Crusch Camp is one of the five Royal Selection factions of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica, led by Duchess Crusch Karsten. Among the candidates, this camp is known for discipline, military strength, aristocratic legitimacy, and a hard, practical vision for the kingdom’s future. Crusch’s faction is not built on charm, spectacle, or sentimentality; it is built on resolve, preparedness, and the belief that Lugunica must stand on its own strength rather than remain dependent on old miracles. The camp is small compared to some others, but its core members are highly capable, fiercely loyal, and politically respected.
Crusch’s governing philosophy defines the camp. She believes Lugunica has grown overly reliant on the covenant with the Divine Dragon Volcanica and that the kingdom has forgotten how to protect itself through human will, planning, and strength. Her goal is not reckless destruction of tradition for its own sake, but a restructuring of the nation into one that can survive without leaning on the Dragon as a crutch. In practice, this means military readiness, economic reinforcement, disciplined leadership, and a willingness to make severe decisions for long-term stability. The camp therefore carries an atmosphere of duty, reform, and stern national purpose.
Before and during the Royal Selection, Crusch Camp developed a strong reputation among both nobles and commoners. Crusch had already established herself as an exceptionally competent duchess and a formidable warrior, earning the epithet “The Valkyrie.” Her camp strengthened Lugunica’s economy through the purchase and manufacture of iron goods, especially arms and armor, while also improving military training in preparation for future threats. Because of this, she entered the Royal Selection as one of the strongest and most credible candidates for the throne. Among the political factions of Lugunica, Crusch Camp is widely associated with reliability, martial readiness, and administrative competence.
The core members of Crusch Camp are Crusch Karsten, Ferris, and Wilhelm van Astrea. These three form the emotional, political, and military center of the faction. Crusch is the leader and ideological heart of the camp. Ferris serves as her knight, personal attendant, healer, and closest companion, offering brilliance in healing magic along with sharp intuition and fierce devotion. Wilhelm van Astrea, the legendary swordsman known as the Sword Demon, joined the camp after Crusch promised support in the hunt for the White Whale. His presence gives the faction immense combat prestige and reinforces its identity as the most battle-ready of the Royal Selection camps.
In tone, Crusch Camp feels honorable, severe, and controlled. It is not a loud or flamboyant faction. Conversations within or around it tend to carry the weight of politics, war, responsibility, and sacrifice. Members are expected to act with purpose. Loyalty matters deeply, but it is expressed through service, action, and trust rather than sentimental display. Even so, the camp is not cold in a simple sense: Ferris’s closeness to Crusch and Wilhelm’s old loyalties give it a strong emotional undercurrent. This is a faction where affection is often hidden beneath professionalism, obligation, and endurance. That balance of discipline and buried feeling is central to its character.
A major turning point for the camp came with the alliance between Crusch Camp and Emilia Camp to defeat the White Whale. After negotiations with Subaru, Crusch agreed to cooperate in exchange for rights related to the magic stones in Elior Forest. She then led a coalition force including her own people, allied fighters, and mercenaries to confront the monster. The battle ended in success, allowing the White Whale to finally be subjugated and fulfilling her promise to Wilhelm. This victory became one of the defining achievements of the camp and proved Crusch’s ability to combine strategy, leadership, and military force on a national scale.
Soon after, the camp suffered a devastating setback. Following the White Whale operation and assistance against the Sin Archbishop of Sloth, Crusch and Rem were attacked by the Sin Archbishops of Greed and Gluttony while returning to the capital. During that assault, Crusch’s memories were devoured by Gluttony. This loss did not remove her basic character or strength entirely, but it shattered the continuity of self that had made her such a towering political figure. As a result, the camp’s standing in the Royal Selection declined. Her allies continued to protect and support her, but the loss of memory weakened the camp’s political momentum and altered its internal dynamic.
Later, during the Battle for Priestella, Crusch again took part in the struggle against the Witch Cult. There she was defeated and afflicted by the cursed Dragon’s blood tied to the Sin Archbishop of Lust, leaving her bedridden afterward. During this period, Ferris and Wilhelm remained by her side and continued caring for her. Eventually, after news related to the Pleiades Watchtower and intervention connected to the Divine Dragon Church, Crusch’s curse was removed, and her memories of Fourier Lugunica were restored. This recovery is important to the faction’s long-term state: Crusch Camp is defined not only by political ambition and military success, but by survival through repeated catastrophe.
In story use, Crusch Camp works best as a faction of honorable realists. They can serve as allies of necessity, respected rivals, political patrons, military partners, or stern examiners of a protagonist’s worth. They are especially suited to plots involving Royal Selection politics, military planning, anti-Witch Cult operations, questions of national reform, and tense alliances between camps. Characters dealing with Crusch Camp should expect seriousness, scrutiny, and competence. Empty words will impress them less than resolve, usefulness, and integrity proven under pressure.
Royal Selection faction led by Crusch Karsten
Politically respected, militarily strong, and highly disciplined
Advocates Lugunica’s independence from overreliance on the Divine Dragon
Focused on reform, defense, preparedness, and responsible rule
Core members: Crusch, Ferris, Wilhelm van Astrea
Famous for helping subjugate the White Whale
Later weakened by Crusch’s memory loss and Priestella injuries, but not broken
Faction Vibe
Noble, martial, dutiful, pragmatic, honorable, severe, composed, patriotic, battle-tested.
Narrative Use
Use Crusch Camp as a disciplined reformist faction in the Royal Selection: credible rulers, military allies, or stern rivals whose respect must be earned. Their scenes fit political debate, wartime councils, strategic planning, vows of loyalty, harsh truth, and perseverance after loss.