11. Witnessing the Changed Future (Part 2)
"Time rewinds after death?"
Hikigaya Hachiman's eyes lit up, and then a sudden thought occurred to him, making him restless.
Beside him, Yukinoshita Yukino's inner struggle was even more turbulent than the boy's. Both of them possessed high IQs; naturally, what Hikigaya could realize, Yukinoshita could too.
For example: Does this "Return by Death" have a limit on the number of uses?
If there is no limit, then no matter how much she breaks through her pretentiousness, overcomes herself, and admits her feelings for Hikigaya Hachiman in the depths of her heart, Yukinoshita Yukino... would absolutely never again hint for him not to transmigrate. Instead, she would respect his choice.
Hikigaya Hachiman is a twisted "nice guy"—this is the one thing Yukinoshita can guarantee she isn't wrong about.
Would a kind-hearted person, provided they have the ability to help, stand by and watch their savior face a life-and-death crisis with indifference?
Regardless, Hikigaya certainly couldn't do it. Now, the only thing restraining him was the reason: "I don't want to be separated from Komachi."
"Hikigaya-kun," a flicker of relief crossed her elegant and magnificent face. The beautiful girl clenched her fists and then let go, looking down with a trembling voice, "No matter what, let's finish watching the entire video before making a decision, okay?"
Yukinoshita, who was usually forceful, had never shown Hachiman such a haggard expression—yet within that haggardness, there was a resolute strength.
She was shining.
For the first time in a long while, Hikigaya felt as if he were bathed in a spring breeze. Yes, this... this was the real Yukinoshita Yukino. The reason he had poured special feelings into her was precisely because this girl used to shine so brightly.
Now, he was seeing the Yukinoshita who had been sliding into unknown territory return to her former glory—perhaps even brighter than before—shedding the "toxic tongue" ego from her gentle strength and truly glowing like the sun.
"...Alright, I promise you."
Hikigaya Hachiman made a quiet oath, its weight heavier than a thousand catties.
A few customers in the convenience store had already realized he was the protagonist in the video, but seeing the youthful, romantic atmosphere between the two, they tacitly refrained from coming over to disturb them.
「Hikigaya Hachiman picked up a dagger and gestured toward his stomach twice, but in the end, he didn't commit suicide to verify his theory.」
「The trepidation he felt toward this strange world and the gloom regarding his future prospects were completely swept away. His back stood straight and tall, thoroughly washing away his old habit of slouching slightly.」
「Actually, there was another possibility: that after death, his soul jumped into the body of himself in a parallel world. But there was no use overthinking that possibility.」
「"Even if I was mockingly called 'Hikigaya-Germ,' and even after I finally gathered the courage to confess only to be rejected, leading to everyone knowing the next day that the 'toad' was dreaming of the impossible—I could still console myself even through that social death... A mere Bowel Hunter thinks she can become my nightmare? In her dreams!"」
"What is he doing? This looks a bit like he's brainwashing himself."
Many people didn't understand what Hikigaya Hachiman was doing.
Yukinoshita, however, glanced at the Hikigaya Hachiman beside her—who wore an expression of 'the world isn't worth it, I've suffered social death in front of all humanity'—and understood perfectly.
The Hikigaya Hachiman in the video was looking for a reason; he was forcing himself, giving himself a reason to help Emilia.
Everyone knew it was to repay the favor of saving his life, and he even knew it himself, but he just didn't want to admit it—and he never would. This was because Hikigaya believed that human positive emotions are unreliable; others' are, and his own are as well.
He needed a reason. A reason that made him worthy of Emilia's trust. A reason that would ensure he never betrayed her.
Whether you call this "chuunibyou" or "pretentiousness," in short, Hikigaya Hachiman was just that twisted.
「"The Bowel Hunter killed me once. If I don't kill her back, I won't be able to find peace of mind. However, I can't do it alone. I need the help of someone powerful, like... Emilia."」
That was the reason he found.
「"Out of the way, out of the way! Don't block the path, mister!"」
「Having waited alone in the alley for a long time, the wall-running Felt nimbly climbed over. As Hikigaya Hachiman stepped aside to let her pass, his blackmailing voice, sounding like a strategist with everything in hand, rang out.」
「"In one hour, I will arrive at Old Man Rom's stolen goods warehouse with the owner, Emilia, to reclaim the item with Holy Dragon Gold. If you aren't there in half an hour, we will kill him. Think about the power shown by the Emilia chasing you, and act wisely."」
「"Whaaaaat?!"」
「When the terrified Felt turned her head, she only saw a man with a sinister, wicked strategist's expression—one who didn't fear her turning back to kill him at all. His attitude was breezy, as if the sun, moon, stars, and every development were within his grasp.」
「Normally, this wouldn't have stopped her killing intent, but if she stopped now, she would be caught by the owner. Thus, she could only sprint away in extreme frustration, her destination wavering before switching from her own hut to Old Man Rom's warehouse.」
「"Next is you, Emilia."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman waited for the key protagonist of the next link in the game.」
"What? What? What?"
Anastasia Hoshin, one of the Royal Selection candidates, was bewildered, her face full of question marks.
She was a merchant, and for a merchant, profit was paramount. It wasn't that she lacked emotions, but it was truly hard to imagine that after gaining a broken-tier ability like "Return by Death"—which could single-handedly stir the winds of the world—someone would still go all out to save a person they'd known for less than half a day, just for the sake of a "favor" that technically hadn't even happened yet.
In the end, should Hikigaya Hachiman be evaluated as gentle and kind, or simply naive?
Wait... weren't these evaluations exactly the same as the ones everyone had always used for Emilia?
"This is... two people with nearly identical compatibility, a perfect match!"
Anastasia realized the gravity of the situation.
Saving Emilia was one thing, but if two people who were both so kind, gentle, simple, and naive gathered together, wouldn't they spark some unexpected flames?
"If... if Hikigaya Hachiman joins Emilia's camp, using Return by Death to blackmail all sorts of intelligence, plus the influence of Margrave Roswaal..."
Anastasia's brow furrowed, realizing the situation was not simple.
Mirroring her thoughts, on the other side, the heroic and handsome Crusch Karsten also felt a profound sense of wariness. Looking at Hikigaya Hachiman on the light screen, she almost ground her teeth in frustration:
"Don't team up, don't team up, don't team up... Ahhh, what a pain... Why wasn't I the first one to meet him!"
12. Witnessing the Changed Future (Part 2)
The place where she stands is her throne; she believes herself to be the center of the world, more dazzling than the scorching sun. Possessing a confidence that borders on sheer arrogance, dressed in a crimson dress, is Priscilla Barielle—one of the Royal Selection candidates.
This utmost arrogant noblewoman, whose mouth usually delights in mocking others, had not insulted Hikigaya Hachiman a single time since the light screen appeared. She was intensely interested in him and was now even unstinting in her praise.
"Such loyalty!" she gave her highest-level evaluation from a position of superiority. "To be so unwavering toward a chosen master, and yet so exceptionally valuable! How could someone like Emilia possibly make proper use of such a loyal and capable subordinate? The one he should serve ought not be a mere half-elf. Do you understand, Al?"
Al: "..."
What could he say?
His fellow countryman, Hikigaya Hachiman, was clearly moved by Emilia's gentleness.
'Ma'am, just think about it—with your polar-opposite arrogance, would someone like Hikigaya Hachiman ever be able to stomach it?'
However, he could only reply: "Understood."
Al knew full well that if Hikigaya Hachiman ever actually transmigrated, Priscilla would undoubtedly send people to kidnap him immediately, demanding that his countryman bow his head and submit, acting as if he'd be killed if he refused. But in reality, if Hikigaya Hachiman chose death over surrender, she would be truly delighted.
.
.
.
「When Emilia chased her target into an unfamiliar alleyway, what met her eyes was a man holding a dagger—unquestionably someone intercepting her progress on purpose.」
「"My name is Hikigaya Hachiman. Hello. If you don't mind, please call out Puck; I have a deal I'd like to discuss with you."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman spoke with a beaming smile, casually tossing his only weapon aside to show his sincerity and demonstrate that he posed no threat.」
「"As I thought, an accomplice?" Emilia prepared to apprehend him, while calling for Puck. "Puck, do you recognize him?"」
「"Don't know him. Though... this kid actually doesn't have a shred of malice. His feelings toward you are roughly 'friendly.' It's incredible; for there to be someone in this world who harbors goodwill toward Lia upon their first meeting—and it seems it's not as simple as just being about your looks."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman wore an "it worked" expression. In this instant, his favorability toward Puck was even higher than toward Emilia.」
「Precisely because Puck had let it slip in the previous loop that he possessed the ability to detect the general emotions of living beings, Hikigaya Hachiman had devised such a direct plan. As long as Puck was there, the two sides would have a foundation of basic trust, and everything would proceed smoothly.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman held up one finger: "I know who the thief who stole your item is, and I can lead you to her base. I even know who hired that thief. I can tell you all of this information."」
「"In exchange, Emilia, you need to ensure I am fed and sheltered for three years, and teach me basic magic knowledge and swordsmanship."」
「"Oh my, that sounds like a fairly good deal." Puck tilted his head. "How do you guarantee your information is the truth? Can you be sure you aren't an accomplice of the thief? There are perverts in this world who can even deceive their own hearts."」
「"I cannot prove it. The decision lies with you."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman spread his hands. "The lost item is important, right? You're the ones who need to be in a hurry. I'm not forcing this deal. If you agree, we can partner up now; if you have doubts, we part ways on good terms."」
「He stepped aside to clear the path, looking completely open and upright—a gentleman without a trace of a guilty conscience. Puck hesitated because of this.」
「"Forget it, forget it. It's better than checking around everywhere like a headless fly. Agree to it, Lia." Puck made the final call. He had the confidence to protect his daughter; if it were a trap to lure them in, that would be fine too—they could just wipe them all out at once.」
「"Um..."」
「Emilia's face flushed slightly as she murmured: "The deal is made. However, I don't have any money on me right now. Once the matter is resolved, I will apply for funds from Roswaal. I won't go back on my word, please rest assured."」
「"I believe you."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman gave a simple nod and immediately turned the page, preparing to disclose the intelligence and arrange combat tactics. He didn't notice, however, that after hearing his crisp and decisive "I believe you," Emilia was momentarily stunned.」
「"The thief is Felt from the slums; she has the Divine Protection of Wind and a Giant partner named Old Man Rom. The mastermind behind this is Elsa the Bowel Hunter. She won't let any witnesses live after she gets the item she stole from you. Therefore, we can tell the truth to Felt and Old Man Rom and ambush the unsuspecting Elsa together, using the advantage of surprise... Um, are you listening, Emilia?"」
「"Eh? Ah, yes."」
「The flustered Emilia hurriedly snapped back to her senses. The way she looked at Hikigaya Hachiman shifted instantly from a "kind stranger" to someone slightly closer.」
「"The Bowel Hunter, huh... I've heard of her name. Seems she's a rather formidable little lady. I didn't expect her to be involved with Lia; she probably isn't the final mastermind either."」
「Puck provided a logical analysis. Hikigaya Hachiman agreed completely, especially regarding the Bowel Hunter's combat power—the scene of the sneak-attack quadruple kill was still vivid in his mind. He said with some concern: "Emilia, you're some kind of noble, right? Can't you bring some knights or guards to help?"」
「As soon as those words were spoken, the scene fell silent. The expressions on both Emilia and Puck's faces were extremely strange as they stared directly at him.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman immediately understood: "I take it your status is quite special?"」
「"Knowing so much intelligence and intercepting Lia on purpose, I thought there was no way you wouldn't know such basic information."」
「Puck shook his head helplessly, then introduced her with a touch of solemnity: "Listen well. This kingdom currently has no supreme ruler. The Royal Selection is about to begin. There are four candidates in total to become the King, and Lia is one of them."」
"In other words, her status is equivalent to a Prince?"
Oreki Houtarou felt completely unsettled. "Despite being a 'Prince,' she has no money on her and no experts protecting her? This kingdom is too bizarre. Aren't they afraid someone would carry out decapitation strikes against the four princes?"
Just like the deduction-prone Oreki, after hearing this description, the Hikigaya Hachiman inside and outside the video immediately wore a single expression: "?"
There was nothing left but pure confusion.
「"Based on my observations, the difference in treatment brought about by social class in this country is undoubtedly vast."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman's hidden subtext: As a candidate for the Royal Selection, how are you this pathetic?」
13. Preparing for the Beatdown
「Regarding this question, it clearly touched upon the privacy of Emilia's faction. Puck simply acted as if he didn't understand, glossing over it with polite tact and no embarrassment.」
「On the way to the slums once again, Hikigaya Hachiman prodded Puck for more fundamental knowledge about the kingdom, finally coming to a thorough understanding of the country's basic rules.」
「The King had died suddenly. The title of Royal Selection Candidate sounded prestigious, but in reality, they held almost no power. Whether it was the Knights or the regular army—the official forces of the nation—not a single one of the candidates had the authority to command them.」
「In the previous loop, when Puck said they could "barely" order a few people around, it actually followed the principle of voluntary service. If a certain knight favored a specific candidate, they could naturally volunteer to be the King's vanguard; once their lord ascended the throne, it would be a "merit of the dragon." Thus, there were indeed knights willing to assist the candidates.」
「Unfortunately, the list of targets knights were willing to assist basically did not include Emilia.」
「There was only one reason: Emilia's physical features were far too similar to the legendary Witch of Envy. Within this entire nation, among the four candidates, Emilia's reputation was currently the worst, and her supporters were the fewest.」
「In this theft incident, Emilia was also unwilling to involve others... What she had lost was the insignia that represented her identity as a candidate. If outsiders discovered this, her already precarious reputation would instantly plummet into the negatives.」
「Were it not for the fact that Margrave Roswaal headed a lineage with long-standing heritage and possessed strength recognized globally, Emilia—with only a single supporter—would have been destined to have zero chance of winning from the start. It could be said that any importance others placed on her was entirely for Roswaal's sake.」
「Under this major premise, Emilia's reputation absolutely could not afford to sink any lower.」
「However, Roswaal—a single faction—was ultimately too thin. Even assuming Roswaal supported Emilia with his whole heart and soul, her chances of winning against the other candidates remained the lowest among the four.」
「"Is it possible that the Bowel Hunter, Elsa, is a dirty move made by one of the other competitors?"」
The same realization echoed in the minds of the vast majority of people watching.
"This is a completely catastrophic disadvantage."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had not yet seen the other three competitors, but based on what was shown in the video, Emilia's personal temperament and public standing could basically be described as a total mess.
According to Puck's description, the other three candidates were one-in-a-million talents with formidable mindsets and factions.
"With Hikigaya Hachiman's intelligence, joining the other three would surely lead to rapid success... No, Hikigaya wouldn't care about that. Though he is a smart man, his twisted kindness takes priority over his rationality. From the moment Emilia saved him in the first loop, he was destined to ignore everything else and gravitate toward this girl.
Even if I were the one assisting, it's hard to say how far we could go. After all, the time is too short; the Royal Selection is starting soon. If I had two or three years of lead time, I could warp the perception of the 'foolish masses' regarding Emilia, making her the person the people desire, and supporters would naturally flock to her.
The extent of what magic in this other world can achieve is also a key factor. Furthermore, the opponents aren't three flying pigs; considering them with maximum caution, I fear they aren't inferior. For now, I'll value each of them at 1.5 to 2.5 Ryuens... Let me see what you can do, Hikigaya Hachiman."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka did not view the Bowel Hunter, Elsa, as a threat. As someone he acknowledged, even if Hachiman couldn't "save" again, having suffered once, it was impossible for him to stumble in the same place twice.
「"Impossible. Crusch is someone who follows the path of chivalry, Anastasia likes to maintain good relations with others, and Priscilla is arrogantly self-centered. None of the three would commit such a low-class act."」
「"If I think about it carefully, those old fogies in the Council of Sages are highly suspicious. If the insignia weren't foolproof, they would absolutely never want Lia to be a candidate."」
「Despite Puck's analysis, Emilia remained gentle. Rather than chasing the mastermind, she felt that as long as the insignia could be reclaimed, it would be enough.」
「However, this mindset shifted after Hikigaya Hachiman recounted the rumors he had gathered in a short time regarding Elsa the Bowel Hunter.」
「"To kill so many people, and through such a painful method as disembowelment... I understand. I won't show any mercy!" Emilia's gaze turned sharp!」
"You can't die a second time, or we'll truly lose all our dignity. Lia, are you listening?"
In reality, Puck had retracted his aura of violent rage and patted his daughter's shoulder.
"Puck..."
Emilia watched the light screen in a trance, her body frozen. Her heart was beating more excitedly than ever before, and a stir of heart-tugging heat slowly flowed through her limbs.
She whispered softly, and within her magnificent, beautiful eyes, two tears unknowingly began to well up. Her trembling voice wasn't due to fear, but pure emotion.
"Puck... he said he believes in me... Hikigaya Hachiman... Hachiman... he was killed once because of me, yet he's still willing to approach me, to help me. I... sob... is this real, Puck!"
"It's real, Lia. The gods don't play jokes."
Puck sighed with melancholy.
The world was truly too harsh on her... Although the people watching didn't have the preconceived prejudice regarding the Witch of Envy, his actions after the loop had already displayed the quality of the man known as Hikigaya Hachiman to everyone.
This was a quality that even most true knights might not necessarily possess!
「When Hikigaya Hachiman violently kicked open the door of the stolen goods warehouse, Felt and Old Man Rom were, as expected, hurriedly packing their things to flee.」
「Felt's eyes were blank with shock; her heart felt wounded by the deception: "Didn't you say one hour? It's only been half an hour!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman did not hide his dirty, black-hearted tactics: "That was a fake deadline given on purpose. The goal was to make you feel like you still had time, so you'd stay here out of wishful thinking until I could contact Emilia and come catch you together."」
「"You little—!"」
「Just as Felt and Old Man Rom were about to put up a desperate fight, Hikigaya Hachiman shrugged and suddenly stepped aside. What appeared next...」
「A sky full of freezing ice spears filled the entire world like a tidal wave. Emilia and Puck, who had been charging up their power, gave it their all. The terrifying combat strength they manifested instantly shocked the two of them into losing all will to resist!」
「"To consolidate a united front, one must talk sense to them. And to make them listen to our sense, one must first provide enough deterrent through force."」
「So said the mature and "dirty-minded" Hikigaya Hachiman.」
14. A Just Ambush
「That day, Felt made the decision to surrender without a fight for the first time in her life. She knew that Old Man Rom would be a sitting duck against such massive area-of-effect damage; there would be no escape.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman spent about fifteen minutes explaining the bloodlust and danger of Elsa the Bowel Hunter to Felt and Old Man Rom. His every word was a gem of persuasion. Under the "friendly negotiation," Felt showed her sense by nodding like a chick pecking at grain, though she insisted on returning the lost item only after the big battle, fearing her life would otherwise be unprotected.」
「Emilia agreed.」
「As the time drew toward dusk and the sun began to set, casting a harmonious and beautiful glow, four people stood poised for action inside the stolen goods warehouse. Using the advantage of premeditation, they prepared to ambush Elsa the Bowel Hunter!」
Thump... thump... thud...!
Elsa's eyes widened, her face contorted in a pained expression as if she'd seen a ghost. She was filled with a frustration that no one could ever truly understand.
She, the Bowel Hunter, had spent her whole life sneak-attacking others. To one day be outmaneuvered by something as nonsensical as "Return by Death" using information disparity was the greatest humiliation of her life!
Elsa calculated the odds clearly: "In a head-on three-on-one, they definitely couldn't take me down; at most, it would be a stalemate. Not to mention that cat disappears after sunset. If the fight dragged on, I would win. But an ambush... what is this? It's simply unreasonable!"
She could already perfectly foresee that fixed future.
「Tap, tap.」
「It was a footstep that sounded relaxed and cozy—the kind of sound that made one think, 'This must be an alluring beauty' just by hearing it—but it was actually the specialized gait of an assassin. Step by step, it felt as if she were treading directly on Hikigaya Hachiman's heart. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his gravity infected the others; everyone involuntarily sharpened their focus.」
「Click.」
「The warehouse door opened. The stifling, murderous air inside immediately piqued the assassin's vigilance. She didn't pause for even a moment, her figure instantly exploding backward in retreat, yet she still failed to dodge Puck's long-premeditated magic: 'Shamak'!」
「In an instant, Elsa's senses—eyes, nose, ears—were all sealed. The keen perception an assassin relies on most became useless. Her world turned pitch black; she could no longer distinguish front from back or left from right.」
「As a top-tier killer, she could rely on more than just external senses; she had basic survival instincts to dodge ahead of time.」
「While Elsa scrambled wildly, she held her breath and focused her mind, trying her best to perceive. The feedback her survival instinct gave her was...」
「"From all directions, an overwhelming killing intent and crisis—there is no room to dodge!"」
「Whoosh—!」
「A barrage of freezing ice spears streaked through the air, grazing the Bowel Hunter's body, piercing her skin, and cutting deep, visible wounds. In two or three seconds, the Bowel Hunter was nearly dyed into a literal "blood person" by her own splashing blood.」
「Clang!」
「Old Man Rom's massive wooden club slammed into the ground, exploding into a crater. Like the lightest and most elegant cat, the Bowel Hunter suddenly leaped up, her movements so agile she didn't seem wounded at all. With a slight tilt of her head, she dodged Felt's kukri aimed straight for her skull.」
「"Oh my, that was truly dangerous~"」
「"Wait!" Emilia gasped in shock. She seemed to have discovered something and hurriedly called Felt and Old Man Rom back.」
「The Bowel Hunter slowly raised her head. As expected, her eyes were no longer confused. Her pupils, filled with a cold sneer and amusement, were now brimming with a vast, majestic killing intent. The effects of 'Shamak' had reached their time limit.」
「Puck's face turned grim, feeling as though he'd lost face: "This little lady really has some skill. Applying magic directly to her body results in a shorter duration of the spell. And now that she's on guard, it'll be impossible to let her enjoy the thrill of 'Shamak' again."」
「"Be careful, Lia! Her speed is too high. Felt isn't slow, but she lacks technique; she'll likely be killed if she tries to compete in speed for too long. You need to seize every opportunity."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman hid in the shadows, observing the battle in meticulous detail. He etched every part of the process into his mind, using it to analyze the combat power of this world and understand his own positioning.」
「"Hmph, you want to talk about speed? I won't lose to you!"」
「Felt unleashed the peak speed of her entire life—from the moment she gained consciousness until now. Her adrenaline was surging; she was incredibly hyper.」
「She could have turned traitor right then, joining the Bowel Hunter to kill Emilia—after all, the Bowel Hunter hadn't shown her cruelty in this loop yet—but Felt didn't do it.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman had already anticipated this possibility. To eliminate this loophole in the plan, he had convinced Emilia to make a generous offer: as long as they killed the Bowel Hunter, Felt and Old Man Rom would receive twenty Holy Dragon Coins, and he repeatedly emphasized that she would not be held legally responsible.」
「Old Man Rom, with his heavy and slow style, didn't recklessly approach the Bowel Hunter. He simply stood by, eyes locked on the battle between her and Felt. Whenever Felt was clearly at a disadvantage, he would step in and swing his club without hesitation to separate the two and protect her.」
「Ultimately, the injuries sustained during the 'Shamak' phase still affected Elsa. She was unable to take down Felt—whom she normally could have killed easily—and was hit once again by a combined attack from Puck and Emilia in their pre-planned strategy. Though the injuries weren't fatal, it proved she couldn't overcome these enemies. The tide of battle was turning heavily against her.」
「Rumble—」
「The battle in the slums was loud and violent. The sound of ice spears and clubs shattering against the ground made Elsa's face stiffen.」
「If these three didn't have any additional powerful finishing moves, she definitely wouldn't die, but the longer it dragged on, the more likely it was to attract some annoying knight or mage. Then, things would be troublesome; she might not be able to leave even if she wanted to.」
「"How did things end up like this?" A confused Elsa took a long look at Emilia. "I'll remember you... Live in the shadows until you die, little girl!"」
「She threw out a threat about assassinating a lone Emilia in the future and turned to flee.」
「However...」
「Regrettably for Elsa, her unease became a reality.」
「"Sorry, but I must ask you to stay here. The Royal Capital cannot allow outsiders to use force so recklessly."」
「As dazzling as the sun, as boundless as a galaxy, as magnanimous and gentle as a saint, as peerless as a god, and as deep and powerful as a demon king.」
「A single sword slash that simply aggregated the mana in the air.」
「BOOM!」
「The shockwave created a display of power more terrifying than the ten-plus minutes of life-and-death struggle between the four earlier. The already injured Elsa could not evade and was too late to block; she was heavily wounded on the spot and collapsed unconscious.」
「"Reinhard!" Emilia looked at the sudden reinforcement, overjoyed. There wasn't a shred of distrust or vigilance in her—even Puck felt the same.」
15. Kill, They Can All Be Killed
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, who had treated this four-on-one group beatdown as a mere post-meal dessert, suddenly and sharply suppressed the amusement at the corner of his mouth. He gradually grew serious, scrutinizing the newly appeared outsider in the video with intense focus.
The Bowel Hunter, Felt, Emilia, Old Man Rom, and even Puck—the combat power these individuals had displayed thus far was nothing that a military extermination from any major nation on Earth couldn't handle.
However...
This Reinhard was completely different.
His appearance was handsome and easy on the eyes, his body size was normal, his voice was gentle and kind, and his aura was magnanimous and warm. Everything about him proclaimed that this Reinhard must be a highly approachable and righteous individual.
Despite this, across the screen, a Reinhard who released not a shred of malice had already triggered Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's maximum stress response; his body and mind tensed up involuntarily.
And this sensation—as if his genetic instincts were warning and wailing—was something he had never felt even as a child when following his father to inspect the fully armed US military. Until now, it had happened only twice: once during that earlier segment of darkness, and once now, upon seeing Reinhard.
"I underestimated it... I originally thought that since the Bowel Hunter was considered an expert, the peak level surely wouldn't surpass a nuclear bomb by much. I was too limited..."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka candidly admitted his mistake, then used this new discovery to rapidly reconstruct various possibilities in the depths of his heart.
Compared to the composed Ayanokouji, the real-life Bowel Hunter looked as if she were suffering from severe constipation; she looked ready to devour someone, utterly displeased.
"I am happy to do battle with the strong, but I do not like being plotted against. I had heard of this Sword Saint's great name before, but to be defeated by a common, single attack... this... this isn't a battle at all! It's a crushing! It's meaningless!"
「The dust dissipated, and feet landed on solid ground. It was a footstep that, unlike the Bowel Hunter's, would make anyone feel a sense of goodwill just by hearing it.」
「Setting aside those dead-fish eyes, Hikigaya Hachiman was already a handsome young man. This unexpected reinforcement who had descended upon the scene, Reinhard, was a flawless knight whom everyone would subconsciously praise.」
「"I heard the fighting here during my patrol. I hope I haven't disturbed your enjoyment, Lady Emilia."」
「"No, I'm very grateful for your help, Reinhard. We nearly let the Bowel Hunter escape."」
「"The Bowel Hunter? So it was her. To think she had a conflict with you—was she attempting an assassination?" Reinhard immediately probed the truth and, with swift decisiveness, picked up the unconscious, blood-spitting Bowel Hunter. "I will imprison her in the Great Jail and keep her under strict supervision after her trial."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman paced out from the stolen goods warehouse. His brow furrowed, and he hesitated to speak.」
「"And this is?" Reinhard noticed him instantly, speaking with a gentle countenance and unfeigned concern. He was sincere from the inside out, without a trace of superiority toward those present.」
「"Hikigaya. Hikigaya Hachiman. Just think of me as Emilia's... someone who covets her wealth."」
「"What kind of description is that? How strange."」
「The indecisive Hikigaya Hachiman ultimately spoke up anyway: "Forgive my presumption, but can't such a dangerous person be executed on the spot? she has formed a mortal grudge with Emilia. Once she escapes... sorry, I don't mean to belittle you, it's just that the Bowel Hunter's strength isn't low, and you can't guard the prison twenty-four hours a day, Reinhard. In case—I'm just saying in case..."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman didn't really want to say it. He currently had very little understanding of this world, and these words were almost like pointing at Reinhard's nose and questioning him, which is very prone to inviting loathing.」
「But recalling the scene of Emilia being disemboweled in the previous loop, he nevertheless resolutely acted on his "unsolicited concern."」
「"I understand your concerns. Please rest assured, I swear on the name of Reinhard that I will never allow the Bowel Hunter to have another chance to harass Lady Emilia."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman fell into an inexpressible state of shock.」
「Toward an ordinary person like him—who had no status, whose character was unknown, and who possessed no power—the man standing at the peak of this otherworldly nation, Reinhard, had actually made a solemn promise with no room for retraction. A pair of eyes
watched him directly from beginning to end, making him feel as if he were in a spring breeze.
「He was touched...」
「Hikigaya Hachiman smelled the scent of the "Genuine Article"!」
"Uwahhh! Wonderful! I smell the scent of true love! Hikigaya x Hayama or whatever are all heresy; Hikigaya Hachiman x Reinhard is number one in the world!"
Ebina Hina was just one representative; the scene of two grown men staring so directly at each other made many people's thoughts go stray instantly.
At the same moment in different worlds, Hikigaya Hachiman and Reinhard both shook their heads in a shared moment of telepathy, both feeling they were unworthy.
One loathed himself as a "rotten person" who had no right to aim so high; the other loathed himself for not appearing in the slums in time to save the four people in the last loop.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."
'Why do I suddenly feel like I'm redundant?'
「Felt also felt quite redundant. She coughed twice, ignored the two men, and took out the insignia: "Here, as promised, I'm giving it back. You can't trouble me or Old Man Rom anymore. Also, the twenty coins..."」
「"?!"」
「Reinhard, who had been in a passionate gaze with Hikigaya Hachiman, suddenly teleported. His emotions fluctuating significantly, he gripped Felt and anxiously asked various questions. Finally, he even used a hand-chop to knock her and Old Man Rom unconscious. With a word of apology, he hurriedly left with the two of them and the Bowel Hunter.」
「"Ah, he saw it," Emilia exhaled a breath of relief. "Luckily it was Reinhard. If someone else had found out I lost my insignia, it would have been big trouble."」
.
」
..
.
So, what Felt had stolen was actually the Dragon Insignia that represented one's status as a Royal Selection Candidate.
Once this secret was revealed, it would indeed cause a massive wave. However, at this moment, the upper-class individuals with insight were more focused on another matter, and through their involuntary muttering, the general public learned of it as well.
"Hey, hey, you're kidding, right?"
"The insignia definitely reacted. The size, the birthday matches, and the appearance..."
"A thief lurking in the slums... is actually a royal orphan who had been lost? That's unbelievable!"
"The local standoff of the Royal Selection is going to add a new member. Is there a new storm coming?"
In reality, Reinhard froze for a slight moment, then exactly like his counterpart in the video, without a word, he immediately sprinted toward the slums, turning into a high-speed meteor.
Such a monumental discovery. There was not a moment to lose!
16. Guilt Begins to Accumulate Like a Rising Tide
"I get it already! Don't knock me out, I'll cooperate on my own! Also, let Old Man Rom come with me!"
In the blink of an eye, Felt—who had just finished packing her belongings and was preparing to bolt—dumbfoundedly felt the oncoming gale. Seeing Reinhard's figure, her face slumped into a grimace of defeat; she quite self-awarely raised her hands in voluntary surrender.
She had no idea why Reinhard placed such importance on her, but now, with the light screen in the sky watched by everyone... surely he wasn't going to kill her, right? That would definitely tarnish the Sword Saint's reputation.
Most importantly, there was absolutely no way to escape—it was laughable. A simple, unadorned slash from him was stronger than the four of them combined; how could she flee?
While development on this side was peaceful and cooperative, Emilia's expression was peculiar. Her eyes flickered with uncertainty, her head lowered slightly, looking both awkward and humiliated. She was almost dying of shame; the deep sense of guilt in her heart made it nearly impossible for her to lift her head.
"This is wonderful, Lia! Everyone is alive and well this time! You don't even have a scratch!"
Puck, spinning happily in mid-air to vent his joy after surviving a disaster, finally noticed his daughter's face full of negative emotions. "Eh? What's wrong, Lia? You went from dying to living; aren't you happy?"
"No, that... being able to live on properly, without making Puck sad, of course I am... but..."
Her tone was low, her slender hand brushing over her chest. Every beat of her heart felt like a sharp, stinging pain.
"Hmm?" Tilting his head in extreme confusion, Puck discovered the source of his daughter's timid and evasive behavior.
It was precisely the light screen in the sky.
「"To be able to reclaim the insignia so smoothly and deal with a hidden threat like the Bowel Hunter—besides Reinhard, your role was the greatest. Relying on your intelligence was a huge help, and I am truly grateful."」
「Clutching the recovered insignia tightly, Emilia treated it like a precious treasure. Yet, she didn't indulge in her own world; she immediately stepped back with great sincerity. Her sweet, simple voice was laced with gratitude as she bowed her head slightly toward Hikigaya Hachiman to show her respect.」
「"...Don't do that, seriously."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman seemed completely flustered. This man, who could remain composed even in the face of death, suddenly felt the blood rush to his face, turning it beet-red at the clear, direct, and increasingly close presence of the silver-haired beauty.」
「He actually took two or three steps back in a frantic retreat, increasing the distance between himself and Emilia. His eyes, which had instantly become as timid as a mouse's, darted around, looking at the sky and the ground—anywhere but at the stunningly beautiful girl in front of him.」
「He hardly even dared to breathe, lest he fall victim to the faint fragrance emanating from Emilia. His behavior was the polar opposite of his previous self; there wasn't a trace of his strong psychological fortitude or wisdom to be seen.」
「"Huh? ...Umm."」
「The simple-minded Emilia really had no idea how to handle this situation, and once again cast a questioning glance toward Puck.」
「"Mhm-hmm~ Haha, you have good taste, kid~ Yes, very good, very good. Let's keep it that way; after all, I'm not going to marry my daughter off anyway."」
「Puck, enjoying the show, burst into laughter. His words were plain and easy to understand, making Hikigaya Hachiman want to dig a hole and hide. Fortunately, Emilia—who didn't believe she possessed such charm—saved him: "How can you say such things... Puck, you can't make jokes like that with Hachiman on your own."」
「"You should just call me Hikigaya." Under Puck's teasing gaze, Hikigaya Hachiman, wishing he could bury his head deep in the earth, twitched the corner of his mouth.」
「Every time he heard Emilia call his name, his very bones felt a surge of softness. It was so refreshing it felt like taking a cold shower in the middle of summer. Within a single second, he had already envisioned an entire life with Emilia in his mind, from marriage to having children. "Or at least add a '-kun'."」
「"Hachiman-kun's personality is indeed a bit strange. Well—but I understand, Hachiman-kun."」
This was a harmonious chapter following the conclusion of the battle. It clearly showed that Emilia—not just out of kindness, but out of the trust forged from facing death together—had accepted Hikigaya Hachiman as a friend.
Her cuteness healed many people watching the light screen... the problem was that none of that was the focus of Emilia's concern!
"You feel very guilty, don't you, Lia?"
Puck retracted his smile and approached the slightly trembling, snow-white body of Emilia, gently wiping away a few small tears from the corner of her eye.
"Hikigaya Hachiman truly saved your life; without him, you would already be dead... However, after the first loop, you—who had no memories and only knew he provided some intelligence—offered feelings and rewards that are, of course, far from matching the debt of saving your life..."
"Puck, Puck, I... sob..."
Enduring it, Emilia's voice trembled as she bit her lip.
"But, Lia, don't condemn yourself for such things."
Puck, who had seen much of the world, sighed. "Look up, Lia. Hikigaya Hachiman—he feels that this is perfectly fine!"
"...Eh?"
「Having calmed his emotions, a normal-looking Hikigaya Hachiman followed beside the bickering Emilia and Puck. They were headed to stay at the mansion in the capital that hosted the Royal Selection candidates.」
「Listening to the girl's pleasant voice and seeing her unharmed body—her soul and flesh were both intact, and no one had died.」
「On Hikigaya Hachiman's plain yet handsome face, he could not help but wear a smile of deep satisfaction.」
Puck had already seen through Hikigaya Hachiman almost completely.
This was a person who was, in essence, as gentle and kind as his own daughter—someone who would rather suffer a loss himself if it meant others could move forward peacefully.
"This kid isn't the type to be petty, to hold a debt over someone's head, to act superior to the person he saved, or to feel he is entitled to exactly as much as he gave. Do you see, Lia...
The mere fact that 'Emilia is alive' is his greatest joy.
Live with pride, Lia. For you to live happily and well is the best way to honor Hikigaya Hachiman!
Well, of course, when he transmigrates here, we must host him well. That is a necessity."
Puck, with his arms crossed, spoke with a persuasive logic based on reality.
Emilia still carried guilt and self-blame.
But her body stopped shaking, and her brilliant, magnificent eyes shone with light. Seeing the smiling Hikigaya Hachiman on the light screen, her voice regained some calm:
"I understand... it's a promise, Puck!"
"Mhm, it's a promise, Lia~"
17. Dead Virgin, Get Out!
"No way, Brother! I give you a chance and you're useless! She's practically pushing her face into yours and you retreat? Are you serious about those two steps back? It's hopeless if you can't even find a sister-in-law after transmigrating to another world! When will I ever see my brother get married? Argh, it's so hopeless!"
Hikigaya Hachiman: "..."
"What's wrong? Did Komachi send an important email?"
Yukinoshita Yukino's eyes were sparkling with a sharp intensity. The faint, subtle pressure she exerted scared Hachiman into quickly snapping his phone shut with a loud clack. He struck a lying posture that showed no flaws: "No, it's nothing. Komachi just said I'm famous, that's all."
If Yukinoshita ever found out the contents of that email, she certainly wouldn't mock Komachi, but she would definitely use her toxic tongue to describe him as a "toad lusting after swan meat," and that would not be pleasant at all.
Furthermore...
Hikigaya Hachiman shrank into himself, giving a sheepish, apologetic smile to the people in the convenience store who were looking at him with bizarre expressions. He then tried his best to act like a dead man, minimizing his presence.
He really wanted to die... Being broadcasted globally over and over again, stammering just to speak to a beautiful girl—that expression, which was even more useless than a pathetic shut-in, was essentially the greatest social death in history, enough to make someone faint from shame on the spot!
Social death was not something he could get used to. Just like real death, no matter how many times it happened, the pain and fear remained just as agonizing.
Yukinoshita Yukino suppressed her curiosity. Since this video started playing, her mood had been a roller coaster of complexity; she didn't mind adding a little more curiosity to the mix.
What dominated her heart right now was... panic.
Any intelligent being could see that a peerless beauty like Emilia was likely very prone to harboring goodwill toward others. Meanwhile, Hikigaya Hachiman was the type of person who frequently, if unintentionally, performed gentle actions that captured a girl's heart.
They had only known each other for one day and had already progressed to being called friends. She really didn't dare to imagine what would happen as the days accumulated.
「Because of Felt's appearance, the Council of Sages urgently announced a delay in the Royal Selection. Emilia, who had come to the capital for the selection, suddenly had a large amount of free time. She hired a ground dragon carriage and took Hikigaya Hachiman back with her to the territory of her supporter, Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers.」
「Exhausted from two major battles, Hikigaya Hachiman's mental energy was spent. Halfway there, he uncontrollably began to doze off and fell into a deep sleep.」
「Darkness... boundless darkness...」
「Hikigaya Hachiman seemed to return to his hometown. He saw a blue, spherical planet; he saw his familiar house; he saw his worried sister, Komachi.」
「"Komachi!"」
「His joyful shout did not reach Komachi's ears. Hachiman lunged forward, but he couldn't touch anything. He passed right through his beloved sister like a legendary ghost, invisible and intangible to normal people.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman froze.」
「He seemed to remember something—thinking of the other world, the transmigration, the death. At the moment his memory returned, the winds surged and the scene shifted. A safe and sound Komachi suddenly appeared in a different place, fleeing for her life. Behind her...」
「Behind her was—behind her was...」
「A bloody, hideous-faced Elsa the Bowel Hunter!」
「Gurgle... Hachiman was about to go save her when he suddenly fell into a bottomless abyss, his limbs flailing wildly. For some reason, his palms seemed to feel a faint warmth.」
「"KOMACHI!"」
「A thunderous roar, containing the ultimate care and tension, accompanied by a shrill and violent outburst. Hikigaya Hachiman snapped his eyes open, his upper body bolting upright from the warm bed in an instant.」
「The cold sweat of lingering fear didn't just bead on his forehead; it soaked through his clothes.」
「Hachiman's eyes were wide with rage, looking as if he wanted to tear his enemy into ten thousand pieces.」
「Then, he froze once again... Where were Komachi and the Bowel Hunter?」
「Warm sunlight, a spacious room, a comfortable and high-class bed, and two cute, beautiful girls who seemed startled—dumbfounded by his sudden, furious roar.」
「They wore maid outfits, had neck-length short hair, and fair skin. Their features were quite similar, suggesting they were likely sisters. Their style was identical, except one had blue hair and the other had pink.」
「"Sister, sister, this guest seems to have some mental health issues."」
「"Rem, Rem, this guest really does have some mental health issues."」
「The two spoke in a synchronized, deadpan tone. Hachiman, who had once faced Yukinoshita's toxic tongue, felt no anger at all. He wanted to raise his hand to say hello.」
「"Wait, my hands...?"」
「Hachiman blinked, certain he wasn't misseeing things—the two cute sisters were, at this moment, each holding one of his hands with their own. Even though his palms were sweaty and dirty, they didn't let go.」
「"You two," Hachiman paused. His high IQ and EQ immediately provided the answer:」
「"Are you perhaps... seeing that I was having a nightmare, trying to use this method to help ease my pain?"」
「The calm-faced sisters neither claimed credit nor denied it. They maintained a tacit silence as they withdrew their slender arms. The look they gave Hachiman contained clear recognition and approval—they didn't look at him as a stranger, but as a comrade with shared ideals.」
「Coming back to his senses, Hikigaya Hachiman finally realized the situation and blushed.」
「He-he-he-he-he... he had just had physical contact with two girls this cute?!」
「His heart rate was about to exceed its limits!」
「Click.」
「Emilia opened the door, interrupting Hachiman's transformation into a steam engine. As soon as she entered and saw the blushing Hachiman, she immediately asked with concern: "Hachiman-kun, what's wrong? You screamed so miserably. Is there something unsatisfactory about our hospitality?"」
「"No, no... uh, it's not that there isn't... no..."」
「His incoherent state made Emilia chuckle: "What is it? If you have any needs, you can bring them up, as long as they aren't too excessive."」
「"Then I'll be direct. A disclaimer first: I have no dissatisfaction with any of you. Please allow my bluntness."」
「Hachiman took a deep breath, wrapping the blanket tightly around his upper body. Embarrassed and ashamed, his voice was as quiet as a mosquito's buzz.」
「"Um, can you please... all go out?"」
「He was lying in bed, seemingly changed into a set of pajamas, and three beautiful girls were staring straight at him.」
「Aaaaaaahhhhhh—!」
「He was so ashamed he wanted to crawl into a crack in the floor!」
18. The Common Bond of Sister-Cons
"Pffft-hahahahahaha!"
Shirogane Miyuki and Ishigami Yu laughed until their stomachs hurt. Fujiwara Chika was doubling over, and even Shinomiya Kaguya, despite her strict upbringing, couldn't contain herself, her lips curling into an irrepressible smile.
"The reason I don't confess to Shinomiya is because of all sorts of complicated concerns, but if there's actual physical contact, I'd obviously welcome it with open arms... Hikigaya-kun is truly a fascinating person!"
In the karaoke room, every single classmate who knew Hikigaya Hachiman lost it, laughing like a flock of honking ducks: "Gah-hahahahaha! Did I see that right, Hayato? Did I see that right? Hiki-piggy actually got shy? Gah-ha-ga-ga-ga!"
Hikigaya Hachiman's peculiar shyness and his act of desperately pushing beautiful girls away made it impossible for people all over the globe to stop laughing.
The dense, overlapping laughter in the convenience store—those spectators laughing so hard they could barely breathe—stimulated Hachiman's scalp until it went numb. His face contorted; he could have stepped right into the world-famous painting The Scream.
"Pff... pff-ha... Hahaha... Don't—don't lose heart, Hikigaya-kun, I... ugh-hu-hu!"
Yukinoshita Yukino humorously tried to suppress her amusement, but then, in a rare departure from her usual self, she offered a genuine compliment: "To be able to suppress the genetic instinctual pursuit of high-quality members of the opposite sex and refuse to be promiscuous—this is a manifestation of your quality as an excellent man. It's very reliable."
Actually, she had one last thought—'For your girlfriend, or even your wife, this makes you the best husband in the world'—but her face flushed with shyness, and she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"With words like those, I have a little bit of hope left to keep living, Yukinoshita."
The miserable Hikigaya Hachiman's dead-fish eyes were full of despair, looking exactly like a salted fish that had been dead for days. His phone kept buzzing incessantly as the students of Sobu High sent a relentless barrage of "congratulations."
「After rolling around on the bed with a blanket over his face and screaming like a rubber chicken for a long time, the now-dressed Hikigaya Hachiman finally gathered the courage to tiptoe out of his room.」
「This mansion was less a house and more a castle. The grounds were vast, the architecture elegant, and the furniture and items were all of an obviously expensive grade. The corridors branched out in all directions.」
「Regrettably, Hikigaya Hachiman got lost.」
「He casually opened a large door and entered a place that was, incredibly, a massive library. Books were displayed in abundance, and the air was sweet and airy. The only living being there was a beautiful little girl with golden hair; looking at her hairstyle, Hachiman almost thought he was seeing his classmate, Miura Yumiko.」
「"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! My apologies, I didn't know this was..."」
「Even when facing a child, Hikigaya Hachiman gave plenty of respect. But before his apology was finished, the other party murmured to herself in surprise: "Reaching this place on the first try... is it luck?"」
「Hachiman braced himself. "Um, hello? Are you Roswaal's daughter? I think I'm lost."」
「"Roswaal's daughter?" The girl acted as if she'd heard a joke. "Betty doesn't recall ever becoming his daughter."」
「Betty sized him up. "Your mental state seems alright. Did something relaxing happen? You look much better than you did last night."」
「"What do you mean?"」
「"Emilia brought you to Betty last night, saying your mental state was very abnormal while you were asleep. Betty didn't have any good solutions for that particular area."」
「The implication being: she did have solutions for other areas? Was she that powerful?」
「Gulp...」
「Hachiman realized he was in a world of magic. "Forgive me for asking, but Beatrice, how old are you?"」
「Betty looked at the book in her hand, appearing to have little interest in humans as a species. After a few brief answers, she asked him to leave, ending the interaction. As he walked out of the library, a dazed Hachiman was full of surprise.」
「Beatrice seemed cold, but in their short communication, she revealed that her temperament was actually quite good.」
「Hachiman realized with a start that since coming to this other world—in just two days—he had encountered four or five people whom he instinctively didn't want to build a mental wall against, but instead wanted to face properly.」
「Emilia, Reinhard, Beatrice, and those maid sisters... they all gave him a slight taste of the "Genuine Article" he had been searching for so bitterly for all these years.」
「Among the five, Reinhard and Beatrice were the ones he felt the least pressure facing. Because one was male and the other was a young girl, he didn't associate them with sex or romance, allowing him to communicate wholeheartedly and normally without taboos.」
「"Beatrice, can I come back and talk to you again next time?"」
「Betty didn't answer, but the door closed a fraction slower than usual.」
「"Sister, sister, what is this guest doing, standing there like an idiot?"」
「"Rem, Rem, this guest is being an idiot by acting like a puppet."」
「"Hello," Hachiman ignored their roasting. "Can you take me to see Emilia?"」
「When it came to business, the roasting maid sisters shifted into a different mode, professionally leading him to the garden. There, Emilia, dressed in blue loungewear, was communicating with lesser spirits.」
「Hachiman didn't disturb her, waiting until she finished her communication before greeting her.」
「"Good morning."」
「He was planning to apologize for his shouting earlier that morning, but Emilia had already pitter-pattered over to him, full of concern. "Are you alright now? Hachiman-kun, you have a younger sister, don't you? If you don't mind, we could bring her here too. I don't think Roswaal would object."」
「"How did you know I have a sister?"」
「"You revealed it yourself, kid~"」
「With a boing, Puck popped out, grinning. "You had a nightmare after you fell asleep last night, right? You kept mumbling 'Sister!' and 'Komachi!' and so on. Worried that something happened to you, Lia even specially called me out for a few seconds late at night."」
「Hachiman had a sudden realization. No wonder those maid sisters were looking at him with such "tender" expressions. They were sisters themselves; having heard his sleep-talking and knowing he was a good older brother who loved his sister, they must have felt a kindred spirit and developed a favorable first impression.」
"Stare—"
The sisters in the Roswaal Mansion had their eyes light up as they looked at each other.
"Rem, Rem, this guest is truly a good person!"
"Sister, sister, this guest deserves to live for a hundred years!"
"Hehe," Hikigaya Komachi scratched her head sheepishly, feeling both shy and delighted. "Brother got a very high score again! Talking in his sleep because he's worried about his sister... Out of a hundred points, I'm giving him a thousand!"
19. Self-Proving Innocence
「"A sister? No. My sister isn't in this country; there's no need to worry about her for the time being."」
「Emilia, who had the potential to become the ruler of a nation, and the slightly humble maid sisters—Hikigaya Hachiman did not treat them differently based on their social status; he befriended them all on an equal scale.」
「In fact, he actually lowered himself by half a notch... He was a penniless outsider living off someone else's charity. If Emilia decided not to fulfill the contract and threw him out of the mansion, he would have no way to retaliate.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman loathed this version of himself—dependent on others, constantly living in fear and trepidation.」
「He held a very high opinion of Emilia, but due to his twisted personality, he harbored a deep-seated suspicion and pessimism toward all living beings. If it weren't for the necessity of staying alive to find a way back to Earth to see Komachi, Hikigaya Hachiman would truly be loath to stay here so shamelessly.」
「Emilia had no way of knowing the specifics of his inner heart; however, Hachiman's guardedness—like a tiger stepping into a prairie—and his cautious attitude toward the people and things around him made her feel somewhat sad.」
「"Yo, kid, relax a little~"」
「Puck, the old fox who had seen it all, quickly organized a set of words to settle Hachiman's heart for the sake of his daughter's mood.」
「"You have a deal with Lia, after all. Staying here for three to five years is no problem. If anyone were to evict you, Lia's reputation would plummet, which would affect the Royal Selection—it would be more trouble than it's worth."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman turned his face away awkwardly.」
「Behind them, the maids arrived silently: "Lady Emilia, Lord Roswaal has returned."」
「Roswaal...」
「Emilia held the status of a 'Prince,' but aside from that, the mansion, property, servants, territory, and power all belonged to Roswaal—this Count who could have treated Emilia as a puppet but instead allowed her her freedom.」
「"Oh? What a surprise, dear guest. Is it because of my attire?"」
「With an utterly frivolous clown-like appearance that couldn't mask his hidden depth, the lightly chuckling Roswaal struck Hachiman immediately as someone who was far from simple.」
「With a single sentence from Roswaal, the two maids showed displeasure toward Hachiman. Fortunately, he quickly recovered from his surprise and gave a sincere response: "No. As long as one isn't parading around stark naked in the streets, what clothes one chooses to wear is a matter of personal freedom. Besides, this is your territory and your mansion."」
「"Compared to those old fogies in the Royal Capital, you possess a perception and poise more noble than an actual noble. What a curious guest."」
「"However, you aided Lady Emilia, and the wisdom you displayed is very valuable. There is no need to use honorifics with me. If you have any needs, I will do my best to satisfy them."」
「In the living room, among a group of pleasant-looking people, only Hikigaya Hachiman twitched his mouth, looking none too happy. Facing Roswaal, he could always feel a profound pressure; this Margrave was scrutinizing him with eyes full of deep meaning.」
「"My needs have already been met; I have no worries about my basic living conditions. If I must say something, I'd like you to give me two 'pills of reassurance,' Roswaal."」
「"Oh?"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman stood up and spread his hands, indicating he had no weapons to counter-attack.」
「"You have likely already sent people to investigate my background, and I imagine they found nothing. A stranger whose identity cannot be traced appears abruptly, intercepts Emilia, enthusiastically offers intelligence for a trade, and successfully enters the mansion of her backer, Roswaal."」
「"Heh, so coincidental, so suspicious," he gave a self-deprecating, cold laugh. "Could I be a hidden piece for another Royal Candidate? Or a spy planted by one of your old enemies, Roswaal? Even I wouldn't believe it if someone said that wasn't a possibility."」
「"Wait, what are you do—"」
「"Don't interrupt, Lia. It's best not to interrupt right now, or else you'll be harming him."」
「Puck stopped the anxious Emilia. The atmosphere in the living room grew increasingly tense and stimulating.」
「"If there are any detection methods, Roswaal, I want you to use them all on me right now. Even those with side effects are fine. You can even have me cooperate for testing anytime, anywhere in the future. I have only one request."」
「"After the check, stop looking at me as a suspicious person."」
「Roswaal fell silent for two seconds, his face expressionless. "With Lady Emilia's guarantee, as long as you don't break the unspoken understanding on the surface, we can live in harmony. You are actively placing yourself in danger."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head slightly, stating and following through on his own philosophy: "No matter how dangerous it is, it is much better than a hypocritical harmony. I don't want to live day by day fearing I'll die in some 'accident' one day. You understand, don't you, Roswaal?"」
「"Hahaha... I underestimated you. Yes, yes, I understand. Then, please follow me, curious guest."」
「The two men, both fully aware of each other's thoughts, entered a room one after the other, leaving the others outside. Emilia lowered her eyelids in worry: "How did it come to this? Puck?"」
「"This is a trial, Lia. A trial he chose for himself." Puck was also quite moved. "Only by passing this trial can he overcome his suspicious past and be truly accepted by everyone. Otherwise, in this mansion, only you and I would trust him... and I think that is something kid Hikigaya is absolutely unwilling to accept."」
"Brave, resourceful, accountable, and reliable... Whew."
Yukinoshita's mother hurriedly clutched her chest, her poise momentarily shaken. "Too powerful, simply too powerful. At high school age, without family conditions to guide or assist him, he grew into this on his own. This is simply... even Haruno can't compare!"
She was scared to death!
She had recently heard that her second daughter was involved in an ambiguous relationship with a boy at school named Hikigaya Hachiman. She had planned to find a time in a few days to "accidentally" encounter them and warn him through hints.
Looking at it now, if it weren't for the accidental appearance of this video, she would have lost a world-class son-in-law that one couldn't find even with a magnifying glass!
"Quick, quick, quick, call my second daughter! She must hold onto this Hikigaya Hachiman. I've set my heart on this son-in-law!"
20. Flourishing Before Death
"On the surface, it seems like a display of great courage, but in the end, this is a desperate move made solely for survival."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's brow furrowed, realizing the situation was far from simple.
How could someone like Hikigaya Hachiman simply surrender so easily, placing his life and even the memories in his mind into the hands of another? In truth, it was because he was a rootless drifter with no power; this was his only option.
If he succeeded, he could smoothly become an insider within Roswaal's faction. Walking through another world with the backing of a high-end status and power would bring unimaginable benefits; it was a gamble worth taking for that one-in-a-million "what if."
Digging deeper, Hikigaya Hachiman was likely very conflicted. On one hand, he hoped Roswaal possessed the means to peer into memories, yet on the other, he was terrified of it.
If Roswaal mastered such a method, he would learn that Hachiman was a transmigrator. Once Roswaal became interested in Earth, he might investigate ways to cross worlds—something Hachiman desperately craved.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka felt a pang of pity: "To go to such lengths for his sister, even using himself as a betting chip... Sigh."
As for Horikita Suzune, she had remained silent ever since witnessing the Bowel Hunter's killings, no longer uttering any arrogant remarks.
Yukinoshita Yukino bit her lip, her heart filled with pity and a messy swirl of emotions.
"So, being born into a high-standing, superior family background is actually this comfortable. I cannot compare to Emilia, but we are cut from the same cloth... If I were placed in Hikigaya-kun's position and grew up like that, I wonder how many 'desperate choices' I would have been forced to make..."
On this day, she felt she had grown up more than usual, seeing through much of the selfish ego she had spent the last seventeen years fixating on.
「About half an hour passed before Hikigaya Hachiman and Roswaal both walked out unharmed. The former carried a mix of relief and regret, while the latter acted as evasive as ever, revealing nothing of his hand. Hachiman couldn't fathom whether Roswaal had peeked into his memories at all.」
「"Sister, sister, will this guest be Lady Emilia's strategist from now on?"」
「"Rem, Rem, this guest will be Lady Emilia's strategist from now on."」
「"That's just your own fantasy," Hachiman pointed to his own head. "It's better not to have expectations for me. I'm just a stupid, lazy, ordinary freeloader; I can't handle such responsibilities or titles."」
"Can't we pick up the pace?"
Roswaal looked on with disdain. The progress of the future broadcast was disappointing to him. "Crossing worlds, and being the protagonist shown on the light screen... it's basically certain that Hikigaya Hachiman is the person of destiny. I have no interest in watching these trivial side-stories. How exactly he intends to obstruct my plans—that is the main point!"
Roswaal, of course, knew himself best. He was clear that according to his plan, the light screen would eventually portray him as a self-serving conspirator standing in opposition to Hikigaya Hachiman.
Attempting to resurrect the Witch and plotting to slay the Divine Dragon—these were earth-shattering acts that would be despised by all.
But it didn't matter. Being able to learn about the future was a benefit that outweighed the drawbacks; regardless, he couldn't stop the broadcast anyway.
「"Sister, sister, does the guest mean he refuses to serve Lady Emilia?"」
「"Rem, Rem, we must respect the guest's freedom of will. It's perfectly fine if the guest wants to be a lazy, gluttonous parasite."」
「The maid sisters played off each other, their barbs stopping just short of being offensive. They weren't exactly respectful to him as a guest, but they showed respect for his choices. Hachiman was helpless; he really couldn't find anything to say in rebuttal.」
「Later, knowing that Hachiman was safe and had been successfully accepted into Roswaal's inner circle, Emilia rushed over excitedly.」
「In accordance with their deal, she began to teach Hachiman magic. After testing, it was determined that Hachiman had an affinity for Yin Magic. Puck decided to teach him 'Shamak' as his first spell. During the teaching process, Hachiman's magical talent proved somewhat chaotic; he found it difficult to control his 'gate,' and his progress was slow.」
「Simultaneously, Hachiman made a solemn request to Rem and Ram: "Every morning at 6:00... no, 5:40, make sure to wake me up. If I linger in bed, throw me out of the room. I won't blame you."」
「The sky would be gloomy and dim, and every day near dawn, Hachiman would be hauled out of his bedroom by Rem or Ram, snapping awake.」
「"Hikigaya Hachiman, think of Komachi! Think of the Bowel Hunter! Do you want history to repeat itself? The simplest way to get stronger is right in front of you; do you really want to give up? If you can't even protect your own life, how will you find a way back to Earth? How will you help your savior, Emilia!"」
「Every single day, the moment he woke, he would nearly sink into sloth, feeling the irresistible urge to go back to sleep. Every time this happened, Hachiman would viciously slap himself twice across the face, whispering those words to himself.」
「Soon after, on the edge of the Roswaal estate, a thin young man would appear. He was jogging, lap after lap, until he was so exhausted he felt he would faint.」
「"Yo, Rem, Ram, good morning today as well!"」
「At those times, Rem and Ram would be cleaning or preparing breakfast. Standing by the windows, they would occasionally stop to look out, watching this man who persistently strove to strengthen himself. Although their conversations weren't frequent, the look in their eyes as they watched him grew gentler by the day.」
「Hachiman even approached Roswaal to ask for resources. The mansion didn't have a specialized collection, but there were indeed some manuscripts on swordsmanship. Roswaal gave them all to Hachiman, acting very generous.」
「The days of training passed quickly. With Emilia's healing magic, he didn't have to worry about hidden injuries. Hachiman's training intensity grew more insane by the day, and his physical fitness improved visibly to the naked eye.」
「Learning magic, training his body, and practicing swordsmanship—most of Hachiman's twenty-four hours were spent on these three things.」
"This kid!" Mike Tyson's expression changed as he sucked in a breath of cold air, sensing the terrifying potential!
Hachiman's physical body naturally couldn't compare to a world boxing champion like him, but combined with the high-end swordsmanship from that magical world and the experience of having died once—if they truly fought, it was hard to say who would win.
If you added the 'Shamak' magic he was just beginning to grasp, one could only say the boxing champion would be nothing more than a chick waiting for slaughter.
"He has completely transformed!"