Motivation. It's at the forefront of human innovation. It is an inevitable truth that without it, progress itself would be stopped. Nothing would continue, because nobody would find the reason to do so.

For the longest time, my motivation was always to put my own best interests above those of others. Or rather, the best outcome, irregardless of the consequences. Of course, wouldn't you say I was nothing more than a hypocrite? That I didn't take into account those very same consequences when I decide to do something?

That's where you would be wrong.

I knew the consequences of my actions. From the false confession to Ebina, to the grilling that I gave to Sagami, I understood that I would be hated by people. Looked at with disgust. Scorn. Any other word that could describe high-school life, really.

And yet, I didn't let that stomp on my motivation.

All I wanted was for my own place to be secured.

It didn't matter if I was hated or not - none of the opinions of the masses mattered, in fact.

Was it any wonder that I eventually, looking back at it now, think that's the stupidest thing I could've done?

While I still regard the many stupid opinions around me as not worth the time, I came to realize that they still matter. Not in the sense that I should keep them in mind whenever I act, but to keep in mind what the people with those opinions might do should I do so.

After all, those with the stupidest ideas usually have the stupidest motivations.

Case in point, most of my customer base.

Many of them are knights, soldiers for Lugunica. They, generally, have the same bullheaded approach to society: that they are the paragons of virtue, justice and all things good. It makes them the best customers, as they usually don't think that us blacksmiths would cheat them out of their wallets.

It was the minority that's the issue. Those that think that they're better than everyone else. That they deserve better. That the rest of us 'plebeians' should worship the ground they walk on.

Those same 'knights' would be the same type of people that had motivations of grandeur. Where they saw themselves as above the current working order of the society of this world. And they would do anything to achieve that lofty dream.

Which is, by far, the most moronic thing I've heard.

Keep in mind, these knights were already above and beyond the normal person within the entire country. They were already considered nobles, capable of some magic, and were being paid a weekly wage that was the equivalent of a normal person's 10 year salary.

They already were above the current order, is what I'm saying.

So what was the point of seeking more power? They could already order around just about everyone around them, and no one would bat an eye.

More money? They don't even use the money they already have! It just collects dust inside their vaults, never to see the light of day.

Nothing that these over-their-head knights want isn't already theirs. And yet, their motivation compels them to continue.

All that to say, motivation is the fuel that pushes the circle of society forward. But too much motivation can just as easily be fuel to the fires or stupidity.

And right now, I don't know what the hell kind of motivation Natsuki is pushing out.

A few days after my conversation with him, I watched as Natsuki came bursting into the library, to Beatrice's annoyance.

"Beako!"

"Shut up, I suppose!"

"Oh, Hikigaya-san, you're here too! Great, saves me some time." With an admittedly impressive poker face, he ignored the Great Spirit.

"What do you want, Natsuki?" I was just on the verge of going into the final testing portion of my portals. It was definitely promising, though I wouldn't know how successful I was until I went and did some live testing.

And Natsuki was interrupting that.

"Right!" He nodded, looking much more alive than the last time I saw him, "Can I ask you two to come with me for a bit? Ros-chi has some guests over, and he wants everyone in the dining room to greet them."

…Ros-chi?

I internally shook my head. I should've known that Natsuki would give some shitty nickname to his own employer. I'm lucky he hasn't given me one, to be honest.

"Alright, let me finish up here, then I'll head out." Let it not be said that I wasn't a stubborn asshole. I want to at least finish what I started, and maybe, in the event that I actually succeed, then I wouldn't need to meet up with whoever the fuck is here.

Win-win, more so for me than anyone else.

I concentrated my mana. I could feel the threads of reality start to tear open a portal. The starting point opened up, a solid wall still. That's fine, I still hadn't made the connection to the other side.

I 'felt' around, the fingers of my mana grasping at straws until - there. My lips dried as I felt it connect. A link to my world. A link to home. I pulled, stitching it together with my entrance portal. The color parted away-

"Woah!"

-and a portal next to Natsuki pulled itself open.

Ah.

That's right. Natsuki and I were from the same world. Of course my criteria of 'a link to my world' would see him as a valid target.

With a disappointed sigh, I willed the portals to close. Nevertheless, I still felt optimistic, as much as that would horrify Yukinoshita. I had done what many practitioners of yin magic would be dumbfounded with. I had successfully made a portal with less than a month of practicing.

Indeed, I could see Beatrice's jaw had fallen open in abject shock.

I allowed myself just the tiniest smirk.

If I could do that, with just the basic idea that the portals acted like wormholes, then maybe I just needed to figure out how the many worlds theory came into play?

It was a thought for another time. As Natsuki waved a hand in front of the Spirit, I stacked my notes into a pile and headed out of the door.

Time to see whoever Mathers deemed to be that important that Beatrice and I needed to meet them.

I'm not a good person. I know that I did some pretty shitty things to people. But seriously, what did I do to deserve this?

"Nyahallo!"

Please, end me now.

"Hikiganya? You listening?"

I wish I wasn't.

"Hey there, Subarnyu!"

"How's it going, Felix?"

How the hell did these two know each other? Was Argyle the guest Natsuki was talking about? If so, then I'd rather go and sleep in my bed than have to listen to the cat noises that the knight forced into just about everything.

"Yo, Wilhelm-san! You're looking good today!"

The old butler bowed his head for a bit towards Natsuki, "You as well, Natsuki-dono. Might I say that whoever tailored your uniform did a fantastic job?"

With a laugh, Natsuki gave the man - Wilhelm, and didn't that name itch with familiarity - a thumbs up, "You have Rem to thank for this!"

It clicked. The connection between Argyle and this Wilhelm. Wilhelm Astrea. The grandfather of Reinhard Astrea. Both of them served under Duchess Crusch Karsten, a favored member in the race for the Royal Selection.

That these two were here meant that the duchess was the guest. The same duchess that had been trying, and failing, to get me to join her camp.

Fuck.

"And you must be Hachiman Hikigaya, the blacksmith." Astrea looked at me with a firm stare, coupled with an extended hand. Alright, that was perhaps the most normal introduction I've seen since I got to this world. My respect just went up for the man, "I've heard many things from Felix here. I have to say, I've been looking forward to meeting you."

"Likewise, your reputation precedes you, Sir Wilhelm Astrea."

A firm handshake between us. I had respect for the man, if only that he separated himself from the van Astrea household. He deserves at least the same respect I had for his grandson, dropping the 'van' in his name.

This was someone who'd earned the title of the Sword Demon, the counterpart to the Sword Saint. I suppose it was only fitting with the rules of a light novel that the two of them would eventually marry.

I still didn't want to be here though. I hadn't met Karsten, and I didn't want to. It was too much of a headache without taking into account my current research. Moreover, I was technically working with a completely different party, after I had continually suggested that I 'might' work with her.

As if reading my mind and completely ignoring the growing headache there, Natsuki gave a glance to both me and Beatrice, who had snapped out of her reverie and followed us here. WIth a nod and a smile, he placed his hands on the doors and pushed it in. Beside me, I could see the members of the Karsten party adopt some more serious looks.

I sighed.

The doors opened.

"A~h Subaru, just in ti~me." Mathers spoke up, clad in his usual clown outfit. As I suspected, Emilia was already sitting next to him, with the maids standing somewhat behind.

Across from the elf, I could see a woman with dark green hair. She wore a stylized military uniform, with badges I didn't know of. She was staring at us as we entered. I recognized her as Karsten. Not due to seeing her before, but with the presence that she bore.

It was imposing. She held herself in high regard, yes, but it was not with any malice in mind.

In fact, it was similar to how Hiratsuka-sensei would look at me. The look that said 'you could be better'. I snorted internally.

"Duchess Crusch Karsten, may I introduce Lady Beatrice, the Great Spirit of this mansion." Natsuki spoke up, gesturing to the Spirit with a flourish.

"A pleasure, in fact."

"And Sir Hachiman Hikigaya, blacksmith." Sir? I understand that it's just a formality. Hearing it from Natsuki, of all people, was just plain weird.

"Duchess." I gave a short bow. Say what you want, I still wasn't going to piss off one of my main customers. She gave a small nod in response, before turning to look at Natsuki.

"And you are Subaru Natsuki, yes?"

"At your service, ma'am!" The seriousness that Natsuki showed was gone in an instant. Before I could even groan at the social and political faux pas, Karsten gave a small chuckle.

"I must admit, I was surprised when Felix approached me with a letter from you."

What.

I turned to Natsuki, ignoring the customs that usually dictated the flow of conversation. What the hell? Why and how-

Astrea. Reinhard, that is. Natsuki stayed at his place for a while, and Argyle was a friend to the Sword Saint. They must've met there, and Natsuki must've built enough of a rapport that the other knight was willing to forward a message to the duchess.

Goddamn, I knew that I might've been wrong about Natsuki, that he may not be the bumbling stereotypical isekai protagonist, but that takes the cake.

Did he plan this? There's no way. Unless this was a plan that not even the Sword Saint could see, then I doubt it was. Did I miss something? Possible. That I didn't think of the possibility that Natsuki could've done this was telling.

Seriously though, how the hell did Natsuki go from a tracksuit wearing NEET, to a butler for a margrave, to contacting a fucking duke that was running to be the elected king of a country in less than a month?

Either I'm just a dumbass that couldn't do that in the years I've been here, or Natsuki and his bullshit protagonist powers struck gold.

I was leaning on the latter.

Now, as I made myself comfortable on a seat next to Beatrice, I could only wonder what the hell was going on.

A/N: If you like what I do and want to support me, check out my P-atreon at P-atreon•com(slash)Almistyor.

Thanks to my newest patron: Barion Wills.

And a special thanks to: FireRogueWolf25, brutalcrab and Tassimo.