Crossover anime, starting with Hachiman Hikigaya replacing Subaru Natsuki!

44. Agreement, mascot

The solid barrier between the worlds began to melt slightly, and the distance between the two worlds was shortened. Although it was so slight that it was almost imperceptible, Ji-Kyu was overjoyed.

The videos he's playing now are actually far more than just fabricated material.

The world that started from scratch had already added a stake in the video he promoted in the past. The video being played now is a joint projection of the future by the two worlds, identifying the most likely outcome.

The jealous witch Satella was bewitched by the combined power of the two world consciousnesses, leaving her in a daze, half-asleep and half-awake state, unable to react to the situation.

If Hachiman Hikigaya really did travel back in time, and if Satella's affections were misled and given to Hachiman Hikigaya, then everything happening in the video now is the actual action he would take, and Emilia and the others are also part of that; it's all part of the real future.

Therefore, it is no exaggeration for people outside the video to completely empathize with the experience, and it is perfectly reasonable for them to experience various emotional fluctuations while watching the video.

Furthermore, with the support of global consciousness, the charisma, oppressive power, combat prowess, emotions, and bloodshed of certain individuals will truly emanate from the video, allowing real people to personally experience and resonate with it.

When the two worlds merge into one, the memories of this evolving future may very well be directly transferred to the person in reality, making it a true life journey. That would be even more exciting.

"On the eve of packing his bags and setting off for the royal capital, Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't sleep and went to Betty's library."

"Betty won't let outsiders sleep here." Betty snorted and closed the book, stubborn but with no intention of actually driving Hachiman Hikigaya away.

"To be honest, I find it hard to imagine myself sleeping in the same room as a girl. Well, maybe in my dreams."

""Um?""

"What's wrong?" Hachiman Hikigaya's smile vanished as he looked at Beatrice, who was suddenly observing him strangely. He hurriedly patted himself. "Have I been cursed again?"

"Pyromancy? No, Betty just discovered something even rarer than pyromancy. You... when did you start joking around?"

Betty, having finished her observation, nodded knowingly. "Looks like something good has happened; you seem much more relaxed than before."

"Well..." Hachiman Hikigaya turned his head away, a little shy. He changed the subject, "I'm going to the royal capital tomorrow, and I came tonight to thank you. Without you, I would have been in a lot of trouble. Thank you so much, Beatrice."

"It's nothing, Betty is just trying to make her brother happy." Betty's words were seemingly arrogant and cold. "If you die, Emilia will be heartbroken, and if she's heartbroken, your brother won't be happy."

"She tried to brush him off with that excuse, however..."

"What's with that look? It's infuriating! Betty doesn't care if you live or die."

"With a slight smile, Hachiman Hikigaya shook his head gently. 'In short, is there anything you want?'"

"You can't give Betty what she wants."

"Half stating the facts, half mocking and self-deprecating, Betty's mood plummeted in an instant."

"Hachiman Hikigaya's voice suddenly became loud and clear, giving Beatrice no chance to grieve in silence and attracting her attention."

"When I return from the capital, I'll buy you some new books and fruit. Please accept them, Beatrice, as a way of indulging my whims. It's a promise."

"Hmm, you—"

"Clatter".

"Hasten that he would be rejected, Hachiman Hikigaya hurriedly opened the door and went out."

Betty stared blankly at his retreating figure, her face showing a nonchalant expression.

"The agreement..."

"the next day."

"When the dragon set off, in addition to Emilia, Roswaal, Rem, and Hachiman Hikigaya, there were several other villagers and a cart full of money, which jingled loudly."

"Remember, the recent period of royal selection is turbulent and dangerous. If you encounter an intruder you cannot defeat, hide if you can, run if you can. Always remember, your lives are Emilia and Roswaal's greatest treasure."

"Hachiman Hikigaya was a bit of a worrywart and gave me a lot of advice before I left."

Parker floated out, "Wow, this guy's really meticulous. But isn't he being a bit too cautious?"

"I hope I'm being overly cautious."

He turned to Roswaal and asked, "It only takes a day to get to the capital, and we'll have several days to rest after we arrive, right?"

Roswaal narrowed his eyes. "Oh—so, what are you planning?"

"Rather than having any plans, it's more accurate to say that once I arrive in the capital, I'm destined to be very busy."

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji offered his insightful commentary.

"Roswaal, ah, a classic example of feigning ignorance. He's a better actor than the most shrewd politicians. If he had even a shred of interest in the outcome of the royal election, he would have been actively visiting and courting other factions two months ago."

"In fact, he not only did not do that, but probably also declined many invitations. Otherwise, no matter how unfavorable Emilia was, no matter how much she clashed with people's taboos, as a candidate for the throne, she should not have been reduced to having no power to curry favor with."

"These forces that Roswaal abandoned have probably fallen into the hands of other families. It's an overwhelming disadvantage. Hachiman Hikigaya, how will you turn the tide? I'll be watching."

"Hachiman Hikigaya gave his answer."

"On his first day in the capital, he immediately asked Rem to deliver a letter of invitation to the swordsman Reinhard."

"The Sword Saint cannot be won over, nor do I have any wishful thinking about doing so. Maintaining a good relationship is enough. As long as we maintain a good relationship, I can leverage his connections, his reputation, and even his strength."

"Hachiman Hikigaya won't explain these things to Emilia; he's instructing Rem. 'As for the other members of the Royal Chosen faction, I haven't decided how to treat them yet. If anyone visits, treat them politely, but don't get too close or distant. If there's anything you're unsure about, wait for me to return and handle it.'"

"Rem obediently agreed to everything, and then presented her with a set of aristocratic clothing."

"That was something she had personally sewed for this man over the past two weeks using the finest fabric."

"This kind of clothing is essential when traveling as part of Emilia's faction."

"Hachiman Hikigaya stroked the outfit, he could still smell the lingering fragrance of Rem on it, but he had no choice but to accept it and quickly left."

"At the same time, Emilia serves as the mascot."

45. Procurement

"what……"

Reinhard looked away in shame, feeling utterly regretful.

He was absolutely certain that at that point in time he would support Felt, the fifth candidate. Under normal circumstances, if his close friend, who possessed such virtues, wanted to borrow his power, Reinhard would not hesitate.

But now…

"What are you doing?" Felt grinned, giving the ashamed Reinhard a slap in annoyance. "Regretful now? Humph, I knew you big shots were all unreliable. Are you planning to defect? ​​Damn it!"

"You jest, Lord Ferute."

Reinhard was in low spirits, but still treated this monarch, who loved to talk nonsense, with utmost respect.

"I'm so sorry, my dear friend."

"I'm so sorry, my dearest friend."

The information revealed by Reinhard froze the smile on Hachiman Hikigaya's face. "I never expected Felt to be... What a coincidence."

Reinhard pursed his lips and bowed his head slightly to him as an apology. In this upright man's eyes, besides his unwavering and respectful support for Felt, there was also guilt for embarrassing his dear friend and for returning empty-handed.

Seeing this, Hachiman Hikigaya swallowed back the sigh of regret that was about to escape his lips, and after thinking for a moment, gave some objective analysis.

"Felt is the latest candidate to emerge, and although she has your support, for the time being, she is probably not as good as the others. Emilia is also somewhat limited by her half-elf status... It seems that before the final showdown, our two camps may cooperate."

"After saying this, Reinhard not only became much more energetic, but Hachiman Hikigaya also achieved his goal. He showed goodwill for cooperation and put the other three candidates in a bad light."

"Given Ferute's immature and volatile temper, it's hard to say what might happen if she collaborates with the other companies."

"But Reinhard witnessed Emilia's naivety and kindness firsthand."

"It's really strange that he would so openly and shamelessly manipulate others with words, meow. Isn't he supposed to be a very gentle person, meow? Someone who values ​​relationships a lot, meow?"

Phillips was quite curious, but he wasn't indignant. As long as the selection of kings didn't cross a very low line, whatever he did was reasonable.

After all, if one loses in this competition, it will not only be one's own fault, but also the countless subordinates who support and trust one. One cannot afford to be sentimental.

"No, this is his true nature. Lord Hachiman has always been like this. Although he hid it well before, you can tell from his methods. Lord Hachiman doesn't shy away from lying or deceiving. If he can achieve his goal, he will probably stop at nothing."

Kurshu nodded repeatedly, clapping her hands and clicking her tongue. Her eyes and heart were now filled with what she wanted most: Lord Hachiman.

"However, his ruthless methods do not dishonor his soul... How excellent, it is a waste of his talents to work for Emilia."

"If he is to my advantage, I will do everything in my power to support whatever Lord Hachiman wants, so that he will not have to be cautious and troubled by the lack of resources."

"When leaving the Reinhard mansion, Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't help but frown."

"He returned to his resting place, and Emilia had just heard the news of his return and wanted to come and comfort him, but just a few minutes later, when she arrived at Hachiman Hikigaya's room, she learned from Rem that he had gone out again."

"Thank you for your hard work, you did a great job."

""Hachiman-sama! ""

"The villagers, who were personally visited and praised by Hachiman Hikigaya, all stood tall and proud, as if they had been injected with adrenaline."

They solemnly shook their heads in denial: "Please don't say such things, this is what we should do! Lord Hachiman, without you, the children, even the village..."

"Hachiman Hikigaya felt extremely nauseous and at a loss for words almost instantly. If someone insulted him, that was his territory, where he was completely at ease."

"Having grown up, the praise I've received in the past seventeen years doesn't even amount to one percent of what I've heard since transmigrating. As for respect and praise for him, Hachiman Hikigaya has no experience in dealing with these things."

His cheeks flushed slightly, and he coughed a few times in a mock manner, trying to numb himself with the question: "Do the merchants, big and small, in the capital recognize me now?"

"Most of them know you," one villager explained in detail. "We told the truth: Elsa the Bowel Hunter infiltrated the capital, was discovered by you, and captured. Later, someone went to the Sword Saint Reinhard to verify this, and he confirmed it. Since then, many still-fearful merchants have been very grateful to you."

"After all, most merchants operate at night, and a ruthless killer like the Bowel Hunter would definitely kill someone if he stayed in the capital. Lord Hachiman has saved them, removing a sword of Damocles from the heads of all the merchants. They will be grateful no matter what."

"But the truth is that the Bowel Hunters were only after that half-demon."

"idiot!"

On the street, some people were whispering among themselves, splitting into two camps with polarized opinions.

"This guy did hide his motives, but it's true that he contributed to imprisoning the Bowel Hunters. It's good to have one less serial killer!"

Some people speculated indignantly: "But isn't it obvious that this Hachiman Hikigaya is trying to extort money from us merchants using this so-called favor?"

The uncle who runs the apple stand also joined the argument, "Are you sure? Just watch, his demeanor is completely different from those unscrupulous merchants. This is the experience and knowledge of a middle-aged man. Keep watching—if he's that kind of person, when he travels through time, I'll punch him first!"

"Hachiman Hikigaya pondered for a moment, then took out paper and pen. 'Is there anything the village lacks? Or what does everyone want? As long as it's not a luxury item, even a semi-luxury item can be listed.'"

"After explaining the meaning of luxury goods and encouraging the villagers to be bold, the list was finally fresh out of the oven ten minutes later."

"Hachiman Hikigaya took this list and spent a day with the villagers in the royal capital, figuring out the prices and expiration dates of various items. That night, he made some changes, crossing out two items and adding [weapons] and [armor], writing a specific number on one side of each item."

"You want to...?"

Faced with their questions, Hachiman Hikigaya slowly uttered two words: "Purchase!"