Chapter 362. Internal Strife, Ram Who Kills Hachiman (Part 2)
「Hikigaya Hachiman stared at Ram in consternation, his thoughts churning, waves of shock crashing through his mind.」
「"Enough of this!"」
「An even louder roar erupted, instantly drowning out Ram's curses. Crusch grit her teeth, pointing her finger at the maid. "Selfishly? You actually said selfishly? What do you even understand about Sir Hachiman? Do you have any idea how close to death Sir Hachiman came in Watergate City? Do you know that after losing his memories, Sir Hachiman is the one who is suffering the most?"」
「"Was it his own choice to have his memories devoured? Even if you won't empathize with Sir Hachiman's pain, to think you could utter such venomous words!"」
「Crusch's righteous defense acted like oil on a fire, significantly heightening the flames of the argument.」
「The usually tactful and smooth Anastasia, who was skilled at playing all sides, did not step forward to mediate this time. She had originally intended to intervene, but the moment Ram spoke those self-righteous accusations, Anastasia's brow had already furrowed.」
「Ram glared back, completely undaunted. At this point, she couldn't care less about Crusch's status. "Shut your mouth. You have no right to speak here, you slut who steals Rem's things!"」
「"To slander Sir Hachiman's character and reputation time and again—if you want to die, just say so, you bastard!"」
「With a clank, Crusch drew her sharp blade, her chest heaving violently. "Sir Hachiman involved with me? Sir Hachiman cheating with me? Such a thing... how could that possibly be true... Sir Hachiman—you have no idea what kind of person he is!!"」
「"Hypocrite. A slut is a slut. It's not Ram who is going to die; it's you. Ram is going to tear you into a thousand pieces. Every slut who uses a lowly body to seduce what belongs to Rem deserves to die!"」
「The suspicions in her mind had hardened into absolute certainty. Overcome by fury, Ram bared a cruel smile. Her Mana coalesced into wind blades, intent on slaughtering the "sluts" before her who had betrayed Rem.」
「"—Wait! I only love Rem! Wait a minute, Miss Ram!"」
「A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but it was clear that reasoning would no longer work. Suppressing all his own irritation and impatience, Hikigaya Hachiman faced the sudden conflict with cold logic.」
「He identified the source of all of Ram's dissatisfaction and rage. To quell the unnecessary internal strife, he immediately told a lie.」
「"Crusch and Miss Emilia have nothing to do with me! I am deeply in love with Rem alone! Even though I've lost my memories, I fell in love with her the first moment I saw her, Miss Ram!"」
「His rapid-fire speech spat the lie out in seconds.」
「The indignant Ram was momentarily stunned. Her wind blades wavered, hesitating on whether or not to be unleashed. In the next second, accompanied by a squelch.」
「Crusch acted ruthlessly. She lunged forward two steps, her blade flashing out in a strike across Ram's chest, leaving a gash deep enough to hit bone.」
「"Sigh, it can't be helped, then." Standing behind and to the side of Ram, Anastasia let out a helpless sigh. Immediately following this, she violently drew a defensive dagger and plunged it into the waist of Ram, who was trying to counter-attack Crusch.」
「Attacked from both front and back, Ram's mouth hung open in unreconciled shock, her expression incredibly venomous. She could no longer support herself and fell to the sandy ground with a thud, blood pooling around her.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman's eyes went wide, staring blankly at Crusch and Anastasia, who were now splattered with blood.」
「"See? I will protect you. I will never let the tragedy of Ley Batenkaitos happen again. I won't let you be harmed before my eyes ever again. Heehee, I did well, didn't I? I'm a qualified hero, right?"」
「Crusch's handsome face was unevenly stained with Ram's blood. She turned around like a loyal dog waiting for praise, staring longingly and intensely at her dream lover.」
「"Anyone who insults Sir Hachiman, anyone who bullies him, anyone who makes him unhappy or shows him disrespect—I will forgive none of them! ...Heehee, heeheehee, Sir Hachiman. My Sir Hachiman."」
「"Y-you two..." A chill ran up Hikigaya Hachiman's spine. He looked at them with sorrow, his heart aching. He couldn't help but shake his head. "Why..."」
「"Hmm? It was Miss Ram who wanted to attack the Prime Minister and Miss Crusch first, wasn't it? I was just helping to resolve an unstable factor. Is there a problem?"」
「Anastasia did not have the "yandere" look that Crusch did. She tilted her head cutely, as if discussing whether or not they should have dinner, and asked in confusion: "I acted out of pure kindness. Is the Prime Minister not happy?"」
「"But there were clearly better solutions!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman bit his tongue, using the pain to help suppress the violent urges—the irritability, impatience, and anger—surging within him. He stepped forward quickly, wanting to see if Ram could still be saved, if he could perform any emergency first aid.」
「Crusch's expression changed drastically. She immediately turned and raised her sword high, intending to deliver the final blow to Ram before Hachiman could reach her. "Even if it is Sir Hachiman's wish, I will never allow a bastard who slandered him to remain in this world!"」
「"—DIE!"」
「This time, Ram acted faster than her. Clinging to life through sheer resentment, the venomous Ram gathered her final Mana. A sharp wind blade sliced through the air; Crusch had no time to dodge.」
「Spurt!」
「Putting his entire weight into the movement, Hikigaya Hachiman slammed into Crusch to knock her away, saving her life. Instead, he was bifurcated by the wind blade. His red intestines spilled onto the ground as his upper and lower body were separated and flung into the air.」
「"Sir Hachiman!?"」
「A mixture of shock and rage instantly turned into sheer panic. Crusch reached out, but all she could grasp was the blood spraying through the air.」
「Stimulated by the blood, the ground dragon's eyes became as bloodshot as Ram's. Its carnivorous instincts took over its body; it roared and charged, biting into the corpse of its former master and chewing hungrily.」
「"What are you doing? Stop! Stop it right now! Die! Die, die, die, die, die, die! My Prime Minister... the Prime Minister can't die, AAAAAAAAH!"」
「Pulling the dagger from Ram's waist, Anastasia charged at the ground dragon with a scream filled with unrecognizable, complex emotions. Her expression was twisted and venomous, just as Ram's had been.」
「—Why did it turn out like this?」
「With his consciousness fading and enduring the agony of being cut in half, Hikigaya Hachiman did not wail. His gaze was misty, clouded by confusion.」
「Whose fault was this? It wasn't Ram, it wasn't Crusch, it wasn't Anastasia, and it wasn't the ground dragon.」
「"But... it wasn't me, either."」
「Carrying immense regret and a mountain of unfulfilled things, the amnesiac Hikigaya Hachiman died for the first time!」
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