On the streets of the Royal Capital, Carlisle hurried towards a patrolling Guardsman, his voice betraying a restrained urgency. "Excuse me, have you seen a maid with long black hair and about this tall?" As he spoke, he held his hand up to his neck.
The Guardsman immediately straightened his back upon seeing Carlisle. "Yes, Knight! While I don't know if she's the person you're looking for, I did indeed see a young lady fitting that description. A short while ago, she was rushing towards the noble district."
"The noble district?" Carlisle's brows furrowed. Why would Subaru go there? He suppressed the doubts in his heart and politely nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you for the information."
Turning the street corner, Rem was leaning against a stone wall, waiting.
"Carlisle, any news of Subaru?"
"Someone saw her go to the noble district." Carlisle looked towards the gilded archway in the distance. "We need to get there as quickly as possible."
Rem's heart was filled with worry. Just this morning, Subaru had playfully pestered them to buy apple pie, but when they returned to their residence with the freshly baked pie, all that was left in the room was a hastily written note.
"Will be back tonight, don't worry."
"What do you mean she's not here?! When will she be back?"
Subaru's voice exploded in front of the Astrea Mansion, startling the white doves from the trees.
"The Sword Saint departed for the main Sword Saint family residence a few days ago." The Guardsman scratched his head, looking troubled. "According to the itinerary, it will be at least..."
"Then use communication magic! Send the fastest Earth dragon!" Subaru slammed her hand against the gate. "If she's not called back now"
She suddenly choked, and the image of that snowy night flashed before her eyes.
"The entire world will turn into frozen earth..."
The Guardsman's expression changed from confusion to pity. He leaned down and said in a coaxing tone, "Miss, have you been reading some strange prophecy book? In this weather..." He pointed to the clear blue sky, "How could it suddenly..."
"At least... at least help me deliver a letter..."
The Guardsman sighed. He secretly appraised the young girl in front of him, recognizing her as the one who had visited with the Perfect Knight the other day. Thinking of the Perfect Knight's relationship with his master, the Guardsman's tone softened a little.
"I can help you send the letter urgently, but the Sword Saint won't be back for at least five days..."
Five days.
Subaru staggered back a step. The number felt like a boulder pressing on her heart. For the first time, she felt that time was such a luxury.
Seeing her dazed expression, the Guardsman couldn't help but advise, "If you have an urgent matter, why not seek out Carlisle? He and the Sword Saint..."
"No!" She bit her lower lip sharply, then dragged her heavy steps away from the Astrea Mansion. Images of Carlisle drenched in blood and dissipating into specks of light flashed through her mind.
"If I let him go again..." Subaru's nails dug deep into her palms. She knew too well that, given Carlisle's character, as long as he knew the White Whale and the Archbishop of Sin would appear, even if he knew it was a dead end, he would draw his sword and charge forward without hesitation.
This trust... had become the greatest shackles.
She had to find reinforcements. The kingdom's strongest knight, Reinhard, was her greatest hope. But now, that hope was not here... Subaru stopped, slapping her cheeks hard. "This is no time to be down!" She took a deep breath, forcing back the dampness in her eyes. "Since the Sword Saint isn't here... then I'll find the next person who might be able to help."
"Huh?"
"I've said it several times! It's the White Whale!"
The Guardsman on duty almost choked on his tea. He put down his cup and looked at the agitated young girl in front of him with a look reserved for lunatics.
"Miss, are you saying... you know the legendary Mist Demon Beast..." He deliberately drew out his words, "The next time and place it will appear?"
"Yes, that thing is about to appear, shouldn't you do something?"
The Guardsman sighed helplessly. "Alright, Miss, go back to your family, don't cause trouble."
Subaru's fist slammed heavily on the table. "I'm not joking! It's about to-"
"Evidence?" The Guardsman suddenly interrupted, his eyes sharpening. "If you have conclusive evidence... you know what happens if you report a false alarm..."
Subaru's lips trembled. What could she say? Should she tell him she had experienced death loops? Suddenly, a bone-chilling coldness spread from her heart, and that invisible black hand wrapped around her again.
"I... I..." Her voice caught in her throat.
The Guardsman's expression immediately relaxed, returning to that helpless, coaxing-a-child look. "Listen, little girl." He lowered his voice, "Even if what you're saying is true... do you know how many troops it takes to subjugate the White Whale? Last time, even the Former Sword Saint..."
He made a throat-slitting gesture, then realized his slip of the tongue and quickly changed the subject. "In any case, if you really know where the White Whale is, just avoid it, alright?" After speaking, he lowered his head to organize documents, clearly indicating he was dismissing her.
"What is this little girl thinking..." the Guardsman muttered to himself. He was just a small Guardsman; should he alarm his superiors for the crazy ramblings of a mad girl? Even if there was such a crucial Merit, he would let the big shots fight for it.
Subaru wandered alone on the streets of the Royal Capital, dejected like a chick drenched in rain.
"The Sword Saint... the Guardsman... none of them? I can't give up yet!" Subaru suddenly looked up.
The Royal Selection Candidates. This thought suddenly lit up like a torch in the dark night. Wouldn't those candidates vying for the throne need the accomplishment of subjugating the White Whale? Crusch's reformist faction needed to prove its strength, and for Anastasia's merchant guild, the White Whale, which devoured trade caravans, was the most annoying thing. Even Priscilla, that arrogant woman, might not miss an opportunity to assert her authority... Subaru's steps suddenly became firm. She quickly tidied her disheveled maid uniform and tucked her loose black hair behind her ears.
"I must save him..." She took a deep breath and started walking towards the Royal Castle. Her eyes burned with desperate determination. Even if she had to kneel and beg, even if she was laughed at as a madwoman, she had to convince at least one Royal Selection Candidate to send troops.
...
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