The colossal creature moved as if swimming in a pool of moonlight. Even knowing it could fly, witnessing it in full form shocked everyone. Words were unnecessary now; swords and blades were already drawn.
"Prepare!!"
After the initial shock, everyone became busy, forming battle lines and unloading magical instruments from the carts, adjusting them to target the sky.
"Everyone close your eyes! Use Nightbreaker!"
A special magic stone called "Nightbreaker" was fired, converting the mana within into radiant light. The dim world brightened instantly, as if a second sun had appeared, illuminating the plains.
Revealed under the light was a massive figure soaring across the sky—fifty meters long, pure white, looking down upon the earth. Its body was covered in snowy fur. The pectoral fins extending from its underside resembled a scythe, while its smaller dorsal and tail fins mirrored the same shape.
Even Lillian, who had encountered the White Whale briefly at night, was shaken by its full form. It was enormous—larger than the biggest blue whale on Earth, which could reach just over thirty meters. This pure white magical beast, fifty meters in length, looked more like a whale-shaped mountain than a living creature. Humans seemed utterly insignificant beside it.
Fear, hatred, confusion, panic… emotions spread among the people on the ground. Even with preparation and mobilization, ninety percent of them could not help but wonder: would they become yet another nameless grave?
Crack, crack.
The hilt engraved with the Karsten family crest was gripped by slender yet powerful fingers. In the name of the Karsten… Crusch's eyes blazed with a fierce, unyielding battle intent. No matter how formidable the enemy, she was resolute in facing it and defeating it!
Whoosh—!
Her arm swung, and through the distant blue sky, an invisible sword energy shot forth with chilling precision! Crusch's ultimate technique—a boundless invisible sword forged with the Divine Protectionn of Wind Reading and her inherent wind magic—sliced through the air: the One Blow, One Hundred Felled.
The sword energy carved a thin yet extensive fissure across the White Whale's belly, and silently, a rain of blood splattered from above.
"Attack!!"
The mages unleashed their magic: some wielded magical stone cannons, others cast long-range spells of their own. The cumulative damage forced the White Whale downward to a height reachable by the Sword Demon, Wilhelm van Trias.
"Fourteen years."
The blade cut into the White Whale's body. It felt the man's hatred radiating from above, twisting and thrashing to shake him off—but the strength of his wrath anchored his legs like stone, keeping him immobile atop its head.
Another sword slid from its sheath. Today, Wilhelm had prepared six fine blades, all destined to taste blood.
"I've waited for this day."
Below, watching Wilhelm carve into the White Whale, Lillian glanced at Priscilla. She was directing a mage beside her: "That halo…"
"It is indeed a magic circle…!" The mage looked up at the halo atop the writhing White Whale, "A magic circle! The method to disrupt it is simple: bombard it with concentrated mana. Even a single breach can interfere with its function!"
"I understand." Priscilla nodded. Al looked nervously at her. "Princess, what are you going to do?"
"Of course, fight. I'm not here to stroll around."
As she spoke, Lillian noticed her preparation—or lack thereof. With a wave of her hand, a longsword ablaze with crimson flames appeared before her. The fire sword hovered quietly, casting a bright glow over her face, her red eyes burning like molten blood.
Priscilla, favored by the world and blessed with the [Divine Protection of the Sun], now revealed her true might. Before her blazed the—Yang Sword Vollachia!
"Amazing…"
Lillian had to admit it: the Vollachia radiated danger. Having studied magic for some time, he was no longer a naive newcomer to this world. He could sense the enormous mana contained within the blade; its strike rivaled that of a localized destructive spell.
Priscilla glanced indifferently at Wilhelm, who was wreaking havoc on the White Whale. Using mana to carry her voice farther, she called out: "That uncle over there, step aside."
Wilhelm, who had inflicted countless wounds on the White Whale, frowned at being interrupted. He had not yet fully unleashed his revenge, but he nonetheless jumped aside without hesitation.
Whoosh—!
The Yang Sword Vollachia, forged from light and fire, slashed across the White Whale's side before surging upward toward its head, aiming directly at the glowing "halo."
Lillian saw clearly that as the blade passed through the White Whale's body, its glow dimmed slightly—their power partially reduced. It didn't instantly shatter the protective halo but created a stand-off of mana energy.
Thanks to the burning sword, the White Whale's white fur ignited. Lillian observed that previous attacks had barely harmed it; especially the magical ones, as its fur dispersed much of the mana, minimizing damage. Now, however, once the protective shield was broken, attacks would be far more effective.
"Ugh—"
A pained roar issued from its mouth. The searing sensation forced it to lower its body further. Lillian drew his sword and leapt up.
He initially observed the situation, essentially waiting for Crusch and Priscilla to strike first. Their attacks had inflicted massive damage, though at considerable mana cost. If mana were limitless, the White Whale would have been shredded by an endless barrage of sword energy or Yang Sword Vollachia strikes long ago.
During this "cooldown" period, it was Lillian's turn—the melee hero—to act.
His combat style was disadvantaged alone. If he were by himself, the White Whale could remain aloft, raining the destructive mist below, leaving him powerless. Close combat was awkward. Fortunately, the whale was currently low enough for him to reach.
"Brother, let's go together!"
Al and Lillian leapt onto the White Whale's massive body. Already attacking were Ricardo and Wilhelm. The four coordinated, striking from different angles and quickly drawing copious blood.
The battle tipped overwhelmingly in their favor. The White Whale, once as formidable as a mountain, became cumbersome and sluggish. It couldn't shake off the attackers clinging like shadows—but Lillian knew it wouldn't be so simple.
"Now!"
He saw Priscilla's Solar Flame Sword nearly depleted; the mana barrier sustaining the protective magic circle was also nearly exhausted.
"Ugh—ugh—!"
The White Whale roared again, clearly in pain. It tried to rise higher. Wilhelm and Ricardo redoubled their strikes—Wilhelm's eyes were bloodshot, his body drenched in blood, likely deaf to any calls from allies. Al, by contrast, moved with ease. Though often playful, his real skill rivaled the others.
However, now was not the time for such attacks. Lillian looked down: many mages aimed spells at the halo, but its constant movement and distance made hitting it difficult. Without a freely flying mage like Rozval, it remained a tough task. Lillian resolved to handle it himself.
"Brother, get down!"
The White Whale's ascent made retreat difficult—not just falling, but the acceleration of rapid upward or downward movement was beyond human tolerance. Modern Al understood this well, hence his urgency.
"No need—it can't fly higher."
Lillian dashed to the White Whale's head. The height had increased seven or eight meters. Ricardo and Al had already jumped down. Only Lillian and Wilhelm—bloodied and relentless—remained atop the beast.
"What are they doing?!"
Crusch, below, grew anxious. Lillian didn't speak; Wilhelm was her valuable subordinate and formidable fighter, and she didn't want mistakes. Priscilla also frowned, realizing what Lillian intended, yet did not wish him to act this way.
"Did you think I was deceiving you?" she whispered.
Swoosh!
Lillian reached the White Whale's head. Golden flames danced in his palm. Without hesitation, he pressed his hand against the dazzling white halo.
Ordinary mana could not achieve this—but his mana, amplified severalfold, sufficed. Upon contact, a crack instantly appeared on the halo, rapidly spreading across the entire ring with a resounding shattering sound, as though something had been crushed!
The moment the halo shattered, the White Whale's roar changed.
Just moments ago, its cries had been nothing more than screams of pain. Now, however, the fury contained within them seemed to overflow. What followed was a fall—an incredibly rapid descent.
Lillian had guessed correctly. That magical halo had been the force sustaining the creature's ability to fly. Once destroyed, the boundless sky was no longer a sea in which it could roam freely. And a whale stranded on land had only one fate—death.