Whale Hunting before Goose Hunting
The world seemed to tremble as Suzune bent her knees, a faint aura gathering around her body. Her expression was calm, almost indifferent, as though the monstrous creature floating above them wasn't an unkillable nightmare but a mere obstacle in her path. The air vibrated with tension as she silently calculated her next move. Then, with a single word, she launched herself skyward.
The explosion of force shattered the sound barrier, echoing like a thunderclap across the misty landscape. The shockwave rippled outward, flattening the grass and sending loose debris flying. The Flugal Tree groaned under the pressure, its massive branches swaying ominously.
Emilia gasped, clutching the reins of the lizard dragon so tightly her knuckles turned white. "She's... she's gone!"
Puck floated in front of her protectively, his fur standing on end. "Gone? No. Look at her."
Ram's stoic mask cracked, her usually sharp tongue silenced as her pink eyes followed Suzune's rapidly ascending form. "She broke the sound barrier with her legs..."
Rosewall tilted his head, his ever-present grin widening as he pressed a hand to his chin. "Ohhh, my, my, my. What an amaaazing woman. To think she could move like that. The heavens tremble, indeed."
Suzune shot through the mist with such speed that the very air seemed to tear apart in her wake. Her figure became a speck against the pale sky, but her target was clear—the leviathan.
The White Whale's glowing eyes narrowed, its instinctual malice briefly flickering with confusion. It roared, a deep and guttural sound, as if trying to warn her off. Suzune didn't falter.
She reached the massive creature in mere seconds and drove her fist into its thick, scarred hide. The impact was devastating.
The Whale let out a harrowing cry, its body recoiling as waves of rippling pain coursed through it. Suzune's stoic face didn't change as she adjusted her position mid-air and swung her leg in a brutal roundhouse kick. The blow connected with a sickening crunch, sending the monstrous beast spinning slightly before she propelled herself even higher.
"Higher... she's still going higher," Emilia whispered, her breath hitching.
Puck's voice was strained. "That woman... she's not normal."
Ram folded her arms, trying to suppress the awe creeping into her voice. "Suzune-sama is a monster. There's no other way to put it."
"She's not just a monster," Rosewall said with a delighted laugh. "She's the storm. And oh, what a beautiful storm she iiiis."
Suzune climbed higher and higher, the world below shrinking as she reached five kilometers into the sky. Her stoic expression remained, even as the cold air and thin atmosphere tried to sap her strength. The wind screamed past her, but she adjusted effortlessly, her harsh training ensuring every movement was precise and deliberate.
At her peak, she paused for a fraction of a second, looking down at the immense whale. Her body burned with raw energy, and she turned her descent into a controlled fall.
With gravity on her side, she became a fiery meteorite, the friction igniting her butler uniform. Flames licked her skin, consuming her clothes, but Suzune barely reacted. Instead, her mind remained focused on the target below.
"Her clothes... they're gone," Puck muttered, blinking in disbelief.
Ram's face turned red, and she shouted, "Suzune-sama! You're naked!"
Rosewall let out a dramatic sigh, placing a hand over his chest. "A shame, really. But what a gallant way to lose one's uniform."
Emilia buried her face in her hands, her cheeks flaming. "She doesn't even care!"
Suzune landed.
Her body, glowing with heat, struck the White Whale's head with cataclysmic force. The impact was thunderous, the creature's flesh rippling as Suzune pierced through it like a bullet, narrowly missing the massive horn.
The Whale screamed, its mournful wail reverberating through the misty sky. Suzune emerged on the other side, her body radiating raw power as she touched the ground in a crouch.
But the monster was not yet dead. Mist poured from its wounds, thick and suffocating, threatening to envelop the entire battlefield.
Suzune's sharp gaze flicked to her team. She moved faster than sound, appearing in front of them in a heartbeat. Clapping her hands together, she created a gale-force wind that scattered the deadly mist before it could reach them.
Ram stared at her in disbelief. "Suzune-sama, you're still naked!"
Suzune ignored the comment, her expression as calm as ever. "Ros-chi, attack the Whale. Now."
Rosewall straightened, his grin becoming more intense. "With pleasure." He raised his hands dramatically, gathering an immense amount of mana. The air crackled as he unleashed a titanic blast of energy at the beast.
The Whale shifted slightly from the force of the blast but remained airborne. Its wounds bled mist, its massive body refusing to yield.
Suzune frowned, the first hint of frustration flickering in her stoic demeanor. She clenched her fists, muttering, "My size is too small. I have the force, but not the area to make a significant impact."
Her gaze snapped to Emilia. "Emilia-tan, I need an ice shield. Big. Really big."
"But—"
"Bigger than the manor!" Suzune's tone was sharp, brooking no argument.
Emilia hesitated, then nodded. She extended her hands, her amethyst eyes glowing with mana. The ground shook as she created a massive ice shield, its size dwarfing even the Flugal Tree. The effort left her trembling, her breathing ragged.
"I... I did it," she gasped.
Suzune smirked slightly. "Good."
With her strength shocking everyone yet again, Suzune lifted the enormous shield as though it were weightless. She bent her knees, gathered energy in her legs, and launched herself upward once more. The ground cratered beneath her feet, sending shards of ice and dirt flying.
This time, her trajectory was deliberate. She aimed for the Whale's massive body, her eyes narrowing with ruthless determination.
The impact was cataclysmic.
The shield collided with the Whale, the sheer force sending the creature flying like a ragdoll. The beast spiraled through the air, missing the massive ice nail by a hair's breadth.
For a moment, there was silence. Then the Whale roared, its cry splitting the air as its massive body began to twist and writhe.
And then, it split.
The White Whale fragmented into four identical beasts, each one as massive and terrifying as the original.
Ram's voice trembled as she stared at the multiplying monsters. "It... it split."
Rosewall chuckled nervously, his grin faltering for the first time. "Ohhh, my. This is... unexpected."
Emilia's knees buckled, her eyes wide with terror. "There's more than one?!"
Suzune stood still, her naked form outlined by the mist. Her face betrayed no fear, only cold calculation. "Four whales," she muttered. "Looks like the real hunt begins now."
Suzune's eyes darted to the four whales, their massive forms circling the battlefield like harbingers of despair. Yet her expression remained stoic, her voice sharp as she called out. "Ros-chi, Ram, Emilia-tan—focus on the fakes. The one with the halo is the real one."
Rosewall tilted his head, grinning wide as always. "Ah, so you noticed that detail, Suzune-sama. Very perceptive."
"Stop talking and start attacking," Suzune snapped, her tone harsh but calculated.
"Understood," Ram said, her voice steady despite the tremble in her hands. She prepared to unleash a flurry of wind magic, her sharp eyes locking onto one of the phantom whales.
Emilia hesitated, her gaze flitting between Suzune and the monstrous forms in the sky. "But what about you?"
"I'll deal with the real one," Suzune replied, her tone leaving no room for argument. She leapt into the air with explosive force, her trajectory aimed squarely at the haloed White Whale.
The beast roared as Suzune approached, its massive body twisting to meet her assault. It unleashed a torrent of mist, but Suzune moved faster than the eye could follow, her powerful fists tearing through the dense fog like it was nothing.
Her first punch connected with the creature's side, the impact so forceful it sent shockwaves through the air. The Whale cried out in pain, its body convulsing as Suzune followed up with a brutal kick to its jaw.
Below, Ram and Rosewall were locked in combat with the fakes. Ram summoned slicing gusts of wind, her precision cutting through the dense mist that the phantoms spewed. "Ros-chi, I need more firepower!" she shouted, her usually calm demeanor cracking under the pressure.
"Of course, dear Ram," Rosewall replied, his grin unwavering as he unleashed a massive mana blast. The fake whales writhed under the assault, their forms flickering but refusing to dissipate.
Emilia stood frozen, her hands trembling as she clutched her staff. Puck floated beside her, his voice sharp. "Emilia! Focus! Suzune needs us to handle this!"
"Right!" Emilia said, steeling herself. She summoned massive spikes of ice, hurling them at the phantom whales with everything she had.
Meanwhile, Suzune continued her relentless assault on the real White Whale. Her fists were a blur, each strike leaving deep, bleeding wounds on the creature's massive body. Despite its size, the Whale was no match for her inhuman strength.
The creature roared again, its cries echoing across the battlefield. Suzune didn't flinch. She grabbed hold of its horn, her muscles straining as she pulled with all her might.
The White Whale thrashed, its immense body twisting violently in an attempt to shake her off. But Suzune held firm, her teeth gritted as she let out a mighty yell. With a sickening crack, the horn tore free.
The Whale's roar was deafening, a sound of pure agony that sent shivers down the spines of everyone on the ground.
Suzune examined the horn for a brief moment, its jagged edges glinting in the dim light. Then, with a powerful swing, she hurled it like a boomerang.
The horn sliced through the air with deadly precision, cutting through the phantom whales one by one. Each fake let out a guttural cry as it dissipated into mist, leaving only the real one behind.
Below, Rosewall clapped his hands, his grin wider than ever. "Ah, what a show! Suzune-sama never ceases to amaze."
"She's insane," Ram muttered, though her voice held a trace of admiration.
Emilia could only stare, her staff clutched tightly in her hands. "How... how is she so strong?"
Suzune didn't wait to bask in their awe. She shot toward the real Whale once more, her movements so swift they seemed almost effortless. With a powerful push, she drove her entire body into the creature, sending it hurtling downward.
The Whale's massive body collided with the enormous ice nail Emilia had created earlier. The sound of ice piercing flesh was sickening, and the creature let out one final, harrowing cry as it was impaled.
The battlefield fell silent for a moment, save for the faint whimpering of the dying Whale.
Far below, Emilia, Ram, Rosewall, and Puck stared in stunned silence. None of them dared to move.
Suzune turned her head slightly, her voice cutting through the quiet. "What are you waiting for? Hit it with everything you've got."
"But you're still there!" Emilia protested, her voice tinged with panic.
Suzune's gaze was cold but not unkind. "Don't worry about me. Do it."
Puck growled. "She's crazy, but she's right. We have to finish this."
Ram nodded, raising her hands. "Fine. Let's end this."
Rosewall laughed, his voice filled with glee. "Oh, I do love a dramatic finale!"
Emilia hesitated, then steeled herself. "Alright. Let's do it."
The team unleashed their full power. Ram's wind magic roared to life, slicing through the air with deadly precision. Rosewall's mana blasts lit up the battlefield, their sheer force shaking the ground. Emilia and Puck summoned massive shards of ice, each one glinting with the light of Emilia's determination.
The combined assault was overwhelming. The Whale's massive body convulsed as attack after attack struck it, its cries growing weaker with each passing second.
When the onslaught finally ceased, the battlefield was silent once more.
Standing atop the dead Whale's massive body was Suzune Subaru, her long braided hair fluttering like a cloak in the wind. Her body was bare, the remnants of her uniform long gone, but she stood tall and unashamed.
A faint, smug smile tugged at her otherwise stoic face. She looked down at her team, her voice calm but firm. "We did it."
Emilia stared up at her, a mix of awe and disbelief in her eyes. "Suzune... you're amazing."
Ram huffed, crossing her arms. "Suzune-sama, you're still naked."
Suzune shrugged, her expression unchanging. "Not important."
Rosewall threw his head back, laughing. "Oh, Suzune-sama, you truly are a marvel. What a sight to behold!"
Puck sighed, floating beside Emilia. "She's ridiculous, but I have to admit... she's incredible."
Suzune stood there, her braided hair catching the wind, a silent testament to her overwhelming power. The White Whale was dead, and the battlefield was hers.
As Suzune stood atop the White Whale's corpse, her long braided hair still swaying in the breeze, she crossed her arms and scanned her team below. "Alright, I need clothes," she demanded, her tone as calm and sharp as ever.
Ram, Rosewall, and Emilia exchanged uneasy glances.
"Well, Suzune-chaaan," Rosewall began with a sly smile, "I'm afraid we didn't exactly anticipate the need for spaaaare attire in this little escapade."
Puck floated closer, raising an eyebrow. "So... you didn't think to bring a change of clothes before punching a giant whale? Not very forward-thinking."
Suzune ignored him, her gaze landing on Ram. "You. Any spares?"
Ram blinked, fidgeting slightly under Suzune's piercing stare. "I—well, I might have an extra uniform..."
"Give it," Suzune said simply, her tone brooking no argument.
Ram huffed, pulling out a neatly folded maid uniform from her bag. "I only carry this for emergencies. And this isn't exactly one of them."
"Now it is," Suzune replied flatly, snatching the uniform from Ram's hands.
A few moments later, Suzune stood before them, the maid uniform clinging tightly to her body. The sleeves barely reached her wrists, the fabric strained against her shoulders, and the skirt felt far shorter than it should. She shifted uncomfortably, her stoic expression betraying the faintest hint of irritation.
"It's tight," she said, her tone accusatory as her cold eyes bore into Ram.
Ram crossed her arms, unimpressed. "It's not my fault you're so... broad. Be thankful I brought anything at all, Suzune-sama."
Suzune narrowed her eyes but said nothing more. Instead, she turned her attention back to the White Whale's corpse, her voice commanding. "Take the body to the Capital."
Emilia looked up at her, puzzled. "You're not coming with us?"
"No," Suzune replied curtly, adjusting the ill-fitting uniform.
"But... why?" Emilia pressed, concern flickering in her voice.
Suzune's gaze shifted to the horizon, her tone unchanging. "I have some energy to spare." She paused, her eyes narrowing. "And a goose to kill."
Silence fell over the group, their confusion palpable.
"A... goose?" Puck echoed, his small face scrunching in bewilderment.
Suzune didn't elaborate. Without another word, she climbed onto the back of the ground lizard dragon, the beast hissing softly as she settled herself. She glanced over her shoulder, her expression as stoic as ever. "Handle the body. I'll meet you in the Capital."
With that, the lizard dragon surged forward, carrying Suzune away at an alarming speed. The team watched her disappear into the distance, the tight maid uniform swaying awkwardly with her movements.
"She really is something else," Rosewall mused, chuckling to himself.
Ram sighed. "She's insufferable."
Emilia frowned, still staring after Suzune. "I just hope she's alright..."
Puck floated beside her, smirking slightly. "I think she'll be just fine. But what was that about a goose?"
No one had an answer.
Û~Û
Author Note: SuzuBaru has finally done it!
Next chapter: You Are No. 67
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