Felt Route: Reinhard's Sin
「Felt remembered it very clearly.」
「That day, she had been hired to steal the half-elf Emilia's insignia. Midway through tracking her, Emilia had encountered Hikigaya Hachiman, who was in a bind, and lent him a helping hand. Subsequently, that guy—repaying kindness as he always did—easily helped gather information on her. The two of them then burst into the slums, engaging in a fight with Old Man Rom and herself.」
「She had been on the verge of surrendering. Who could have guessed that just as she and Rom were being suppressed by Emilia and were forced to use that guy as a hostage, the Bowel Hunter would suddenly appear, launching a sneak attack that killed Emilia?」
「"If Reinhard hadn't arrived in time back then, perhaps Old Man Rom, myself, and that guy would all have been killed as well..."」
「Muttering to herself, Felt somberly lowered her eyes.」
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Boom—
A single stone stirred a thousand ripples.
"I see, I see... so it's this kind of 'Unthinkable Present'."
Crusch suddenly clenched her fist, unable to restrain her emotions.
"Because of a deviation at a specific point in the past, a completely different path was born. To Echidna, who possesses the Tome of Wisdom, she is one who glimpses the world and the future, one who can manipulate destiny; she knows everyone clearly. Therefore, this evolved future can be said to be the reality of what would definitely happen if that node shifted.
The reason Sir Hachiman followed Felt is that Emilia was killed by the Bowel Hunter, yet the Sword Saint arrived earlier than in the true history, saving the remaining people. And then—
Hachiman might have lived for a long time before his first death, missing the window to save Lia. Thus, everything became irrevocable."
Puck's expression turned instantly dark, his teeth grinding audibly. He knew he was a master who dragged others down, but he truly never expected that Reinhard, the Knight among Knights, would unintentionally become someone like him!
"REINHARD!!"
"This kind of 'Present'..." Emilia opened her mouth.
She didn't blame Reinhard, but... this kind of 'Present' was hard to accept just thinking about it.
No, it was absolutely unacceptable!
However, according to Echidna, this trial wasn't necessarily just a trial; it was highly likely a reality, one that had the potential to become the truth of this world.
"Emilia-sama is just too unlucky..."
Ram grumbled. She calculated it carefully; no matter what, Emilia's end was always miserable. "But if she died, that might be a good thing—wait?!"
Then Hachiman wouldn't meet Rem! Emilia died too early! Her death would have absolutely no value!
With a shared sense of enmity, Ram and Rem stared with burning, sharp gazes toward the woman who had stolen Hikigaya Hachiman away.
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"..."
Felt, who had been eating fruit from the Astrea mansion to calm her nerves, was flabbergasted. The apple in her mouth fell to the ground. She blinked, looking at Reinhard in mutual bewilderment.
"An unthinkable path indeed..."
Felt fell into a state of total shock. Reinhard, meanwhile, thought of the many lives he had failed to reach out and save in the true future, and he let out a low, heavy sigh.
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「"Felt-sama."」
「A warm voice came from behind. The muttering Felt turned around to see a bitter-faced Reinhard.」
「"I know that it is a sin I cannot escape... However, please allow a sinner like me to make a request—the only request of my life. Please... reduce the number of times you mention it. Otherwise, I truly do not know how to face him."」
「"A sin?" Felt curled her lip. "I don't see it that way."」
「"Reinhard, why are you being so bitter, you old do-gooder? If anyone should be bitter, it's me... For all these years, every time I look back, I've always been relieved. Relieved that you only appeared after she died."」
「"If Emilia hadn't died then, if you had saved her as well, given that guy's favorable impression of her and me at the time, he definitely would have followed her."」
「"I am a thief. I stole Emilia's insignia, I stole her life, and finally, I stole the man who was originally destined for her... But, I am happy."」
「Felt's expression was the polar opposite of Reinhard's.」
「Felt's selfish declaration made Reinhard lower his head further, his eyes flashing with too much regret and helplessness.」
「"...Please do not say such things anymore, Felt-sama."」
「His heart aching, Reinhard fell silent for a long time before uttering words that felt disrespectful to him. At the same time, the sound of footsteps approached from a distance.」
「Felt and Reinhard turned to look. It was Hikigaya Hachiman, who had already changed his clothes.」
「"Felt. And... Reinhard, are you here too?"」
「"...Yes."」
「The atmosphere between the two men was eerie. Hachiman clearly wanted to treat Reinhard gently, but the moment he saw him, he couldn't help but feel a specific set of emotions—pity mixed with an imperceptible trace of resentment.」
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"Doing the wrong thing with good intentions?"
Hikigaya Hachiman felt terrified just thinking about this development. This kind of accidental eternal parting would likely be a lifelong psychological scar for both parties.
In Reinhard's eyes, Hachiman's anger might be because he arrived too late.
Only Hachiman himself, having experienced Return by Death later, would know that he could have saved Emilia, but that chance was buried by Reinhard... Faced with such a thing, it was naturally impossible to treat it with a normal heart.
Even if it was just the early Emilia, before all the various feelings had accumulated, the silver-haired girl was still the first person in this different world to unconditionally extend a hand to him...
In Hachiman's heart, from the very beginning, Emilia was someone special!
"Though I want to say 'thankfully this isn't the true history,' thinking about Echidna's Authority... if I had gone to the other world without this future being broadcast, this kind of coincidence really could have happened. It might even be the future of my world. I can't relax at all."
Listening to Hachiman's whisper, Yukinoshita was also deeply moved: "Although this video made me look quite foolish, it's truly fortunate that this video broadcasting the future appeared in time."
Felt Route: The Despicable Thief
「After finishing breakfast, Crusch, Anastasia, and the others arrived one by one to report on the progress of various aspects of the Emperor's coronation ceremony they had prepared.」
「Felt had assigned these tasks to them on purpose; using her former high-and-mighty competitors like beasts of burden gave her a great sense of satisfaction.」
「In fact, the person she wanted to trample on most was Priscilla, that malicious woman who had once mocked her. However, she wasn't sure if Priscilla had received some sort of tip-off, as her whereabouts were currently unknown—it was unclear if she had fled somewhere in advance.」
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"Tch!"
Priscilla frowned. "Mine self lost? What an utter fallacy. As expected of a four-hundred-year-old relic; her eyes must be failing her if she thinks Mine self would lose to a filthy, grimy clown from the slums. How could Mine self possibly lose?"
Al kept his gaze fixed on his own nose and ears, only daring to slander her in his heart: 'This time, the one helping the Felt camp—without all sorts of double agents—is the sharp-witted Hachiman Hikigaya on the intellectual side and the invincible Reinhard on the martial side. It would be a miracle if they lost.'
As long as Hachiman didn't join the Emilia camp with its mountain of internal liabilities, relying on his abilities, basically whoever he joined was guaranteed to win. With a bit of luck, they might even reach victory without ever triggering Return by Death.
At the Karsten estate, Crusch was merely caught between laughter and tears. She wasn't petty enough to hold a grudge against Felt for this, but this trial weighed heavily on her mind...
"Since there is a world-line where he joined Felt, and possibilities for others... then could there be... I mean, is it possible—is there a world-line where Sir Hachiman is truly my Sir Hachiman?"
Her heart thumping, Crusch's throat moved slightly. She truly wanted to end Felt's world-line immediately and skip to her own.
If Sir Hachiman had joined her, she would certainly be beyond happy.
At the same time, in the Astrea mansion, Felt wasn't particularly excited.
She scratched her head, muttering: "Having a life-and-death bond with me, then being invited by Reinhard to stay in this mansion long-term because he had nowhere to live, leading to deep feelings over time... I can understand that logic, but as expected, how should I put it—
To skip five years of experience in one breath—how am I supposed to empathize with that, you bastard! And calling that guy 'Big Brother,' what's up with that? That's so embarrassing!
And to blatantly be glad that Emilia died? Dammit, I'm supporting Emilia right now! What's wrong with you, future me? Snap out of it, you idiot!"
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「"The official business is settled, then..."」
「Hachiman Hikigaya gave a forced smile. He looked at Reinhard and asked, "This time, did you find any information regarding how I can return?"」
「"...My apologies."」
「"...Is that so? I understand. It's not your fault." Hachiman couldn't even maintain his forced smile anymore; he shook his head slightly. "Today is that day. I'm going to go prepare. Felt, please excuse me."」
「He stood up and left the study—which was being used as an office—with stumbling, unsteady steps.」
「Once he was far away, the slouching Felt broke into a broad grin and patted Reinhard's shoulder, praising him: "Well done. Truly worthy of a guy who calls himself my knight. Just like that."」
「"If Big Brother were to return, what would I do? I only have him and Old Man Rom as family... even though I don't want to just be his sister. But back then, he looked at my build and age, saw a shadow of his past, and poured the feelings he had for his sister onto me. That's how we reached this level of affection."」
「"It was only after that that I realized how wonderful it is to have a brother. All the responsibilities, all the troubles, all the difficulties—Brother will carry them all."」
「"Brother will smile and tell me that because he's here, everything is okay. Because he's here, please be at ease and be happy. Because he's here, I'm not lonely at all. Every day I wake up, I have something to look forward to besides Old Man Rom."」
「"By now, I've long since grown used to it. Used to days with a brother, a life with a brother, a family with a brother."」
「"If he goes back, if he finds his real sister, then what am I supposed to do? ...So, I won't permit such a thing. That's why I'm really happy that you can superficially listen to him and search, while actually listening to me and being lazy and half-hearted about it."」
「"This is the second of only two things I thank you for."」
「Felt used these confessions to Reinhard to dispel her anxiety and her guilt toward her brother. She then happily left the study to find him.」
「Reinhard remained bitterly in the study, murmuring to himself: "But I... I have actually been searching with all my heart. It's just, there truly is no related information... Is my only path to atonement also a dead end? Felt-sama, Hachiman Hikigaya... my dear friend."」
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"You—"
Reinhard's lips moved; for a moment, he was at a loss for words. Although his loyalty would not change, what Felt-sama was doing was simply too outrageous.
"Pfft... A mistake! This is all a misunderstanding! Look, how could I possibly do such rotten things? Hahaha!"
Felt looked left and right, turning her face away.
She knew in her heart that she truly would do such rotten things. After all, she grew up in the slums; it was impossible for her personality and values to be as noble as Emilia's.
But doing it was one thing; having it exposed was quite another.
After watching so many embarrassing moments of others, seeing it happen to herself made the feeling of "social death" truly hard to bear.
Felt could vaguely hear people on the streets of the Royal Capital—those supporting the "Hachiman x Emilia" faction—shouting and condemning her as a thief.
"Thinking about it carefully, this can probably be called an 'IF' route."
Shirogane Miyuki was caught between a smile and a sigh; his judgment had been off. "I thought the worst candidate would be either the overbearing Priscilla or the untrustworthy Anastasia. I didn't expect it to be Felt, who had the least screentime, was the most inconspicuous, and seemed the most harmless."
"Felt was a thief to begin with, after all. She stole Emilia's insignia at the very start." Shirogane Kei tapped her head. "Looking at her cute appearance, I almost forgot."
On the streets of the Royal Capital, Puck was harshly educating his simple, silly daughter: "Guard against fire, guard against theft, guard against thieves! You must guard against Felt, and even more so against Reinhard!"
"In short, except for Hachiman, no one can be trusted!! Did you get that, Lia?"
"Even Puck?"
To lead her daughter onto the "right" path, Puck nodded fiercely. He was going all in.
"Yes!"
Felt Route: The Downfall of the Nobility
「Clack-clack. The wheels of the dragon carriage rolled over the pavement. By the time the vibrations reached the interior of the cabin, they were so minute that the pair of siblings in conversation paid them no mind.」
「"I say, for someone who has survived so many assassination attempts, how can you be so relaxed? To think you'd insist on coming with me without Reinhard's protection—what if we run into danger?"」
「Feeling the gentle nagging of her relative, Felt grabbed the index finger pressed against her forehead. She grinned, speaking with a lack of any proper decorum: "What's the big deal? Anyway, haven't you seen through and neutralized all those assassinations in advance, Brother? It doesn't matter if Reinhard is here or not. I'm not relying on him to stay alive; I'm relying on you—uwah, ow!"」
「A finger flick landed on the silly sister's forehead. Hachiman Hikigaya shook his head slightly. In this world, only he knew that his apparent clairvoyance was merely the result of using Return by Death to gain a second chance.」
「"By the way, Brother..."」
「Felt carefully weighed her words, her tone becoming somewhat humble. The last time she brought up this topic, Hachiman had given her a harsh lecture, but she still wasn't satisfied.」
「"Is there really no way to just wipe out all the nobles? To turn this world into one without a nobility... that was the grand declaration I made five years ago when I first appeared before people like Crusch. It feels so embarrassing that it's still unfinished."」
「As she spoke, her volume dropped lower and lower. Finally, she lowered her head with an awkward laugh, not daring to meet Hachiman's stern gaze.」
「"Embarrassing? With the personality you forged in the slums, you feel embarrassed?" Hachiman tapped her head, frustrated by her lack of progress. "You just feel annoyed that you haven't fully delivered on your big talk, and you're worried that the next time you see Priscilla, she'll seize on that to mock you. You think I can't see through you?"」
「"That's not all of it..."」
「Felt rubbed her thumb and index finger together to show a tiny gap, muttering apprehensively: "With those nobles still around, who knows if they'll try to assassinate me again one day. I can't stand it."」
「Glancing at this sworn sister who was trying to butter him up, Hachiman pondered for a moment and nodded. "There are some things you're about to take the throne for, so you should understand them properly."」
「"It's not impossible to completely dismantle the noble class, but it takes time. It's only been five years. To have weakened the rights of the nobility nationwide in just five years is already a remarkable achievement, brought about by many factors."」
「"I know! For example, if it weren't for Brother, I'd be dead already!" Felt raised her hand excitedly, and with a thud, her palm clumsily hit the roof of the carriage. "Ah, ow!"」
「"It's not that... forget it, that's important too, but it's not the most important thing." Hachiman ignored her feigned pout for sympathy and continued his explanation.」
「"For instance, if we didn't have Reinhard's absolute military force on our side, the very night you revealed those intentions, a horde of assassins hired by the nobles would have already taken your head."」
「"...Well, yeah," Felt pouted.」
「"And there is another factor, which is..."」
「Hachiman paused, his expression and voice becoming somewhat lonely, but he continued nonetheless. "Emilia's death. As a stepping stone, it served as a pre-emptive deterrent to all the nobles."」
「"Years ago, after receiving news that the Bowel Hunter had killed Emilia in the Royal Capital, Margrave Roswaal L. Mathers—the kingdom's top magician and her supporter—flew into an immediate rage. He hunted the Bowel Hunter day and night without rest, even drawing out a Sin Archbishop in the process."」
「"The enraged Margrave, prepared to die with his enemies, uprooted that Sin Archbishop and her underlying assassination organization at the cost of being heavily wounded himself. He slaughtered them all and finally returned to his mansion to spend his days in silence and tears. That loyalty and madness served as a wake-up call to all the rats plotting against the other candidates."」
「"No one wants to face a mad supporter who has lost their monarch, like the Bowel Hunter faced Roswaal—especially when that person is the invincible Reinhard."」
「"Therefore, although the nobles used poison, assassination, and various methods previously, their intention was actually just to make you restrain yourself. If not for the precedent set by the Bowel Hunter, the backlash we would have received from the nobles over these five years would have been far from simple."」
「...Their intention was restraint, because they knew Reinhard possessed countless Divine Protections and could surely see through an assassin's intent or poison in the food. However, they didn't expect that Reinhard was so upright that he didn't even activate those two protections.」
「Consequently, Felt had actually died two or three times, saved only by Return by Death.」
「Finally, Hachiman sighed. "It's best this way. If we tried to reach the goal in one step and eliminate the nobility immediately, their final struggle would be completely reckless, and they wouldn't have the luxury to care about the warning provided by Roswaal. After all, their lives would be on the line."」
「Felt listened obediently. She understood the part regarding Reinhard in her heart but didn't want to admit it; however, she truly hadn't considered the part about Roswaal. She asked with some confusion: "But, I remember when the Bowel Hunter was being hunted, she spread rumors everywhere that she stole Emilia's insignia because her employer was Roswaal, right?"」
「Hachiman sneered. "Do you believe that?"」
「Felt scratched her head. "I guess not."」
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"This... it's not a matter of believing it or not; the thing is, it's just the truth."
Anastasia and Julius looked at each other, caught between laughter and tears.
"I didn't expect Roswaal's public image in this timeline to be so positive. Not only is he no longer a 'Civil War Phantom,' but he even inadvertently boosted Hachiman's position and provided the best assist. This is truly..."
It was beyond words.
Shirogane Miyuki slapped his palm against his face, feeling the impermanence of worldly affairs.
"Roswaal hunted the Bowel Hunter because, in this timeline, not only did Emilia not return, but he didn't even find 'that person' guided by the Tome of Wisdom. He lost the penny and the pound; four hundred years of waiting went up in smoke.
And the root cause was the Bowel Hunter taking it upon herself to kill Emilia."
After analyzing it, Kousaka Kyousuke froze for a moment. Doing the math, he understood.
Yes, Roswaal only hired the Bowel Hunter to steal the insignia; killing Emilia was her own decision. This matter...
How should one put it? The responsibility should actually be split 50/50 between Roswaal and Elsa; it wasn't entirely Roswaal's fault.
"Hearing that guy Roswaal avenged Lia, I'm actually a bit moved."
Puck was filled with emotion. It wasn't easy; after Roswaal had set his daughter up so many times, he finally had a moment of atonement.
Well, even if Roswaal did it for his own selfish reasons.
"Um..."
Emilia stood on her tiptoes timidly. "Rather than Roswaal, I'm more concerned about Felt and Hachiman."
Felt Route: Conversation at the Gravestone
Roswaal's sudden turn of character, becoming the universally recognized "Zhuge Liang of another world" in that timeline—dedicated and loyal unto death for his monarch—left everyone wide-eyed with shock.
But upon closer reflection, it was indeed logical... While feeling staggered, the group found that Roswaal's straightforward vengeance invisibly dispelled a tiny bit of the immense ill-will they held toward him, though only a tiny bit.
If anyone's animosity toward Roswaal increased, it was only that group of nobles.
In their eyes, at this moment, Felt was a demon ten times more terrifying than the Witch of Greed, Echidna, and a hundred times more fearsome than any Sin Archbishop!
But precisely because of this, they fell into deeper despair.
In the current state of the world, because these futures were being broadcast, Hikigaya Hachiman stood inherently invincible. He had too many allies, especially Reinhard.
Having now seen his monarch die due to his overly stubborn righteousness, Reinhard would no longer remain so rigid; he would learn to adapt.
Combined with the other candidates, those nobles couldn't stir up any trouble at all. They were even more pitiful than the nobles in the timeline currently being shown.
And if they were to collude with enemy nations or the Witch Cult, the Divine Dragon would likely join the fray, making things even more disastrous.
"To be a loyal minister... is it?"
While the nobles within the Kingdom of Lugunica gnashed their teeth and cursed Felt and Hikigaya Hachiman.
On the roof of the mansion, Roswaal—now free of goals and pressure—looked at the Hikigaya Hachiman who held him in such high regard, and a strange emotion quietly sprouted in the depths of his heart.
"No way?"
Felt's mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg. "You're joking, right? That big talk actually came true? I was just venting!"
"Please do not underestimate his capability, Felt-sama."
Being gently lectured by Reinhard, who deeply trusted his best friend, Felt had no way to rebut. She muttered to herself: "Incredible, truly incredible... that guy... humph, I guess calling him 'Big Brother' wasn't for nothing."
To actually complete a delusion even she thought was unrealistic... Felt's eyes sparkled.
Her recognition of and affection for Hikigaya Hachiman gradually deepened without her realizing it, mixed with the joy of a dream coming true.
But at this moment, the happiest person was Priscilla.
"Hmph, foolish commoners. As expected, Mine self is number one under heaven."
Watching Emilia die, Crusch and Anastasia submit, and Felt perpetually stuck in a state of having been assassinated or being about to be assassinated, while she alone was elegantly missing in action, Priscilla felt an instant rush of satisfaction and pride.
"How is it? Do you have something to say, foolish steel-helmeted clown?"
Under Priscilla's threat, Al looked away, remaining silent and saying nothing.
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「Creeakk.」
「The ground dragon stopped, and Hikigaya Hachiman opened the carriage door and stepped out.」
「This was a broad plain, purchased by Reinhard at his request five years ago; it was now his property.」
「On the lush green plain, a breeze brushed past, and various magnificent flowers bloomed in this transition between spring and summer. Here, only a single gravestone stood out, the sole man-made object.」
「'The magnificent silver-haired half-elf, Emilia, rests here'—these were the words Hikigaya Hachiman had carved with his own hands.」
「Felt pouted in the background. She was very confused as to why Roswaal could take such bloody revenge for Emilia but remain indifferent to her body, never asking for its return, leaving her to be buried here by her brother. Dammit...」
「If she were buried in the Mathers domain, the journey would be long; perhaps this guy wouldn't come to mourn once a month.」
「"...Thank you, Emilia. And... I'm sorry."」
「Closing his eyes, he murmured softly, stroking the cold gravestone as if he could see through the stone to the skeletal remains beneath the earth.」
「A mental scar, clotted into a bruise, a psychological wound with no way to excise it, turned into a thick gloom that lingered long on Hikigaya Hachiman's face.」
「And this gloom would turn inward, lasting for the length of a lifetime, the span of a lifetime, accompanying him eternally.」
「The usually mischievous and boisterous Felt would only put away her pranks and whims at this time every month, quietly waiting for her brother to conclude his remembrance and regret.」
「Except, she couldn't control herself.」
「The gaze she cast at the gravestone was filled with endless malice.」
「Felt... she felt a deep jealousy and a deep resentment toward Emilia.」
「'If you hadn't died, and if you were a very mean, hypocritical, and selfish person, and if your unconditional help and tenderness toward that guy were all an act, then I definitely, definitely could have...'」
「The differing murmurs of the siblings, born of different hearts, drifted away with the wind.」
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"As I thought."
Confirming that Felt harbored the audacious desire to "rebel" against her older brother, Crusch's lips curved as she nodded slightly.
"Living under the same roof with Sir Hachiman for five whole years and sharing life and death so many times—how could she not have some special feelings? Sir Hachiman's charm simply cannot be hidden."
"You only ever praise him now, nya," Ferris shook his head, sounding a bit jealous.
Crusch immediately offered a distracted comfort: "Ferris is, of course, also my very capable assistant."
"Ugh..."
On the streets of the Royal Capital, the expression on Emilia's face was very helpless, her bright eyes mixed with gloom.
"Does Felt think so poorly of me?"
"Yes, love is war, and a rival in love is a mortal enemy. Now you've experienced it, Lia. You absolutely cannot be kind-hearted and show mercy," Puck fanned the flames relentlessly, using every second to steer his daughter toward a "darker" path.
Emilia's head drooped, appearing very listless. "Is... that so?"
Seeing Hachiman become a follower serving someone else, her mood had plummeted to a pitiful level.
"It's okay. That sort of thing—I won't let it happen, and neither will you, right?"
Puck patted his daughter's head, giving her words of encouragement.
"Is... that so?"
Emilia forced herself to cheer up, cutely clenching her small fists, and patted Puck back.
The moment she looked up again, Hikigaya Hachiman had also finished his mourning, taking out some fruits and pastries from the carriage to place on her grave.
"This..." Emilia's expression became increasingly strange.
Watching herself die so many times already felt weird enough, but now she was watching someone visit her grave.
In the entire history of the world, she was likely the only one to ever witness such a thing.
Felt Route: Three Hearts Scarred, A Conclusion Full of Regrets
「Clack, clack.」
「The dragon carriage rolled across the grass, heading toward the Royal Capital. Inside the cabin, Hikigaya Hachiman, far less energetic than Felt, had fallen asleep to rest. From his mouth, he called out a name in his dreams: "Little sister..."」
「"Ah!"」
「Felt's face instantly brightened; with a sparkle in her eyes, she was about to embrace him. But in the next moment, the second half of Hachiman's sentence made her entire body freeze: "Komachi..."」
「Felt remained stiff for a good while before finally resuming her boisterous, carefree demeanor as if nothing had happened. Resting her chin on her hand, she gazed out of the window.」
「Inside and outside the Royal Capital, the bustling crowds moved in an orderly fashion. Even the poorest farmers wore smiles of harvest on their faces. The common people of all walks of life, having had their shackles loosened, had accumulated surplus wealth and improved their lives over these past five years.」
「Like the magnificent flowers on the plain, the land of the Kingdom of Lugunica was bursting with vitality. While welcoming a new King, it also welcomed countless blessings and joy.」
「And this was a microcosm of the current state of this nation.」
「Yet the smiles of Hikigaya Hachiman, Reinhard, and Felt would never truly appear sincere again.」
「"..."」
「Accompanying the Hikigaya Hachiman who awoke in the graveyard, the "Present Trial" came to a temporary close.」
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"In terms of the process, it was certainly much simpler than assisting Lady Emilia. Setting aside that the total number of deaths over five years was only two or three, even when he died, it wasn't a painful death like being devoured by the Great Rabbit—furthermore, the enemies were nowhere near as unsolvable as Regulus or Pandora."
Reinhard spoke thus, then followed with a bitter smile. "It's just that, no matter what... I cannot utter the bastard words that 'this is a better future'."
"Whether it's the true history or the possibility of Lady Felt's success, am I always this useless?"
Felt looked at the self-muttering Reinhard, gave a snort, and clapped him broadly on the shoulder.
"Don't be so self-deprecating. Anyway, didn't that guy praise you a lot? I know well enough that without you, I might have been finished.
Compared to you, I feel even more useless.
Is it just a crush? To have become so timid... if you like him, confess! If that doesn't work, take him by force! I'm a kid raised in the slums, a fearless thief—how did I become so lily-livered? Truly pathetic."
She curled her lip, belittling her five-years-older self as worthless.
"It seems five years of etiquette education will make me worse, Reinhard."
"I believe that might be a sign of your growth."
Detecting the hint in her words about wanting to escape etiquette training, the still-somber Reinhard immediately countered her.
"Hey, you demon!" Felt bared her teeth. "Also, the future showed that I'll abolish the rights of the nobility collectively. That surely includes your Sword Saint house; are you still going to support me?"
"As long as it does not violate the laws of this country or my moral bottom line, I will support whatever Lady Felt does with all my might."
Reinhard swore his loyalty decisively, then asked: "If I may be so bold as to ask, how do you view Hachiman-kun right now, Lady Felt?"
"Hmm~ how should I put it? Since we skipped those five years of building a bond, I certainly can't say I love him. But it's true I have a good impression of him; let's just call us best friends."
After thinking it over, Felt gave her answer. She bared her white teeth, smiled, and gave Reinhard a thumbs-up, replying spiritedly:
"Also, I am the world's most steadfast Emi-Hachi shipper!!"
Reinhard, who wasn't sure if he was on Team Rem or Team Emilia, let out a very obvious sigh of relief.
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In the convenience store.
"A real lady-killer," Yukinoshita sighed.
"A real lady-killer," Hachiman exhaled.
The couple looked at each other with a sense of helplessness. However, neither took Felt's affection to heart; after all, no matter how one looked at it, that was a completely avoidable situation.
Moreover, the future Hachiman seemed only to have treated Felt as a substitute for Komachi amidst the disappointment of being unable to find a way home.
The man had no romantic feelings, and the lady could choose not to have them either—this situation was different from Emilia or Rem.
What people cared about was the flawed ending of this future.
"Although taking the Felt route would be much easier... even if one has to endure so much suffering, I still want to stay steadfast in the Emilia camp."
This was the consensus of Hikigaya Hachiman and Yukinoshita Yukino—and everyone else.
Everyone knew that Hikigaya Hachiman would absolutely go to assist Emilia.
Perhaps he would be covered in wounds, perhaps he would die many times, perhaps he would discard his "genuine article"—but as long as there was a chance to save Emilia, it was all worth it.
Currently, the future Hachiman was still on the road, working hard to save Emilia.
The light in his eyes was dim, but at least there was still light. In the Felt timeline, his light had basically vanished entirely.
Miyuki Shirogane's brow was knit tight: "In the Felt timeline, no one attained salvation. Instead, it added mental scars to Hachiman, Felt, and Reinhard. This is truly... although I'll support the true history no matter the possibilities, can't there be a timeline where everyone is happy?"
"Yeah," Shirogane Kei felt a deep sense of pity.
-
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In Arlam Village.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good..."
With words of celebration, Ram showed a smile.
In the end, another love rival didn't emerge. Heaven knows how afraid she was earlier that Hachiman had fallen for Felt too.
The Rem-faction villagers throughout Kararagi Village shared the same feeling of having survived a disaster. Only Rem was somber, sighing deeply for the Hachiman of the Felt route who had not found happiness.
But before everyone could gather their emotions, the trial of the "Unthinkable Present" resumed.
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「Hikigaya Hachiman gave a muffled groan. He clutched his head as his consciousness returned to reality. Looking at this cold grave, things felt a bit inverted.」
「In fact, the Hikigaya Hachiman of the Felt route wasn't a Hachiman from a parallel world; it was himself. His memories had been sealed by Echidna, and he had lived through the Felt route in a blurred state.」
「Fortunately, those experiences and memories from the Felt route became extremely vague after returning to reality; he couldn't remember everything, only a small part remained clear. Otherwise, his brain might have been overwhelmed to the point of fainting by the sudden influx of so many memories, potentially falling into a coma for several days.」
「"Take a good look at the 'Unthinkable Present'..."」
「Echidna's whisper rang in his ear. Hikigaya Hachiman fell to the ground, his spirit and soul once again pulled away, entering the trial.」
「"Mimi's done it! Mimi's done it!"」
「The quiet world became noisy. Accompanied by a youthful voice, three siblings appeared, hopping along.」
「Vice-captain of the Iron Fang Mercenary Group, Mimi is here!」
Anastasia Route: The Abolition of the Slave Trade
"It's Mimi-da!"
A cheerful shout of "Hooray!" echoed through the mansion. The hopping Mimi and her two brothers dragged the captain, Ricardo, to meet Anastasia.
They were reporting on the troop deployment in the streets of the Royal Capital, just as Mimi's figure appeared on the light screen.
"So, it seems this is Lady Anastasia's timeline?"
Julius watched this brand-new future with wonder. He decided to watch until the very end, vowing not to blink or miss a single scene or detail.
After all, in his heart, the monarch he served came first. If Hikigaya Hachiman could fall in love with Lady Anastasia in this timeline, he would unhesitatingly abandon both the Rem and Emilia factions to throw his full support behind his own lady.
"Congratulations-da!"
The celebratory cheers from Mimi and Ricardo made Anastasia feel a bit smug, but her heart remained tense until everything was settled.
"The future where he assisted Felt was somewhat unsatisfactory, but at least it was better than the Emilia camp. The possibilities on my side shouldn't be worse than hers, right?"
Inside the Anastasia estate, the entire household was filled with a joyous, festive atmosphere.
At the same time, however, in the Karsten estate, Crusch was far happier. She was ecstatic, as if she had won a major battle. She couldn't help but clench her fists fiercely; her body was so charged with vitality that it felt almost uncomfortable—she felt like killing a Puck or an Echidna just to celebrate.
"First Felt, then Anastasia, so..."
There must be a timeline for her, Crusch, right? Right!
Thinking of this, as she watched Felt and Anastasia "borrow" Sir Hachiman for the time being, she felt no jealousy—at most, a tiny sliver of envy.
At Advanced Nurturing High School, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's cold expression returned immediately after a brief moment of surprise: "The route where Anastasia becomes King? Whatever. Even a pig could win with Hikigaya Hachiman's assistance."
He wasn't interested in Anastasia herself, but she was a merchant. A merchant's low-bottom-line thinking would surely clash heavily with the gentle and compassionate Hikigaya Hachiman.
Ayanokouji was quite interested to see why these two ended up together and how they might eventually part ways.
"After Anastasia takes the throne, where is she likely to take action? Hmm... for example, aggressively expanding the slave market?"
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「"The slave merchants of Kararagi are starting to compromise! Captain, what are you doing? You're so slow! Hurry up, Mimi wants to take the credit!"」
「Even though several years had passed, Mimi simply wouldn't grow up. Her body remained as small and cute as ever as she tugged the hulking Ricardo, hopping into the room alongside a quiet Julius.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman and Anastasia, who were chatting in the hall, stopped their conversation in perfect sync and turned to look at the door.」
「"Mimi has brought good news, yay~!"」
「"Yes, I heard you. Mimi is amazing." Facing the hopping Mimi, Hachiman reached out his hands and lifted her high into the air, offering unstinting praise with a face full of smiles.」
「"And, and! Captain and Julius worked really hard too!"」
「"Actually, I didn't do much. It was mainly thanks to Marcos of the Knights. That guy just stood there looking fierce, and the Kararagi merchants lost their nerve instantly, haha."」
「The boisterous Ricardo didn't just refuse to hoard the credit; he gave others a boost as well. He gave a general summary: "Lady Anastasia and the rest of us all started out in Kararagi. Because of that, a portion of the merchant groups who have been in deep trade with us for years—and who literally can't survive without us—stopped their protests after a few initial obligatory curses."」
「"The remaining merchants banded together, hiring the legendary assassin 'The Eulogist' for backing. They formed an alliance to fight us. However, after Lady Anastasia shifted the broad trade shares originally offered to the majority of merchants to only a select few, that merchant alliance already began to crumble."」
「"This time, the team composed of the Iron Fang and some Knights entered Kararagi under the pretext of apprehending fugitives who had fled Lugunica. Myself, Captain Marcos, Mr. Wilhelm the Sword Demon, and Julius joined forces to defeat The Eulogist using pre-obtained intel. Then, using prepared justifications, we executed several of the most stubborn merchants."」
「"Finally, using a mole planted by Lady Anastasia, one of our subordinate merchants successfully infiltrated the alliance, gained their trust, and acted as the representative for the Kararagi merchant groups to sign the contract abolishing slave capture and the slave trade."」
「"To summarize: the Slave Abolition Plan, suggested by Lord Hikigaya Hachiman and approved by the current Emperor of Lugunica, Lady Anastasia, has achieved complete success."」
「"Clap clap clap clap clap!" When Ricardo finished his report, Mimi clapped her hands vigorously.」
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"Abolishing slavery? Did I hear that right?"
Shirogane Miyuki couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "That Anastasia—the one who agreed to a three-way alliance only to go back on her word—actually has this kind of kindness?"
Shirogane Kei corrected him: "They already said it was Hachiman-senpai's plan, Brother."
"No, I mean... Anastasia actually agreed to it?"
Shirogane looked like he'd seen a ghost. If most people hated Priscilla the most among the five candidates, Anastasia was the undisputed runner-up. Everyone knew how terrifying a merchant without scruples could be.
But Anastasia's actions now were subtly overturning their impression of her.
However, it wasn't just outsiders; even Anastasia herself was currently somewhat dazed.
"Mine self... abolished the slave trade?"
She looked at Julius, then at Mimi and Ricardo; they were all equally baffled.
Anastasia knew she wasn't so malicious that she would expand the slave market, but she shouldn't have been bored enough to try and kill that trade either. To do so would mean making enemies of slave traders worldwide and the nobles who buy them.
In terms of pressure, the implementation would be no less difficult than Felt's plan to curtail noble rights.
Of course, after taking the throne and controlling the entire Kingdom of Lugunica, she wouldn't be afraid. But as a merchant, her motto was usually "less trouble is better."
"Although the detailed plan has been given... hmm... if done this way, it seems like it really can be solved?"
Anastasia pondered for a moment. She blinked, and suddenly something clicked.
Anastasia Route: Pampering Revenge
「Standing to the side, Julius—who continued to fulfill his duties as her knight even after Anastasia took the throne, guarding her whenever he had time—looked at Hikigaya Hachiman with a pensive gaze after hearing the report.」
「"In the beginning, it was under the pretext of Lady Anastasia's coronation and a general amnesty for the world that all slaves within Lugunica's borders were liberated."」
「"At that time, even Lady Anastasia didn't realize that your goal was to drive the slave merchants of Kararagi into a corner step by step and strangle the slave trade. It's truly incredible... Although I dislike you, I must admit, you have saved countless wretched souls, Hikigaya-kun."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head slightly. "This isn't my achievement; it was done by Anastasia, Ricardo, and the others."」
「Then, he let out a sigh of deep regret. "However, we can only go this far. Regarding the Sacred Vollachia Empire, there is no room for us to intervene."」
「"The Emperor over there seems to have been ousted; they aren't allowing outsiders to enter right now. How pitiful—a small rebellion every three days, a major one every five. But thanks to their internal chaos and inability to look outward, our move to abolish slavery was able to proceed so smoothly."」
「"Smooth as it was, it was still a massive pain." Ricardo's eyes darted around. Having suppressed his confusion for a long time, he finally asked, "So... why did you think to do this time-consuming, laborious thing that brings us no benefit, and is even harmful?"」
「"Mimi too! Mimi wants to know!"」
「The hopping Mimi climbed to Anastasia's feet, hugging her thigh.」
「As someone who had known Anastasia since her days of struggle, Ricardo and Mimi treated her without any sense of distance, even though their statuses had changed.」
「"You're trying to say that because of this plan, the domestic nobles are restless, threatening to support Crusch to overthrow Anastasia, right?"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman saw through Ricardo's concerns instantly and said decisively: "Rest assured, that won't happen. Crusch is a person with great self-respect; having lost fair and square, she won't be indignant. Those nobles are destined to work in vain."」
「"And coincidentally, that small fraction of nobles still looking to buy slaves clearly has some dark psychological disorders. Let's take this chance to lure them out and deal with them."」
「Relying solely on one's own speculation without any factual evidence was clearly very risky. But the moment his words fell, Ricardo believed him implicitly.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman didn't use such a certain tone often, yet during the years of assisting Anastasia, countless facts had already proven his astonishing observation skills and unerring insight into the human heart. The value of this certainty was built upon one successful plan after another.」
「"As for why I did this..."」
「Hachiman paused, turning his head away, his face slightly red. "Well... for now, just assume I couldn't stand the plight of slaves."」
「"That is certainly a very important reason. After all, Mine self's Prime Minister is such an excessively gentle person, isn't he?"」
「Anastasia, using her unique Kararagi accent, peered with a grin at the suddenly shy Hikigaya Hachiman and said airily: "However, there is another equally important reason, isn't there? Mmhmm, for example~"」
「"There's no such thing!"」
「"There is~!"」
「"There isn't!"」
「"There is!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman opened his mouth, but unable to win against the teasing Anastasia, he suddenly coughed twice, declared he had busy official business to attend to, and hurried away. His retreating figure looked somewhat like a flustered escape.」
「Mimi blinked, looking confused.」
「Victorious, Anastasia adjusted the brim of her hat. When she wasn't in a serious, formal setting discussing national affairs with her ministers, she generally still wore the clothes she had worn as a candidate.」
「Picking up Mimi, Anastasia explained happily: "Mimi, remember what the situation was when we first met?"」
「"Mimi remembers!" Mimi nodded like a chick pecking at grain, very cute. "Back then, Sister Anastasia was ambushed and caught by slave traders to be sold as a slave. Mimi was going to save you, but I couldn't win and got caught too, eheh."」
「At that time, Anastasia was just an ordinary person in Kararagi; she had neither jumped up to become a major merchant through primitive capital accumulation nor had she been discovered by the Knights as a Dragon Maiden candidate.」
「Recalling this past, Mimi was still a bit indignant. "It was only because the Captain wasn't nearby!"」
「Julius, who hadn't personally experienced it, was stunned. He remembered; he knew about this past event. The reason he knew was that one day, while standing aside guarding Lady Anastasia, he had overheard her telling Hachiman about it during a chat.」
「"Ara, it seems Julius remembers too."」
「Anastasia nodded. "It was that one time. Mine self mentioned it to Hachiman back then, and then he started preparing the plan to strangle the world's slave traders."」
「Julius turned pale with shock. "You mean..."」
「"Hachiman—he's getting revenge for Mine self!"」
「With her eyes curving into crescent moons, the smile of Anastasia several years later was dazzlingly brilliant.」
.
.
.
"This—"
It was still that familiar feeling, that familiar flavor.
"No matter who the person he values is, Hikigaya-kun always pampers them like this."
Hayama shook his head in shock. "Solving the world's slave trade in one go is a terrifyingly massive undertaking, yet half of it was for revenge on Anastasia's behalf... But forget about me, I suspect even the Hachiman of the true history and Anastasia herself would never have imagined they could have such a good relationship."
"I'm really curious about the origin of the Anastasia route."
Isshiki Iroha immediately followed up: "I used to think that besides Emilia, the only other person Senpai might follow would be Crusch."
She pouted and added: "In any case, as long as there isn't a Priscilla route. That arrogant woman would definitely be very rude to Senpai. She's too annoying."
This thought was met with unanimous agreement from everyone in the KTV.
Anything is fine—just absolutely no Priscilla!
Anastasia Route: The Wily Empress
"Wuuu—?!"
Shocking! This is way too explosive!
Inside the mansion, Anastasia stared dumbfoundedly for several seconds. As she processed the various bits of information revealed in that short future dialogue, she was almost ready to hop around like Mimi.
Previously, as a bystander watching Hikigaya Hachiman treat Rem and Emilia so incredibly well, she had already been dying of envy. This time, the subject had changed to herself, and Anastasia found herself completely speechless, her heart doing nothing but thumping wildly.
"Though it's not the true history... what a shame it's not the true history..." she muttered resentfully. Even so, her long, beautiful legs couldn't help but swing back and forth. Her already pleasant voice became much, much sweeter than usual.
It was something happening in the future, yet she could feel it as if it were her own experience.
"Eh? Ehhh? Eeee—?! Even Miss Anastasia?!"
On the streets of the Royal Capital, Emilia was in a panic. She suddenly realized a stark fact: she might have many, many more rivals in love than she had anticipated!
And she couldn't count on Hikigaya Hachiman only treating them like a sister in every upcoming possible timeline, as he did in the Felt route!
Emilia, Rem, Puck, and Ram—the four of them were as formidable as enemies, their current state of panic mirroring exactly how Yukinoshita Yukino felt at the very beginning.
But at this moment, there were people far more panicked and terrified than them.
Just as the nobles of Lugunica had been horrified during the Felt route, the slave traders of Kararagi now had contorted faces. They never imagined that while everyone was fighting to the death within Lugunica's borders, the violence would suddenly pivot to beating down Kararagi.
In a short time, all of Kararagi was in an uproar. The slave market was in chaos, and various slave merchants were filled with resentment, looking as though they were mourning their own parents.
They truly wanted to strangle Anastasia and Hikigaya Hachiman, but the old saying remained: Reinhard is invincible!
Having watched the Felt route, Reinhard must have already activated his Divine Protections against poison and for mind-reading, and he would certainly side with Anastasia—after all, liberating slaves aligned with his knightly virtues.
Facing an invincible man who knew how to adapt, what could the slave traders do? They were completely helpless!
"Dammit! If I find out who it was that ambushed and kidnapped Anastasia back then, I'll make them wish they were dead!!" Gnashing their teeth, these people had to direct their anger elsewhere.
"...I was ousted?"
Away from the noisy Kararagi, in the Sacred Vollachia Empire, the Emperor extracted his own future from the vast amount of information in the Anastasia route. After looking at the group of generals below him, he let out a cold sneer.
Everyone was as silent as a cicada in winter, motionless, their foreheads and backs drenched in cold sweat.
In distant Lugunica, Priscilla also knit her brows, hoping that subsequent scenes would provide more information regarding this matter.
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「During this period, Hikigaya Hachiman encountered the Council of Sages, whose attitude was extremely respectful. After Hachiman proved with facts that he could make the kingdom flourish, anyone who truly and sincerely wished for Lugunica to become better respected him from the bottom of their hearts.」
「In fact, regardless of sentiment, in terms of actual status, Hikigaya Hachiman was now the de facto number two of the country—below one person, but above ten thousand.」
「"Mine self's Prime Minister is increasingly fond of running to the roof alone to stare at the sky."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, who was staring blankly at the sky, looked back. Sure enough, it was Anastasia.」
「"I'm just..."」
「"Seeing things and thinking of people, right?" Anastasia paced closer to his side and spoke softly. "Mine self knows you miss your hometown and your sister, but you should also be careful. If you don't bring a single guard, Mine self—having lost her Prime Minister—would cry until she faints if you were suddenly assassinated one day."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman shifted his position, pulling a bit of distance between them.」
「"Anyway, all the pedestrians nearby are elite members of the Iron Fang in disguise, aren't they? If someone could successfully assassinate me in this environment, I'd really have to wonder if a new Reinhard was born into this world."」
「Anastasia shook her head with a peculiar expression. "You can trust the Iron Fang Mine self established so much, yet you refuse to trust Mine self."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman looked stunned, not knowing where this came from: "I don't trust you?"」
「The wily Anastasia immediately took off her hat. The wind blowing across the rooftop ruffled her light purple long hair. She tucked her neck in and stared straight at Hikigaya Hachiman, reaching out for a hug. "Cold."」
「Seeing Hachiman make no move, she repeated: "So cold."」
「Seeing Hachiman still motionless, she let out a regretful sigh, shook her head, and accused him aggrievedly: "You won't even come near Mine self, yet you talk about trust. Does Mine self look like she'll turn into a demon and eat you?"」
「Realizing she was joking, Hikigaya Hachiman ruthlessly slapped away the hand extended by this girl who had grown from a somewhat petite girl into a slender young woman.」
「"If you're going to fake being cold, you should start by throwing away that Dona-fox around your neck."」
「"Chuu~"」
「The scarf that anyone else would have mistaken for a regular white wool scarf around Anastasia's neck suddenly made a sound and moved—this wasn't a scarf at all, but a white fox that could speak human words.」
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"Dona-fox?"
In reality, people of both worlds—who had developed an allergy to the word "Dona" due to Echidna's existence—shuddered.
"No, it might just be a coincidence in names. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with her."
Kousaka Kyousuke patted his chest, comforting Kirino while trying not to scare himself.
Recovering from the conflict between the "expanding slave trade" guess and the "strangling slave trade" reality, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka—who found he had slightly underestimated Anastasia—rubbed his chin and nodded:
"The powerful Iron Fang mercenaries, vast financial resources, deep cunning, shamelessness, and this 'Dona-fox' thing of unknown nature as a trump card... the Anastasia camp's strength is truly among the highest of the five candidates, comprehensively speaking."
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「Anastasia stroked the indignant Dona-fox, which was glaring at Hikigaya Hachiman.」
「Smiling, she secretly shifted herself centimeter by centimeter, quietly inching closer to the man at her side. "To say such things... we've known each other for several years in a flash. It really makes one sentimental."」
「"The difference between a few years ago and now is truly massive."」
Anastasia Route: Anastasia's Feelings
「"Our first meeting was at the Sword Saint's mansion."」
「"At that time, you had arrived in the Royal Capital in a daze and happened to meet Emilia. On that very same day, you witnessed with your own eyes the Bowel Hunter Elsa killing her and Felt—who was later confirmed to be the fifth candidate. Overcome with grief and spiritless, you accepted Reinhard's invitation to stay temporarily at his home."」
"..."
Felt went completely numb. Karma is a real pain, isn't it? In the last timeline, she benefited from Emilia's death; this time, it was Anastasia's turn to benefit from hers.
Beside her, Reinhard was equally silent, having utterly run out of things to say.
By now, the lives he had missed, the lives he had failed to protect, were piling up one after another, nearly as high as a mountain.
As for Emilia, honestly, she was used to it. If a timeline appeared where she didn't die, that would be the real surprise.
「"Back then, Mine self took Mimi to find Reinhard, wanting to test the waters and see if I could win him over to support me. But Reinhard, who had lost two candidates in one breath because he didn't arrive in time, was just as dispirited as you and had no intention of supporting any candidate."」
「"Having no choice, Mine self had to give up, but before leaving, I requested to meet you."」
「These details Anastasia mentioned were deeply etched in Hikigaya Hachiman's memory. He could even simulate what the girl was thinking at the time: "Because you thought that since I was acting with Emilia, I might be a talent she valued, and you wanted to try poaching me."」
「"...Indeed."」
「Anastasia didn't look embarrassed at all. She puffed out her chest with immense pride, gazing into the distance as she continued: "That was the most correct decision Mine self has made in years. Hachiman isn't just some talent Emilia valued; he is Mine self's exclusive Prime Minister."」
「"Though looking back, that meeting wasn't exactly a beautiful memory. A pale face full of sighs, regrets, and lamentations—in Mine self's eyes, it held no value at all."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman's thoughts drifted back to over three years ago. "I also thought you were a mean-spirited merchant back then, a total jerk bordering on a 'fake.' I guess our first impressions of each other were mutual."」
「He turned his head to look at Anastasia, whose lavender hair fluttered in the wind. She stopped her secret attempts to inch closer and, acting as if nothing was wrong, continued:」
「"'What a useless guy, getting this low over a few dead people; he's not the person Mine self is looking for'—thinking that, I gave you a scolding and left. Fortunately, there was a coincidental, fated reunion later, otherwise Mine self would have cried herself to death."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman took up the thread: "After being decadent for two or three days, I heard that Margrave Roswaal was busy hunting the Bowel Hunter and had no time to reclaim Emilia's remains. I buried her along with Old Man Rom and Felt. After eating free meals at Reinhard's house for a few days, I decided to go out and find a job. After thinking it over, I finally chose to become a merchant."」
「"And then someone came running in a panic to tell Mine self that there was a guy with all sorts of weird, brilliant ideas who had been snatching up business lately, and asked if we should play dirty to take him down."」
「This was the crucial turning point where she and her Prime Minister truly got to know each other.」
「"'This is bad, this is really bad, how can there be someone like this in the world? This won't do, Mine self wants him. I must have him'—on the third day after that thought was born, I heard Crusch was going to visit you. It scared Mine self so much I nearly went to fight her for my life."」
「"At that time, I was more inclined toward Crusch than you; she's a very good person." Hikigaya Hachiman chuckled. "However, most of those 'brilliant ideas' were inventions from my hometown's historical predecessors."」
「"You told me about the brilliant ideas part a long time ago. Many of the tricks Mine self uses in trade are also methods from people in history; it doesn't matter. Besides, Mine self doesn't value you now because of those ideas."」
「Clutching her hat, Anastasia spoke with lingering fear: "Crusch came too late. Luckily she was late, and luckily she clung to her dignity. She was satisfied to leave after you said you'd 'consider it seriously.' Unlike Mine self, who blocked your door day and night, forcing gifts on you and fussing over your well-being. No matter how you hinted, I pretended not to understand; I simply refused to leave. I was determined to grind your dislike of Mine self into affection."」
「"That month, you stationed Julius and Ricardo right at my doorstep. You forced me into a position where I couldn't even leave to join Crusch if I wanted to."」
「Talking about this period, even today, Hikigaya Hachiman didn't know whether to laugh or cry.」
「"Because of the extraordinary attention and care you showed me during that time, and my 'ungrateful' repeated rejections, Julius still holds a grudge against me to this day."」
「"But, after you helped Mine self become King, Julius has a love-hate relationship with you."」
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"—"
Ferris glanced at his own Lord Crusch and, as expected, saw a face turned jet-black with rage.
If Anastasia hadn't interfered, this should have been the Crusch route.
"AN—A—STA—SIA!!"
A low growl erupted from the Karsten estate, saturated with an emotion that suggested a desire to tear the person with that name into ten thousand pieces. The sheer depth of the grudge made even a veteran of blood and corpses like Wilhelm jump in surprise.
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「"Now then, back to business."」
「Anastasia turned her body, facing Hikigaya Hachiman directly. This formal seriousness prompted Hachiman to adjust his posture as well, looking her straight in the eye.」
「"Hachiman."」
「In Anastasia's eyes hid a flame that Hachiman couldn't quite decipher. She asked: "Does Mine self's Prime Minister hate Mine self now?"」
「"I don't hate you... I stopped a long time ago."」
「"Is Mine self's Prime Minister willing to treat this Kingdom as your second home?"」
「"...For now, I can try."」
「"Does Mine self's Prime Minister like it here now? Do you like all of this?"」
「"I like it a little."」
「"I see." Anastasia nodded gently. Suddenly, she spread her arms, her smile brilliant like an eagle about to pounce on its prey. "Then, Mine self will take this Kingdom you like a little, and
this world you can treat as a second home, and give them all to you as Mine self's dowry— along with Mine self, whom you do not hate."
「"—What did you say?"」
「"Mine self said,"」
「Anastasia spoke with a smile, looking utterly content: "Marry Mine self, Mine self's Prime Minister."」
」
Anastasia Route: Selling Myself to You, My Prime Minister
「Hikigaya Hachiman was practically frozen. His ears were ringing; he felt he might be hallucinating, that he must have misheard Anastasia's words.」
「However, looking at the girl before him who was professing her love, Hachiman found himself unable to escape so easily. His lips trembled, and he asked in a low, faint voice.」
「"...Why?"」
「"Are you asking for a reason? That... Mine self already said it long ago during the Royal Selection meeting, but if it is a request from Mine self's Prime Minister, Mine self doesn't mind repeating it as many times as you like—"」
「Anastasia's pampering of Hachiman, her doting, her affection, and her tolerance were all becoming visible to the naked eye.」
「"Mine self is very greedy. I want everything and have never been satisfied. At first, it was freedom, then food and warmth, then family, then a sense of security. Next it was wealth, then property, and then I set my sights on this country. I didn't just want wealth that could rival a nation; I wanted to take this vast country into my grasp as well."」
「"But, since even that goal has been achieved, what should I do next?"」
「"I was only thinking that, without having decided on a new desire yet. But when I came to my senses, Mine self's eyes could do nothing but follow you closely at every moment; Mine self's heart could do nothing but beat in a special way because of your presence and your proximity; Mine self's nights were spent doing nothing but tossing and turning, unable to sleep from the excitement of thinking about how to tease you the next day. Even in dreams I haven't had in a long time, only you exist."」
「"Freedom, food, security, family, wealth, power, and then—"」
「"Greedy as Mine self is, I've set my sights on the most beautiful love in the whole world, Mr. Prime Minister."」
「Anastasia squandered her passion recklessly, a shy blush staining her snow-white cheeks and soaking into her earlobes.」
「The left hand clutching her hat slowly moved to her chest, while her right hand reached out toward her Prime Minister in a gesture of invitation.」
「"...Why me?"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman turned his face away slightly, feigning blindness. His throat moved as he stubbornly suppressed the feelings touched by these bold statements and this deafening confession.」
「"...Hee, shouldn't Mr. Prime Minister blame himself for bringing this on?"」
「Undeterred, Anastasia tilted her head slightly in an act of feigned cuteness. Her unique voice was constantly teasing her Prime Minister with effortless ease.」
「"Who was it that refused to yield for so long under Mine self's pressure? Who was it that, after joining reluctantly, tried to slack off out of spite? Who was it that, despite agreeing to slack off, couldn't help but offer suggestions when they saw Mine self falling into a disadvantage?"」
「"Who was it that never uttered a single word of praise for Mine self's beauty or figure, yet treated Mine self like a pleasing scenery? Who was it that actually took the initiative to expose the source of the brilliant ideas Mine self valued from the start? Who was it that subconsciously caught Mine self to prevent injury when I almost tripped back then?"」
「"Who was it that was willing to enjoy the process but always dodged Mine self's gifts? Who was it that handled the worldwide slave trade just because they heard about Mine self's past dangerous experiences? Who was it that has been treating Mine self with such extreme tenderness?"」
「"Who did so much without asking for anything in return? Who lived in the same mansion as Mine self for four years? Who is so charming that every minute and every second they attract Mine self's gaze?"」
「Anastasia tilted her head gently like a wily fox, looking mockingly at the man before her, asking what she already knew:」
「"This answer... Mine self's Prime Minister should know, shouldn't he?"」
「"...Julius."」
「After a silence, the answer given by the shifty-eyed Hikigaya Hachiman made Anastasia freeze for several seconds; she almost lost her composure.」
「Even though she knew her Prime Minister did it on purpose, the moment Hachiman's answer left his mouth, the atmosphere of a romantic confession she had meticulously built step by step was inevitably ruined.」
「"Should I call it humility or an inferiority complex... Back then, when those loose women who lusted after you were rejected so skillfully, it was certainly interesting to watch as a bystander, but Mine self never wished to taste it personally."」
「Anastasia let out a regretful breath, her expression appearing a bit troubled.」
「Though she was bold and passionate, as a young girl who had never been in love, receiving this kind of treatment after her first proactive confession in life would make even her feel miserable; she was even starting to lose a bit of confidence.」
「"What Mine self loves most is money... but now, you are in first place alongside money. I've told you all the reasons why."」
「"Even if you always like to be humble, even if you feel you'll misinterpret a girl's expression and think all expressions of love from women are your delusions—regardless, Mine self is confessing to you right now. Mine self is extremely greedy for everything of yours. Mine self simply wants to claim the love you've kept hidden until now. Even so, are you still unwilling to like Mine self?"」
「Anastasia was holding on by a thread, her heart beating incredibly fast... if words belittling herself as a woman or a partner came out of her Prime Minister's mouth, she would go hide under her blankets in sorrow.」
「Although she knew such a thing was impossible... it was strange; once she realized she had fallen in love with him, her originally clever and rational brain would often spiral into uncontrollable, wild thoughts.」
「As Anastasia took a step forward, Hikigaya Hachiman instinctively took a half-step back. He wasn't stunned, but his thoughts were in a total mess, chaotic beyond belief.」
「Once he realized the girl before him was within his reach, his cheeks instantly turned red. No matter where his gaze landed on her, he would quickly associate it with many things—so indecent that he could only look away, staring at the empty air.」
「"...For the Emperor of Lugnica to be with someone like me, isn't that... too much of a grievance for you?"」
「"Excessive humility is just an inferiority complex. If Mine self's Prime Minister isn't qualified, then Mine self is destined to be lonely for a lifetime."」
「From the initial mutual disdain to the current four years later, those days remained vivid in his mind. After peeling away his prejudice toward her, Anastasia's essence was that slightly-flawed 'Genuine Thing.'」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, the current Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lugnica, remained pure at heart even after growing up.」
「He was being driven into a corner by the flawed 'Genuine Thing' he lived with day and night!」