I love time travel the most!

however--

"Go ahead."

"……what?"

"You should understand, right? What I mean is that it's annoying to have those guys running around. I'm sure you're annoyed too, aren't you? After all, there are less than forty hours left until the agreed time. Because of your stupid mistake, the conditions are becoming more and more demanding."

The boy's smile was full of malice.

Sure enough, he wasn't that kind-hearted.

Charlotte bit her lip tightly, her gaze darting around as she hesitated, unsure of what to do.

The boy chuckled and helped her make the choice.

Snapped--

With a light snap of her fingers, the girl's body suddenly changed.

Her hair and skin withered like flower petals, revealing hidden, vibrant colors. Her hair turned a shimmering gold, and her skin became dazzlingly white. The white dove that had perched on her shoulder transformed into a small, steel-colored dragon.

A Cinderella-like transformation into a princess.

Unfortunately, only Cedric Granville (Alice) saw it.

After a pause, Charlotte leaped out of the window, riding a gigantic dragon through the air, and disappeared into the night sky.

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.

For Kobayashi, resolving Charlotte and Henrietta's predicament is a race against time. Although the mastermind (Alice) holds the initiative, fortunately, she currently only sees him as an insignificant little bug, who can be used as another hostage to threaten Charlotte if necessary.

Therefore, the most urgent task is to find evidence as soon as possible.

—Evidence that the Kingsford family was involved, or that Charlotte was actually coerced.

I just didn't expect the opponent to make a move that was faster and more ruthless, and I was caught off guard.

The next day, at the Xujiu Future Restaurant.

The place is still packed with people.

Unfortunately, of the three who were once so frightening, only Kobayashi remains. I miss them a little.

"Wait, wait. Don't make it sound like I'm already dead, okay?"

Another Japanese man sitting next to him was muttering a helpless complaint in a low voice.

Kobayashi looked at him and feigned surprise, saying, "Oh my, so Akabane-kun is still alive. I thought you had been targeted by someone in this chaotic academy, killed, and left to die quietly in some deserted corner."

"...Did you learn your sharp tongue from Miss Ryuu-shi? It's so hurtful."

Akabane Raishin's lips twitched slightly as he pushed away Yaya, who was saying, "That's right, Raishin can only use my tongue."

He defended Kobayashi, saying, "Let me make it clear beforehand that I've been there the whole time. Whether it was the fight with Felix Kingsford, the fight with the siblings' father Bronson, or the time you and Frey were being all lovey-dovey last night, I was there the whole time."

"Stalker?"

"certainly not!"

"As expected of a thug, he's truly a good watchdog."

"Thanks for the compliment."

Staring with dead fish eyes, he denounced the other party for being too sharp-tongued, protesting with his eyes that even if he was angry, he shouldn't take it out on himself.

Kobayashi wasn't really trying to persecute him; he just teased him a bit and then let Akabane Raishin go.

But I'm still a little curious.

"Where have you been all this time? You're always the center of attention, yet there's been no news of you at all. It's really strange."

"That's because you're my shield. And thanks to you, I've found some good intelligence that should be of help to you."

Hearing him say that, Kobayashi's gaze towards Akabane Raishin changed completely.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"No, how should I put it... Akabane-kun, you're like the protagonist's best friend in a GalGame, always disappearing when you don't need him and appearing when you do, and always bringing good news."

"Shamelessly acting like the protagonist? Besides, this isn't a game. How about you come to a basic understanding of reality?"

"That's quite a sharp retort, Akabane-kun. You were born for this."

"Because there are always people like you around."

Kobayashi's unreliable behavior left Akabane Raishin exhausted. If it weren't for Hanayagi Shoko entrusting him with gathering intelligence and passing it on to her, he certainly wouldn't have gotten involved in this mess.

"Kinsford family information, Kobayashi, would you like some...?"

"Shh-"

He raised his index finger to his lips to interrupt him, while simultaneously signaling the other person to listen to the conversation of the students behind him.

"Hey, have you heard? The one that destroyed the clock tower is supposedly a Tyrannosaurus Rex."

Upon hearing this conversation, the two focused their attention on hearing.

Then, they began their conversation without any pretense.

"This time, we can't just laugh it off. To challenge the authority of the academy should be punished by burning at the stake, shouldn't it?"

Even if the headmaster forgives us, we will never forgive him!

"In the end, Tyrannosaurus (Billard) really is a villain! If I catch her, I'll make her pay!"

Their words carried no hint of joking; instead, they exuded strong hostility and a tense atmosphere. A commotion arose in the cafeteria, filling the air with an indescribable tension.

Some people even began to clamor indignantly and speak out in defense of the previous "nice guy".

"I still can't quite believe that Felix would actually kill someone."

"I'll tell you a secret, but don't tell anyone else... Actually, I also find it very strange. Didn't the academy reject the investigation team sent from above before? In other words, it was all the headmaster's willful act."

"If Tyrannosaurus Rex is a villain, then the second to last one is also very suspicious..."

boom!

The chair suddenly made a loud noise, and the cafeteria fell silent as everyone's eyes were fixed on the impolite fellow.

It was Akabane Raishin.

Those who had been talking about Charlotte all stared at him silently.

The tense atmosphere gradually escalated.

However, after Kobayashi picked up his plate and got up to leave, Akabane Raishin followed him with a nonchalant expression.

As soon as the two stepped out of the restaurant, laughter erupted from inside.

Ignoring the mocking laughter from behind, Kobayashi sighed and said, "You're too emotional, Akabane-kun. But I can understand that you're angry because you've been misunderstood."

"Thank you so much."

After a brief outburst, Akabane Raishin returned to normal, having long been accustomed to being ridiculed.

Kobayashi frowned slightly.

Intentionally influencing others to know that Charlotte is planning to assassinate the headmaster, while simultaneously reversing Felix's previously poor reputation, is a routine tactic that is bound to occur.

The pace of the movement was too fast, leaving no time for others to think. It was as if, while forcing Charlotte to kill the headmaster as soon as possible, they were also forcing the other students in the academy to accept that Charlotte was the murderer.

—Even though it is true.

The two continued walking.

"Let's get back to what we were talking about. Do you want to hear about the Kingsford family?" Akabane Raishin asked.

Kobayashi said, "Are you trying to say that this whole thing was orchestrated by the Kingsford family, and Charlotte was just a pawn, a sacrifice, forced into this situation?"

"Huh? You know that?"

"If you find some clues and use your brain a little, you'll figure it out."

It's actually just God's perspective.

However, Kobayashi couldn't explain it clearly, so this was the only explanation he could give. Normally, if you knew who was behind it all, you would know the reason for doing this.

"If you already knew, you should have said so earlier. Why did I go through all that trouble to do the dirty work?"

"Don't say that, I appreciate your kindness."

Kobayashi comforted Akabane Raishin's complaints.

To be honest, he really didn't expect the other party to help. After all, Akabane Rai was a henchman in the army, and he wouldn't help others without orders.

"Never mind." Hearing this, Akabane Raishin let it go and casually said, "If there's anything I can do to help, I will."

"...Wait, there really is a favor I need from you."

"what?"

"Come with me to see someone."

"Who?"

“Cedric Granville, head of the Night Meeting Executive Department.”

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.

It's difficult to meet the head of the executive department, not only because of his high position, but also because he's ranked tenth in the Night Party. As enemies within the Night Party, minimizing contact is the best course of action.

However, after being asked, Cedric readily agreed to meet with them.

Push open the doors of the lecture hall.

The slender boy sat cross-legged on the main seat. Although his expression was elegant and gentle, his aura was completely different from that of the wild Kobayashi and Akabane Raishin.

There was no one else in the room, nor were there any automatons.

"Welcome, Mr. Kobayashi, the 100th [Goddess Spokesperson], and Mr. Akabane Raishin, the 50th [Second to Last]."

The boy extended his hand, gesturing for the two to sit wherever they liked.

Xiaolin frowned slightly without realizing it.

Perhaps he was being overly sensitive, but Cedric actually greeted him first, even though he was ranked lower. Could it be because he had entered the room first?

The two sat down in the two seats on the left.