I love time travel the most!

So cold!

The people in this world are just as indifferent as the world of ice and snow!

Subaru Natsuki couldn't help but complain.

The trio of thugs breathed a sigh of relief when no one came.

"You dare to scare us?"

"It scared me a little."

"Hmph, maybe a little bit."

The three men's lingering fear didn't seem very convincing, and then, in a fit of rage, they pulled out knives, seemingly intending to teach Subaru a lesson.

Is it going to hang here again?

Natsuki Subaru was sweating profusely, while constantly scanning his surroundings out of the corner of his eye, searching for an escape route.

"That's it."

Just then, a cheerful voice came from outside the alley.

The four of them looked in the same direction without prior arrangement.

Standing there was a man dressed in white knight's attire. He had strikingly short, fiery red hair, not-so-frightening slanted eyes, and a knight's sword with dragon claw engravings at his waist.

"Could it be... Reinhard?"

"Is that the Sword Saint, Reinhard?!"

The thug also conveniently revealed the person's name and title.

The red-haired youth said modestly, "It seems I don't need to announce my name, but that title is still too heavy for me right now. Although I don't know how much my meager strength can help him, if you insist on forcing me, as a knight, I will resist."

As he spoke, he approached Subaru Natsuki's side, his hands gripping the longsword at his waist. This seemingly ordinary movement was enough to frighten the thugs into retreating hastily.

"What, are you kidding me?"

"It's simply not worth it!"

"Come on!"

Before they could even utter a few words of bravado, the three of them fled in disarray.

Natsuki Subaru was stunned by what he saw.

As expected, Kobayashi was right; clinging to a powerful figure is the key! And this powerful figure in front of us absolutely cannot let go!

Chapter 356 The 8th Reincarnation

"That guy said that a man might come to my place with a beautifully dressed girl to buy two apples, and the money he'll pay isn't copper coins but gold. After that, he'll ask if you know a boy with triangular eyes... that's him. If all the above characteristics match, then give this to him."

Kobayashi remained silent as he looked at the note handed to him.

For some reason, despite the sweltering heat, I was covered in cold sweat and my hands and feet were ice-cold, and for a moment I didn't dare to take it.

Were we completely outmaneuvered?

While Kobayashi was lost in thought, the vendor continued to complain, "I didn't want to get involved in other people's troubles, but since you said you'd pay me, that's a different story. Fine, I'll take the change as payment."

"...Should I say that I didn't expect you to have such professional ethics, boss?"

Xiaolin twitched the corner of her mouth.

As expected, the other party was just like the snob I had imagined, and perhaps even more indifferent.

It's understandable to dislike trouble, but is it necessary to say it so bluntly in front of the person involved?

Furthermore, he was certain that the note was the information intended for him, given the stringent conditions specified; after screening, it was likely that only Kobayashi would meet the criteria.

Did you assume you would come here?

"Lord Kobayashi, are you alright?"

"Ok?"

"You've been spacing out since earlier. Are you already homesick? I can't bear to watch. If you're scared, you should go back to Aqua-sama as soon as possible."

"...How could I possibly miss home?"

It wasn't sarcasm, but rather comfort, or rather, concern; it was just a way out offered by the sharp-tongued maid.

only--

In the dark alley, Kobayashi slowly unfolded the note. It contained no important intelligence or instructions, only a few simple lines.

A straight line is drawn, with the characters "Natsuki Subaru" on the far left, "Kobayashi" in the middle, and "Natsuki Subaru" again on the far right. The two "Natsuki Subaru" characters are connected by a line, completely enclosing "Kobayashi".

Below this inexplicable relationship diagram, there is also a lying 8.

(As shown in the picture)

So that's how it is.

Kobayashi seemed to understand why she had to help Natsuki Subaru.

After all, he would never put himself in a dangerous situation under normal circumstances, and he had no reason to leave this world because he simply had no way to leave.

He was trapped by time!

Subaru Natsuki's timeline is earlier than the timeline he is in, so if Subaru dies, time will rewind to before Kobayashi came into this world.

Regardless of whether Subaru Natsuki is dead or not, the fact that Kobayashi, who comes from outside the world after his timeline and is unaffected by it, will come to this world is already set in stone and is something that will definitely happen.

The only one who can be changed is Subaru Natsuki.

Or rather, it was after Kobayashi came into this world that she was affected.

Subaru's death signifies the end of the timeline, returning to the beginning before everything happened. Therefore, even though he has already left, he will be pulled back without his knowledge.

After all, his coming into this world was a predetermined thing.

Furthermore, he probably discovered this information himself and asked Subaru Natsuki to pass it on, because that reckless, hot-blooded boy definitely didn't have the brains for it.

I must say, this Möbius strip, symbolizing reincarnation, truly captures the essence; otherwise, I might not even understand what happened.

"I'm really smart."

"Master Xiaolin?"

"nothing."

In response to the waiter's concern, Kobayashi habitually shook his head and sighed, saying, "Ryuu, I think we're in trouble."

------

"Did I properly convey the message that has already been reincarnated eight times?"

Subaru Natsuki couldn't help but mutter to himself.

It wasn't fear or timidity; for him, it was a necessary concern.

After all, inadequate communication can be fatal.

That kind of fear and pain is something he never wants to experience again.

This world is really too dangerous.

They almost got choked while walking in the alley. If someone hadn't arrived in time, they would have been sent back into the cycle of reincarnation by the enraged trio.

Honestly, going back in this form would be the most embarrassing thing ever.

At that moment, a voice that kept getting louder came from beside me.

"A boy? A boy! I said, a boy!"

"Ah, ah?"

"Are you alright? You're pale and sweating. Is something wrong with you?"

"No, no, I'm fine."

Faced with the concern of the cheerful boy with fiery red hair, Natsuki Subaru, somewhat shy, quickly waved his hand.

Reinhard asked doubtfully, "Really? You're not hurt, are you?"

Natsuki Subaru's throat bobbed, and he said somewhat nervously, "I am deeply grateful for your help, sir! I, Natsuki Subaru, have the utmost respect for your integrity!"

"Alright, don't be so reserved. They ran away because they were outnumbered three to two, so they couldn't guarantee an advantage. If I were alone, I couldn't guarantee the same outcome."

Reinhard smiled gently, not taking credit for himself, seemingly trying to soothe Subaru's pride from another angle.

What's going on with this cheerfulness level?

He was starting to like the man in front of him.

"Excuse me, may I call you Mr. Reinhard?"

"No need for a title, Subaru."

The other party's natural attempt to get close made the shy boy with triangular eyes feel a little uncomfortable.

What is going on in this world?

Some people are overly indifferent, while others are overly friendly.

I completely don't understand it anymore.

Natsuki Subaru, who can be boisterous and talkative in the face of others' indifference, appears particularly reserved in front of the cheerful boy.

"Thank you again, Reinhard. You're the only one who came after hearing my call; how cold the world is."

"For most people, going against people like them is too risky. You were right to call the guards on that point."

For some reason, Natsuki Subaru sensed a hint of the guards' mannerisms. It was the kind of attitude that, when faced with thugs, one couldn't fight back and was better off seeking their help—a kind of modern-day idealism.

"Could it be that Reinhard is a guard? But I can't tell at all."

Natsuki Subaru was somewhat confused.

In his mind, medieval guards should wear armor and carry long spears, preferably with a stern expression and an air of menace, keeping strangers at bay.

However, the boy in front of him was too cheerful and straightforward, completely different from the impression he had in mind.

Reinhard explained somewhat helplessly, "I'm not on duty today, so I'm not wearing my uniform. Besides, I know I don't look rugged enough."