey, if you keep up then I'll take it back!"

"Alright! Alright, but thank you for the gift. I hope it doesn't get so down to the wire but it might be the thing to save my life."

"Yeah, you're well enough equipped now, if you drop the bucket, it's your own stupid fault so you better not got dropping to that dumb whale, you hear me!" Felt replied with a confident grin as Leo returned a warm smile in return.

"We'll be leaving then; I'll see you when it's over," Leo replied as he attached his new blade to his hip as he began to take his leave, merely giving the blond a small wave as he did so leaving Felt to briefly reveal a worried look as she watched the group leave the room with the door closing behind them.

"You better come back…" She mumbled to herself before finally shaking off her concern, no longer allowing her feelings to weigh her down as she made her own way out of the room to continue with her own tasks.

"So, this is everyone for the whale hunt…" Leo mumbled to himself after the group finally emerged into a large hall within the Karsten Manor that was filled to the brim with different people. Some of them were demi-humans of various kinds but all shared white and yellow robes whilst there were also human soldiers covered in armour. But all the different fighters were eagerly talking amongst one another with tense expressions filling the room with a mixed atmosphere of tensity alongside joy and excitement.

"I must admit that the boy has certainly done an impressive job of rallying such forces despite his humiliation in the throne room," Kou said in Leo's mind, to which he couldn't disagree in the slightest.

"He really is unpredictable, huh, there's just no counting him out…" Leo replied to the spirit before a thought struck his mind. "But what about you? Don't you have an issue with following me into such a dangerous fight? I thought you just wanted to make up your mind about me."

"This can be considered a part of that test, for if you can hold your own against the white whale…" Kou began to reply until he abruptly stopped, for once Leo felt that he could envision the spirit shaking its head if it had one as it changed his mind about what it was going to say. "It is a part of our contract that you said you would offer protection to me, and I intend to place my trust in it, despite such a threat. I shall stay out our promised time."

"Then I'll do my best then."

"Hey, Leo! You're here!" An energetic voice then called out to them, gripping the group's attention to a cheery Subaru that was waving in their direction, clearly calling them over. "You're just in time, you're done with your preparations now?"

"As much as possible for the short warning you gave, honestly, If you're going to recruit people for something like hunting down a calamity, couldn't you give a warning a few days ahead of time," Leo replied.

"Yeah, I sorta forgot for a bit that I might really need your assistance but everyone's been tight on time to prepare. I only learned about this myself recently and we didn't have much time…" Subaru said as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head whilst Rem stepped forwards.

"It will be a pleasure fighting alongside you, Sir Leo, Rem is glad that you were willing to accept the request on such short notice," Rem said with a curt bow.

"Fighting alongside us? Are you some kind of combat maid?" Leo asked.

"Yes, as part of being maids of the Mathers estate, Rem and her sister are also responsible for its security as well. We also happen to be Oni as well, so please don't worry about Rem." The maid replied with a smile before noticing Flam and Grassis standing just behind Leo to her confusion. "Can the same be said for Flam and Grassis as well?"

"It is not a primary responsibility we hold in the house of Astrea, but our parents and grandparents made sure to train us to a sufficient degree in unarmed combat. Sir Leo has also voiced concern about our attendance but please understand that we have confidence in being able to play our own role in the subjugation." Flam replied as the two had small, warm smiles yet managed to look determined all the while.

"I see that Subaru managed to get you to come as well." A strong and confident voice spoke out from behind them whilst the clinking of metal armour was heard approaching them. "I find extra reassurance in having the assistance of the sword saint's pupil and their great spirit."

"Miss Crusch." The maids addressed the armoured candidate that had approached them with a gentle smile on her face.

"Anastasia's Iron Fang also seems strong as well, but unlike them, you don't seem nearly as battle-hardened." Crusch continued with an evaluating eye, stating her observations as she glanced over the demi-humans before inspecting Leo.

"Well, the only fights I've really had were against Reinhard and that's obviously training…" Leo replied whilst doing his best to hide his emotion from Crusch but she only seemed to smile in response, seemingly amused by his response.

"I will still trust in your ability when the time comes, you might be inexperienced but I assure you with a hunt like this, everyone else is feeling the same. We'll all be remembering our reasons for fighting, however, and I recommend that you do the same. It can give you strength."

"I see… thanks for the advice…" Leo carefully replied as he already began to feel the weight of the mission coming back down on him again. 'This really is an extreme jump into actual life and death fights huh…' he couldn't help but think to himself.

"But are you also joining the fight?" Subaru then asked Crusch who nodded in response.

"You couldn't think that I would be able to sit down at my desk and wait for the news, do you? I find it more surprising that you plan on fighting, is there something you haven't revealed yet?"

"Nope! But in the same way that I can lure the whale over, I can also play as bait! I'll keep leading it by the nose whilst you take it down!" Subaru said with confidence that no one could explain as they looked at him either with confusion or concern.

"Leading it by the nose… I can't believe it but I sense no lies in that statement." Crusch said with a heavy sigh.

"Are you alright?" Cecily couldn't help but ask as she and the maids gave him an almost pitting look.

"I'm fine! Never better! We're going to bring down this whale and I'm making sure to play my part!" Subaru energetically replied but it wasn't enough to fully dispel the conflict from the girl's expressions as few knew how to handle Subaru's unique motivation for the mission that he proposed.

"You really different from before you know." Cecily quietly commented no longer knowing what to think of Subaru anymore. 'But he still was so horrible before, and then he came to ask for help… but how much does he actually care about us? Is he really any better? Is he just using us as tools?' she thought as she inspected Subaru again, trying to work the boy out. At the very least, it wasn't as if his intentions for them were malicious, but it still wasn't a thought that the spirit liked in the slightest.

'No one should be trying to manipulate master!'

Suddenly the doors to the room were thrown open as the sound of clunking armour was heard marching through the room as everyone turned to see what the sudden cause of the noise revealing another marching troop of old soldiers in outdated armour that made their way straight towards Crusch.

"Lady Crusch, we have arrived." The leader of the elder soldiers said whilst they all placed their arms against their chests in respect towards her until they took notice of the group that she was standing with. "Is this one… the sword saint's pupil and his great spirit?" He asked, looking at Leo and Cecily who were holding hands before turning his gaze towards Subaru. "And this boy…"

"Yes, he is." Crusch quickly answered without hesitation, knowing perfectly what the elder knight was meaning to ask.

The moment that he had received his answer, he wasted little time in giving his full attention to Subaru before grasping his shoulders to his surprise. "Thank you, young man. Thanks to you our wish may come true. We could not be happier. Thank you."

It was something that left Subaru completely stunned, even as the knights began to take their leave off to meet others in the gathering, it didn't completely remove the effect that they had as Subaru's eyes remained fixed on them, remaining unaware of Felix approaching Crusch.

"It's time." Was all he said in his complete royal knight's attire, whilst Crusch simply nodded in return, understanding what he meant as she began to walk to the front of the room with him, ready to move everything along…

It wasn't much later that the troops were all riding across the plains, hurrying to the great tree that would have still easily stood out even in the middle of a forest. There were ground dragons, carriages and even another kind of ridable animal that Leo was yet to see before yet went completely favoured by the members of the Iron Fang.

"This still feels a little surreal," Leo said to himself as he took small glances either to what lay on either side of his ground dragon before focusing on what lay ahead of him. "I never thought I would be in the middle of a military march… considering my previous life not that long ago I feel out of place right now."

"But this is real," Cecily replied from where she sat just in front of him, doing her best to glance back at him.

"When I think of it like that it makes me uneasy… suddenly being on frontline combat."

"You shouldn't be! We're going to beat the whale and show everyone how amazing we are!" Cecily cheered as she lifted a small fist into the air in her excitement, unintentionally replacing some of Leo's unnerve with amusement at her antics.

"My magic is weak compared to yours, so I'll be relying on you with the spiritual arts alright?" he said with a gentle smile.

"Of course! We won't hold anything back!" She said as she leaned back into this chest, allowing her to look straight up at Leo with a cheerful grin. "And don't forget about Zeam! If you get close enough then it'll likely be even more effective since the whale can disperse magic!"

"About that," Leo interrupted sparking curiosity in the spirit, "While using swordplay it's natural that I'd use Akra, but you mentioned that Al Akra boosts physical ability as well as magical ability."

"Yeah, did you think of something about it?"

"Yeah, what would happen if we used Al Akra on one another? We would keep boosting the affected of one another further and further like that wouldn't we?"

"Ah…" Cecily said with awkwardness as she resumed looking at the road ahead. "We could try that but it would be risky, and beyond a certain point it would most certainly have consequences… not to mention that it would become increasingly taxing on our magical reserves."

"Consequences?" Leo repeated with a concerned voice.

"Yeah, Ul Akra and Al Akra might be able to boost your magical ability but it can put a strain on a person's gate as well. If one had enough raw magic in comparison to another person's ability to control mana, you could use it as an attack to destroy their gate permanently."

"And what would that do to a person?"

"They wouldn't be able to use magic anymore, in fact, they wouldn't be able to release any mana at all! They would get a built-up of mana and suffer mana poisoning, and that's a slow painful death…" Cecily explained with a melancholic expression before she sprung back to life. "Oh, but spirits can still drain mana from them, so a contract with a spirit becomes the only way to survive!"

"I wonder if I could heal a condition like that?" Leo pondered to himself and it wasn't long before Cecily joined him, neither of them having an answer to the proposed question. Yet it was because of their internal pondering they didn't notice the approaching presence to the side.

"Yo, you're looking deep in thought there! What's on ya mind?" A gruff voice called out to them accompanied by the sound of one of the many running steeds getting closer.

"Oh, your…" Leo said as he gave his attention to the large wolf demi-human that was riding alongside him.

"Ricardo! Leader of the Iron Fang, and you're the sword saint's student that everyone's been talking about aren't ya? Apparently, the guy goes accompanied by a great spirit as well like you do, although I certainly wouldn't have thought it at first glance!" Ricardo said with a hearty grin, quickly bursting into a short laugh that Leo could more than understand just what his last remark was talking about.

"It's Leo, and she's Cecily." Leo quickly replied for introductions as Cecily gave a quick wave, "But are people really talking that much? I know that your lady is Anastasia and that she was right there for it all but…"

"Oh, the sword saints' hand-picket student and someone contracted to a great spirit? Who wouldn't start talking about news like that!" Ricardo quickly replied with glee, "And talking of big things, what about that impressive sword on ya hip? Don't seem like anything normal to me, the sword saint reward ya with it?"

"Oh, more like Felt gave it to me out of concern, not that she would openly admit it." As he touched upon the white scabbard with a metallic, golden design to which an elegant handle sat sticking out the top.

"Haha! I see! Well, that means you can't let your little lady down now, can ya?" Ricardo said as he laughed out in amusement, loud enough that he gathered the attention of a few of the people that were riding close enough to the two. "Not that I'll be upsetting my lady either, we'll make the hunt a successful one!" He said without even waiting for an answer as he began to charge off further ahead, as he began to talk with different soldiers instead.

"I believe that Ricardo is trying to ease everyone's feelings," Grassis said as she and her sister pulled up on their own ground dragon they rode together.

"He certainly has the attitude for it." Leo replied to the two, "I wondered what kind of leader he would be but I think that it makes him a likeable person at least."

"I believe that many members of the Iron Fang find him to be a most reliable leader and one they would happily follow into battle, Leo." Another voice called out to him as the old man that had been seen to serve as one of Crusch's closest attendants also approached from the other side on a proud, red ground dragon. "I feel that introductions are first in order. My name is Wilhelm van Astrea, a name I only carry after receiving the honour of receiving a seat amongst the house after being married to the previous sword saint, Theresia van Astrea."

"Wait, does that mean you're one of Reinhard's relatives then?" Leo asked with a brief wave of shock, not having expected such an identity from the old man.

Yet in response to the question, Wilhelm seemed to harden slightly before he eventually replied. "Yes, I would be his grandfather." He bluntly answered with a tense voice, even refusing to make eye contact with Leo as he answered.

"Don't tell me he's also got a rocky relationship with Reinhard? Is anything going right for the Astrea's as a family?" Leo couldn't help but internally question the moment he witnessed the response that he had received, doing his best to hide his own reaction to it.

"He didn't say he had a grandpa! Does this mean he's also a meanie?" Cecily quickly chimed in as she added in her own thoughts after hearing her contractor's words bouncing around in her own mind.

"The knight we have been living with hasn't mentioned anything about his existence. It could be inferred that it isn't a negative relationship, but rather a non-existent one." Kou then joined in, pointing out his observations to the group.

"But why don't they like each other? I thought that they were supposed to be family!" Cecily exclaimed in response.

"I wonder if there was anything particular that happened that caused the divide…" Leo thought aloud to the spirits alone. "Not that I think I'm able to ask about it… Reinhard would be the much safer option."

"I trust that you have been taking his training seriously?" Wilhelm then asked, snapping Leo out of the telepathic conversation he had started with his spirits.

"Yes… we train every day in the morning, often fighting each other, and sometimes I put in some extra work while he can't be there."

"I see… you make this sound to be your first-ever battle, however."

"Right again, it was something that a few others like Crusch have already picked out on and gave advice about."

"Yes, I could already imagine the words that my lady might have told you. I would personally suggest that you never lose sight of what you are fighting for, for it might be the decisive factor of any battle you may face." Wilhelm replied with a steadfast voice whilst Leo merely nodded in response as he took on the words of advice, already having half a thought about whatever would manage to inspire him with at least half the determination many of the other soldiers, especially the elder ones that had returned to help, possessed.

"There is another matter which grasped my curiosity," Wilhelm said, gripping Leo's attention again. "It is the sword which you carry, apologies if I am wrong but is that not one of the ten swords of power?"

"You know of them as well?" Leo asked, slightly stunned as Wilhelm nodded.

"Yes, it is not my first encounter with such swords before. The most noteworthy of them than you should know of is the dragon sword Reid, the very blade that is entrusted to each of the sword saints and passed down."

"Wait, are you talking about that super impressive sword that Reinhard has on him nearly all the time? He said that he couldn't draw the sword unless it had a worthy opponent."

"Yes, it was the sword that my wife once held, it is a blade that once drawn, losing is no longer an option. And yet, I never saw her draw the blade…" Wilhelm answered with an almost solum look passing over his features, something that was clear enough to tell Leo and Cecily that there was something wrong concerning either his wife or the sword, but neither would pursue it. "I must ask, what is your reason for wilding that blade?"

"Wielding Zeam?" Leo repeated before looking down at it. "To be honest… I only just received it from Felt since he was worry about me being in this hunt."

"Then what is your reason for wielding the blade at all? For that sword will make it all the easier to come into fruition, yet without such conviction, you will only hold it back."

"Then… can I ask what your reason is?" Leo then asked in return, doing his best to keep the hesitance out of his voice whilst watching Wilhelm begin to stiffen up in response. "Unless there's some reason you don't want to, that's fine." He quickly tagged on, hoping to ease the man.

"No, it is fine. I believe that there is an important lesson you should learn, as I did in my youth." Wilhelm said as he finally directly looked at Leo with an almost sullen yet stern look as they rode along. "The first time I was asked such a question… it was by my wife. I did not know her as the sword saint then, but she asked it many times."

"The first time she asked, I told her it was because it was all that I had. But it was my way of avoiding having no real reason to fight, rather than for the sake of it. The sword was truly all I had because of it." He explained whilst Leo remained quiet with shock, not quite understanding what to begin taking away from the story.

"So you're saying… you were in it for the fight at first?" Leo eventually asked but Wilhelm shook his head in denial.

"Not quite, but it wouldn't be so wholly off the mark." He admitted, "It was only later after having met Theresia enough that when she asked again, I could firmly say it was to protect, as before it was my way of fighting was reckless and often brought unnecessary danger to my comrades."

"It was only after a battle in the demi-human war did I learn of Theresia's true identity, and despite being the Sword Saint, her disdain for the blade. Eventually, I managed to take the blade away her reason for wilding the blade to do so in her place, my reason for wilding it before for her."

"So, are you saying… that your reason for fighting is more than just motivation, but also affects how you are and the way you fight on the battlefield?" Leo guessed.

"There is more to it than that, but it is not a bad start. It might just be something you will have to gain some experience with before you have the chance to truly understand." Wilhelm answered as he finally looked back at Leo again, "But the blade you hold will reflect the strength of your conviction."

"Honestly… I didn't start the path of the knight with any particular goal, it was almost just for the job…" Leo admitted as he lowered his head, seeing only Cecily and his ground dragon, alongside the ground that continued to race by as they travelled along. "And coming on this hunt after being asked by Subaru was more in the hopes to be able to do something to prevent people from dying when something could have been done."

"Master…" Cecily gently said as she worriedly looked back at him whilst Wilhelm remained quiet to merely watched the moment, waiting for Leo to say more.

"I… I've already experienced having someone important taken away from me right before my eyes… and I don't want it to happen again. At the very least, at a minimum, I don't want anything to happen to Cecily, or Grassis and Flam…"

"Please, Sir Leo, there is no need to worry." Flam began to speak but Leo was quick to turn to the twins with a hard, serious expression.

"There's plenty of reason for me to worry, you've insisted on coming with me to this fight… the three of you have been by my side practically the whole time since I first came to the mansion… I think you're underestimating the amount that I've come to care for you."

The twins were stunned at the response that they had received it was enough to keep them silent for a few moments as they looked on with a mixture of shock and awe, having heard something scares few people ever told their serving staff. Eventually, the two managed to finally smile back in response hoping that they were managing to adequately show the happiness that filled them.

"We're honoured to hear that, Sir Leo, we shall make sure to not worry you so that you may give your full focus to the task at hand!" Grassis cheerfully replied.

"It seems that there will be little point in worrying any further, and I trust that sword to be in good hands. May you prove yourself well in this upcoming fight, and our hunt be a successful one." Wilhelm said with a steadfast expression as Leo glanced back, momentarily confused before nodding in agreement.

"Right, may the hunt be successful, and thank you for the lesson," Leo replied as it was Wilhelm's turn to nod in response before, he ushered his ground dragon on, pushing further ahead of Leo to leave him with the girls again.

"I'm surprised that Sir Wilhelm chose to talk about his wife," Flam mentioned as everyone kept their eyes on the back of the man's back. "Grandma said that ever since the death of his wife, he refused to talk about her despite loving her so much."

"So, she really did die, I guess that's why Reinhard is the sword saint now?" Leo guessed.

"That is correct, the day that Sir Reinhard became the sword saint was also the day that Theresia Van Astrea died. Grandmother and Grandfather didn't tell us much but the current state of the Astrea family is largely because of that day, and that Sir Wilhelm has never stopped hunting the white whale down for revenge since."

"I see…"

"Sir Leo, please don't mention any of this to anyone. We have likely already overstepped what some people would be willing for you to hear already…" Grassis said with a worried look.

"Don't worry, I won't tell. But, there is something I'm wondering about…" Leo said with a forlorn look that made it hard for the twins to read what was on his mind. "Do you think that… Reinhard's sword and title remind Wilhelm of Theresia?" he asked whilst the group remained quiet, letting the question hover whilst they continued to ride along to the location for the battle against the white whale

It was nighttime by the time they arrived at their destination, the base of a ginormous tree that seemed positively unrivalled in size.

"How do trees get this big? Are there any others like it?" Leo asked as he admired the tree from a little distance away, already taking note of the sight of Subaru and Rem standing right at its roots.

"No, Fugel's tree is the only known one of its kind, and has grown in these plains for hundreds of years, no one knows of its origin anymore," Grassis replied as they all joined in attempting to see the top of the tree that seemed capable of reaching the stars.

"Cecily, do you know anything?" He then asked the great spirit.

"Nope, it's been around even before I first appeared in the world. All I know is that it's super old!" She cheerfully replied to the mild surprise of Leo.

'I wonder if it's actually that shocking that it's the case? I know that Cecily is roughly 250 years old now, but could any tree grow to be like this in that amount of time?' he thought to himself, trying to review the plausibility of it. 'Then again, it's another world with magic and the like, who knows how fast things can grow here.'

"Leo." Someone called out to him from behind, getting the group to look away from the tree and back in the direction where the soldiers were busy unpacking several different things that they had brought along with them.

"Crusch, need me for something?" Leo replied, instantly recognizing the armoured duchess whilst Flam and Grassis quickly made sure to give a curt bow.

"Only to talk strategy, the soldiers are currently on top of preparations for the whale." She said with a small smile that quickly turned to a hardened, serious expression a moment later. "The troops have already been divided between the frontlines, magical assault and support, and Subaru and Rem have already undertaken a unique role at the frontline of 'bait'. I was informed however that it was between you and Subaru that you are capable of luring out the white whale."

"And you wish for me to do the same as Subaru?" Leo guessed but Crusch merely shook her head in denial.

"No, what I wish to know is your own abilities, currently you are the only one that I'm yet to grasp what you might be capable of to then allocate a role myself."

"Well, I'm reasonably trained with the sword and can use Akra to boost my physical abilities," Leo began to explain whilst Crusch intently listened.

"He can also do super powerful magic with me! Master can do it all!" Cecily excitedly jumped in as she hopped on the spot to the brief shock of Crusch before she calmed down.

"And what about your ability to attract the whale?"

"I wouldn't call that an ability… it's quite the undesirable trait…" Leo said with a heavy sigh.

"I understand where you are coming from, but I need to be aware of all such factors in the upcoming fight." She said with a concerned look in response to the tired expression that Leo had.

"Apparently… there is something about me that mabeasts are attracted to. I believe I can 'intensify' the effect if you need me to."

"I see, then we might be able to lift some of Subaru's burden by having the whale keep switching its focus between the two of you." Crusch thought aloud, having switched into an evaluated stance as she was fast to mull over the possibilities that were presented to her before finally coming to a decision.

"I will ask that you take on an independent role then, during the battle I may request that you lend you aid to either one of our attacking forces depending on the situation we are confronted with. If for whatever reason there is a need to change these plans then a regroup will likely occur. If you feel there is an important action you should take in the moment, then you have permission to do so as well."

"Got it,"

"Your overall role however will be assisting control the behaviour of the whale. Either attracting the whale or assisting to repel it to make the situation more ideal for the remainder of our forces."

"It won't know what hit it!" Cecily cheered in response, pumping a fist into the air.

"We'll make sure to try and coordinate with Subaru then since he's taking on a similar role, but is there anything that you want Flam and Grassis to do?" Leo asked, taking the chance to gesture towards the twins that stood at attention.

"My sister and I are capable of channelling our mana to enhance ourselves and we're proficient in martial arts as well, Miss Crusch," Flam said.

"But may I make a request, Miss Crusch?" Grassis then said to the confusion of Leo and Cecily whilst Crusch took an interest in whatever Grassis had to say.

"May one of us be able to stay with Sir Leo? If he has to steer a ground dragon then he won't be able to perform his best due to being preoccupied, and if ever he wishes to make contact with the whale…"

"You do make a valid point, but can three of you manage to fit on one ground dragon?" Crusch asked in return with Grassis having little hesitation to quickly walk to the nearest, larger ground dragon and hopped onto it, riding it back closer to the group for Cecily and Leo to try and join her.

"Please come on Sir Leo, I believe that this might be important for you," Grassis said but Cecily was already tugging at his arm, bringing him closer to the dragon before he gave into the actions of the girls.

"Alright, we'll try. Is that as far up as you can sit?" Leo asked as Grassis made sure to shift slightly closer towards the neck of the creature. Soon after he picked up Cecily, placing the happy spirit onto the ground dragon's back as she wasted little time hugging tightly onto Grassis as Leo managed to join them, barely managing to find the space to sit down.

"It seems to be a tight fit, but you have managed it." Crusch acknowledged with a firm nod.

"I think it's only because they're much smaller…" Leo replied as he scratched the back of his head.

"Hey! We're not small!" Cecily immediately responded with a pout.

"I would wish to not be seen in such a light, Sir Leo…" Grassis faintly sulked, the two of them looking back at Leo in disapproval of his words, much to his awkwardness and Crusch's amusment.

"It seems that you might want to be a little more careful of what you say, Leo," Crush said, trying to suppress a small laugh.

"Right… sorry girls…"

"But, nonetheless, you have proven that such an arrangement is possible, and I do see the merit in it as well. As I imagine that it would begin to cause problems for Cecily and Leo if they were to become too far separated?" Crush said, managing to regain her composure as she brought the conversation back to battle strategy.

"That's right! If master becomes too far separated then he won't be able to use the spiritual arts!" Cecily quickly answered, "It's imperative that we stay together!"

"Very well, then if you are comfortable with this, then you may operate in such a fashion," Crusch said before everyone turned their attention back to Flam. "May I ask that you assist in the operation of the metia cannons, and assist Ferris if he asks anything of you."

"Yes, Miss Crusch, I shall try my best." She replied with a bow.

"it won't be long now until everyone will be ready for battle, I suggest that you finish making your own preparations soon so you are ready with the rest of us."

"Don't worry, we'll be ready to start," Leo replied with a hard expression that managed to match Crusch's own, the pair simply nodding at one another before the duchess turned to make her leave, leaving Leo to take a deep breath to relax whilst he turned his attention to the open night sky.

"Are you feeling ok?" Cecily asked as she realized her contractor's behaviour whilst receiving a quick pat on the head as his only immediate response.

"I'll be fine, the situation we're in is just sitting in more and more is all…" He quietly replied.

"I assure you that everything will work out somehow, Sir Leo," Grassis said, yet she couldn't deny her own beating heart. The tensions running amongst them all were in stark contrast to the tranquil, cool night sky…