Chapter 21

Itsuki

"Divide and conquer." Subaru said. "We can split into two teams, team White Whale and team Witch Cult. If we can manage to convince Miss Crusch, and maybe Anastasia and her people, we might have a relatively good chance at beating this loop."

"I'll leave the talking to you." Itsuki told him. "Last time didn't exactly play out the way we wanted."

"Alright." Subaru nodded as he placed a hand on his hip. "I'll get Crusch on our side, and, hopefully, wanting to get something this big out of the way will be able to get more people to join us. The more the better."

"I can go into town and try to get anyone willing to join in. Mercenaries, and anyone else alike. I doubt this Whale isn't exactly a small fry, so I'm sure people would want it gone, despite the risks." Itsuki stated. "Then again, there will be those who are too terrified to join in, so I might not be bringing the biggest army with me."

"Any help at all will be useful." Subaru said. "Now, if only I can find a way to convince some of them to help with the Witch Cult. We'll be able to kill two birds with one stone if I'm able to convince miss Crusch to supply even a few of her swordsman."

"Alright. But, if things don't go the way we plan, we should come up with a plan B."

"Whaddya suggest?"

"If miss Crusch is insistant on defeating the White Whale and the White Whale only, maybe come up with a debate to get her to lend some forces to the Witch Cult." Itsuki replied. "If you take full credit for this plan, she might be open to a sort of agreement. We vaguely know when the White Whale attacks, so we can use that as a bargaining chip. We attack, kill the damn thing, then get Crusch to lend some aid as a sort of payment for us supplying the information. Even though she's heartless, I doubt she's dishonorable."

"That might work." Subaru said as he rubbed his chin in thought. "What about Anastasia? Think she might be open to the idea of lending some aid?"

"It's possible. But, again, she didn't exactly take a shining to me when we spoke. I'll leave dealing with the candidates to you. I'll round up as many townsfolk as possible to join the battle." Itsuki said.

"Alright." Subaru crossed his arms as thought. "To play it safe, let's deal with the White Whale first then the Witch Cult after."

"Got it."

"Oh, I also forgot to mention, I know exactly when the White Whale is gonna attack." Subaru added.

"What? How?"

Subaru reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, opening it and showing the screen to Itsuki.

"Three-thirteen."

Hours later

Standing atop a large crate, Itsuki cupped his hands around his mouth. Rem stood beside the box, looking up at Itsuki while Subaru was off convincing Crusch and Anastasia to help them.

"Attention everyone!" Itsuki began, getting a few passing glances from the civilians before they moved on. "We are forming an attack raid to take down the White Whale and make sure it can no longer terrorize anyone ever again! We need all the help we can get to take this beast down! I say again, we are forming an attack raid on the White Whale to kill it! Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!"

"Pssh, yeah, right." a passerby stopped to look up at Itsuki. "That mabeast has been plaguing this land for hundreds of years. The best of the best were unable to take it down in the past, so why would now be any different?"

"I know it may seem impossible, but believe me when I say: we have the upper hand in this!" Itsuki continued. "We know exactly when and how it's going to attack! Tomorrow afternoon, the White Whale will appear at Flugel's tree! There we can initiate an attack and take it down!"

By now, Itsuki had gathered a rather impressive crowd to listen in on what he was saying.

"As we speak, my colleague is working to get the help of the Royal Selection canditates and their armies to help us!" Itsuki continued. "If we can kill this monster, it will make travel safer for everyone! Not only that, but your kids, friends and family wouldn't have to ever fear that thing! It's a dangerous task, I know. But I wouldn't be standing here unless absolutely sure we had a shot at killing this thing! So, I ask again, please help us! The more people we have working together on this, the more likely we are to come out on top!"

The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves, unsure of how to answer.

As he looked around, someone wearing a black helmet, along with a green vest, tan pants, sandals, and an orange cloak stepped forward, scratching his neck.

"You sound absolutely sure about this, kid." the man said.

Itsuki recognized him as miss Priscilla's knight, Al. Out of the time he spent in Priscilla's residence, he was the only one Itsuki came to actually like.

"You said your friend is getting the help of the Royal Selection candidates?" Al asked.

"Yes."

"Well, if he succeeds in getting the help of even one of them, then you would have a fairly large chance of success." Al said. "I could possibly convince miss Priscilla to lend a few soldiers to aid you, although I doubt she will. I'll let her know anyways, just in case." with that Al turned around to leave, however, he paused to speak to the crowd. "I'd consider taking this kid up on his offer. This could be the only chance we get to rid ourselves of that Whale for good."

Watching Al leave, Itsuki glanced at the crowd before him.

After a few seconds of silence that seemed to drag on for an eternity, one of them suddenly raised their fist into the air.

"Let's kill that damn beast!"

Followed by a roar from the crowd.

Later that night

Standing just outside of miss Crusch's residence, Itsuki was fighting to stay awake as he look around at how many people had volunteered to join the fight against the White Whale. Countless carriages, being drawn by ground dragons and other large beasts, were accompanied by an even larger number of people.

"This is much more than I would've thought." Itsuki said softly.

"Yeah, it is a bit of a shock." Al's voice said, getting Itsuki to turn around.

"Al?" Itsuki said softly as he saw the man approach. "You're..." Itsuki yawned. "helping out too?"

"I managed to persuade Priscilla to lend some men." Al replied, gesturing to a half dozen armored knights.

"How'd you manage that?"

"I just mentioned how bad it'd look for her if the other candidates helped out and she refused." Al said. "The Royal Selection would be more in the other's favor than her's."

"Huh."

"Most of the volunteers seem to be a bit on edge." Rem said as she joined Itsuki.

"Can you really blame 'em?" Itsuki rubbed his eyes as he glanced back at the people he helped recruit.

"I doubt many of them have held a sword before." Rem added, clearly worried.

"Neither have I." Itsuki stated.

"Ermmm..." Rem frowned.

"What?"

"I just don't want you getting yourself hurt." Rem replied.

"Me? I'm worried you'll try something and end up hurt." Itsuki told her.

Rem's lips curled into a smile once she heard Itsuki was worried about her.

Suddenly, Itsuki blinked a few times before rubbing his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Rem asked, noticing Itsuki's discomfort.

"Nothing. Just got a few things on my mind."

Rem suddenly placed a hand on Itsuki's cheek.

"You look exhausted."

"I'm just..." Itsuki trailed off as he placed a hand over his mouth, yawning.

"When was the last time you slept?"

"I'm fine." Itsuki told her as he gently removed Rem's hand. "Just a bit worried if this doesn't go as planned."

"You won't be of any help if you can't keep your eyes open." Al told him.

"He's right." Rem agreed. "You should get some rest."

"Yeah..."

As Itsuki took a step, he felt a massive wave of dizziness. Placing a hand against his head, Itsuki blinked his eyes rappidly, fighting his own exhaustion.

Becoming this tired seemingly out of nowhere felt impossible. Unrealistic. And yet, even so, the strength left Itsuki's body as if it were never there. His eyelids felt as though they were tied to the heaviest boulders.

"When was the last time you slept, kid?" Al asked.

"Last night?" Itsuki replied as he rubbed his eyes. "I don't know why I'm so tired..."

"After today, I'm not surprised." Rem told him. "Here." she tried to help him back to his room, but Itsuki gently pulled away.

"I got it."

"Are you sure?" Rem asked.

"Yeah." Itsuki nodded.

Rem clasped her hands to her chest as she watched Itsuki walk back towards Crusch's residence, her eyes showing clear signs of worry for him.

Stumbling through the door, Itsuki made his way up the stairs, careful not to fall back. It didn't feel like the time he was cursed by the mabeast. It felt more like he hadn't slept in days. What he found even more odd was how sudden he seemed to become tired.

Keeping a hold on the railing, Itsuki climbed the steps to the second floor before making his way to his room. Opening the door, Itsuki walked in and shut the door behind him. Just as he did, his legs gave out, causing him to fall to his knees. Placing his right hand against his face, Itsuki shut his eyes tight before opening them, only to see the room begin to spin.

The room began to blurr into one jumbled mess as Itsuki finally allowed his eyes to close, collapsing sideways onto the floor.

Just as he did, Itsuki suddenly awoke back in the same space he first spoke with Satella. The same endless void, filled with dark, ankle high water that echoed with each step.

"Finally." a voice spoke. It was a new voice, different from Satella's. "It was quite difficult to make this connection from my resting place, but I'm glad I was able to nonetheless."

Itsuki tried to speak, only for the woman's voice to quickly interrupt him.

"I don't have much time before my hard work will be undone, so let me get this out while I can, will you?" the voice requested.

Itsuki remained silent, allowing the voice to continue.

"Thank you." the voice grunted as though whoever it belonged to cleared their throat. "So, you are the person who isn't supposed to be here. I wanted to hold off this meeting until we could see each other face to face, but alas, my curiosity couldn't wait. It took quite the effort to form this connection. I just wanted to get acquainted. I've seen everything you've been through, and you have definitely raised my interest. I can feel our meeting won't be long, and I hope you can fill my endless need for knowledge. For someone who isn't meant to be here, I feel you might be the one to finally satisfy me." there were a few seconds of silence. "It appears the connection is coming to an end. Oh, well. It may have been short, but I'm happy to have been able to speak to you. I wish to see you shortly."

With that, the void began to brighten as Itsuki slowly awoke.

End of chapter 21