Chapter 373. Anastasia and the Prime Minister (Part 2)
「Anastasia still remembered very clearly what Hikigaya Hachiman had said back in Watergate City: "Garfiel is an excellent man, no less than myself."」
「Looking at it now, that confidence was surely something he only possessed after being with Emilia.」
「But it didn't matter—what Emilia could do, Anastasia could do as well. After they were married, she would definitely use her sweet talk to make her Prime Minister fully admit his own excellence!」
「Before that, however, business first.」
「"Some of the walls on this floor are fakes. You can't tell just by looking, but if you touch them, you'll find that only the part above half a meter is real; below that, it's an illusion."」
「As Anastasia spoke of her discovery, Hachiman couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration. Although he already knew she was the smartest, most realistic, and most vigilant of the group, he hadn't expected her to uncover a secret like this.」
「"That kind of thing... how did you find it?"」
「"In a completely strange place like this, it's impossible for me to just settle down and sleep soundly. I'd be too uneasy. So, to gain a sense of security, I went around poking and prodding everything."」
「Anastasia spread her hands with a seemingly nonchalant air, but her tone was light, and her pale green eyes were filled with hidden mirth.」
「"But it's too dangerous to look for hidden mechanisms alone. Why didn't you call Julius... right, he has to keep watch on Shaula."」
「The image of the immensely reliable Crusch flashed through Hachiman's mind as he continued: "Don't do this kind of thing alone next time... Did you go inside to see what's behind the illusionary wall?"」
「Anastasia applied what she learned instantly, calling him out on the spot with a nod: "Understood. I can't go alone, so, would the Prime Minister care to accompany me on an adventure right now?"」
「"I meant Crusch. What use is there in taking me? Besides, an 'adventure'..." Hachiman refused immediately, but was instantly grabbed by the sleeve by a smiling Anastasia.」
「"I was teasing. I've actually already been to the area behind the wall. It's not dangerous, don't worry."」
「Having countered Hachiman's second reason for refusal and giving him no time to restate the first, Anastasia pulled and pushed her "reserved" Prime Minister toward the illusionary wall.」
「"Don't be scared. I'll go first. Don't worry, I won't hurt you."」
「"Hey!"」
「Unable to let Anastasia enter an unknown territory alone, Hachiman had no choice but to crouch down as well and slip through the fake wall.」
「In the next moment, a cold wind blew past. The pitch-black vision from entering the wall was quickly replaced. What greeted his eyes was a view overlooking the nighttime dunes from a great height, and a night sky illuminated by brilliant, shimmering stars.」
「—This was a balcony. A balcony of the Sage's Tower.」
「"A pleasant surprise, isn't it? Though it's not some grand discovery, I thought this beautiful scenery might help you relax a bit."」
「Standing on the balcony, her long, pale-purple hair fluttering in the wind, Anastasia turned around with a fox-like, cunning smile and opened her arms.」
「In that instant, Hachiman felt his heart thumping.」
「His throat went dry, so he naturally raised a hand to shield his eyes. "...The wind is blowing sand over here too. It's dangerous; it would be bad if it got in our eyes."」
「These words, devoid of any romantic sensibility to the extreme, left Anastasia stunned for several seconds, nearly making her lose her composure.」
「"And these birds... they flew in here too?" To hide his own gaffe, Hachiman looked around. He saw a flock of white birds fluttering on the balcony.」
「These were the same birds Ram had used via Clarivoyance to crack the spatial distortion and enter the true area of the Sage's Tower. Seeing Anastasia and Hachiman, they weren't startled at all; they weren't afraid of humans and simply went about their business.」
「Anastasia, her attention diverted, nodded and said something quite frightening: "Our rations only have enough for a month. If we can't conquer the Sage's Tower within a month, it wouldn't be a bad idea to slaughter these birds for food."」
「"That really doesn't sound like something a girl would say, but coming from you, it's not surprising at all. I agree with the proposal."」
「"Oh, stop it. I actually really like cute small animals. I feel like my image in your eyes is becoming more and more heartless."」
「Putting on a pitiful expression, Anastasia looked at Hachiman with teary eyes, her hands over her somewhat flat chest. "My heart hurts. Won't you say something to make it up to me?"」
「Ignoring the teasing merchant entirely, Hachiman walked to the edge of the balcony and gazed at the distant dunes.」
「Even at night, giant mabeasts moved occasionally on the dunes, a sight that inspired dread. The hell composed of these beasts stood in stark contrast to the brilliant starlight above, making the night sky appear even more beautiful.」
「"Tell everyone about this balcony tomorrow," Hachiman said softly. "If Meili runs around aimlessly and falls right out, it'll be over."」
「"We do need to avoid such a tragedy, but why emphasize that I should be the one to say it?" Anastasia walked to his side, looking at him sideways with a mischievous grin. "If you were the one to say it, would you feel like you're stealing my credit?"」
「Hachiman kept his eyes forward and head up, refusing to look at Anastasia, and said abruptly: "Do you have any leads on the trial for the third floor?"」
「Anastasia blinked and repeated, "Set that aside for a moment... it's because you don't want to steal my credit, right?"」
「Hachiman, still staring straight ahead, also repeated: "Do you have any leads on the trial for the third floor?"」
「Anastasia watched him meaningfully. Seeing him use "official business" to hide his shyness, she almost laughed. She rested her slender hand on her chin, her eyes curved like crescents.」
「Only when she had stared at her Prime Minister until he was so uncomfortable he was about to flee did she cooperate and talk business: "'Touch the brightest moment of the hero extinguished by Shaula'... I don't have a single clue about such a requirement either."」
「"...Yeah, me neither. 'Touch the brightest moment of the hero extinguished by Shaula'... Wait, h-huh?!"」
「Mulling over the requirement while looking up at the night sky, Hachiman's eyes suddenly widened. The shining stars in the sky suddenly connected with the trial's requirement, and an answer emerged out of nowhere.」
「"—!!"」