The Prize, Crusch's Covetousness
"Killing two birds with one stone? No, it's a triple win!"
The handsome and valiant beauty in military uniform, Crusch, couldn't help but gasp slightly. Her hand instinctively moved to the hilt of her sword, and she knit her brows ever so slightly.
"You are losing your composure, Lady Crusch."
Beside her, the old butler—the formidable Sword Demon, Wilhelm—spoke up at the appropriate time. His aged, deep voice brought the Royal Selection candidate he had chosen, the Crusch he held in high regard, back from her slight state of agitation.
Crusch blinked, then exhaled, forcibly calming the unease surging within her heart.
"You are right. I have indeed lost my composure. I have experienced war, faced life and death, and held the power of life and death over countless people from a position of great authority. Even so... after realizing just how terrifying a 'self' this Hikigaya Hachiman possesses, I still inevitably lost my cool."
Felix wanted to comfort the liege he served, but he couldn't. He could only bite the bullet and acknowledge the reality:
"If we were to say that even a pig, if granted the ability of 'Return by Death,' could overcome countless difficulties after repeating them infinitely—that a pig's ability to fly relies solely on Return by Death—then Hikigaya Hachiman is different!
Hikigaya Hachiman is the one carrying Return by Death to new heights!
One could even say that Return by Death limits his original strength! If not for Return by Death—without those sudden blind spots, like the lapse that led to suspicion from Rem and Ram—it would be absolutely impossible for a mistake to appear in Hikigaya Hachiman's performance!"
Crusch's breathing quickened slightly. Her eyes shimmered with a light of yearning, swirling with the urgings of ambition.
"My faction lacks no fools, yet at the same time, it possesses no strategist of extraordinary intellect and character. I must have him, Felix. I want him. I must have him!"
Crusch grew excited, her voice rising. On her beautiful face, a flush of agitation was clearly visible!
"As you wish, nya~"
Felix had already ordered the mercenaries to make a forced march toward the streets where Hikigaya Hachiman would appear, deploying heavy troops. Next, he would send even more!
Crusch paced back and forth, feeling an unbearable itch of anticipation.
"Sigh... Emilia, just what kind of powerful luck do you possess? You go out for a stroll, facing a situation where death was certain, and simply because of a single act of kindness, you not only save your own life but also pick up a peerless strategist for free—an intellectual giant worthy of being a Prime Minister!"
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「"Knock, knock, knock!"」
「The knocking was anxious. When the door opened, Beatrice, standing in the center of the library, wore a sour face that said 'What do you want?'」
「"Lady Beatrice," Rem and Ram apologized respectfully, "We are sorry for disturbing you without permission."」
「"What is it? What's the matter?" Once the frantic knocking stopped and the visitors turned out to be the familiar maid sisters, Beatrice's irritation quickly dissipated.」
「"That... actually, I have a difficult problem I'd like to ask about." Hikigaya Hachiman, following two steps behind, caught up. His hands held the Pan-san plushie that Rem had meticulously crafted. Having finished the plushie ahead of schedule, the impatient sisters immediately dragged him over in a hurry.」
「"What is this thing? I've never seen it. Do you think Betty's aesthetic tastes are that eccentric?"」
「Beatrice pinched the plushie, looking surprised. Though her words were stubborn, her body was very honest; she accepted it without ceremony, finding it novel and even feeling a shred of gratification.」
「It was a cheap doll, but... someone had actually given her a gift so full of heart? Well, even if he did want something in return.」
「Ram's nose was not as sensitive as Rem's. She sought confirmation from Beatrice: "Lady Beatrice, is the guest emitting the stench of the Witch?"」
「Beatrice turned her head to look. "Eh?"」
「She looked slightly puzzled: "What's going on? Compared to the first time we met, the Witch's scent has become much thicker, as if the amount has doubled."」
「"The Witch's scent... are you referring to that legendary Witch of Envy?" Hikigaya Hachiman remembered that during his first loop at the Roswaal Manor, he had extracted a lot of knowledge from Beatrice, Rem, and Ram. Part of that was about the Witch of Envy.」
「The books recorded that the power of the Witch of Envy was awe-inspiringly terrifying. Rem and Ram had always been secretive about it, and even the gentle Emilia remained tight-lipped. Only Beatrice would talk about that existence in small amounts.」
「The scent of the Witch.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman could confirm that he didn't know any Witch, let alone have contact with one. However, Rem wouldn't talk nonsense or deliberately tell such a lie just to kill him.」
「Is one of the people like Sword Saint Reinhard, Felt, Old Man Rom, or Elsa the Bowel Hunter related to the Witch?—Hikigaya had invited Rem to sniff them, and he could confirm Emilia had no Witch scent, so that possibility could be crossed off.」
「Had he had contact with the so-called Witch? It was possible, at two key points.」
「One was the 'isekai' crossing, and the second was Return by Death.」
「Given how powerful the Witch of Envy was described in the books, these two things were not necessarily beyond her capabilities.」
「There was no evidence, but this could basically be judged as the truth for now.」
「Seeing through this truth was the very reason Hikigaya Hachiman had laughed wildly while being beaten to death by Rem.」
「"Why would I be tainted by the Witch's scent? Tsk... honestly, to be frank, this nonsensical Witch's scent has brought me a lot of inconvenience. If possible, Beatrice, can you help me dispel it?"」
「For Hikigaya Hachiman's sincere request, the response he received was a look of utter speechlessness from Beatrice, as if she were looking at an idiot.」
「"Sigh, while I don't know how the Witch's scent on you actually got there, you can rest easy." Beatrice waved her hand helplessly. Her following words were addressed to Rem and Ram, acting as a guarantee for Hikigaya Hachiman: "He is indeed not a member of the Witch Cult. Betty isn't so blind that she couldn't see at least that much."」
「The maid sisters looked both delighted and disappointed; coinciding by chance, they both revealed an extremely complex expression.」
「Total transparency.」
「If one does nothing shameful, one need not fear a ghost knocking at midnight.」
「Regarding this nonsensical Witch's scent that had stuck to him, Hikigaya Hachiman's method of dealing with it was the most upright and honorable 'Open Scheme.'」
「In the art of war, the simplest is the Open Scheme, the most profound is the Open Scheme, and the most unsolvable is also the Open Scheme!」
「The dirty water of the Witch Cult splashed upon him was thus washed clean in one fell swoop.」
「One faction, four different agendas? Wrong!」
「He, Hikigaya Hachiman, was going to twist the rope and pull the maid sisters of different minds toward his own direction!!!」
Chapter 32 - Taking the Long Way Around
"It truly looks like a scene of mutual forgiveness and harmony—Rem and Ram putting aside their suspicion of my ties to the Witch Cult, and me not holding a grudge against Rem for the debt of my own death. What a peaceful picture."
In Hikigaya Hachiman's derisive tone, there was a hint of self-mockery regarding his own pettiness: "If I weren't Hikigaya Hachiman himself, I suppose I would have believed it too."
Beside him, Yukinoshita Yukino sensed his self-deprecation and spoke up decisively:
"Repaying hatred with revenge and kindness with gratitude—an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—that is the most correct and fair way to live!
I wouldn't hesitate to strike back even against the unintentional arrogance of Miura-san; how much more so for the divide caused by being killed once? If you could immediately and magnanimously forgive a grudge like that, Hikigaya-kun, you would practically be a saint."
Though these words sounded like praise, they carried the telepathic subtext shared between the pair: 'You think you're being petty and want to mock yourself, but I'm even pettier than you. Aren't you indirectly scolding me?'
The delicate young girl, after their long journey of mutual aid and the cycles of supporting one another through thick and thin, had clearly learned exactly how to effectively handle this troublesome, cynical literati.
Hikigaya Hachiman was stunned for a moment, then suddenly curled the corner of his mouth.
Once she uttered those piercing words, he really felt too embarrassed to continue belittling himself. By now, he was thoroughly tied hand and foot by this brilliant girl.
After his realization, Hikigaya Hachiman—feeling both helpless and as though the clouds had parted to reveal the sun—suddenly clenched his fist!
"Ah, yeah... if I, Hikigaya Hachiman, were truly magnanimous, why would I have felt so refreshed after tearing into that Sagami to her face? In truth, I am a man even more narrow-minded than you, Yukinoshita! It's only natural and right that I'm not big-hearted enough!"
As long as he was magnanimous toward those close to him, that was enough.
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「Early the next morning, Puck teased Hikigaya Hachiman as he worked hard to control his mana in the courtyard: "You seem to be in high spirits today. How is it? Is Roswaal's mansion to your liking?"」
「"Satisfactory? In terms of satisfying a man's sense of adventure and supporting me so I don't become lazy, I suppose you could put it that way."」
「"While it's a shame I don't understand what you mean by that, I'm relieved to see you smiling and relaxing properly." Emilia shook her head with lingering fear. "A few days ago, for some reason, you always looked so anxious, Hachiman-kun. It was as if your life was in constant danger and you were racing against time."」
「"Indeed. Today, after Roswaal left for an appointment, your spirit seems even better, Big Bro."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman really wanted to say 'that's just your imagination,' but he found it very difficult to lie to someone as pure as Emilia.」
「Ignoring Puck, he told Emilia half the reason for his good mood: "This afternoon, I'll be going to the village with Rem and Ram to do some shopping."」
「In the first loop, it was on this very day that he died during the night after returning from the village.」
「This time, Hikigaya Hachiman planned to thickheadedly ask Beatrice to examine his body immediately after returning this afternoon. If everything went as expected, the culprit would be brought to light tonight!」
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"Didn't this guy eliminate the vast majority of the villagers in the second loop? Why risk his life going there again? It would be much better to just grab the remaining ones and torture them for info. That Beatrice talks a big game, but maybe she just happened to encounter a curse she couldn't break."
Felt curled her lip in annoyance. "Hey, Reinhard, don't you think his IQ has dropped?"
"Being able to proactively think of such a method is certainly clever, Princess Felt. However, please remember that Hachiman has many things he must consider."
In the eyes of the Sword Saint, Reinhard, a flash of a "kindred spirit" sentiment flickered.
His combat power was the greatest under heaven, invincible enough to crush nations, yet he was quite restricted in his actions. This was partly due to his good nature, but also due to his many considerations—if people couldn't deal with Reinhard, couldn't they deal with his relatives or his country?
Hikigaya Hachiman could certainly ask Emilia for permission to arrest people; the gentle and kind Emilia clearly wasn't good at refusing requests.
However, from the perspective of the villagers, the severe consequences were predictable.
Emilia's reputation, already burdened with stigma, would become even more precarious and worsened in an instant. This would be a heavy burden on the overall situation of Emilia's Royal Selection.
Reinhard, solemn and dignified, slowly expressed his respect: "Hachiman chose to protect Lady Emilia's grand design by discarding his own safety... He is a knight, a true knight who is in no way inferior to any other!"
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「Time flew by. With the solemn air of one stepping onto a battlefield, Hikigaya Hachiman went down to the village with Rem and Ram. He remained tense the entire time, and the moment they returned to the mansion, he immediately sprinted into Beatrice's library.」
「"How could it be so easy to encounter a curse user? Fine, fine, since you're so persistent... Look, there's nothing. Betty told you so already."」
「"N-Nothing?"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman's eyes widened; he found it simply unbelievable. Today, he had not only intentionally made contact with suspicious villagers but had also, based on his memory, purposely interacted with the villagers he had touched on this day during the first loop.」
「"No, that's impossible. How can that be? Where did I go wrong? Is there someone I didn't meet? I..."」
「Wait!!!」
「Hikigaya Hachiman's voice stopped abruptly.」
「"The one I didn't meet today... that's right, there really is one—because my nerves were so frayed, I had absolutely no interest in playing with the dog this time. I didn't touch that dog! I wasn't bitten by it!"」
「Cold sweat suddenly broke out across Hikigaya Hachiman's forehead. His voice was dry: "Hey, let me ask you, Beatrice... can animals place curses too?"」
「"Animals? Don't be silly, that's impossible. Mere animals don't have that kind of ability. However, for Witchbeasts or Spirits, it's no problem at all."」
「Suddenly, a bolt of lightning from a clear sky seemed to explode within Hikigaya Hachiman's heart!」
「"So that's it! That's how it is!"」
「One reason for his mistake was that he wasn't a native of this fantasy world and hadn't immediately thought of the existence of Witchbeasts; the other was the title of 'Curse User,' which made him naturally assume the culprit was limited to the human race.」
「With a loud thud, Hikigaya Hachiman charged out the door!」
「"Hey, where are you going?" Her curiosity piqued, Beatrice followed behind, demanding an answer.」
Chapter 33. Rem, The Beginning of the "Secret Lead"
「Galloping through the starry night, beneath the moonlight, Hikigaya Hachiman, Rem, Ram, and Emilia—a party of four—rushed toward the village with a grand and urgent momentum to rescue the fief's residents!」
「 'How did it end up like this?'」
「Hikigaya Hachiman was using every ounce of his strength just to barely keep up with the main group. As he ran, he couldn't stop panting heavily.」
「Indeed, how did it end up like this?」
「After discovering that the puppy might be an extremely dangerous Witchbeast, Hikigaya Hachiman immediately informed everyone of his suspicion and requested that Rem accompany him to investigate. His logic was: if he were wrong, by only asking Rem for help, he wouldn't seem too "fussy" or "rash," avoiding a situation where they might view him as "unreliable."」
「And if his suspicion was correct, even better. If they won, the threat would be eliminated directly. If they lost, only he and Rem would die; dragging her down with him would serve as a form of revenge for her murdering him in the previous loop. In the next loop, he could then use the combat data from this enemy to create a more detailed plan.」
「The idea was sound, but in reality...」
「"Sigh, this is far too much of a scene. If my judgment is wrong, I'll be too ashamed to face anyone. I'll have to commit seppuku out of pure humiliation."」
「"We are already a third of the way there, Guest. Saying such things now won't help."」
「Hearing this, Hikigaya Hachiman turned his sighing, dead-fish eyes to glare fiercely at Ram, who was standing by and talking mockingly.」
「It was her. Out of concern for her sister Rem, she had nagged so much that she eventually disturbed Emilia. Emilia, upon learning the situation, didn't believe Hikigaya Hachiman would speak without cause and immediately decided to cooperate. Naturally, Ram followed along.」
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"A scene? This clearly represents how effective Hikigaya Hachiman's various actions have been! Everyone in the Roswaal Manor—everyone in Emilia's camp—trusts him to some degree. That's why they were all willing to set out together. They're starting to pull together like a single rope."
Anastasia pouted in frustration, lightly slamming her small fists on the desk to vent. "He's getting a bargain and acting like he's suffering. With him there, even though Emilia's camp is still insignificant for now, it's hard to say what will happen later."
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「"Eh? Ehhh? Wait, hold on! What are you doing? Stop it, Rem!"」
「His stamina failing, the flustered Hikigaya Hachiman nearly bit his tongue. He wasn't panicking because he was afraid of falling behind, but because something far more terrifying than falling behind was happening!」
「Rem leaped forward, adjusted her position, and grabbed the lagging Hikigaya Hachiman. She tossed him into the air, extended her arms, and caught him in a "princess carry." Holding the curled-up Hikigaya Hachiman in her arms, she charged forward with giant strides.」
「Her stamina was formidable; even while moving at full speed, she had the breath to reply: "Please don't ask such silly questions, Hikigaya-kun. Neither sister's stamina nor Lady Emilia's status allows them to carry you."」
「'That's not what I meant by asking!'」
「Hikigaya Hachiman wanted to shout this aloud, but unfortunately, as a "burden," he lacked the confidence to back up his words. He could only remain quiet and still, trying to minimize the physical strain on Rem as she carried him.」
「He deliberately tried not to look at this maid sister, yet he couldn't help but see that exquisite face, which was not at all inferior to Emilia's.」
「There was no murderous intent on this face, no cruelty, and nothing that made his heart tremble with fear.」
「As Rem's teammate, the only things Hikigaya Hachiman felt at this moment were touched and safe.」
「"...An eye for an eye. I guess this makes us even."」
「Rem tilted her head cutely. Hikigaya Hachiman's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz; even she couldn't hear it clearly. The only thing she could sense was that this man's attitude toward her seemed to have undergone some intangible change.」
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「From a distance, they could see the village lit up by countless torches, filled with commotion.」
「"The children? Where are the children!"」
「The distraught villagers reacted to the arrival of Hikigaya Hachiman's group as if a pillar supporting the heavens had appeared in a collapsing sky. They swarmed forward.」
「This was the prestige Hikigaya Hachiman had gained previously by "borrowing authority." He had claimed to be an honored guest of Roswaal and leaked the "secret" that Roswaal intended to hire him as a strategist.」
「He had talent, he had status, and he was a reliable high-ranking figure—second only to Margrave Roswaal. The idea Hikigaya had ingrained in them was now paying off.」
「They clamored for him to take charge, eventually piecing together the general message: "The children are in the forest!"」
「"A section of the village barrier has been destroyed. There are many Witchbeasts in the forest. The priority is to repair the barrier. We cannot rush in blindly; the danger is too high."」
「Ram's analysis was logical and well-founded, but the enraged villagers, driven by emotion, accused her of disregarding the children. As both sides argued, the villagers around them grew increasingly frantic. All eyes—and the weight of that pressure—fell on Hikigaya Hachiman.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman thought for two seconds. "Ram, Rem, and Emilia—how long will it take for the three of you to repair the barrier together?"」
「Ram's mind worked quickly, and she answered immediately: "It will be fast. We will still have combat strength left after the repair."」
「"Good. Then please, the three of you, get to work immediately."」
「Just as the parents of the missing children were about to lash out, Hikigaya Hachiman cut them off by swiftly assigning the next task: "Everyone! Those with firewood at home, light them as torches quickly. Form a group and move toward the forest. Do not go too deep; just clear a path for now. The rest of us from the Margrave's mansion will join you shortly!"」
「He turned back to instruct the three girls: "The barrier is vital for the future safety of this village. You must do it carefully!"」
「With these words, he had rationally allocated resources and combat power while also playing an emotional card, making it impossible for anyone to claim that Emilia's group was intentionally delaying the rescue.」
「The villagers looked at one another. Feeling the powerful aura and burgeoning confidence radiating from Hikigaya Hachiman, and remembering his status, they didn't hesitate long. Surprisingly, they took action immediately!」
「The three girls stared at Hikigaya Hachiman, who stood there as a leader, absolutely dumbfounded.」
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"To be honest, I'm dumbfounded too." Shirogane Miyuki let out a wry smile, admitting his own inferiority. As a student council president, he knew a bit about manipulating hearts, but it was precisely because he was an expert that he was so amazed by the sheer "weight" displayed here.
"In this grand game of chess, Hikigaya-kun has long since placed his hidden pieces!"
Chapter 34. Turning Deficit into Profit
Shirogane Kei shot a sideways glance at her brother, who had just had a sudden realization. She hesitated, but as a sister in her rebellious phase, she felt asking her brother for an explanation would be too embarrassing. With a conflicted heart, she forcibly swallowed the question she wanted to ask.
Shirogane Miyuki, who deeply cared for his family, saw her behavior clearly.
He was far from being a "sister-con" compared to Hikigaya Hachiman or Ram, but as an older brother, he would never pass up such a perfect opportunity to showcase his reliable intellect, solve his sister's confusion, and strengthen their sibling bond.
"Hachiman didn't intend to stake all his combat power at first. Part of it was because the conclusion that 'the dog is a Witchbeast' wasn't set in stone yet, but more importantly, he didn't want to let Emilia fall into danger... He's such a troublesome guy, Hikigaya-kun, lacking the courage to admit his own kindness.
After Emilia and Ram decided to get involved, he actually could have used his eloquence to talk them out of it. But he didn't. There are three reasons for this. First, to avoid wasting time and missing the window to save the village.
On the other hand... at the end of the day, it's true Hachiman holds a grudge against Rem, but he doesn't actually want a perfectly fine person to die because they lacked enough combat power after setting out with him. Two extra people meant extra insurance."
One hero recognizes another. Shirogane Miyuki, who understood Hikigaya Hachiman quite well, followed his "scolding-yet-praising" remarks by quickly getting down to business—addressing the part that puzzled his sister, Kei:
"Hikigaya Hachiman's arrangements here in the village are very mundane; one could even call them ordinary.
Lacking enough cards in his hand, he truly couldn't pull off some heaven-defying, powerful master plan. He hasn't reached the level of Zhuge Liang's monstrous intellect yet. What amazes me is that the villagers are all working diligently and are following his arrangements with complete conviction!
In everything he says, he is embezzling Roswaal's prestige. Among the villagers, he is emphasizing a lie that equates himself with Roswaal. For example, take note of his phrase, [The rest of us from the Margrave's mansion will join you shortly]. He is reinforcing that suggestion at every moment."
"Wait a second!"
Kei Shirogane raised her hand to stop his incessant talking. Like an OCD patient seeing a scrambled Rubik's Cube, she asked in discomfort: "Didn't you say there were [three reasons]? What's the third?"
"That's the part I was just about to get to."
Shirogane Miyuki pointed at the video, wearing a smile of satisfaction comparable to an otaku who, after following three seasons of an anime, finally sees his favorite "ship" confess and kiss.
"Look closely. Hachiman is deliberately diminishing Emilia's presence."
"So what?" Kei asked, then suddenly remembered.
"Oh, right... the villagers all hate Emilia. Is he... protecting her?"
"More than that. He has a more brilliant and deeper grand blueprint."
Shirogane Miyuki's explanation was forceful and resonant. A flame was burning in his eyes—he was getting fired up!
"The moment he realized Emilia was going to act with them, he immediately switched his thinking. Simply put, if my guess is correct—Hachiman is going to use this crisis to attribute the bulk of the credit for resolving the incident to Emilia, turning the tide of her public reputation in one fell swoop!
Most importantly, you can tell from the way he built up his reputation with the villagers in advance that even if this curse user business hadn't happened, Hachiman had already planned to flip Emilia's reputation. He would have directed and acted out a play himself to do it."
'Hikigaya Hachiman, this guy... he pampers his girl. He's a real one!'
Shirogane Miyuki was so fired up he felt like calling Shinomiya Kaguya right then and there to be all lovey-dovey.
"Ah..."
Shirogane Kei let out a cry of shock. Immediately after, her gaze toward the man in the video was no longer just pure admiration for his skills, but... it held a little something extra.
A man who dotes on his girlfriend that much—who wouldn't like that?
Through his actions this night, Hikigaya Hachiman had unknowingly captured the fluttering hearts of a massive number of young girls back on Earth.
"But do these two look like they're dating at all? How come I can't see it? Shouldn't this be loyalty—loyalty to a monarch, or repaying a debt of gratitude?"
Inside the KTV, the dim-witted Tobe Hayato scratched his head, exposing his total lack of perception.
Hayama didn't discriminate against his emotional intelligence but explained gently: "The debt for Emilia saving his life was already paid back with Elsa the Bowel Hunter. Loyalty... in the mind of a modern person, where is there any loyalty to speak of?"
"So that means we can judge it as romance?"
Looking at the oblivious Tobe, Hayama felt a hint of helplessness. "It's true that between Hachiman and Emilia, even a hazy spark of romantic love hasn't started burning yet. However, the distance between them is obviously getting smaller and smaller
Faced with a completely strange parallel world, Hachiman chose to climb toward the first person in that world who showed him kindness. And Emilia did not fail his expectations; her beautiful character has satisfied Hachiman deeply. So now...
Now, Hachiman, who possesses extremely high IQ and EQ and could have traded up for an aircraft carrier, has quietly thrown out a rope, choosing to bind himself to Emilia and save this small, crumbling boat with everything he's got.
Emilia's beauty, inside and out, has been attracting Hachiman to move closer to her unconsciously. Similarly, Emilia, who is willing to brave the dark night and the unknown to trust Hachiman, is also being unconsciously attracted to him."
"Right now, Hachiman and Emilia are both in the thick of it, and neither has realized this yet... But once their feelings reach a critical mass, the sparks of love that explode will be absolutely dazzling—incredibly huge!"
Yumiko Miura took over the last part of the speech. she stared blankly at the eloquently speaking Hayama Hayato, her eyes full of affection, already fantasizing about her own romance with Hayama developing like that in her head.
Hayama turned his head slightly, pretending not to notice.
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「The villagers moved in groups, each holding two torches. Their hearts were as furious as the flames on those torches. They constructed a bridge between the forest and the village, acting as the vanguard without hesitation to save the innocent children.」
「"This is why I chose to flip their perception rather than using more extreme methods," Hikigaya Hachiman murmured to himself.」
「At that moment, Ram reported the good news from a distance: "The barrier repair is complete!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman paused, nodded, slowly clenched his fist, and took a fearless step forward.」
「The party of four, at full power!!!」
Chapter 35. The Cohesion of Human Hearts
「"Ooooooooooooh, die!!!!"」
「On this night, the village commoners entered a state of extraordinary performance for the first time!」
「The vast, quiet, and dark forest was set ablaze with fire beneath the dim moonlight, as voices shook the very heavens!」
「Villagers, their adrenaline surging, spontaneously formed a disorganized yet most heroic and fearless army. Their roars and curses, which vibrated through the entire forest, were a clear provocation to the powerful and ferocious Witchbeasts. The beasts, which had always viewed humans as mere food, actually fled in disarray beneath this aura of grim, death-defying determination.」
「The Witchbeasts that had been salivating over them at the start now lay scattered across the ground in heaps—fur scorched, breath extinguished, their bodies emitting the savory aroma of cooked meat.」
「The torches illuminated their shining courage, responsibility drove them forward, and the Lords and Ladies from the Margrave's mansion provided them with the most steadfast support.」
「"Aaaah—"」
「For some reason, the Witchbeasts that had been fleeing in a pathetic state suddenly regained their ferocity, turning back with an equal disregard for death. In an instant, nearly ten villagers were pounced upon before they could react, letting out wails as they hovered on the brink of death beneath wolfish claws.」
「Suddenly, the sky was filled with ice brands, carrying a bone-chilling wind that pierced the air. They pinned down the souls of the Witchbeasts that had been lively just a second ago; the ice shards shattered their skulls and sent their bodies flying.」
「"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Lady Emilia!"」
「The young and middle-aged men who had just escaped death cast every rumor and every ounce of loathing they once held into the furthest corners of their minds.」
「Only after wandering through the gates of death does one truly realize the preciousness of a life-saving grace.」
「Noble, pure robes fluttered in the cold wind as she manipulated the Mana in the air, focused entirely on slaying enemies and saving lives. The filthy, grimy battlefield could not tarnish her beauty or purity.」
「This was Emilia.」
「"What on earth was I doing before?" someone muttered, suddenly awakened, eyes brimming with tears and a desperate urge to apologize.」
「"Hey, do you want to die? Pay attention!" his friend grabbed him, roaring loudly. "If you want to apologize to Lady Emilia, then follow Lord Roswaal and Lady Emilia seriously from now on! You want to, I want to—we all want to now!"」
「He roared with every bit of oxygen in his lungs: "Then—kill these brutes first! Protect your own lives so you don't waste the grace Lady Emilia showed by saving you!"」
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"Aaaah, yes! Yes! That's it, that's how it should be! No, it's the only way it can be!"
In reality, everyone in the Roswaal territory felt their blood boiling.
"Before, we were blinded by ignorance and prejudice, knowing only how to distance ourselves from and loathe Lady Emilia. Only today do we realize what kind of monarch we stupidly missed out on following!"
"Atonement! Hard work! Repentance! For the children, for Lord Hikigaya Hachiman, and for Lady Emilia... our future selves, charge!!!!"
Several small children looked at each other and made a solemn vow: "We will never sneak into the forest to play again, and we'll never go near animals we don't recognize!"
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「"I finally understand why the guest didn't want me to act."」
「Ram watched the majestic Emilia, lost in thought.」
「Just before, while the barrier was being repaired and they were heading to the forest, Hikigaya Hachiman had specifically consulted them about their abilities and strength.」
「Learning that Rem was accustomed to fist-to-flesh melee combat, he told Rem to go all out. Knowing that Ram focused on long-range attacks and had poor stamina, he instructed her to conserve her energy first, engaging only in low-intensity melee to get by.」
「"This wasn't just to let me conserve energy as a trump card; it was to ensure I didn't steal Lady Emilia's stage. He wanted the villagers to turn over a new leaf, covered by Lady Emilia's benevolence... Lady Emilia has gained a reliable supporter."」
「Rem also caught a glimpse of this scene. Her mind was sharp, and she understood quickly.」
「Her sister was Lord Roswaal's maid; in her sister's eyes, besides her twin, there was only the most revered Lord Roswaal. Obeying Lady Emilia was merely incidental, and Rem, of course, took all cues from her sister.」
「But that didn't mean she was happy seeing the kind Lady Emilia treated like a reflection of the moon in water—possessing status in name only, liable to be overturned by the wind and waves at any moment. If Lady Emilia's life could become more beautiful, Rem didn't know what her sister would think, but Rem herself was definitely happy to see it happen.」
「"With Hikigaya-kun planning and strategizing, at the very least, Lady Emilia's situation will surely keep getting better than before."」
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"Rem..."
Emilia bit her lip gently, her emotions a complex swirl.
"How about it, Lia? Can you let it go now?" Puck said with a smile, comforting his dear daughter. "What Rem did was indeed a bit much, but Hikigaya Hachiman has already forgiven her."
Emilia hesitated for a long time, then gave a slight, uncertain shake of her head without answering.
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「"All the children have been found! Retreat! Retreat!"」
「The last child had been hoisted onto the carpenter's back. The bloodshot villagers snapped out of their frenzied state; under Hikigaya Hachiman's loud guidance, they began an orderly retreat back to the village.」
「That cute little dog revealed its true form, leading a pack of beasts in pursuit, snapping at their heels and exerting immense pressure.」
「"This kind of thing is far inferior to the Bowel Hunter!"」
「Ice shards, storms, and a morning star!」
「Ram, who had been conserving her strength for a long time, joined Emilia and Rem in an opening salvo. The moment they acted, it was with the momentum of an instant kill. For her sister Rem's safety, Ram held nothing back; the three combined attacks obliterated the Witchbeast's head in a single explosion!」
「Emilia and Rem were a bit exhausted, but remembering Hachiman's specific instruction during the trip—'You must act as if you are completely at ease at all times'—they held their heads high and put on a front, despite not understanding the reason.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman did not participate in the battle.」
「Witchbeast bites leave a curse. To prevent the villagers from dying after returning home, Hikigaya Hachiman stood by Emilia's side, eyes scanning in all directions, maintaining peak concentration. Whenever a beast managed to bite someone, he would call upon those with remaining strength to hunt down and kill that specific beast.」
「Thus, under his comprehensive planning and deliberate calculation, the result of this battle was...」
「A total victory. Zero deaths, zero heavy injuries!」
「As the battle ended, Hikigaya Hachiman was so exhausted his vision was spinning.」
Chapter 36 You Really Know How to Flirt
「Rem retracted her morning star. Noticing Hikigaya Hachiman's trembling state, she immediately came over to support him, leaning him against her shoulder as they assisted each other in the rush back.」
「The overflowing fragrance of a young girl diluted the pungent, unpleasant smell of blood.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, who had just been like a stabilizing force unperturbed by danger, now suddenly seemed like an inexperienced young girl—or perhaps even more bashful than that. As his body and arm brushed against Rem's delicate, snow-white skin, the soft sensation made him feel as if he had been struck by lightning; his body and expression became incredibly stiff.」
「The massive contrast between his before and after states made Rem unable to suppress a smile.」
「This person—whom she had originally harbored deep suspicions about, thinking he was at best a swindler clinging to Lady Emilia for a free ride—had refreshed her perception of him time and time after again in a short period.」
「"You have done very well. Leave the rest to Rem."」
「Words of such heroic spirit, like those of a man turning the tide, burst forth from Rem's mouth instead.」
「In direct contrast to the content of her words, her voice was extremely gentle and light, carrying warmth through the dark night. Together with her breath, it blew into Hikigaya Hachiman's ear, warming his weary body inside and out.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman struggled with a few labored movements, panting heavily. He truly lacked the strength to break free from the girl's support, so he simply gave up, issuing his final instructions before losing consciousness.」
「"...Be careful... keep watch tonight, there might still be a mastermind... If you encounter a situation that is impossible to resist, abandon me and the villagers. Just protect yourself, Emilia, and Ram... Remember that!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman's voice was incredibly weak, but Rem was certain she had not misheard.」
「"..."」
「The stunned maid froze in place, repeatedly chewing over these final orders.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman closed his exhausted eyes. With a slump, his head lowered sideways, landing squarely on Rem's chest. Through the fabric of her clothes, in his drowsy stupor, he experienced the softness of a girl for the first time in his life.」
「—Eek!」
「An indescribable surge of warmth, both feverish and serene, gestated from her chest and rapidly circulated throughout her entire body. Rem's face turned bright red, appearing conspicuous even in the dark forest.」
「Elegant, beautiful, capable, and mild.」
「For the maid whose description could not be overstated even with a mountain of praising poetry, a brand-new charm suddenly added itself to her being at this moment—the scent of quietly falling in love; shy, expectant, and obedient.」
「"..."」
「Rem gently bit her lower lip, her small feet shuffling restlessly for a moment.」
「Although Emilia had been closer to Hikigaya Hachiman at the start, she had been too preoccupied with covering the rear to come over and support him earlier.」
「Now, as she suddenly turned her head and saw this intimate scene, for some reason, an imperceptible, very subtle, tiny sense of gloom arose within her.」
「Emilia shook her head, casting aside this inexplicable thought, and reminded her kindly: "It's time to go, Rem."」
「"I understand, Lady Emilia."」
「Her heart pounding, Rem acted in a hurry as if afraid her sister or Emilia would notice something. She tried her best to minimize the vibrations of movement on the side of her body and arm supporting Hikigaya Hachiman, reserving all her strength for the side swinging the morning star.」
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On the grass of the courtyard, Ram contemplated for two seconds, then took her younger sister's small hand, nodding with earnest gravity: "Rem, do your best!"
'How can a mere Lady Emilia compare to my dearest sister? Just one Emilia... if she dares to snatch a man from my sister, I'll see to it that she's quietly plotted against!'
"..."
Rem's face was already flushed bright red, exactly like her counterpart on the light screen.
Lacking the courage to face her sister's serious encouragement, she shyly averted her gaze. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but uncontrollably lift into a curve of joy.
Hikigaya Hachiman's character and actions had all been witnessed by her.
Whether it was her future self or her current self, Rem's personality had not changed; what she would fall in love with later, she would fall in love with now. Even knowing that part of why Hikigaya Hachiman shouted orders was because he wouldn't truly die...
That actually made her like him even more.
"Sister," Rem bravely straightened her back, her eyes full of Hikigaya Hachiman's figure, "I want to... when I meet Hikigaya, I must apologize first... I want to atone for my sins."
Otherwise, she—who had ruthlessly struck and harmed her beloved based on a baseless suspicion—would have no right to pursue him!
"Mhm!" Ram narrowed her eyes into slits. "As long as Rem is happy, anything is fine."
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On the other side, many people on Earth frowned, and the scene was quite controversial.
"Tch, playing around with girls. In just half a month, he's coaxed two beautiful girls. How disgusting!"
"Yeah, yeah. He probably pretends to be bad at interacting with girls on the surface, but it's all a deliberate act. This Hikigaya Hachiman guy really deserves to be reviled!"
The voices of a small portion of boys, stirred by jealousy, rose one after another in envy and slander.
These people who called white black were as annoying as buzzing flies. Kousaka Reina let out a cold snort and a light laugh, the expression on her face one of blatant disdain.
"An excellent individual, just by existing, will always actively or passively attract many members of the opposite sex. This is a truth of human behavior. If receiving favor from the opposite sex is equivalent to being a playboy and deserves public condemnation, then I'm afraid everyone in the world who is good-looking or smart should commit suicide immediately."
Kousaka Reina did not declare war directly, but her words were dripping with sarcasm and pointed implications. Instantly, to avoid being labeled by the description, those people shut their mouths one after another.
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Inside a convenience store, Yukino Yukinoshita's expression was also very calm.
Even though her nails dug into the palms of her hands, she didn't show the slightest intention of demanding an explanation.
She sighed and said to herself: "If I were to get angry just because someone else proactively approached him, I would have been died from anger because of Yuigahama long ago. As long as he isn't the one taking the initiative, it's fine."
Hikigaya Hachiman knew that the girl said these words to put his mind at ease.
He was slightly touched.
However, truth be told, he actually...
'Ahhh, why do Emilia and Rem have to be so good to me? Shatter my delusions quickly, please! I beg of you!'
Seeing these two perfectly adorable girls getting close to him like this with his own eyes, let alone his future self—even his current self, who hadn't personally experienced it, couldn't help but feel a flicker of a heartbeat.
Chapter 37. My Silly Daughter
Inside the Classic Literature Club, Ibara Mayaka scratched her head in confusion. "Why did Hikigaya tell them to be careful? The leader of the Witchbeasts was killed, and the barrier has been repaired."
Fukube Satoshi glanced at the lazy Oreki Houtarou, who showed no intention of speaking. Stepping in to fulfill his best friend's usual role, he acted as the "Great Detective," though the case this time was arguably a bit too simple.
"Mayaka, think about it. Why would a barrier that has been sturdy and reliable for so long suddenly have a corner destroyed at this specific time? Of course, that alone isn't enough evidence. But think more carefully: why would bloodthirsty Witchbeasts kidnap children, leave them in a coma, and not eat them? It's such an obvious piece of bait!"
"Since they came prepared, why didn't they show themselves and instead let Emilia and the others retreat?" Mayaka muttered to herself, then had a sudden realization.
"Right! Hikigaya kept emphasizing that Emilia and the others—the main combatants—shouldn't show any weakness. So, from the enemy's perspective, their combat power appeared unexpectedly high, making the enemy feel they couldn't win. That's it, right?"
Chitanda Eru nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at grain. "I thought so too! But for no reason at all, who could have set up such a death trap? I'm curious, Oreki-san!"
Her large purple eyes sparkled as she looked toward Houtarou Oreki. The latter pulled at the corner of his mouth in a helpless grin, regretfully shaking his head in defeat.
"There's too little information; it's impossible to analyze for now. In short, it's either a political enemy of Emilia, a personal enemy of Roswaal, or... No, that's a bit too far-fetched. Let's just keep watching."
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「The groggy Hachiman Hikigaya was half-asleep and half-awake, drifting between the boundaries of reality and illusion.」
「In his daze, he could faintly hear the sounds of the villagers back in the safety of the village, bowing in unison to apologize to Emilia. He could also vaguely sense a voice full of girlish concern whispering in his ear.」
「He fell into a deeper sleep, but suddenly his eyes snapped open. He saw several shimmering silhouettes: his sister, his club president, a "trap" (Fudanshi) classmate who made his heart race just by looking at him on the tennis court, and the "normie" classmate with whom he didn't share a path but mutually respected.」
「"Hey! HEY!"」
「Hachiman Hikigaya used every ounce of his strength to sprint toward them, but the ground beneath his feet acted like a treadmill belt, accelerating to drag him away from those figures who gave him warmth. The figures grew blurrier and blurrier until they vanished completely...」
「"HEYYY—"」
「Hachiman Hikigaya's shout to announce his awakening was exceptionally loud.」
「His upper body jerked upright just as it had during his first time at the mansion. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he looked around anxiously, observing his surroundings with a lack of any sense of security.」
「On his left and right, sitting in chairs, were Emilia and Rem. Both looked exhausted, clearly having pulled an all-nighter and only just fallen asleep.」
「The sudden noise startled them awake instantly. Emilia opened her hazy eyes, gave a sharp start, and lost her balance. It looked as though her upper body was about to tumble onto the bed, where she would touch Hachiman Hikigaya's body through the covers.」
「"—"」
「With lightning speed, Hachiman Hikigaya reached out and caught the girl's shoulder, stopping her forward tilt. This was a reaction speed even faster than his battle against the Bowel Hunter.」
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"Heh, I knew it." Miyamori Aoi covered her face, looking utterly dejected.
"It's always like this. What was I even expecting? This man is practically impregnable when it comes to male-female relations. I bet if he died and a girl tried to kiss his corpse, the sheer stimulus would trigger a 'terminal lucidity' just so he could dodge the kiss."
The colleagues at Musashino Animation looked at each other and let out a collective, weary sigh.
"These two are such a perfect match; when are they ever going to get a clue and make progress? This is the first time in my life I've wanted a couple to just start dating for real, forever!"
"Wait!" Erika Yano trembled, discovering a surprise. "Look!"
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「Hachiman Hikigaya had intended to use both hands to brace Emilia, maximizing his efforts to avoid the "crisis" of intimate contact. However, he realized then that his other hand was difficult to pull away—it already had an owner.」
「Just like when he had a nightmare during his first loop at the mansion, Rem's soft, white hand was holding his palm, silently providing him with warmth.」
「The reason it was "like" that time and not "identical" was because...」
「This time, Rem used both hands, one above and one below, tightly enveloping his hand. There was no gap; he was held firmly and completely.」
「"Ugh..."」
「With the noisy commotion, the two girls finally managed to force their eyes open. Seeing that his complexion had returned to normal—no longer the pale, sickly look from the previous night caused by physical and mental overexertion—they both broke into expressions of immense joy.」
「Just as Emilia and Rem opened their mouths, about to speak:」
「Hachiman Hikigaya's mind went into a brainstorm. He couldn't analyze what words might come out of their mouths, but regardless, these were two super-beautiful, cute girls. He absolutely could not leave himself any room for delusions!」
「In the nick of time, Hachiman Hikigaya hid his dead-fish eyes. His gaze became sharp in a flash, and half a second before either girl could speak, he narrowly seized the initiative.」
「"How was the final battle status last night? Any follow-up changes? Any night raids from new enemies? Is the change in the villagers' attitude lasting? Is Roswaal back?"」
「He used a barrage of "official business" shells to relentlessly bombard the two beautiful girls who were planning to console him. He successfully stunned Emilia and Rem, who took a good while to sort through his questions.」
「"You are already very tired. I will answer, Lady Emilia."」
「"Eh? Then... I'll leave it to you, Rem."」
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"Ohhh—no, not this!"
The Emilia faction members slumped in disappointment.
Izumi Masamune couldn't help but punch the sofa, gritting his teeth. "Rem is clearly seizing a legitimate reason to talk more and spend more time with Hachiman! Love grows over time, dammit! Although Rem and Hachiman are a good match after she fell for him... I still want to support Emilia! She was there first!"
Puck couldn't help but pout as well. "My poor, silly Lia, being played like a fiddle by Rem."
"That's going too far, Puck." Emilia remained gentle, shaking her head and seriously stopping him. "Rem isn't that kind of calculating person. She has a great personality. Rem liking Hachiman... is her freedom. There's no 'playing' me."
Puck looked at the sky, speechless.
"I know I'm being too conspiratorial, but you're actually speaking up for your love rival—my idiot daughter!"
Chapter 38. Give Me the Money
「"My Lord!"」
「"Lord Hachiman!"」
「On the way to the mansion to find Roswaal, every villager Hikigaya Hachiman encountered would spontaneously stop their work, offering their most sincere gratitude and respect.」
「This respect had previously stemmed from Roswaal's prestige; however, by now, they acknowledged this man's ability from the depths of their souls. Moreover, they admired his selfless actions taken to save the children.」
「"Our hearts are dedicated to you!"」
「That was the whispered resolve of many villagers. They were simple folk—and while that simplicity made them susceptible to rumors, it also meant they could transform into the most unwavering, die-hard followers of Hikigaya Hachiman and Emilia, regardless of the danger.」
「When Hikigaya Hachiman, hurrying along, stumbled slightly, many people instinctively reached out to act as his crutch.」
「But in the next second, these experienced folk stopped in unison, stealing glances at one another with knowing, suggestive expressions.」
「"I understand you want to find Lord Roswaal, but you can't ignore your own body. Let me help you, Hachiman."」
「Rem, who had chased after him from the house, caught the mentally exhausted Hikigaya Hachiman with practiced ease.」
「Having experienced the "princess carry" yesterday, Hachiman's sense of shame had already hit rock bottom. He was much more accepting of this level of ordinary contact now, though his body still stiffened.」
「"Hey, Rem... I told you to call me by my last name, right?"」
「"But Lady Emilia has always called Hachiman by his first name?"」
「This world didn't distinguish intimacy through surnames and given names like Japan did, but through subtle observation, Rem had successfully captured Hikigaya Hachiman's peculiar habit.」
「"..."」
「Hachiman lowered his eyelids. The surrounding gazes were so intense they felt like they were trying to matchmake him and Rem for an immediate wedding, increasing his stress tenfold. After weighing his options, he decided it was better to obey Rem for now and make his escape.」
「If he stayed here any longer, he feared he wouldn't be able to stop himself from following the villagers' delusions and indulging in his own mental fantasies about whether Rem actually liked him.」
「 'A man must never trip in the same place twice!'」
Oumae Kumiko ground her teeth in frustration, wishing she could possess the oblivious Hikigaya Hachiman and play the "match" for him.
"Ahhh, seriously! He's clearly a master of psychology with an explosive EQ who can calmly judge anyone's inner world at any time, yet he insists on acting dense in romance! A total 'nice guy' who keeps lying to himself that he's just a loner—I don't get it!"
Kawashima Midori thought it over for a long while before raising her hand. "Is there a possibility... that he already had a girl he liked before he was summoned, and that's why he acts this way?"
"That..." Kumiko froze. "If that's the case, then he's in a real bind..."
Hikigaya Hachiman's dream had been too blurry and brief, featuring both boys and girls; it was hard to call it evidence of a sweetheart. However, most people on Earth were already letting their imaginations run wild with this possibility.
"Hiss, if it really is like that, the level of internal conflict would be unimaginable!"
Tobe let out a loud shout. "The back of the figure in the 'Hachiman Alliance' is Yukino Yukinoshita, right? Haha, I knew it! I told you he and Yukino were a couple!"
"Yui..." Miura Yumiko's brow furrowed. She knew that her wishful-thinking friend likely had no chance left. It was truly over for her.
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「"Ooooh—my, it truly is a tangled mess. It seems a very drrrrreadful situation has occurred. How about it, could you explain it to me?"」
「Roswaal, dressed in his clown attire and putting on a cheap performance, did not shake Hachiman's resolve. Hachiman looked at him plainly, neither humble nor arrogant: "Of course. It went like this..."」
「Narrating from the beginning through to the moment he fainted, this wasn't just a report to Roswaal; it was Hachiman's own summary and deduction of the entire event. Once connected, he discovered a massive gap.」
「Roswaal had barely left for his appointment when the Witchbeast invasion occurred.」
「What was the causal relationship here?」
「Logical deduction would suggest the mastermind had been hiding for a long time and seized the opportunity when Roswaal was away.」
「Unless necessary, Hachiman would prefer to think in this normal direction. The problem was, he kept thinking back to the moment the Bowel Hunter killed Emilia.」
「A single Bowel Hunter killed Emilia—despite knowing the status of a Royal Selection candidate and having learned from Ram and Beatrice how powerful Roswaal truly was.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman found it incredibly ironic!」
「Though he had already found the answer—that Roswaal didn't care if Emilia won—his intuition and various details he'd found kept telling him that perhaps he could dig even deeper.」
「"This truly—is all thanks to you. Yes, without you, the territory would have suffered heavy losses! So, Hachiman-kun, is there any reward you desire?"」
「Roswaal's strange tone pulled Hachiman back from his thoughts.」
「Hachiman slammed on the brakes in his mind: 'In this loop, I haven't had a showdown with Roswaal yet. That's an advantage. I'll act on the premise that 'Roswaal thinks Hachiman thinks he is fully supporting Emilia.' As for the rest... as long as Roswaal doesn't do anything contrary, I can ignore it for now. I don't need to find the perfect answer for everything right away.'」
「"There are two points to note."」
「Hachiman ignored Roswaal's condescending use of the word 'reward.' "First, without a doubt, the Witchbeast invasion was no accident. There is a hand behind it. I assume Lord Roswaal's strength is enough to root them out, so I won't get involved in that."」
「"Second."」
「He paused for a moment, took a large stride toward Roswaal, and brazenly extended his right hand. With a decisive, brooks-no-argument tone and a voice full of confidence, he spoke loudly:」
「"Give me money! A lot of money! Enough to form a merchant caravan for commercial activities! The more, the better!!!"」
「Such an audacious, lion-like demand actually left even Roswaal stunned for a moment!」
Chapter 39. Filter
"Eh? Money? And that much money? No upper limit?"
In the Nakano residence, Uesugi Fuutarou—surrounded by the five sisters like stars around a moon, though he remained oblivious to it—was shocked speechless. His pen clattered onto the table and rolled across the floor.
He swallowed hard, feeling his scalp tingle. When it came to money, that subject excited him far more than women or lofty ideals.
"If I were given a mountain of money, guh... first I'd pay off all the debts, then buy a new house, new furniture, and I wouldn't have to keep eating the set meal without the grilled meat... Uh, but Hikigaya-kun doesn't seem like a greedy person. Why would he make such a request?"
Uesugi Fuutarou, who only knew how to study hard, was slightly inferior in comprehensive worldly experience compared to Shirogane Miyuki, the student council president who governed a school full of rich heirs. He didn't see the deeper meaning or the keywords within the request.
In the living room, the atmosphere was faintly tense. The five sisters, competing for a position closer to their beloved, were all watching the video with bated breath.
They were as serious as Fuutarou, but their focus was entirely different.
"Hikigaya Hachiman has two girls who love him... How will he choose in the end? What will happen!"
Their hearts were tied in knots, secretly hoping for a certain "shameless" outcome that modern women might scold... If there were a predecessor to follow, they could comfort themselves; it would be much easier to accept, and they wouldn't have to become such bitter enemies with their own sisters!
In the silent Class D, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's eyes lit up. He gave a very slight nod and let out a faint, intrigued smile, whispering as if addressing a precious lover:
"It's finally coming. From here on is the best part—the essence. The unique thoughts and course of action Hikigaya Hachiman is about to display, his foundation of knowledge... let it all be shown!"
In different locations, the Yukinoshita sisters grew excited at the same time. Both Yukino and Haruno clearly understood—the beast-out-of-the-cage posture Hikigaya Hachiman assumed as he reached out to Roswaal for money was the exact same aura he had in the Service Club when solving difficult problems with total confidence!
Yukinoshita Yukino whispered softly: "I really like it... a Hikigaya-kun who is so brimming with confidence."
Rem was clearly making no effort to hide her special feelings for Hikigaya Hachiman. So, as the one standing by Hachiman's side, how could Yukino fall behind?
This new "straight ball" made Hikigaya Hachiman's heart tingle with a numbing sensation, leaving him drowning in a sea of gentleness, yet unsure of how to respond.
Only he truly understood himself.
'Will my future self... really be able to resist an offensive as gentle as Rem's? She is fundamentally different from Yuigahama. Standing side-by-side, fighting together, facing life and death... the Suspension Bridge Effect works on men, too.'
And more importantly... Rem possessed half of that "genuine thing"!
Over in the Kingdom of Lugunica, the various Royal Selection candidates were all acting as if facing a formidable enemy.
Crusch was suffering through a double torment, oscillating between heaven and hell—it was both thrilling and agonizing.
"I hope Sir Hachiman proves to be as versatile as possible; once he is in my service, such an asset would be immeasurable... but if Sir Hachiman is too capable and helps Emilia successfully ascend the throne in the original future, that would be hard to swallow."
"Please rest easy, nya. No matter how amazing he is, he's just one person. Roswaal doesn't support Lady Emilia. If Sir Hachiman wants to rise from the ashes relying only on himself, it's practically starting from zero... the bar is too high, nya!"
"I hope so, Felix."
Crusch barely managed to pull herself together, and Wilhelm van Astrea tended to agree with Felix's comforting words.
Priscilla Barielle, a sun-like noblewoman who was conceited to the point of arrogance and self-satisfaction yet possessed genuine strength, maintained her tough stance: "Heh, interesting. Let me see what kind of name you can make for yourself."
Even so, Al, who had been observing his master's emotional shifts the entire time, could feel that her arrogant, sky-high aura was now tinged with a tiny amount of... should he call it caution?
Anastasia Hoshin, the merchant genius, had stopped talking. She desperately wanted to see what kind of novel money-making methods this Sir Hachiman had in mind.
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「Hikigaya Hachiman wasn't planning to use money to make money.」
「After being stunned for half a second, Roswaal's expression turned intrigued. "Ooooh my, this truly—is quite a difficult request. Money is simple, but if you want such a massive sum, even with Lady Emilia as a guarantor, I must know what you intend to do."」
「"Roswaal, let me ask you something."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly changed the subject to something that seemed completely unrelated: "Based on the information you gave me regarding the four currently known Royal Selection candidates..."」
「"Crusch has her follower Felix; Priscilla has her follower Al; Anastasia has her follower Julius. These followers are Knights—the closest, most intimate subordinates, representing a portion of the candidate's prestige and power. Not one of them is easy to deal with, and their reputation and strength are not to be underestimated."」
「"Correct." Roswaal wore a 'so what' expression.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman let out a contemptuous sneer, staring directly into the eyes of the clown who was playing dumb. His voice was quiet, but the content of his words was as heavy as a mountain, striking at the very core!」
「"So now I ask you, Roswaal... where is Emilia's follower?"」
「"Thiiiis... unfortunately, given Lady Emilia's status as a half-elf and her physical resemblance to the Witch of Envy, as of now, there hasn't been a knight of sufficient caliber to come forward and swear fealty. This is something even I cannot forcibly demand."」
「Roswaal's eyes darted around as he shrugged his shoulders with mock regret.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, knowing how severely Emilia's appearance was discriminated against in this world, couldn't tell if the answer was true or false—but it didn't matter. He didn't need to distinguish it.」
「"Looking at the various pieces of intel, the Royal Selection isn't far off... When it comes time to compete on the same stage, setting aside everything else, the fact that Emilia alone has no follower... what kind of embarrassing situation will that create? What kind of world-shattering collapse will that cause to her reputation from the very start? I don't think you fail to understand that, Roswaal."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman slowly stood up. His height did not exceed that of an average person, yet in the eyes of Rem and Emilia standing nearby...」
「At this moment, Hikigaya Hachiman was enveloped in a surging, overflowing aura. He possessed a natural majesty that didn't require anger, appearing like the most dazzling center of the world!」
「"What you cannot do, I will do!"」
「"Give me the money and let me handle it!!"」
「"Half a month from now, I shall present a magnificent gift!!!"」
Chapter 40. Crusch: ?
"A pillar of the nation, a support for the heavens! This is exactly the kind of talent the Kingdom needs most. No matter who wins in the end, if Hachiman doesn't mind, I must invite him to assist the new King!"
Felt looked at the Sword Saint, who was pestering her to become a Royal Selection candidate on one hand while ceaselessly praising their competitor on the other. She was baffled. "Hey! He's talented, sure, but isn't he Emilia's supporter? Why do you look so happy about it?"
Reinhard offered a humble, gentle smile, showing not a hint of impatience as he provided an answer to his chosen monarch: "Lady Felt, the Royal Selection is a competition, not a slaughter. Healthy competition does not mean insulting the opponent's soul. After the victory is decided, one can still shake hands and make peace.
Furthermore... even with a true enemy, if they are diligent, responsible, and exceptionally gifted, one should respect the facts."
Felt didn't care for his lecturing and made a mischievous grimace.
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「Roswaal left.」
「He went to fetch the funds and to make an appearance in the village to handle the aftermath.」
「In the living room, Emilia, who usually tried her best to remain optimistic, was now silent and somber. A matter she normally tried to gloss over—a thorn—had been dug out by Hachiman Hikigaya, and it now hung sharply in her heart.」
「She was certainly not unaware of how humiliating it would be to appear in the Royal Capital without a follower, or how severe the blow to her reputation would be.」
「With a mix of caution, like a child looking at parents who promised a trip to the amusement park, her anticipation was leaping with excitement, tinged with a sense of disbelief.」
「"Hachiman..."」
「Emilia's voice was soft and sweet. Standing on tiptoe, she grabbed the hem of the man's clothes in a pleasant surprise, her breathing slightly hurried: "Will there really be someone willing to follow me?"」
「In that instant, Hachiman Hikigaya's heart nearly melted. It was only with extreme difficulty that he averted his gaze, suppressing the urge to pat the girl's head.」
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"Hehe, self-taught! She's a natural at acting spoiled. Not bad, Lia! Keep it up and take down Rem!"
Puck punched and kicked at the air.
"Muu, I really don't want to marry you off, but there's mutual affection here, and this kid really can protect you well. I can feel a bit more at ease."
"Uu..." Emilia's eyes shimmered. She looked down at the ground in embarrassment, retreating into a sparsely populated alleyway. Her face was slightly flushed.
As the person who lived through it, the pure Emilia wouldn't have thought much of it then. But now, as a bystander with the knowledgeable Puck whispering explanations and supplements in her ear, the inexperienced girl even had red ears.
On the other side, Yukinoshita Yukino tilted her head blankly, her eyes losing their highlights.
"What exactly was I so smug about before?"
'What does it mean to act spoiled?
This is what it means to act spoiled!'
Meanwhile, Hachiman Hikigaya, who was focusing on the video, didn't have the spare energy to worry about Yukino. He was feeling a sincere sense of sorrow for Emilia.
"Even if I managed to scrape together a plan, it's just a desperate last resort. It's only slightly better than nothing... Sigh."
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「"...There will be."」
「Hachiman Hikigaya avoided Emilia's gaze, his heart heavy.」
「"Then, I'll go prepare first."」
「The back of his figure as he left looked as though it were carrying an extraordinary burden.」
「After persuading Emilia to stay at the mansion, Rem followed him step by step, watching his every move.」
「Hachiman glanced at her but didn't drive her away.」
「Having received the funds from Roswaal, Hachiman took a portion and returned to the village with Rem. The people there had mostly recovered their spirits and were relatively calm.」
「He gathered several men who had been to the Royal Capital, handed them gold coins, and spoke earnestly: "By the order of Margrave Roswaal, I want you to go to the Royal Capital and wait for the Royal Selection to begin. Are you willing to take on this mission?"」
「These men had all been saved by Emilia at the last second the previous night. Their loyalty was visible to the naked eye; they immediately nodded in agreement.」
「"Very good. Once you reach the Capital, what you need to do is very simple."」
「Hachiman exhaled, instructing them carefully.」
「"Take this money. Use whatever means necessary to spread my name as much as possible. Introduce my achievements and background to the public:」
「He once identified the bloodthirsty killer, Elsa the Bowel Hunter, who had infiltrated the Capital, and assisted the Sword Saint Reinhard in her capture;」
「As an invited guest of Roswaal, he suppressed the Witchbeast riot in the Roswaal territory, resulting in zero deaths and almost zero property damage;」
「Before traveling to the Kingdom of Lugunica, he had two noble best friends and a friend with knightly virtues. He held an official position in his homeland, is well-read, dislikes tedious formalities, and understands—though relatively disregards—noble etiquette.」
「Introduce me like that. Make sure this information spreads throughout the Capital as quickly as possible, from the nobles down to the commoners. Can you do it?"」
「After hearing this, the men didn't doubt the truth of it for a second. They looked at each other, trembling with excitement, wishing they could sign a military pledge: "Yes! As you wish, it shall be done!"」
「The Lord they respected was so noble! From his deep background to his actual achievements, he was in no way inferior to any noble or knight!」
「The men took the money and marched toward the Capital with their chests out and heads held high. Their backs were straight because their backer was such a powerful Lord!」
「Hachiman had actually considered whether to boast even more excessively, but after thinking it over, he decided against it. The Divine Protections in this world were somewhat unreasonable; if he met someone who could detect lies, his reputation would be ruined.」
「As for what he just said, it was all carefully considered, top-tier truth. Not a single lie.」
「Assisting in the capture of the Bowel Hunter and suppressing the Witchbeast invasion—it just cleverly exaggerated his level of involvement, but the facts existed.」
「Two noble friends? Yukino's father is a prefectural assemblyman; Yukino and Haruno are indeed modern-day nobles. And what's wrong with saying Hayama Hayato is comparable to a knight? His virtues are beyond reproach!」
「Holding an official position? For a high schooler, holding the power of the School Festival Committee—isn't that just being a bureaucrat in a high school? Where's the problem?」
「Well-read? He really does read a lot of Light Novels.」
「Understanding noble etiquette? Who hasn't seen a few period dramas or Western films these days? Most of the noble etiquette in those is researched!」
「Even if God Himself came down today, these words aren't even half-false. Not a single flaw!」