I love time travel the most!

Ota looked at the man with burning eyes. As a martial artist, he was also infected by Kobayashi's emotions and accepted the challenge without Freya's consent.

This has never happened before!

Even though he could report to Freya after returning, he had always ignored it in the past.

"Then it's an appointment."

Kobayashi extended his hand to him, and Ota, after a moment of silence, also extended his hand, the two hands clasped tightly together.

As they prepared to return, two figures appeared in the center of the courtyard, which featured greenery and a fountain.

Because Kobayashi and Ota were in the shadows outside the corridor, the two people below in the hall did not notice them.

With the help of the lights shining down from the hall, Kobayashi was able to see the two people's faces clearly.

They are Hyacinthus, the leader of the Apollo Familia, and Chanis, the leader of the Soma Familia.

It looks like they're talking about something.

With Kobayashi and Ota's excellent hearing, they easily overheard what they were secretly plotting.

"If things go smoothly, it'll be tomorrow morning, according to plan. The timing of the attack will be decided by us, understand, Chanis?"

"I understand without you saying it. Also, when do you plan to pay me?"

"I will give it to you after it's done."

After Hyacinthus finished speaking, he suddenly looked up and turned towards the second floor of the banquet hall. There, a rabbit (Bell) couldn't resist eavesdropping. He stretched his neck as far as he could, as if afraid that no one would notice him.

Fortunately, Hermes arrived just in time to save Bell when he was discovered. The two chatted casually, while Hyacinthus and Zanice took the opportunity to slip away quietly.

Kobayashi and Otamo, who had been watching from the sidelines, remained silent.

This had nothing to do with them, so they naturally wouldn't get involved. Showing up rashly would only arouse the other party's hostility and vigilance, which was why they stayed hidden here. Only after they finished their discussion did the two of them come out again.

Just then, music started playing in the hall.

This should be the second part of the banquet.

Kobayashi looked up at the couples getting together and said, "You should go back now. Don't keep the goddess Freya waiting. Although that flirtatious goddess can't possibly refuse someone's invitation."

Ota nodded and turned to leave.

Kobayashi, of course, wouldn't go up.

He turned and knelt on one knee, extending his right hand to the dummy girl in a gorgeous dress beside him, and said loudly, "Ah, beautiful lady, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?"

"Of course, sir."

Liu Zi first grasped the hem of her skirt with both hands in the most standard manner of greeting, and then placed her left hand in his palm. Then, with a quick turn, she nestled into Xiao Lin's arms.

The moon had already passed over the palace of the Apollo family's residence, hanging high in the night sky like a jade plate, its bright moonlight spilling into the courtyard.

The two danced gracefully to the music, their light bodies twirling to the beat, their elegant steps perfectly synchronized. Every movement was natural and fluid, exuding a relaxed and unhurried air.

The two figures in the courtyard shimmered with beautiful colors, like elves in the dark night, so dazzling and captivating.

The two, lost in their own world, ignored the goddess of beauty watching them from the balcony, her lips twitching with jealousy; ignored the swordswoman who was also on the balcony, but for some unknown reason, pouting; ignored the music that suddenly stopped in the hall; ignored the commotion deliberately caused by some god; and ignored the end of the banquet.

They continued dancing with abandon until Hermes and Apollo came to the balcony.

"Hey, Hermes, I'm still thinking about how to welcome my beloved child (Bell), could you please leave me alone if you don't have anything else to do?"

After successfully declaring war on Hestia through a clever scheme, Apollo's mind was no longer on the banquet.

Hermes insisted on taking him to the balcony, saying that in return for helping a certain child receive an invitation, he had something to show him.

What exactly is it that's worth his attention?

However, Apollo, who thought this way, was completely enthralled when he saw the night elves dancing in the courtyard.

"I want them! I want them, I want them, I want them, I want them! Hermes, I want them! I want both of them!"

He was panting heavily and drooling.

At this moment, Apollo completely lacked the dignity that a god should have at the banquet; instead, he resembled a pervert with strange fetishes.

"Want it? Then you'll have to go and get it yourself."

Hermes' lips curled up into a meaningful smile.

Chapter 297 Kneeling X Parliament X Helper

Back in the family's carriage, Asphie sat inside, sighing from time to time with a troubled expression.

Hermes chuckled, "Don't make such a gloomy face, it's a waste of your lovely face, Asphie."

"Why----"

All that answered him was a longer sigh.

"Huh?" Hermes stroked his chin, puzzled. "Could it be that, Asphie, you actually like Kobayashi, which is why you're worrying so much?"

"No way! You idiot!"

The girl, who was being teased by a god who didn't understand her intentions, immediately flew into a rage and slammed her fist hard on his head, causing the handsome god to gasp in pain.

However, this also allowed the topic to proceed smoothly.

Asphie pinched the bridge of her nose and asked, "Hermes, you truly admire Kobayashi, don't you?"

"Of course! I have high expectations for him, even more than for Bell!"

"Then why do that? Deliberately instigating Apollo to attack him or something..."

The statements are so contradictory!

It was only at the banquet that she realized how difficult the god Apollo, known for his "sorrow and love," truly was.

However, Hermes deliberately encouraged the other party, and even premeditatedly arranged for Kobayashi, who was not guided by a god, to attend the divine banquet, so as to bring him into the other party's sight.

What is the reason for doing this?

"A perverse sense of humor? Or do you have some grudge against him?"

"Ok?"

Asphie's question startled Hermes for a moment, but he quickly smiled and said, "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding. Rather, this is just my unique expression of love. Kobayashi's appearance has stirred up quite a few people's nerves, but he doesn't seem to realize it. Whether it's my wicked sense of humor or not, I want Kobayashi to understand the significance of his existence. However, I don't deny that it's a form of entertainment."

Asif silently processed these words.

After their adventure together, she had to admit that Kobayashi was an extremely special person.

It's not about Fiora, the Loki Familia trio, or Otto, but about someone with more potential and greater talent.

Due to the nature of the Familia, Asphi also received information that other Familias were plotting against Kobayashi, including their chief god Hermes.

"But what if he becomes completely discouraged and gives up?"

"That just means he's not up to the task. It's that simple."

Hermes' smile was clouded, and his words revealed the coldness and ruthlessness unique to gods.

The blessings from the gods are very heavy; whether they can bear them depends on their own potential.

Some gods are quite capricious, and Hermes happens to be one of them.

……

“He needs a trial! Don’t you think so, Uranus!”

This is the altar below the guild.

Hermes, dressed in a white suit, appeared in a pitch-black space and spoke eloquently to the sky god placed on the high platform.

He was still full of enthusiasm after just attending a dance, and couldn't stop dancing around.

Although his expression wasn't as distorted as Apollo's, it wasn't much different otherwise.

Uranus, standing on the high platform, watched Hermes' madness below with a blank expression, and finally uttered a single, calm sentence:

"as you like."

He seemed to have completely abandoned Kobayashi.

Hearing this, Hermes became even more excited and shouted, "You agreed, Uranus! You must be just like me, always looking forward to the birth of a hero who can shoulder the responsibilities of the times!"

"........."

The gods on the altar did not respond, and Hermes, having poured out his passion in vain, lost interest.

It doesn't matter, as long as Uranus agrees.

Then turned and left.

After Hermes disappeared, a person dressed in a black robe appeared before the altar and said in a deep voice, "Is this really a good thing? Without the guild's suppression, those familiars will definitely become restless. Who knows, the Labyrinth City might be destroyed."

“…I know.” Uranus looked up at the dark ceiling. “But the danger posed by the dungeon is imminent, and we cannot afford to be distracted by it.”

This is the predicament of having few family members.

When adventurers affiliated with a clan are coveted by other clans, they can only seek help from other clans or swallow their anger.

"But it's not entirely a bad thing either."

"how?"

"As Hermes said, if he can grow, he will have a greater influence on the next plan."

“…Do as you wish, Fels.”

In terms of wisdom alone, the god Felsby, who was known as the "Sage," was no less capable, which is why Uranus trusted him greatly.

……

Kobayashi is not an idiot.

Hermes' insistence on dragging him to the banquet hosted by Apollo must have been related to the subsequent Familia Wars game.

Since that's the case, we absolutely mustn't get involved.

He promised Hermes he would attend the feast, but wouldn't it have been better if he hadn't been in the banquet hall?

That's why he went to the courtyard with Ota and danced with Liu Zi until the banquet ended.

however--