Upon reaching the Flugel's Tree, Adam and Crusch found themselves the last to arrive — their troops' organized formation had naturally slowed their pace.
At the sight of Emilia, Subaru imdiately broke ranks to join her.
From atop his Earth Dragon, Adam surveyed the gathered crowd.
Emilia and Subaru. Priscilla and Al. Felt and Reinhard, accompanied by three high-ranking House Astrea mbers.
And one uninvited guest — Anastasia Hoshin.
The purple-haired girl from Kararagi glared at Adam with undisguised anger. Julius stood behind her, surrounded by white-clad demi-humans — mbers of her Iron Fang rcenary Group.
After Crusch, Anastasia had brought the largest contingent. For a Royal Selection Candidate, wasn't this display of force rather telling of her insecurity?
Adam dismounted and approached the gathering.
"Esteed Dragon Priestess Candidates, it's been a while — half a month since the Royal Selection ceremony, hasn't it?" As the gathering's organizer, he naturally took the initiative to greet them.
"I had no desire to co. If not for my earlier promise, your words would an nothing." Priscilla spoke first, her usual haughtiness intact.
Adam countered smoothly, "Yet I recall telling Lady Priscilla that if you found it troubleso, you were free to decline."
"Hmph." Caught in her contradiction, Priscilla released a cold snort, "I act on my own will. No one dictates my actions."
Her fierce words only highlighted her defensiveness.
Even Al couldn't resist pointing out, "Aren't you contradicting yourself, Princess?"
"Silence, Al." Priscilla's phoenix eyes flashed him a withering glare.
A sudden gust of wind struck from behind!
Without turning, Adam simply reached back to block it, his hand catching a smooth leg.
—Felt.
"What an interesting greeting, Lady Felt."
"Don't call Lady!" Felt's face split into a wide grin, "I've been busy lately, but I heard you've been giving Reinhard endless trouble... brilliant work!"
Her fanged smile betrayed her delight at her Knight's predicant.
Was this revenge for her previous imprisonnt at his hands?
"Lady Felt, might I respectfully decline?" Reinhard's cheerful expression had turned rueful as he pleaded with his lord.
His inability to refuse Adam's sword practice invitations stemd largely from Felt's insistence. A lord's command left no room for refusal.
"Absolutely not! I love watching you squirm! From now on, you're forbidden from refusing when the young man calls!"
"...Yes, I obey my lord's command." Reinhard responded quietly, then looked at Adam with a conflicted expression.
Adam shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, "Ahem, I apologize for troubling you, Reinhard. I'll be more considerate in the future, I promise."
He had already learned most of the Piggy bank's Divine Protections; the rest would have to co through luck.
"Hey! Are you ignoring on purpose?!"
A purple-haired girl confronted him in Kansai dialect, her anger evident.
"My, if it isn't Lady Anastasia! Whatever brings you here?" Adam feigned surprise, eyes wide.
"Drop the obvious act." Anastasia glared, "Why invite every Royal Selection Candidate except ? Are you targeting deliberately?"
Indeed, Adam hadn't arranged for her invitation.
This wasn't out of spite — he knew Anastasia's information network was extensive, and she would inevitably learn of her rivals' movents and appear!
He had counted on her suspicious nature.
"Not at all, Lady Anastasia. You're already here, thanks to your remarkable intelligence network." Adam spread his hands placatingly, "Since you were certain to co anyway, what need was there for an invitation?"
"You...!" The insult stung Anastasia deeply, stirring unwanted mories of her ti in Kararagi's slums, "Julius, teach him a lesson! That's an order!"
"A Knight must obey their lord. However... Lady Anastasia, this opponent might prove too strong for . Even so, shall I duel him?"
Julius spoke these words to dissuade her — he would normally challenge even Reinhard without hesitation.
Yet Adam's motives remained unclear. Excluding their faction from the invitations suggested possible targeting.
In such situations, when one's lord lost composure, a Knight needed to maintain calm and offer guidance.
"Tch." Anastasia clicked her tongue.
Initially, everyone had targeted Emilia's faction — how had she beco the focus?
A sense of unease crept over her.
"Speaking of which, Lady Anastasia must feel quite insecure to bring such a large escort." Adam eyed the assembling Iron Fang with clear mockery.
Anastasia gestured at the distant army, "Karsten's forces with you far outnumber mine!"
"Those soldiers ca seeking revenge... or rather, they're here as my backup."
"Backup?"
Though curiosity colored her questioning gaze, Adam offered no explanation.
Julius stepped forward, "Sir, you go too far!"
"Too far? Still better than your master's behavior at the Royal Selection Ceremony." Adam retorted, referencing her treatnt of Emilia, "When the lord faces insult, the retainer must act — this applies to us both!"
With that, he turned and left.
Only then did Anastasia realize he was retaliating for her hostile words toward Emilia during the Royal Selection Ceremony.
"What's with that guy? And to think I once had high hopes for him..."
"It's alright, Lady Anastasia. Just focus on being yourself."
Master and servant shared a mont of understanding, though it had nothing to do with Adam.
At this ti, he approached Emilia.
"Adam, gathering so many Royal Candidates together like this — the Council of Wise n will punish us." Emilia's face showed deep concern.
Indeed. With only five Royal Candidates, if they all perished here, who would inherit the throne?
Unless under special circumstances, the Council would never permit all five Dragon Maidens to gather in one place.
"Don't worry, Emilia. We only invited three Dragon Maidens. Anastasia wasn't invited — she ca of her own accord, so it has nothing to do with us. If the Council makes trouble, we can use this excuse to dismiss them." Adam had already prepared this counterasure.
This, of course, had been his intention from the start.
"Then... Adam, can you explain why you gathered everyone here?" Now that the rush had settled, Emilia's trust in him led her to seek answers.
"Right. It should be about ti... Subaru, what ti is it?"
At Adam's question, Subaru pulled out his old flip phone and checked the display.
"Noon, 12:16."
"After noon... yes, it's about ti."
Clap clap clap clap!
"Now then, honored Dragon Maidens, please look this way." Adam strode to the front, clapping to draw their attention. Once all eyes were on him, he announced, "I'm sure you all know who I am, so I'll skip the introductions. To be direct — I've gathered you here to witness a ceremony!"
"A ceremony?"
"He said a ceremony?"
"A ceremony... is it."
His words sparked curiosity among the Royal Candidates.
Only Crusch's expression remained unchanged, having known his purpose from the start.
"That's right, a ceremony!" Adam declared boldly, "This is the inaugural ceremony marking my lord Emilia's path to the throne!"
At that mont, he longed to cast an〘Explosion〙spell and shout: A salute for the birth of a monarch!
But such playfulness wouldn't suit the occasion, nor his character. Oh well.
"How interesting! To dare be so arrogant before — you must have prepared sothing worth showing?"
"Of course! Since Lady Priscilla has co, how could I not present the most magnificent performance?"
"Are you saying I can look forward to it?"
"Exactly!"
Thanks to Priscilla's help in building the atmosphere, the mood reached its climax.Then, Adam said sothing no one expected.
"The White Whale! I invited all the Dragon Maidens here for one reason only — to watch from VIP seats as Emilia's faction — no, as I alone subjugate the White Whale! What do you think of this program?"
His words sparked an imdiate uproar.
Arrogant!
Conceited!
Ignorant!
These were their unanimous evaluations, Crusch included.
She had expected Emilia's faction to gather their strongest mbers for this subjugation — but Adam claiming he would do it alone?!
Was this a joke?! Did he think himself Reinhard, the Strongest Sword Saint in History?!
Not only the Dragon Maidens but even their Knights stood dumbfounded.
"Subjugating the White Whale alone... this Kōhai never fails to astonish."
"Adam, why such recklessness? As your frequent sparring partner, I know you haven't reached that level yet."
"Is he actually serious?"
"It's true—nya! How surprising—nya! I'm shocked—nya!"
Al, Reinhard, Julius, and Felix gazed at him in disbelief.
Reinhard especially, knowing the White Whale as the powerful Witchbeast that had indirectly caused his grandmother's death, understood its true might.
This wasn't an opponent Adam could face!
Yet seeing his unwavering confidence, Reinhard could only hold his tongue, silently vowing to save him if he failed!
Of course! High stakes ant high rewards!
If Adam succeeded, he would outshine all other Royal Candidates' Knights — even the 『Sword Saint』 Reinhard!
This would instantly establish Emilia as the strongest contender for the throne!
"Are you truly serious about going alone? This isn't so jest?"
"Indeed. Let be clear — I'm not joking!" Adam declared proudly, "The Dragon Maidens need only observe from their VIP seats. We require no assistance from you honored maidens. Of course, if any feel it's too dangerous, you're welco to stay or leave!"
He was baiting them. If the Royal Candidates left, who would witness his feat?
His true aim was to intimidate them!
"Hmph, I won't leave! I'll watch you fall miserably when the White Whale swallows you whole! Then my Iron Fang will seize victory and spread my fa!" Anastasia, recognizing his provocation, defiantly announced her intention to stay.
"You've arranged this performance for , so naturally I'll watch until the end. As for safety... I am the world's center, harm cannot touch ." Priscilla flicked her folding fan with characteristic arrogance.
But Al, standing behind her, spoke candidly, "But I'm scared, Princess."
Priscilla simply ignored him.
"What nonsense, boy! With the strongest knight — Reinhard — at my side, what danger could there be? Right, Reinhard?"
"Indeed! On the Astrea na, I shall protect Lady Felt from all harm."
The four Dragon Maidens declared their intent to stay, each maintaining their dignity.
"Well then, let us begin." Adam moistened his lips nervously as he turned to Subaru, "Subaru, your turn to take the stage."
"Oh—!"
"Don't worry, Ram will accompany you."
"I'm a man with ten experiences under my belt — how could I possibly be afraid?" Subaru's eyes blazed with determination.
When they had arrived, Adam had told him he would need his help.
Ram and Rem had already inford him that he carried the "Witch's Scent" — a powerful attractant to Witchbeasts.
Subaru imdiately grasped Adam's plan to use him as bait for the White Whale.
This was a huge gamble with his life at stake!
Though Adam had warned him of the danger from the start and offered alternative approaches, Subaru refused to back down. For Emilia's sake, he would risk everything!
Besides, with Ram at his side, his chances of survival were much better.
"Ram, I'll block your hearing now. When you spot the White Whale, retreat imdiately, understood?"
"Ram understands."
"Good, I'm counting on you, Ram."
◈ Barrier ◈
With preparations complete, Ram urged the Earth Dragon forward, Subaru in tow.
anwhile, Adam readied himself for the coming battle.
Since arriving in this world, his power had grown exponentially — so much that he could barely comprehend his own strength.
He could only admit: His full potential terrified even himself!
"Puck, Emilia, I'm counting on you."
"Show that White Whale what you're made of, Adam!"
"We believe in you, Adam."
"Leave it to ."
Without delay, he employed 〘Drain Touch〙to absorb mana from multiple sources: first Puck and Emilia, then the Lagmites (Mana Crystals) purchased from Crusch as war supplies, and even a significant portion from Reinhard — until his body could contain no more.
Thankfully, he had invested his remaining skill points in 〔Mana Expansion〕 and 〔Mana Conservation〕, or else containing such vast magical energy would have been impossible.
"Let's begin, our war!"
With a flutter of anticipation, Adam summoned every ounce of power at his command.
〘Divine Protection of Sorcery〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of the Sun〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of the Sword Saint〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of Wind Reading〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of Judgent〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of Anti-Magic〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of Blue Skies〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of New Skies〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of Initiative〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of First Sight〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of Second Coming〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of the Weapon God〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of Handling〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of Swift Running〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of Shedding Blood〙Activate!
〘Divine Protection of Fog〙Activate!
Co, White Whale! Watch defeat you in one strike!
✧✧✧
T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!
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That's it and happy reading! /mrblackwing
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