Chapter 16(211): I've Never Seen Someone This Unappreciative
During this peaceful month, Hikigaya barely had any time for himself.
Early mornings were spent training the militia while honing his own skills. During the day, he handled mansion chores. At night, he studied the language of this world.
Aside from that, most of his free time was spent either reading with Beatrice in the Forbidden Library or chatting with Meili in the dungeon.
He had completely adapted to his new life. Of course, he was still observing Roswaal, but aside from certain periods, Roswaal was usually nowhere to be found.
If there was anyone who had changed the most, it was Meili.
At first, she barely spoke at all. Now, she eagerly waited every day for Hikigaya to bring her snacks, occasionally recounting her past to him.
This allowed Hikigaya to better understand just how inexperienced, and young, she really was.
"Hey! If you're going to the Royal Capital, bring me something tasty!"
"Got it. Don't cause any trouble while I'm gone."
"Bleeeh!"
She stuck out her tongue at him. Hikigaya simply smiled back.
---
[Priscilla: "Unbelievable. This man's kindness is incomprehensible. Showing mercy to an enemy is cruelty to oneself, does he not understand such a simple truth?"]
[Al: "Maybe because the other party's just a kid."]
[Priscilla: "Foolish."]
[Anastasia: "Oh my? Since when did you start worrying about him? That's rare."]
[Priscilla snapped her fan shut, covering her face: "Who says I'm worried? I simply can't stand watching such stupidity. Only an idiot could act like this. Hmph, but fine. He's part of Emilia's camp. It has nothing to do with me."]
[Crusch: "I don't think this is a good thing… He's already aware of how terrifying his ability is. With that, no normal person could ever discover his Return by Death. If the number of uses is unlimited, he can advance however he wishes, and we'd have no way to stop him."]
[The same Crusch who once considered imprisoning Hikigaya now only hoped she would never face him as an enemy.]
[Anastasia: "What a shame. He'd make a fine merchant."]
---
After bidding farewell to Ram, Beatrice, and the villagers, the four-person group, Roswaal, Emilia, Rem, and Hikigaya, set off for the Royal Capital.
Though the journey was long, the constant conversation and Hikigaya's enjoyment of the otherworldly scenery made it far from unpleasant.
…
The moment they entered the capital, Hikigaya felt a wave of familiarity.
It hadn't been that long, but this was indeed where he had first arrived in this world, the alley, the fruit vendor, the iconic dragon carriage.
Everything felt strangely familiar.
The difference was that back then, he had been utterly lost.
Now… he had a purpose.
He also quickly noticed that the capital, already crowded by nature, was now packed to the point of suffocation.
When Emilia stepped down to stroll through the streets, she tightly held Hikigaya's hand to keep him from getting lost.
"Emilia, I'm not a child."
"No. If you get lost, it'll be troublesome."
"I said I'm not a child…"
"Hikigaya-kun is very smart, but also very troublesome."
'Well… you figured me out.'
'Come to think of it, I caused quite a mess here before. Back then… I foolishly pulled off her hood and caused her endless trouble.'
As they talked, a handsome man in knight's attire with purple hair approached them.
"Greetings, Lady Emilia. How has this past month treated you?"
Noticing Emilia holding Hikigaya's hand, Julius did not kneel to kiss her hand, instead offering a polite nod, which Emilia returned.
"Julius. It really has been a while."
"And this gentleman is…?"
"My name is Hikigaya Hachiman. I suppose you could call me Emilia's knight, though I don't have much skill to speak of."
Upon hearing the name 'Hikigaya Hachiman', Julius' expression turned to astonishment.
"So you are Hikigaya Hachiman. Please forgive my earlier discourtesy."
"I'm not someone worthy of your respect. As I said, I'm only half-baked."
"No. To face an opponent who could take your life at any moment, as a mere ordinary man, that alone fulfills the qualifications of a knight. No… even surpasses them. Please allow me to express my respect."
'Reinhard definitely told him.'
Though it wasn't Hikigaya's intention, it was too late now.
"If possible, I'd prefer we interact on more equal footing. It'd make things more comfortable."
"No, this respect is my personal choice. If you wish to become my close friend, I would gladly accept!"
'…That's not what I meant at all. So knights really are all stubborn like this, huh.'
With no way to deal with him, Hikigaya could only smile helplessly.
"Now then, Lady Emilia, please allow me to escort you to the Conversation Mirror."
"Uh… I think I'll pass." Hikigaya said hesitantly. It wasn't fear, he just didn't know what the mirror was for.
Sensing his reluctance, Emilia didn't push him. She leaned close and whispered: "Wait here obediently. I'll be back soon."
"Ah, okay…"
Watching Emilia and Julius leave, Hikigaya finally let out a sigh of relief.
'That Julius guy is just as hard to deal with as Hayama.'
---
[Hayama: "Do you have some kind of grudge against me, Hikigaya-kun?"]
[Hikigaya: "Do I? Not at all!"]
[Hina: "You totally do, but this is great! Hachiman × Hayama!"]
[Miura: "Hina, you're misunderstanding this completely."]
---
Though he agreed to wait, getting lost was impossible. Sitting around doing nothing would be a waste, so he decided to gather information instead.
While wandering earlier, he had noticed the entire commercial street was dominated by orange-colored outfits.
Such extensive coverage implied a monopoly, either a major family or corporation. With the Royal Selection underway, this was clearly their chance to rake in profits.
Hikigaya had no leverage against such competitors. Even if he wanted to profit, it was far too late.
'As expected of merchants.'
With nothing to buy, he continued wandering, until he spotted three familiar figures engaging in suspicious whispers.
Curiosity got the better of him, and unlike before, he now had means of self-defense.
'Even after Reinhard scared them off, they went back to their old ways.'
'No matter the world, lack of money is always the greatest enemy.'
Thanks to his training, Hikigaya moved silently as he followed them into an alley.
At its depths rested a girl in a blood-red dress, lounging with casual elegance.
'Calling the guards would be the best option, but meaningless.'
'As long as they're alive and desperate, they'll keep causing trouble.'
'So…'
Hikigaya gripped his throwing knife and stepped in.
Just as expected, the three thugs, led by the white-haired delinquent, surrounded the girl.
Strangely, she showed no fear at all, as if everything were under her control.
'Only absolute power produces that kind of composure.'
At a glance, Hikigaya knew she was no ordinary person.
Beautiful, but undoubtedly a thorned rose.
"Boss… look behind you."
"Huh?"
When the white-haired thug turned around, surprise flickered across his face. Seeing Reinhard wasn't there, he sneered.
"What a coincidence. This guy's a total weakling. Without Reinhard, this place is ours!"
Ignoring him, Hikigaya kept his gaze on the relaxed girl in red.
"Just to be sure, do you not need my help?"
"Hmph. Mortal. Even without you, I have no problems at all."
"Then I suppose I'm being unnecessary. Please, go ahead. Just leave them breathing, I have something to discuss with them afterward."
"Oh? I don't intend to listen to you, but killing people in the capital is inconvenient."
The two completely ignored the three thugs between them, engaging in conversation as if no one else existed.
"Hey, boss… don't you think they're being way too arrogant? They're even more defiant than us."
"Tch. Screw it, kill them."
Although the three thugs rushed in together, it was obvious they had zero interest in Hikigaya.
After all, who would ignore a stunning beauty just to deal with a powerless nobody?
In their eyes, walking straight into this situation was nothing but his own stupidity.
However… the outcome didn't need much explanation.
By the time Priscilla casually brushed the dirt off her hands, not even ten seconds had passed.
The three thugs lying before them had already lost all ability to fight.
Still, compared to the thugs, Priscilla was far more curious about the dead-fish-eyed man standing nearby.
She told him not to interfere, and he really didn't.
Strangely enough, he even kept his word.
That, however, made Priscilla extremely displeased.
After all, wasn't his indifference basically saying that 'Priscilla Barielle had no charm whatsoever'?
Sensing the intense gaze fixed on him, Hikigaya instantly understood what she was thinking.
'Women are such a pain… this isn't okay, that isn't okay either… but anyway, '
"Thank you… for not killing them."
"I didn't do it for you!"
Too annoyed to waste any more words on him, Priscilla strode away in her striking high heels, 'click-clack, click-clack'. With her arms crossed and an irritated expression.
Hikigaya could tell he had, once again, unknowingly angered another woman.
But this time it wasn't really his fault, right?
She herself said she didn't need help, yet if he still stepped in, wouldn't that just be self-righteous?
'Besides, those three clearly weren't targeting me anyway…'
For Priscilla, this was probably one of the most irritating days she had ever experienced.
If possible, she wanted to forget everything that just happened, immediately.
Watching her leave, Hikigaya didn't try to stop her.
After all, they were strangers who had met only once, and since she could handle things herself, his job here was done.
Of course, he still had another purpose.
"White hair. What's your name?"
"The hell's it to you?"
"I know what kind of situation you're in. If you had money, you wouldn't be robbing people. And this line of work comes with plenty of 'accidents', like getting beaten up today. I'm guessing it's happened more than once."
"Boss…"
"How about this, join my army. I'll provide food and housing. What do you say?"
"…What?"
"You're not dreaming."
"Why should I believe you? You're a powerless weakling. I don't follow the weak. If it were that girl from earlier, maybe, but you? No."
Hikigaya deliberately put on a 'well, whatever' expression and turned to leave.
He felt no pressure at all.
Capable people weren't rare in this world, he was simply offering these thugs a chance to turn their lives around.
"Boss…"
"Boss, shouldn't we at least think about it? We can't keep living like this…"
"Tch… spineless."
"But boss, are we really going to rob people for the rest of our lives? This is a rare opportunity!"
After being worn down by his two subordinates, the white-haired thug finally relented.
"…Fine. I accept."
As expected, Hikigaya simply nodded.
"From now on, you're part of my army. You'll return to the village with us later. And I'll give you another opportunity."
"What kind?"
"There are plenty of capable thugs like you in this country, right? Anyone willing to follow me will receive the same treatment. And you will be the one managing them."
Stunned by the sudden offer, the white-haired thug was completely frozen.
Just how far did this man's vision extend?
"So… Can I ask your name now?"
"My name is Hoffman Rachins. But you can call me Chin…"
"My name is Hikigaya Hachiman. A pleasure."
---
[Felix: "Recruiting combat power like this feels kinda shameless, nya~!"]
[Crusch: "The strength would be uneven and hard to control, but if managed properly, it could become a formidable force. Recruiting manpower at such a low cost… is this also due to his insight?"]
[Who would normally think of turning a group of street thugs into soldiers?]
[Wilhelm: "I have a feeling he'll bring us many surprises in the future."]
[Crusch: "If so… whether that's good or bad remains to be seen."]
---
Hikigaya returned to the agreed meeting place to wait for Emilia, just as he always did.
He had no intention of telling her about sneaking off, or about the arrogant red-dressed girl he'd encountered.
When he saw Emilia again, she wore the same gentle smile as always. To Hikigaya, it looked like she was hiding bitterness behind it.
Since she didn't plan to say anything, neither did he.
As Emilia held his hand and led him through the winding streets, Hikigaya silently followed behind her.
"Hikigaya-kun, next we'll be going to Crusch's residence. She has an excellent mage who can treat your damaged life gate."
"Mm…"
Back when he ate the Devil Fruit, Hikigaya had already considered the possibility of losing magic forever.
But since this opportunity was something Emilia fought for, he didn't refuse.
…
"Greetings, Lady Emilia. My name is Wilhelm van Astrea. It is an honor to meet you."
'Same family name as Reinhard…'
Emilia immediately returned the greeting politely.
Although Wilhelm appeared to be little more than a household attendant, Hikigaya could tell, the aura he exuded was anything but ordinary.
"This is Hikigaya Hachiman, the one who will be receiving treatment today."
"Greetings…" Wilhelm lowered his head and extended his hand.
Hikigaya lightly shook it.
The moment their skin made contact, Wilhelm's expression instantly changed.
He sharply raised his head, staring at Hikigaya while breathing heavily.
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise…"
Realizing his lapse, Wilhelm averted his gaze, but continued to observe Hikigaya from time to time.
Under Wilhelm's guidance, Hikigaya soon met a cat-eared… 'man'.
"Hello~! I'm Felix! You're the one I'll be treating today, right?"
"…This doesn't feel very reliable."
"Hahahaha! How rude! In this country, I might be the 'only' one who can heal you, nya~!"
"Where's the treatment room? I'm not picky, doing it here is fine too."
Caught off guard, Felix burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
Emilia covered her face, laughing quietly to the side.
Only Wilhelm maintained his serious, vigilant gaze on Hikigaya.
Felix said cheerfully, "We can start treatment anytime, but first I'll take you to see my Lady Crusch! She specifically asked us to treat you well!"
'So this entire castle belongs to her… How many princesses does this country even have?! Being rich is nice…'
When Hikigaya finally saw Crusch, what he felt was a calm, dignified presence.
She carried herself like a seasoned warrior, despite being a woman, she exuded a unique charisma, completely different from the red-dressed woman in the alley.
Talking too much with someone like this would only reveal information.
Until he knew whether she was friend or foe, Hikigaya put away his smile and remained silent.
Crusch, on the other hand, displayed her charisma naturally through her words and gestures, leaving a deep impression on him.
Even so… she revealed nothing of importance.
Both sides were on guard against each other, an instinct rooted deep in their bones.
The treatment proceeded methodically and would last an entire month.
After Hikigaya and Emilia left, Crusch let out a rare sigh of relief.
Wilhelm spoke quietly: "My lady… did you notice him?"
"Yes. Sir Hikigaya's presence feels gloomy, yet he is far from insignificant. Every word he spoke was free of lies under my Wind Blessing, but every answer was unbearably ambiguous. As if he had already seen through me, asking and answering with the conclusion in hand. I couldn't tell whether he was telling the truth at all."
"Or rather… There is nothing false about him. One could even say he is the truth itself."
"Wilhelm, please keep an eye on him. I have a feeling… he carries countless secrets."
(End of this chapter)