Soon, the dragon carriage came to a stop.
"We're here, Hayashi Maki-san. Come down with Felix!"
The "cat-eared girl" with the dazzling smile naturally carried out her attendant duties, polite and courteous to him.
Hayashi Maki smiled and nodded. He stepped down while holding Beatrice, then set the little spirit down properly, took her hand, and led her into the Karlssten family's luxurious estate.
Once they reached the sitting room, Felix said, "Please have a seat for now. Wait a moment—Felix will go announce you. At this hour, Crusch-sama is still busy."
Hayashi Maki didn't say much. He sat with Beatrice on a plush, expensive-looking sofa.
Since this was a negotiation, Felix would definitely report at least some information about him to Crusch.
Before long, Crusch returned with Felix and walked over.
"Hayashi Maki-sama, sorry to keep you waiting. My official duties have been… rather demanding."
Her tone was gentle, calm, and neither servile nor arrogant.
"I haven't waited long. For Crusch-sama to spare time in her schedule to meet a small fry like me—I'm honored."
Hayashi Maki returned the courtesy with one of his own. He said he was honored, but his tone stayed casual, and he didn't look excited at all. That calm confidence didn't look like a "small fry" in the slightest.
And the "wind of lies" had already stirred.
Meaning Hayashi Maki's "I'm honored" was, in fact, a polite lie.
Still, Crusch didn't bother nitpicking such formalities. This was their first official meeting, and a bit of etiquette was only normal.
"So this is the legendary Great Spirit… I never imagined Hayashi Maki-sama could earn a Great Spirit's favor. I admit—I'm rather envious."
Crusch's gaze fell on the little girl sitting on Hayashi Maki's lap, clinging to him with obvious affection. A heat of genuine admiration flickered in her eyes.
She truly did envy his fortune.
Hayashi Maki laughed. "Even if you're envious, Crusch-sama, there's no way I'm handing over my Beatrice. That said—if you're interested in spirits, I do have a way to let you contract with lesser spirits."
Crusch's pupils tightened. She hadn't expected him to offer something like that so casually—nor so generously.
After a moment's thought, Crusch shook her head.
"No. I don't believe in things that come that easily. And compared to relying on spirits, I trust more in the strength I forge through my own effort and training."
Self-reliance—very much in line with her political creed.
"You trust your own strength, huh? You really do have style," Hayashi Maki said, still smiling. "But contracting with lesser spirits doesn't require you to pay some heavy price. You can think about it."
"Let's leave that for later," Crusch said, waving the topic aside. Her amber eyes sharpened, steady and resolute. "I won't dance around it. I invited you here because I have urgent business to discuss."
Her slender figure looked even more striking in her military uniform—crisp, disciplined, and sharp as a drawn blade. Even the small military cap on her head amplified the "decisive duchess" aura. Just watching her carried a sense of pressure.
Of course, Hayashi Maki didn't care whether someone was a noble or not.
In front of absolute power, everyone was equal.
"Before you explain, want me to guess?" Hayashi Maki said lightly. "You're here to talk about the White Whale subjugation, aren't you?"
He delivered the line with a relaxed smile, then took a sip of tea.
For the record, the tea had been served by the elderly butler in a formal suit—Wilhelm.
Crusch raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think that?"
Hayashi Maki set the cup down. One hand idly stroked Beatrice's hair as he answered with certainty:
"Since the royal selection began, there's been a steady stream of merchant wagons going in and out of your estate. And our Aqua Church has just entered cooperation with Anastasia's Hoshin Company—so it's not hard to investigate the kinds of supplies you've been purchasing."
"It's peacetime. No major war is ongoing. Yet you're buying large quantities of marching supplies. That means you're preparing for action."
"Crusch-sama, you strike me as a principled leader. If you weren't planning an operation to sabotage rival candidates, then the other obvious motive is building merit—by hunting the White Whale."
"Also, merchants have been talking about thickening mist on the roads lately. And considering why Sword Demon Wilhelm is with you… there's really only one thing that fits. The White Whale."
Crusch smiled and applauded softly. "Impressive. Yes—I am preparing to lead a force to subjugate that Witchbeast."
"Back at the castle, you claimed you didn't understand this kingdom's situation. So that was a lie."
"Of course it was," Hayashi Maki admitted easily. "I was just helping my Emilia out of a tight spot."
"Then," Crusch's expression turned serious, "you've already guessed why I invited you. I want the Aqua Church to support this operation."
"That's right."
Crusch nodded, then spoke with weight:
"I have confidence in my forces. But for centuries, that monster has devoured countless lives, and the number of nameless graves continues to grow."
"I intend to strike it down—to cut out this poison from Lugunica."
"But I also want my people to come home alive."
"And the power your Aqua Church has demonstrated… is necessary. After observing these past days, I must acknowledge: in healing, your cult is unrivaled."
"To restore even lost limbs… that goes beyond ordinary magic."
Crusch wasn't only thinking about defeating the Whale—she was thinking about casualties. And lately, the Aqua Church's fame had spread so widely that even her soldiers knew about it. Some had already received treatment and returned to full health.
So for her people's sake, she had to extend a hand—and show goodwill.
"I'm glad you recognize the Aqua Church," Hayashi Maki said pleasantly. "Subjugating the White Whale benefits everyone, so I'm happy to help."
"And—this can also become merit for my Emilia, can't it?"
Crusch's eyes brightened. "So you agree to cooperate?"
"Of course," Hayashi Maki said. "I can't just watch you march off to your death, Crusch-sama."
Crusch's brows knitted immediately.
"You're saying I'm going to my death? …What do you mean by that?"