Reinhard can't find her.
He still can't find her everywhere.
He just looks away for one second, and his lady has already vanished from the spot she stood.
He feels anxious. Where the heck did she go this time?
"You're misunderstood, Grandpa Wil. The one I love isn't The Sword Saint Reinhard Van Astrea, but... Reinhard. Just a Reinhard."
'This voice.... Milady?'
Reinhard noticed Kyoko engaged in conversation with someone behind the Flugel's tree. Is that... his grandfather? He wondered what they were discussing in this particular spot.
"I see," His grandfather answered, "You and I have similarities, Lady Kyoko. Both of us want to protect the Sword Saint from the pain... And I just realized my mistake. No matter how angry I am, I can't throw away the treasure that Theresia left for me..."
"So, you decided to fix your relationship with your family?"
"That's what I thought... From the beginning, it's my fault. Maybe, with this opportunity to slay the White Whale for my wife, I... Maybe I can fix my relationship with Reinhard..."
Wilhelm closed his eyes, his voice heavy with guilt and sorrow. He tightened his fist, feeling the weight of the pain he had already caused, deeply aware of the hurt that lingered in the air.
"That's good that you finally realized your mistake, " Kyoko said softly, a warm smile spreading across her face.
She felt a deep sense of joy in this situation. By successfully changing his prescription, she knew that Reinhard would finally have a genuine member of his true bloodline by his side, someone who should have been there during his childhood, and that meant so much to her...
"SO!!" She tapped her future grandfather-in-law's shoulder in excitement, "Don't die first before you can apologize to Reinhard properly, Grandpa Wil!!"
"If I do?"
"Then, I will go to hell or maybe heaven, drag you out from there, and force you to apologize to Reinhard!! I will punch with Grim Reaper if I need to have beef with him."
"Beef?" Wilhelm titled his head, "Why do you need beef to punch Grim Reaper?"
"It's a slang, Grandpa Wil!! Of course, you don't know it because you're a boomer!"
"I don't know what you are talking about, but I am taking that as an insult."
"Hey, It's a joke. Get carried with it and don't be too serious!"
"Mmm... Youngest in these days really change..."
What kind of main topic are they talking about? Reinhard takes those light conversations as a sign they have a good relationship. Kyoko may be a little unpredictable, but she can get along with anyone as long as she doesn't hate them.
Before The Sword Saint could finish his thoughts, his presence had already been noticed by his master.
"Oh! Reinhard! You already found me!?"
"Based on your tone, you must be going missing on a purpose," Reinhard answered calmly, unaffected by his grandfather's presence.
Kyoko giggled with a mischievous smile on her lips, "Hehe! Just wanted to make you feel anxious! I didn't know that My Reinhard would soon miss me!"
Yep, that's Kyoko for you.
Wilhelm sits quietly, watching the warm and engaging conversation unfold between his grandson and the master he once served with devotion.
As he listens to their laughter and wholesome conversation, a wave of nostalgia washes over him, transporting him back to the days when he reveled in the simple joys spent with his precious wife.
Memories flood his mind—her laughter, their quiet moments together, and the love that filled their home—bringing a bittersweet smile to his face as he reflects on those treasured times.
"Lady Kyoko, I would like to take my leave now. Please rest for the remaining times we have." He said, deciding to take a step off the stage from them.
"Oh yeah... Rest well, Grandpa Wil!! Because we're going TO BEAT THAT FUCKING WHALE ASS!!!"
"Language, please, milady," Reinhard commented shortly. He watched his grandfather leave without a single word for him. I guess Wilhelm needs more time to be able to have a proper conversation with his grandson.
His head turned to Kyoko back, "May I know what are you talking about with my grandfather, milady?"
"Just a small talk. A talk between future in-laws. All I need to do now is get a blessing and approval from your father. The grandfather is safe place now, so I could make him accept me as his future granddaughter-in-law."
"I.... don't think I can follow this conversation. Why would you go hard for that? What's the point of getting approval from my grandfather?"
"What?" Kyoko blinked several times, surprised by Reinhard's questions. She was stunned, absolutely flabbergasted by what she heard.
"Reinhard... Do you think I was joking when I wanted to be your wife? When I said I wanted to marry you?"
Reinhard flinched slightly. This isn't a reaction that he expected. The pressure around them makes this whole conversation heavy on the side. He shouldn't say, He shouldn't fucking said that.
"I thought you liked to joke around with me, so I took it as a playful tease."
Without a warning, Kyoko grabbed Reinhard's clothes forcedly, making their face closer to 1 inch away. At this point, The Sword Saint almost senses the urge to kiss the girl in front of him, but dignity pulls him out from the dark side.
"I see. You are still blind to my love. Let me clear this, Reinhard Van Astrea."
Shit, sheis using his full name.
"After this expedition, after this whole ass fight, we're going home, locked our room—Your room because you're not going definitely safe if in my room— and we going to have a very, very, very deep conversation in your bed. I'm going to make you find the answer to your question by.your.self. Got it?"
He nodded with a sense of eagerness, as if ready to embrace whatever came next.
"Good boy. Now, let's go back to our battlefield." She tapped his shoulder repeatedly before leaving him alone in front of a field of yellow flowers.
Right after she leaves, The Swore Saint, taking his right palm, covers her face. Unfortunately, that palm couldn't hide the reddish blush on his face, the embarrassment of being stunned by those words. It's really striking, right on his heart.
"Oh dear..."
*
*
*
The whole army assembled. The time of The White Whale that Subaru told will be soon arrived. They need to prepare themselves for a deathly war with a beast that has already slaughtered many innocent lives.
Kyoko noticed Subaru ride his earth dragon with Rem. If he is with her, she shouldn't be worried too much.
Dingg~ Dinggg~
The song was played in a playful and happy rhythm as if it were a mere kid's song. But, this also means the time to enjoy the world already out.
What a horrible tune you are using, Subaru... Among the songs you hear, you choose this...
The danger finally arrived.
Kyoko's eyes widened when she witnessed a monstrous beast, something shaped like a whale, that covered the moon. Although at night without a light, she can see it clearly.
"Look!!"
Crusch turned around when she heard one of the members of the expedition point to the Flugel's Tree. A massive shadow moved on the tree, showing the signal for its arrival.
"Awwwooooooo!!!!"
A scream, a monster scream. It's flying in the air as if its under the ocean, swimming around and around. It's too dark to see the White Whale's true appearance, but his shadow already be proof that the monster has really come.
"Troops—"
"LET'S FUCKING KILL IT!!!"
Right after Subaru finished his shout, Rem yelled, "Al Huma!!!" and shot several ice icicles at the beast as they were the first ones to run to the front line among the members of the expedition.
Cursch was still in a shocked state where she couldn't believe that the White Whale was truly in front of her. Also, her commands were cut and stolen by Subaru. Yet, she immediately recovered and continued her command,
"TROOPS!!! FOLLOW THAT TWO IDIOT!!!"
*
*
*