We all turn our gaze in the direction of that scream, recognizing the voice immediately.
"Yes... Watch your opponent closely," my tone admits no doubts, loaded with a subtle warning.
Without warning, the whale propels itself upwards with overwhelming force, not stopping due to inertia, continuing its ascending trajectory.
But an exceptional element captures our attention: a gigantic pillar of ice rises on the horizon, easily distinguishable from our distance, with a height that easily surpasses thirty meters.
Its width makes it a visual monument.
"That..." Crusch observes with an air of astonishment, her expression revealing more than surprise, a hint of apprehension.
Moving it slightly or using ice pillars to alter its course is one thing, but what Emilia just executed is different. She has propelled the whale, which is already heavier than any other, with such intensity that it has created a colossal ice pillar.
Crusch's look is a testament to her amazement mixed with a trace of fear.
What I just witnessed can only be attributed to Emilia. She possesses a mana torrent that surpasses everyone else. Her power is exceptional, unique in its kind.
"She is the one who earns my greatest respect and admiration." My smile is a tribute to the strength and courage Emilia has shown. Alongside Grímnir, I initiate an advance towards the artillery, feeling the steady beat of my heart.
Grímnir advances with relentless vigor, as if the annoyance caused by the whale's roar propels him. I need to witness this up close, feel it with my own senses.
The whale lets out its strident cry again, as if trying to stop the inevitable.
However, it continues its trajectory until it stops at a modest height, as if it requires a moment of stillness to activate its maneuver.
Grímnir shows no intentions of giving in. His eyes burn with fury that reflects his discontent with the damage inflicted by the whale. He accelerates at a dizzying speed, approaching the artillery with impressive swiftness.
The howling wind envelops me in a tangible embrace.
"FIRE!" Emilia's voice resonates in my body, an order that is met with immediate obedience.
BOOOOM!
The cannons fire, their projectiles launched like heralds of destruction towards the whale. The attack hits decisively at the moment the creature tries to turn around.
The impacts cause the whale to emit a scream of agony, a lament that seems to express the pain it is enduring.
The projectiles explode, followed by magical fire unleashed in a destructive dance.
A dense cloud of fire and smoke rises on the horizon, and the shockwave from the impact spreads across the field, caressing us with its heat in an infernal embrace.
Finally, I reach the camp. The atmosphere is tense, and the marks of the whale's previous attacks are evident. I observe the field of wounded, where several knights are already present, likely from the first squads that distributed the anti-mana crystals.
Beatrice is in the wounded camp, while Emilia approaches on foot. Our eyes meet in an instant loaded with understanding, a shared smile that transcends words, communicating our mutual understanding and determination.
The cloud of fire rises in the air, accompanied by the dispersal of fog in the impact zone. The whale now seeks refuge, and that wound must have been monumental. At such close range, the cannons must have pierced its body with an unyielding force.
What comes next...
"General!" Alsten's voice grabs my attention. His appearance is marked by wounds, blood stains adorn his ears, a tangible reminder of the devastation caused. He perceives my observation and adds, "My eardrums suffered damage in the attack, which mitigated the effect to some extent. Miss Emilia healed us immediately to allow us to attack effectively. The healers' guild is taking care of the rest without issues."
The entire squad executes a military salute, while Wilhelm approaches alongside the other knights. The artillery mages also turn, expectant, all seeking my leadership.
Now is the time to demonstrate my ability as a commander.
"The next phase of the plan is underway. The inflicted damage was significant. At that distance, I'm sure the whale has initiated its final strategy," I point towards the sky, observing how the fog begins to descend. "It's using all its available resources, suggesting it has split into multiple entities."
My words direct the gazes towards Alsten, who represents the execution of the next move.
"When he orders, release the light lamictas and prepare for the next stage as planned previously."
"At your command!" voices resonate in a unified chorus.
The whale has disappeared from our sight, but palpable anticipation fills the air. People understand what is about to happen. If the whale has fragmented, the stage is set for the final phase of the battle.
I turn in place, and alongside Wilhelm and a detachment of knights, we advance towards where Crusch is. We need to rescue the wounded and mobilize those still fit to fight.
Despite its weakening, the whale remains a formidable threat.
If it has decided to employ duplicates, we must find a way to neutralize them, as they are only slightly less powerful than the creature itself.
Yes, if the inflicted damage has been sufficient, my eyes should be fixed on the sky. We advance about a hundred meters, and I manage to spot the wounded alongside Crusch, who seems to have regained her position mounted on her dragon.
Wilhelm and I move forward side by side, our impatience palpable as we scrutinize the surroundings. The fog begins to thicken gradually, reducing visibility once again.
Around us, there is only the gray shroud, suggesting the possibility of surprise attacks.
The clones, with their equal size, would be capable of charging with deadly force.
No one would survive that onslaught, except those of unyielding resilience, and even then, their strength would be depleted, and their ability to fight compromised.
Without warning, I see Wilhelm extend his hand in a signal of alarm as his eyes lock with concern on Crusch's figure.
"Miss Crusch!" his voice erupts in an urgent cry, and he lunges forward with determination.
From the side, where the fog persists thick, a horn abruptly emerges, a few meters from the group of wounded and Crusch.
Without giving time for any reaction, the whale hurtles towards them at breakneck speed. Its jaws open wide, and a torrent of destructive fog escapes from its mouth in a lethal breath.
Crusch, like a whirlwind of determination, charges into the attack. A radiant blue light bursts forth, followed by a fierce vertical cut that tears the fog in two.
The slash continues, impacting the flesh of the whale, a deep wound caused by Crusch's vertical cut. The monster's mouth splits in two, releasing a cascade of blood as it continues to advance, oblivious to the pain of its injuries.
The onslaught is relentless, but Crusch leaps with her dragon, a move of superhuman courage. As she ascends, she prepares her next attack to strike from above.
However, a disquieting realization makes its way into my mind.
"THERE ARE TWO!" my voice resonates in a desperate shout as I rush towards the scene at full speed.
Crusch turns, becoming aware of the mistake. Another whale hurtles from above, descending rapidly towards her position. An inevitable charge: in the air, she would have no choice but to dodge, but that would mean sacrificing her dragon and stopping her attack, resulting in the death of everyone below.
Uncertainty looms over the battlefield. I don't know if her maneuver will succeed.
"Miss Crusch!" Wilhelm continues to advance, but his speed is not enough to cover the entire distance.
Time seems to slow down as I move towards the scene.
Wilhelm won't make it in time, and this reality expands in my mind like a shadow of anguish. Questions pile up, tormenting my thoughts.
Should I let her die?
Is it possible that I desire his death, after acknowledging his bravery and worth?
The internal debate rages as my mind struggles to find an answer.
I question myself, reflecting on the essence of who I am.
Am I still the same selfish man I was in my previous world?
The painful lessons I learned, those that taught me that survival often required insensitivity, are they the only ones that matter?
Memories flow like distant echoes in my mind as I navigate through the options. I clench my lips tightly, my gaze fixed on the stunning scene unfolding before my eyes.
Crusch continues charging her attack, and the whale accelerates in a lethal charge.
The possibility of being swallowed by the whale doesn't necessarily mean death. However, facing a charge of this magnitude, multiplied by the force of gravity in a body weighing tons, is a terrifying prospect.
My eyes cannot turn away from the imminent tragedy. Wilhelm advances with determination, the other knights struggle to escape the attack, some lying on the ground, unable to move.
Grímnir makes his way with defiant growls towards the whale.
Desperation overwhelms me.
But it's not the time to think foolish thoughts.
"FU MURAK!" My voice bursts forth, propelled by the magic of the wind. I launch forward like an arrow released from its bow, feeling the cold wind embrace my body as I channel more mana into my magic.
I pierce through the dense fog like a projectile, in an instant reaching and surpassing Wilhelm's position with ease, leaving behind me a wave of wind that sweeps everything in its path.
My eyes are fixed on the crucial scene. Crusch wields her sword firmly, delivering a powerful slash downward that hits the whale, deflecting it in an attempt to save the knights.
Blood spurts from the wound, but this is not the main issue.
Crusch looks up, preparing for another attack, but the whale, unwilling to yield, unleashes a vortex of fog from its horn, like a flamethrower.
With its sealed jaws, the whale seeks to annihilate Crusch with a mighty blow. The struggle is frenetic. Crusch defends herself, parrying the attacks, but the beast closes in enough to deliver a devastating blow.
"Crusch!" My voice echoes in a cry laden with urgency as I rush forward.
The distance between us vanishes at a dizzying speed. Crusch turns her head upon hearing my voice, and our eyes meet in an instant loaded with significance.
In that gaze, in that fleeting exchange, I find a shared determination. Something compels me not to want to lose her, not to let it fade away.
In a matter of seconds, I find myself in front of Crusch. Without hesitation, I use another magical impulse to charge at her firmly, drawing her towards me and pulling her out of the whale's deadly range.
BOOOOOOOM!
The impact resonates in a thunderous sound, the blood puddle rises in the air, and the whale remains momentarily immobile, impaled vertically in the ground.
Its fins flutter frantically as it tries to rise.
The failure of its attack makes it exhale a misty cloud, and it attempts to retreat hastily. However, its previous charge has dispersed much of the fog surrounding it, allowing Wilhelm and three squads to pursue it.
Another group heads towards the wounded, while I hold Crusch in my arms, her body trembling slightly from the emotional impact of the situation.
"I...?" Crusch looks at me, her eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions and astonishment, while I try to maintain a smile despite the exhaustion that begins to weigh on me.
The magic "Fu Murak" is powerful, but using it comes with risks to my health. The strain exerted on my body when using magic of an element not native to me is considerable. Additionally, although wind magic is my specialty, I haven't fully recovered from the battle against Julius and Petelgeuse.
Although Puck has helped mitigate the effects of the miasma, I need more time to heal. However, this is the reality I find myself in.
I look at Crusch as I hold her in my arms, and her gaze meets mine. Despite the situation we are in, she doesn't express anger or reproach. Her expression is one of complete surprise, and I can almost feel the weight of what just happened.
She was on the brink of losing her life, that is undeniable. Despite being several meters in the air, it seems that Crusch has not fully grasped the situation. In the midst of her state of shock, her eyes move from side to side, trying to comprehend what is happening.
I try to calm her with my words.
"I'm sorry for keeping it hidden, but I had my reasons," I tell her, attempting to explain my recently discovered ability to fly.
However, her amazement and confusion are palpable. Her trembling lips open, but the words seem not to come easily. Finally, she utters a question full of incredulity:
"Y-you...?" She seems as if she can't believe what she's seeing. "Can you fly?"
Her nervousness increases as she observes the surroundings from the heights. Despite being so close to the ground, the fog and the sensation of height seem to have affected her.
I feel that something is amiss when suddenly, Crusch clings to me tightly, embracing me with a painful grip. It's a disproportionate and abnormal reaction to the situation.
"Put... put me down!" she exclaims, with a voice full of distress as her arms tighten around me.
My surprise deepens at this intense reaction. I can't help but wonder if there's something deeper behind this response.
With utmost care, I begin to descend slowly, moving away from the wounded and ensuring that Grímnir follows us. Once in a more private location, I finish landing gently.
Crusch keeps her eyes tightly closed as her grip gradually loosens.
Once on the ground, Crusch sits down, her breathing heavy, and her pale expression reflecting deep fear. She seems to become aware that we are no longer in the air, and her fear begins to subside a bit.
I have no memory of seeing such an intense and uncontrolled reaction.
Acrophobia, fear of heights.
An irrational and debilitating fear that can trigger extreme responses like the one I just witnessed. I am surprised and concerned to realize that someone as brave as Crusch could suffer from such a profound phobia.
I decide to act quickly and communicate with Alsten through the communication device. Once the final preparations for the last phase of the battle have been initiated, I turn my attention back to Crusch.
Apparently, her calm has returned, and she seems more at ease. In a way, I'm surprised to see this vulnerability in her, considering I've always perceived her as a person of great strength and determination.
It's curious how appearances can be deceiving.
Our eyes meet as she smiles slightly and extends her hand towards me. She thanks me in a way that denotes understanding for what I've done.
"Thank you. If you could do it, you surely had your reasons," she looks at me without anger, as if understanding the reasons behind my actions. "I'm grateful to you for saving me, truly."
Responding with a sincere smile, I gently take her hand.
"I do what I can," I assure her humbly. "We're in this together, after all."
I know that this battle is crucial, and things could get even tougher, but I feel that we've established a special bond through these shared experiences. My connection with Crusch goes beyond magical abilities and battle strategies; it's a connection based on mutual trust and support.
Now, more than ever, we need to work as a team to overcome the challenges that still await us.