Witch Slayer
It wasn't until three days after returning to Novas Etier that Higashino Makoto learned his name had spread throughout the entire Re: Zero continent.
That morning, he was leaning against a pillar, holding a cup of black tea with Alice Kuonji in his hand, his eyes half-closed, enjoying the lingering aftertaste of the tea's unique fruity aroma melting on his tongue.
Alice Kuonji stood behind him, her black maid outfit impeccable, her face expressionless, her black pupils gazing at the artificial blue sky outside the window.
Meili sat on the hallway floor, hugging her teddy bear, her emerald green eyes fixed on her Alice Kuonji dress, counting the folds in the hem out of boredom.
"Big brother."
"Um."
How many pleats does that older sister's skirt have?
Higashino Makoto glanced at Alice Kuonji's skirt; the overly intricate lace trim made him turn his head away, and he gave a perfunctory reply.
"I don't know, you count them yourself."
"One, two, three, four..."
Meili began to count carefully.
Elsa Granhiert walked from the other end of the corridor, her long black hair swaying gently in the morning breeze, a lazy smile on her lips.
She held a letter in her hand; the envelope was white, and the seal was stamped with a red wax seal, resembling the coat of arms of a prominent family.
"Higashino Makoto, someone wrote you a letter."
"Who?"
"Sent from the House Astrea, by Reinhard van Astrea."
Higashino Makoto took the letter, opened it, and unfolded the letter.
The handwriting is neat and powerful, with each stroke carrying a sense of order that is almost rigid.
Higashino Makoto's gaze swept over the writing, his brows furrowing slightly, then relaxing, then furrowing again.
"Mr. Higashino Makoto: The news that the Sin Archbishops of the Witch Cult have been completely wiped out has spread throughout the Lugnica Kingdom through the House Astrea's channels, and everyone knows it. You said you don't need fame, but your achievements need to be remembered, so I apologize for taking the liberty of making this decision. Please forgive me— Reinhard van Astrea van Astreya."
Higashino Makoto put down the letter.
"That guy... said he didn't need any advertising."
Elsa Granhiert tilted her head.
Are you angry?
No, I just felt it wasn't necessary.
He had already obtained what he needed in this world, and he wasn't sure when it would come again, so he genuinely didn't care much.
"But he's right, your contributions need to be remembered."
Elsa Granhiert walked over to him, leaned against a pillar, and looked at him with her dark red eyes.
Since killing the Sin Archbishops, she seems to have become increasingly gentle, almost unrecognizable as the assassin she once was.
"Higashino Makoto, do you know what people outside call you?"
What should I call it?
"Witch Slayer."
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"... It sounds awful."
"I think it sounds pretty good."
Alice Kuonji stood behind him, expressionless.
"... The Witch Slayer is too bloody; the previous Silver Paladin was much better."
Higashino Makoto glanced at her.
"That title is used in another world, and the people in this world don't know about it. Besides, even if I did have that title, I wouldn't really care, since I'll probably rarely use it again in the future."
Alice Kuonji spoke calmly. She herself was actually given the title of witch, so she was very dissatisfied with the title of Witch Slayer.
"However, I prefer the title 'Silver Paladin,' so I told them that."
Higashino Makoto turned his head, somewhat curious that she would act on her own.
Who did you tell?
"The Ram and Rem Sisters, and that Orc maid, they asked, so I told them."
"Just answer their questions."
Higashino Makoto looked at her, his eyes revealing no emotion.
They insisted on asking.
Alice Kuonji looked at him, her dark pupils devoid of any emotion.
The two stared at each other for a few seconds. When a doll and a person look at each other, who will blink first?
No one blinked, Meili blinked first.
"Big brother."
"Um."
"That older sister said you're a paladin. What's a paladin?"
"It's a profession, like the knight profession in your world. There are more famous good people among them, and their reputations are generally quite good."
"Is that older brother a good person?"
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"... Probably?"
"Who is the older brother protecting?"
Higashino Makoto thought for a moment and then gave his answer.
"... You guys."
Meili smiled, a smile so innocent and radiant, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"That older brother is a good person!"
Higashino Makoto didn't say anything, but reached out and ruffled her hair before turning and walking deeper into the corridor.
"Alice Kuonji, let's go."
"Yes."
Alice Kuonji lifted her skirt and followed.
The fourth level is Silent Great Library.
When Higashino Makoto pushed open the door to the library, Echidna was sitting on the sofa, her long silver hair draped over her shoulders, her black pupils fixed on the book in her hands.
Beatrice sat beside her, her cream-colored double-curled ponytail cascading down her shoulders, her blue eyes also fixed on the book in her hands.
Typhon lay sprawled on the table, his crimson eyes half-closed, while Sekhmet lay on the bench, his long, crimson-purple hair cascading onto the cushions.
Echidna.
"Um."
She didn't look up.
"I'm planning to resurrect Satella and Pandora. Do you have any objections?"
"My opinion is that it's best not to resurrect them, especially Pandora."
"What's the reason?"
"Trouble, that guy won't let this go."
Higashino Makoto turned to ask the other witches and came to the same conclusion, which made him feel sorry for Pandora.
Not a single witch would speak up for her!
"Alright, then we won't revive Pandora for now."
Typhon raised his head from the table, his crimson eyes fixed on Higashino Makoto.
Higashino Makoto.
"Um."
People outside call you the Witch Slayer, but I don't like that.
I don't like it either.
"Then have them change it."
How to change it?
Typhon thought for a moment.
How about "Witch Protector"?
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment, thinking to himself, "What a terrible name. It's not even as good as 'Witch Slayer'."
But never mind--
"... Let's talk about it later."
Typhon tugged at his sleeve, clearly not giving up until he agreed.
"You are clearly our protector."
"Probably."
Typhon slumped back onto the table, a smile playing on his lips.
Sekhmet lay on the bench, his crimson-purple eyes half-open and half-closed.
Higashino Makoto.
"Um."
"I heard... you've become famous... isn't that troublesome...?"
"A little, but not unpleasant."
Higashino Makoto looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.
The Vollachian Empire, Imperial Capital, Emperor's Study.
Vincent Flacchia sat behind his desk, his deep purple eyes fixed on the intelligence report before him, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.
He wore a dark blue military uniform with a gold badge on his collar. His short, blond hair was meticulously combed, and his face was handsome yet cold.
Higashino Makoto.
He uttered the name, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"The Witch Slayer, the Silver Paladin."
The middle-aged man standing opposite him lowered his head.
"Your Majesty, should we make contact with him?"
"No rush."
Vincent leaned back in his chair.
"Let's see what he wants first. Killing all the Sin Archbishops is not something an ordinary person could do; he possesses superhuman strength, and perhaps also superhuman ambition—"
He paused.
"The Baharuth Empire needs to be wary of him."