Feeling the sudden jolts of the accelerating dragon carriage, Tsukasa's lips curled slightly.
I picked the right person.
He shifted his gaze from Otto, who was huddled in the driver's seat and trembling all over, to the wilderness flying past the window.
Actually, he could have teleported directly to the Flugel Tree, but that would consume too much mana. Besides, it was still early, so unnecessary waste was pointless.
The mana within his body was surging and swirling like a tide—full, overflowing, almost spilling from his fingertips.
He looked down at his palm and smiled. 'Because Subaru and I are practically symbiotic, like Yuta and Rika, or a Cursed Spirit and its host, I can borrow her mana.'
'As for why I didn't try it before? Ha... those pieces of trash weren't worth it.'
The dragon carriage rolled over gravel, and the cabin shook. He leaned back against the seat, closing his eyes to organize the information.
The White Whale's Mist.
Any existence enveloped by that mist would be completely erased from the world's memory. Family would forget, records in the world would vanish, and even the names on tombstones would weather away.
"The White Whale... it probably survives on this."
He opened his eyes, his blue pupils reflecting the rapidly receding wilderness. "But to me, it's nothing more than an appetizer at best."
What truly concerned him were the things hidden in the shadows of Roswaal's territory—the Sin Archbishops.
Thinking of this, Tsukasa suddenly felt a cold shiver crawl down his spine.
He was actually afraid—afraid that those beings called "Archbishops" wouldn't even compare to an appetizer like the White Whale.
—
By the time the dragon carriage came to a steady halt, Otto almost rolled out of the vehicle.
His legs were weak, and he stumbled toward the rough trunk of the Flugel Tree, leaning over to retch a few times, his face pale.
"Good work." Tsukasa patted his shoulder, his laughter sounding hearty and completely out of place with Otto's grim expression.
Otto forced himself to stand straight, looking at the man before him who could still joke and laugh while facing one of the Three Great Mabeasts.
He couldn't help but wonder, 'Just how big is this man's heart?'
"Um... Boss, is it really going to be okay?"
Otto's voice was weak.
Even though he could feel the unfathomable aura coming from Tsukasa, the words "solo subjugation of the White Whale" still sounded like a pipe dream.
Tsukasa didn't answer, standing before the Flugel Tree and looking up slightly.
"Hey, Otto."
He spoke, a hint of wonder in his voice. "Can this even be called a tree? It's practically a mountain."
Indeed, the Flugel Tree before them had long surpassed the definition of a "tree." It was more like a mountain rising from the ground. The trunk was so thick that even if dozens of people joined hands, they would likely be unable to encircle it.
Its branches and leaves swayed in the evening breeze, casting shadows that shrouded the entire clearing in deep gloom.
Just as Tsukasa was marveling—
[Ding! Mission Completed: Journey to the Royal Capital]
Once again, the cold mechanical voice rang out in his mind without warning.
Instantly, Tsukasa's pupils constricted slightly.
[Rewards are as follows: All Cursed Technique power +5%, Template Roleplay Progress +5%]
[Template Roleplay Progress has reached 75%! Unlocked Hollow Technique: Purple]
The moment the stream of information flooded in, he felt a subtle adjustment in the mana within his body.
"Talk about timely help." He whispered to himself, the smile on his lips deepening.
The system's prompt came at just the right time, like the necessary supplies before a battle in a game.
'What if I hit the White Whale with Purple right at the start?'
But then he shook his head. 'No need to rush. It's a rare chance to stretch my limbs, it would be boring if it ended too quickly.'
He turned his head, his gaze falling on Otto, who was still frozen in place, a playful curve hooking his lips.
His voice carried unabashed teasing. "Not leaving yet? Don't tell me you want to stay and help me subjugate the White Whale?"
These words were like a needle, suddenly popping Otto's frozen fear. He shuddered, snapping back to his senses. His lips trembled for a few moments before he squeezed out a sound.
"Th-that... Boss, I-I'll be going now?"
"Go ahead."
Tsukasa waved his hand, his posture as casual as if he were saying goodbye to a companion after a post-dinner stroll.
But just as Otto turned to run, he added leisurely, "Oh, one more thing."
Otto's steps came to a screeching halt and his back stiffened.
"It's nothing major. I just need you to make a trip to Crusch's mansion and deliver a message."
Just a message?
Otto's tense shoulders relaxed slightly. He turned around and nodded to Tsukasa, asking, "Wh-what message?"
"Tell them..."
"Prepare to transport the White Whale's corpse."
As the words fell, the aura around Tsukasa's body spread out without any further concealment. Mana surged in all directions like an invisible tide.
Having received his final instructions, Otto had already driven the dragon carriage away, fleeing like mad.
The wheels rolled over the dirt road with a rapid rumbling sound. The heavy breathing of the dragon beast and the crisp crack of the whip mingled together, quickly fading into the distance.
Even if his mount was exhausted, to Otto, nothing was more worth risking everything for than his life.
Watching that cloud of dust disappear at the edge of the woods, Tsukasa withdrew his gaze.
There were about fifteen minutes left before the White Whale would appear.
He cracked his neck, his joints making light popping sounds. Then he began to do warm-up exercises on the spot.
Twisting his waist, stretching his legs, extending his arms, and even shouting "Heave-ho! Heave-ho!" in coordination with his movements.
At this moment, he looked more like an ordinary traveler doing morning exercises.
Between movements, the brief meeting in the Royal Capital flashed through his mind.
That old swordsman named Wilhelm had graying hair and beard, yet his back was straight. His eyes held the sharpness tempered by decades of blades and a certain bone-deep obsession.
He had stopped Tsukasa before he set out, his voice hoarse but resolute. "Sir, please allow me to go with you."
Tsukasa had raised an eyebrow then, asking with interest, "Why are you so obsessed that you'd even join forces with someone from a hostile camp just to kill the White Whale?"
Wilhelm remained silent for a long time. The twilight light fell on his wrinkled face, illuminating the flickering flames of pain deep in his eyes. He didn't answer, only giving a deep bow.
...
"Heave-ho!"
With a final high-leg kick, the warm-up ended, and the memory snapped shut.
Tsukasa landed lightly, his breathing steady.
"Is it here?"
He narrowed his eyes and whispered to himself, "Earlier than expected. It seems the future isn't set in stone after all."