Chapter 347. The Widow with Bursting Boyfriend Power (Part 1)
"So, that's how it is?"
Standing in the charred giant crater he had personally created, Reinhard held the head of Lye Batenkaitos in his hand; the rest of the body had been evaporated under his attack.
"The Sloth Bishop was Lady Emilia's foster father, and the Wrath Bishop is Lady Emilia's foster mother... In that case, could the other Archbishops also have been forcibly distorted by the Witch of Vainglory?"
Reinhard shook his head. Regardless of whether they were or not, these Archbishops were already what they were now. Killing them was absolutely the right thing to do; he felt no regret.
At most, if he had the chance to encounter Sloth or Wrath later, he could stay his hand and capture them alive for Lady Emilia's sake. However, if the situation became critical, he would still deliver a killing blow.
"Emilia... Emi... lia..."
In a certain stronghold of the Witch Cult, the sole survivor, Sirius, the Archbishop of Wrath, bashed her head against the ground, tearing her bandages. Her expression shifted between rage and tenderness; the awakened Fortuna was struggling against the parts distorted by Pandora.
In the stronghold's warehouse, the movements of the corpse soldier Theresia grew larger, from a single finger to a whole palm.
At the same time, in the real Watergate City, the residents who had survived the disaster did not feel angry because Emilia was protecting her foster mother. After all, the Sirius of the final loop had only injured people and had not killed anyone like Capella had.
Furthermore, given Emilia's contributions, pardoning one Sirius was a fair trade-off. Without her, it was easy to imagine how many more people would have died in the future Watergate City.
Only those who had been simultaneously beheaded under the Clock Tower touched their heads with strange expressions.
Beyond this, people of both worlds mostly felt surprise, along with pity for Emilia's tragic life.
.
.
.
「Describing her childhood experiences simply, Emilia's past captured the attention of almost everyone.」
「Anastasia looked around, taking in the unanimous agreement of the group, and finally said, "In that case, there's no helping it. However, before Sirius turns back into Fortuna, you must ensure she cannot escape. Can you do that, Miss Emilia?"」
「Emilia stood up, nodding repeatedly with gratitude in her eyes.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, sitting near the silver-haired girl, hesitated, wondering if he should offer a few words of comfort. But after thinking it over, he eventually kept his mouth tightly shut.」
「Anastasia then announced the battle damage data. The repairs and organization regarding this area would be handled by the Felt camp and her own subordinates.」
「She also stated that she didn't intend to monopolize the credit to boost her reputation, urging Emilia and Crusch to quickly summon their capable subordinates who could handle these tasks. As for Priscilla, she looked down on such tedious work and had no intention of participating.」
「As this was discussed, Priscilla, looking bored, pulled a fan from her chest and sneered: "A vixen is a vixen—utterly tedious. If you want to talk, then let you fools discuss it slowly. I have no time to waste here."」
「"Miss Priscilla doesn't plan to interfere with the reconstruction; I can understand that. But leaving so hurriedly—aren't you afraid your merits will be erased?"」
「Priscilla, who had stood up to walk out, paused. She glanced sideways at Anastasia and gave a cold snort.」
「Her attitude spoke for itself: though the woman was a mere vixen, Priscilla believed Anastasia wouldn't do something so classless and stupid.」
「"Oh, let the 'Princess-disease' girl leave. It doesn't matter; in fact, it's better if she's gone. She's an eyesore anyway. Since she's in such a hurry to go back and rot in her mansion, let her."」
「Felt sneered. Having grown up in the slums, she hated nobles, especially high-ranking nobles like Priscilla who were so arrogant and full of themselves.」
「"Anyway, the Princess-disease lady is just so noble~"」
「Felt's sarcasm caused a dangerous light to appear in Priscilla's eyes. Had Reinhard not been present, she would have smashed her fan down by now. "Since you understand my nobility, do not let your lowly lips touch my name. To be in the same room and behold my peerless countenance is already your greatest honor, you incurably vulgar thief."」
「"What did you say!"」
「"Lady Felt!"」
「The two voices followed in quick succession. Under Reinhard's gaze, a disgruntled Felt could only curl her lip and stop trying to start a fight.」
「"Miss Priscilla surely has something she needs to handle?" Anastasia's original intention was to mediate and soften the atmosphere, but unexpectedly, Priscilla glanced at the quietly observing Hikigaya Hachiman and actually answered: "It is simply the height of boredom—regarding that so-called Archbishop of Gluttony, if I don't make him spit out the arrogant fool I acknowledge, a great deal of my fun will be diminished."」
「"Are you going to hunt down Batenkaitos? I agree with that, but how do you plan to do it? It might be better if more people move with you, Miss Priscilla?"」
「"There is nothing in this world I cannot do. It is enough for the commoners to kneel and admire me; following me when I require no extra service is merely a burden."」
「Priscilla refused flatly, leading Al out of the hall and returning to her room to sleep alone. By early the next morning, she would let the world guide her to the Archbishop of Gluttony's location.」
「"I'm being looked down upon."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman could see it. This extremely haughty Priscilla clearly favored the pre-amnesia version of him; the current, post-amnesia version lacked the qualities Priscilla found interesting. For that reason, she was going to drag his memories back.」
「"Though I'm being belittled... since I'm being helped, there's nothing I can say."」
「Rubbing his eyes and gradually getting used to the effort of hiding his dead-fish eyes, Hachiman gave a bitter smile. Logically, he should be grateful to this Priscilla, but with someone so proud to the point of arrogance, he felt he shouldn't approach her.」
「Otherwise, a simple "thank you" might spiral into something very unpleasant.」
「After all, the other party seemed to really dislike the current him.」
「...While Hachiman was thinking about this, the simple Emilia had already waved toward Priscilla's departing back. With a pleasant voice full of emotion and gratitude, carrying the weight of two people, she sincerely thanked the Priscilla who had stepped forward.」
「"Do not be so sentimental. My actions are born only of my own heart; your gratitude is merely redundant—however, it is not bad. Worthy of praise. I shall commend you once, foolish half-devil."」
「It wasn't tsundere, but true arrogance. Priscilla's figure vanished into the night, her words drifting away with the wind.」
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