I love time travel the most!

Cedric personally brewed a fragrant cup of black tea for the two of them, and it must be said that his skill was no less than that of Darkness, who was also a nobleman.

He didn't rush to speak, but savored the delicious black tea.

Kobayashi's etiquette was learned through skill imitation, so it was considered acceptable. However, he didn't expect that Akabane Raishin wasn't as barbaric as he appeared.

Seemingly noticing their gazes, Akabane Raishin shrugged and explained, "I have learned these things, though I don't use them much."

"Oh, I forgot that Akabane-kun comes from a prestigious family."

Kobayashi chuckled, while secretly observing Cedric's expression.

The other party was also someone who knew the name Akabane and was very interested in the Crimson Wing Blood. It was impossible that he didn't know Akabane Raishin... Unfortunately, his expression was just as perfect as his disguise, and you couldn't tell anything from it.

After a while.

Cedric spoke first: "I wonder what brings you two here today? If it's within my power, I will certainly do my best."

He was very gentle, completely lacking the aura of a strongman, which matched his delicate and frail appearance.

"Actually, I came here today because there's something I want to ask you."

"what's up."

"Wouldn't it cause public outrage if we kissed at a night party?"

"……Eh?"

Cedric (Alice) was completely stunned. She had already considered several possibilities, such as whether the party could be postponed, Charlotte's whereabouts, who was spreading the rumors, and so on.

She had already figured out how to answer in a way that would make it more interesting and enjoyable for her.

To her surprise, Kobayashi asked this question, which was completely unexpected.

Kobayashi continued, "Well... although the Night Party allows teams to be formed, it's still a battle. If we're all all lovey-dovey like last night, wouldn't that be a bad influence?"

“It’s alright. As long as it complies with the rules of the Night Party, the Executive Department won’t interfere,” Cedric replied with a smile.

"Oh, that's good, that's good, then I can rest assured."

Kobayashi patted his chest dramatically, looking relieved, as if this matter was of great significance to him. Then he leisurely sipped his black tea, his smile never fading.

This appearance made Cedric raise an eyebrow, and he tentatively asked, "Mr. Kobayashi, is this what you came here for?"

"Yes! Is there anything else?" Kobayashi asked curiously.

"...Really? I thought you were going to ask me about Miss Charlotte, after all, Miss Charlotte committed such a heinous act."

"She has committed too many evil deeds, how could I possibly control her?"

"Oh? Then can I assume that you, Mr. Kobayashi, are indifferent to the evil deeds committed by Miss Charlotte?"

"of course."

No matter what Cedric said, Kobayashi remained indifferent; judging from his expression, he seemed to have a very bad relationship with Charlotte.

They've always been together, how could their relationship be bad? In Cedric's view, it was a complete cover-up, a lie that would be exposed at the first sign of trouble.

He would make the other party pay the price for daring to deceive him—the slender boy's smile turned malicious, and Kobayashi, who was pretending to be indifferent, became somewhat anxious.

"Hmph. Is that really the case?"

"……What do you mean."

"It's nothing, it's nothing. I just wanted to say... Look, Miss Charlotte is up to her evil deeds again."

He pointed out the window.

Roar----

As if in response, a familiar dragon roar echoed from afar.

Turning my head, I saw the sound coming from the ruins of the clock tower.

With her exceptional eyesight, Kobayashi spotted Charlotte riding on a dragon and also saw her target—the headmaster investigating inside the Clock Tower, and her younger sister Henrietta, who was rushing towards the Clock Tower to stop her!

Most importantly, Charlotte seemed unaware of Henrietta's presence, and Sigmund assumed a posture ready to fire a powerful beam cannon.

Seeing this scene, everyone couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.

Cedric's gloating voice followed, laughing as he said, "Aren't you really going to stop this tragedy? The child will die if this continues—ah, the scene of the older sister accidentally killing her younger sister is really sad, isn't it?"

"you……!"

Kobayashi's expression finally changed; he was both anxious and angry, and wanted to attack Cedric.

The slender boy sitting in the main seat remained completely calm, even taunting, "You can attack me if you want, I won't fight back, but that child's life will end. Is that acceptable?"

Even if you pretend not to care, you'll be exposed in just a few words.

Humans are such simple creatures.

"Tsk!"

Xiaolin clicked his tongue sharply, turned around, and stepped onto the windowsill.

Watching the retreating figure preparing to save others, the girl revealed a triumphant smile. Everything was unfolding as she had imagined, and she was sure it would bring her even more joy later.

however--

What she didn't see was that Kobayashi, turning around, also wore a triumphant smile.

What you think is what I made you think.

Let everything unfold as you expect, and let yourself fall into the trap I've set.

Chapter 161, Chapter 159: The Unremarkable Sister's Only Advantage

The lecture hall is several hundred meters away from the clock tower and over a thousand meters away from Charlotte in the other direction.

As Kobayashi ran, he looked up and saw Sigmund slowly opening his jaw.

A fierce attack is about to be unleashed!

Kobayashi dashed through the tree-lined tunnel to the main street, just in time to hear Henrietta shout, "Big Sister! Stop it, Big Sister!"

Ironically, it was the guards who responded to her cries. They seemed to have spotted Sigmund at the same time and finally stirred.

However, it was too late. Once the beam cannon was fired, there was no way to defend against it.

In an instant, flashes of light appeared everywhere.

The Tyrannosaurus Rex's rays flowed and filled the surroundings, turning Kobayashi's vision into a pure white.

"Tsk, I wasn't planning on exposing myself."

He clicked his tongue softly in annoyance. He didn't know what trouble it would cause if he were exposed, but he clearly couldn't get there immediately on his own; he had no choice but to ask those around him for help.

"Liu Zi, I'm counting on you."

"Yes."

—Imaginary number switch!

Kobayashi's eyes blurred, and he saw Henrietta right in front of him. He leaped forward and hugged the girl in his arms to protect her.

At that moment, the flashbang struck the clock tower's remains, dissolving everything. With a deafening roar like an avalanche, the ground vanished, and the spot beneath their feet collapsed instantly, revealing a void beneath.

The two of them immediately fell down.

With Ryuu's abilities, rescuing both of them would be very easy, but in order to follow the other party's pace, Kobayashi gave instructions in advance.

Okay, what would you do?

As Kobayashi fell, he thought to himself.

Meanwhile, in the conference room on the third floor of the lecture hall in the distance, Alice, disguised as Cedric Granville, was watching with amusement as Kobayashi and Henrietta fell into the pit.

Suddenly, space distorted, and a man dressed as a butler appeared beside him.

After Charlotte flew away on her dragon, Cedric chuckled and turned to look at him, saying, "You seem to have something to say, Singer?"

"...You were the one who sent Anriette to the scene, and you were also the one who sent that man to rescue her. If they were hit directly by the beam cannon, we would lose our hostages. Why did you do that?" The butler named Singh asked curiously.

however--

"Because it seems very interesting."

"Uh……"

This answer silenced Singh.

The boy raised his teacup, took a sip of black tea, gave him an awkward, bitter smile, and said, "Don't make that face. I knew Charlotte had no other choice but to do that, so there's no need to worry about Anriette's life or death."

“But what will happen next is unpredictable; in the worst-case scenario, we might fall to our deaths,” the butler replied with a hint of vengeance.

The boy replied ruthlessly, "If it really turns out like that, we can just create another Anriette, can't we?"

"...You are truly a thoroughly evil and incorrigible heretic."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

The boy was not ashamed but proud.

the most important is--

“Singer, did you see that just now? That man…”

"Hmm, it's strange that it suddenly appeared there."

Normally, humans are not that fast, but Kobayashi happened to appear near the clock tower and protected Henrietta from falling.

It's probably some kind of unknown magic circuit.

The butler asked considerately, "Are you bothered by this? Would you like me to...?"

“I have a feeling he will become an obstacle. Now that the Fool’s Sanctuary has been discovered, let’s see just how close the Academy has come to mastering the Divine Mechanics. There might be some unexpected gains. Why don’t you go and have some fun?” Cedric said this, but he was actually implying that he should get rid of Kobayashi.

The butler clearly understood and bowed slightly to accept the order.

"I obey my orders."

"and many more."

He called out to the butler, subtly twitching his ear to signal him to wait.

As the door opened, Charlotte appeared. Upon seeing her, the boy's face lit up with a joyful smile, and he exclaimed, "Oh, my dear Ravenna (Charlotte), you're finally back! Did you hear? Your sister and the [Goddess's Spokesperson] just went to the Clock Tower."