Counterattack from Zero
"It's over, then."
The timelines of other possibilities had finally come to an end.
Crusch let out a melancholic sigh. She was actually very interested in the different futures; she had a strong desire to explore how Sir Hachiman would behave differently when meeting different people under different circumstances.
This was provided that those futures were beautiful—if there were more possibilities like Anastasia's, Crusch wouldn't mind at all.
But the future is not always beautiful, and in the end, the possibility of the Sanctuary's total annihilation even appeared. If the trials had continued, she didn't dare imagine what bleak futures they might have encountered.
Now, seeing the trials finally end and knowing that Sir Hachiman would no longer be tortured by such agony, Crusch finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, after relaxing, even someone as broad-minded as her couldn't help but feel a slight sense of grievance, a sour bitterness. "It's one thing for Sir Hachiman to treat me as a substitute for Emilia, but to go straight to her for peace of mind the moment he returns to reality after accepting my comfort—no matter what, can I truly never compare to her?"
"Please do not belittle yourself, Crusch-sama. You simply arrived too late." Wilhelm wiped his sharp sword, preparing for the "war for recruitment" that could break out at any time. "Even if it costs this old man's life, I will ensure you win Hachiman's heart."
Although the "total annihilation" timeline was terrifying, Wilhelm saw another key point within it: just how much Prince Hachiman admired and trusted his liege, Crusch, was displayed most vividly in that timeline.
That alone was enough to prove how well-matched the two of them were.
"Well said, Old Man Wil!"
Hearing Ferris's joyful praise, Wilhelm closed his eyes in shame.
"My apologies, Emilia-sama!"
With the trials over, many people felt relieved like Crusch, but the happiest person was neither Rem nor Anastasia, but Garfiel far away in the Sanctuary.
Seeing that Ram had not fallen in love with the Captain, his jubilant mood was visible to the naked eye.
Squatting on the ground with her head in her hands, feeling heartbroken for her knight's ordeal, Emilia wiped her tears and sincerely prayed that her future self could do better.
"I beg of you... don't make Hachiman sad anymore, I beg of you."
「"Tch, how pathetic. To actually wail like that... This Great Self didn't know you were such a useless man!"」
「Watching Hikigaya Hachiman being helped out by Emilia, Garfiel curled his lip, a look of disappointment clearly flashing in his eyes.」
「He had spent over ten minutes holding Emilia and crying inside the tomb. Even though he had calmed down by now, the tear stains on his face betrayed him completely.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman didn't show a hint of embarrassment. He looked around at the living versions of Emilia, Otto, and Garfiel. Compared to the final timeline in his memory, there was still a chance to save everything now.」
「Or rather, now was the true beginning... Upon realizing this, the invigorating fact brought him unparalleled happiness and excitement.」
「"Don't say it like that. There are times when men shed tears; it's perfectly normal. You're the same, aren't you, Garfiel?"」
「Garfiel frowned. He seriously suspected there was a subtext to those words—could he have heard from his sister or Granny Shima about the time he cried his eyes out after challenging the trial?」
「Otto raised his hand. "In any case, it's great that you're safe... But, um, the trial was a failure, right?"」
「"Yeah, it failed." Hikigaya Hachiman nodded. He glanced at Emilia, who was looking down in self-reproach, and spoke the second half of his sentence with absolute certainty. "But it will definitely succeed."」
「What looked to others like groundless confidence was not actually confidence; it was a link that had to be completed, a part of the plan where no errors were permitted.」
「To save everything, Emilia had to complete the trial. To achieve that goal, the current Hikigaya Hachiman was prepared to use any means necessary!」
「Having personally witnessed and felt the consequences of failure, he would no longer allow his own soft-heartedness to lead to tragedy.」
「"Puck, let's talk."」
「As dawn approached, sitting by the bed and watching the sleeping Emilia, Hikigaya Hachiman whispered to himself: "I want you to break your contract with Emilia and restore her memories. Only then can Emilia face the past and pass the trial."」
「The crystal where Puck hid flickered, and its voice came from within.」
「"Where did you... I see. You've already met my creator in the tomb, haven't you? Was this her suggestion to you? But, have you considered the consequences for Lia if I break the contract unilaterally?"」
「Facing Puck's interrogation, the scenes from the total annihilation timeline seemed to play out before Hachiman's eyes again. He didn't answer directly, but spoke with immediate, indisputable authority: "If you don't agree, I will discuss breaking the contract with Emilia when she wakes up. I will beg her. I will lie and tell her that after the contract is broken, I have other ways to make a new contract between you and her."」
「"—?!"」
「Puck's voice was filled with confusion. "It's true that time is precious during the Royal Selection, but for you to be this anxious, to go this far without giving Lia even a moment's breathing room... what is it that's chasing you?"」
「"If you agree to break the contract, I will tell you all the reasons. I'll also need your help afterward."」
「"Oh boy, it seems you've run into a serious predicament. Well, it's fine. If it's you, I'm sure it's for the sake of Lia's safety and future." Puck finally said something reasonable. "But, you must also grant me one request."」
「"Because of the consequences caused by my unilateral breaking of the contract, you are not allowed to let Lia cry or be sad while I am gone. Even though saying this makes me very annoyed..."」
「"During that time, you take my place. Become Lia's pillar in my stead, Hikigaya Hachiman."」
「However, Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head. "That request, I cannot grant."」
「"…?"」
「Puck's intriguing, long-drawn-out tail note became dangerous.」
「Ignoring this, Hachiman looked at Emilia's fair face and said softly: "You are you, and I am I. Hikigaya Hachiman can never replace Puck."」
「"But."」
「He paused, his gaze as resolute as iron.」
「"I will take care of Emilia in my own way. I will give it my all and absolutely will not lose to you. Making Emilia happy is my wish too—don't underestimate me, Puck!!"」