Chapter 406. Hachiman's Authority of Lust
「Hikigaya Hachiman, having reclaimed his memories, sensed it immediately.」
「It was a seed. Grown under extreme nourishment and catalysis, it burst forth with unparalleled power—it was the Witch Factor of Capella, the Sin Archbishop of Lust, and the brand-new Authority of Lust derived from it, unique to Hikigaya Hachiman.」
「The Archbishops of Sloth and Wrath were not dead; the Archbishops of Gluttony had fled; he had never been to the site of the Archbishop of Greed's death. Only when Capella, the Sin Archbishop of Lust, was struck down by Priscilla—at that time and in that place—Hikigaya Hachiman had been present.」
「Outside that City Hall.」
「And so he obtained it. The immortal Witch Factor after Capella's death entered his body and soul, and at this time and place, the Witch Factor transformed into an Authority.」
「He didn't know why, among so many people present, the Witch Factor chose him specifically, but there were enough unsolved mysteries already. This was not the time to waste brain cells thinking about them; therefore, he simply attributed it to Satella, the Witch of Envy.」
「As natural as drinking water or breathing, Hachiman already grasped this, and after a moment of sorting through it, he understood the effect of his Authority of Lust.」
「"She is restless... Although I do not wish to raise a hand against Miss Shaula, for everyone's safety, please permit me to show no mercy... forgive me, Hachiman-kun."」
「Julius's combat instincts were exceptional. He recognized the threat on their side and intended to go all out to kill Shaula. However, he was stopped before he could gather mana to release his strongest grand magic: "Wait! I have a way to deal with her. Leave Shaula to me, Julius. Trust me."」
「How could Hikigaya Hachiman have a way to deal with this powerful scorpion?」
「But all doubt vanished the moment he saw his dear friend's resolute face... Julius stepped aside; he chose to believe in Hikigaya Hachiman, even though it was dangerous.」
「While Crusch and the others were still immersed in the shock of "this scorpion is actually Shaula," Hikigaya Hachiman had already approached within three meters of her.」
「Priscilla watched with great interest, wanting to see how this dunderhead planned to act, but the Gluttony brothers chose to attack at that instant, forcing Emilia, Julius, and Priscilla into a fierce battle.」
「Her leisure to watch the show having been broken, an enraged Priscilla dealt lethal blows with every move. For a time, she completely suppressed the battered Roy, gaining the absolute upper hand.」
「"Shaula..."」
「Compared to the massive scorpion, Hikigaya Hachiman was as small as a harmless rabbit. Stared down by the scorpion's six vicious compound eyes, he did not feel a shred of pressure.」
「Compared to the year and a half he had spent knowing Emilia and the others, the time he had spent with Shaula—a mere ten days or so—was truly negligible.」
「But some people are just like that. From the first moment you see them, the length of time is no longer that important. Even if it is only for a day, the other person is someone worth remembering for a lifetime.」
「He was captured by Yukinoshita the first time he entered the Service Club; he was captured by Emilia the first time she saved him. And then, there was Shaula.」
「With his memories restored, his thoughts were no longer tense or scattered. Recalling every detail Shaula had shown since they met... she was a lonely child, a resilient child.」
「Like Beatrice, yet different from Beatrice.」
「Beatrice had Puck and Roswaal. She had waited four hundred years for 'That Person' in solitude, but at least she had those two who cared for her.」
「...Shaula had nothing. She had nothing at all. She had simply stayed in this Pleiades Watchtower alone for four hundred years, talking to herself, remaining optimistic, and steadfastly waiting for her Master's arrival.」
「Beatrice had already despaired; she no longer believed 'That Person' would ever appear.」
「Shaula had been waiting for hope. No matter how much time passed, she firmly believed her Master would return, that he could never abandon her forever.」
「...She waited four hundred years only to get a fake like him, mistaking him for that nonsensical Flugel. Even after being told countless times, "I am not your Master," Shaula still did not despair.」
「Even though her heart was riddled with holes, and every time she heard "I'm not your Master" it was a lethal slash, she remained strong, wearing a happy-go-lucky smile.」
「But just as Hikigaya Hachiman was a man who could cry, Shaula was actually a girl who could feel despair.」
「At the moment the rules of the Pleiades Watchtower were broken, when she could no longer maintain her sense of self and transformed into a scorpion to attack her 'Master,' Shaula had truly despaired.」
「Her respect, love, longing, obedience, and trust for her Master Flugel—when she was forced to attack, all of these were shattered at once. Despair descended ruthlessly.」
「"A 'Genuine' of despair, Shaula of ill-fated destiny... I hate him, I really hate that nonsensical, irresponsible Flugel. So no matter how many times I have to say it, I am absolutely not your Master."」
「"Rather than becoming a 'Fake' by being treated as some mysterious person I don't know, what I hate even more is Flugel—that bastard who, regardless of the reason, is undeniably an irresponsible coward."」
「The scorpion's cold compound eyes locked on. Her massive pincer rose, ready to kill the rambling visitor before her.」
「"Four hundred years of loneliness, four hundred years of waiting, four hundred years of persistence. You are different... Beatrice's 'That Person' could have been anyone, but your 'That Person' can only be Flugel."」
「"So I can never make up for your four hundred years of solitude. I can never satisfy your four hundred years of waiting. I can never become the person you crave—but, Shaula."」
「Taking a deep breath and staring fearlessly at the crashing giant pincer, Hikigaya Hachiman shouted at the top of his lungs: "You've lived in the past long enough! It's time to step toward the future, isn't it? So!"」
「"If you want it, if you are willing, then let me—let Hikigaya Hachiman become your Master! A new Master, your second Master, a Master different from Flugel!"」
「"—Whether you're willing or not, I've already decided to take you as my disciple. In that case, wake the hell up, Shaula!"」
「Snap!」
「The terrifying giant pincer stopped right above Hikigaya Hachiman's head, less than three centimeters from his skull.」
「This wasn't because Hachiman's shouting had worked or because Shaula's consciousness had overridden the command, but because the brand-new Authority of Lust had been activated.」
「Authority of Lust: Selfish Heart.」
Read ahead (160 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting