Hunting Envy

Priscilla's lips curled up slightly.

"So, she's one of yours?"

"Right."

Priscilla closed her folding fan, walked up to Alice Kuonji, and looked down at her. She was half a head taller than Alice Kuonji.

Orange eyes scrutinized that expressionless face.

What's your name?

"Kuonji Alice."

"Kuonji... I've never heard of that surname before. It sounds like something you'd only hear about from the Kararagi City-State."

"I wasn't born in that country; I belong to Novas Etier."

Priscilla frowned slightly.

Where is that?

You don't need to know.

Priscilla stared at her for a long time.

Then, she turned around and looked at Higashino Makoto.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, I've heard that you're hunting down the Witch Cult. Sloth, greed, gluttony, lust, wrath... I've heard of them all. But I haven't heard of any of them being killed yet."

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

That's because no one is advertising it.

"Why? If you really killed them, why didn't you let others know?"

Because I don't need it.

Priscilla's brow furrowed even more.

"Unnecessary?"

"Yes. I don't need anyone's approval, praise, or worship. I kill them because I want to, not because I want to be Hero."

Higashino Makoto paused for a moment before continuing.

"Also, remember to avoid speaking ill of people in front of them directly. If I had a bad temper, you might already be dead."

Priscilla stared at him for a long time.

Then, she smiled with interest and covered her face with her fan.

"Higashino Makoto, you're a very interesting person."

"I know."

"Then let me ask you a question: Did you really kill all the Sin Archbishops?"

"Right."

"Only the Witch of Envy remains. I came to see Reinhard van Astrea today to have him help me kill the Witch of Envy."

Priscilla's pupils contracted slightly, and she closed the fan in her hand.

"Satella, the Witch of Envy? You're insane! You actually want to kill the legendary Witch of Envy Satella! She was sealed away by three legendary figures working together four hundred years ago."

"Therefore, I will call Reinhard van Astrea."

Priscilla stared at him for a long time.

Then she opened her folding fan to cover her face and turned around.

"Al is gone."

Al was taken aback.

"Young Miss, aren't we here to see the Sword Saint?"

"Come another day."

"Why?"

"Because I need to think about it."

She strode out of the mansion. Al glanced at Higashino Makoto, then followed her.

After taking a few steps, Priscilla stopped without looking back.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

"Um."

What I said just now was incorrect.

"Oh, the proud Sun Princess actually chose to admit her mistake?"

"Heh, what image do you have of me? Never mind, anyway, I was wrong to say that you've been flirting with your maid and don't seem like the type to hunt witches. I apologize."

Higashino Makoto looked at her, full of surprise.

"That's right, admitting your mistakes and correcting them is a virtue, I like that."

"I am not the kind of person who knows she is wrong and refuses to correct it. Besides, you are right, one should indeed avoid speaking ill of others in front of them."

She continued walking forward. Her footsteps faded into the distance, and Al followed behind her, a complex light flickering in his single eye.

Higashino Makoto watched her retreating figure, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"An interesting woman."

Alice Kuonji stood behind him.

Higashino Makoto nodded and continued walking forward.

"Let's go, Reinhard van Astrea is waiting."

Reinhard van Astrea stood on the steps of the mansion, his red hair gleaming like flames in the sunlight.

He was wearing a white shirt and black trousers, without armor or weapons, but with a long sword hanging at his waist that was not drawn.

His blue eyes looked at Higashino Makoto, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Welcome, Mr. Higashino Makoto."

"Have you been waiting long?"

"Not long ago, I just finished dealing with some things."

Priscilla?

Reinhard van Astrea.

"She came to talk to me about Wang Xuan. I told her I had guests and asked her to come another day, but she wasn't happy about it."

She's gone.

"I know, I just saw it."

Reinhard van Astrea turned to the side and made a "please" gesture.

"Come in."

Higashino Makoto strode into the mansion. Alice Kuonji followed behind him.

Reinhard van Astrea watched Alice Kuonji figure, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, who is this—"

"My secretary, Kuonji Alice."

"Secretary..."

"Right."

Reinhard van Astrea and didn't ask any further questions.

The three entered the mansion, walked through the corridor, and entered a spacious room.

The room wasn't large, but it was tastefully furnished, with a long table, a few chairs, and a huge map hanging on the wall.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the entire room.

Please have a seat.

Higashino Makoto sat down in the chair, with Alice Kuonji standing behind him.

Reinhard van Astrea sat down opposite him, his hands crossed on the table, his blue eyes looking at him.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, are you going to kill the Witch of Envy now?"

"Right."

"When?"

"Today."

Reinhard van Astrea paused for a moment, somewhat surprised, not expecting the other party to act so quickly.

Are you confident?

You're practically the world's favorite son; you could easily solo the Witch of Envy.

How could there be a problem with myself?

"Yes, but I need your help. The reason is simple: you're strong, excellent, and a good person."

Reinhard van Astrea looked at him.

"Thank you for your praise. Compared to you, who have hunted down numerous Sin Archbishops, I am truly insignificant."

"You're too modest. You are the strongest in this world."

Reinhard van Astrea remained silent for a long time.

It was long enough that the sunlight outside the window had moved from the east to the south, long enough that Alice Kuonji poured him a cup of tea, and long enough that the distant clock tower chimed.

Then he stood up.

"No problem, I'll go."

Higashino Makoto stood up.

Let's go.

What do I need to prepare?

"No need, take your sword."

Reinhard van Astrea looked down at the longsword at his waist.

"Dragon Sword" Reid, the sword of the "Sword Saint" throughout history, is the strongest sword in the world, and only those who possess the blessing of the "Sword Saint" can wield it.

The Dragon Sword possesses its own consciousness; it is a sword that will only be drawn when facing a suitable enemy, and it can sever Authority.

Moreover, it is extremely hard, making it a weapon that allows Reinhard van Astrea to unleash his full potential.

"No problem. Facing the Witch of Envy, I should be able to unsheathe the Dragon Sword. That way, I might be able to hold my own against her."

Alice Kuonji stood to the side, watching the two men, a complex light flashing in her dark pupils.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

"Um."

"Are you sure you don't need me to come along?"

"No need, you can wait here."

"... good."

Higashino Makoto stretched out his hand and made a light sweeping motion in the air.

A pitch-black spatial rift silently appeared before the three of them.

On the other side of the crevice, through the gray sky, the endless sandstorm, and the distant land scorched like glass.

Augria Sand Dunes.

The ruins of the Pleiades Watchtower, the Seal Stone Shrine.

Let's go.

Higashino Makoto stepped into the crevice.

Reinhard van Astrea took a deep breath and followed. The rift closed quietly after the two passed through.

Alice Kuonji stood there, gazing at the now-vanished door, her dark pupils reflecting the gray sky.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, all is well, my Mad Hatter."

Her voice was very soft.