Chapter 120: Will Die
After spending the entire morning running errands outside, Natsuki Subaru finally finished everything he could do.
If you ask what exactly he did that morning, it was merely making deals with two people and paying a certain price for it.
Initially, he thought he only needed to reach a deal with Anastasia.
However, when the contracts and other formalities were almost settled, Anastasia mentioned a name Subaru hadn't heard before: Russell Fellow. According to Anastasia, this person was the accountant responsible for the "black and white" commercial alliance in the capital.
Although he called himself an accountant, he was a skilled and influential figure related to many speculations in the capital.
In short, he was not a minor character.
Anastasia said, "Since the deal is already made, to make this trade go more smoothly, of course we need some other help."
So, led by Anastasia, they went together to find Russell. When Subaru finally met this Russell Fellow, he understood why this was the name Anastasia had mentioned.
After all, in previous failures, Subaru had talked with him and Wilhelm together but never met Russell face to face.
The crucial point was that when Russell saw Subaru, he immediately stated Subaru's name, which meant he already had information about him.
This might not sound like a very important detail, but it proved just how powerful this person was.
Also, since Russell was a merchant, even though Anastasia recommended Subaru, he handled all the negotiations by himself.
After a tough bargaining process and paying a price, Subaru finally confirmed the deal.
After finalizing that, the three of them sat in a room to settle other matters.
There was not much left to say about the White Whale issue, but arrangements were needed for the Roswaal mansion and the villagers.
To eliminate the Witch's Cult and avoid unnecessary casualties, dragon carriages would be used to move everyone to safe places.
Finally, after sighing in relief, Subaru returned to Crush's mansion, barely having time to catch his breath before needing to meet Crush.
Time was tight; before the battle, they still had to finalize tactics, supplies, weapons, and personnel.
His body had not fully recovered, and having wasted so much mental energy in negotiations, even though the results were good and worth celebrating, he felt mentally exhausted with no way to replenish his spirit.
"You said there's an important matter to discuss. What do you intend to say?" Hearing that voice, Subaru put down his hand that had been rubbing his brow and turned to look at Crush as he slowly walked from the doorway to the sofa opposite Subaru.
After Crush sat down, Subaru smiled and said,
"Ah, there is something very important I need to discuss with you, but rather than say discuss, it's more accurate to say it's a trade."
"Oh? A trade? That certainly piques my curiosity. So, what kind of trade do you intend to propose?"
Subaru waved his hand carelessly and said,
"It's about the White Whale."
The moment Subaru said "White Whale," Crush fell silent.
When Wilhelm heard those two words, his aura noticeably shifted.
Having sparred with Wilhelm for so long, Subaru was very sensitive to his presence. Everyone's eyes turned toward Wilhelm.
He exhaled deeply and restrained his aura.
"My apologies. It seems my training is still lacking."
Crush raised a hand to signal Wilhelm not to worry, then turned back to Subaru and said,
"How strange. Why would you suddenly bring up the White Whale?"
"Because it's obvious. After all, I've lived here for quite some time, and I've been closely observing the changes in the mansion.
Besides, I take walks every morning with Rem — you all know this. So I learned some things in the capital: someone is buying up dragon carriages and weapons in large quantities.
And from what I've seen in the mansion, I can basically confirm that the one purchasing these is you, Crush."
"So? That doesn't seem related to the White Whale at all," Crush said, his expression growing complicated and his gaze at Subaru becoming more complex.
However, Subaru didn't notice Crush's change and continued explaining,
"That's right, those things are unrelated to the White Whale, but I have special intelligence: I know the exact location and time the White Whale will appear."
"You know where and when the White Whale will appear?"
"Yes. And based on that premise, if you consider another matter, it becomes easy to connect these two events.
The Royal Selection has begun, and you, Crush, have made this big move.
While it's possible you intend to attack other factions or start a war with other nations, that possibility is too small.
First, the Royal Selection just started not long ago.
Everyone is still testing each other's strength; it's impossible to start a war outright now.
Second, starting a war with other countries is even more unlikely.
After all, the Royal Selection is just to pick a king for our nation. If you, not yet the king, start a war with another country, no matter how you think about it, that person must be insane. And you, Crush, are not such a person.
Third, such a massive procurement can't be just for stockpiling. Buying lots of weapons and dragon carriages without using them would be a waste.
Therefore, these things must serve their intended purpose. So Crush, your goal is easy to guess. The only two targets to gain an advantage in the Royal Selection are the three great witchbeasts... and the Witch's Cult.
And I know when and where the White Whale will appear.
So Crush, your goal is quite clear."
After Subaru finished, Crush squinted his eyes slightly and slowly said,
"Very impressive. I underestimated you. So what is this trade you speak of?"
"Because you will lose."
"Subaru, what are you saying?! Crush-sama will never lose. Do you know what Crush-sama—"
"Felix!"
"..."
Crush's gaze moved from Felix to Subaru, asking,
"Why do you think I will lose?"
Subaru's thoughts drifted back to the situation before his last save.
After a moment of silence, he spoke in a low, almost inaudible voice,
"Because I understand the White Whale. You do not know enough about the White Whale.
No matter how prepared you are, if you don't understand the White Whale's abilities, you are still likely to fail.
This isn't a question of strength, but intelligence. To face the White Whale with many people without sufficient understanding is like gambling.
That's why I can say for sure that you, Crush, will lose... and perhaps... die!"
"Subaru!"