Finally, the members of the expedition decided to take a rest after facing death. As they rested, Crusch and Wilhelm had a conversation with Subaru. Mostly, they expressed their gratitude for Subaru's great assistance during the subjugation. If it's not because of Subaru's strategies, they will be dead already.
In the middle of a conversation, right after Wilhelm suddenly kneels before Subaru to pay respect, Kyoko decides to join them along with Reinhard behind her, "Looks like you guys have a good time without us. Mind if I join too?"
Crusch nodded, a soft smile drawn on her lips, "Of course. You two also already made a great contribution to this subjugation. I must admit, you two really carry the whole of our subjugation plan."
"Yeahhhh.... Still, it's cost my whole mana supplies." Kyoko sighed hopelessly, yet her smirks never faded from her face as she looked at her knight with a mischievous gaze, "Looks like I'm going drain a lot lot of mana tonight."
Reinhard flinched slightly, his body tensing as he quickly turned his face to the side, a deep red blush blooming across his cheeks, betraying the emotion he tried to hide. Those reactions made Kyoko couldn't help but giggle.
"Oh my fucking god, sis, keep your dirty talk later. It's disgusting." Said Subaru in his twisted, disgusted stare.
"Shut up. I know you miss your elf, but can't you let your sister enjoy her moment? You already ruined one before."
"Have a shame, dumbass. We're not alone here."
Then, Wilhelm interrupted their conversation without warning. He bowed slightly to Kyoko with respect and pride for everything, making the black-haired woman confused.
"Lady Kyoko, this old man was feeling very greatly grateful for your help. Without your strengths, I wouldn't be able to face this fear alone. Thanks to you and your brother, I can avenge my wife. Thank you... I am truly thankful to you... Thank you so much for everything. "
Kyoko was taken aback by those words little a bit. His voice his tone, it's truly honest, presenting whole his gratitude towards her and her brother. She couldn't help but give a soft smile to this poor old man.
"No need to thank me. I simply assisted those who needed my help. Grandpa Wil, you already lifted one burden behind your heart, the hatred and anger that you already accumulated for 14 years. It must be hard for you to bear it alone..."
"Still, I was in debt with you, Lady Kyoko. I would gladly help you to repay the kindness you provided to me during this whole subjugation."
"Does that include where I accidentally provoked you?"
The whole scene turned into silence. Subaru looked at his sister, dumbfounded and disbelieving at the same time. Did something happen behind him when he didn't look at his sister? He knows that Kyoko is a bit problematic, but provoking a legendary figure like Wilhelm that's a different thing.
"I take that as advice, Lady Kyoko. If it were not for your words, I wouldn't realized something important that I missed in the past, " His eyes moved to Reinhard behind Kyoko, making the Sword Saint flinch at this sudden reaction.
"Something that I shouldn't abandon but treasure just like how my wife treasures it. My family."
The light sparks in his eyes; The Sword Saint stood frozen, stunned by the words he never thought he'd hear. His grandfather—the very man who once walked away—had finally spoken to him. Those words meant everything: acceptance, happiness, and the sense of belonging Reinhard had longed for.
Two simple words, and suddenly, his world blazed like sunlight piercing through the endless night.
Kyoko giggled before giving the warmest and happiest smile, "I'm so happy for you, Grandpa Wil!! If you need a hand to beat someone, just call me, and I will lend my hands!"
"Can we just... don't include any violence in every single one of our conversations?"
"Shut up, Subaru. I'm trying my best to be a good girl. If I'm not, I already punched you."
"You should buy punching bags and not attack your own brother. You know that's an abuse, right?"
"It's our love language, idiot."
"Yeah. Of course, is it. Love. Ugh."
Finishing the conversation, Crusch took Subaru into another discussion while Wilhelm already returned to the place where The White Whale's dead body remained. Reinhard, who saw his grandfather right now is available, decided to take this opportunity to talk.
"Milady, I would like to take a leave for a while. I believe I have something important to do."
Kyoko blinked several times at her knight's request. Then, she smiled, again. This time is not mischievous, teasing, or naughty thoughts. It's joy, a happiness that Kyoko herself couldn't describe.
"Sure!! Take your time! I would comfort you if you feel down!"
Reinhard answered those words with a warm smile, a truly honest smile, and not the fake ones. Really, who doesn't fall in love with a cute and kind girl like here? He couldn't help but feel grateful for having this beautiful and wonderful woman as his master. He never rejected his decision to choose her.
After that, Reinhard, bidding farewell, instantly ran in the direction where his grandfather was standing. He looks like an excited child who finally saw his favorite grandfather after a long time. Perhaps, that's the best way to describe his situation.
Reinhard may be a Sword Saint, a powerful knight, and a young man who is perfect in everything.
But in Kyoko's eyes, he is just a child, a child who missed all the memories he should have: love and affection from his own family.
*
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Julius's appearance here isn't something that Kyoko would have expected. The Anastasia's knights are standing in front of Subaru and the mercenaries right after their arrival. They said they were here to help subjugate the Archbishop of Sloth or something.
Well, Kyoko doesn't know about Sloth or what, but it looks like they will move to the second part of their biggest plan.
All of them take to sit on the ground to continue their discussion, led by Subaru of course. They don't care if the ground is dirty or what since they just faced deathly monsters; what they want right now is a rest.
"We have succeeded in taking out the White Whale all thanks to all of you. But it's not over yet. I've to settle a score with Witch's Cult guys who picked a fight with me. Once that's done, the Subjugation of The White Whale will be complete." Subaru explained the next plan to others.
Mimi Pearlbaton, a young girl with orange cat ears, exclaimed, "The next is Witch's Cult!?"
"Can we trust the allegations that the White Whale and Witch's Cult are connected? We only came here as reinforcement for the Subjugation of The White Whale—— Arck! What was that for!?" Her twin, Tivey Pearlbaton, immediately cried out of pain after getting hit by his sister's wooden staff.
"If you can't believe him, then you just need to believe me!!"
"I'd prefer it if you believed me, though." Said Subaru, trying his best to cover his worried face. He clenched his fists before continuing the discussion with a serious tone.
"I don't like to recall it, but I've run up against Witch's Cult before. I found out their next plan. We're going to head for the Mathers domain. The Witch's Cult is hiding in the forest there."
He raised his index finger towards the sky.
"The way to defeat them is as simple as it gets. Raid them before they can read our movements, and crush them!!"
Kyoko twirled Reinhard's fingers between hers, a soft smile playing on her lips as she sat curled up on his lap. The battle with the White Whale had drained her, but now, in the warmth of his arms, exhaustion felt like a distant memory. She doesn't care about the other's stares; all she needs now is affection and a reward for being worked up.
Reinhard didn't protest her little game—if anything, he seemed content. And really, this was a much safer indulgence than her usual attempts to steal a kiss in broad daylight.
"Sis, what about you? You want to go beat Sloth's ass to attack your brother?" Subaru asked, casually in the middle of a meeting.
Without a shame, Kyoko let out a dramatic sigh and flopped against him, her fingers still lazily toying with his, "Naaaaah, I'm gonna pass on that. I'm tooooo tired. All I want right now is to cuddle up with my Reinhard!"
Reinhard chuckled softly, his gaze warm as he wrapped an arm around her, "Then I suppose I'm honored to be your pillow for the evening. Though I admit, there are far worse fates."
Subaru clicked his tongue, and shouted with a disgusting tone not far from there, "Oh for fuck sake!! Cut it out you two!! Do you know how hurt I was when I saw you two being lovey dovey!!? Not only that, you two keep flirting even in the battle!!"
"That's your problem. Not mine." Kyoko bluntly stated, declined any of the next comments.
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