Chapter 33: W-W-W-Whaaaaat!?
Kazuma, who had sunk into a sea of blood, had made a miraculous recovery and was reviving Sakura Hakanai with Recovery Magic.
“I thought this was some new form of neglect play.”
Only Sakura Hakanai would say something like that so soon after being revived.
In what world would someone leave another on the brink of death?
Probably only in another world.
“I’m doing it while making sure you don’t die.”
He says it so easily, but it’s not something an ordinary person can do.
It’s a feat only a deviant who defies common sense like Kazuma could pull off.
Only Kazuma, who fought desperately in another world, wandered the brink of death countless times, and on top of that, died many times due to Honey Traps, could do it.
“Well then, shall we return to Japan?”
“Come to think of it, I haven’t asked, but how are we getting back to Japan?”
“Teleportation.”
“You really are unbelievably outside the norm.”
Sakura Hakanai already knew of Kazuma’s strength, but not the full extent of it, and she was astounded to learn he possessed such extraordinarily unconventional abilities.
“If I may say so myself, your Brainwashing is also an unconventional ability.”
Being able to brainwash someone just by making eye contact is truly an extraordinary ability.
If Kazuma had it, he would undoubtedly have used it for muhuhu things.
In that sense, Sakura Hakanai is terrifying.
After all, she used Brainwashing to drive Japan to the brink of national overthrow.
“Kazuma!”
“Y-Yes!”
Alicia, still looking displeased, didn’t like that Kazuma was paying attention only to Sakura Hakanai and not her.
Their exchange was dangerous, but to an onlooker, it somehow looked like they were having fun.
Kazuma, for better or worse, is talkative, so he speaks a lot whether with friendly or hostile people.
Even now, with Alicia nearby, he was responding when Sakura Hakanai spoke to him.
“Let’s go to Japan quickly!”
“O-Okay!”
Kazuma could see she was angry, so he couldn’t defy Alicia.
Physically, Kazuma was overwhelmingly superior, but mentally, Alicia had the upper hand.
This was largely due to the influence of being raised by Honoka, his foster parent.
Treat women with care.
He had been taught this, so Kazuma was fundamentally a gentleman towards women.
However, due to his experiences in the other world, if they were an enemy, he would mercilessly bare his fangs, whether they were women or elderly.
That’s why Kazuma was assertive towards Sakura Hakanai.
“Fufu, are you perhaps jealous?”
“Huh? Want me to crush your head?”
Naturally, Sakura Hakanai, seeing such a scene, wouldn’t do nothing.
She wore a provocative smile, as if to fan the flames of Alicia’s jealousy.
“Hey, Alicia. Calm down.”
“Kazuma, whose side are you on, mine or that woman’s!”
“Alicia’s, of course. There’s no comparison.”
“Then why are you taking her along too!”
“Um, well, that’s…”
“Isn’t it obvious? It’s because I’m a fine woman.”
Sakura Hakanai puffed out her chest, proclaiming herself a fine woman, and looked down on Alicia.
She was taller than Alicia and also had a better figure.
The only thing she might be losing in was youth, but she was beautiful enough to compensate for it.
“Wh-What—! Just because you have a slightly better figure than me, don’t get carried away! Kazuma’s number one is me!”
“Oh, is that so? I haven’t heard a single word about that, though? Aren’t you just saying that yourself?”
“Th-That’s not true! Kazuma appeared gallantly and saved me when I was in a pinch!”
“Hmm. But isn’t that just normal for him? I don’t know him well yet, but he seems like a soft-hearted person.”
“Ughh…! And I’ve kissed Kazuma before!”
“In Europe and America, that’s like a greeting, isn’t it? Besides, trying to assert dominance with just a kiss is so childish. It shows your shallowness.”
“Ugh…!”
Sakura Hakanai, with her greater years of life and the number of life-or-death situations she’d been through, was strong.
She easily handled the snapping Alicia.
“Mr. Satsuki. Aren’t you going to stop them?”
“Do you think interfering will solve anything?”
“…At the very least, I think you should try to improve Her Highness’s mood. The other one will probably react maturely no matter what you do to her.”
“The other one” probably referred to Sakura Hakanai.
Just as Stephen said, no matter how Kazuma treated her, she possessed a steel-like spirit that wouldn’t rot or be discouraged.
Even if roasted whole or driven to the brink of electrocution, she remained nonchalant, an invincible person.
However, if Alicia were provoked any further, she might really crush her head, so Sakura Hakanai voluntarily stepped down from the ring.
“There’s no point in arguing any further, is there? He’s the one who decides.”
(Th-This woman! She just dumped it all on me!)
It was true that ultimately, Kazuma would decide whom he would date.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Alicia was currently in the lead, but it wasn’t as if a change of heart couldn’t happen.
However, Kazuma’s ideal was lower than that of an ordinary person.
His type was a wonderful woman who wouldn’t try to kill him.
In that sense, Sakura Hakanai, who in terms of her physical actions ranks at the very bottom, is therefore Kazuma’s ideal type.
However, even if her appearance is top-class, her insides are comparable to the worst of the worst, so Kazuma wouldn’t be swayed by her.
That said, it’s impossible to say for sure what will happen in the future.
“…A-Alicia. For now, let’s go to Japan, okay?”
“………Okay.”
(Damn it! She’s super depressed because of that woman!)
Alicia was clearly dejected.
When she came to America, she was very excited, and when it was decided she would go to Japan with him, she was extremely happy, but now she was so downcast there was no trace of that former self.
Sakura Hakanai’s words must have hit home.
Kazuma thought about trying something, but it didn’t seem like it would go well.
If he confessed now, she probably wouldn’t believe him, and even if he said something to console her, he didn’t know if it would reach her.
“…Stephen. Well then, I’ll take care of Alicia for a little while. If anything happens, contact me again.”
“Yeah, got it. Alicia. Go get some good rest.”
“Okay. I’ll be going then.”
“Aren’t you going to say anything to me?”
“I’m grateful for the valuable information. At the same time, I’m refreshed that the plague goddess is gone.”
“You say such cruel things. Fufu, but I am grateful that you protected me. If we have a chance to meet again, let’s have tea leisurely then.”
“I’d rather refrain, if possible.”
“Stop saying weird things and come here.”
“Oh my. How rough.”
Kazuma forcefully pulled Sakura Hakanai, who was a little distance away, closer, gave Stephen a thumbs-up, and activated his Teleportation Magic.
Stephen, confirming that the three of them had disappeared, let out a big sigh.
“Haaah~. Things are going to be tough from now on.”
Stephen, for whom things were about to get tough, straightened his back and returned to his workplace to compile a report.
◇◇◇◇
Upon returning to Japan, Kazuma first headed to Ivy and had Alicia join up with Charlotte and the others.
Charlotte was overjoyed to see Alicia, thinking she had gained a new comrade, and jumped on her, frolicking about.
“Alicia~!”
“Sh-Shar? What’s wrong? Why are you so overjoyed?”
“Ehehe~. I was just so happy at the thought of getting a new comrade.”
“Comrade? Aren’t we friends? What do you mean by comrade?”
“Huh? Didn’t you come to undergo Kazuma-san’s training too, Alicia?”
“Training? What’s that? What do you mean?”
A misunderstanding had occurred between the two of them.
Alicia thought Charlotte was living freely and safely under Kazuma, while Charlotte thought Alicia had also been abducted like her and would be subjected to hellish training.
Seeing the two of them getting along harmoniously, Kazuma entrusted Alicia to Charlotte. He then teleported with Momoko, who was standing behind him with her mouth agape in astonishment at Sakura Hakanai, towards the Prime Minister’s official residence, taking the two of them with him.
Arriving at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Kazuma, accompanied by a dazed Momoko and Sakura Hakanai, whose hair swayed elegantly, headed towards Ema.
Of course, upon seeing Kazuma return with Sakura Hakanai, who had fled the country, Ema foamed at the mouth and fell backwards.