Chapter 424. You Should Also Consider Puck's Safety, Darling~
Granting mercy to Roswaal was a decision in which Beatrice's pleading was actually the least significant factor.
There were two far more important reasons: first, Roswaal was genuinely repenting; second, his power was insufficient—as long as the reins were held tight, he couldn't stir up much trouble.
Because he posed no threat, he could be spared.
But neither of these reasons applied to Echidna.
As a near-omniscient Witch, no one could be certain whether Echidna hid knowledge in her mind that could bypass a contract, and there was no way to verify it through questioning. The priority and effect of Divine Protections were not as powerful or absolute as Authorities. Even if Reinhard's Divine Protection identified that Echidna was telling the truth, Hachiman Hikigaya didn't dare believe it.
Who knew if Echidna, possessing the world's knowledge, had created a forbidden spell over the last four hundred years to deceive Divine Protections, or if her Authority could simply shield her.
Furthermore, Echidna made it clear that her goal was to explore the unknown. For that sake, no crazy behavior she might exhibit would be surprising. Reinhard was indeed the strongest in the world, but Hachiman still maintained absolute vigilance and focus regarding Echidna.
With both the capability and the motive, a terrifying existence like Echidna—who could move pieces in the shadows and subvert the world as silently as fine rain—would give Hachiman nightmares if she didn't die completely.
Although he was definitely returning to Earth eventually, he naturally hoped that before then, he could prune these threats and leave a stable world for the likes of Emilia and Anastasia. Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to sleep soundly.
"Hmm~"
Echidna tapped her finger lightly on the tabletop. She thought for a moment and easily deduced the thoughts of the man before her.
Glancing at the world's strongest Sword Saint who was ready to strike, Echidna didn't bother with mystery. Just as Hachiman knew that trying to use rhetoric or schemes on her was a pure waste of time, it was also very difficult for her to trick him. Under the premise that their information and status were equal, she and Hachiman were rivals on the same level; neither could deceive the other.
In that case, she had no choice but to reveal her trump card directly to make the opponent "hesitate to pelt the rat for fear of smashing the vase."
"My... how stubborn. But, what if I said that I left trump cards inside my dear Beatrice, Puck, and Echidna-Fox? They were all created by me; do you think a person like me wouldn't pull a few strings?"
"You wouldn't! Stop slandering Betty's Mother! You fraud!"
Beatrice was fuming, shouting a reprimand: "The one who created us was a Mother even more perfect than Hachiman! She wouldn't have such filthy intentions! You fraud appeared after Mother died; how could you possibly have the chance to pull any tricks!"
"Hehe, you're right." Echidna laughed instead of getting angry. "Precisely because the Witch of Greed was a perfect person, she cherished life and the world like a saint."
"However, because of that, she would be even more likely to set up safety measures, wouldn't she? You can understand that, Hachiman Hikigaya."
Looking at Hachiman leisurely, Echidna's meaning was clear.
The strength of Beatrice and Puck at their peak was incredibly formidable. If they were ever deceived or if their temperaments changed such that they became a scourge to the world, the consequences would be unimaginable.
To avoid such a possibility, the life-cherishing Witch of Greed would naturally set up specific failsafes—and those failsafes were inherited by Echidna, becoming her current bargaining chip.
She thought this would force the sentimental Hachiman to yield, but Hachiman merely patted the head of the anxious Beatrice and looked back at Echidna with equal confidence.
He asked a leisurely counter-question: "Why don't you guess what kind of effects my Authorities of Gluttony and Greed have?"
She froze slightly. Only then did Echidna, who had read all his experiences since arriving in this world, react: "You went to pick up three Witch Factors first... just for this moment?"
Based on Hachiman's personality, rather than power, he should have gone to see Beatrice and Shaula first. Yet he went to collect Witch Factors first, clearly to ensure he had enough strength to judge Echidna with a surplus of power.
"It was the same back in the Royal Capital. Before leaving, you instructed Reinhard to send a message to those two young girls, telling them to stay away from and restrain Puck and Echidna-Fox for the time being... It seems you anticipated my trump card long ago."
Echidna sighed slightly. In this round of the game, she was indeed slightly outmatched.
Regarding Echidna's realization, Reinhard felt a doubt in his heart clear up and exclaimed in wonder: "So that's why the future Hachiman, in the year after the Sanctuary trials ended, never once had the thought of contacting me to kill you?"
"That's because the future Hachiman hadn't obtained the Witch Factors and Authorities at that time, and couldn't guarantee he could resolve the failsafes you placed on the Great Spirits! I see!"
The successive realizations and explanations from Echidna and Reinhard left Garfiel and Beatrice stunned. Then, they puffed out their chests, their faces full of pride.
This was his General; this was her contractor!
"For the safety of those few, you once gave up the chance to kill me. You are quite the romantic~ Hmm, though that's not quite right. At the very least, you probably don't have much deep affection for Echidna-Fox; you're just afraid I'd manipulate her to harm your Anastasia, aren't you?
Or perhaps, you're afraid that if I killed the Fox via remote control, it would make your beloved Anastasia sad and heartbroken~"
Seeing that threats were useless, Echidna's eyes darted around. She covered her mouth and began playing the emotional card. "How about it? Without me, you and those two girls, Crusch and Anastasia, wouldn't have any options other than being enemies, you know?"
"Healthy competitors and enemies are different; don't try to blur the lines." Hearing the names of those two gave Hachiman a bit of a headache. "And if it weren't for you... are you trying to provoke me, Echidna? Do you want your death to be more painful?"
"Provocation? Wrong. I am guiding you, trying to make you understand that I have done you a favor. No matter what, you can't deny that having those two 'genuine' girls fall in love with you truly made you feel happy and satisfied, right?"
Having lost one move, Echidna sought to compensate. In terms of deep scheming, caution, and far-reaching strategy, Hachiman was indeed an equal match for her. But in terms of emotions, the heartless and loveless Echidna held far too much of an advantage.
She positioned herself as a benefactor, intending to taunt and tease Hachiman.
Echidna chuckled, "A day as husband and wife means a hundred days of grace. You should also cherish the happy times you spent with Anastasia~"
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