Satou Kazuma leaned forward, showing some interest in Russell's words.
Although the White Whale was definitely not an opponent they could handle right now, Satou Kazuma was still very curious about how much of a good thing this could be.
"Whether for Lugunica or other countries, the White Whale is a disaster that cannot be ignored. Countless people have died at its hands."
Russell said slowly.
"You should also know that Wilhelm, formerly of the Sword Saint family and known as the Sword Demon, joined Crusch's camp because his wife, the previous Sword Saint, died in the White Whale subjugation battle."
Satou Kazuma frowned slightly.
Wilhelm?
Why does that name sound familiar?
Wait, wait, is that the old man who came to the mansion with that weirdo, Ferris?
I thought he was just an ordinary person, but it turns out he's some kind of Sword Demon.
Sounds really strong.
But thinking about it carefully, it makes sense.
Generally speaking, butlers and maids in those anime novels are all hidden bosses. It seems that's true.
If that's the case, maybe Rem and Ram are also hiding their strength.
"Also, given that our relationship is now even closer, I'll give you a free piece of information, Kazuma: Lady Crusch is collecting a lot of iron."
Russell said with a smile.
"What's she collecting iron for?"
Aqua scratched her head, not understanding.
"Useless goddess, if you thought about Russell's words for a moment, you would have guessed."
"Oh, oh! I get it!"
Aqua nodded, realizing,
"She's going to use it for wine glasses! The wooden wine glasses might affect the taste of the wine, and if they're metal, they'll have that cold feeling when you drink, right? I really am brilliant!"
Satou Kazuma snorted.
As expected, the idiot goddess is still the same idiot.
"Haha, Aqua-sama is joking. Surely Aqua-sama already knows that Lady Crusch is preparing to defeat the White Whale. That's why the Sword Demon joined them. If anyone is most likely to defeat the White Whale right now, it's Lady Crusch."
In Russell's eyes, Aqua's irrelevant answer was clearly a deliberate act.
Was she testing him? Or did she have other motives?
But Russell was sure that Satou Kazuma's sudden mention of the White Whale was for his own purposes.
Just then, the expression on Russell's face suddenly changed, replaced by a meaningful look:
"Why did Kazuma-sama suddenly mention the White Whale? Could it be that you have some ideas of your own?"
Hearing his words, a smile appeared on Satou Kazuma's face.
Me fight the White Whale? Really?
No normal person could beat that thing, right?
Crusch has a high status, so summoning troops would be easy.
But Aqua and I have almost nothing now.
We can't just throw figures at it, can we?
Even if the rewards for successfully defeating the White Whale are very generous and tempting, it only matters if we can succeed, right?
Just as Satou Kazuma was about to refuse, Aqua spoke up first:
"Of course! To eliminate the monsters that plague the world, isn't that our mission?"
"?!"
Satou Kazuma was shocked and quickly stood up, grabbing Aqua and pulling her aside.
"Useless goddess, have you gone crazy?"
"What are you talking about?! Weren't we going to defeat that monster? Defeating monsters is your mission as an adventurer!"
Aqua said with a serious face.
"But how can we win against a guy like that? It could wipe us all out with a single breath!"
"I believe in you, Kazuma! We'll just shout about friendship, bonds, and dreams, and then rush in and defeat the monster! Besides, you have me, the goddess, to help!"
"That's why I'm worried! Don't you have any self-awareness?!"
Satou Kazuma was speechless at Aqua.
This guy's fighting power can be completely ignored.
Her only use is as a healer.
But even so, they couldn't find anyone with enough fighting power to fight the White Whale.
Even Geuse's power couldn't cause effective damage, let alone anyone else.
Betty might have a chance if she went all out...
But for Satou Kazuma, the cost would be too great.
They can't win this fight.
"Kazuma, didn't you tell Subaru earlier that you would find a way?"
"I am thinking of a way! But a way to get through the crisis, not to defeat the White Whale!"
While Satou Kazuma and Aqua were arguing quietly, the mansion door was suddenly pushed open.
"Let's go, Kazuma! Let's find a way to deal with the White Whale!"
Natsuki Subaru walked into the house with a determined look on his face.
Even though he had resolutely chosen to die in the previous loop, Natsuki Subaru was now full of energy.
He believed that with the help of Aqua and Satou Kazuma, who knew he possessed Return by Death, he would be able to find a way to defeat the White Whale –
Of course, Satou Kazuma didn't think so himself.
"Huh?"
Natsuki Subaru looked at Russell in a daze. He hadn't seen him in the previous two loops.
In the previous few loops, Russell had left Satou Kazuma's mansion early due to various circumstances (being splashed with hot tea), and hadn't met Natsuki Subaru face to face.
In this loop, Russell hadn't been splashed with hot tea, and hadn't left early because of the White Whale topic. Instead, he stayed, wanting to discuss related topics. Plus, Natsuki Subaru had hurried to get there, so they met.
"Oh? If I remember correctly, you're Emilia's...servant, right?"
"Ah, yes, that's right. May I ask who you are?"
"I'm Russell Fellow, from the Royal Merchant Association."
As a representative of the Royal Merchant Association and a member of the Six Tongues, Russell naturally knew Natsuki Subaru's identity.
He had also just heard Natsuki Subaru say the words "White Whale" and his brain began to spin rapidly.
Does this person named Natsuki Subaru also know about the White Whale?
Undoubtedly, it was revealed by Aqua and Satou Kazuma.
It was likely that Aqua and Satou Kazuma had already contacted Emilia's camp in advance to discuss how to deal with the White Whale.
I, as a member of the Six Tongues, didn't notice at all.
What methods did they use to contact them in advance?
Not only that, but Satou Kazuma's sudden mention of the White Whale was definitely a test.
Even if he didn't say it, Satou Kazuma and the others probably already knew that he was representing the Royal Merchant Association and cooperating with Crusch's camp in trade.
The two of them are testing my attitude and position.
What terrifying guys.
They want to use my help to connect with Crusch's camp, right?
Normally, Crusch's camp would make all the preparations to deal with the White Whale, and Russell could take this opportunity to sell them information about the White Whale's appearances in the surrounding areas.
But it seems that Satou Kazuma and Aqua are planning to cut in.
After all, if Crusch really succeeds in defeating the White Whale, then in this royal election, she may be in an almost guaranteed winning situation.
That's why Aqua decided to forcibly intervene in order to steal Crusch's credit, so as to avoid a situation where one faction becomes too dominant.
Russell sighed inwardly at Satou Kazuma and Aqua's tactics.
They not only successfully manipulated him, an old fox of the political world, but also demonstrated that they had the confidence to deal with the White Whale.
That's the only explanation, otherwise everything they just discussed would be meaningless.
Russell would never have imagined that this absolutely impossible answer was the truth.
It was indeed meaningless.
Satou Kazuma had no intention of defeating the White Whale at all, and Aqua didn't understand the seriousness of the matter.
"I understand what the two of you mean. I will act according to Kazuma-sama and Aqua-sama's wishes – after all, in this royal election, you are the ones I have the most faith in!"
Russell stood up, smiled at Satou Kazuma and Aqua, and then said goodbye, leaving the place.
Satou Kazuma was dumbfounded.
Wait, buddy?
What do you understand?
Satou Kazuma had no idea what Russell meant.
But he definitely couldn't chase after Russell and ask him clearly at this moment.
"Kazuma, what were you talking about with that guy?"
Natsuki Subaru asked in confusion.
"We were discussing how to defeat the White Whale!"
Aqua said with a smile.
"I knew it! You're the most reliable at crucial moments, Kazuma!"
Natsuki Subaru also said to Satou Kazuma with a smile.
"I'm sorry. If it were before, I definitely would have thought you were the kind of guy who would run away halfway!"
"Hahaha..."
Satou Kazuma laughed awkwardly.
"Hey, Subaru, do you definitely want to defeat the White Whale? I, I mean, to what extent is your resolution?"
"No matter what, we have to defeat this monster!"
Natsuki Subaru had an incredibly determined look on his face.
"This monster has been wreaking havoc for so long, and so many people have suffered from its harm. We definitely can't stand by and watch more people fall into danger. And even if we don't care, the White Whale might attack us again at any time!"
Listening to Natsuki Subaru's righteous remarks, Satou Kazuma felt sweat dripping from his forehead.
It seemed that in this situation, he couldn't give a negative answer at all, right?
What should I do?
Should I find a reason to politely refuse and let Natsuki Subaru see the cruel truth?
"I'm sure you have the same thoughts as me, Kazuma, and have vowed to defeat this monster! Although you seem carefree and cowardly, you're really reliable at crucial moments!"
Natsuki Subaru said with a smile.
"You're right."
Satou Kazuma could only nod.
There's no way to object now, is there?
"Kazuma, you said earlier that you would think of a way to deal with the White Whale. Do you have any ideas now?"
"I... you... let's have breakfast first. We have plenty of time anyway."
"Okay."
Natsuki Subaru also nodded, he seemed to have a solution in mind.
They already had a way to deal with the Witch Cult attack in the previous loop, so they just needed to replicate it in this loop.
And the White Whale incident will happen the next day, so they might have enough time.
...
While eating breakfast, Satou Kazuma's brain was also racing.
Right now, only Russell and Natsuki Subaru think I want to defeat the White Whale.
I have to find a suitable reason to get them to give up on this idea later.
The original Satou Kazuma was just thinking of letting those around him avoid the appearance of the White Whale, but he never thought it would turn into a White Whale subjugation plan.
I have to stop things before they develop further...
Just then, there was a knock at the mansion door.
"Huh? Is someone coming at this time?"
Aqua's face showed a puzzled expression. No one had visited at this time in the previous loops.
So who is it?
She stepped forward and pushed the door open.
The person who appeared in front of Aqua was Crusch and her subordinates.
"Long time no see, Aqua-sama, and Kazuma-sama."
Crusch stood at the door and bowed to Satou Kazuma and the others.
"Long time no see, nya, Aqua-sama! Kazuma, nya!"
Felix greeted them with high spirits from the side.
And on the other side, an incredibly sharp gaze was cast on Satou Kazuma.
The owner of this gaze was Wilhelm.
The man known as the Sword Demon.
"Kazuma-sama, I was right about you. Although young, you possess such ambition and courage. I admire you immensely!"
Wilhelm said to Satou Kazuma with an incredibly respectful tone.
Satou Kazuma's mind was full of question marks.
What, what is he babbling about?
"Wait, may I ask, what are you here for, Lady Crusch?"
"I just heard about you from Russell, Kazuma-sama."
Crusch looked at Satou Kazuma with a very admiring expression.
"You also have the determination to defeat the White Whale! There are not many people with such awareness and courage. It just so happens that my villa in the royal capital is nearby, so I thought I'd come to visit!"
Listening to her words, Satou Kazuma pursed his lips –
The next second, he raised his head and showed an incredibly confident smile:
"That's right! I'm going to defeat the White Whale!"
----
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