Garfiel's Wager
"Unprecedented determination, Hikigaya Hachiman."
In Class D, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's eyes rippled with a slight shimmer, like a girl seeing the most dashing moment of her beloved. "Having experienced so much, changed so much, and reached such a firm resolve—this is truly your all-out effort of all-out efforts. You are more serious now than at any other time before.
A mere difficulty set by Roswaal... this time, you will surely clear it in a single life. Let me witness it—your charm, the charm and strength of the man I recognize as a worthy arch-nemesis, the man who is my polar opposite!"
On the roof of the manor, wild winds raged, whipping Roswaal's hem and hair. He burst into a loud laugh, spreading his arms wide, and spoke to a worried Beatrice: "Watch closely. The reversal is about to begin."
"My mistakes, my traps, my absurdities—he is about to set them all right. The world is going to move forward, and he will personally seize victory from a tragic ending!"
In two different worlds, the two people with the most faith in Hikigaya Hachiman were, at this very moment, already envisioning his overwhelming victory.
"Because he is Hikigaya Hachiman!"
「"Hachiman-san, you actually possess such high-level swordsmanship?!"」
「Having been called out to meet in the dense forest, Otto stood dumbfounded. He watched as Hikigaya Hachiman's sword danced through the air, executing various forms. Even though Otto knew absolutely nothing about swordplay, the visible elegance and practical power of those techniques still deeply intimidated him.」
「"To be honest, I'm the surprised one here."」
「Sheathing the sword, Hikigaya Hachiman let out a long breath. Although the memories left by those different timelines were fragmented, he surprisingly remembered most of the swordsmanship he had honed over those three years under the tutelage of Julius and Wilhelm. Using it felt as fluid and natural as instinct.」
「If not for his physical stats dragging him down, this swordsmanship alone would make him a respectably formidable combatant.」
「"This kind of thing..."」
「The memories were vivid, and the swordsmanship was real. Hikigaya Hachiman was beginning to lose track of whether those different worlds he had experienced were merely possibilities or if they had actually been real.」
「"Um, Hachiman-san?"」
「His thoughts were pulled back to reality by Otto's call. Hachiman blinked and shook his head... Real or fake, the most important thing now was to deal with the obstacle looming right in front of him.」
「"Otto."」
「"Eh? Yes, um... what is it? Why so formal?"」
「"Lend me your strength." Hikigaya Hachiman placed his hands on Otto's shoulders, his face full of gravity. "Use your protection, use your wisdom, use your power—join me in defeating Garfiel."」
「"—"」
「"This is both an order to an internal affairs official from a knight, and more importantly, a plan sRabbitd with a friend by a friend."」
「Given no room to breathe, Otto was left lightheaded by the consecutive appeals. He gasped, his mouth hanging open, and swallowed a lump of disbelief as his breathing quickened.」
「"You—you mean—"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman said nothing more. He patted Otto's shoulder and took hold of Otto's trembling hand. It wasn't a demand or a request; it was the certainty of a friend who knew that once Otto heard these words, he would help with all his heart.」
「To save his life, Otto had sacrificed himself, screaming as he was devoured by the Great Rabbit—Hachiman would never forget that scene for as long as he lived.」
「"Saying things like that is just too cunning, Hachiman-san. That Garfiel is clearly very strong. If we really provoke him, we might both die. I'm not joking."」
「Forcing a bitter smile and speaking dejected words, Otto's heart beat with a searing heat. He looked the man before him in the eye, feeling the blood boiling in his veins. "But... but... but, since you've put it that way, with such cunning words..."」
「He let out a sigh of surrender with a wry smile, but his body stopped shaking. His gaze turned resolute and incredibly sharp.」
「"Otto Suwen, ready for orders. As your friend, and as the internal affairs official of Emilia-sama's camp, I promise I will not betray your trust!"」
"Ooh! My blood is burning!"
In the Sanctuary, Garfiel roared with a clenched fist. Even though he was the one about to get beaten up, in this situation, Garfiel wholeheartedly approved of the choice to let himself be pummeled.
If it were the version of him who hadn't seen these futures, he would certainly be stubborn and refuse to leave the Sanctuary. In that case, he wouldn't be able to save his sister or change the General's fate.
"Magnificent Tiger—let's lose with boiling blood, future Me!"
At the same time, Otto's entire face was flushed red. A warm current spread through his body, earning him some playful teasing from the surrounding merchants. However, he was simply happy—happy to the point of tears, much like the joy of being able to communicate with his parents and brothers for the first time.
「"Hey, what did you call This Great Self out for? Besides, can a crybaby really get over things that fast? Hmph, I've seen everything now."」
「In an open clearing deep within the forest, Garfiel stood defiant, his face full of annoyance.」
「"You've suddenly grown to dislike me, Garfiel."」
「He spat on the ground. "Do you really expect This Great Self to have a good opinion of a crybaby who's this old and still cries like that at the drop of a hat? And to think This Great Self thought you were a tough guy before. You're a damn liar."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head. "I told you, it's normal for men to cry. As for whether I'm a weak crybaby or a damn liar... why don't you feel it for yourself, Garfiel?"」
「"What's that supposed to mean?" Garfiel bared his shark-like teeth, laughing in anger. "What do you think you're doing, pointing a sword at This Great Self?"」
「"No weapons allowed, no beastification. Otto and I will challenge you together. If we win, you come with me to leave the Sanctuary and go to the rescue of Roswaal's manor. Assassins will arrive in two days, and Frederica is no match for them."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman raised his sword toward Garfiel, abruptly proposing a duel with extremely restrictive conditions. Any sane person would refuse such an unfair fight that bound their hands and feet.」
「But Garfiel would not.」
「"A Queen's Stone can't be climbed alone," Hikigaya Hachiman whispered softly.」
「"You're treating This Great Self like a Queen's Stone? Interesting. I don't know if that assassin stuff is made up or not, but thinking you can beat This Great Self just by restricting beastification and weapons... you really have some nerve looking down on me. It's infuriating."」
「Garfiel suddenly clenched his fists, a savage grin spreading across his face as his killing intent bloomed.」
「"Come on then, you cowardly crybaby. This Great Self accepts! I've been looking for an excuse to give a liar like you a proper beating!"」
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