Chapter 400. Because You Are the "Finest Knight," Julius
「A rumbling clamor resounded as the entire Mabeast Desert trembled, affecting the Pleiades Watchtower along with it, giving one the heartfelt illusion of an earthquake.」
「But in truth, it was not.」
「It was Mabeasts—thousands upon thousands of them congregating in one place, vibrating with a boiling bloodlust. In a display of utter madness, they ceased their infighting and charged toward the Watchtower with clear intent, as if competing for merit, constantly increasing their speed.」
「Weaker Mabeasts were trampled, their internal organs splattering out; even so, they continued to move their four legs, stubbornly rushing toward the tower until they drew their last breath.」
「The tide woven by the Mabeasts swept up sand and wind. Yellow sand filled the sky and dust billowed, making one mistakenly believe a sandstorm had arrived. But Crusch would have preferred a sandstorm, for the riot of the Mabeast horde was far more powerful, terrifying, and difficult to handle than a natural disaster!」
「"It's practically like a zombie horde. Shaula, has anything like this happened in the past four hundred years?"」
「"Never before, Master!"」
「Hachiman Hikigaya's heart began to beat as rapidly as a drumbeat following the invasion of the Mabeasts. He already understood that this was absolutely the precursor to an attack by the Sin Archbishops of Gluttony.」
「For beings who had plagued the world for at least a century by devouring the memories, existences, and even the Authorities of others, it was not surprising for them to possess magical knowledge or Divine Protections to manipulate Mabeasts.」
「Having originally thought they only had to deal with Ley and Roy, this unexpectedly spectacular scene left everyone looking grim. Casting aside all else, Hachiman immediately issued a command:」
「"—I'm counting on you, Shaula!"」
「Shaula gave an "Oh-yeah!", her spirit incredibly hyped. She spread her arms, and with that movement, mana was mobilized. Powerful white magic circles manifested in the air outside the walls of the tower, numbering in the dozens.」
「These were the full manifestation of the attack method that had once assaulted Hachiman's group.」
「"Infinite Hell Snipe!"」
「Breaking the sound barrier and causing friction in the air, streaks of white laser beams shot out in a dazzling offensive. Each blast would evaporate dozens of powerful Mabeasts within half a second.」
「Despite their vast numbers, under the sniping of the laser cannons, the menacing Mabeasts on this side were abruptly halted, unable to enter a certain range.」
「Shaula, going all out—this level of power frightened Crusch and the others who had once been her enemies. But now that she was an ally in the same camp, that shock transformed entirely into relief as they personally experienced her reliability.」
「"Please praise me, Master!"」
「"—I'm not your Master, but you truly are the best. Shaula, you're number one in the world!"」
「Only having time for a single word of praise, Hachiman had already followed the others to deal with other areas.」
「Massive numbers of Mabeasts were charging from all directions of the Pleiades Watchtower. Shaula could only protect half of the territory. The other half was left to Meili, Emilia, and Crusch to solve. Emilia's sky-covering ice brandishes and Crusch's " One Blow, One Hundred Felled " effectively dampened the spirit of the invaders on the other side.」
「Meili was doing her best to seize control of some Mabeasts, tempting them to turn back and fight against the Mabeasts controlled by the Sin Archbishop. Anastasia, as a frail non-combatant, was arranged to hide in the Green Room, protected by Ram, who was guarding Rem.」
「Julius and Hachiman Hikigaya stood at the entrance of the fourth floor, quietly awaiting the arrival of the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony.」
「"That day, I said nothing. Do you hate me, Hachiman-kun?" Wiping his beloved rapier, Julius spoke quietly amidst the roaring sounds.」
「Due to his complicated thoughts, he had been avoiding Hachiman these past few days. But at this moment, Julius knew he could no longer keep running away.」
「Julius did not have a shred of certainty that they could survive and win the battle against Gluttony. He knew that if he didn't say certain things now, there might never be another chance.」
「"You've never hidden who you are, Julius." Hachiman's reply took a different track; it seemed non-sequitur, but Julius already had a vague idea of what he wanted to say.」
「"Every time your title is mentioned, your eyes shine with light... 'Finest Knight.' This is your dream, your ambition, the honor you are willing to give everything to defend."」
「Hachiman glanced at him, his words like polished gems: "You are the Finest Knight, so regardless of what happens, your actions must fit that specific condition. Within the boundaries you have framed for yourself, you cannot transgress."」
「"A knight looks to their monarch for direction and follows their monarch's will. The 'Finest' knight must do so to the extreme... That day, Anastasia had her way of doing things. As the Finest Knight, whether you agreed or not, you would only follow and support her approach."」
「"Because that is what the 'Finest Knight' should do."」
「Hachiman's assessment was flawless. Julius gave a bitter smile and said heavily, "I have failed you... Looking at it now, your claims are likely all the truth."」
「"I don't hate you, Julius."」
「Julius's eyelids drooped, his expression quite somber. "But I wish you did hate me, Hachiman-kun... I, who betrayed a dear friend, might have been worthy of Lady Anastasia, but I am hardly qualified to be 'that Julius' of yours again."」
「"Look up, Julius. I have something to give you." Hachiman sighed. He patted Julius on the shoulder, making the other man look up and turn toward him.」
「"I—"」
「Bam!」
「Just as he was about to say he had no right to receive a gift, Julius looked up only to find a solid fist approaching from a distance. It struck him heavily on the face, the force making him stagger.」
「Before he could recover, Hachiman's hand grabbed his collar and pulled him close, the foreheads of the two men colliding.」
「"When you say you're not qualified, that's when you'll truly lose the right... Tell me, doesn't the 'Finest' in 'Finest Knight' mean aspiring to be the best? Is surrendering before the fight the style of the Finest Knight?"」
「Hachiman stared intently at the stunned Julius, giving him no room to breathe. Seeing through Julius, he prescribed the right medicine; his interrogation was like a hammer striking home.」
「"I don't care about Julius, but is the 'Finest Knight' just this kind of man? Is he only a man of this level? ——Even if it's just to prove it to me and Anastasia, shouldn't you try with every fiber of your being?"」
「"Don't let me look down on you, Finest Knight Julius!"」
「Boom!」
「The hammer struck. Julius was startled; his soul, his heart, and his body all vibrated in that instant with a numbing shock.」
「"That's right... I am the Finest Knight, Julius... Even if Julius wants to surrender, the 'Finest Knight' should never permit it!"」
「He looked with wide eyes at the man before him—the man who claimed that he had once been told they were best friends. With a sudden moment of clarity, he hugged Hachiman tightly. "I have truly been taught a lesson, my dear friend, Hachiman-kun."」
「"Yoshi yoshi~ Good, good! Because it is beautiful, it is beautiful! Friendship! Amity! The highest! The best! Our finest food! Bizarre Eating! Gluttony!"」
「Step, step, step.」
「Speaking those mocking, sarcastic words, the villain who interrupted these two new best friends—who had lost all their memories and were sharing their hearts from zero—was a short, ugly, and frenzied man.」
「Julius abruptly let go of Hachiman. He watched the unwelcome visitor warily. "State your name before the battle begins."」
「"Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult, representing Gluttony: Roy Alphard."」
「Roy grinned and licked his lips, drool dripping down. Hachiman shook his head gently: "The one who ate my memories was Ley... You aren't the person I'm waiting for. So, please just go ahead and die."」
「Clang.」
「The moment his friend's voice fell, the blade was drawn from its scabbard. Standing before the friend he was determined to protect, becoming a reassuring wall of strength, Julius pointed his sword at Roy. With a tone full of pride, he announced the title recognized and cherished by his friend.」
「"The Finest Knight, Julius Juukulius."」
「He turned his head slightly, using an overflowing heat to convey his feelings to his friend:」
「"I am the man who will achieve the 'Finest,' strike down the enemy's head, and be the dear friend of Hachiman Hikigaya. Please watch closely—my battle!"」
Read ahead (160 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting