Chapter 111: Priscilla
If there was anyone Subaru Natsuki least wanted to choose as an ally, it was undoubtedly Priscilla Barielle. Just a brief interaction was enough to reveal how impossibly difficult her personality was.
But at this point, Subaru no longer had the luxury of being choosy.
.
.
.
"So, what brings you to seek out me personally? Did you discover my identity back at the royal castle and now come begging for a reward? If so, speak—what is it you desire?"
Subaru looked at Priscilla, seated on her extravagant chair, and immediately felt a headache coming on. As expected, he really couldn't get used to people who behaved as though the entire world revolved around them.
"No, I'm not here for a reward. I came to ask for your help."
"Oh? Go on."
"The Witch Cult has appeared. They're targeting Emilia's camp. I'm asking for your support—but this isn't a one-sided plea. It's a transaction.
If you're willing to help, you'll gain the glory of defeating a Witch Cult Sin Archbishop—Sloth—and receive a large sum of holy gold coins in return."
"The Witch Cult, you say?"
"Yes. Taking down a Sin Archbishop would bolster your reputation. You'd gain a lead over the other royal candidates. Plus, Lord Roswaal is offering those coins as part of the deal…"
Subaru glanced at the lavish surroundings and then reconsidered.
"Looking around… you probably don't care about holy coins. But Lord Roswaal might be able to offer you something more valuable. So, how about this deal?"
(laughs)
"What's so funny?"
"You're incredibly naïve."
"What…?"
Priscilla stood up, smiled coldly, pulled a fan from her cleavage, covered her mouth with it, and walked toward him.
"Everything in this world belongs to me. If I wanted glory from killing the Witch Cult, I could take it at any time. There is nothing in your offer that interests me.
Also, you're nothing but a servant. You try hard to act like an envoy, but you're far too green."
"…"
"To save someone, you pretend to be a messenger, push your comrades to the brink, and hand advantages to your enemies. For a royal candidate, you can't even clean up your own mess—and now you come begging the enemy for help? You'd be better off dead."
Priscilla closed in, and Subaru took a step back as her fan pressed against his throat.
But his expression didn't change.
"Remember what you said in the royal castle? You made a scene, boldly standing by your master's side. Then shouldn't you now be trying to help her by correcting people's prejudice, instead of crawling to the enemy?"
"So that's a refusal? I apologize for the intrusion. I'll take my leave."
"I never said I refused. Your thinking is too simplistic, too idealistic—but your loyalty is commendable."
Subaru's eyes lit up briefly, only for Priscilla's next words to extinguish that light.
"I'll give you a chance."
"A chance… I figured it wouldn't be that easy. What do you want me to do?"
"Simple."
She stepped back, covering her mouth with her fan again. Her right foot shifted slightly forward.
"Lick it. Cast aside your dignity, your pride, your resolve—get on your knees and lick my foot. Then, perhaps, I'll consider helping someone as ridiculous as you."
Subaru glanced at her foot. Beautiful, without a doubt.
There were surely many who would long to be stepped on by it.
"I see."
He stepped back and bowed slightly.
"Forgive me for wasting your time. I'll take my leave."
Priscilla's brows furrowed and her gaze turned hostile. As Subaru turned away, her voice rang out, laced with fury.
"Stop right there! Did I say you could leave? Don't you want to save your master? Or is your pride, your dignity, your resolve worth more to you than her life?"
Subaru chuckled softly, turned slightly, and looked her in the eyes.
"I think you're mistaken. I came here seeking a deal—because someone taught me that was the way. And for the record, Emilia is not my master.
As for pride and dignity, I don't value those. And I can throw them away when the situation calls for it. But the one thing I'll never throw away… is my conviction.
That conviction is tied to the life I'm trying to save. If I gave that up, I wouldn't be here. So no—I can't do what you ask."
"Friendship? Are you trying to make me laugh? That's the biggest joke I've heard. Friends wouldn't act the way you do. No true friend would behave like that."
Subaru gave her a strange look, then turned to inspect her carefully. His face shifted as if something clicked.
"What are you looking at?"
"Nothing. Just realizing… with your personality, it must be hard to make friends. Still, there's one thing you should understand.
Just because you haven't experienced it doesn't mean there aren't people in this world who would risk their lives for a friend. Well then, I'll be going."
Priscilla's pupils narrowed. As Subaru turned to leave, she shouted:
"Al!"
"Yes, milady?"
"Cut off this insolent fool's head!"
Al, standing at the door in his helmet, glanced at Subaru and said calmly:
"Let's not go that far, milady. In every sense, that's not something we can do."
"Al! That's an order!"
"…"
Subaru looked at the silent Al, then at the furious Priscilla, confused about what he could have said to anger her so much.
'Could it be… because she has no friends?'
"Um… if you really don't have any friends, I can be one."
"What?!"
"Waaah~"
"Oh, we haven't introduced ourselves properly. I'm Subaru Natsuki. From now on, I'm your friend. If you ever need help, just come to me. I'll be there for you."
"…"
"…"
"?"
"AL! Do it! NOW!"
"Understood, milady!"
As Subaru stood frozen, a thud came from behind.
"What kind of magic is this?! Why can't I move?!"
"Huh?"
Confused, Subaru realized this was his cue to run.
After Subaru had fled the room, silence fell.
Al, still on the floor, watched as Priscilla approached.
"Milady… have you calmed down a little?"
"Al! You dare disobey me?! Prepare to die!"
Priscilla stomped on Al's back repeatedly as he groaned.
"That's enough, milady. If you want, we can send someone to bring his head right now."
"Hmph. I'll let it slide for now. Prepare everything—I want a hundred mercenaries and a horde of magic beasts!"
"What are you planning?"
"He said he's my friend, didn't he? He claimed he'd risk his life for a friend. I want to see if he can back that up. If not, I'll just kill him.
Until then, I'll let him live… for now."
Al watched her retreat into her room, letting out a sigh through his helmet.
"She's causing trouble again… Sorry, buddy, this time I really can't help you."