Crossover anime, starting with Hachiman Hikigaya replacing Subaru Natsuki!

"Yes, exaggerating is very bad, Mary needs to correct that."

"Just as Hachiman Hikigaya was saying that Merry was joking, Emilia immediately lectured Merry, which made him nod. He was about to say 'See?', but before he could open his mouth, Emilia's next sentence made him unable to say anything more."

"Not immediately, I need to ask for a reason first."

"If I die, I won't be able to be with Hachiman, so I definitely need to think of other ways to resolve this without dying. I'll only resort to suicide if all else fails."

"Straightforward and meticulous, Emilia's face was completely genuine. She smiled and patted Mary's head. "So, I can't do what you said, Mary."

"...Big sister, you're really amazing." Like everyone else, Mary was dumbfounded. She had only meant to use a metaphor to illustrate how obedient this older sister was to her older brother, but she hadn't expected it to actually be this good.

"It's true that I feel great if I can make Hachiman happy, but Merry is amazing too. She can become amazing after she atones for her sins!"

Emilia wore a proud and remarkable smile. After lecturing Merry, she turned to look at her knights and saw that Crusch and Anastasia, including Hachiman, all seemed to have turned into frozen statues.

""What's wrong?""

"She tilted her head innocently, her silver hair cascading down."

"Perhaps your sincerity is simply too overwhelming for Mr. Hachiman right now."

As he explained, Otto walked over and gently patted Hachiman Hikigaya's shoulder, whispering, "...Even if you've lost your memory, I implore you to treat Lady Emilia as well as you've always done. I can't bear to see you two grow apart. Mr. Hachiman, I promise you will fall deeply in love with Lady Emilia again."

"For Alto, who has been eating dog food for a year, Hachiman Hikigaya and Emilia are the epitome of the most sincere and pure love in the world."

"Therefore, he knew perfectly well how well-matched the two of them were. So what if she had amnesia? As long as Lady Emilia was given some time, she would surely win back Mr. Hachiman's favor."

Otto's gaze was sharp, his eyes sweeping over Crusch and Anastasia out of the corner of his eye...

Anastasia smiled, unable to discern anything. But Crusch stared at Emilia with a mixture of shock, resentment, and admiration; the treacherous heart of Cao Cao was already evident.

"Otto didn't say much on the surface. He only waited until everyone had separated, rested, and prepared enough water and dry food before setting off. Then, he privately sought help from Ram and instructed her to try to keep Hachiman and that Crusch-sama at a distance."

"It wasn't explained very clearly, but Otto believed she would understand. Regardless of whether Lord Crusch had any ill intentions, Otto's actions were a preventative measure."

"Ram, who was devoted to his sister, was already regretting that he didn't take the initiative to deal with Lady Emilia as soon as he lost his memory. She would not allow a new rival to enter the scene and would definitely do her best."

"...Actually, if possible, Otto would prefer to go to the Tower of the Sages himself, take care of them the whole time, and create some opportunities for Mr. Hachiman and Lady Emilia to speed up their relationship and restore their feelings."

"But unfortunately, he has to get going quickly to help build the Watergate City. He has to act as a representative of Emilia's faction to get a share of the profits and boost his reputation."

"Under these circumstances, Hachiman Hikigaya and his group set off."

"Hmph, don't expect Ram to forget the good things he did before."

Outside the capital, Ram snorted coldly. She had always remembered that if Otto hadn't dragged Doto along, Hachiman Hikigaya wouldn't have seen the yandere Emilia turn evil.

That way, at the very least, he would be kissed by Emilia one less time.

"Oh!"

At the Carlsten mansion, Crusch slammed his fist on a chair, his teeth grinding together.

Why? Why is it Crusch again? Anastasia is a vixen too! Are you blind, Otto?

She had previously praised Otto highly, thinking that Lord Hachiman finally had a reliable and loyal helper.

Now it seems that compared to Hachiman and Emilia's loyalty, they have become an eyesore for Crusch!

People's joys and sorrows are not the same.

Anastasia and Priscilla were both amused. The former suppressed a wild smile, while the latter crossed her legs, thoroughly enjoying herself.

"It will take twenty days for the dragon carriage to travel to the Monster Desert where the Sage's Tower is located."

"During this time, Hachiman Hikigaya would often be dragged along by a grumpy Ram to look after Rem. To say he looked after her was really just a euphemism; he'd simply sit by and watch Rem sleep soundly."

"...Since you, as my older sister, don't mind, of course I can too, but could you please do it another time next time? Why do you always do this when I'm chatting with Crusch, or when Crusch comes to see me?"

"Hachiman Hikigaya asked, 'Do you have any past conflict with Crusch?'"

"Hmph, what a coincidence. Don't try to frame Ram. It's all your fault for not choosing a better time to meet that mistress."

"Ram's words were barbed, sarcastic and menacing, which annoyed Hachiman Hikigaya. 'Don't slander her, it will ruin Crusch's reputation. She could never have those kinds of feelings for me.'"

"Who knows?"

Ram said indifferently, continuing to look down at Rem, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.

"As an incompetent older sister, she should at least make sure that when her younger sister arrives, she sees Hachiman Hikigaya, who is still full of love for Rem and devoted to her, instead of Hachiman Hikigaya, who attracts other women."

"If it weren't for Lady Crusch and the others' special identities, Ram could..."

"The magic is condensing and boiling."

357. The fox spirit who deceived Ram

"While the main concern is Crusch, Ram has also targeted Emilia and Anastasia, just less frequently."

"Her methods included, but were not limited to, using moral pressure to force Hachiman Hikigaya to spend time with Rem, suggesting that Hachiman Hikigaya play more with Beatrice, letting Julius chat with Hachiman Hikigaya, and using the guise of reconciliation to get Hachiman Hikigaya to spend his time on Merry."

"In short, everything that doesn't threaten Rem promotes the increase in the amount of time these people spend with Hachiman Hikigaya."

"Ram doesn't really think that Hachiman Hikigaya is so charming that he could seduce Emilia, Crusch, and Anastasia all at once."

"These are three women who stand at the very top of the Kingdom of Lugnica. Their great abilities and vision bring with them a subconscious high standard for their life partners."

"Leaving aside Emilia's naivety and innocence, Crusch and Anastasia have no reason to care about a man who already has a well-known lover, even if that man has temporarily lost his memory and no longer loves Emilia."

"Lamu was simply taking precautions."

"Lum doesn't know what's so great about Hachiman Hikigaya... but since he's the man Lum's sister fell in love with, he must have some charm. You can't overestimate his charm!"

"And thanks to her proactive measures, aside from Emilia, the well-known mistress, Anastasia remained smiling and unchanged, while Crusch really slipped up."

"Only women truly understand women. Based on Ram's observation, it's quite obvious that Lady Crusch is interested in her brother-in-law."

"After that, Crusch was mostly kept occupied by Ram herself, leaving her with no way to express her grievances... Crusch was probably too embarrassed to say directly that she didn't want to talk to Ram and only wanted to go see her Lord Hachiman, right?"

"For the next ten days or so, Crusch could only endure the agony."

"—"

On the main street of the capital, Emilia shuddered; she was terrified by Ram.

"Don't panic, Lydia, I'm here. Ram is just a little brat, hmph." Puck's eyes flashed; whether in combat power or cunning, it was no less than Ram.

Ram can help Rem, Ram can give Rem a sense of security, and Puck can give the same to Leah!

"Bang bang bang!"

From the distant Carlsten mansion came the mournful howls of a defeated dog.

Outside the royal capital, Rem hugged her older sister, showing some shyness and embarrassment towards Crusch, but more than anything, she felt proud to have a sister who loved her so much and cared for her.

At the same time, in the Nakano family, the four sisters other than May temporarily ceased their fighting, watching Ram with rapt attention, absorbing the essence of this eccentric palace intrigue master Ram without reservation.

"Enjoying the view, admiring Rem's sleeping face up close in the same carriage."

"No flutter of the heart, no stirring of any emotion... Hachiman Hikigaya wants to know that flutter of the heart, he wants to know why this girl can give him confidence."

"Never before have I actively sought to reclaim my memories."

"Having made this decision, the dragon chariot finally arrived at the outskirts of the Monster Desert."

Birds were flying in the sky, the desert was a vast expanse of reddish-yellow, the wind swept up the sand, and the air was filled with miasma.

"Merry hummed and pointed at the magical beasts appearing in the distance, then pointed at herself, puffing out her almost non-existent breasts, which were much flatter than Anastasia's and could rival Felt and Yukinoshita's."

"Because of me, we only need to deal with sand and miasma. See, big brother, now you realize my usefulness, right? Don't even think about hanging yourself from me anymore."

"I never imagined it would be as serious as hanging you."

"After refuting this argument, and fully realizing how dangerous the journey to find the Tower of Sages was, Hachiman Hikigaya suddenly felt his mouth go dry. He looked around at the people who had volunteered to help him find his memories."

He wanted to express his gratitude, but words of thanks felt too cheap. His heart was pounding, his breath was labored, and only now did he realize just how much these people had sacrificed.

"Looking so deeply moved? Very good, very good. I love this kind of fragrance that makes people willingly owe priceless favors."

Anastasia, who was keeping pace with him, smiled and joked, "This place is really making me uncomfortable. I really want to take a bath. If Your Excellency feels bad about it, please do your best and find the Sage's Tower with me as soon as possible, okay?"

“Then let’s walk for another thirty minutes.” Hachiman Hikigaya looked up at the Sage’s Tower in the distance, his words surprising Anastasia. “Really?”

"This reaction...you noticed it too? We've been moving forward, but we haven't gotten any closer to that tower." Having shaken off his confusion, Hachiman Hikigaya's eyes sharpened with keen observation. Once he focused, many problems ceased to be problems. "Although it's said that a mountain is impossible to climb forever, but after running for so long and the distance remains the same, there's definitely something wrong."

"However, I discovered it later than you, which is all thanks to you, Miss Anastasia. You're truly amazing."

Anastasia glanced at Ram, who was being held captive by Crusch nearby. After twenty days of silence, she stretched out her hand and said, "Put your hand out, okay?"

"Hachiman Hikigaya, confused and puzzled, did as he was told. The next second, with a soft 'snap,' Anastasia's slender little hand patted his palm."

"In the Prime Minister's eyes, am I a petty, calculating, and wicked woman who cares too much about these small achievements?"

"This cunning merchant wearing the fox fur scarf seems to have his own principles and temper," she said, annoyed, and lightly slapped him twice more. "So this is how you see me? I should have never lent you the kimono in the first place."

"She wanted to fight back, but compared to Hachiman Hikigaya's thick palms from practicing swordsmanship, Anastasia's delicate little hands would actually hurt and turn red after the clash, and it was Anastasia who would be harmed."

"Hachiman Hikigaya had no choice but to grab Anastasia's wrist to stop the unscrupulous merchant from continuing. '...I underestimated you. I apologize. Let's discuss how to resolve this situation, Miss Anastasia.'"

"His gaze drifted slightly. After that night in Watergate City, Anastasia told him that what he was wearing on his upper body was actually a kimono she had lent him as a temporary measure."

"You can imagine how embarrassed and shy Hachiman Hikigaya was at the time, and he still feels the same way now that the old story is being brought up again."

What the drifting gaze failed to notice was the cunning, fox-like smile that appeared on the face of the shrewd businessman as his wrist was gently grasped, a smile of utter satisfaction on his face.

"Taking advantage of the brief moment when Ram was held back by Crusch, Anastasia launched her attack."

358. Crusch's Aggrieved Progress on the Sage's Tower

"Anatassie's attack was half-hearted, and Crusch, whose target had already been exposed, suffered the same fate as she had witnessed firsthand."

"Take it slow, do it quietly."

"Although she could easily take over the position once the Prime Minister regained his memory, it would be much more stable if she could make him fall in love with her again during the Prime Minister's amnesia period, and then the two loves would merge into one when he regained his memory."

"Only then did Anastasia feel that she could be with him without any worries, without having to worry about Emilia and the others competing with her."

"That's why you have to look for a professional vixen."

At the Nakano family, Ichika and Nino appear to be arm in arm, smiling and gossiping, but in reality, they are putting pressure on each other.

"We must learn Ram's methods for protecting against fox spirits, and we must learn Anastasia's methods for being a fox spirit herself. Only then can we be considered well-rounded!"

As for Crusch?