I love time travel the most!

"Really?!" x2

Upon hearing Kobayashi's answer, Megumin and Kazuma Sato exclaimed in surprise at the same time, for the meanings they represented were completely different.

The little girl's face lit up with joy, and she asked, "So, Kobayashi, you agree to stay and deal with the Demon King's army officers?"

Kobayashi said, "Of course, otherwise I wouldn't have come to the Crimson Demon Village."

The bounty and achievements of the Demon King's army officers were things he had long coveted; how could he just take a quick look and leave?

Kazuma Sato advised, "Senior Kobayashi, that's a high-ranking officer in the Demon King's army! Such a troublesome guy, it would be very bad if you were to face him! Just look at the Demon King's army officers from the past!"

"I'd like to ask Sato-kun, what's there to be afraid of?"

"what?"

"The Headless Horseman, the Mobile Fortress, the Hell Duke, the Poisonous Slime... we've overcome all these formidable enemies. How could a mere Demon King's military officer possibly stop us?"

"This, this..."

Xiaolin's words left him speechless for a moment.

Although I was terrified, I couldn't think of any reason to refute it.

Encouraged, the crowd began to shout and cheer.

"That's right! We've defeated so many enemies, who can withstand my explosive magic?"

"Me too. This time, the enemy couldn't even break through my defenses; they're nothing to worry about!"

"A Demon King's army officer? Hmph, I'll make sure she doesn't leave alive!"

Are they all this brave?

Kazuma Sato had dead fish eyes.

Kobayashi then said, "Last night, I asked Ryuji to find that Demon King's Army officer. Ryuji will tell you the specific information."

"What? Really!"

Others quickly gathered around as well.

"Yes. While Lord Kobayashi and everyone else were flirting and being affectionate, I went alone to the dangerous and dark depths of the forest to find the Demon King's army."

"...Miss Ryuu, are you perhaps angry?"

"How could I be angry? How could I be angry with my master for sending his waiter out to do dangerous work while he went on dates and sightseeing with other people?"

"I'm sorry, I was wrong!"

Kobayashi promptly apologized.

After much persuasion, the sharp-tongued waiter finally forgave him after agreeing to a one-day date with Ryuzu following the incident.

Afterwards, the team members gathered together to discuss and exchange information. Ms. Weiwei, who had been watching all this, left with a gentle smile on her face and a very understanding expression.

Not long after——

"Everyone, the bathwater is ready."

"...Alright, we'll wait for Sylvia to make her move and we'll prepare to counter her."

Kobayashi made the final decision on the tactics.

He was eager for Sylvia to conquer the Red Devil Village, and even better, to open the forbidden area left behind by the bald scholar.

Only in this way can we gain benefits from it.

Otherwise, should he be asked to say to the people of Crimson Demon Village: "I want something from the forbidden area, can I go and take a look?"

If someone dared to say that, even if they were Youyou and Huihui's companions, they would definitely be rejected, and it wouldn't be impossible for them to be labeled as part of the Demon King's army.

He didn't want to see that happen.

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.

To save time, Kobayashi and Sato Kazuma took a bath together, but when they came out, they bumped into Aqua, whose face was all warm and cozy.

"That's strange. Why do you look like you just finished taking a bath?"

"I went to the public bathhouse. I heard there was a large public bathhouse nearby called Mixed Bath Hot Spring, so I went there."

After hearing her words, Kazuma Sato trembled slightly. She must be regretting it now; she wanted to go to the mixed bathing area back in Alcanredia, but always missed the opportunity due to unforeseen circumstances.

At that moment, the sound of arguing came from the entrance hall.

"Wait, Huihui, where are you going? It's so late, Mom won't allow a young girl like you to stay out all night!"

"For a young girl, the most dangerous place is our home, which is why I'm staying out all night! Anyway, you're planning to let me sleep with Kobayashi tonight, right?"

"Oh dear, Mr. Kobayashi will be fine. You have to trust your mother's judgment; he will definitely meet my expectations..."

"I think you're blind!"

This is an argument between a mother and daughter.

But isn't the issue being argued about a bit off?

"I don't know what happened, but I'm going to sleep now. When I came back after taking a shower, Darkness was also asleep. Oh, by the way, if Kobayashi doesn't have anywhere to sleep tonight, he can come to my room. That's all."

Aqua, perhaps because she had been drinking, looked sleepy and yawned as she walked back to her room.

Kazuma Sato looked on with envy.

Don't look at me like that! You know that sharing a room with a stupid goddess is like being forced to be a saint, right?

Looking inside, Darkness was indeed sleeping rather unnaturally.

It's no doubt that Ms. Weiwei was behind this.

"Could you interrupt for a moment?" Kobayashi intervened between the mother and daughter, saying, "Actually, I'm going to stay at Youyou's house for the night..."

"no!"

"Can't!"

Before he could finish speaking, he received two rejections.

Huihui didn't want to lose to her rival Youyou, and Ms. Weiwei didn't want her wealthy husband to leave. The two reached an agreement on Xiaolin staying at Youyou's house.

"It's a waste of breath to say anything more."

"Same here. I'm leaving now..."

"Sleep!"

The sound of a spell being cast rang out, accompanied by the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground.

A moment later, Ms. Weiwei ran over with a smile and said to Mr. Kobayashi, "I'm so sorry, Mr. Kobayashi. My daughter fell asleep in a strange place... Could you please help me carry her back to her room?"

Is it really necessary to go to such lengths, using magic on your own daughter?

Kobayashi walked cautiously towards the room, which was also Megumin's room.

At the same time, a heavy thud was heard behind them. Presumably fearing that Kazuma Sato might cause trouble, Ms. Yui had also put him to sleep, eliminating any uncertainty.

This mother is surprisingly resourceful.

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.

I put the little girl on the bed, then gently covered her with a blanket, and then sat down next to her, just like last night.

A short while later, Huihui woke up.

"It's so cold..."

She muttered.

Xiaolin turned her head and realized that the window in the room was not closed, and the cold wind was blowing in from there.

"Sorry, I'll close the window right away."

"Um, thank you, Kobayashi... Kobayashi?!"

Confused, Huihui's eyes widened on the spot, and then, like a frightened fledgling, she hugged her arms and retreated to the corner of the room.

Were you serious about stepping back? He had to admit, he was hurt by Huihui's actions.

"I'll go to Youyou's house instead..."

"and many more."

The little girl grabbed Kobayashi's wrist.

With her head down, her expression was obscured, only the bright moonlight illuminating her short, dark, shiny hair, and an aura of loneliness emanated from within.

"Am I... really useless?"

"What's wrong, Huihui? Why do you say that?"

"Because you went to see Youyou! Yeah! I'm just a useless archmage. Even though I'm a Crimson Demon, I'm nowhere near as good as Youyou. I only know one Explosion spell that's completely useless, and... I don't even have big breasts like her!"

What are you talking about!

Why is that aspect involved?

I thought Huihui would be jealous and dissatisfied as usual, but now it seems that's not the case at all. The little girl has begun to doubt herself and is starting to waver in her belief in the Explosion Magic.

This is not okay.

Xiaolin turned around and gently pulled her into his arms.

"It's okay. Focus on the Explosion Magic, be so stubborn that no amount of persuasion will work, and stick to your own way. That's the real you, Megumin."

"really?"

"Ah, I really like Huihui like this."

It seems that comforting words are very effective.

Huihui rarely showed a girlish expression befitting her actual age, and she smiled at Xiaolin.

"...Back then, you took me in, a troublesome mage who was almost homeless in Axel and only knew how to use explosion magic. Thank you. When I was unable to move due to magic, you always willingly carried me back. Thank you. Even though I was always causing you trouble, you still let me stay in the party. Thank you. Afraid that I would get hurt, you even spent a lot of money to buy me magic crystals in case of emergency. Thank you. Because of your family's poverty, you always secretly looked after me so that I could send more money home. Thank you. Because my father was having trouble at work, you went out of your way to help and were willing to provide financial assistance. Thank you."

Huihui, who is usually argumentative and has a combative personality, was unusually calm.

Her fair cheeks, contrasting with her black hair, were slightly flushed with an alluring blush, and her scarlet eyes, unique to the Crimson Demon Clan, shimmered with a dreamlike brilliance.

The little girl wasn't unaware of these things, but she kept them all to herself. It was probably the atmosphere that made her open up completely tonight.