The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

It wasn't until she needed it that she felt the helplessness of searching for a needle in a haystack.

Fortunately, the system isn't entirely useless.

[If needed, the system can provide a search directory for quick access.]

"Oh? I didn't know that was possible. I've never used it before. Thank you for your help."

As the words fell, a familiar yet unfamiliar staff appeared in Kiana's hand.

Without much hesitation, she grabbed her staff and said those words in front of Serena.

"I am Honkai!"

Upon hearing this, Serena, who was already looking somewhat exhausted, was stunned.

"Collapse?"

However, before she could even react to what was happening, a thick black fog enveloped the small dark room.

As the thick fog obscured her vision, Serena could vaguely see something within the black mist.

A petite and adorable girl leaped towards her...

Why is she holding such a large staff in her hand?

"wait--!"

Before Serena could even beg for mercy, a muffled thud was heard.

She was knocked unconscious by 'magic'...

A Certain Infernal Affairs in Another World (Konosuba): Chapter Twenty-Six: The Opportunity for Returning to the Collapse

"Huh...huh..."

After switching forms, Kiana felt weak again.

It's hard to imagine that a mere change in form could produce such significant side effects.

Even after so much time has passed, Kiana still finds it hard to get used to this appearance.

"This is troublesome... Phew... System, what's next?"

[Host, you can cast a suggestion spell to make her avoid you for a period of time.]

"This works? Wow, this wand feels amazing!"

Kiana waved her wand, looking as adorable as a child discovering a new function in a toy.

Unfortunately, at this moment, there were no outsiders in this dark little room.

Therefore, Kiana can do whatever she wants with her from now on.

It was fortunate that Kiana, as the person involved, had no intention of harming her at all; otherwise, the city would have lost a beautiful young girl in the prime of her life.

"Um...it seems like it has to be like this, and then like this...done!"

After chanting incantations and channeling magic, Sena, who had been lying unconscious, gradually drifted off to sleep.

Once she wakes up, things will surely get better.

At least with Kiana's guidance, this little girl should understand the ironclad rule that some people are not to be trifled with.

"Mission accomplished! Whew, although I don't feel very comfortable looking like this, I feel like I've accomplished a lot!"

[Does the host like this appearance?]

"Who said I like it? This form is not easy to exert any effort. The original form was more comfortable."

Kiana waved her staff with some displeasure, then turned around and summoned the black mist that transformed her. She then transformed back to her original form under the heavy embrace of the black mist.

Once everything was ready, she carried the sleeping Serena out of the small dark room and returned to the alley entrance to reunite with the others.

At this moment, Kazuma and Aqua were both squatting on the ground, looking impatient.

"Hey, why hasn't that team leader been dealt with yet? Did he get bribed by the prosecutor halfway through?"

"That's possible, Kazuma. Look...didn't you get bribed before?"

"What?! Don't talk nonsense, I was forced to do it!"

How could a bag of money mysteriously appear in one's pocket when one is forced into a corner?

This guy is really...

Megumin and Darkness exchanged a glance, both speechless at Kazuma's reaction.

Who wouldn't be upset to have such a companion?

It's alright, at least this cunning time traveler didn't give false testimony; he simply said he didn't know.

Such a reaction is somewhat reassuring.

Of course, he must be punished for accepting bribes no matter what.

"Hey, everyone's over there?"

Kiana waved to everyone, then fixed her gaze on Kazuma.

Because I've been busy dealing with various events these days, I haven't had a chance to settle things with him about this Zhang incident.

Now, even the culprits have been punished.

So how could he possibly have had the chance to escape?

"Captain, I have some questions for you about this woman."

"Hey? Wait a minute, hold on!"

Kazuma was about to slip away when Aqua grabbed him by the collar.

Honestly, how could this idiot goddess betray us at such a crucial moment?

This was something neither of them realized.

After the defection, things became simple.

Without saying a word, Kiana snatched the money from Kazuma's pocket and then tossed it into the air.

"No!"

Watching his bag of gold coins fly into the air, Kazuma covered his head, looking like he was about to collapse.

Fortunately, his basic thief skills made him realize that as long as he could collect all the coins as soon as the money bag landed, everything would be fine!

However...

As the money pouch slowly fell.

Kiana suddenly looked up and drew her Blazing King Sword.

With a mere flick of the sword, the money pouch liquefied in mid-air, ultimately vanishing from this world...

A large bag of gold...

How could it just disappear like that?

And there wasn't even a trace left?!

The scene left onlookers in shock.

The owner of the money bag, Kazuma, knelt on both knees, head bowed and silent as if he had lost his soul.

Judging from their posture, they were truly incredibly frustrated.

"It's done!"

[Host, you really are a devil.]

"Oh dear, don't say that. I was just giving appropriate punishment."

Kiana clapped her hands, feeling that she had done a good job and deserved praise.

Surprisingly, the system actually gave the corresponding reward.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for thwarting the will of the story character, Sato Kazuma. The system hereby rewards you with 1000 Herrscher Points!]

"Is this really going to work? That's unexpected. But it's fine..."

Kiana felt much happier after receiving the reward.

She smiled at the three astonished women, then coughed and began to recount the results of her interrogation of Serena.

The general situation is that the lord wants to find a wife for his son and thinks Darkness in the army is good, which is a good opportunity to strengthen the ties between the nobles.

However, not only did Darkness, the person involved, strongly condemn this request, but even Kiana, the narrator, looked displeased.

"What's so good about this kind of forced arrangement? Ah~ it's definitely better to like what you truly feel in your heart, hehehe... Mei, my Mei..."

Perhaps she suddenly developed puberty, or perhaps she simply started missing someone.

Kiana covered her face, looking utterly infatuated.

The other three members of the group were completely bewildered, unsure how to react to the girl's drastically changed expression...

Equally bewildered was his longtime travel companion.

system...

[Host? Who are you thinking of? Are you so happy?]

"I remembered Mei, we...we...I seem to...can't remember what happened. System, do you know what I've forgotten?"

【…】

"Why isn't it saying anything?" Kiana suddenly noticed something unusual about the tool.

The system is unaware of these matters, and further questioning by the host will be futile.

Rarely, after indicating it didn't know, the system actually advised me not to ask any further questions...

Very good, it's definitely hiding something from me!

So what exactly is it?

Why did I lose a period of my memory?