...
As I look up I can see a giant figure covering the moon. It's red eyes stare at me as it lets out a terrifying roar sending air blasting into my face.
I look to my right and see countless bodies all disfigured and lined up. I look to my left and notice people moaning like animals as they bang their heads repeatedly on the ground. An audible thump resounds as they repeatedly hit their heads causing blood to spill.
A mist surrounds all of us. And the beast stares down on us. It's gaze belittling our foolish attempt to slay it.
Then I hear one last terrifying roar and see a shadow encompass the whole entire area. And I look up to notice the massive figure opening it mouth to swallow us whole.
The screams around me only intensified as the moans of pain got increasingly less humane. The people to my left then started to gouge their own throats desperate to end their pain. And the bodies of the fallen was dragged into the mist.
And with the shadow of the beast growing ever closer, I screamed for only no sound to come out. I tried to run but I couldn't move. I tried everything in my power to escape.
But I couldn't....
"SUBURU!"
Flying up into a sitting position I notice Rem next to me. Her hands are on my shoulders showing her attempts to wake me. I feel nauseous, my heart is thumping, and my brain is in overdrive.
"Suburu...." noticing my state of panic, Rem brings my head into her embrace. "I'm here for you, it alright, it's ok."
Feeling the embrace of Rem, I let myself focus on its warmth and care. I close my eyes and let myself calm down. My heartbeat and nausea lessen as I rest on her chest.
Feeling better, I tap on Rem's shoulder. Feeling my tap, she then releases me and faces me with a smile.
"Thank you Rem." I say quietly to her as I take the covers off myself and sit beside her on my bedside and then exhale deeply. "Now why did you come to wake me?"
Rem then just looks at me with a smile before giggling. "Didn't we have to go over the plans for today's negotiations Suburu?"
Hearing her, my mind goes towards my dream. But I quickly shake it off for the task at hand. If anything, it's just reinforced my drive for the better.
Failure will not be an option. Failure must not even be a possibility. That Whale will definitely die.
...
Walking inside the room, I see Crusch sitting down drinking tea with both Wilhelm and Felix beside her. Looking at my chair, I notice that my chair is visibly lower than hers.
This would force whoever is negotiating with her to look up as Wilhelm and Felix gaze down on them. The room is also decorated in a way that represents her wealth and power nicely.
But against all of these things, I just calmly smile towards her and take a seat as Rem stands behind me. "I'm truly impressed lady Crusch."
Hearing me, Crusch looks up calmly with a sly glint present in her eye. "I have no idea why I am getting praise, but thank you."
She then put her cup onto the platter that Wilhelm is holding before sitting up and putting her gaze upon me. "Now, we should begin with the negotiations, yes?"
"Yes we should, I offer you my information on the White Whales location in return of your services."
Crusch then leans forward and puts her hands on the table between us. "What services do you require of my household?"
My smile then grows wider as I simply gaze at her. "To help me fight off the witches cult."
Hearing me all three of their gazes shoot towards me at the same time. Crusch shows a bit surprise on her face before coughing.
"And for what reason should I risk my men against those monsters?"
To this question my smile only widens , I then put my arms on the table in front of me and lean myself forward a bit before whispering. "Because I know all of the White Whale's abilities."
Crusch visibly flinches but manages to keep a calm face. Felix on the other hand looks at Crusch before questioning her.
"He is lying right?"
Crusch just leans back and puts her hand up to silence Felix as she rubs her temple in tiredness. "He's not at all lying to me, it's hard to believe, but my Blessing has not activated even once."
Felix then goes silent and looks at me with a complicated expression. Wilhelm on the other hand looks at me with a certain profoundness present in his eyes before nodding.
Noticing their state, I then turn to Rem with a nasty grin. "You can call them in now."
The three then looks towards me in confusion. But before they can say anything the doors swing open as two figures came through. Seeing them, I can't help but smile subconsciously.
"We have arrived." Russel said as he stood behind me.
"A pity, I can tell that your capabilities are great, a shame you are already taken." Anastasia tells me as she take a seat beside me. It seemed she noticed the state of the three in front to me.
When negotiating, always set the terms first. This gives you an advantage when the other party tries to lower it. Also know your opponent, I simply choose some simple actions and words and threw it into my favor entirely.
"What are they here for?" Crusch frowns as she gazes upon the two new people. Russell Fellow is the merchant guilds treasurer, I simply used the unmined crystal deposit I found around Roswaal's land to make a deal with him.
Abusing his greed, I asked for 'reasonable terms'. He would allow merchants to carry and provide travel for the people of the village.
Anastasia was easy, her business needs more attention. I merely asked Russel to take care of this. I needed Julius too, his spirits are my only hope against Betelgeuse.
"I promised them certain things." I say to her with a smile. "Plus I need Russel to hear about the White Whale, he will then provide what you need.... for a price of course."
Crusch just leans back and sighs helplessly. "You truly are a horrifying businessman Natsuki Suburu. You could definitely find some sort of success in that area."
She then calmly gazes towards me and places her hand over her chest. "I Crusch Karsten agree to support you through the services of my house. In return, you will provide me the location and abilities of the White Whale."
Russel just raises his eyebrow and looks at me. All he had to do was just walk in and Crusch already agreed to my negotiations.
"Lady Crusch is correct." Russel says as he reaches into pocket and shows me a card. "If you want to get into merchant business, just show this card in front of the main buildings service desk, I feel we could do great things together."
Seeing his attempt to win me over. I can't help but just shake my head helplessly as I grab the card and slip it into my shirt pocket. "I thank you for the opportunity."
Anastasia just looks between the three of us and smiles happily. "Oh well, I may as well take my leave now. I will be sure to send you some backup Suburu."
Crusch just looks at me and questions. "Why is she not staying for the location if you want backup?"
Hearing this, I just send a smile towards Anastasia as she walks out the door before turning to Crusch. "Because I already told her."
After all, it would make a good trump card. Having another party know your prey's location would be detrimental to your goals. I however did leave out the abilities.
Crusch just sighs, she then visibly jerks up in shock before sighing yet again. "I have never met a man like you Natsuki Suburu. To think that you would make me sigh in exasperation this much."
"But how did you come across this information?" Crusch asks brining everyone's eyes towards me.
"Mrs. Crusch, that information will cost you."
Crusch then shakes her head in disappointment. "I see, that is certainly a pity."
"Well now, it's about time we moved onto the White Whale."
.....