I love time travel the most!

Both sides were silent.

for a while

"...That's so strange."

Esdeath clenched her hand and said softly, "When you kept rejecting me before, I was really, really angry. But just now, when I was rejected again so decisively, I couldn't feel a single bit of anger. Is it because I've been rejected so many times that I've lost that feeling of liking you, or is there some other reason...?"

She glanced at Kobayashi, who remained silent to the side.

finally--

"Alright! Tatsumi, I respect your choice!"

Esdeath clenched her right hand, her killing intent resolute, and said, "If you're unwilling to follow me, then at least I'll end you with my own hands, not through anyone else. You're prepared, aren't you, Tatsumi!"

"Come on!"

Tatsumi refused to back down.

Esdeath gave him a deep look before turning and leaving.

Kobayashi said, "Captain, could I have a word with him? After all, we were rivals back then."

In the competitive tournament, Kobayashi and Tatsumi were rivals, and Kobayashi deliberately lost to him.

Esdeath knew this too.

However, she had no interest at all and left after saying only, "Do as you please."

Kobayashi shrugged at Tatsumi and then sat down in front of him.

"Xiao Lin..."

Tatsumi still doesn't understand what role Kobayashi plays.

At first, everyone thought he was a traitor who had defected to the Empire, but he swore that it was absolutely impossible. Later, they thought he had joined the Axis Cult long ago, but no matter how much Night Raid inquired, they could not find any information about him.

This person seems to come from another world; he's truly mysterious.

Regardless, Tatsumi respected Kobayashi.

It was Kobayashi who taught him life lessons, giving him the motivation and goals to move forward.

Even if they are enemies, he does not hold grudges against them.

"I'm really touched that you think that way, Tatsumi."

"……Eh?"

"Don't look so surprised. You've probably already guessed what I have, haven't you?

An eye pattern appeared on Xiaolin's forehead.

In this world, besides Kobayashi, only Tatsumi truly understands what this pattern represents.

"—All-powerful vision!"

"Bingo! You got it right."

Kobayashi snapped his fingers and smiled slightly, saying, "Tatsumi, I'm here to turn you against me."

"incite defection……"

Tatsumi was clearly resistant, thinking that Kobayashi, like Esdeath, wanted him to join the Empire.

however--

"Come, come! Handsome young man, would you be interested in learning about my church—the Axis Cult? If you join now, you'll not only receive the blessing of the water goddess Aqua, but you'll even get edible soap!"

"……Eh?"

"Edible soap!"

"What did you say..."

"Come on, come on, join us! Let's sing praises to Lady Aqua's beauty together!"

"No, no... Don't come any closer!!!"

The glint in Kobayashi's eyes filled Tatsumi with deep fear, and he felt an overwhelming resistance, both psychologically and physically.

He knew it was fear.

Chapter 85 Slay! Sheila!

In another part of the palace.

The minister placed his hands on his chin, looked at his son, and said, "Sila, dismiss your wild hounds!"

"Wha...what?!"

Sheila looked bewildered.

He was originally looking for credit, because he had captured two thieves through a scheme, and if he could interrogate them, he would find out the location of the base where the night raid was carried out, and he would have made a great contribution!

However, the ministers now want to seize his power!

Sheila slammed her fist on the table and shouted angrily, "Why? Why did you do this?!"

The minister sighed, which made Sheila feel uneasy.

A document was thrown in front of him.

"This is a gift Esdeath just brought. Do you know what it is?"

"Ok?"

"Among the hunters, there is a man named Lan who discovered that the person who released the dangerous species near the capital is a good friend of Dr. Fashion. That is you, Sheila. This is irrefutable evidence."

"W-what?!"

Sheila was greatly surprised.

At the same time, he secretly reflected on it and realized that Lan had deliberately pretended to be ambitious and wanted to rise in rank in order to find out about this matter.

How dare you lie to him!

The ministers were disappointed, and even more disappointed in Sheila for choosing to remain silent.

He said coldly, "I don't care if you want to mess around, but it's really unsightly to let others find fault with you so easily. I hate incompetent people, Sheila."

Sheila's eyes widened, her teeth clenched, as she vehemently protested, "Are you kidding?! I caught Night Raid, that's a major achievement, isn't it?!"

"So I won't hold you accountable for this!"

The minister sternly reprimanded him, "Dismiss the Wild Hounds obediently and behave yourself until this is over, Sheila!"

"Ugh... Damn it!!!"

Sheila roared in fury, then pushed open the door and turned to leave.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Well, let's leave it like this."

Kobayashi rubbed his swollen temples; his head was throbbing from overusing the Teigu.

However, looking at Tatsumi lying limp on the ground, a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

It took a lot of effort to get him to agree.

Kobayashi was quite pleased with himself for accomplishing what Esdeath hadn't.

"From now on, I'll leave it to you to keep them occupied, Tatsumi."

Kobayashi turned and left.

When he walked out of the cell, Esdeath was nowhere to be found, even though she had just said she would take him to see the Emperor.

Never mind, just go back by yourself.

As they walked through the dungeon passage, a dark-skinned young man angrily approached them.

Even though she had never met him, Kobayashi knew his name.

—Sila.

Sheila squinted, radiating an ominous aura, but after the two passed each other, he suddenly stopped and called out to Kobayashi.

"Wait, you...you're Esdeath's subordinate, right?"

"Yes. My name is Kobayashi. What brings you here, Young Master Shira?"

"Hehehe..."

Having just been infuriated by Esdeath, Sheila was eager to vent her anger by dismembering the man before her and presenting him to Esdeath as a gift.

But just as he was about to make his move, he was clearly taken aback when he saw Kobayashi.

"Hmm? I remember... your Teigu was that girl's, wasn't it?"

Sheila's greatest interest was women, so she was very impressed with Kobayashi.

He didn't know about this when he first returned. He only found out after he teleported Xiaolin away, and he was quite annoyed and regretful at the time.

Now, his chance has come.

"Do you want to leave Esdeath?" Sheila tried to recruit Kobayashi, tempting him, "I'm going to interrogate the Night Raid thieves soon. After finding out their base, I'll wipe them out in one fell swoop. That would be a great achievement! How about it? The opportunity to get promoted and make a fortune is right in front of you. Come and work for me."

Of course, he wasn't genuinely trying to recruit them.

He still harbored resentment over what Lan had done before, so how could he possibly recruit her again?

All we need to do is trick the female Imperial Arms into handing over the weapon; then we can kill the man afterward!

Sheila was full of malice.

Kobayashi waved his hand, refusing, "I'm sorry... I'm still General Esdeath's subordinate, so let's just forget about it."

"What's so great about that woman?!"

Upon hearing that hateful name, Sheila flew into a rage and roared, "That woman is about to be finished! You should leave her now to avoid your own demise! I am the son of a minister; I know far more than you do!"

“Is, is that so…”

Kobayashi pinched his chin, seemingly pondering the truth of the matter.