It was high noon in the Capital city of Lugunica, and Natsuki Subaru, the recently disgraced self-proclaimed knight of the royal candidate Emilia, strolled through the bustling market district. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead under the scorching sun.

As he weaved through the crowded market district, he moved cautiously, mindful not to collide with the horde of shoppers, traders, and merchants all engrossed in their bustling businesses.

Alone with only his thoughts to keep him company, he began to reflect on the events of the previous days—the events that had led to his humiliation.

His Brutal beating.

His abandonment.

Clenching his fist and closing his eyes, a sharp pang of pain coursed through his heart, and a solitary tear welled up in his eye.

Was he truly so weak, so foolish, so utterly pathetic and useless that he earned no one's respect?

The self-proclaimed knight, the pitiable butler, the aspiring hero, the weakest of the weak! — rumors about him had spread like wildfire. The news of a brash young man nearly beaten to death by the greatest knight and then discarded by his mistress like trash had reached every corner of the city.

Perhaps, he couldn't help but wonder. Was he truly nothing more than trash?

Shrugging off his tumultuous thoughts and wiping the lingering tear from his eye, Subaru continued his walk through the bustling market. The burden of self-doubt and self-loathing still weighed heavily on his shoulders, casting a shadow over his every step.

However, as he meandered through the bustling crowd, his attention was drawn to a growing congregation of people huddled near a bulletin board.

"Huh? What the.." he mumbled under his breath, curious about what had captured their collective focus.

Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Subaru navigated his way through the crowd, gently but determinedly pushing through the masses to get a closer look at the bulletin board. As his eyes scanned the contents, they landed on several notices and announcements.

The first announcement declared the commencement of the royal selection, a momentous event in the kingdom's political sphere, where the next king would be chosen. The subsequent five papers featured profiles of the candidates competing for the Royal Throne:

Crusch Karsten - the Valkyrie Duchess

Anastasia Hoshin - the CEO and owner of the multinational Hoshin Trading Company

Priscilla Barielle - the Baroness of the Barony of Barielle, known for her arrogant noble demeanor

Felt - the former slum girl who had once stolen his mistress's, or former mistress's, insignia

And last but not least, his former mistress:

Emilia - the beautiful half-elf known for her kindness, sweetness, and loveliness (also bears a striking resemblance to the Witch of Envy.)

Subaru's gaze fixated on the entry for Emilia, and a mixture of emotions welled up within him. The sight of her name reminded him of their shared past and the tumultuous journey that had brought them to this point. It was a stark reminder of the world he had been so unceremoniously cast out of.

'If only I had kept my promise,' he mused, his thoughts filled with regret. 'If only I hadn't messed things up... If only...'

Regret and longing gnawed at his heart as he contemplated the "what ifs" that haunted him.

"Interested in the royal selection, too?" A green-haired man wearing a bandana suddenly appeared out of nowhere, startling Subaru.

"Whoa! Don't sneak up on me like that, man!" Subaru exclaimed, his surprise evident on his face. After a moment, he calmed down and asked, "Wait, where's Rem?" as he scanned the area, searching for his blue-haired companion.

After searching for a while, the Japanese boy let out a sigh of frustration. "Shit... damn... looks like I lost her," he muttered with a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

"Five candidates, huh?" the green-haired merchant mused as he perused the announcement board. "If you ask me, allowing a half-elf to be one of them is pure insanity." Frustration laced his voice as he placed his hands on his chin. "Emilia, huh? There's no way someone who resembles a witch could become our ruler. They've gotta be out of their minds," he added with a hint of disdain.

Subaru felt a burning urge to defend Emilia, to confront Kadamon's prejudiced remarks, and to present a well-reasoned argument against the unfair judgment. He knew that Emilia was nothing like the witch who had nearly brought the world to ruin in the past.

But he held himself back, biting his lip so hard that it drew blood and clenching his fists. After all, what was the point? He loved Emilia deeply, but her painful words from 3 days ago still stung, echoing in his mind.

"Subaru is not my knight, nor is he my attendant."

"And we'll end this now."

"You've done enough."

"Farewell, Natsuki Subaru."

The memories of her rejection were almost too much to bear, making him prefer the cliff he had once jumped off rather than reliving the humiliation, beating, abandonment, and discardment he had suffered.

Kadamon's voice broke through his thoughts. "Hey kid, are you okay?"

Subaru hastily wiped the tear from his face, not realizing that it had reappeared, and quickly shifted his gaze to another direction.

"Oh, huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine. Why?" His voice strained as he tried to muster a faint smile attempting to hide the emotional turmoil within.

Kadamon, however, wasn't convinced.

"Hey, kid, if you have any problems you want to talk about, maybe we could have a chat, you know." His words were laced with sympathy.

"Nah, I'm fine, old man. Just tired, is all," Subaru reassured the appa vendor, looking at his wrist as if he had somewhere else to be. "Well, it looks like I still have an errand to run, and Rem and I need to meet up. So, later, old man!" Subaru said, excusing himself as he began to walk away.

Kadamon let out a sigh, muttering, "It's Kadamon!" before turning his attention back to his stand. After all, the appas weren't going to sell themselves.

Arriving at his stall, Kadamon settled in, ready to serve any potential customers. Sales had been promising today, and he hoped they would continue on this positive trajectory.

A customer approached and inquired, "How much for this apple?"

"Eh, you mean 'appa'?" Kadamon quizzically gazed at the boy. "One silver coin per bag."

The boy rolled his eyes, took a coin from his pocket, and handed it to the appa vendor. Kadamon proceeded to count the coin, finding it satisfactory. He then grabbed a paper bag and swiftly filled it with appas.

"Here ya go," he said nonchalantly, extending the bag to the teenage boy.

"Thanks," the boy replied with a neutral tone, tossing a copper coin as a tip for Kadamon's service. However, the coin slipped from Kadamon's grasp, falling to the ground. He quickly kneeled to retrieve it.

"Hey kid, it's the first time I saw you—huh?" Kadamon paused in confusion as the teenage boy seemingly vanished into thin air. "Eh, that's weird."

Subaru found himself perched atop the ancient, weathered stones of the ruined temple that overlooked the sprawling expanse of the capital city of Lugunica. The soft rays of the setting sun bathed the temple's crumbling pillars and moss-covered walls in a warm, golden hue, casting an ethereal glow over the remnants of the past. Below, the capital city bustled with life, its winding streets and grand spires weaving a complex tapestry that seemed impossibly distant from his isolated vantage point.

As he leaned against the cold stone ledge, Subaru's thoughts churned within him, much like the world he had been thrust into—an Isekai journey that had unraveled his sense of self.

"I'm such a pitiful loser... couldn't even find my way home without Rem," he whispered to himself, his gaze fixed on the distant city. A column of Dragon carriages lined up, moving in and out of the main gate of the city, a constant reminder of the world that had both welcomed and tormented him.

In his heart, he recognized that his life here had crumbled to pieces. With Emilia's abandonment and the widespread disapproval of him from the kingdom's nobility, military, and various power players, he understood the futility of his predicament.

He contemplated his options, his gaze drifting away from the city and into the unknown beyond. What if he just left it all behind? What if he chose to forget the convoluted mess he had become entangled in and started anew, far from the turmoil and danger?

Subaru considered the prospect of moving to another city or kingdom, adopting a life free from the grand schemes of nobles and power plays. He envisioned a simpler existence, one that didn't involve Royal camps, forming alliances, or facing perilous confrontations. It was a tempting idea—an escape from the relentless cycle of death and despair that had defined his existence thus far.

"Heh, and where would I even go? Head west? North? Heh, yeah, right! Plus, what am I going to do? Become a mercenary? A merchant!? I'm not even good at business! And with my weak body and this broken gate, being a mercenary is nothing but a pipe dream," he muttered to himself with a mix of anger and self-loathing. "Seriously, I'm just a pathetic good-for-nothing person!" he added, his frustration evident.

"It seems like you have a deep sense of self-hate there, buddy," a man's voice emanated from his left. Subaru didn't turn to look at the source. He should have felt ashamed for being caught talking to himself, sounding like a madman, but at this point, he didn't care anymore.

"Eh? So, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to offer some sympathetic advice or something like that?" Subaru replied, his annoyance evident in his voice.

"Jackshit. You do you," the man responded with a cold and neutral tone.

"Huh?" Subaru's voice carried a tinge of confusion as he tried to make sense of this strange encounter. What's with this guy?

Swaying his head to get a better look at the man, Subaru squinted his eyes, scrutinizing him from head to foot. The man appeared to be of a similar age, maybe even younger. He had short brown hair, and fair skin, and was clad in blue jeans, a striking black eyepatch concealing his right eye.

"Who are you?" Subaru inquired, studying the man. It was evident he wasn't from this world; his attire was reminiscent of Earth, and the way he spoke, had an American touch.

"Just a simple interdimensional traveler," the stranger replied with a relaxed, laid-back posture as he leaned against one of the ledges.

"Huh?" Subaru processed that, his eyes widening and mouth agape. Was this guy also an isekai case? "Hey, don't tell me you were also-"

"Transported to another world like those Japanese isekai stories?" the stranger interrupted Subaru before he could finish his sentence. "Nope. Nobody transported me here; I can come and go as I please."

"Eh?!" Subaru exclaimed, taken aback by the revelation.

"Surprised?" the brown-haired, eye-patched stranger asked, his voice eerily neutral.

"What?! Of course, I am! I mean, how can you even do that?" Subaru questioned the guy, nearly exclaiming as he leaned slightly toward the stranger.

"Jeez, man, relax," the stranger spoke once more, placing a calming hand on the Japanese boy's shoulder. "The name's Morty, Morty Smith, from Muskegon, Michigan, of the good ol' USA." he introduced himself, offering a hand to Subaru.

"Tsk!" Subaru snapped back, his demeanor tense and suspicious, but he reluctantly took Morty's hand, shaking it. "I'm Subaru. Natsuki Subaru from Tokyo, Japan... Now, tell me! How can you travel here and back to Earth?"

"With this," the guy named Morty responded, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a distinctive golden contraption that gleamed with golden plasma, its glow casting an otherworldly aura around them.
Subaru's eyes widened in disbelief and confusion as he stared at the peculiar device. "What's that?"

"A portal gun."

"A what?!"

"A portal gun. It's a device that can create interdimensional wormholes, allowing me to travel between different worlds and dimensions. You see, with this baby, I can just aim it, fire a portal at my desired destination, and voila!"

Morty then made a dramatic gesture, his face bearing an impish grin, then aimed the device and fired it. Instantly, a shimmering golden portal materialized in the air before them.

"I can go wherever I want, not just here and on Earth, but anywhere."

"Anywhere?!"

"Anywhere."

Subaru absorbed the information, his mind grappling with the concept of interdimensional travel. While his arrival in this world had involved crossing dimensions, it was a magical event, a singular occurrence that he couldn't control or replicate. He never thought that he could leave this place, let alone return to his own.

"Hey, Morty... Is that thing," he pointed at the golden glowing device called the portal gun, "magical?"

"Nope, everything about this is scientific, Subaru. We don't do that magic crap, sorry," Morty replied.

"Damn," Subaru muttered, realizing that he couldn't rely on magic to find his way back home or explore new worlds and that science seemed to be the superior force here. "However, I still have a lot of questions," he added.

"Ask away,"

"Why are you here?" Subaru asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"To investigate an anomaly I detected involving space and time," Morty replied.

"Are you alone?" Subaru inquired.

"Yes."

"How many worlds or dimensions have you traveled?" Subaru asked, trying to fathom the scope of Morty's journeys.

"I lost count, probably in the thousands," Morty answered.

"Damn... Really?" Subaru muttered, a mixture of awe and inadequacy washing over him.

"Yep."

"Shit..." Subaru scratched his head, grappling with the sudden sense of insignificance. He had believed himself destined for greatness in this world. But hearing about Morty's achievements made him feel small, weak, and useless.

Clenching his fist and looking at the ground, his face a mix of embarrassment and determination. He mustered the courage to ask,

"If that's the case... I have one more thing to ask. Can you help me? Please!" Subaru's voice quivered with a hint of desperation as he sought Morty's aid.

"Hmmm, I don't know," Morty's voice remained cold and calculating.

"Please! I beg of you! I will do anything you want!" Subaru's desperation grew, and he fell to his knees, groveling and begging before Morty. He understood that if Morty refused to help, his life was doomed. The events of the previous day had left him in a hopeless situation, and he knew there was no saving face from the depths of his disgrace.

For all he knew, his life in this world was done, and thus he needed someone powerful to help him get back on his feet.

"Anything?" the guy in the yellow shirt asked, smirking this time.

Subaru stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants. He fixed his posture and turned to face Morty, his gaze unwavering. "Anything."

"Hmmm, very well," Morty finally conceded, his expression easing. "but."

"Huh? Why?" Subaru asked, his curiosity piqued.

"You know if I help you, you've got to leave this dimension, right?" Morty replied.

"Huh? Couldn't I just come back using that portal gun thingy?" Subaru's voice had a hint of strain.

"I'm afraid not. This dimension is inside the central finite curve, and the portal gun we're gonna use is outside of it. I only came here because the rift is still open, but even that would be closed by Crybaby Rick."

"Huh? Who's that?" Subaru inquired, wanting to know more.

"Someone unimportant," Morty spoke with annoyance in his voice. Subaru sensed that it might not be wise to press further on the subject of the said crybaby "Rick"

"So, are you ready to accept that?" Morty asked once more, seeking Subaru's commitment to their arrangement.

"I don't know, man..." Subaru's expression reflected his deep sadness as he weighed the prospect of never seeing Emilia again. "Emilia..." he unconsciously spoke her name aloud.

"Who's that? Your girlfriend? A lover?" Morty asked, his eyebrows raised inquisitively.

"Hardly... The feelings are one-sided. When I said that, it's just me loving her," Subaru sighed, expressing the unrequited love he held for Emilia.

He wished for a future together, but with her leaving him behind, that prospect seemed unlikely. But Should he choose to leave, the chances of a future with Emilia would be essentially zero.

"Hmmm, you know we almost have a similar past, Subaru. I used to be like you—weak, pathetic, a simp. Fawning over a girl," Morty spoke, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon beyond the gates of the capital city of Lugunica. "Her name's Jessica... A very beautiful gal."

"What happened?" Subaru inquired, his voice sincere.

"She rejected me... chose a guy named Brad."

"Oh, damn... I'm sorry man," Subaru offered genuine sympathy.

"Don't be. It's the best thing that ever happened," Morty replied with a tone of detachment.

"Huh?"

"Listen, Subaru. I hate to break it to you, but what people call 'love' is just a chemical reaction that compels animals to breed. It hits hard then it slowly fades, leaving you stranded in a failing marriage. Old man Rick did it. My Mom and Dad did it. You're gonna do it! Break the cycle, Subaru. Rise above the others. Focus on science... or whatever," Morty imparted his rather melancholic wisdom as he continued to stare into the distance, leaning on the ledge of the temple.

Silence enveloped their conversation as Subaru digested Morty's words. It was a cynical perspective, yes, but it had a point. However, a lingering question remained in Subaru's mind: What about Rem? and, especially, Emilia. As they say, the heart wants what it wants. Subaru found himself grappling with his emotions.

"But Emilia?" Subaru asked, his voice still filled with doubt.

"Subaru, there are an infinite number of realities and dimensions that contain an Emilia," Morty explained. "And you know what? You would be the first version of Subaru with a portal gun. With this power, you could be a god among the Subarus! Even your fellow Japanese reincarnators wouldn't stand a chance! Hell, you could have an army of Emilias by your side, as your wives and concubines! Think about it."

"What!?" Subaru's eyes widened in astonishment as he struggled to process Morty's words. "You mean there are more... Me's?"

Turning to face Subaru, Morty then touched his watch, and immediately tens of thousands of holographic bubbles surrounded them, each showing an alternate Subaru.

"Eh? What's... this?"

"Your alternate selves from different universes... and this doesn't even scratch the surface. There are an infinite amount of them. They could be your playground. Should you choose to accept," Morty said, now wearing an eerie grin.

"Shit." Subaru was left in awe and shock at the unimaginable possibilities that lay before him.

Is this the reality?

Subaru pondered, coming to terms with the existence of gazillions of alternate versions of himself in different realities. He felt overwhelmed by the weight of it all, and he couldn't bear the thought that all his pain, death, and sacrifices might be in vain.

His emotions surged within him, and he couldn't take it anymore. He squatted down, clutching his head as he attempted to make sense of the revelation.

"Fuck," he muttered in frustration. "Hahahahaha, and here I am, thinking I was some main character trying to bring forth change... I'm such a pathetic loser..." Self-hatred permeated his tone.

"Well, you could stop being one. But it's ultimately your choice, pal. Continue life here, being a weak loser, just as you say, or be a god among men, amongst your kind," the eye-patched, yellow-shirted American boy said, his tone cold but truthful. "All you need is a leap of faith." He offered his hand to the Japanese boy, extending an invitation to a world of unimaginable possibilities.

A world of power.

A world of extravagance.

A world where he could be at the top.

Subaru found himself at a crossroads, torn between the enticing prospects that Morty had presented, each one pulling him towards a life-altering choice. As he contemplated these possibilities, he couldn't help but reflect on his life in this world, particularly the painful events of the past few days. The hurtful words and rejections from those he had encountered still echoed in his mind, each one cutting deep into his soul.

"Weakness is something to feel shame, not pride, about. To earn the right to stand here, have you worked hard? All you do is bring shame upon us."

"It appears you truly have no pride. What a pathetic and vulgar way to live."

"You are irredeemably powerless. You are not worthy to stand by her side."

"Subaru is not my knight, nor is he my attendant."

"And we'll end this now."

"You've done enough."

"Farewell, Natsuki Subaru."

"I think teaching swordsmanship, which will make a man stronger, to one who has abandoned the option to get stronger is useless."

"The fact that I think you're weak and pathetic, and my staying with you are not contradictory, Subaru-kun."

Weak, pathetic, useless, shameless, vulgar. Even Rem held this view. I'm a horribly flawed person who brings nothing but stupidity and shame. A person to be mocked. To be the butt of jokes.

Not anymore. No longer.

Never again.

With a silent vow, his eyes aflame with fury and an insatiable thirst for vengeance, Subaru took the plunge. He reached out and shook Morty's hand, sealing the pact.

"Alright. I accept."

Rem moved gracefully through the bustling market district, her eyes scanning the crowd as she inquired with people about a man with jet-black hair, intense eyes, and unusual attire. Her speech was gentle, with a tinge of soft-spoken politeness that belied her concern and tension. She approached each passerby, delicately describing the features of the Japanese man she was searching for.

"Have you seen a man with jet-black hair and peculiar clothes, around 5'8, rather handsome?" she inquired with a passerby.

The passerby shook his head. "Ha? No, unfortunately not," he answered.

Rem sighed "Very well, Rem thanks you regardless," she replied with a polite bow.

Her search for Subaru continued as she approached various individuals, gently asking for any information. After several inquiries, she found herself at the appa vendor's stand, where she politely inquired,

"Excuse me, sir. Have you seen a man with jet-black hair, fierce eyes, and unconventional clothing around here?"

Kadamon, his memory fresh from his earlier interaction with Subaru, nodded and replied, "Oh, you mean the broke kid?! Yeah, why?"

Rem's face immediately brightened. "Rem has been looking for her Subaru-kun for some time now. We were supposed to go shopping together, but Subaru-kun got lost," she explained, a touch of sadness in her voice.

Kadamon replied dismissively, "Meh, the city isn't small, he could be anywhere, frolicking. Guys his age like to explore and do stupid stuff."

"You don't understand," Rem insisted, her tone growing more earnest. "Subaru-kun isn't right. He's depressed. That's why Rem is worried for Subaru-kun's well-being."

Kadamon's expression shifted as he grasped the seriousness of the situation.

"Oh, that explains it then. That's why the kid was so out of sorts, distressed, and gloomy," Kadamon mused, placing a finger on his chin as he recalled Subaru's behavior. "If that's the case, I saw him heading east from here."

Rem's eyes widened upon hearing this. Running she immediately headed in the direction Kadamon had indicated, leaving the appa vendor behind.

"Tsk! You're welcome!" Kadamon muttered as he watched Rem rush away. "Kids these days."

"So, this is how it works, huh?" Subaru said as he aimed the white plastic portal gun in his hand at the air, creating a green portal that shimmered in front of him.

"See? Easy, right?" Morty replied.

It had been almost half an hour since Morty taught the basics of portal travel and how the device worked. After the lesson, he handed the raven-haired Japanese boy a portal gun of his own, similar to his own but with white plastic and green fluid instead of the golden gun and golden fluid.

"Uhhh, Morty, what's your angle here? I mean, why did you choose to help me? What's in it for you?" Subaru inquired, his brow furrowed as he toyed with the portal gun. "Don't get me wrong; I'm super grateful, but I'm just curious... Why me?" he added.

"Hmm, let me guess..." he pondered for a while putting a finger on his chin, then suddenly he smirked "Ah jeez looks like I'll have to get back to you on that. For now, just enjoy yourself and explore. Oh, and before I almost forget, here, take this," Morty said, a mischievous grin on his face as he handed a tablet to Subaru.

"What's this?"

"It's everything you need to know, and the fluid in your portal gun should last you long enough to be able create your own," Morty replied.

"Oh," Subaru began to tinker with the tablet, his curiosity piqued..

"We should leave soon."

"Huh? Why?"

Morty pointed in the distance, and Subaru saw a certain blue-haired maid approaching, walking in their direction.

Suddenly, a golden portal opened up, with Morty preparing to enter.

"Huh? Leaving already? When will we meet again?" Subaru inquired, a touch of uncertainty in his voice.

"I'll contact you," Morty spoke as he glanced at Subaru, his demeanor growing cold. "Remember, nothing is free, Subaru, and I'll be collecting that debt soon, so make yourself strong and useful, got it?"

"Yeah, fine," Subaru replied, a sense of determination in his voice. "By the way, can I take her with me?" Subaru pointed at the blue-haired maid walking towards them in the distance.

"Your choice," Morty said before stepping into the portal, leaving Subaru hanging.

"Damn, that was weird," Subaru muttered to himself as he stood alone. He exhaled deeply, still processing the strange encounter. However, with Rem approaching, he didn't have the luxury of time to contemplate the situation. He knew he had to make a quick decision—leave on his own or take Rem with him.

He also knew that if Rem reached him, there was no way she'd let him leave her behind. He weighed the pros and cons, the weight of his choices pressing on his heart.

It would be wonderful to have someone to accompany him on this new adventure, especially a sweet and lovely girl like Rem. But was it really necessary? If there were an infinite number of Emilia's in various dimensions, there should be an equal abundance of Rems.

Plus, Subaru was yearning for a fresh start, a new beginning. Bringing Rem might counteract that very idea.

And what did Rem truly want? Would she want to join him, or would she just try to stop him from leaving? What about Ram? Could she leave her sister behind? The complexities of the decision weighed heavily on Subaru's mind.

"I'm sorry, Rem, but it's better this way," Subaru said, his voice quivering. He aimed the portal gun once more. "Morty mentioned there's a dimension nearby where many Japanese reincarnators end up. Maybe we should try that." With determination, he fired the portal gun, creating a bright green gateway in front of him.

This was it, the path to freedom.

"Subaru-kun!" Rem's voice drew nearer, her footsteps echoing on the stairs as she raced towards him.

Now or never.

With a deep breath, Subaru stepped into the green portal, which whisked him away to another place, another world—a world he hoped would be better, a world where he could leave his pain and mistakes behind.

A world where he would rise and dominate.

Such is the fate of Natsuki Subaru, a man determined to ascend above the rest, even from ZERO.