As my spear's slash finished its arc through the monster, the White Whale froze for a moment, which I used to teleport to the top of the beast.
With my feet planted firmly on the beast's ginormous body, I frowned as I stomped my feet against it.
Hmm… it's skin… it was… odd.
It wasn't the smooth skin I would expect from a whale, but instead, it was almost like a fur, but much shorter and gritter.
What exactly was the point of-?
"Whoa!" I exclaimed as the whale began diving to the ground, it's body writhing in pain as Rem's magic slammed into it's exposed belly.
Thankfully, I was able to regain my balance in time as I looked down at the army gathered below me.
Alright… I needed to make sure it was aligned with the canon's positioning, just as we had planned… and with their currently positioned angle…
Wait… wait…
Now!
Instantly teleporting in front of the whale's nose, I concentrated my mana into the tip of my spear as I thrust it forth, focusing on my mana as I clashed it together as soon as I made contact with the monster, creating an explosion that instantly stopped the whale's movement.
I guess the new move was successful even against a beast like this… well done, me!
Of course, without any ground to stabilize myself, I also received the force of the blast, sending me flying backward as I instantly teleported myself back to the ground, stumbling at the abrupt change in velocity.
And as for my task?
Kaboom!
Well, I'm pretty sure I completed it quite successfully.
The ground shook as the numerous cannons unleashed their barrage, all of their ammunition crashing into the whale's side as their collective explosions formed a giant flash of light in the sky.
Well… at least with such a big target, it was easy to hit.
"Cover your eyes! The night banisher is being launched!"
Hearing the distant shout, I immediately followed their orders as I looked down to the ground, and a moment later, a bright flash of light leaked past my closed eyelids.
Taking a moment to adjust, I quickly stood back up, noticing that the plain was now bathed in light, as if the time had changed to midday.
"They don't call it the night banisher for nothing…" I mumbled to myself.
To think they could launch an artificial sun like that, and have it stay shining bright suspended in the sky… how amazing.
Hearing a faint rumbling sound from behind me, I turned to see a stampede of cavalry as the troops rushed forward.
I guess, now that the White Whale was lower, we were moving onto the second phase of the attack.
"That was a pretty good first strike, wasn't it?" Subaru said as he strutted up next to me.
"Yeah… you could say that," I replied, narrowing my eyes.
But despite that barrage and me cutting a deep gash into the beast… it still seemed fine.
I guess durability was the primary strength of this thing.
"Well, as long as-"
An incredibly loud, piercing screech interrupted Subaru, causing me to instinctually cover my ears as the White Whale looked downward, a shockwave spreading across the ground and shooting up dirt a moment later, just from the pure concussive force of the noise.
Sound?
The hell?
But thankfully, after that initial screech, it didn't continue any longer, allowing me to recover a moment later.
"Damn, besides that sound, that thing is really damn huge… anyway, let's get going, Rem!" Subaru said.
"Yes, Subaru-kun!" the girl said as she snapped the reins, the ground dragon taking them forward as they headed towards the beast.
And this was the pinnacle component of the second phase of the opening strategy.
For some odd, inexplicable reason, Subaru said that he was able to attract mabeasts with his unique scent, and we were going to exploit that to bring this thing to the ground for the rest of the force to attack.
Let's just hope this works.
I then broke out into a sprint, quickly catching up to the two as Subaru looked at me with shock.
"What the hell? Are you an Olympic sprinter or something!?" he exclaimed.
"This is nothing for someone who trains every day," I replied.
"No, no! Running that fast isn't just nothing- whoa!"
As soon as Subaru passed under the beast, the White Whale dove down to chase us, it's massive horn bearing closer and closer with each passing moment.
So he really did attract mabeasts… what an unlucky trait to have.
"That thing's fast as hell!" Subaru shouted.
"Yes, but don't worry," I said, suddenly stopping in my tracks as I turned around to face the monster. "Because it will not be moving past this point."
I then leaped into the air, training my spear just above the monster's open maw as I stabbed into it's front, a ripple exploding across it's skin from the shock.
Did that count as its face?
I didn't know, and honestly, I didn't care either.
I once again ignited my mana and clashed together upon contact, channelling it to explode outward as a giant hole appeared from my strike, and as I did so, I heard the familiar sound of shrieking wind as a large gash appeared on the White Whale's side.
How long has it been since I've seen that attack?
And it was just as impressive as ever.
Landing back on the ground as the monster writhed in place from the twin blows, I looked back towards the army, only to meet the eyes of Crusch as she sat on her ground dragon with her sword drawn at the front of the line, a faint smile on her face.
To strike such a blow from so far… her sword art was really amazing.
One Blow, One Hundred Felled… and a cool name as well.
Also, was it just me, or had her abilities grown quite a bit?
It was hard to tell with just one showing, though.
My thoughts were interrupted by the booming sound of another barrage as it struck true, the explosion creating a cloud of smoke that soon dispersed to reveal the White Whale once more.
It was damaged, sure, but it was still alive, and still standing… or, well… floating.
So even that wasn't enough…
Well, it was to be expected from the foe that could even slay the previous Sword Saint.
As the White Whale dove down once again, this time heading towards the troops, Crusch ordered them to disperse as the figure of an old man ran forward on a ground dragon.
To fight alongside the revered Sword Demon… of course, I wouldn't miss such an opportunity.
As he leaped into the air, I felt for the connection of mana I had imprinted from my last blow, appearing before the monster just as Wilhelm leaped on top of it, his sword carving through it's skin as he began a relentless assault while I stabbed into the whale's front once again.
Well… I shouldn't just stay here, should I?
Twisting my spear out of the White Whale, causing a stream of blood to rain down below, I sent another line of mana to its side, teleporting there an instant later as I began to slice my spear into the creature, sending more waves of its blood into the air and, unfortunately, onto me as well.
I would need to wash my cloak after this… as well as my body, in fact.
The two of Wilhelm and I continued moving up and down the monster's body, our fervent attacks causing it to twist and writhe in agony, leading to the two of us falling off numerous times.
Luckily, such a thing wasn't too detrimental when you could teleport.
"Oi! Ya best not be leavin' us out of this!" a gruff voice said from below.
Stopping to look to the side, I noticed that we had gotten close to the ground once again as Anastasia's forces, the Iron Fang mercenary group, made their move.
With the owner of that voice leaping off the ground on his mount, Ricardo swung his cleaver with all his might, landing another blow on the whale as the rest of the Iron Fang attacked as well.
"Troops! Get back!" Crusch suddenly shouted, causing the force to disperse once more.
Hearing the order, I grabbed onto Wilhelm's arm as I leaped back, watching as the blade of wind left Crusch's blade to impact the White Whale's side a moment later, which was then accompanied by the magician's attacks as numerous fire spells exploded against the beast's flank, creating a giant explosion that rocked the air.
"Still not enough, huh?" Wilhelm muttered as we landed on the ground, my quick teleportation cancelling our velocity.
"Aye, that was meant to bring it down too," Ricardo said as he strutted next to us, his face set in a wide smile despite the worrying comment. "I guess that thing's even more sturdy than we thought."
His words were accompanied by yet another barrage from the magic cannons, the smoke clearing a few moments to reveal the monster once more.
It was definitely hurt, with numerous burns and bleeding wounds, but it was still floating there as if the damage didn't matter.
"Well, while it's a disappointment, that doesn't really change the plan," Ricardo said as he began running forward, the rest of the Iron Fang following behind him. "Just hack and slash away until it eventually falls!"
As they began to run up to the White Whale's drooping fin on their wolf-like mounts, I turned to the old man beside me.
"Wilhelm-dono, are you ready to attack once more?" I asked.
"Of course… even if it takes the last of my strength, I will bring this vile beast down," he said with narrowed eyes.
"I see… Well, let's not keep you waiting," I said, connecting to the mana on the beast once more as my perspective instantly shifted.
I winced a bit at the pain in my gate as I finished the teleportation.
Yeah, taking a passenger along so many times was definitely affecting me.
But I should still be fine to finish this battle.
"I appreciate your assistance, Selian-dono!" Wilhelm shouted as he began carving into the beast.
"It is no issue," I said as I leaped away, sending a ball of magic towards the beast's eye, creating an explosion of light a moment later that hopefully blinded the thing.
Appearing before said eye, I prepared my spear once more before thrusting forward, the power creating an explosion of blood as the eye became nothing but a socket.
That attack seemed to cause quite a bit of damage, as the White Whale instantly screeched in pain.
Fuck… that noise was damn irritating…
Somewhere along the way, the Iron Fang finished their attacks and returned to the ground, and with Wilhelm cutting off a piece of its top fin, it looked like we were finally having an effect on the beast.
But still… none of these attacks were dealing a devastating blow.
Its vital organs were simply too deep to attack with regular martial arts and magic.
And I can imagine that it's durable exterior played a part as well.
So… perhaps if I attacked its open maw…
I teleported back onto the beast as Wilhelm ran by me, but as I was about to propose the new method of attack, I noticed its skin break open to reveal numerous holes.
That… did not look good.
Following my instincts, I instantly grabbed onto Wilhelm and teleported us back to the ground, only to be greeted a moment later by an incredibly unnerving sound, much louder and unpleasant than the beast's usual screech.
Thankfully, it eventually subsided, but as soon as it did… a giant cloud of fog formed around the beast, which soon spread to the ground below, instantly covering all the expedition force in a dense fog.
The light of the night banisher disappeared as the dreaded screams of pain soon followed, accompanied by the sound of the White Whale's screeches and explosions.
What was happening?
A sort of ranged attack?
It hadn't revealed any such abilities thus far, but it must have had some method of attack if it could kill the Sword Saint.
And when it first appeared… its screech had produced a sonic wave of force strong enough to send dirt flying, so perhaps it was that?
Either way, we wouldn't be able to do anything like this.
"Wilhelm-dono… we must regroup," I said.
"Yes… that would be best," he said.
I closed my eyes, focusing on the mana I had left on Crusch before we separated, and grabbing onto Wilhelm, I instantly teleported us to her side.
"What!? Oh, it's you two… are you hurt?" she asked in concern.
"No… just… give me a moment," I said, dropping to my knee.
While I had teleported more than I had today with training, I had never done so this often while taking another, nor while constantly unleashing devastating attacks with my mana-enhanced spear, along with the new clashing mana technique.
Needless to say, my reserves were low, and I was feeling damn tired.
"I only need a minute, Crusch… so allow me to focus for the moment," I said, closing my eyes as I tried to refill my mana.
With my Divine Protection, I had always wondered how I could activate it consciously, if it was even possible, and while I wasn't able to instantly take in mana as required, I had discovered that I could enhance my regeneration rate by doing a sort of meditation.
Usually, I never had any need to replenish my reserves, but with a fight like this… well, I was glad that I had continued training.
"Understood! I will disperse the fog!" Crusch said as the sound of her wind blades cut through the air.
I, on the other hand, focused on the mana around me, picturing it being pulled into my body, towards my gate, and refined to be converted into my own mana.
Whether it was the urgency of the situation at hand, or I had simply not realized my rate of growth, I was able to instantly feel the effects as my mana begun to refill.
Opening my eyes once more, I stood up to see that the rest of the forces had seemed to regroup.
"Crusch… is there something wrong?" I asked, noticing her frustrated face.
"Ah, you're alright?" she said, showing a relieved face as she shook her head. "We're missing troops. I expected this from such a battle, but it is still unpleasant. Even more so as this fog seems to be interfering with our memories of the fallen."
"I see… that is troublesome indeed," I said. "Is there anything-"
I was interrupted by yet another sound, this one much more unnerving than the last, as I instantly froze at the noise.
If before was like the sound of nails on a chalkboard, or cutlery scraping across a plate, then this was… it was as if such discomfort was being driven into your very soul to the point of agony.
Anxiety, nervousness, fear… it was enhancing every one of those emotions that, while subtle, were still there at my very core.
I eventually found the strength to briefly glance at Crusch, noticing that she was also grimacing at the noise, but as soon as our eyes met… I felt much of the tension fade, and from the slightly relieved nod I received in turn, it was the same for her as well.
Such was the power of comrades in arms and mutual trust, I suppose.
But that effect… it was much worse on the other soldiers, with many of them falling to the ground, even going so far as to slam their heads against the dirt in a fit of madness.
"This… is most certainly not good," Crusch said with a scowl. "More than just the loss of morale, if the White Whale decides to strike right now, we could very well be wiped out."
"Yes… that is true," I said.
Watching as Ferris began to run around and treat the more affected victims, I watched as Subaru backed off from one of the fallen soldiers.
So he was fine… and if he could still act as bait, then…
"Crusch, organize the troops once more," I said as I began walking forward. "We will distract the beast long enough for you to do so, and if the moment is right… I believe I can deal a fatal strike, so please support me."
Back then, the feeling of the mana entering my gate… I realized it at that moment.
Even when it was the mana of the atmosphere, I could guide it.
Even if not to the same level as my own mana, I could control it.
So if that was the case… I might very well have an idea.
"Understood. I will trust in you, Selian, as well as that crazy boy," she said with a smile.
"Calling him crazy… that's quite harsh, but I suppose anyone who willingly acts as the bait for the White Whale can't be called anything but that," I replied.
The two of us shared a quick chuckle as I then went forward, tapping Subaru on the shoulder as he was lost in his own thoughts.
"Subaru, are you fine?" I asked.
"Y-Yeah, but this fog…" he said in a worried tone. "Just what is happening?"
"I don't know, but it isn't good. We need to ensure the White Whale doesn't capitalize on this," I said, pushing him towards Rem. "You act as the bait once more, and I will support you. So just focus on running forward, and I promise to not let you die."
"Ah… I got it," he said, giving me a grateful smile before leaping back onto his ground dragon. "Rem, are you ready?"
"Of course. I'll go with you anywhere," she said with a smile.
Now was not the time for flirting, you two… but whatever.
Not wanting to waste any mana I could for the moment, I climbed atop an abandoned ground dragon, running alongside Subaru as we made our way through the dense fog.
There was no longer that terrible noise, but it was still extremely eerie.
The silence broken by the sounds of screams… the fog clouding my vision… and a monstrous whale that survived the combined attack of our entire force.
"Huh?" Subaru said, looking over at me. "Selian… are you shaking?"
Oh… was I?
Looking down at my hands on the reins, I noticed that was indeed the case.
"Yes… I guess I am," I replied.
"But… you're afraid? How?" he asked. "You're so strong, so… I didn't even think it was possible…"
"Everyone gets afraid, idiot," I said with a frown as I shook my head. "But it's fine. I felt the same when I faced down my first monster and first bandit. Fear isn't a weakness… it's just an instinctual reaction. And overcoming that instinct to fight is what true bravery is, so it's not like I find it cowardly to the point where I'm embarrassed to admit it."
Really, it had been quite a while since I felt like this.
Truly, the title of one of the Three Great Mabeasts wasn't for nothing.
But it wasn't as if I was afraid of the White Whale itself, but rather, I was afraid of what I could lose.
If I died, I would lose everything.
My time with Priscilla, with Felt… the dream of having children and settling down, where I could recount to them numerous tales of my travels and battles.
That would all disappear.
And then there were the people behind me, who each had their own families and dreams… to think that me failing here would rob them of that, then there was nothing else that I could feel but fear.
Yet still… I was able to overcome it.
Because not fighting at all would be something I could never forgive myself for.
It was my responsibility as a strong warrior, and it was that will to always fight which had led me to this point.
"Wow… that's… deep, man," Subaru said, looking down with a contemplating face.
"I suppose it is… but still, I would prefer not to show that side of me outwardly," I said, feeling my shaking hands still. "My lady is watching, so it would be quite uncool of me."
I could only imagine her teasing voice if she ever caught me in such a state-
"Ah, but I find you quite 'cool' despite your fear," a familiar voice said, causing my to widen my eyes as I looked to my right.
She… was here?
"After all, it only makes you more amusing in mine eyes," Priscilla said, sitting atop a ground dragon riding next to me. "Now, a lady such as I should not be holding the reins, so excuse me."
With me still remaining speechless, she then leaped from her mount right onto mine, settling herself in front of me as we continued running through the fog.
"P-Priscilla!? What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Why, with that fog, I wasn't able to see anything, so I simply wanted a better view," she said with a huff. "Besides… upon seeing this spectacle, I decided that I wished to participate. You will not hold me back, will you?"
"U-Uh… no, I guess not," I replied.
So she wanted to join in?
I guess I should have expected this, but she could have called for me to bring her.
"Wait, you're fine with this, Selian? Are you sure?" Subaru said from my side, surprised.
"Well… it would be best that you do not underestimate my lady," I replied. "She isn't just some dainty princess confined to her castle."
Although… it was currently night.
But even without her Divine Protection of the Sun, that made her stronger during the day, she was still a woman not to be dismissed in combat.
"Hmph! Quite aptly put, my fool," Priscilla said with a satisfied nod as she pointed to Subaru. "So, whale bait, call that beast down to my level this instant, and in return, perhaps I shall grace you with the power of mine divine self."
"This instant, you say…" he said, shaking his head with a smile. "Fine then! If you care about it that much, then you should know that I've already asked you to help- ack!"
He suddenly gripped his chest in pain, his eyes budding with tears as he lurched forward, causing Rem to look back at him as her face twisted in disgust and worry.
"Hey, what's wrong-"
Grooaaaah!
My words were cut off by a vicious roar, completely different from the White Whale's previous screeches, resounded from in front of us, and a moment later, a portion of the fog cleared as the beast crashed into the ground, heading… straight… for us…
Fuck.
I turned us to the side as I felt it nearing towards us, the vibrations rippling across the ground as my teeth clenched in worry.
Subaru… he did a bit too good of a job.
"Priscilla, I will halt it for the moment and try to keep it on the ground," I said as I passed the reins to her.
"Hmm… fine then, but I expect a grand performance aside from acting as a simple barrier to the others," she said.
But stopping the White Whale from moving was quite the achievement in itself, my lady… but I digress.
I leaped off the ground dragon, twisting in the air as I delivered a strike to it's quickly approaching head, driving its chin into the ground as its mouth snapped shut.
Still not enough to seriously hurt it though…
Priscilla was right. I couldn't simply keep using my strength to halt its movements.
I… needed to actually deal a fatal strike.
And as for how to do it…
Seriously, trying a newly thought-up technique in the middle of a battle without any practice?
How insane… but only something of that level would please the one I loved.
But to do that…
"Selian-dono! Allow me to assist!" Wilhelm shouted as he ran forward, his sword slashing through the beast's skin once again.
"Haha! Now this is a fight!" Ricardo added as his troops rushed forward as well.
And as for me…
"Please, give me a moment, everyone!" I requested.
"Aye! Just leave this thing to us!" Ricardo responded.
I then teleported away from the whale as I looked down at my spear, trying to imagine how to complete the move I wanted to perform.
Focusing on taking in the mana… no, I couldn't do that.
While my gate was strong, it did have a limit to how much mana I could cycle and control at a time.
I needed a strike that delivered more power than just the mana I had could preform… a way to concentrate that strength into the tip of my spear for an ultimate attack, yet not only with the mana of my gate…
"You look like you're thinking of something interesting, Selian," Priscilla said as she dismounted the ground dragon, landing at my side. "Hmm… fine then. To allow you to create a performance worthy of my praise, I suppose I will assist as much as I can. And that starts with removing this troublesome fog."
She then reached into the air, and a moment later, the very sword that I had only seen once before appeared out of thin air, the Yang Sword's edge already set alight in a blaze.
"Burn it all," she said as she swiped to the side, a wave of fire spreading through the air.
And after the wave of fire passed… the fog that had covered the land was no more, revealing the numerous troops that were affected by the earlier mental attack spread across the ground as Crusch ran forward, her eyes wide in surprise.
"H-Holy shit!" Subaru shouted from behind.
Yeah… my Priscilla was just that amazing.
And to be the man at her side, I needed to match up to such a magnificent display.
Taking in a breath, I completely shut out the outside world as I focused on the spear in my hand, and the mana both inside and outside my body.
Internal mana, the mana in the body that isn't transformed into an element, when used correctly, quite simply enhanced the body and the weapons one held in their hands, allowing a sharpened sword to become even sharper, an arm to swing stronger, and one's legs to run faster.
Of course, it also enhanced the durability of the object or body part to match this enhanced strength and speed as well.
Internal mana being used to enhance one's martial prowess was also a subject that wasn't really taught, as it was more of an instinctual thing than a logical one, such as magic and academics.
It was quite simple.
The more one trained, and the more talented one was, the stronger they were.
That was how internal mana was treated in this world.
Of course, many of the more skilled fighters knew that it was mana that was enhancing them, and controlled it as such, but it was still a talent that was generally unique to a single person, so training in internal mana manipulation was… practically nonexistent.
After all, it was something that was natural, something you were born with.
You wouldn't exactly question the mechanisms of how you walk, you simply did so.
But… unlike everyone else in this world, internal mana was far from natural for me.
It wasn't instinctual.
Instead, it was something I had to learn the basics of.
The ambient mana in the air was taken in like oxygen through breathing, where the gate would cycle said mana and make it one's own, which was then stored in the gate until use for either magic, or internal mana.
In terms of internal mana, you simply let it spread through the body, focusing it on places where you wanted to enhance, but you could also control it, such as with the exploding mana technique I used to wound the White Whale's front.
But internal mana had a limit.
And to surpass that limit… I needed to take control of the outside mana as well.
I could do it, I knew that.
After all, it was by taking control of the outside mana that I was able to increase the regeneration rate of my mana, by actively sucking it out of the air and absorbing it until my mana reserves were full.
So… taking control of the ambient mana… I needed to skip the step of it going into my gate… instead having it concentrate right at the tip of my spear…
I opened my eyes to see a wave of bright red fire arcing through the air from Priscilla's sword, the blazing slash cutting deep into the White Whale as it continued towards me, it's single remaining eye glaring at me with anger.
But right before it could reach me, the whistle of wind passed my ear as a giant gash appeared on the beast's face, causing it to be pushed back from the force.
That… that was enough.
And Crusch and Priscilla… their attacks gave me the answer.
Magic.
I needed to weave the internal mana with magic, allowing the ambient mana to remain concentrated at the tip of my spear without escaping my control.
And with the White Whale once again coming my way… I thrust my spear forward, activating the mana and magic I held tightly together as I forced it outward.
Control it… don't let its form falter…
The earth rumbled, and a bright flash of light covered my vision as I felt myself soar backwards through the air, crashing against the dirt as I tumbled a few times before stopping myself.
And getting back up to my feet… I saw it.
With the White Whale's jaw wide open, there was now a hole that was torn through the beast, allowing me to see the grassy plains behind it.
A moment later, the whale's body crumpled to the ground as its momentum came to a stop, a flood of blood rushing outwards across the grass as its body crumpled under the new empty space that its organs had occupied a few moments before.
It was dead.
The White Whale was dead.
I… I did it.
I fucking did it!
As Wilhelm leaped onto the top of the beast, I watched as Priscilla walked over to me, a pleased smile on her face as she then looked back to the old man.
"Theresia…!" he shouted as he cut through the White Whale's horn, the appendage falling to the ground and marking the official end of the battle. "I… I love you!"
His cry resounded through the plains, causing everyone who was still standing to cheer in excitement at a successful hunt.
For the beast that had tarnished the lands for generations, whose death had been a long-held wish of the Royal Knights for ages… it had finally died.
"The Ballad of the Sword Demon… to see the story come to such an end before mine eyes is quite satisfying," she said, turning to look back down at me. "And you, my dear Selian… well, suffice it to say, I enjoyed the spectacle quite a bit. Well done."
"I… am glad, Priscilla," I replied, trying to stand up, but feeling the pain as I tried to move my body, I sat back down, using my spear to keep me sitting upward.
That move… that took quite a lot out of me.
"You've served me well today," she continued, taking a seat next to me as she looked at the battlefield with a satisfied smile. "And seeing those commoners cheering for your fantastical final strike… well, I am particularly happy to have you as mine."
Ah… that made me quite happy to hear.
"T-Then… does that mean I don't serve you well on other days?" I asked, deciding to lay back onto the ground.
"Oh, you be quiet," she said with a small smirk, looking down at me as a few strands of her hair stretched down to tickle my nose. "Hmm… but with such a performance, it does deserve a reward… I will have to think of one."
A reward… well, that was quite the exciting prospect.
"Yes… my lady," I replied, taking a moment to shut my eyes.
And with that… the subjugation of the White Whale, the creature that had earned the ire of merchants and travellers throughout history… was complete.