A Dream for You (Part 1)
At the Kousaka residence, Kirino Kousaka tilted her head. "Strange, does Senpai like using force this much?"
"Rather than breaking through with brute force, Hachiman is the type who prefers to clear levels using his brain."
Kousaka Kyousuke stroked his sister's hair and explained in detail: "I believe Hachiman definitely prepared a draft to persuade Garfiel long ago. If he hadn't cried, with his eloquence and the prerequisite knowledge of Garfiel's past and trauma, he could have easily persuaded him.
But he cried. With that cry, Garfiel defined him in his heart as a coward and a wretch. That kind of image cannot persuade Garfiel, so force must be used.
Whether or not he can win against Garfiel isn't actually the important part. What matters is making Garfiel realize during the fight the fact that he isn't a coward or a wretch. With that foundation established, things will be easier to handle afterward."
Kirino nodded, only half-understanding. "In other words, Senpai's calculations are very precise, and even if he hadn't inherited those sword skills, he could have resolved it?"
"Exactly." Kyousuke showed a smile of pride, as if sharing the glory. "However, having inherited those sword skills gives him the possibility of actually defeating Garfiel. If he wins, he can truly win Garfiel over."
So, what follows is a "man-to-man" exchange between three real men!
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「Swish, swish, swish!」
「Flying insects, running beasts, and even tiny bugs—Otto, having activated his Divine Protection, commanded a vast army. His animal friends blocked all of Garfiel's vision, crawling all over Garfiel's body.」
「In the instant Garfiel's roar dispersed the swarm with a sonic wave, he was greeted by the magic stones Otto had carried for self-defense during his years as a traveling merchant. The stones exploded, sending up thick billows of smoke that singed part of Garfiel's fur while once again obscuring his sight.」
「"—Danger!"」
「A warrior's instinct forced Garfiel to subconsciously lean his body. In that moment, a dazzling sword light cut through the smoke. The cold, chilling glint made him squint
involuntarily. The next second, Garfiel felt a warm liquid flowing; a wound had been carved into his shoulder, and blood dripped down.
「If not for his instinct sensing the crisis, the injury would have been to his chest—an attack that would have significantly impacted the outcome of the battle.」
「"How is this possible—"」
「Garfiel leapt backward rapidly, putting several meters of distance between them, staring at Hikigaya Hachiman in shock. This guy was indeed a swordsman; he had felt that on the first day they met. But his strength shouldn't have been much, so how could he possess such sharp and experienced swordsmanship?」
「"Do you know, Garfiel?" Hikigaya Hachiman did not press the advantage. The longer he talked, the more time he gained, the more Garfiel bled, and the more his own physical strength could recover.」
「On the surface, it looked like he had easily wounded Garfiel, but that was a long-premeditated strike that exploded every muscle in his body. For a body that had only been trained for just over a month, delivering such a strike in a short time was already the limit.」
「"My swordsmanship might not be top-tier, but out there, there are many whose skills far exceed mine. Lugunica's Sword Saint, the Sword Demon, the Greatest Knight, the Captain of the Guard, the Royal Candidate Priscilla, and the Blue Lightning of the Sacred Vollachian Empire—not just in swordsmanship, but in physical strength, every one of them is no inferior to you."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman's phrasing was merciless. "You, who call yourself the Shield of the Sanctuary, do you plan to huddle in the Sanctuary forever? No wonder you are arrogant and conceited, being a frog at the bottom of a well in a place like this, never clashing with true powerhouses, yet deceiving yourself by saying 'I am strong'."」
「"Shut up!"」
「Crack!!」
「Fury drove Garfiel to stomp his feet hard against the earth, treading cracks into the ground. "What do you know about This Great Self!"」
「He swung his fist, his entire body launching forward like an arrow. A large number of Otto's magic stones were hurled toward him, attempting to block his path. Enraged, Garfiel ignored them, preferring to be singed by the explosions just to land a vicious punch on Hikigaya Hachiman.」
「Bang!」
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「The flat of the blade acted as a buffer, parrying in front of him. Even so, he was still sent flying backward by Garfiel's heavy punch, rolling uncontrollably several times.」
「Watching the berserk Garfiel being blocked by two ground dragons under Otto's command, Hikigaya Hachiman wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, stood up on one knee, and did not stop his voice.」
「"I know. I certainly know. You don't dare face the fact that your mother left the Sanctuary only to be caught in a mudslide. You fear everything outside the Sanctuary. As the so-called Shield of the Sanctuary, you watch the demi-human residents stay in this lifeless place with no future, yet you lack the courage to lead them out to embrace a better life."」
「"You look down on me, you call me a coward and a wretch, but what about you? Where is your courage? Is it only meant to be used on a weakling like me, Garfiel!"」
「"Shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up!"」
「Garfiel, having lost his cool, was led by the nose by Hikigaya Hachiman, falling into one pit trap after another prepared by Otto. He fell again and again, covered in dirt, his stamina severely depleted.」
「Rumble, rumble!」
「"Why did Frederica leave the Sanctuary? Do you really not know? Your sister had that courage—does the Shield of the Sanctuary not have it!"」
「"Aaaaahhhh!!"」
「His will under attack, Garfiel's eyes turned bloodshot. The fists he threw were strangled by the sword blade, blood flowing in torrents.」
「"I know what kind of person you are. I know very well. Even Ryuzu, even Frederica—no one in the world knows you better than I do... thanks to Satella."」
「Accompanied by a sigh, the blade flipped, and the hilt struck Garfiel's head, leaving him dizzy and stumbling.」
「However, precisely because he was the person who understood Garfiel best in the world, he would absolutely not show mercy. To do so would be the ultimate disrespect. Moreover, he only held the upper hand due to Otto and his provocation tactics; in terms of raw strength, Garfiel was far stronger.」
「"Bleh—"」
「The hilt struck his stomach, and Garfiel spat out gastric juice. He could turn the tables at any moment; as long as he beastified immediately, Hachiman and Otto's little tricks would mean nothing before overwhelming power.」
「But a promise had been made. As a man among men, how could he break his word!」
「"—How... could..."」
「"Have you finally noticed?"」
「A kick fueled by momentum sent the stunned Shield of the Sanctuary flying. Feeling the pain of a fracture in his left foot, Hikigaya Hachiman smiled while gasping for air.」
「"It's not that we are looking down on you. On the contrary, it's because we value you most—it is you who are looking down on us. And so, now."」
「"..." Clenching his teeth, he tried to stand and fight, only to realize he had sustained various injuries in his rage and could no longer continue.」
「He could only widen his eyes and watch as Hikigaya Hachiman limped forward. This man, with a broken left leg and a damaged chest, remained as calm as a breeze, as if he had long since grown accustomed to pain. It was a bravery that even the toughest "hard man" could not match—a total contempt for agony.」
「"We win."」
「The blade was placed against his neck. This brave man, Hikigaya Hachiman, issued his proclamation.」
「"...I... lost."」
「A shocked Garfiel clenched his fist in frustration.」
「The battle had come to a close.」