Chapter 302. Wife-Protecting Hikigaya Hachiman
「"Phew..."」
「The trembling Heinkel scrambled and crawled behind Priscilla, eyeing Hikigaya Hachiman and Julius warily. Immediately, he put on the expression of a petty man who had just gained backing, signaling that his patron had arrived. "You came so slowly, Lady Priscilla. You weren't here, and I was nearly scared out of my wits..."」
「These words made it clear that he was one of the forces that had sided with Priscilla.」
「However, Priscilla simply let out a cold sneer. "It is no concern of yours when I choose to arrive. A commoner attempting to dictate My schedule, daring to complain to Me—how utterly ignorant!"」
「The fiery red fan drew a swift, sharp arc through the air, striking the smug Heinkel heavily on the head. Hit by the unexpected attack, Heinkel spun through the air before crashing to the ground, foaming at the mouth and falling unconscious.」
「Her violent act left everyone stunned, save for Hikigaya Hachiman, who remained unaffected and actually began to clap. "How majestic, disciplining your house dog. So, did you travel all this way just for this?"」
「"Merely a whim to watch a farce of a twisted family out of boredom. You, however, rampant madman, have piqued My interest further." Priscilla's eyes flickered; carrying an aura that reigned supreme over the world, she returned Hachiman's sarcasm with a bone-chilling threat.」
「"If I were to slay that eyesore of a half-elf right here, I wonder how much you would regret opposing Me. It would certainly make for a very interesting play."」
「"Always shouting about killing and resorting to ruthless violence... you really are beyond saving, Priscilla. Though, I suppose you don't intend to change anyway."」
「"—"」
「Priscilla narrowed her eyes slightly, sizing up Hikigaya Hachiman. She sensed a very complex attitude coming from this man—it didn't feel like malice. Even though his words were unpleasant to hear, for some reason, they landed exactly on her heartstrings, pressing right against the limit of what she could tolerate.」
「"Alright, alright, that's enough."」
「Seeing the smell of gunpowder growing stronger, Anastasia hurriedly stepped in to mediate. "That is to say, I didn't tell you about this gathering, Miss Priscilla. From where did you hear of it? Though I suppose you heard it from some loose-lipped child"」
「Priscilla mocked her while waving her fan. "Save your honeyed words, vixen. You think you can hide what you've done? My ears are not grown for nothing."」
「As the most calculating and patient among the five candidates, Anastasia, despite disliking such piercing words, had no intention of clashing with Priscilla. She maintained a face of innocent kindness, acting as if she hadn't heard the word "vixen" at all.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, who had been ready to drop the matter, suddenly snapped his head back up. Looking at the haughty Priscilla, he let out a wanton, mocking laugh.」
「"On that point, I actually agree. What's been done can't be hidden—just like how some people, in order to gain profit, have had to marry men they didn't like several times over. You can actually speak like a human being after all, Priscilla."」
「"Hey, hey... those words are getting a bit serious, brother." Although he was a fellow traveler from Earth, Al placed his hand on his hilt, a sharp glint in his eyes.」
「Priscilla's aura became even more terrifying. She glared intently at Hikigaya Hachiman, causing the temperature of the entire room to rise; red flames seemed to flicker in the air.」
「"...Why is it like this?"」
「Anastasia stood dumbfounded. She looked at Hachiman, who had suddenly picked a fight, and instantly realized something. She stood frozen, her heart thumping violently.」
「Emilia put on a resolute expression and immediately stood up, spreading her arms to shield her knight behind her, looking at Priscilla without a hint of weakness.」
「Beatrice tugged at Hachiman's sleeve. She shook her head slightly, not wanting Hachiman to get into a pointless conflict with Priscilla for the sake of an outsider like Anastasia.」
「BOOM—」
「A roaring flame like a hurricane swept toward them, only to be blocked by an ice shield woven by Emilia. Priscilla shielded her cheek with her fan, her eyes shifting slightly to look with interest at Emilia, and then at Anastasia.」
「Immediately after, the previously cruel Priscilla stopped her punishment and let out a chuckle. "A 'mad genius' who hides behind a woman... it seems sparing your life will bring Me even more amusement."」
「Toward her specifically, Hikigaya Hachiman would absolutely not indulge her whims. He retorted immediately:」
「"The amusement you've brought me has already been staged. How about it? After receiving my letter, did you rush to find Abel without stopping? That look of a pale, ashen face back then was my creation, Priscilla."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman hid openly behind Emilia, each word calculated to perfectly stir Priscilla's emotions.」
「"I have someone who can protect me; there's nothing shameful in that. But you—even if Al and Ara are willing to protect you, can they even compare to yourself? A person who can only rely on themselves for a lifetime is truly pitiable."」
「Priscilla reprimanded him: "Do you truly wish for death, you fool!"」
「"If you want to make a move, then by all means, try. If you actually do it, don't blame me for looking down on you, Priscilla." Hikigaya Hachiman showed no fear.」
「He knew her temper was unbearably bad, but he knew even better that Priscilla was a person with her own bottom line. He understood the measurement of that line in this arrogant woman's heart better than she did herself.」
「He had given the intel about Vincent's body double planning a rebellion to Priscilla for free. And now, even while mocking her, he used pseudonyms for Vincent and Arakiya, choosing not to expose Priscilla's true identity.」
「Priscilla was not a heartless person; she had her own pride. That pride forced her to do nothing more than put on an act now.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman was bullying her in broad daylight—different from how he bullied Anastasia in the Capital; this was a type of bullying where Priscilla knew everything but was unable to refute it.」
「Priscilla recognized his tactic and glared at him as if she wanted to eat him alive. "Heh, ignorance! A wanton madman seeking his own end."」
「"My life is no concern of yours. Why not try to show some grace with that mouth of yours next time?"」
「"Silence, insolent one!"」
「Priscilla gave the unconscious Heinkel on the floor a kick to vent her frustration. Her fan pointed distantly at Hikigaya Hachiman, her voice terrifying:」
「"Since you seek turmoil and excitement, let that head of yours remain on your shoulders for now. Keep that ignorance that dares to oppose Me with such tall talk."」
「"If you offend again, you, whose 'talisman' effect is one-time only, shall obediently await My punishment, you arrogant fool!"」
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