Chapter 461. The Masterpiece Shows His True Potential
"As expected, a crushing defeat—an overwhelming victory without any suspense."
In the meeting room, Hikigaya Hachiman wasn't surprised at all.
Although Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had been perceived by the majority as just a "martial-capable perverted fanboy" due to his previous erratic behavior, Hikigaya Hachiman, as an observer of human nature, naturally would not be limited by such surface-level impressions.
He had long since seen through various small details that Ayanokouji Kiyotaka possessed both wisdom and courage; he was a very formidable individual.
The reason he hadn't given off a "genius" impression before was simply because the First Princess and the Sword Saint were too low-tier. There was no difficulty involved; even after dealing with them, it was hard to highlight his true brilliance.
But Ayanokouji Kiyotaka would always eventually reveal his fangs.
And now was the time.
"Making a human body as hard as iron is impossible. If he were actually that powerful, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka would simply use it on himself and blow everyone to smithereens—that would be a more efficient way to gain prestige."
"It should be a special potion he developed that can help withstand attacks. Furthermore, it likely only works for a single strike, nothing more."
As Hikigaya Hachiman muttered his analysis, the pure-hearted and less-calculating Emilia blinked. She raised her hand and asked, "Um, why can you be sure it's a potion and not a skill, Hachiman?"
"Because that Ayanokouji kept using his eyes to hint to the General, guiding him to slash specific people."
With observational powers and mental agility no less than her Prime Minister, Anastasia displayed her cleverness. Standing on the same level as him, she stated her certain reasoning:
"If it were a skill, there would be no need for such methods. He must have sneaked in the night before and forced that villager to drink a potion that could withstand one attack, deliberately creating this theatrical effect to strike awe into the people's hearts."
Rem also asked curiously, "Then, why did the soldiers collapse so weakly?"
"That is also the credit of a special potion," Hikigaya Hachiman said. "If I'm not mistaken, this should be a pair of complementary potions—a combination of two substances to create the effect."
"While giving the villager the damage-resistant potion, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka also scattered some kind of powder or liquid on the unsuspecting soldiers. Once that substance encounters a specific scent, they react with each other, resulting in the host becoming weak and powerless."
"Ayanokouji Kiyotaka is likely wearing the complementary scent on himself now; a faint, unique smell. This is his calculated layout."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's entire schedule hadn't been shown in the video, but even so, his movements, his actions, and all his plans could not be hidden from Hikigaya Hachiman.
Just as Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was always able to easily point out Hikigaya Hachiman's plans and thoughts when watching his journey...
Now that the roles were reversed, Hikigaya Hachiman could do exactly what Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had done before.
"If it were a normal weakening potion, Ayanokouji could have made that too, but in that case, even an idiot would see it was the potion's doing.
However, by creating this complementary set, it makes it appear as his own personal strength. This has a massive promotional effect on increasing his prestige.
First, he showed that he wouldn't be threatened. Then, he let his subordinates know he could protect them. Finally, he ended with the heart-gouging and brain-crushing to embody his power and brutality... The Way of the Hegemon—he is practicing it well. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka is doing an excellent job with this 'Strongman Politics' route."
Defeating a single army or a general of the Kingdom was effortless, but utilizing that army and general to pave the way for his political strategy showed the true extent of Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's wisdom.
This perfectly timed layout was something ordinary people could not achieve.
Yukinoshita nodded slightly. At this moment, she finally understood where Ayanokouji Kiyotaka got the confidence to think about playing a game against her Hikigaya-kun.
The legendary "Masterpiece" indeed lived up to his name; he was a powerhouse on the same level as her Hikigaya-kun.
"He is indeed not bad," Crusch gave her evaluation, and then... nothing more.
If she were to face Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, she believed she could only explode him with martial force, as she couldn't match him in wisdom. But what of it?
The opponent Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was looking for wasn't her; it was Sir Hachiman.
And Sir Hachiman... no matter if the seas ran dry or the rocks crumbled, Crusch believed in Sir Hachiman more than anyone else in the world. She believed Sir Hachiman was invincible and would never lose.
At most, things might be a bit complicated before the victory, but he would surely prevail in the end.
Because that was Sir Hachiman!
"Hmph!"
Priscilla had zero interest in whether Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was clever or not. She was too lazy to even look at the video; she had no interest in seeing a "Pure Sham" who coveted her clodhopper.
Of course, if some specific scenes appeared, she might look—for instance, if Ayanokouji Kiyotaka started slaughtering innocent civilians.
If such a scene occurred, her clodhopper would surely be furious. In that case, even if she used her "Great Fortune" to kill the current Earth-Ayanokouji first, her clodhopper would likely not argue with her.
Priscilla was currently waiting with great anticipation for such a scene to appear.
...And besides Hikigaya Hachiman, there were naturally others who finally saw Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's brilliance.
"So that's how it is?"
At the Shirogane residence, Shirogane Kei reached a sudden realization after hearing her brother's explanation... Of course, the depth of the layout Shirogane Miyuki saw wasn't as deep as Hikigaya Hachiman's, but even that portion was enough to convince his sister.
It was enough for his sister Shirogane Kei to understand that Ayanokouji Kiyotaka wasn't just a "perverted fanboy," but a formidable character not to be underestimated.
Shirogane Kei first experienced enlightenment, then became anxious: "Damn it... even a pervert is this impressive! Brother, you better work harder and put in the effort to become that impressive! Otherwise, with Hikigaya-senpai in front and this pervert behind, maybe Sister Kaguya's requirements for a partner will get even higher after watching this!"
"Your takeaway is this?"
Shirogane Miyuki's lip twitched. He was somewhat speechless... Although Kei's worry wasn't without merit, he couldn't just "grow" simply because he wanted to.
"The Masterpiece? ...He really is quite strong."
Kousaka Kyousuke exhaled. He felt a bit emotional; if someone like Hikigaya Hachiman were this powerful, he would be happy for them. but for someone like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka to be this strong, he felt a bit worried.
In this regard, his sister Kousaka Kirino was of the same mind. Or rather, Kirino was far more extreme than he was.
He was merely worried, but Kirino had long since started cursing.
However, it wasn't because she saw how strong Ayanokouji was, but because of what happened earlier...
"Lord Hachiman, you're so amazing~"
He had "cuckolded" her favorite character, Anastasia.
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