I love time travel the most!

Just now, Ota was tense and secretly wary of Liu Zi, but after realizing that she hadn't made any move, he unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

Why did I actually feel relieved?

Ota clenched his fists and lowered his gaze.

A martial artist's intuition told him that the seemingly frail woman before him possessed an aura of power unlike that of ordinary people, and exuded a strange aura.

It seemed to be a warning, yet it also seemed to be a threat.

In short, she is dangerous.

As expected, their initial guess was correct. Even with just one attack, even if it was only for a fleeting moment, all eight of them felt that this girl was extremely dangerous. Even with the protection of the eight of them, the goddess Freya was still likely to be in danger.

Although the goddess didn't give the order, if the other party did anything strange, he would definitely kill Kobayashi first!

He was willing to do anything for Freya!

He gave Liu Zi and Xiao Lin a deep look, then turned and left.

The goddess's mission was complete; there was no need for him to stay any longer.

Kobayashi rubbed his aching back and didn't stop Ota from leaving. In fact, even if he wanted to, Ota wouldn't care.

"How embarrassing, Lord Kobayashi."

"...Why do you say that, Miss Ryuu?"

"Because you, Lord Kobayashi, bounce around like a flea, but you get thrown to the ground in the blink of an eye. Don't you find that hilarious?"

"This is about teaching and learning, not a life-or-death struggle."

Kobayashi stubbornly argued, and even though he said he held back and didn't go all out, Ryuji still had that "yes, yes, yes" look on her face, which was honestly a bit infuriating.

"So, what was that enlightened look on your face just now?" Liu Zi asked.

"actually……"

Kobayashi told Ryuji about his thoughts.

After listening, Liu Zi said with a calm and sarcastic tone, "So that's the problem. Lord Kobayashi is really forgetful. Didn't you meet someone with very nimble fingers? Perfect, his weapon should also meet your requirements."

"……who?"

"The man who forced Leone and Akame to take a shower at noon back then."

"Lubbock!"

Xiaolin's eyes lit up.

Lubbock's Imperial Arm is called "Thousand Transformations: Cross Tail," a thread-like Imperial Arm that can unfold into a trap or a barrier to detect enemies. It also possesses the ability to restrain and cut, just like its nickname, "Thousand Transformations." Lubbock wields it skillfully thanks to his nimble hands.

Why didn't I think of that back then? [God's Hand] and [Thousand Transformations] are a perfect match for each other.

If the two work together, they will surely unleash power far exceeding that of ordinary people!

No, no!

The thought of using another Imperial Arm had barely crossed his mind before he dismissed it.

The three Imperial Arms already made him very sensitive. If another one were added, it would definitely increase the burden. He would become weak before he and his partner could even enjoy themselves, and it wouldn't be good if he were called a "second-rate man".

But there is a solution.

In Orario, there are several blacksmithing gods, such as Hephaestus and Gubernius. With enough money, you could even possess divine artifacts. And without the mental burden, wouldn't that be wonderful?

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Xiaolin's lips.

Upon seeing this, Ryuko said with disdain, "Lord Kobayashi, please tone down your lewd smile. If others see this, they might think you have the same strange hobbies as Lord Darkness."

"Don't compare me to that perverted knight, please!" Kobayashi scolded Ryuzu, then returned to her room with her help.

the next day.

Kobayashi got up early and came to pay his respects to Freya.

On one hand, he came to see her off and say goodbye; on the other hand, he wanted to try again to find out the true nature of the favor from Freya, after all, that was his real purpose.

We arrived at the top floor of the mansion.

Allen, the frizzy cat, was still standing guard outside the door. When he saw Kobayashi, his eyes were dangerous and he bared his teeth, but he only made a threatening and wary gesture and did not attack him directly.

Summoned by the goddess, he went to her palace.

Unlike the hazy, dreamlike atmosphere of the night, the morning sunlight filled the room, and the goddess on the main seat exuded a holy aura, completely reversing the allure of the night.

The goddess's beauty radiated out, and Kobayashi was slightly taken aback.

Freya didn't blame Kobayashi for his loss of composure. After all, she had seen that amazed look in his eyes countless times. With her arm draped over the armrest of the chair, the goddess leaned back lazily and said in a languid tone unique to the morning, "You came to see me so early in the morning. Is there something you need?"

"Yes, Goddess Freya."

Xiaolin snapped out of her daze and explained her purpose.

There was no attempt to conceal or imply anything.

Before a deity with billions of years of experience, and a goddess of wisdom, instead of using veiled or suggestive language that might displease her, it's better to state your purpose directly.

"grace?"

Upon hearing Kobayashi's request, Freya couldn't help but raise her beautiful eyebrows and ask curiously, "I remember you said you wouldn't serve other gods?"

“That’s right. But the god I serve is unable to grant me any favors for some reason, which is why I’m asking you for help,” Kobayashi explained, bowing.

Freya narrowed her eyes.

The power of the gods and the power of her eyes told her that Kobayashi was not lying.

But that's where things get interesting.

The Grace was originally developed by Uranus, the sky god, and several other gods to provide their mortal inhabitants with an opportunity to become stronger. After the gods descended to earth and their inhabitants lived together, the Grace was given to each god as the foundation for establishing a Familia.

Of course, not all gods bestow the power of grace. For example, gods still in heaven don't need grace and therefore haven't learned it.

So, does that mean the god Kobayashi serves has descended to the mortal realm?

"Favors aren't anything rare. You can get them easily by just going to Orario and talking to Uranus in the guild," Freya said casually.

Xiaolin's expression was rather unpleasant.

Not to mention that Aqua couldn't come to the world of DanMachi, even if she did, she wouldn't be able to meet Uranus, the sky god.

If the other person says something like, "Who are you? I don't know you!", then things will get really funny.

"Well, it seems the god you serve can't go to Orario." Freya seemed to have guessed as expected; otherwise, why would someone so universally bestow favors upon her?

Kobayashi naturally responded, "You're right, Goddess Freya."

Then he looked at her with expectant eyes.

Freya did not disappoint Kobayashi. She simply sketched a few lines in mid-air, and then a parchment scroll quietly appeared in mid-air.

Then, as if drawn by gravity, it fell into Freya's hand.

"Divine power..."

Xiaolin looked stunned.

One of the rules for gods descending to the mortal realm is that they cannot use divine power. Freya's actions just now, however you look at them, seem to have involved the use of divine power.

“Ara, it seems your god also told you not to use divine power.” Freya smiled and said, “I did not use divine power in Orario, and I had my own ways of concealing it. But I’m finally relieved; it seems your chief god told you these things properly.”

This goddess was actually testing me just now!

Just when he thought he had achieved his goal and relaxed, they silently set a trap for him! If he showed any unusual behavior, he would definitely be suspected!

Kobayashi pressed down on his rapidly beating heart.

"Give."

"...Thank you, Goddess Freya."

With an expression that suggested he didn't know what to feel, Kobayashi reached out and took the parchment.

He couldn't understand the writing on it; it must be "sacred script." He'd have Aqua study it carefully when he got back.

Just then, a commotion arose outside.

"Tsk."

Catman Allen made a blatant smacking sound.

Kobayashi and Freya both looked towards the door at the same time, and soon a figure rushed in—it was Ari.

"What...what exactly do you mean?"

The prince, newly freed from slavery, immediately berated the goddess upon entering. Was she really that bold? Didn't she know who he was? Had she become arrogant just because she was favored by the goddess?

When Kobayashi thought Freya would be angry, he never expected that the goddess would be so magnanimous towards the person she liked.

Freya said smugly, "Leaving silently is not something a prince should do. Even according to royal upbringing, one should be taught to say goodbye to one's benefactor."

Ari's expression froze, but disregarding Kobayashi's presence, she shouted, "What...what are you trying to do! You promised to let me go last night..."

"I did say I wouldn't stop you from doing your thing, but I never said I wouldn't go with you."

Freya's meaningful smile last night provided the answer.

"You want to come with me?! What... what are you saying..."

"As I said last night, you're the only person I care about, so I want to pay attention to you and stay by your side to observe you."

Ari almost forgot her royal status and stared wide-eyed in a rather unseemly manner.

What exactly is this goddess saying?

She couldn't understand it at all.

Xiao Lin scratched his head instead.

Just as she had thought, Freya felt that the upcoming journey would be a sweet trip for her and Ari, and that Kobayashi was just an annoying third wheel, which was why he had sent her away.

Freya's declaration of affection is not over yet.

"I want to see how your soul will change, or become more radiant—and I also want to make sure you are worthy to be my partner (Ord)."

Kobayashi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

As expected of a goddess of beauty, she's far too willful and free-spirited. And can Ari accept such a heavy burden of love?