Chapter 348. The Widow with Bursting Boyfriend Power (Part 2)
"Priscilla, as a person... tsk."
Kousaka Kyousuke didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It could be said that among all the people from this other world, the one he had the most complex feelings for now was Priscilla.
If Emilia is like a soccer player who plays poorly—most of the time just "passing" Hikigaya Hachiman away to others, being "cheated on" by Crusch and Anastasia without even realizing it, losing most of the time but occasionally making a brilliant play...
Then Priscilla is like a show-off table tennis player. Clearly, as long as she puts in a little effort, she could easily crush everyone else, but she refuses. She insists on her willful arrogance, only choosing to play one serious shot when she's on the verge of losing, stunning the entire crowd.
"When she's bad, she makes your teeth itch with hatred, but when she's good, she can move you so much that your opinion of her rivals Anastasia and Rem in an instant... Seriously, Priscilla is truly a master of accidental PUA."
If it were Emilia going to hunt down Batenkaitos for Hikigaya Hachiman, everyone would be moved, but it definitely wouldn't be this striking.
For someone as self-centered as Priscilla to be willing to take the initiative to find and fight someone for Hachiman—how self-absorbed, arrogant, and frustratingly "bad" she usually is creates a sharp contrast at this moment, making it even more touching.
"Hmph... she isn't entirely useless, that arrogant little girl."
Even Beatrice and Roswaal were influenced by this contrast.
Back in the mansion, Priscilla sat with her legs crossed, leaning back in her chair. Her eyes shifted, and the lips hidden behind her flame-red fan curved into a satisfied arc. Her future self's actions aligned with her current desires, which pleased her.
The next second.
"—The Witch Cult, Sin Archbishop of Gluttony Ley Batenkaitos, Sin Archbishop of Lust Capella Lugunica, and Sin Archbishop of Greed Regulus Corneas, have all been subjugated and slain by this Reinhard."
Magnificent speed dispersed the clouds. Accompanied by the whistling wind, Reinhard descended in a parabolic arc from the distant sky, returning to the Royal Capital.
Using a Divine Protection he had just requested, his voice was audible to the entire Royal Capital, and it continued to spread, potentially reaching the entire Kingdom of Lugunica over time—announcing it to the whole world.
The fact that three unsightly, disgusting clowns had been slain further increased the level of Priscilla's pleasant mood.
And the entire Royal Capital, after a moment of silence, erupted into unparalleled cheers!
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.
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「"Lastly, let's talk about the matter of the Prime Minister."」
「As soon as Anastasia finished speaking, Hikigaya Hachiman interrupted: "Excuse me, Miss Anastasia, can you tell me the specific reason why you call me that?"」
「Previously, Anastasia said it was so he wouldn't "renege on the debt," but he was completely in the dark. Moreover, from what he learned from Crusch, Anastasia was a meticulous and sophisticated successful merchant.」
「Most merchants who make it big have no conscience—they are textbook profiteers. It was highly likely such a person would fabricate stories to trick him. Hachiman had to settle the issue of this unique title in front of everyone.」
「Otherwise, if he were to inadvertently involve Emilia—the one he apparently served—it would be bad. After all, "Prime Minister" spoken in that tone sounded like an intimate, unique nickname no matter how you sliced it.」
「...However, the facts exceeded Hachiman's expectations. After Anastasia briefly explained the reason, both Emilia and Crusch acted as witnesses, confirming she wasn't lying.」
「"It just so happens you've lost your memories, so I thought, if I started calling you that in advance, maybe I could take the chance to pull you over from Miss Emilia's side? Just kidding, please don't mind me."」
「Anastasia's disguise was excellent; it was impossible to tell which of her words were true or false. She used a joke to skip over the topic, giving Hachiman no time to refuse letting her call him that early.」
「"It would be best if Miss Priscilla can catch the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony, but for a fellow who runs away the moment things look bad, I don't think it will go that smoothly. That's why I have my own methods as well."」
「The disguise was good, but Hikigaya Hachiman saw through it.」
「While carefully scrutinizing Anastasia, Hachiman found a flicker of anger on this merchant's face that she hadn't fully suppressed, as well as the gaze she occasionally swept over him... that gaze held such heartache and treasuring that he didn't dare look back.」
「Hachiman didn't like it; he didn't like being so highly valued by strangers he didn't even know. Anastasia was like this, Emilia was like this, Julius was like this... even Crusch was like this.」
「Just as he said, without his memories, he couldn't accept these gifts with a clear conscience. He felt he lacked the qualification.」
「But he was willing to try to understand—human memory is subjective, but even if memories vanish, the things one has done, those objective facts, do not disappear.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman didn't want to erase the hard-earned achievements of 'Hikigaya Hachiman' just because of his own self-deprecation.」
「He tried to project himself into a scenario. For example, if he lost his memories and thought it was his first day entering the Service Club, but in reality, he had already solved many problems for Yukinoshita, making her see him in a new light—even to the point where she would proactively brew black tea for him.」
「Thinking this way, Hachiman felt much better for the time being, making it easier to understand the feelings and behavior of Crusch and the others.」
「"The Pleiades Watchtower."」
「Anastasia said: "The Watchtower where the Sage Shaula is said to reside. Before the Prime Minister lost his memories, he and I had discussed going there together to seek a way to break the Authority of Gluttony and wake up Miss Rem. We had actually already made an agreement."」
「"Now, it's not just for Miss Rem's sake, but for the Prime Minister's own sake as well. A trip to the Watchtower is necessary no matter what—you shouldn't have any objections, right, Miss Emilia?"」
「Emilia nodded with great solemnity. "I am willing to try any method that can save Hachiman!"」
「"I am going too," Crusch suddenly interjected. "I am responsible for failing to protect Sir Hachiman. If I don't contribute here, I won't forgive myself."」
「Julius also spoke: "Lady Anastasia, not only as your knight but also as Hachiman-kun's close friend, I request to go along."」
「"This Great self wants to make up for his mistakes too," the dejected Garfiel added through gritted teeth.」
「"I also..." Reinhard hesitated. On one hand, he feared Batenkaitos might double back to Watergate City; on the other, he wanted to escort his best friend.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, meanwhile, watched in shock as these people scrambled to join.」
「'The more "Genuine" things you leave behind for me, the greater the pressure on me... Hikigaya Hachiman, sigh.'」
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