Chapter 45 - 045: Meet up

From the first time the expeditionary forces set their foot at Roswaal territory, the can see a trace of battle along the way.

Uprooted trees, scorched land, scattered limbs that blown away from the battlefield by the wind, and the most noticeable one is a huge ice statue of human with a large amount of something that looks like a hand coming out of the back of that human.

The one who shocked the most is Rem and Subaru, they just leave the territory not that long but now, they just like visit another place they didn't recognize.

Crusch unmounts her land dragon and walks to the statue for examining it

"So this is the sin archbishop that representing sloth?"

"This is not a normal hand, but also not hand that form by magic" Wilhelm accompanied his master examining the statue and survey the battlefield

"From the lesser spirit, I learn there is a trace of ice magic and lightning magic all over the place. But this statue is not formed by ice magic, but something that more terrifying even for the spirit"

Julius, just informed by Anastasia they will participate in an expedition to kill the white whale. And what he knew is this expedition backing by Crusch's force, Emilia's force, and Anastasia's mercenaries.

But he didn't get information about margrave Rosswal to mobilize a private army or even hire mercenary for this expedition, but now he found out from Emilia's side they send two people to participate and they contribute greatly at the fight with the white whale.

And now, this is his first time heard about the appearance of the witch-cult archbishop, it seems there is a lot of things that intentionally or unintentionally hide to Anastasia side.

"This is not like what you think, Julius"

As if can read his thought, Crusch explains about it

"Like the appearance of the white whale, the participation of the witch-cult on this battle just a prediction of Arthur's. Anastasia join the expedition to slain the white whale because she is invested in Arthur"

"Investment is it... Well, that's how Anastasia-sama doing things... His fighting strength is really extraordinary, he can defeat one of the witch-cult archbishops"

"You can defeat him to if you can handle his unseen hand" Arthur appear out of nowhere near the ice statue when Julius voice out his admiration

The other people who didn't know him draw their weapons but the next sentence from Crusch stop them from going any further

"You seems like in a good condition after defeating the witch cult archbishop, Arthur"

"But you didn't in good condition, Crusch. has something bad happened?"

"Someone stole the thunder when we are in the heat of battle so it leaves a bad taste in my mouth" Crusch shrugged her shoulders and make a joke about the lightning attack.

"Wilhelm, congratulations on fulfilling one of your reason to continue life"

"One of my reason, it is?"

"You didn't need to hide it from me, the curse, it active again?"

No many people here know what Arthur said, but for the one who is asked feel very shocked

"If you know anything, please... Please help me" when Wilhelm wants to bow his head Arthur stop him and held his shoulders

"You can't bow your head easily, I know you very desperate to find the answer but for or now, I didn't have a clue. Just one thing I can tell you is... She can't control herself, you must prepare if you meet with her again next time"

"..." Wilhelm didn't let out a single word but from his trembling shoulder, Arthur can imagine what his feelings right now

"When the time comes, I will help you. You have my promise, but for now, you must have a rest so you can meet her again in good shape and not in such sorry state.

" Thank... You... Thank you"

Arthur just patted him on the shoulder and decided to not speak about it any further.

For Wilhelm acquaintance, they know who is Arthur and Wilhelm talking about. That's also same for someone who closes to him, the last sword saint Theresia Van Astrea, Wilhelm wives, is fallen at the great expedition again the white whale fourteen years ago and her body is never be found.

Many people believe she is devoured by the beast but there is still one person who never give up to find her, cashing after the white whale shadow just to finding his beloved wife.

And, when he succeeded slain the beast who takes the most important person for him, he gains new information about his wife and her current situation.

Anger, sorrow, hopelessness, despair

All of the negative emotions drown him on the endless circle of regrets. But now he has a chance to meet with her again, no matter how hard it was and no matter what he needs to do he will meet with her.

When the two finished the conversation

Kise and Ludwig walk from the group and standing in front of Arthur

"Arthur-sama, we have completed the task you entrust to us" Kise and Ludwig speak in unison and bowing their head to Arthur

"Can you didn't act like this? Honestly, I prefer you two act like before we go to Crusch house last time"

"We will consider it"

"Ah, whatever. Hmm, you didn't stay in the capital, Rem?" Arthur spot Rem in the crowd and call her

"Arthur-sama, I have a bad feeling because of the connections I have with my sister so I know this is not just imagination. And when I told it to Crusch-sama, she said there is a suspicious movement around the territory so I want to come back here, but Crusch-sama just give the two of us her permission to leave the Household when Kise and Ludwig agree as long as we didn't participate in the battlefield"

Arthur ruffled her hair and give her an explanation

"There is no need for you to come back here, Ram is in the sanctuary now, and Emilia is in the safe place with my other spirit guarding her. I just worried you have an accident on the road if you come here"

Arthur take a look at the silent Subaru

"We will discuss something when I have time"

He doesn't know how someone with that personality can survive in this world, where strength and lineage are the most important things.

"Is it over now?" Rem asks worriedly

"I'm not sure, I didn't have a confidant to said it was over" Arthur stop talking and look at the back of convoy when a red mist is raising from there "because they arrive"

"—! We're under attack!!"

Crusch who stood beside Arthur following his line of sight and find out the red mist, the severed limbs, and broken dragon carriage raising to the sky.

"Ludwig barriers! Scatter senbonzakura!"

Arthur command with so much urgency

Someone who ho he didn't want to face for now is coming.