Crossover anime, starting with Hachiman Hikigaya replacing Subaru Natsuki!

"Rem's genuine emotions made up for the final flaw in his acting, and from then on, Anastasia and Crusch were completely caught in the net and at his mercy."

""……well.""

With a helpless sigh and an expression that said, "I've seen right through you," Hachiman Hikigaya spread his hands: "Fine, even if your speculations are true—what reason do I have to give up?"

"Miss Anastasia, your Hesin Merchant Guild has already suffered considerable losses due to the White Whale's rampage, hasn't it? Now that we've killed the White Whale, will some merchants seeking peace of mind feel that our side can provide a greater sense of security and switch to trading with us?"

"Miss Crusch, I'm sorry... I've inquired, and recently many warriors who harbor deep hatred for the White Whale have joined your ranks. I have accurate intelligence on the White Whale and intend to attack it. If I release this news, will these loyal soldiers abandon you and come to our side?"

"These obvious benefits are all within my grasp. In comparison, by cooperating with you, I would lose two kinds of benefits. Is that worthwhile for me?"

"Hachiman Hikigaya analyzed the pros and cons, even disregarding his friendship with Crusch's camp. He clearly distinguished between public and private matters, appearing completely unyielding."

Crusch and Anastasia fell silent for a moment.

"indeed."

"Everything Hachiman Hikigaya said is true. Even if Felt had no intention of attacking the White Whale, Reinhard would definitely not let such an opportunity pass by. Therefore, this alliance is not difficult at all."

"Alliance with Felt's camp can drain them dry from both of their camps—but if Hachiman Hikigaya allies with both of them, he will be unable to extract any profit from Felt's camp, which has nothing to offer except Reinhard."

"In other words, if they want Hachiman Hikigaya to change his mind, the two of them must offer him something beyond the White Whale's reputation to compensate him; otherwise, the deal will not be successful."

"The intelligence gap, bought with their lives, has proven to be an incredible advantage," Shirogane Miyuki murmured admiringly to himself.

Using information gaps is usually a despicable thing, but at this moment, everyone on Earth and in the Kingdom of Lugnica is overjoyed to witness Hachiman Hikigaya's comeback in the deadly situation.

"The destruction of the witch cultists who invaded Roswaal's territory is already foreseeable!"

“It’s a pity I didn’t participate,” Reinhardt said with deep regret.

Despite their differing stances and competitive positions, it was impossible for him not to be persuaded by Hachiman Hikigaya when faced with the Witch Cult's massacre. Hachiman Hikigaya also knew that he would definitely help him.

However, when Hachiman Hikigaya went to see Lady Crusch and Lady Anastasia, the only reason he could have been was that he wasn't in the capital at the time.

""Your Highness Hachiman. ""

In the silence, Wilhelm, the sword demon who had come with Crusch, stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"I know this sounds like a condemnation of your shameless words... but I still hope to personally defeat the White Whale!"

"This elder, of such high status and great power, spoke with a hint of pleading: 'I have sworn an oath to the Karlsten family, but as the price, all my wealth and fortune, even my connections... I only ask that you cooperate with Lord Crusch and give me the opportunity to avenge my enemies!'"

"Even if the monarch who knows he has sworn an oath to obtain information about the White Whale is determined to do so, this action is still a certain degree of overstepping his bounds."

"Wilheim's determination was so firm and resolute!"

Hachiman Hikigaya paused for a moment, a hint of emotion appearing on his face: "Please straighten up."

Wilhelm remained motionless, still firmly performing the ritual.

"Hoo..." Hachiman Hikigaya let out a long breath, his gaze sweeping over Crusch, Felix, and Wilhelm, and said helplessly, "I've been so kind to you all before, I guess I have to repay you in the end."

He nodded. "Please straighten up. I'll consider the cooperation."

"I'm so sorry... thank you!" Wilhelm trembled with excitement, like a sword about to be drawn, filled with murderous intent towards the white whale.

"I'll share the information about the White Whale with you, but I have two conditions."

"Please speak frankly about your requests."

"Curly and Anastasia await his offer."

"Hachiman Hikigaya raised a finger. 'First, the prestige from the campaign will be divided among three families.'"

"It's only natural. That's the most basic thing."

"Secondly, I want to form an alliance with you."

"An alliance?" Crusch frowned. "Do you know what you're saying, Lord Hachiman? An alliance between two families is one thing, but a three-family alliance..."

"It's not the kind of all-encompassing alliance," Hachiman Hikigaya shook his head. "It's about providing utmost support and assistance when facing enemies other than the King's Chosen. And there's a prerequisite: the enemy cannot have been intentionally provoked."

Anastasia pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized, "I see... the enemy of Emilia's camp, the enemy of the half-elves, they want our help to resist the Witch Cult?"

"That won't be easy," she said jokingly, feeling she had found a way to turn the tables.

Hachiman Hikigaya laughed as well, "Anyway, Reinhard will definitely agree."

"Tsk...that Reinhard guy!"

Crusch and Anastasia exchanged glances. As they'd said before, they couldn't possibly offer anything less than what Reinhard could. Therefore, even knowing that the Witch Cult needed Hachiman's help, they were in a difficult position.

Hachiman Hikigaya added fuel to the fire: "If the Witch Cult invades, our side will deploy all its combat power to fight against any potential Witch Cult members; we will not hide behind reinforcements."

"Considering the Witch Cult's formidable reputation, Crusch and Anastasia were both conflicted. Was it worth it for information about a white whale?"

"By the way," Hachiman Hikigaya said, "I will also participate in the battle to subdue the White Whale—I have a way to lure it away. I don't need to elaborate on how useful that will be in the battle."

"You really are..."

"Curly, who was already forced to fight the white whale, was finally broken by this last straw."

She gave a wry smile, then composed herself and solemnly and slowly replied:

"I agree!"

75. Anastasia: Waaaaah (before)

"Following Crusch, Anastasia also succumbed."

"With all three parties present, the carefully worded regulations were written and put away after Crusch and Anastasia signed them. Hachiman Hikigaya suddenly smiled."

With a cunning smile, he said, "Now, let's discuss the plan for the Allied forces to rush to Roswaal's territory after the conquest of the White Whale."

"Huh?" Anastasia's eyes widened, a sudden, extremely ominous premonition rising within her. "Wait, the Witch Cult isn't necessarily going to invade, why are you..."

"They will invade," Hachiman Hikigaya's words confirmed her ominous premonition. "Within half a month, a large number of Witch Cultists and the Archbishop of Sloth will carry out the invasion. I have received precise information about the exact date and time of the invasion."

"Within half a month, doesn't that mean—Reinhard simply won't have time to come back and sign the allied agreement with you?!"

Anastasia spoke faster and faster, her brain trembling: "And there's even a High Priestess of Sin. Even if Emilia's side wins, it'll be a Pyrrhic victory. In reality, you should be the most anxious, the most frustrated, and the one who needs to actively seek help everywhere... In other words—"

"You lied to us?!"

"Hachiman Hikigaya's words of comfort trailed off, "Don't say that. This transaction was conducted entirely on the principles of fairness and impartiality, and it was entirely voluntary. You also benefited, Miss Anastasia."

Anastasia collapsed onto her chair like a salted fish that had lost its dreams, her eyes vacant, deflated, and breathing weakly. She was feeling itchy all over after her first complete defeat in business negotiations.

Crusch's eyes were sharp, as if she were seeing Hachiman Hikigaya for the first time. She scrutinized him from head to toe, and finally sighed subtly, "Your words are all true, yet you don't reveal the slightest flaw... So that's how it is. I was trying to force you to reveal your protection too early, which led you to use such smooth words on purpose."

"My protection could be so easily deceived, Lord Hachiman. You've taught me a lesson."

"Unlike his casual attitude towards Anastasia, Hachiman Hikigaya didn't treat Crusch, whom he had a deep affection for and greatly respected, with the same seriousness. He straightened his expression and apologized earnestly: 'I'm sorry, but for the safety of our personnel, we had no choice but to resort to this measure.'"

He took a deep breath.

"I don't expect your forgiveness, Crusch... but I have no intention of taking advantage of you or insulting you. Otherwise, before I lay my cards on the table, I could have added a third condition to demand other benefits. As long as it didn't cross any lines, I'm sure you and Anastasia would have accepted it."

“I understand.” Crusch nodded. “It is precisely because you did not do that that I am still here, communicating with you without anger.”

"She raised the corners of her mouth, patted Hachiman Hikigaya's ashamed shoulder, without a trace of annoyance, but her eyes showed an overwhelming admiration for Hachiman Hikigaya."

"For Emilia's safety, I'm willing to sacrifice my reputation in the eyes of my friends... Whether from the perspective of loyalty to the lord or love for my wife, no one can look down on you. Therefore, stand tall, Lord Hachiman."

"For the safety of those you value, your methods are permitted—this is your victory, and the victor need not apologize to the loser."

"But be prepared, if there's a next encounter, I will win."

In the eyes of the general public, Crusch displayed her noblest character.

He cared for his subordinates and did not reprimand the sword demon Wilhelm who acted on his own initiative.

He was eager to recruit talented people and always wanted to recruit Hachiman Hikigaya, but he respected the other party's wishes and did not make any arbitrary offers of recruitment that would put both parties in a difficult position.

He kept his word and did not break the treaty in a fit of rage after realizing he had been tricked, truly demonstrating the composure and trustworthiness expected of a ruler.

He is not incompetent; he has lofty aspirations and sufficient ability, talent, and charisma.

"That's really good, it's really very good."

Although Kiyotaka Ayanokouji has very high standards, a true leader like Crusch, who is one in a million, naturally also catches his eye.

"Overall, it's uncertain, but in some aspects, she is indeed stronger than Hachiman Hikigaya. She is truly a worthy candidate for king—it's a pity, what a wonderful thing it would be to be able to face her face to face."

Kyosuke Kosaka's father, Daisuke Kosaka, was filled with emotion: "If my boss were this man, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's crime-solving rate would increase three or four times, and it would definitely be voluntary."

"He is an excellent monarch... but the fact that they can achieve such a harmonious win-win situation is largely thanks to Hachiman. If it were me, I probably wouldn't be able to resist taking advantage of the situation and making a third request."

Miyuki Shirogane also learned something from Hachiman Hikigaya: his unparalleled respect.

"Hachiman treats people with sincerity, but he is willing to sacrifice his own sincerity to save others... Even so, he still respects others immensely, and he only touched Koncri and Anastasia without going too far."

On the other side, Felix was so excited that his tail was practically wagging. "Lady Crusch's monarchical charm has been witnessed by the whole world, meow! It seems that the future broadcast won't just benefit Lady Emilia, meow!"

The excited Felix and the smiling Crusch, unintentionally, formed a stark contrast to Anastasia, whose face was filled with grief after the death of the entire world.

Before Crusch left, Hachiman Hikigaya went to his study and wrote a letter.

He put the letter in an envelope, solemnly took it to Crusch, and said to her, "The contents of this letter are all true, Crusch. Am I lying?"

Crusch, who was puzzled, shook her head.

""That's good.""

"Hachiman Hikigaya suddenly seemed to have a great weight lifted off his shoulders. 'I feel a little bad about how I treated you just now, but I still need to trouble you... um, first of all, I'd like to confirm something.'"

"Oh?" Crusch found it quite amusing. "What did you say that made you so embarrassed and hesitant?"

Hachiman Hikigaya's earlobes turned bright red. He coughed twice, feigning concern, before saying hesitantly, "We... well... in your heart, would you consider us friends, Crusch?"

"...Huh?"

Crusch stood there stunned for several seconds, looking at the extremely embarrassed Hachiman Hikigaya, barely managing to suppress her laughter. She exchanged a glance with Felix beside her and said with absolute certainty, "If you have any doubts about this, Phyllis and I will be heartbroken, Lord Hachiman."

76. Last Will and Testament

Hachiman Hikigaya scratched his head shyly, turning his face away, too afraid to meet Crusch and Felix's teasing gazes filled with smiles.

"In short," he hurriedly steered the conversation back on track, "if I were to die someday... Rem, give this letter that I always carry with me to Emilia, so she can verify with Crusch that its contents are entirely true."

"At that time, Crusch, please tell Emilia the truth: everything in this letter is absolutely true, without the slightest misrepresentation. Is that alright?"

With the same solemnity as when making his final arrangements, Crusch responded, "In the name of Crusch Karsten, I assure you, Lord Hachiman."