I love time travel the most!

He didn't doubt Kobayashi's ability to find people, because he knew how powerful Kobayashi's "eyes" were.

At the same time, the two also saw Kobayashi and the girl holding hands, their open and natural manner making Natsuki Subaru very envious.

Kobayashi closed one eye and said, "You two rarely come to the capital, right? How about it? If you need me, I can be your guide. Although I've only been here once, I still know the famous places."

"Oh! I happen to have somewhere I'd like to go too, Kobayashi, then I'll trouble you..."

"No, Subaru."

Natsuki Subaru was interrupted by Emilia before he could finish speaking.

Responding to his questioning gaze, the silver-haired girl said, "Subaru, have you forgotten? I had important business to attend to this time. So I'm sorry, Kobayashi."

"It's alright, it's alright. After all, that matter is the most important. Let's go, to the entrance."

Kobayashi waved his hand to indicate that it was nothing to worry about, and then they walked together toward the entrance—the Royal Palace Guard Room.

Soon, we arrived at our destination.

The landscape is even more refined than areas like slums and commercial streets. The buildings are excellent, and the roads, walls, and surrounding greenery are much better than in other places. It is truly a place where the upper class lives.

Then there's the palace duty room.

The solid stone building stands at the only passageway that seems to block the entrance to another world, not so much for enjoying the scenery, but more for monitoring what is right in front of it.

Emilia, who frequents the area, explained, "This is the duty room for monitoring the royal capital, but it also verifies the identities of people entering and leaving the palace. That's what their job is like."

"I see, that's why it was built in this kind of place."

Natsuki Subaru touched his chin.

This was also Kobayashi's first time visiting the palace.

Since there was no king, there was no inauguration ceremony for court mages, so they were given a medal that resembled their status.

Of course, if someone is as strong as Roswaal, has a title, and a unique appearance, they will be recognized even without wearing a medal.

Emilia released her grip and stepped forward.

Just as she was about to knock on the door of the duty room, a young man appeared first from inside the open door.

Her purple hair was incredibly fine, and she was about the same height as Kobayashi. Her captivating amber eyes drew people in irresistibly.

He was a handsome man with a slender figure but not a weak one; rather, he was more like a gentle beauty. He wore a uniform adorned with dazzling decorations and dragon patterns, and a rapier was tucked into his waistband.

His attire, similar to that of Reinhard, was enough to indicate his position.

"Oh, what a strange place to meet you." He bowed respectfully and said, "It's been a long time, Lady Emilia. Has anything unusual happened since then?"

"Thank you, Julius. I haven't changed much. You look fine too."

"I am already honored that you even remember me. Lady Emilia is the one whose beauty is on another level."

The young knight named Julius praised her beauty with incredibly explicit language. As he spoke, he habitually took the silver-haired half-elf girl's hand and knelt down on the spot. Then, without pausing for a moment, he kissed her white hand.

angry!

As Natsuki Subaru watched this series of procedures, his emotions suddenly boiled over. The hateful behavior that touched his sore spot made him pretend to jump over and kick it away.

But Kobayashi forcibly stopped him.

It's not that I can't understand Subaru's anger; if it were Ryuuichi who was offended by him, she would definitely get angry too.

However, hopefully he can consider the occasion and at least not put Emilia in an awkward position.

The silver-haired half-elf girl gave him a grateful look, and then said, "I'm sorry, Julius. It may have been a bit abrupt, but I have something I'd like to contact the city about."

"I see, no wonder you came to the duty room. So, this important matter is related to him over there?"

Upon hearing the girl's request, Julius lowered his voice slightly and looked at Subaru Natsuki.

Displeased by the contemptuous gaze, the triangular-eyed boy retaliated with his exceptionally bright eyes.

It's all bark and no bite.

Julius completely ignored him and turned to Emilia again, saying, "I will take you to the Mirror of Conversation. Lady Emilia should have some reservations about going to such a messy place."

"I don't mind, please lead the way."

"Then, please come this way."

Following his footsteps, the two walked inside.

Natsuki Subaru wanted to follow, but Emilia stopped him and asked Kobayashi to keep an eye on things for a while, to which Kobayashi agreed.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Natsuki Subaru sighed and couldn't help but complain, "Kirin, why did you stop me just now? I was planning to teach him a lesson!"

"Have some self-awareness; you can't defeat Julius."

"Then you can go, Kobayashi, since you're so strong anyway."

"Am I your tool, you bastard?"

Xiaolin rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.

Compared to a useful support character, I feel more like a Pokémon that shouts "Go, Pokémon!" whenever it encounters an enemy.

"Also, I cannot make a move."

"why?"

"There are many reasons. For example, I am a court mage, and Julius, who is a knight, can be considered a colleague. Also, Julius and Reinhard are friends, so it's even less likely that I would take action."

"That guy is Reinhard's friend?!"

Natsuki Subaru's mouth dropped open in surprise.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Julius and Reinhard are both knights of the kingdom, and given Reinhard's affable nature, it's highly likely they are friends.

"Tsk!"

The foolish boy clicked his tongue in disbelief.

Actually, there's another reason, which Kobayashi didn't tell Natsuki Subaru.

That is, once he makes a move and gets involved with Emilia, he will be considered to be in the silver-haired half-elf camp. Therefore, in order to avoid hindering the next plan, Kobayashi must not make a move before Felt is announced as the fifth chosen one today.

"But what exactly are you here for?" Kobayashi retorted, "You're not just here to cause Emilia trouble, are you?"

"How could that be? I wanted to help Emilia!"

Subaru Natsuki shouted loudly.

The loud voice caught the attention of the soldier in the duty room. He covered his mouth to indicate that he hadn't done anything strange, then whispered furtively:

"Actually, I'm here for medical treatment."

"Cure?"

"I used too much magic while fighting the monster, and Emilia said something incomprehensible like the door was broken, so I was asked to come along."

"Door……"

Xiaolin touched his chin.

He didn't sense anything wrong with Subaru Natsuki and thought that the other person had changed because of his secret help. He didn't expect that he would still get injured.

"Don't move, let me take a look."

"oh oh!"

Kobayashi grasped Subaru's wrist, and Subaru remained motionless. He knew Kobayashi possessed healing abilities, and thus hoped she could heal him as well.

However, as time went on, Subaru Natsuki's expression became increasingly unnatural.

His shouting had just attracted the attention of the soldiers in the duty room, so their eyes were focused on him, or more precisely, on the point where the two of them were holding hands.

What's going on?

This feeling of awkwardness was even more awkward than shaking hands with Emilia on the street!

Fortunately, it didn't last too long.

Kobayashi quickly released his hand and said, "I see, I understand. It's mainly because your body has a flaw that causes magic power to stagnate and fail to circulate, resulting in physical weakness."

"Yes, yes, it's because magic can't circulate. Emilia mentioned this."

Natsuki Subaru slapped his forehead.

He didn't understand these things, so he wasn't sensitive to them until Kobayashi pointed them out, at which point he suddenly realized.

"Xiaolin, can it be cured?"

"Who do you think I am?"

Xiaolin's lips curled up, looking very confident.

--cure!

A flash of light blue appeared and then disappeared, and Subaru Natsuki's strange behavior vanished.

After stretching his limbs, he said with a smile, "Oh, as expected of Kobayashi! The heaviness in my limbs is really gone!... Huh?"

"What's wrong? Is something not right?"

Hearing him hum softly, Xiaolin found it rather strange.

He thought his healing magic wasn't working, but then Natsuki Subaru pointed to a spot behind him and said:

"It looks like someone was taken away in that direction."

It was only for a fleeting moment, when I casually glanced towards the road leading to the market, that I saw a girl in brightly colored clothes being dragged into a side street by men in tattered clothes.

If it weren't for the intense, dazzling red of the burning dye, it wouldn't have drawn Subaru Natsuki's consciousness.

"Could it be..."

"Robbery, or something worse."

"What should we do, Kobayashi?"

"I guess I'll have to go help."

Xiaolin rubbed his temples.

If it was just robbery, that would be fine, but if the girl is humiliated as a result, then it's entirely their fault for not helping.

Furthermore, he wants to retract his statement that the capital city is safe!