Chapter 41. Better a Placeholder than a Vacancy
Hikigaya Hachiman had many ideas. As a modern person, he possessed a mindset and a perspective different from those in this world; even as a mere high school student, he understood certain business operation models.
Unfortunately, time and manpower limited him. The Royal Selection was not far off, and securing a follower was far more important than making money. As for recruiting outsiders... Anastasia was a commercial genius.
Since they weren't villagers from the Roswaal territory, it wouldn't be surprising if his methods were infiltrated or plagiarized at any moment—that would just be subsidizing the enemy.
Therefore, he could only take things slowly.
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"Oho... I accidentally overlooked this point. Indeed, rather than making money, he must solve the follower problem first. Even though he's clearly exhausted, he can still maintain such rationality... Is this guy some kind of monster from somewhere?"
Anastasia hummed with a bit of displeasure at first, but then she broke into an innocent expression. "Mm-hmm, he misled me into thinking he had some new way to make gold. Well then, well then—this method of expanding a product's fame and increasing sales through exaggeration and playing up strengths while hiding weaknesses... as his 'apology gift,' I'll shamelessly plagiarize it!"
"Once this whimsical Hachiman-kun actually comes over, I'll offer him a word of thanks as a blessing, ehe~"
While Anastasia focused on marketing strategies, the people back on Earth were mostly showing expressions of shock, probing into the ultimate goal Hikigaya Hachiman had revealed.
"I see!"
"By campaigning in the Royal Capital, he's creating a high-end identity for himself with acceptable status and achievements. He's leaving a pre-existing impression of [Hikigaya Hachiman ≈ Noble ≈ Knight] in the minds of the Council of Sages, the nobles, the Knights, and the other Royal Selection camps.
He's not demanding a deep impression; as long as they have a fuzzy foundational image of Hikigaya Hachiman, their subconcious will be 'colored' under the relentless barrage of the villagers' deliberate promotion. They'll vaguely remember this logical chain of equality and
recognize Hikigaya Hachiman as someone qualified to stand on the same stage as them. That alone is a magnificent victory."
"When the Royal Selection begins, he can then grandly declare his oath of fealty to Emilia, becoming her most intimate knight and closest follower..."
"Even if he still can't compare to those three deep-rooted powerhouses like Julius, at the very least, as an 'ordinary noble' or 'ordinary knight' who fought the Bowel Hunter and has a connection with the Sword Saint Reinhard, he will be qualified to compete on the same stage as them!"
"Following Emilia with this status won't add extra prestige to her, of course, but—compared to a lonely, solitary Emilia, filling the 'Emilia's Follower' vacancy ensures she won't suffer a shameful, total collapse of her reputation at the start of the Selection...
Being able to go this far is actually the best surprise for the extremely lopsided Emilia camp!"
Shirogane Miyuki's analysis was well-founded and easy to understand.
Shirogane Kei, however, was still confused. "If that's the case, isn't he doing great? Why is Hikigaya-senspai still sighing and looking like he's disgusted with himself?"
"People are different, Kei."
Shirogane Miyuki's tone was no longer just one of approval; he shook his head in awe, his words tinged with something closer to deep emotion.
"Hachiman is doing very well, but he feels he hasn't achieved perfection. And..."
"And?"
The riddle of Hikigaya Hachiman's dissatisfaction with himself was unveiled by the man himself before Miyuki could explain.
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「"Is Hachiman going to swear an oath of fealty to Lady Emilia?"」
「Witnessing the man's entire operation and deducing his goal, Rem's heart was cheering with joy. Aside from herself, no one could imagine the ecstasy hidden beneath that forcibly calm exterior.」
「Before this, no matter how close Hikigaya Hachiman stayed to Emilia, he could pull away at any time. But once the identity of Emilia's follower was finalized, he would never be able to run away again.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman exhaled slowly. Lacking the courage to look at Rem, he rubbed his eyes. His voice was bitter; the confidence he showed in front of Roswaal was all an act. A thousand-pound burden rested on his shoulders, and the pressure was actually immense.」
「"Yeah... I'm just a placeholder. Since no tiger is willing to come, I, this shameless monkey, am taking the opportunity to sneak in... Heh."」
「In this moment, the image of the teacher he respected most flashed through Hachiman's mind.」
「Shizuka Hiratsuka had also acted on her own with a 'for your own good' mentality, but at least she let him know he was joining the Service Club and laid everything out clearly.」
「And now, the self-centered decision of this useless student was to deceive Emilia, waiting for it to become a fait accompli before informing her of these schemes.」
「"I'm worried, Rem... Will Emilia accept me as her aid? This is a lifelong connection. What she needs is a strong, powerful force that can hack through the thorns... I have no confidence at all in how much I can actually do."」
「"The opponents I have to face are the knights at the absolute peak of this kingdom. I have to stand across from them... I won't belittle myself, but a confrontation of this level is unprecedented."」
「"If I can't help Emilia, if I end up making her lose face later, if I even mess things up... I still have to do it. I must do it. Even if Emilia is unhappy because of it, she must have a follower. Otherwise, for her, the Royal Selection will be over before it even begins!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman looked up at the ceiling, still wearing a dejected expression. However, having spoken these inner thoughts, his burden was clearly much lighter.」
「"Alright, I still intend to keep this from Emilia for now—whether or not you report it is up to you, Rem."」
「He gave a cunning little smile, seemingly trying to shift the responsibility onto this obedient girl.」
「However, in the next second, Hachiman's smile completely froze, and his eyes went blank.」
「At some point, Rem had walked behind him. Her chest, which was more developed than Emilia's, quietly entered Hachiman's upward-tilted field of vision.」
「A pair of slender, delicate white hands rested on his shoulders without notice. Gentle and light, every movement was practiced and soft, kneading his stiff shoulders and bringing with them the unique fragrance of the Maid-sama.」
「"Why does Hachiman belittle himself so much?"」
「Lowering her head, Rem's face was full of heartfelt confusion. She gazed at Hachiman's cheek, her eyes containing emotions he didn't dare to peer into.」
「"Rem is very happy, truly happy... that Rem can work together with Hachiman.」
「You won't leave this place; we can stay together forever, and we won't be parted... With Hachiman's assistance, Lady Emilia will have nothing to fear. Hachiman will absolutely not be inferior to any knight—no, you are more outstanding, more special than anyone else!"」
「"To be able to gain Hachiman's following... isn't that also Lady Emilia's good fortune?"」
Chapter 42. Progress
"Is she confessing? That basically counts as a semi-transparent confession!"
Horikita Suzune, who had climbed back up, stopped critiquing Hikigaya Hachiman, but she still felt the need to vent. Braving the threat of another "strike" from Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, she muttered to herself quite stubbornly.
"Why? Did she fall that deeply in love so easily? Just because Hachiman said something along the lines of 'You are more important than me' before he fainted?"
She grumbled, "I understand that a hero saving a beauty can greatly increase favorability and promote a relationship, but there should be a difference in the level of heart-fluttering between saying you'll save someone and actually doing it."
Class D fell silent for a moment. After realizing Ayanokouji wasn't going to hit Horikita, some other students with similarly low EQ pricked up their ears, curious to hear Ayanokouji's insight.
Ayanokouji could calculate human hearts, but that didn't mean he "understood" them in a sentimental way. He had no intention of answering such a boring question and remained silent.
The "nice guy" Hirata Yousuke broke the icy atmosphere. "You're being too narrow-minded, Horikita-san. Rem's feelings for Hikigaya-kun didn't start there."
Sudou, who usually shouted, lowered his volume and widened his eyes. "Eh? It didn't? Hey, then where did it start?"
"Broadly speaking, Hikigaya-kun is a charismatic man. Every gesture and every interaction is unconsciously closing the distance between him and Rem."
"If you want to set a precise boundary, it was when Hikigaya-kun confessed to being a sister-con. That move made Ram immediately view him as a close friend. Rem, who is deeply attached to her sister and follows her lead, naturally took the initiative to get closer to him. At that moment, Hikigaya-kun had already preliminary captured Rem's heart."
"With that foundation of favorability, as long as Hikigaya-kun didn't clash with Ram later, Rem would likely have fallen in love with him in six months or a year even without any special events."
Hirata Yousuke was worthy of being the center of the group; he deduced the result backward, calculating Rem's state of mind with precision.
"The Witchbeast invasion crisis essentially just presented the complete, wonderful version of Hikigaya-kun to Rem more quickly, accelerating the process."
"The 'You are more important than me' was the key, but don't ignore an even more crucial point," he looked at Horikita and pointed to his own chest. "Hikigaya-kun touched Rem's... anyway, a good girl like her isn't as casually open as modern people. That is very important."
Finally, Hirata summarized:
"It was inevitable that Rem would fall in love with Hikigaya-kun. The only difference was the length of time, because the values of these two are very close and complementary; they are constantly broadcasting invitations to each other."
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"..." Hikigaya Hachiman pursed his lips, his heart trembling.
Watching this video felt strange; it was as if he had actually done these things, and he could fully empathize with his future self. It was as if he had foresight—he could tell what his future self would do next without even watching, and he could perfectly grasp his future self's state of mind.
"Hey, Yukinoshita." Hachiman couldn't help but sigh, a hint of regret hidden in his tone. "I... slightly want to see Rem and Emilia with my own eyes."
"Yeah. Actually, me too..."
Yukinoshita Yukino 's eyes were burning. "They are both very good people..."
She also felt it was a great pity, but then, without any room for negotiation, she shifted her position to better block Hachiman's path to the convenience store exit.
"However, the one thing I cannot do is let you go out." She gripped the man firmly. "Please forgive my selfishness, Hikigaya-kun."
"Yukinoshita..."
Hachiman stared blankly.
The barrier between worlds suddenly and silently flickered for a moment.
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「"...Ah, ah, I see. As expected of the perfect, strongest maid, you're very good at comforting people. Thank you, Rem."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman did not respond directly; he deceived his own heart.」
「In the following days, he deliberately reduced the number of accidental encounters with Rem. Through exercise and hiding in Beatrice's library, he tried to smooth out the stirred strings of his heart.」
「Until that unusual day, half a month later.」
「A guest stepped into Roswaal's mansion.」
「"To make both Roswaal and Emilia go out to receive them, they must either be of high status or have brought staggering news."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman did not rush in. He cast his gaze toward the 'servant' tending to the ground dragon carriage at the mansion entrance. It was an old man who was clearly not simple at first glance—full of spirit, calloused hands, dignified posture. While maintaining etiquette, his breathing suggested he was ready to strike and kill at any moment.」
「Hachiman left the mansion and walked within five steps of the old man. Just as he was about to speak, the old man suddenly straightened his back, observed him seriously for a few moments, and then spoke as if confirming something.」
「"Excuse me, Lord Hikigaya Hachiman. I am Wilhelm van Astrea, butler of the Karsten House."」
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"Was it I, this old man, who made contact first?" The Sword Demon, Wilhelm, was not worried about any gaffes on his part; he was just a little surprised.
Crusch's gaze instantly became incredibly sharp and earnest. "If Sir Wilhelm can bring Sir Hachiman over, that would be for the best!"
"I'm afraid it won't be that easy, nya."
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「With just that one sentence, Hikigaya Hachiman understood that his marketing strategy had been a grand success. At the very least, he was now 'on the radar' of the upper class.」
「Additionally, Karsten... someone from Crusch's house?」
「Hachiman signaled his understanding without revealing his thoughts, while simultaneously offering a piece of intel: "We are both serving Lords of the Royal Selection. You and I share the same status, Wilhelm."」
「Had it not been for the special behavior he saw between Hachiman and Emilia from a distance before arriving at the mansion, Wilhelm might have actually believed his nonsense.」
「No matter how close or intimate a follower is, there is still a distinction between genders. The interaction between Emilia and Hachiman—thanks to the former's gentle personality and the latter's upbringing in a modern society full of egalitarian ideas—had almost no sense of hierarchy. It was extremely unique.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman and Wilhelm stayed by the dragon carriage, chatting meticulously. Neither overstepped their bounds, respecting each other's face and maintaining a harmonious atmosphere until Crusch's knight and visiting messenger, Felix, finished his mission and walked out.」
「Hachiman did not show any hostility toward Felix and Wilhelm, these two capable assistants of Crusch.」
「"There are four other camps. No one knows how the process will go. Having such a humble butler and follower, Crusch herself might be quite decent... Maybe I can trick them into a vertical and horizontal alliance!"」
Chapter 43. He Is Worthy, and She Is Worthy Too
「The Royal Selection was about to begin.」
「"Ooooh—my, my, distinguished guest, what are you pondering now?"」
「In response to Roswaal's act of feigning ignorance, Hikigaya Hachiman merely let out a few indistinct, non-committal mumbles, having no mood to entertain him. His expression was somewhat grim, clouded by a creeping gloom.」
「 'The news of the Royal Selection's commencement... if it were delivered by a subordinate of the Council of Sages, that would be logical. But for it to be announced by a subordinate of Crusch, a fellow competitor—this is simply...'」
「 'The strength of Crusch's faction is likely terrifyingly deep. It's one thing to be the first to know the news, but to actually send someone over to notify us... Emilia doesn't have a single direct, effective power base; she doesn't even have the most basic intelligence network.'」
「 'If Crusch hadn't notified us, would we have waited in ignorance until the very day the Selection began to receive the news, only then scrambling to rush to the Capital?'」
「 'A losing position—this is a total losing position!'」
「The more Hachiman thought about it, the more troublesome it felt. They were too passive, too deficient.」
「He didn't believe for a second that Roswaal lacked a reliable intelligence network, but Roswaal was treating his support of Emilia with a mere "game-play" mentality. That intelligence network belonged to Roswaal; it had absolutely nothing to do with Emilia.」
「Hachiman stole a glance at the smiling clown, suppressing the urge to lay all his cards on the table.」
「"Um..."」
「From the moment Felix was sent off, she had been enduring in silence. A rare trace of anxiety was visible on her face. Emilia placed a cup of tea before Hachiman, her movements slow and gentle.」
「In those magnificent eyes of hers, expectation and trepidation were blooming like a garden.」
「"...The Royal Selection is about to start, Hachiman... will there really be a knight willing to follow me?"」
「"..." Hachiman's expression, already troubled, grew even stiffer upon hearing this.」
「He took a deep breath, intending to finally come clean and endure the disappointment of the girl standing before him.」
「Suddenly, a flash of white bounced out abruptly. A newly-awakened Puck giggled, nesting atop his daughter's head, and announced the truth in a teasing tone: "After all this time, you haven't realized it yet? Lia, there aren't any other knights—it's Hachiman himself! He's willing to support you in the Royal Selection!"」
「 'This big-mouthed cat!'」
「The roller coaster in Hachiman's heart roared and plummeted. He was caught completely off guard, failing to look away from Emilia in time. In the next second, as expected, Emilia showed a look of deep... eh?」
「Is that joy?」
「Emilia froze for a moment, staring straight at Hachiman. Not a single trace of negative emotion could be found on her; quite the opposite of what he had imagined, the girl's expression...」
「Was she feeling genuine, heartfelt surprise and delight?」
「How is that possible!」
「Hachiman tilted his head in confusion, immediately doubting his own eyesight.」
「Yes, he could understand that Emilia was exceptionally kind and gentle, but to have the position of "personal knight" decided unilaterally—and by a commoner with no power, no wealth, no combat ability, no reputation, and no connections to offer help—no matter how easygoing she was, she should at least express a modicum of dissatisfaction or disappointment!」
「Hachiman pointed at himself, enunciating clearly, seriously doubting that Emilia had misheard: "It's me, you know. It's me."」
「"Ah..."」
「As if suddenly remembering something, Emilia's face, which had been filled with joy, was now mixed with extreme conflict. She hesitated for a few seconds before speaking with great difficulty: "In that case... let's just forget it."」
「The situation had finally returned to a "normal" trajectory. Hachiman ignored the sting in his own heart and forced a smile.」
「"Ooooh—my, your concerns are quite unnecessary, Lady Emilia. Please, rest easy."」
「Roswaal took great pleasure in savoring Hachiman's contradictory state of mind. For whatever reason, he took the initiative to speak: "The name [Hikigaya Hachiman] is, as of today, recognized in the Royal Capital as being on par with the nobility—a presence qualified to assist a Royal Selection candidate. If he serves as your knight, no problems will arise."」
「"Is... is what you're saying true, Roswaal!"」
「The conflicted, dim light in Emilia's eyes ignited with a new flame as she urgently sought verification: "If Hachiman becomes my knight, is it true that no noble or knight will feel insulted, feel that he's unqualified, and try to insult or hurt him? Right?"」
「Beside them, Puck had a moment of realization and cast a look of admiration and wonder at the thorough-thinking Hachiman. "I see. So you went and secured a 'guarantee' during these past days? I didn't understand before why you were being so mysterious about when to reveal this decision."」
「"I don't know how you pulled it off, but it's really impressive."」
「"I... you... you all..."」
「Hachiman was like a computer hitting a bug—stuttering, stalling, his speech falling to pieces.」
「He turned his head toward Rem, who was standing to the side, as if seeking help. But the girl, who knew all of his worries, merely returned a carefree smile.」
「 'I knew it, it had to be this way. I was never worried... because the person Hachiman is swearing fealty to is Lady Emilia!'」
「Having seen all sorts of sinister human hearts, Hachiman was accustomed to using the lowest possible assumptions to guess how others viewed or would act toward him.」
「However, Rem, who had lived with Emilia for many years, knew perfectly well... Lady Emilia would definitely react exactly like this. Because she is who she is, she is Lady Emilia—and thus, she is the Lady Emilia who is worthy of Hachiman's loyalty.」
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"Even though he's changed his habit of speaking in vague riddles, are some things rooted in the heart still impossible to let go of?"
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't want to watch the way Emilia's watery eyes filled with even more emotion for her boyfriend. She leaned her head gently against Hachiman's shoulder and whispered with heartache.
"To develop a personality that protects itself by anticipating the worst-case scenario... you must have been hurt very deeply in the past, Hikigaya-kun."
Hachiman gazed for a long time at Puck who praised him, Rem who encouraged him, Emilia who accepted him, and...
Yukinoshita Yukino, who was tethered to him.
A warm light pierced through his heart and soul.
"It's all in the past, Yukinoshita. I'll change. I'll change for the better in the future—as long as you all are here."
Chapter 44. Promise, Mascot
The sturdy barrier between the worlds began to show signs of minute melting.
As the distance between the two worlds closed—though it was imperceptible— Kawata Osamu was overjoyed.
The videos he was playing now had long since ceased to be mere fabrications.
When the Re:Zero world received his promoted videos, it had essentially invested its own "shares" into them. The video playing now was a collaborative deduction of the future by the consciousness of both worlds, finding the one with the highest probability of occurring.
The Witch of Envy, Satella, was collectively dazed by the consciousness of both worlds; she remained in a state of muddled, half-awake slumber, unable to react to any of this.
If Hikigaya Hachiman truly crossed over, and if Satella's "Love" was confused and bestowed upon him, then everything happening in the video would be the exact actions he would take. The same applied to Emilia and the others; this was a true future.
Therefore, for those outside the video, the feeling of empathy was not an exaggeration at all. It was perfectly logical for them to follow the video and experience various emotional fluctuations.
Furthermore, under the blessing of the world consciousness, the charisma, pressure, combat prowess, emotions, and even the bloodiness of the battlefield would truly waft out of the video, allowing people in reality to feel and resonate with them personally.
Once the two worlds merged, the memories of this evolving future would likely be directly transferred to the real individuals. It would be a life that had truly walked such a journey, which would be even more intense.
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「The night before packing their bags and setting off for the Royal Capital, Hikigaya Hachiman could not sleep and came to Beatrice's library.」
「"Beatrice won't let outsiders sleep here." With a light snort, Beatrice closed her book. Her mouth was stubborn, but in reality, she showed no intention of driving Hachiman out.」
「"To be fair, it's hard for me to imagine the day I'd sleep in the same room as a girl. Well, maybe in a dream."」
「"Hm?"」
「"What is it?" Seeing Beatrice suddenly observing him with a strange gaze, Hachiman's smile vanished, and he hurriedly patted himself down. "Don't tell me I've been placed under a curse again?"」
「"A curse? No, Beatrice has simply discovered something rarer than a curse. You... since when did you have the mood to tell jokes?"」
「Finishing her observation, Beatrice gave a small, knowing nod. "It seems something good has happened. You are much more relaxed than before."」
「"Well..." Hachiman averted his eyes, feeling a bit shy. He changed the subject. "I'm going to the Capital tomorrow. I came tonight to say thank you. Without you this time, I probably would have been in a lot of trouble. Truly, thank you, Beatrice."」
「"It's nothing. Beatrice only did it to make Brother happy." Beatrice spoke with a seemingly haughty and aloof coldness. "If you died, Emilia would surely be sad. And if she is sad, Brother won't be able to be happy."」
「She attempted to dismiss the guy with this excuse, however...」
「"What is with that expression? It's truly irritating. Beatrice doesn't care whether you live or die, you know."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, a faint smile on his lips, gently shook his head. "In any case, is there anything you want?"」
「"You cannot give Beatrice what she wants."」
「Half-stating a fact and half-mocking herself, Beatrice's mood plummeted in an instant.」
「Hachiman's voice suddenly grew loud and clear, giving Beatrice no opening to wallow in her secret sorrow, successfully drawing her attention.」
「"When I return from the Capital, I'll buy some new books and fruit for you. Please accept them even if you find it a bother, Beatrice. Just consider it a favor to my selfishness. It's a promise."」
「"Ugh, you really are a—"」
「Click.」
「Fearing rejection, Hikigaya Hachiman had already hurriedly opened the door and walked out.」
「Beatrice stared blankly at his retreating back, a look of feigned indifference on her face.」
「"A promise..."」
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「The next day.」
「The dragon carriage set out. Aside from Emilia, Roswaal, Rem, and Hikigaya Hachiman, it carried several other villagers and a carriage full of clinking coins.」
「"Remember, the Royal Selection period is a time of great upheaval; dangerous incidents are likely to occur. If you encounter invaders you cannot defeat, hide if you can, run if you can. You must remember that your lives themselves are the greatest wealth to Emilia and Roswaal."」
「Hachiman was somewhat overprotective, giving many instructions before they departed.」
「Puck floated out. "Yo, the lad is quite meticulous. But isn't this a bit too cautious?"」
「"It would be best if I'm just being over-cautious."」
「He turned to ask Roswaal: "It only takes a day to reach the Capital, and we have a few days to rest after arriving, right?"」
「Roswaal narrowed his eyes. "Ooooh—my, do you have some soooooort of plan?"」
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"It's not so much having a plan as it is that, after arriving at the Capital, he is destined to never be idle."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka offered an intrigued commentary.
"Roswaal, that man—heh, he's a classic case of playing the fool. He's a better actor than even the most elite politicians. If he had even a shred of obsession with the outcome of the Royal Selection, he should have been actively visiting and wining over other factions two months ago.
In fact, not only did he not do that, he probably declined many visiting requests. Otherwise, no matter how unfavorable Emilia's position is, or how much she clashes with people's taboos, as a Royal Selection candidate, she shouldn't have fallen to the point of not having a single faction to curry favor with.
Those factions Roswaal abandoned have likely already fallen into the hands of the other houses. An overwhelming disadvantage. Hikigaya Hachiman, how will you turn the tables? I shall wait and see."
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「Hikigaya Hachiman gave his answer.」
「On the first day of arriving at the Capital, without stopping to rest, he immediately commissioned Rem to deliver a formal visiting request to the Sword Saint, Reinhard.」
「"The Sword Saint cannot be recruited, and I'm not deluded enough to try. Maintaining good relations is enough. As long as we are on good terms, we can borrow his connections, his reputation, and even his strength."」
「Hachiman didn't explain these things to Emilia; he was teaching Rem. "As for the figures in the other Royal Selection camps, I haven't decided how to deal with them yet. If someone visits, treat them politely. Don't be too close, but don't be distant either. If there's anything you're unsure of, wait for me to come back and handle it."」
「Rem obediently accepted every instruction. She then presented a set of noble-style clothing.」
「She had hand-sewn it for the man before her over the past half-month, using the highest quality fabric.」
「To go out representing the Emilia camp, such clothing was indispensable.」
「Hachiman stroked the outfit; he could feel the lingering fragrance of Rem on it. However, he had to accept it and quickly headed out.」
「Meanwhile, Emilia was busy acting as a mascot.」
Chapter 45. Purchasing
"Ah..."
Reinhard averted his gaze in shame, filled with a deep sense of regret.
He could be absolutely certain that his self at that point in time would already be committed to supporting Felt as the fifth candidate. Normally, if a close friend possessing such virtue wished to borrow his strength, Reinhard would agree without a second thought.
But now...
"What is it?" Felt bared her teeth, looking quite displeased as she slapped the apologetic Reinhard. "Regretting it? Hmph, I knew you big shots were unreliable. Don't tell me you're planning to defect! Damn it!"
"You jest, Lady Felt."
Reinhard's spirits were low, yet he remained meticulously respectful toward this monarch who loved to speak recklessly.
"I am truly sorry, my dear friend."
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「"I am truly sorry, my dear friend."」
「The news revealed by Reinhard caused the smile of the strategically planning Hikigaya Hachiman to freeze. "I didn't expect Felt to be... well, that's quite a coincidence."」
「Reinhard pursed his lips and lowered his head slightly toward him in apology. In the eyes of this man who stood as a pillar of the world, there was not only an unwavering lack of regret and respect for his support of Felt, but also guilt for making things difficult for his friend and causing him to return empty-handed.」
「Seeing this, Hachiman forced back the sigh of regret that was about to escape. He turned his gears and offered a few objective pieces of analysis.」
「"Felt is the candidate who appeared last. Even with your support, for the time being, she likely cannot compare to the other houses. Emilia also has certain limitations due to her half-elf status... Looking at it this way, before the final decision, our two factions are very likely to cooperate."」
「After these words were spoken, not only did Reinhard's spirits lift considerably, but Hachiman's goal was also achieved. He had signaled a goodwill for cooperation while simultaneously sowing seeds of doubt regarding the other three candidates.」
「Given Felt's immature and explosive temper, it was hard to say what would happen if she cooperated with the other houses.」
「But Reinhard had seen Emilia's simplicity and kindness with his own eyes.」
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"To play with others using rhetoric so openly and shamelessly—it's quite strange, nya. Isn't he supposed to be very gentle, nya? Someone who values feelings, nya?"
Felix was rather curious, though he didn't harbor any righteous indignation. In a matter like the Royal Selection, as long as one didn't cross a very low bottom line, any tactic was considered reasonable.
After all, once one lost this competition, the ones they would let down were far more than just themselves—there were the countless subordinates behind them who trusted and supported them. There was no room for "women's kindness" (soft-heartedness).
"No, this is his nature. Sir Hachiman has always had such a personality. Although he hid it well before, you can tell from his methods that Sir Hachiman does not shy away from lies or deception. If it helps him reach his goal, he will probably use any means necessary."
Crusch nodded repeatedly, clapping her hands in admiration. Her eyes and heart were now entirely focused on wanting to obtain Sir Hachiman.
"However, his 'any means necessary' is a way that does not insult the soul... How excellent. Working for Emilia is truly a waste of talent.
If he were in my service, I would exert all my strength to support everything Sir Hachiman wants. He wouldn't need to be careful at every step, trapped by the frustration of limited resources."
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「When leaving the Astrea residence, Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't help but frown.」
「He returned to their lodgings. Emilia had only just heard news of his return and wanted to come over to greet him, but in just a few minutes—by the time she reached Hachiman's room—she learned from Rem that he had gone out again.」
「"Good work. You've done very well."」
「"Lord Hachiman!"」
「The villagers, who had been summoned and praised by Hachiman personally, all held their heads high, looking as proud as if they'd been injected with adrenaline.」
「They shook their heads solemnly in denial: "Please do not say such things! This is all what we should do! Lord Hachiman, if it weren't for you, the children—even the village..."」
「In an instant, Hachiman felt extremely embarrassed, becoming quite lost. If someone were insulting him, that would be his familiar territory; he'd be like a fish in water.」
「In his seventeen years of life, the total amount of praise he'd received didn't even equal one percent of what he'd heard since being summoned. Hachiman had zero experience in dealing with being respected and lauded.」
「His cheeks reddened slightly as he feigned a few coughs, using official business to distract himself: "Do the merchants of the Capital know who I am now?"」
「"Most of them do," one villager explained in detail. "We told them the facts: that Elsa the Bowel Hunter infiltrated the Capital, you discovered her trail and captured her. Later, someone went to verify this with the Sword Saint Reinhard, and he confirmed it. Since then, many merchants who were left with lingering fears have been very grateful to you."」
「"After all, many merchants operate at night. A bloodthirsty killer like the Bowel Hunter staying in the Capital would certainly have killed people. Lord Hachiman effectively saved them and removed a sword hanging over their heads. No matter what, they are bound to be grateful."」
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"But the fact is the Bowel Hunter was only coming for that half-elf."
"Idiot!"
On the streets, certain murmuring people split into two camps with polar opposite views.
"The guy did hide his motive, but it's also true that he contributed to the capture of the Bowel Hunter. Getting rid of a serial killer—isn't that a good thing!"
Someone calculated further, feeling indignant: "But this Hikigaya Hachiman is clearly planning to use this so-called 'gratitude' to blackmail us merchants, isn't he?"
The uncle at the apple stall joined the argument. "Are you sure? Just look; his expression is completely different from those unscrupulous people. This is the insight and experience of a middle-aged man. Watch closely—if he turns out to be that kind of person, I'll be the first to punch him when he crosses over!"
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「Hikigaya Hachiman pondered for a moment, then took out pen and paper. "Is there anything the village is lacking? Or is there anything everyone wants? As long as it isn't a luxury item, it's fine. Even semi-luxuries can be listed."」
「After explaining the meaning of luxury items and encouraging the villagers to be bold, a list was freshly completed ten minutes later.」
「Hachiman took the list and spent a day wandering the Capital with the villagers, getting a handle on data like various prices and expiration dates. That night, he made corrections, crossing out two items and adding [Weapons] and [Armor], writing a specific number next to each item.」
「"Are you going to...?"」
「Facing their questions, Hikigaya Hachiman slowly uttered two words: "Purchasing!"」
High Profile, Deterrence
「"Purchasing?"」
「"Exactly. Purchasing. According to the quantities on this list, go and buy half of it first. These supplies are to be transported back to the village for everyone to use. While you're at it, look for some ground dragon carriages and mercenaries whose strength, character, and reputation are acceptable to be on standby at any time."」
「The villagers showed troubled expressions. "But... we don't have that much money."」
「Snap!」
「Hikigaya Hachiman stood up efficiently and swung open the cabinet.」
「Clatter!」
「The dazzling, overflowing pile of gold coins was brilliant and magnificent, shining so brightly that the villagers were left slack-jawed.」
「"This... this..."」
「They swallowed their saliva with trembling throats. These seven or eight men were loyal to the core; far from being greedy or envious, they looked at each other with expressions of even deeper conflict. "Do you mean to say you're using your own money to buy supplies for us? This... how can we possibly accept this! Please, take back the order!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman remained silent for a long while. He knew that normal persuasion would be ineffective.」
「Using an awkward method to convince kind people to accept kindness was, for him, perhaps even more difficult than fighting the Bowel Hunter.」
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Back in the Roswaal territory, several men were chuckling, incredibly proud as they lectured their children: "Do you see that? Your father's loyalty was certified and recognized by Lord Hachiman himself!"
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「Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly pulled a stern face. The image of Hiratsuka Shizuka scolding students flashed through his mind—that posture that made the other person feel it was for their own good yet remained indisputable was the legacy Shizuka-sensei had left him.」
「"The Royal Selection is about to start. You don't actually think I have the leisure at a time like this to purely worry about everyone in the village, do you? This is all part of my strategic plan. We take it step by step. If you refuse to do it, the loss won't just be yours; you'll drag down both me and Emilia. Can you bear that responsibility?"」
「A blunt warning, striking like a staff. Without waiting for the dazed villagers to speak, Hachiman revealed further: "When you make the purchases, remember to let them know that these are items Hikigaya Hachiman wants. Pay attention to that point."」
「"Eh? Ah, yes!"」
"Brother." Shirogane Kei was confused again, looking at her brother for an explanation with an eager gaze. For the sake of this, she had even dropped her rebellious phase toward him.
"Let me think... hmmm—"
Shirogane Miyuki thought calmly for a while, tracing the logic back to its source. "I roughly understand. Hikigaya Hachiman is telling the truth; this indeed is his strategic plan.
Buying supplies is partly to increase the village's emergency capabilities and improve living conditions, but that's just his gentle, personal side—it's secondary.
The important part is that Hikigaya Hachiman is acting generous and wealthy, making large transactions. In doing so, the merchants of the Royal Capital will know he is a rich man and will come to associate with him. Thus, Hachiman increases his connections and information sources.
At the same time, it releases a message to many factions, including the other candidates: the message that [The Emilia Camp is not short on money]. It forces others to respect and overestimate the foundations of Emilia and Roswaal. This is a form of invisible deterrence.
Every measure Hachiman implements is truly calculated with extreme caution. One move yields multiple layers of profit."
Shirogane Miyuki shook his head and sighed, feeling he fell far short, but learning from Hachiman in his summary.
"But wouldn't it be better to show weakness to the enemy? Let the other candidates look down on him, fight each other to the death, and then he can pick up the pieces."
Shirogane Kei didn't understand, and another question popped up in her surprise. "Being so high-profile, won't something happen?"
Shirogane Miyuki smiled; his sister was too naive.
"You have to distinguish the situation, Kei. Where does the Emilia camp have the room to show weakness? She is actually weak. If he doesn't pretend to be powerful and someone actually attacks to test them and finds out the truth, everything is over. Hikigaya Hachiman has no margin for error; he has to be high-profile!"
He was like a man walking a tightrope.
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Miyuki Shirogane's analysis was good, but someone else analyzed it even better.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka calculated it in an instant, seeing through it all within seconds and deducing the upcoming routine.
"When the Royal Selection starts and the merchants learn that Hikigaya Hachiman is the knight supporting the half-elf Emilia, the sensation it causes will be something he surely uses—leveraging that heat to somehow reverse Emilia's abysmal reputation."
Horikita Suzune listened to his structured analysis of Hachiman's actions, feeling as ashamed as a cooked lobster. She remembered her own initial arrogance and how she had looked down on Hachiman.
She had never been this embarrassed in her life!
"The Emilia camp is limiting Hikigaya Hachiman's potential!"
This same conclusion was reached not just by Crusch, but also by Anastasia and Priscilla.
The predicament was so obvious that even Emilia could see it. Her face was pale, and she was swaying on her feet. "It's me... I'm the one holding him back... If it were Crusch and the others..."
"Lia!" Puck snapped her awake with a paw. "Don't think like that! Hikigaya Hachiman did this voluntarily. He's willing to act for you. Crusch and the others have many resources, but they aren't what he wants."
"Uu..."
The shame of being powerless was secondary to the sight of this man busying himself for her sake, growing more haggard by the day as time passed. Emilia wished she could replace her future self and hold Hikigaya Hachiman tightly.
Tell him not to push himself so hard. Coax him into getting a good night's sleep. At the very least, hand over a portion of the work to her "useless" self so she could share his burdens.
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「Emilia wasn't quite sure what Hikigaya Hachiman was doing exactly. She only knew that since arriving in the Capital, the man was always missing for days on end, moving in a hurry, his steps never stopping as he entered and exited their lodgings.」
「When he returned, his face occasionally held joy, occasionally sighs.」
「In just a few short days, his spirit and body had both visibly weakened significantly. The overexertion from the Witchbeast invasion had not yet fully recovered, and now it was even worse.」
「Finally, Hikigaya Hachiman fell ill.」
「In a half-awake state, he saw Emilia go out once. After she returned, she and Rem hoisted him up together, and in a dragon carriage, they drove toward a massive mansion.」
「What he could hear in his ears were no complaints—only the two girls' concern, filled with pity and extreme urgency.」
「Compared to how many paths he had paved for the Royal Selection, Emilia only cared about his health.」
「The genuine thing.」
「"The genuine thing..."」
「In his state of delirium, Hachiman thought to himself, murmuring under his breath.」
PTSD
「A warm bed, a room, a ceiling, and...」
「"—!!!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman jerked awake, jolting out of his sleepiness in an instant. He flipped out of bed, eyes darting left and right. Only after realizing this wasn't his room in the Roswaal mansion did he finally let out a long, ragged sigh of relief.」
「In that split second, he had almost thought he'd died mysteriously again—that all his hard work had been erased by a time loop, rendered useless.」
「"Awake yet, nya? Lady Crusch, he's awake, nya."」
「Accompanied by a pleasant voice, Felix, whom Hachiman had met once before, leaned over. His fingers probed Hachiman's body with subtle movements before he nodded in satisfaction. "The healing effect is excellent, nya."」
「Hachiman froze. He remembered this subordinate of Crusch, whom Roswaal had evaluated as a master of healing magic. He pieced things together quickly, but he still couldn't help feeling incredibly uncomfortable.」
「"Um... as a patient, I'm obviously not in a position to demand anything, but shouldn't there be at least a little... gender distance...?"」
「Felix blinked in surprise, then immediately began to act cute and coquettish. Kneeling on the bed like a cat, he raised his clasped hands and spoke in a flirtatious, enchanting tone: "But Ferris is a boy, nya~?"」
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Crack—
It wasn't just Hikigaya Hachiman, who was experiencing a " Totsuka Saika " moment all over again; at this moment, countless boys watching the video fell into a state of spiritual collapse. They looked as if they wanted to say something but couldn't, their minds trapped in a trance.
"Why do boys cuter than girls even exist?! Dammit! My sexual orientation is about to be warped!"
Ooji Mochizou slapped himself twice, startling his childhood friend Tamako. She stopped watching the video to fuss over him and bring him a damp towel. Looking at the wonderful Tamako, Mochizou finally managed to escape that sense of moral depravity.
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「"Ah, sorry!" After a moment of blankness, Hachiman quickly recovered his composure. If it wasn't a girl, it was much easier for him to interact. Just as he was thinking this, a handsome, striking figure dressed in a military uniform strolled in.」
「She exuded a steady, heavy presence. One look was enough to know that she was a truly qualified monarch.」
「Crusch Karsten. Hachiman had seen her portrait. Of the two most prestigious and powerful factions currently, Crusch controlled the military, while Anastasia controlled the finances. She was an opponent not to be underestimated.」
「"Sir Hachiman, is your body no longer in any danger?"」
「"No problems, nya. A few days of rest and he'll be fine, nya~"」
「Observing the master and servant playing off each other, Hachiman twirled a strand of hair and let out a regretful sigh. "While I'd like to say thank you for the treatment, it seems Miss Crusch isn't the type to be so magnanimously selfless... I owe you a favor now, and that's going to be a real pain."」
「"If I truly managed to make you owe me a favor, it would be a stroke of luck," Crusch said, feeling a bit of regret. She didn't try to take advantage of the situation, but spoke plainly: "Your body was merely exhausted from overwork. In truth, there was no need for Ferris to act; Emilia was simply too anxious."」
「By stating the facts directly and showing no intention of making the Emilia camp owe her for the healing, Crusch paused. Her words contained a critique of Emilia's immaturity, yet they were also laced with a hint of praise.」
「"I heard that after arriving in the Capital, you overextended yourself to do many things. To snatch away collaborators from the Hoshin Company using only the wisdom of one person—even if they were a few insignificant ones—is truly extraordinary."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman ignored the woman's praise. He lukewarmly displayed his unconditional support for Emilia: "Is that so? Overworked... and yet a small thing like that moved the Capital's number one healing master, Ferris, to act."」
「At first listen, these words sounded strange. But if one parsed them carefully, the subtext was: 'This wasn't a sign of Emilia's immature naivety; it was a sign of a monarch who treasures her subordinates.' It showcased a reliability that made Emilia worthy of people's loyalty.」
「"..."」
「Crusch felt a surge of "talent-lust." All the arguments she had prepared in her heart to convince this man to switch factions and follow her were suddenly washed away by a storm, leaving not a single word behind.」
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"I arrived too late." Crusch emitted a bitter, gloomy aura. "Sir Hachiman and I were not fated. From the moment he was saved by Emilia in that alleyway, this outcome was decided."
Felix kept cheering her on: "No one can change what has already happened except for Hachiman, nya! But this time is different, nya. Lady Crusch, please look forward to it—the first person he meets this time will definitely be us, nya!"
On the other side, Emilia felt like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Her magnificent eyes sparkled with a rising spirit, finally reducing her guilt slightly.
"Puck, Puck, did you see? I finally managed to be something other than a burden to Hachiman. That's great, that's so great... ugh..."
"Yes, you did well, Lia."
"Is it worth it for Hikigaya Hachiman to spill his lifeblood like this?" Oreki Houtarou inadvertently let a faint smile slip.
"If you look at it from an action perspective, of course it's not worth it. In that alleyway, even without Emilia, Hachiman wouldn't have necessarily died. And in the days that followed, Emilia didn't give him any massive contributions or favors."
"However, from a spiritual perspective, it is absolutely worth it—not just worth it, but something not to be missed!"
"Whether as a friend or as a subject, Emilia is pure. Her primary concern is always Hachiman's health, whether he's happy, whether she's let him down, or whether she can help him... Such a close friend, such a monarch, such a girlfriend... who would be willing to miss out on that?"
The energy-conserving Oreki actually rambled out his views. Deep in his heart, he felt a sense of longing and aspiration.
As this emotion lingered, he couldn't help but peek at Chitanda Eru beside him, only to find the girl was also secretly peeking at him, her face reflecting the same emotion.
"Uh..."
The two thin-skinned teenagers looked away at the same time, their minds a jumbled mess.
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「"Your wisdom and loyalty are striking, Sir Hachiman. I look forward to your performance in the Royal Selection."」
「"Rest easy. I won't show any mercy."」
「"You certainly have a big mouth, nya~"」
「Crusch had one more sentence she didn't say. Expectation... was merely expectation.」
「 'Hikigaya Hachiman, you are quite excellent.'」
「 'But you arrived too late.'」
The Royal Selection Begins!
「"I want to, but there's time, and some final tasks that haven't—"」
「"I will take over the remaining work. If Hachiman doesn't trust my ability, at least trust Rem, who assists Ram in handling Lord Roswaal's affairs. Rem and I will manage together; it's fine. So... so... I beg of you, please rest well for a few days, alright?"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman had originally made up his mind to act willfully regardless of any condemnation.」
「But when he heard Emilia's voice—voice filled with such profound, sweet concern—he wavered. She wasn't being forceful at all; yet, this request, the polar opposite of being overbearing, made even a "hard-boiled" guy like Hachiman fall silent.」
「"...I understand."」
「Emilia's worry and care easily defeated this man of iron.」
「"Please rest your mind and body well. Rem will assist Lady Emilia with all her heart!" Before leaving, the gentle Rem offered her guarantee.」
「After the two of them left, Felix patted his chest. He had been eavesdropping the whole time. "How scary, nya. From Sir Hachiman's aura just now, Ferris almost thought there would be a fight. I didn't expect him to go soft so suddenly, nya."」
「"Poor choice of words, Ferris, but whatever." Hachiman gazed out the window like a sage, his eyes reflecting the weight of experience. "Focusing only on the goal and disregarding myself... I still believe that is the most efficient way to operate."」
「"But I've suffered enough for it in the past. Since there are people who care about me, I have to protect myself, if only for their sake... I realized this quite late, but fortunately, it's not too late."」
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Hikigaya Hachiman felt half-embarrassed, while Yukinoshita Yukino felt half-satisfied.
Yukino pursed her lips. She didn't mind having been a "stepping stone" for Emilia in this instance. She felt a bit of happiness. "If Hachiman-kun can realize that he himself is important, then all the tears I shed during the school trip were worth it."
"But back then, it was too late for me to let you see my progress," Hachiman shook his head with regret. "I'm sorry, Yukinoshita."
"I'll accept that apology, Hachiman-kun. And then... I look forward to you never making me cry again, okay?"
"..."
The playful Yukino had a hidden meaning, but Hachiman couldn't guarantee that after watching the video, he would be able to resist the urge to save Emilia.
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「"Hm-hmm, it seems Sir Hachiman has quite the history. Did something happen in the past, nya? Well, Ferris won't pry. Anyway, I'll obey Lady Emilia's orders and stop bothering you, nya."」
「Through the window, one could see Crusch's butler, the Sword Demon Wilhelm, practicing his sword in the courtyard. Observing his posture and the power behind his strikes, Hachiman combined this with the swordsmanship notes he'd seen at the Roswaal mansion and his own training. He began to grasp some insights.」
「In the end, he even got out of bed to spar with Wilhelm—though "sparring" was a generous term; he was actually using the opportunity to steal techniques. The gap in their strength was vast.」
「"Lord Hachiman's progress is significant. Your talent for swordsmanship is not lacking; it is simply difficult to match a true genius."」
「That was the evaluation he received.」
「And so, time passed. Soon, the day of the Royal Selection's commencement arrived—coincidentally, the day Hachiman fully recovered.」
「"I will remember the care I received here. Your camp gave me a very comfortable feeling, Miss Crusch."」
「Hachiman leapt onto Emilia's dragon carriage. He drew a clear line between public and private: "I hope there will be a day where we can sit down and chat properly, with me hosting you. Until then... see you at the Selection!"」
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"Is it finally here? Show me! Show me the peak talents of another world!"
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka looked as comfortable as if he had just put on a fresh pair of dried underwear on New Year's Day. He was intoxicated. "Crusch Karsten... she is qualified as both a soldier and a politician. Her starting point is miles ahead of two or three Ryuens. Great, just great, hahahaha—don't let me down, you other two!"
"This guy is insane," Sudo cursed under his breath.
Koenji glanced at him disdainfully and sneered. "How can those who never reach the peak appreciate the view from the top?"
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「Hikigaya Hachiman and Emilia.」
「Originally, Roswaal was supposed to come. As the backer who recommended Emilia, he was meant to provide support for the solitary girl, even if it only highlighted how pitiful her faction was.」
「Now, that wasn't necessary.」
「The one with more of an obligation to support Emilia than Roswaal was her very own knight: Hikigaya Hachiman.」
「Clad in the outfit Rem had specially tailored, Hachiman's "dead fish eyes" seemed to have vanished. The moment he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Emilia and stepped into the Royal Selection Council Hall...」
「This man's magnificent looks were not to be overshadowed by anyone!!!」
「In the hall, a noblewoman overflowing with a confidence bordering on arrogance—as if she were the center of the world, more dazzling than the sun—Priscilla Barielle, a woman of total self-absorption, actually cast her gaze toward Hachiman and Emilia the moment they appeared.」
「"Over here, over here!" Having just parted ways only to meet again, the generous Felix waved to Hachiman.」
「The council hall was vast. Nobles stood on the right, knights on the left, all in perfect order. The chairs above were for the Council of Sages. The five candidates stood in the center, radiating their own brilliance.」
「Hachiman greeted several people in turn—those he knew, like Reinhard and Felix, and those he didn't, like Al and Julius.」
「Though he said he didn't know them, their leaked information had already been pored over by Hachiman many times; he knew them inside out.」
「A heavy atmosphere permeated the room. The curtain was about to rise.」
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"I'm just curious, why are all the Royal Selection candidates in this country female?" Nishimiya Yuzuru scratched her head. "Candidates have to be recognized by the Dragon's Insignia... is that Divine Dragon actually a pervert dragon?"
「After a brief moment of commotion, the hall fell silent.」
「Because...」
「The highest authority in the land, the Council of Sages, had taken their seats.」
「The Royal Selection begins!」
Tell Me, How Do You Want to Die?
「The representative of the Knights briefly recounted the reasons for convening the Royal Selection. During this period, the temperaments and attitudes of the four candidates were displayed clearly for all to see.」
「Emilia was the "soft persimmon" with the best personality; Priscilla was disdainful of everything and cared only for herself; Crusch and Anastasia were more like normal politicians compared to the other two, having a plan for everything they did.」
「Under the introduction of the Sword Saint Reinhard, the fifth candidate, Felt, made her grand entrance. She was there because Old Man Rom had repeatedly attacked Reinhard, and things were becoming impossible to hide; to save Rom, she was forced to participate in the Royal Selection.」
「"Now, will the candidates please step forward—"」
「"Priscilla Barielle and follower, Al."」
「"Head of the Karsten House, Lady Crusch Karsten and follower, Knight Felix Argyle."」
「"Lady Anastasia Hoshin of the Hoshin Company and follower, Knight Julius Euclius."」
「"Lady Emilia and follower, Hikigaya Hachiman."」
「"Lady Felt and follower, Knight Reinhard van Astrea."」
「Emilia's ambition was equality; Crusch's goal was to dissolve the pro-dragon kingdom's cooperation with the Dragon; Anastasia's idea was that mere business could no longer satisfy her—her appetite was so large she wanted a country; Priscilla's statement was that nothing mattered, as everyone would eventually bow to her anyway.」
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"Is there really any hope for this kingdom?" Shirogane Miyuki twitched his lips.
"These candidates are too eccentric. No matter how I look at it, unless Crusch wins, it seems like everyone else would just destroy the country."
Shirogane Kei comforted him: "Look on the bright side, Brother. Didn't that eccentric guy Trump over in the West take the stage too? When it comes to leaders, eccentrics are so common they're not even surprising anymore. At least compared to Trump, Anastasia and Emilia seem quite reliable."
"Sigh, I suppose."
"Actually, isn't Emilia's ambition quite good? Building a fair country!" As Kei said this, she saw her brother wearing a look of absurd amusement.
Miyuki sighed: "If that ambition could actually be implemented, it would be great. But it's precisely because the ambition is too good that I feel she won't make it."
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"They all have such strong personalities; not bad, not bad."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was smiling, but suddenly his eyes and tone shifted, turning terrifying in an instant: "If given the chance, I'd really like to see this Priscilla trip and fall. I'll be the one to make her fall."
Priscilla's arrogant aura was so dominant that it even made someone as emotionless as him feel displeased.
"Is it coming?" Shinomiya Kaguya sat up straight.
She intended to learn some political maneuvering from these "princes" like Crusch to protect her future with the President, so she wouldn't end up as a mere tool for a political marriage.
Emilia, Crusch, Anastasia, and even Priscilla couldn't help but feel a bit of tension at this moment, their expressions becoming serious.
"This is a rehearsal. If one can perform well here and capture the wavering hearts of the people, the knights, and the nobles, the real Royal Selection could be said to be decided before it even officially begins!"
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「As for Felt's wish...」
「"I hate knights, I hate nobles, I hate the kingdom, I hate everything! If I'm elected, I'll destroy everything! How about that? If I become King, I'll make all of you people step down!"」
「She declared this so shamelessly that she instantly drew the loathing of every noble present, and even the Council of Sages.」
「"What did you say?"」
「"Just a lucky orphan!"」
「The council hall grew restless and clamorous. Insults rained down upon Felt. One member of the Council of Sages even joined in: "The Astrea house pushing an orphan forward is a move as foolish as the Margrave Mathers supporting a half-devil!"」
「"Allowing an orphan to step into this sacred hall is no different from that silver-haired half-devil; even being here is a grave sin—"」
「—Screech!」
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"I absolutely loathe these old geezers who act on their age and status to insult and point fingers at others!"
Kousaka Kyousuke clenched his fists. Not just him—at this moment, Kousaka Kirino and even his father and mother stood on the same front, teeth bared.
"Tsk tsk tsk. It would be one thing if he only insulted Felt. Hachiman might be gentle, but with his current status, he might not have stood up for Felt. However... he actually insulted Emilia!"
"He's literally asking for death!"
"Go get 'em, Hikigaya Hachiman! I'm behind you!!"
Public indignation boiled over!
In this instant, Ooji Mochizou, Hiratsuka Shizuka, Yukinoshita Yukino, Oreki Houtarou, Shirogane Miyuki, Azusagawa Sakuta, Izumi Sagiri, the Doma siblings, the entire staff of Musashino Animation, the K-On club who stopped their rehearsal...
Too many to count—regardless of gender, age, nationality, or status—any Earthling with feelings and a normal moral compass could perfectly foresee what was about to happen, and—
They supported it completely!
"OHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Passion exploded! Everyone was using their lungs to roar out a thunderous tide of noise!
Following Hikigaya Hachiman's perspective step by step, they had witnessed Emilia's gentleness, her kindness, her strength, her softness, and her cuteness.
By now, Emilia was recognized by everyone on Earth as Hikigaya Hachiman's perfect match!
And Hikigaya Hachiman was the representative of Earth in another world!!
Now, some self-righteous, prejudiced old man had suddenly jumped out and, right in front of them and Hachiman, was unreasonably slandering and insulting Emilia.
"Do we allow this?"
"NO!"
"Charge, Hikigaya Hachiman!!! If you don't turn this place upside down this time, I'll look down on you!!!!!"
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The same scene triggered similar riots in parts of the Kingdom of Lugnica!
"Calling a half-elf a 'half-devil' is a disgusting, outdated habit! No matter what, insulting someone to their face like that is too much!"
"Does being a member of the Council of Sages mean you can do whatever you want?"
"After watching for so long, even if she is a half-elf, Emilia isn't necessarily some disaster! This is too much of a grievance!"
In the streets and alleys, having brushed away self-righteous prejudice, the people who now had eyes to see were far more vocal in protesting for Emilia than when the screen first started playing!
"Thank you, thank you... thank you all..."
The cries of grievance from the Capital converged into a torrent that reached the heavens. There were so many people supporting her!
Her nose twitched, and suddenly Emilia's tears fell like a fountain, impossible to stop.
All of this... everything started with Hikigaya Hachiman and was brought to her by him.
"Truly... ugh..."
Reject, or Accept? (Part 1)
「Screech—!」
「The sword, a masterpiece among common blades purchased at a high price in the Capital, emitted a pure, white reflection the instant it was unsheathed.」
「This was a blade that had not yet killed, one that had never been stained by human blood.」
「However, from the second Hikigaya Hachiman indignantly drew it from its scabbard, the pressure he exerted upon the foul-mouthed member of the Council of Sages was like a raging tide—as fierce as facing a murderous demon like the Bowel Hunter!」
「"What is the meaning of this? What are you doing! Hikigaya Hachiman, do you intend to openly attack a member of the Council of Sages in the Great Hall of the Royal Selection? Is this a rebellion?!"」
「The council member stuttered for a moment, his anger eventually overriding his fear. His prestige and authority were actually being provoked here. "This is unforgivable! The Knights! The Knights! Are you all dead?!"」
「Clang!」
「The Knights, a collective of virtue and strength, stepped forward in perfect order, their hands shifting to rest upon their sword hilts. They stared fixatedly at Hikigaya Hachiman; should he make any out-of-line gesture, they would strike him down immediately.」
「"Eh? No, no, this isn't right... how did it turn into this? Hachiman, quickly apologi—"」
「The entire hall fell into a solemn silence!」
「The Council members, the Knights, the nobles full of etiquette, the various strong-willed Royal Selection candidates, and their followers.」
「At this moment, in this very place, everyone's breath was involuntarily held. Every gaze was pinned directly onto Hikigaya Hachiman. The hall was so quiet one could hear the faint sound of each person's breathing.」
「Only Emilia, after her initial daze, was filled with panic and urgency. She immediately grabbed Hachiman, trying to force him to bow and apologize.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman said nothing. He gently brushed aside the girl who was on the verge of tears.」
「This was the first time he had rejected Emilia—in order to carry out his own will.」
「The pressure on Hachiman's shoulders was as heavy as a thousand pounds. He felt as if he were caught in a massive, poisonous web, surrounded by dense ranks of hawks, tigers, and
wolves. Yet, he paid not a shred of attention to the others. His gaze held only the culprit who had cast him into this web.
「That spider—the Council member who had wantonly insulted Emilia!」
「"Regrettably, though you, Lord Councilor, hold a distinguished status and are quite eloquent, I doubt you alone can represent this nation. A crime as monstrous as rebellion is still more than I can bear."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman's back was straighter and more upright than it had ever been in his entire life.」
「The corners of his mouth curled slightly, but to those watching, this silent, eerie smile was far more terrifying than any shouting.」
「He raised the sword in his hand. As the blade pointed toward its target—that ugly-faced councilor—the old man's table-slamming antics came to an abrupt halt.」
「Felix was off to the side, signaling desperately with his eyes. Reinhard wore an expression of deep concern. Crusch watched with a sudden look of realization and admiration.」
「A split second before the Knights were about to take action, Hikigaya Hachiman used the loudest voice he had ever summoned to complete an incredible, solitary feat of defiance!」
「"To insult a monarch to their subject's face is an act of supreme insolence—even if it were a friend, it could not be lightly forgiven! As things stand, even as a member of the Council of Sages, you are no more distinguished in my eyes than a filthy, loathsome insect!"」
「"The one I, Hikigaya Hachiman, trust and am willing to sacrifice everything for is named Emilia. It is not this Kingdom of Lugnica, nor is it you—a vulgar, despicable councilor devoid of any breeding or virtue!!"」
「"Royal Selection candidate Emilia and her follower Hikigaya Hachiman... since you insulted the monarch I chose right in front of my face, do you really expect to walk away unscathed?" 」
「Hikigaya Hachiman stood tall in the center of the hall. Like a sleeping tiger that had finally awakened to sweep across the world, he scanned his surroundings, his voice powerful and echoing:」
「"—I, Hikigaya Hachiman, before the witness of the Royal Selection candidates, the Knights, and the nobles, formally issue a challenge of duel to this councilor who insulted my monarch. Life or death—it matters not!!!"」
「The silence was so absolute a pin drop could be heard.」
「"You... Gulp..."」
」
「The Council member's eyes were a mixture of shock and fury. His aura was completely and utterly crushed. He felt a wave of tension beyond his control. "You say... you want to challenge me to a duel? Don't be ridiculous! I am not a knight! You madman!"」
「"Hey, the Knights! The Knights! Move now! Kill this foreigner who mocks the Council, mocks Lugnica, and disrupts the Royal Selection. Drag him out! Hey! Hey!?"」
「Isolated and without help, no one responded.」
「The Knights' hands remained on their hilts, yet compared to a moment ago, they now seemed to have suddenly become useless in name only. Upon closer inspection, not a single ounce of muscular tension was being exerted.」
「The knights, led by Julius, continued to stare intently at Hikigaya Hachiman. However, compared to before, their gazes were now filled with surprise, admiration, respect, and recognition.」
「"Well, this truly is... Ah, did you see that, Al?" Priscilla snapped her fan shut. Her eyes, which usually looked down on everyone, held a very rare mixture of other emotions.」
「Step.」
「Reinhard took a deep breath. He stepped forward slowly and dropped to one knee, performing a knight's salute toward the pathetic Council member. He spoke with a factual tone, devoid of mockery:」
「"My apologies, Lord Councilor. Based on the appeal and the reasons for action expressed by Hikigaya Hachiman, he, as the follower of Lady Emilia, naturally possesses the right and duty to defend his monarch. Therefore, Hikigaya Hachiman—is innocent! We knights have no responsibility to arrest an innocent man!"」
「"Reinhard, you dare...!?" The councilor, his eyes nearly popping out of his head, was on the verge of a breakdown. "Do you mean to defy orders?!"」
「"A knight has his own codes and constraints. Our code does not allow the Knights to perform an illegal arrest on a person of justice whose every action is reasonable and legal! I ask for your understanding, Lord Councilor."」
「"It is exactly as he says, Lord Councilor."」
「Following immediately after Reinhard, the Finest of Knights, Julius, leisurely performed a knight's salute, his voice unwavering.」
「Swish—」
「Every single member of the Knights performed a knight's salute.」
「They were kneeling on one knee, yet the combined aura of this group of knights—who seemed to be in a subordinate position—as they uttered that earth-shaking 'Lord Councilor'...」
「In that instant, it frightened the Council member so much that cold sweat poured down his forehead.」
「Stumble, stumble, stumble!」
「He retreated in terror!!!」