Priscilla

Dinner was served in the small dining hall on the Seventh Floor.

Higashino Makoto sat in the main seat, with Alice Kuonji sitting to his right. Rem stood by the dining table, while Ram stood far away at the door. Head maid Frederica Baumann was in the kitchen helping the chef.

Meili sat next to Elsa Granhiert, her emerald green eyes fixed on Alice Kuonji, hugging her teddy bear, her little brows furrowed.

"Sister, that sister is so pretty."

"Um."

But why doesn't she smile?

Elsa Granhiert glanced at Alice Kuonji.

She probably won't smile.

"Can't laugh? Everyone laughs."

Everyone is different.

Meili tilted her head, her emerald green eyes filled with confusion.

She stood up, walked to Alice Kuonji, and looked up at her.

"Elder sister."

Alice Kuonji lowered her head, her dark pupils fixed on the little girl.

"... Um."

Why aren't you smiling?

Alice Kuonji remained silent for a moment.

"... There's nothing I want to laugh about."

Meili thought about it for a moment and didn't pursue the matter further.

That night, in Higashino Makoto's bedroom.

Moonlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, bathing the room in a silvery glow.

Higashino Makoto lay on the bed, his golden eyes staring at the ceiling.

Alice Kuonji lay beside him, her long black hair scattered on the pillow, her dark pupils gazing at the crescent moon.

Her body was slightly stiff; she wasn't used to sleeping with someone else.

"Alice Kuonji, are you nervous?"

"... a little."

Higashino Makoto reached out and gently took her hand; Alice Kuonji's fingers trembled slightly.

It's really quite novel; even someone with Reisen's personality wouldn't exhibit this kind of behavior.

"... You'll get used to it gradually."

The two of them lay there, neither speaking nor moving.

The moonlight shone on them, turning everything silvery white.

Alice Kuonji's fingers gradually relaxed, and her body became less stiff.

She turned her head, closed her eyes, and her eyelashes trembled.

Higashino Makoto looked at her profile; the moonlight fell on her pale skin, outlining her features like a doll.

Well, let's let her get used to it first.

Alice Kuonji, Yuzhu.

"... Good night."

The Astreya family mansion in the capital of the Kingdom of Lukenica.

Higashino Makoto walked on the stone path in front of the mansion.

Alice Kuonji followed half a step behind him, wearing a black maid outfit with a skirt that reached her knees and a white bow at the neckline. Her white headband gleamed softly in the sunlight.

She carried a small bag, her face expressionless, her dark pupils gazing ahead, her steps light and quiet.

"Alice Kuonji."

"Exist."

What kind of person do you think Reinhard van Astrea was?

Alice Kuonji thought about the information that Higashino Makoto had brought back, as well as what Reisen had said.

"Very strong, but very tiring."

"Tired?"

"He carried too much on his shoulders, and his personality was too upright, so he was very tired."

Higashino Makoto glanced at her.

"You've got a good eye. But I personally think he almost brought it on himself."

"You mean it."

Higashino Makoto nodded and continued walking forward.

The mansion's gates came into view: two heavy oak doors, with a fully armed knight standing on each side of the door frame, his silver armor gleaming, his spear pointing straight to the sky.

Upon seeing Higashino Makoto, both knights lowered their heads simultaneously. Then, one of them turned and ran into the mansion, finding Reinhard van Astrea.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto has arrived."

Higashino Makoto didn't wait long. He stepped through the gate, crossed the courtyard, and walked along the path paved with white gravel.

Then, he saw someone.

Not Reinhard van Astrea.

It was a woman.

Her long, wavy hair, orange with a pinkish-orange tint, shimmered like flames in the sunlight.

She wore a gorgeous red dress with a low neckline, revealing a glimpse of her fair chest.

He held a folding fan in his hand; the fan was black, and golden roses were painted on its surface.

A smile always lingered on her lips, her eyes haughty, giving off a condescending air no matter who she looked at.

Priscilla Baliel.

One of the five chosen ones of the Lugunica Kingdom, the head of Barielle House, known as the "Crimson Bride".

She stood there, with a tall man behind her, wearing a tattered helmet that covered his entire head, and a long sword hanging at his waist.

His eyes peered through the helmet at Higashino Makoto, a hint of wariness in them.

Al, Priscilla's servant.

They appear to be androids created by Echidna?

The Witch of Greed is truly wicked.

"Oh dear, oh dear--"

Priscilla opened her folding fan and gently fanned herself.

"I wondered who it was, but it turns out to be the recently famous Witcher."

Higashino Makoto stopped in his tracks.

Do you know me?

"I don't know you, but I've heard your name before, Higashino Makoto, the hunter who hunts down the Witch Cult."

She tilted her head, and her long orange hair slipped down her shoulder.

"However, I don't quite believe it."

"Don't believe in what?"

"I don't believe you can hunt down Sin Archbishops."

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

"If you don't believe me, fine, I didn't intend for everyone to believe me anyway. But I still want to ask, why?"

"Because you don't look like it at all. I was watching you before, and I noticed you were constantly flirting with your maid. You really don't seem like the type to hunt witches."

Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment, then laughed, finding it amusing.

"You have a keen eye; I certainly don't look like it."

"Of course, my eyesight is excellent."

Higashino Makoto glanced at Alice Kuonji.

Alice Kuonji's expression remained unchanged; her black pupils stared at Priscilla, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

That's great, another novel experience.

If it were any of the other guardians, they would probably have already started arguing with her, or even fighting.

Higashino Makoto withdrew his gaze.

"Alice Kuonji, what do you think of her?"

Alice Kuonji remained silent for a moment.

"... It's very noisy."

Priscilla paused, somewhat incredulous; this was the first time she had ever heard such praise.

"What did you say?"

I said, you're noisy.

Priscilla's lips twitched slightly.

"You scoundrel, do you even know who I am?"

"I know, Priscilla Baliel, one of the five chosen ones, the head of the Barielle House, known as the 'Crimson Bride,' and blessed by the sun."

Alice Kuonji spoke calmly, as if she were reading a resume.

"But I still have to say, you're very noisy."

Priscilla looked at her for a long time, then smiled.

The smile wasn't one of anger or embarrassment, but rather one tinged with interest.

"Interesting, your maid is very interesting."

"She's not a maid, she's a secretary."

What's the difference?

Higashino Makoto thought for a moment and then gave his answer.

"The maids are responsible for serving tea and water, while the secretary serves tea and water, and can also chat with me and handle work."