I love time travel the most!

“I don’t dislike perceptive people, Mr. Natsuki. Let’s make a deal. If you can agree to my conditions, I promise I will do my best to help you catch up with the troublesome dragon carriage.”

"Can you do it?"

"The method to accomplish this is a secret, and I will not reveal it easily, not even if I am threatened."

Otto didn't have Subaru's back.

His hands were clenched so tightly they turned white, and his legs trembled slightly.

He is also gambling.

He was making a deal that could ruin him forever.

Natsuki Subaru looked at Kobayashi and, seeing that the other nodded slightly, readily agreed as well.

Having come this far, it would be completely unacceptable to let everything go to waste.

"Tell me your conditions! I'll do anything I can to make it happen!"

"I don't dislike people who make decisions quickly."

Otto forced a smile while breaking out in a cold sweat.

That brief negotiation was a pivotal moment in his life, and he greatly admired Subaru Natsuki's decisiveness in making that decision in an instant.

The final agreement reached was that the Earl's Mansion would purchase Otto's stockpiled oil at a high price, and the four prepared to set off immediately.

Yes, four people.

Besides Subaru Natsuki, there are also Kobayashi and Ryuu.

It's not that Subaru doesn't want to go alone, but adding two more people would be more cost-effective... no, it's about a sense of security.

They might encounter ambushing enemies on the way, so having the strong Kobayashi and Ryuzu with them would make them feel safer, which was also one of the conditions for negotiating with Otto.

Despite Otto's repeated explanations that more people would slow down the dragon's speed, he still agreed under Subaru's insistence.

The fact that this man agreed proves that he has the confidence to catch up even if he has three people on board.

—Blessed by the power of words.

It can communicate with all living beings.

You can find the shortest distance by asking birds or insects along the way, and you can embark on what can hardly be called a road, while also forcing yourself to walk on the ground.

This is Otto's answer, and it's also the source of his confidence in catching up.

"Then let's get going!"

Urged on by Natsuki Subaru in a frantic rush, Otto swished the reins, and the dragon carriage sped off at an extraordinary speed.

However, the dragon carriage veered off the road at the very beginning and rushed into the forest, running on a small path.

The sheer force of the charge couldn't even be fully protected by the [Wind Protection], and the dragon chariot quickly broke away from the path that Subaru Natsuki was watching, starting to take a shortcut.

Otto's charge was no exaggeration; he was constantly brushing with death.

Even Kobayashi couldn't help but feel her heart race.

Rushing down a near-vertical cliff is tantamount to suicidal behavior; crossing a dilapidated suspension bridge that looks like it's about to break; being chased by hordes of ferocious beasts while traversing a monster colony—the number of times one has gambled with their life is countless.

They've completely moved beyond the realm of racing (dragons) and entered the realm of seeking thrills at the point of near-death!

Otto seems quiet and reserved, but I never imagined he was so crazy inside.

Kobayashi decided that he would never ride in the (dragon) car again.

Most importantly, Otto proudly declared, "Regardless of the process, the timing was firmly under control!"

I traversed the forest and, after a long time, sped along what appeared to be a road.

A sign just past the corner of the field of vision marks the boundary between the Mezas territory and the street.

It took only half the usual time to get to the street!

Even so, Kobayashi would rather fight Petelgeuse for another three hundred rounds than ride in Otto's dragon chariot again.

I never imagined that even without the pursuit of the Bishop of Sloth, the journey would be so thrilling and exciting.

It's even faster than a raging storm!

"Mr. Natsuki, I see it! The dragon carriage you're talking about, isn't it?"

Otto, on the driver's seat, pointed at the dragon-shaped vehicle ahead and shouted loudly.

Natsuki Subaru finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the dragon chariot ahead; he could save Emilia again this time.

"There's no time."

“…Huh?”

"Natsuki-kun, my [eyes] have seen it! The magic stone hidden in the carriage is starting to heat up. At this speed, it won't be long enough to catch up with the dragon carriage ahead."

"What?! No, we have to stop them right now!"

"It's no use, they can't hear us at all. And even if we call out to them, it will be too late by the time the dragon car slows down."

"What should I do then?!"

Natsuki Subaru was pale and sweating profusely, like an ant on a hot pan, completely at a loss for what to do in the face of this difficult situation.

"I have a solution."

"Xiao Lin?...Xiao Lin?!"

Before he could react, Kobayashi grabbed him by the collar.

"There's not enough time. Do you believe me, Natsuki-kun?"

"What are you going to do? What are you going to do?!"

Generally, it should be a touching moment after expressing feelings and trust, but Natsuki Subaru doesn't feel that way right now. He just feels that something bad is about to happen.

"Hehe. How could I not help my close friend when he's in trouble?"

"Wait……"

"Go away!"

“Xiao Lin——————!!!”

Before he could finish speaking, Natsuki Subaru flew towards the carriage in front of him like a cannonball.

As Kobayashi watched, Subaru Natsuki soared forward and the dragon raced along, their relative speeds catching up to each other a few minutes later.

Natsuki Subaru landed precisely in the dragon chariot and pounced on Emilia.

"Hmm, it seems you haven't forgotten the knowledge of meeting problems from junior high school. That's great."

Xiaolin sighed that he hadn't forgotten what he had learned from his teacher, and at the same time couldn't help but praise himself.

At this moment, Ryuu asked from behind, "Lord Kobayashi, why don't you go yourself? With the power of the Imaginary Number Mechanism, you could easily solve it, right?"

"Uh……"

Xiaolin's body visibly stiffened.

"I'm just giving Natsuki-kun a chance to shine. After all, how could I take away such a great opportunity to perform?"

"...Actually, Lord Kobayashi simply forgot."

"If you know, don't say it out loud."

He was slightly embarrassed when his lie was exposed by his own maid.

Otto, who was only involved in driving the dragon chariot throughout the entire process, silently closed his mouth, which had been wide open in shock, and decided in his heart that he must not provoke the ruthless person behind him.

In the distance, with the mushroom cloud rising from the exploding Fire Demon Stone, the Witch Cult attack came to a complete end.

Chapter 397 Crisis is also an opportunity

"The above is a summary of our campaign against the Witch Cult in the territory of Mezas."

Kobayashi spoke calmly.

The dangerous punitive expeditions, the fierce offensive and defensive battles, and the tense chases were omitted.

Despite the immense achievement of defeating the White Whale and expelling the Witch Cult, there was not a single word of pride or boasting from him, nor did his emotions fluctuate at all.

Even if this is indeed a post-war reporting and summary session, shouldn't we at least appear happy?

Yes, they have returned to the capital.

Currently, they are at the Duke's mansion in Coursius, discussing the ins and outs of this campaign against the White Whale and the Archbishop of Sin.

In addition to Kursh and Rem, Emilia is also among them.

When the Witch Cult attacked, the refugee team was split into two groups.

Most of the civilians were sent to the Sanctuary to seek refuge with Roswaal, while a small number followed Emilia to the royal capital.

As a candidate for the throne, he still needs to obey the council at all times.

"Thank you for your hard work in reporting."

Kurshu took a deep breath and nodded to Kobayashi.

She was the one who knew best how terrifying and insane the Archbishop of Sloth was, so she naturally understood how thrilling the process was behind Kobayashi's understated report. She must have also had a tough fight against the Archbishop of Sloth.

"If it weren't for Kobayashi and Reinhard, there would have been heavy casualties this time. Even I might have died."

He couldn't help but clench his fists.

Soon, a pair of small, white hands covered her, it was Phyllis who had noticed something was wrong and wanted to comfort her.

The cat-eared male knight was very concerned about his master. After hearing that the expeditionary force returning to the capital had been attacked by the Archbishop of Sin, he rushed into the Duke's mansion like a madman to find him. He only relaxed after seeing the weak but awakened Kurshu.

Her lost arm was barely saved thanks to timely medical treatment.

This is good news.

It's much the same on the other side.

The only difference was that the person offering comfort was the other way around.

Rem narrowly escaped death in a crisis, but it was Subaru Natsuki who was comforted, his face contorted with fear.