More Important Matters

The middle-aged man remained silent for a moment.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing."

"Explain."

"Princess Priscilla... no, the head of the Barielle House, she's currently gaining momentum in the competition for the throne of the Lugunica Kingdom, and there are rumors that she's had contact with Higashino Makoto."

Vincent paused, a look of interest on his face.

"Oh? Interesting."

He stood up and walked to the window.

"But don't worry, my sister is definitely not the type to be subservient to others, and the other party seems to be the same way. The two sides cannot unite."

Kararagi City-State, Capital City, Chamber of Commerce Meeting Hall.

Anna Hessin sat at the head of the long table, her long, light purple hair cascading over her shoulders, her purple eyes fixed on the intelligence report before her.

She wore a gorgeous purple dress with a gold brooch at the neckline, engraved with the logo of the Hoshin Company.

"Higashino Makoto... the Silver Paladin... the Witch Slayer..."

She put down the intelligence report and leaned back in her chair.

"Interesting. One person killed all the Sin Archbishops, even the Witch of Envy. Does he want to become a savior?"

Sitting opposite her was a tall man, Ricardo Wilkin, an executive of the Hoshin Company, Orc, whose ears twitched slightly in the sunlight.

"Young Miss, this person is dangerous."

"I know."

"Are you still interested?"

Anna smiled, a more shrewd smile, like a businessman spotting a new market.

"Danger also means opportunity. If we can get his support, Wang Xuan will almost certainly succeed."

She stood up and walked to the window.

"Send someone to Lukenica to make contact with Higashino Makoto. Be polite; he's a strongman, and strongmen deserve respect."

Gusteko Holy Kingdom, Royal Capital, Sanctuary.

The old man sat in a high-backed chair, holding a scepter in his hand, his gray eyes gazing at the enormous statue before him.

He wore a long white robe with a golden cross embroidered on the hem, and a necklace made of unknown gemstones hung on his chest.

His hair was gray and his face was aged, but his gray eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's.

Higashino Makoto.

He uttered the name in a hoarse voice.

"The Silver Paladin, the Witch Slayer."

The cardinal standing behind him nodded.

"My lord, he single-handedly killed all the Sin Archbishops, even the Witch of Envy."

"This is a miracle."

"Grown ups?"

"Ordinary people can't do this. Only those chosen by God can."

The old man stood up, walked to the statue, and knelt down.

"Thank you, great God, thank you for sending your messenger to destroy the witch and purify this world."

"Sir, should we make contact with him?"

"Unnecessary."

The old man stood up and turned around.

"Don't bother him yet. After all, Reinhard van Astrea once said that he doesn't care about his reputation, and he probably wouldn't like our contact."

Novas Etier, Fourth Level, Silent Great Library.

Higashino Makoto leaned against a pillar at the entrance to the library, his golden eyes gazing at the witches in the common rest area.

Alice Kuonji stood behind him, holding a cup of black tea.

Reisen left, Elsa Granhiert didn't come, Meili played in the Garden.

Only witches, and those books that seem to never end.

Echidna.

"Um."

"The Vollachia Empire has sent envoys, the city-state of Karalaki has sent envoys, and the Gusteko Holy Kingdom has sent envoys; they wish to see me."

Echidna put down her book.

Do you see it?

"I don't want to see them, it's too much trouble."

Echidna looked at him.

"Higashino Makoto, you killed all the Sin Archbishops, you killed the Witch of Envy, you changed the landscape of this world. Those people want to see you not out of curiosity, but out of awe, out of fear. Because they need to confirm whether you are an enemy."

So, do you think I am?

"No."

"Then what are they afraid of?"

I'm afraid you'll become my enemy one day.

Echidna's tone was calm.

"The strong are always frightening."

"Then why aren't they afraid of Reinhard van Astrea?"

"I used to be afraid, but I'm not anymore. After all, he's a good person."

Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment, then stood up.

"If they're contacting me to see if I'm a good person, they're probably going to be disappointed."

"I don't think so. I think they'll be very satisfied."

"Really? But I don't have anything else to do."

"You don't need to do anything. Just continue doing what you're supposed to do: drink tea, read books, flirt with the maids. Then they'll understand that you have no interest in ruling the world, and that you have things you prefer to do."

"For example?"

"For example... come and teach Daphne how to cook fish."

Daphne's voice came from the kitchen.

"Hurry up and come help me Higashino Makoto! This time I'll make sure you say it's delicious!"

Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.

"They've arrived."

He turned around and walked towards the kitchen.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

Alice Kuonji's voice came from behind.

"How did the envoys from various countries respond?"

Higashino Makoto did not turn back.

Tell them I'm busy and don't have time to see guests. Don't come if you have something to say, and definitely don't come if you don't.

Alice Kuonji remained silent for a moment, then lowered her head.

"... good."

Higashino Makoto walked into the kitchen. Daphne stood in front of the stove, looking at the fish in the pot, her gray twin ponytails swaying slightly in the steam.

She held a spatula in her hand; the fish in the pan was slightly burnt, but it smelled delicious.

"Higashino Makoto, have a taste."

Higashino Makoto took the chopsticks, picked up a piece of fish, and put it in his mouth.

Chewed it, swallowed it, and gave his evaluation.

It's too salty.

"It's too salty again?"

"Well, it's a little better than last time."

Daphne's lips curled up slightly.

"That's good. I heard people outside call you the Witch Slayer?"

Daphne thought for a moment.

"But I don't think you're an assassin, you're a chef."

"Chef?"

"Yes. You cleaned up all the spoiled, rotten, and inedible food. Then you made us some new stuff."

Higashino Makoto looked at her, a gentle light flashing in his eyes.

"Not bad, you're very good at talking. I'll give you extra points next time I try it."

I'm just telling the truth.

Higashino Makoto smiled and reached out to ruffle her hair.

"Keep it up, but use less salt next time."

"Good."

In the kitchen, the fish was still frying in the pan, filling the air with its aroma.

Higashino Makoto stood by the stove, watching Daphne clumsily flip the spatula, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Meili's laughter echoed from the Garden, Alice Kuonji stood in the corridor drinking tea, and the witches were arguing.

It was just another ordinary day for Novas Etier.

In the outside world, his name is being sung, revered, feared, and worshipped.

But he didn't care.

He has more important things to do.