I love time travel the most!

Without hesitation, Kazuma Sato carried Kobayashi on his back and ran quickly towards the mansion in the suburbs.

Fortunately, Aqua didn't go out for a stroll, but it was still quite annoying that she stayed at home doing nothing all the time.

Panting heavily, Kazuma Sato ran back to the mansion and shouted as soon as he entered, "Aqua! Hey, Aqua! Where are you?!"

The loud voice startled not only the silly goddess, but also Darkness, Megumin, and Yoyo.

"What's wrong, Kazuma?"

"What happened?"

"Why are you shouting?"

The other three seemed normal.

Only Aqua said madly, "Did you get into some trouble and have to run away? No! If you made a mistake and are being punished, let Kazuma go by himself. I don't want to run away!"

Their tendency to shirk responsibility was on full display.

Is she really a goddess?!

"No! It's not what you think!"

Kazuma Sato stepped aside, revealing the figure lying on the sofa behind him, and said, "Kobayashi-senpai suddenly fainted for some reason, so I thought I'd rush back to let Aqua take a look!"

"What did you say?!"

"Pfft-!"

Aqua was stunned for a moment, then ran over quickly, so recklessly that she even knocked Sato Kazuma, who was blocking her way, flying.

This guy……!

Sato Kazuma, lying on the ground, clenched his fists, really wanting to punch her. But right now, Kobayashi-senpai's safety was the most important thing; he would remember this grudge for now.

Darkness and the others also came over. Seeing Kobayashi's pale, bloodless face and furrowed brows, they asked in confusion, "What exactly happened, Kazuma?"

"I don't know. That's why I'm so anxious." Kazuma Sato scratched his head, then said angrily, "Stop dawdling! Aqua, have you figured out what the reason is yet?!"

"Don't shout, I'm investigating!"

Aqua placed her hands on Kobayashi's waist and abdomen while simultaneously casting magic to heal him.

Normally, a healing skill imbued with the goddess's power would fully restore her to health, but this time the influx of divine power did not cause any significant disturbance, and Kobayashi did not regain consciousness as usual.

Aqua exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? It didn't work?"

"Are you even capable, you useless goddess?!"

As usual, Kazuma Sato spat out a retort, as a return gift for when she had bumped into him earlier.

This naturally displeased Aqua, who shouted, "Huh? Who do you take me for? I'm the goddess of water!"

Then, the divine power output increased even more.

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.

"here it is?"

Kobayashi looked around.

It wasn't exactly a desolate place, but the thick smog obscured the surrounding scenery, making it impossible to see clearly. In addition, my [farsight] ability was also unusable, so I had no idea where I was.

No, it's not just [farsightedness], it's that all abilities are unusable.

However, there was a path at his feet.

The winding stone-paved path stretched out from the smog, with no end in sight and no idea where it led.

At this moment, Kobayashi was standing at the starting point, and the appearance of this road seemed to be telling him that following this winding path to the end was where he was going.

"interesting."

It's no longer important who did it. There's no reason to refuse an invitation.

Then he resolutely walked onto the path.

The path wound its way forward, and although there was no sign of danger in the smog on either side, Xiaolin remained vigilant. Moreover, as he continued forward, the path behind him slowly disappeared.

As for whether it's possible to go backwards, he hasn't tried. Now that he's decided to move forward, he won't think about going backwards.

As we continued forward, the smog gradually thinned, and the surrounding scenery became clearer.

The first thing that catches the eye, or rather, is the bright moon overhead.

The milky moonlight shone on him, on the path ahead, and on the palace at the end of the path.

"Looks like this is the end."

Kobayashi raised an eyebrow.

He had no idea where this magnificent palace was, nor did he recall any similar buildings, though he had seen many palaces in a similar style.

Alright, let me find out.

Without lingering, they pushed open the palace gates and went inside.

There was no danger inside, nor was there any human presence. Perhaps his skills were unusable; in any case, he couldn't sense anything.

Climb the steps.

He didn't know why he had to go up, but like a lost lamb being guided, his intuition kept leading him.

Soon, they arrived at the rooftop platform of the palace.

This is a sky garden, but the scenery inside is no longer important, because deep within the garden lives a goddess.

Even from afar, her slender yet shapely figure is clearly visible; it's a serene beauty, like the moon behind her. It's a kind of bewitching beauty, a beauty that compels one to look up simply by her presence.

Her long silver hair fluttered in the wind, shimmering like silver pebbles.

The goddess smiled clearly at him.

A chill swept over him, and Kobayashi's body trembled involuntarily.

He remembered that feeling.

He has experienced this kind of unabashed, licking gaze several times now.

Then her lips moved slowly.

"I love you."

She confessed her love to Kobayashi.

Kobayashi slowly spoke, uttering the goddess's name.

"Freya..."

------

"Freya?"

Outside, Aqua, who heard Kobayashi's murmur, was slightly taken aback and subconsciously asked:

Who is Freya?

"do not know."

Darkness, Huihui, and Youyou shook their heads.

Kazuma Sato sighed and said, "Have you forgotten? Senior Kobayashi said that she is a goddess along with Hestia, and is also one of the two strongest familiars in the Labyrinth City."

"Huh?! Who's that?"

"Listen to me, you idiot!"

Aqua's pure, deep blue eyes revealed a kind of foolishness, making Sato Kazuma so angry he wanted to punch her.

"I don't care who she is! But judging from the divine power emanating from Kobayashi, she's a goddess, right? And she has the power of charm! This is a provocation against me, how could I possibly admit defeat?! Give Kobayashi back to me, take this!"

"Hey, watch out!"

Upon seeing Aqua radiating light, Kazuma Sato exclaimed in surprise, fearing that this silly goddess might ruin Kobayashi's life.

But the goddess, already caught up in the competition, wouldn't listen to anyone else.

------

Was it that kiss?

When he left the labyrinth city, Hill... no, Freya should say, gave him a light kiss on the forehead.

That was probably when he planted the seed for himself. The exact factors that triggered the eruption are still unknown, but for him, the present moment is undoubtedly the most dangerous.

Looking at the goddess swaying gracefully before him, her beauty radiating endless allure as she drew ever closer, Kobayashi sighed.

The goddess's abilities far exceeded his imagination.

He's been unable to move since just now. He's also unable to use his abilities, making him no different from an ordinary person. It's very likely an ability affecting his soul.

At the same time, the goddess's lips parted slightly.

"I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you..."

Such whispers echoed in my ears, and I could feel the obsession and demonic nature of the goddess of beauty, which was something that ordinary people could not bear.

The silver-haired goddess appeared before him, took his hand, and led him deeper into the garden.

Kobayashi's body, which was originally unable to move, had no choice but to move forward as the other party did, even though he was very unwilling, just like a puppet on strings.

Although he didn't know what would happen, he had a premonition that if he really granted the other party's wish, he might no longer be himself in the end.

Is there a way to resolve the current predicament?

Just as Xiaolin's mind was racing, a phantom appeared behind him. The blue light and divine aura indicated that the other party was undoubtedly a goddess as well!

As the light grew brighter, the goddess's features became clearer. The goddess, leaning against Kobayashi's back, stretched her hands forward from her shoulders, making a protective gesture as if she were holding him in her arms.

Aqua?!

Xiaolin was slightly taken aback, then felt moved.

As expected, you still have to rely on the silly goddess when it matters most.

Before he could even feel happy, Aqua's arms tightened around his neck, initiating a tug-of-war. It didn't seem like she was protecting him; it looked more like she was trying to strangle him!

"Wait, wait! Cough, cough, cough—"