That protagonist is trash; I could do better!

Parker circled around Emilia, avoiding eye contact with Shinji Matou. After a while, he smiled bitterly and said, "If what you said really happens, I'm sorry, but due to some special reasons, I probably won't be able to protect Emilia."

Shinji Matou scoffed, "The cuter something is, the less useful it is. You really live up to your appearance."

The elf Puck slumped down and muttered, "Ugh, I can't argue with that, but I still have to thank you for praising me as cute."

"Emilia, Rem, Ram, you go to the village and stay there for a day. Be vigilant and don't leak any information so as not to alert them. I'm going to the capital to find someone to help. The members of the Witch Cult aren't very strong, but they are numerous. If we can't deal with them in a short time, it may cause a lot of casualties among the villagers."

With time running out, Shinji Matou swiftly issued an order to create a high-speed flying machine using book pages.

The kingdom of Lugnica is not very large. The mansion of Borozwaar on the border is only half a day's journey by dragon carriage from the capital. Shinji Matou can circle the kingdom in a few hours using a high-speed flying machine.

The person Matou Shinji was looking for was none other than Reinhard, the strongest swordsman he had encountered since transmigrating to this world. Having seen countless people, Matou Shinji was able to understand Reinhard's personality and character thoroughly.

If represented by a nine-square grid of factions, Reinhard would undoubtedly be a Lawful Good. Despite possessing the power to destroy a nation, he willingly chooses to be a knight, with a low status and numerous restrictions.

From the perspective of the royal selection, Reinhard is also the most suitable person to become an ally. He is powerful in combat, and the king candidate he serves, Felt, has no interest in the royal selection.

The high-speed aircraft arrived at Reinhard's hometown, a bustling town, in less than an hour.

The aircraft landed on the ground amidst the astonished gazes of passersby. Shinji Matou jumped down and casually asked a passerby for Reinhard's address.

His residence wasn't a luxurious mansion, just a fairly spacious building near the main street. After Shinji Matou knocked on the door, he was welcomed inside by a servant.

A moment later, the swordsman Reinhard arrived, still dressed in his white knight's uniform, looking dashing and heroic. He was both surprised and delighted to see Shinji Matou: "Shinji, what brings you here?"

Shinji Matou stood up and said solemnly, "I have something very important to ask you for help with."

Reinhard's expression turned serious, and he nodded earnestly: "Important matters... please speak, as long as it is within my capabilities, I will do my utmost."

Shinji Matou briefly explained the Witch Church's attack on the village. Although the two weren't exactly close, Reinhard didn't doubt Shinji Matou's words at all.

Reinhard pondered for a moment and suggested, "It is the responsibility of the Kingdom's knights to eliminate the Witch Cult. As you said, the problem lies in the number of Witch Cult members. There are at least a hundred members. Even I cannot guarantee the safety of all the villagers. To be on the safe side, how about we ask Yuri and the others for help?"

Shinji Matou shook his head: "No need, we are strong enough. Don't forget our current position. The reason I chose to ask you for help is because you are Felt's knight."

"How can we guarantee the safety of the villagers? I believe that ensuring the safety of the villagers is more important than the Wang Xuan incident."

“I have already instructed Emilia and the others to meet up in the village. Emilia, Rem, and Ram can also be used as combat troops. Gathering more knights will only alert the enemy and may make things more complicated in a way. Reinhard, trust my strength as a mage.”

"Since you say so, I have no choice but to believe you."

"There's no time to lose. It's already night, perfect time to sneak into the village."

······

At night, Reinhard and Shinji Matou rode together in an aircraft, flying rapidly through the night sky.

Reinhard gripped the safety railing of the aircraft, looking down at the vast scenery below with excitement and curiosity, saying, "Is this a magical artifact you made? It's incredible that it can fly at such a high altitude."

"Doesn't this exist in this world? If wind magic is used as an aid, the principle isn't difficult either."

Reinhard replied with a regretful expression, "Similar magical artifacts did exist before the world experienced that calamity. Now, most of the magical artifact technology has been lost, and even a mage like you is a very rare talent now."

"This direction... Shinji, deviate slightly to the right from the flight path."

"reason."

"There's something I want you to see."

"What."

"A large tree called Freugel was planted hundreds of years ago by a sage of the same name. You are not from the Kingdom of Lugnica, and you shouldn't see that tree on the main road from Mezas to the capital. Since it's on the way anyway, I think it's worth seeing. It's a very spectacular sight. I was also startled when I first saw it."

"Let's take a look then."

As they were talking, a thick white fog suddenly appeared and enveloped the aircraft.

Shinji Matou sensed an impending danger. He adjusted the reinforced paper tail of his high-speed aircraft, changing its flight direction and accelerating through the white fog.

While controlling the aircraft, Shinji Matou shouted a warning: "Reinhard, something is coming."

Reinhardt's expression had lost its earlier composure. He stared at the rapidly spreading mist in the distance, his voice serious yet revealing a complex and unfathomable tone: "I know, this sudden white mist and intense magical fluctuations are none other than the White Whale, the nemesis of us, the knights of this kingdom."

"Let me explain."

"A gigantic white whale with a flying magic circle on its head, which allows it to swim in the air, threatening merchants traveling from the capital and nearby villages. It can release large amounts of fog and is elusive. Even the Knights cannot find its trace when they want to subdue it. I never thought that I could fulfill the long-cherished wish of the Kingdom Knights today. The decision to come with you was absolutely the right one."

"Can you handle it?"

"I am confident."

Reinhard drew his dragon sword from his waist, his gaze growing cold: "Shinji, although it will be dangerous, could you please get as close to it as possible? Whether from my personal standpoint or as a knight of the kingdom, I have a reason to kill the white whale. Also, be careful of the white mist it spews out; that's a very dangerous ability."

"Then I'll leave it to you."

Shinji Matou piloted the aircraft, changing direction and rushing into the dense fog.

Chapter 141 Everything is Ready

Within the thick fog, one could not see their own hand in front of their face.

Shinji Matou piloted the aircraft alongside the white whale. Although his vision was obstructed, his Mystic Eyes could easily sense the flow of magical energy within the dense fog, thus determining the white whale's location.

Shinji Matou turned his head and saw that Reinhard, who had drawn his sword, was not making a move. He asked curiously, "Reinhard, why aren't you making a move?"

Reinhard asked somewhat awkwardly, "Shinji, did you see a beluga whale?"

"Can't you see?"

“If this were just ordinary white mist, it would be fine, but the white mist released by the beluga whale has magical properties, and I can’t pinpoint its location over such a vast area.”

Shinji Matou clasped his hands together, used alchemy to alter part of the aircraft's structure, and shot out a red beam of light towards the depths of the dense fog.

"Following the red light, I swung my sword, and the red light locked onto its head."

"I understand, you've been a great help."

Reinhardt's face lit up with joy. He raised the Dragon Sword high and stared in the direction of the red line. The mist surged and the magic in the atmosphere gathered towards the Dragon Sword. Its efficiency and scale far exceeded that of conventional magic. The white mist around the aircraft was affected and churned violently.

The dragon sword glowed faintly, then suddenly burst into azure flames, dispelling the nearby mist.

The sword light pointed in the direction of Shinji Matou's symbol, casting a huge and hazy shadow.

"Awooooo~!"

The roar of the white whale echoed through the misty realm. Sensing the threat of the dragon sword, it abandoned its previous wandering state and swung its tail to escape beyond the white mist.

"For the safety of the kingdom's people, to fulfill the obsession of the Kingdom's Knights, to settle the long-cherished wish of the Astrea family, vanish, White Whale!"

Reinhard murmured, took a step forward, and simultaneously raised his hundred-meter-long sword, slashing down to cleave the misty domain.

Swish!

The sea of ​​fog was cleaved open, a deafening roar suddenly erupted, and the burst of blood stained the white fog red. The body of the beluga whale, which was tens of meters long, was split in two and fell from the sky, kicking up a large amount of dust.

The fog dissipated, and the aircraft landed not far from the forequarters of the beluga whale, confirming that the whale was dead.

Having witnessed Reinhard's sword strike, Shinji Matou had a general understanding of his strength, believing that without preparation, he might let the White Whale escape, let alone eliminate it in one fell swoop.

Reinhard reached out and touched the white whale's body, his eyes filled with complex emotions, as if he had finally put down a burden. He turned back and, as usual, flashed a bright and friendly smile: "The white whale's body can be left here. Any passing merchants will inform the kingdom's knights. We should hurry and reunite with Lady Emilia."

Shinji Matou also used alchemy to collect some flesh and blood from the white whale, which he would study later.

The two returned to the aircraft, and Shinji Matou asked curiously, "Besides your responsibilities as a knight, do you have any other interactions with this monster called the White Whale?"

"Yes, a former sword saint of the Astrea family was once devoured by this white whale. To me, who inherited the name of the Astrea family, it is nothing short of an enemy."

······

The two secretly arrived in the village and met up with Emilia and the others. Shinji Matou briefly explained his idea of ​​forming an alliance and the little incident that happened on the way.

Emilia was more surprised than allying with Felt that Shinji Matou and Reinhard seemed to have effortlessly solved a major problem for the Kingdom of Lugnica.

That was a white whale, a powerful magical beast that struck fear into the hearts of countless merchants and villages, yet it was easily dealt with by two passing diners.

Publicizing this event will undoubtedly boost the prestige and support of both candidate kings.

Shinji Matou explained his plan to everyone: "In short, none of you should show yourselves today. I will set up magical traps around the village."

"Tomorrow at noon, Emilia, you will gather the villagers under the guise of giving a speech. Just show up."

"it is good."

"Ram, use your abilities to monitor any unusual activity around the village."

“Reinhard, your appearance will cause chaos. Although those madmen are unlikely to stop because of your presence, to avoid any unexpected situations, it is best not to make any rash moves before the Witch Cult attacks the village, and even more so, not to show your face in front of the villagers.”

“I’m not entirely clear on the situation, so I’ll leave the command entirely to you.” Reinhard crossed his arms and nodded thoughtfully.

"Rem, like Reinhard, wait for the right opportunity, and when necessary, use her as a key fighting force to eliminate the Witch Cult."

"Understood, Lord Shinji," Rem replied respectfully.

"To be on the safe side, I will use magic to establish a mental connection with you, so that I can change the plan at any time."

Ram's eyes widened in surprise: "Empathy...with all of us?"

"Yes, is there a problem?"

Ram shook his head: "No, it's just that this kind of behavior is quite dangerous in the eyes of ordinary magicians. If it's Lord Shinji, it should be fine."

Rem confidently replied, "Sister, don't worry, Lord Shinji never does anything he's not sure of."

Shinji Matou chuckled to himself, ruffling Rem's blue hair. "As expected of my personal maid, you'd better perform well this time and protect everyone."

"Yes!" Rem blushed and lowered her head, answering earnestly.

······

In the dead of night, Shinji Matou used his Mystic Eyes to search for the location of the Witch Cult. In fact, the Witch Cult had already lurked in the western forest not far from the village, and their numbers were no less than three digits.

Shinji Matou discovered the numerous magical traps laid along the route the Witch Cult would inevitably take to attack the village.

During this time, Shinji Matou confirmed the locations of more members of the Witch Cult through Ram's ability to empathize with animals, and continued to revise his counterattack plan.

The night passed quickly, and in the morning, the village market had just opened and was bustling with activity when a group of merchants from out of town arrived. They greeted the villagers warmly and exchanged goods.

Having learned from that night's experience, Shinji Matou secretly used alchemy to inspect the merchants' wagons.

"That night, no witch cult members died in the explosion."

"In order to avoid harming themselves, the Witch Cult likely attacked the village after the explosion. In other words, someone had secretly transported the explosive material into the village before the villagers even noticed the Witch Cult."

"The process went unnoticed by the villagers."

Shinji Matou sensed a strong aura of fire magic and discovered that almost every carriage had a fire magic stone that emitted a faint light.