Crossover anime, starting with Hachiman Hikigaya replacing Subaru Natsuki!

"But you're too late."

48. Wang Xuan has arrived!

"I'd like to, but there's still time, and some finishing touches haven't been done—"

"I'll take over the rest of the work. If Hachiman doesn't trust my abilities, at least trust Rem, who's helping Ram with Roswaal's affairs. Rem and I are fine together, so... so... I beg you, please take a few days off, okay?"

"Hachiman Hikigaya was determined to go his own way no matter what condemnation he received."

"When he heard Emilia's earnest and concerned voice, so tender and sweet, she wasn't assertive at all. But this request, which went against her assertiveness, silenced him and Hachiman Hikigaya, this tough guy."

""……I see.""

"Amelia's worries and concerns easily defeated this iron-willed man."

"Please relax and rest well. Rem will do her best to assist Lady Emilia!" Before leaving, the gentle Rem made this promise.

"After the two of them left, Felix patted his chest. He had been eavesdropping the whole time. 'How terrifying, meow! Phyllis almost thought they were going to start arguing just now because of Hachiman-sama's imposing manner, but she softened up so easily, meow.'"

"That's an inappropriate choice of words, Phyllis, but never mind." Hachiman Hikigaya gazed out the window, like a wise man, his eyes revealing the power of experience. "Focusing solely on achieving the goal, disregarding oneself—I still believe this is the most efficient approach."

"But I've suffered enough because of this. Since there are people who care about me, I have to protect myself, even if it's just for their sake... I realized this very late, but thankfully it's not too late."

Hachiman Hikigaya was half embarrassed, while Yukino Yukinoshita was half satisfied.

Yukino pursed her lips. She didn't dwell on the fact that she had become Emilia's stepping stone. She was somewhat happy: "Back in the day, Hikigaya-kun was also able to realize that he was important. If that's the case, then all the tears I shed during the school trip were worthwhile."

“But by then, it was too late for you to see my progress.” Hachiman Hikigaya shook his head regretfully. “I’m sorry, Yukinoshita.”

"I'll gladly accept this apology, Hachiman-kun. And... I look forward to it, please don't make me cry again, okay?"

"..."

The playful snowflakes held a hidden meaning, but Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't guarantee that he could resist rescuing Emilia after watching the video.

"Hmm, it seems Lord Hachiman has quite a story to tell. Did something happen in the past, meow? I won't pry, Felicity. Anyway, I'll obey Lady Emilia's orders and won't bother you anymore, meow."

"Through the window, I can see Crusch's butler practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. That sword demon Wilhelm, his sword-wielding posture, the power he exerts when he strikes the sword, combined with the swordsmanship manuals I saw at Roswaal's mansion and my own training, I have a vague understanding of it."

"In the end, he even got out of bed and sparred with Wilhelm—ostensibly to spar, but actually to steal Wilhelm's skills; the difference in their abilities was vast."

"Lord Hachiman has made considerable progress, and his talent in swordsmanship is not inferior, but it is still difficult to compare with a true genius."

"To receive such praise."

"And so time passed, and soon the day of the Royal Selection arrived, which also happened to be the day that Hachiman Hikigaya recovered."

"I will always remember the care I received from you. Your side made me feel very comfortable, Miss Crusch."

"Hachiman Hikigaya leaped onto Emilia's dragon mount, clearly separating public and private matters: 'I hope we'll have another day to sit down and chat, and I'll be hosting you. Now... see you at the Royal Selection!'"

"Is it finally here? Let me see what a top talent from another world has to offer!"

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji wore an expression of blissful contentment, like someone putting on a pair of new underwear to dry in the sun at the start of the new year. He was completely absorbed in the moment. "Cursue Karsten is a qualified soldier and politician. He's already far ahead of two or three Ryuen. Fantastic, fantastic, hahahahaha—don't let me down, the other two!"

"This guy's gone mad," Xu Teng muttered under his breath.

Gaoyuan Temple glanced at him disdainfully and chuckled coldly, "How can someone who hasn't reached the summit understand the feeling of standing on the peak?"

"Hachiman Hikigaya, and Emilia."

"Roswaal was originally going to come. As a supporter of Emilia, he wanted to come and stand up for the lonely Emilia, even if that would only make their side look more pathetic."

"It's not necessary now."

"Hachiman Hikigaya is the knight who has a greater obligation to support Emilia than Roswaal."

"Having changed into an outfit specially tailored by Rem, Hachiman Hikigaya's dead fish eyes were unknowingly hidden the moment he and Emilia stood side by side and entered the Royal Selection Council Hall."

"This man's stunning good looks cannot be concealed by anyone!!!"

"In the council chamber, a noblewoman who exuded confidence to the point of arrogance, as if she were the center of the world and more dazzling than the sun, Priscilla Barriell, such a self-centered person, turned her gaze toward both Hachiman Hikigaya and Emilia when she noticed them."

"Over here!" Felix waved to Hachiman Hikigaya as they met again immediately after parting ways.

"The council chamber was vast, with nobles standing on the right and knights on the left, all in orderly rows. The chairs above were for the Sages, and four ** (a term of respect for female leaders) sat in the very center, radiating their own brilliance."

"Hachiman Hikigaya greeted a number of people in turn, including those he knew, such as Reinhard and Felix, and those he didn't know, such as Al and Julius."

"They say they don't know each other, but in reality, the information they leaked has been reviewed by Hachiman Hikigaya many times and he knows it by heart."

"A heavy atmosphere permeates the air, and the impending curtain is about to be drawn."

"So I'm really curious, why are all the candidates for kingship in this country women?" Nishimiya Yuzuru scratched his head. "Candidates need to be recognized by the dragon's emblem... Could it be that the divine dragon is actually a lewd dragon?"

After a brief period of noise, the council chamber quieted down.

"because…"

"The wise men have already attended the meeting, which is a position of great importance in this country."

"The selection of kings begins!"

49. Tell me, how do you want to die?

"The knights' representative briefly reiterated the reasons for convening the royal selection. During this time, the temperaments and attitudes of the four candidates became immediately apparent."

"Emilia is the most easygoing and gentle one, Priscilla is indifferent to everything and only cares about herself, while Crusch and Anastasia are more like normal politicians than the two mentioned above, and they plan everything they do."

"Introduced by the Sword Saint Reinhard, the fifth candidate, Felt, makes a grand entrance. She is forced to participate in the royal selection because Rom has attacked Reinhard multiple times and it can no longer be hidden. In order to protect Rom, she is forced to participate in the royal selection."

"Then, esteemed chosen ones, please step forward—"

"Priscilla Baliel and her retinue, Al."

"The head of the Karlsten family, Lord Crusch Karlsten, and his attendant, Knight Felix Argyle."

"Lady Anastasia Hoshin of the Hoshin Merchant Guild and her retinue, Knight Julius Jucrius."

"Lady Emilia and her attendant, Hachiman Hikigaya."

"Lord Felt and his retinue, Knight Reinhard van Astrea."

"Emilia's ambition is fairness, Crusch's goal is to break the cooperation between pro-dragon nations and dragons, Anastasia's idea is that business is not enough for her, her appetite is so big that she wants to own a country, and Priscilla's statement is that it doesn't matter what, as long as everyone submits to her."

"Is there really any hope for this kingdom?" Shirogane Miyuki smirked. "These candidates are too bizarre. No matter how I look at it, unless Crusch wins, the others will only ruin this country."

Bai Yin Gui comforted him, "Take it easy, bro. Even a weirdo like Trump can get on stage in Europe and America, right? There are plenty of weirdos among leaders, it's not surprising anymore. At least compared to Trump, Anastasia and Emilia are quite reliable."

"Sigh, that's true."

“Actually, isn’t Emilia’s ambition quite good? To build a fair country!” Shirogane Kei said, only to see his older brother’s bewildered expression.

Miyuki Shirogane sighed, "It would be great if this ambition could be realized, but it's precisely because this ambition is too ambitious that I think she's not up to the task."

"They're all very unique, not bad at all."

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji smiled, but suddenly his eyes and tone changed, becoming terrifying in an instant: "If I have the chance, I'd really like to see Priscilla fall down. I'll make her fall down."

Priscilla's arrogant aura was so powerful that even he, who was not very emotional, felt displeased.

"Is it coming?" Kaguya Shinomiya sat up straight.

She was trying to learn some political skills from Crusch and others in this 'prince's rise to power' so that she could be with the chairman smoothly in the future and not become a product of an arranged marriage.

Emilia, Crusch, Anastasia, and even Priscilla couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety at this moment, their expressions quite serious.

"This is a rehearsal. If we can perform well here and win over the wavering hearts of the people, knights, and nobles, the outcome of the royal selection can be said to be determined before it even begins!"

"As for Ferut's wish..."

"I hate knights, I hate nobles, I hate kingdoms, I hate everything! If I'm elected, I'll destroy everything! What do you say? If I become king, I'll make sure all of you step down!"

"Her audacious declaration instantly garnered the disgust of all the nobles present, and even the Sages' Guild."

""What did you say?""

"He was just a lucky orphan!"

The council chamber erupted in chaos, filled with a cacophony of insults directed at Felt. Even one member of the Sages' Council joined in: "The Astraea family's election of an orphan is as foolish as the Earl of Mezas's support of a half-demon!"

"To let an orphan step into this sacred hall is not much different from a silver-haired half-demon; even staying here is a grave sin—"

"—Sizzle!"

"I find these old men who abuse their age and status to insult and criticize others at will the most disgusting!"

Kyosuke Kousaka clenched his fists. Not only him, but also Kirino Kousaka, his father, and his mother stood on the same side and grinned.

"Tsk tsk tsk, if he had simply insulted Felt, that would be one thing. Hachiman Hikigaya may be gentle, but he's bound by his special status now and probably wouldn't stand up for Felt. But he actually insulted Emilia!"

"That's practically suicide!"

"Go for it, Hachiman Hikigaya! I support you!!"

The crowd was outraged, and there was an uproar!

In that instant, Ooji Mochizou, Hiratsuka Shizuka, Yukino Yukinoshita, Oreki Houtarou, Shirogane Miyuki, Azusagawa Sakuta, Izumi Sagiri, the Doma siblings, the entire Musashino company, and the light music concert all stopped performing...

There are far too many people, regardless of gender, age, nationality, or social status, who, as long as they are human beings with feelings and normal values, can completely foresee what is about to happen, and—

They fully support it!

"Ooo ...

The passion was explosive! Everyone was shouting out a deafening roar!

Following Hachiman Hikigaya's perspective, step by step, we witness Emilia's gentleness, kindness, strength, softness, and cuteness.

Now that things have come to this, Emilia is recognized by the entire world as the perfect match for Hachiman Hikigaya!

Hachiman Hikigaya, on the other hand, is the representative of Earthlings in this other world!

Now, suddenly a self-righteous and prejudiced old man appears, and in front of them and Hachiman Hikigaya, he unreasonably berates and insults Emilia.

"Should we agree or not?"

"No way!"

"Charge! Hachiman Hikigaya!!! I'll look down on you if you don't turn the world upside down this time!!!!"

The same scene was unfolding in certain parts of the Kingdom of Lugunica, with similar riots taking place!

"Calling a half-elf a half-demon is a despicable custom! No matter what, it's going too far to insult someone to their face like that!"