Offer blocks to the end times

“I can’t offer any advice on that,” Hashirama said, looking at him carefully. “It seems I need to improve your survivability and combat strength to prevent you from dying without a clear reason when you go out.”

"Oh, thank you so much! What's the method?" Natsuki Subaru said happily. Rem also came over from the other side. Hashirama closed the portal and then said, "It's very simple. Just practice more."

“It’s easy to say, but it’s easy to run into problems when you actually use it,” Natsuki Subaru scratched his head, while Hashirama shook his head. “Don’t worry, you won’t die no matter how much you practice. I’ll help you recover. Only in this way can you truly master magic.”

“Alright,” Subaru Natsuki seemed a little hesitant, but Hashirama shook his head. “You can’t keep up with Emilia like this.”

"Don't worry, I'll do my best! Oh, it's burning!" Natsuki Subaru shouted excitedly, as the chick transformed into a fireball and danced happily around him.

Upon returning, Rem reported on the monsters in the village, and everyone gathered together to discuss it. However, it seemed that Emilia was in charge this time, as Roswaal had disappeared.

"Well, today's topic is about the magical beasts in the village. I must thank Lord Hashirama for saving Subaru and Rem," Emilia said, looking a little nervous but still managing to conduct the event perfectly. She looked at Hashirama apologetically, "I invited you here to express my gratitude, but you've helped me instead."

“It’s alright, it’s what I should do,” Hashirama shook his head. “I’ve already sent the elemental army to hunt down those monsters, and this area should be cleared out soon.”

“Is that so?” Emilia nodded, and Ram chimed in, “But the monsters’ actions this time are very strange. There must be a mastermind behind it, otherwise the village would have been destroyed long ago.”

"Is that so? I thought it was just pretending to be a stray dog," Natsuki Subaru said, sweating profusely. Just then, Roswaal's voice came from outside, "As expected of Ram, your analysis is spot on. This is the Beast Tamer."

Roswaal walked in carrying a little girl, and Subaru Natsuki shouted, "You're that girl from the village, that child!"

"Strange, I can't quite remember her name. Oh right, it's called Merry!" Subaru Natsuki racked his brains, while Rem was very puzzled. "Was there ever a child like that in the village?"

"Of course not. Don't let her appearance fool you, she's actually an excellent Beastmaster," Luo said.

Roswaal left Merry aside, and everyone took a closer look. She was clearly a shy, blue-haired little girl. Could Roswaal have grabbed the wrong person?

“Lord Hashirama, you seem to enjoy collecting talented people, so here’s a gift for you,” Roswaal said, pushing Merry toward Hashirama.

Hashirama stared at him speechlessly. Was he starting to clean up the mess? This child seemed to be someone he had hired too!

"Is she really the culprit?" Natsuki Subaru was somewhat incredulous, but then he remembered that she was the one holding the dog at the time. "Maybe it is, but someone must have forced her to do it."

“That’s right, she was forced by the intermediary called ‘Mother.’ If she goes back like this, she’ll be killed,” Roswaal shed crocodile tears. Hashirama did some quick calculations and found that what Roswaal said was true, except for the fact that he was the one who hired her.

Hashirama looked at her attributes and her ability to control magical beasts, and felt that she was quite good. Since there was a suitable position for her in his family, he signed a contract with her. "Alright, I'll take her in. My family is just lacking such talent."

"But who sent her?" Natsuki Subaru muttered to himself. He didn't immediately think of Roswaal. Merry remained silent, so Natsuki Subaru then considered other possibilities. "So it really is the King's Chosen one again. Who sent her?"

“I don’t think so,” Emilia said hesitantly. Natsuki Subaru shook his head repeatedly. “Emilia, you’re so naive. They’re targeting someone as outstanding as me. They must know how capable I am and want to eliminate Emilia-tan’s confidants…”

“That can’t be,” Ram asserted from the side. “In the end, it was just a coincidence. But Lord Roswaal, it’s too dangerous to leave this child in the manor. I suggest we lock her up in the dungeon.”

“Ram is really strict,” Roswaal said softly, then looked at Hashirama. “But what does Lord Hashirama think?”

"You really like to cause me trouble," Hashirama glared at Roswaal, then looked at the dazed Merry, and clapped his hands. "Right, just leave them to Wilhelm and Theresa to take care of."

“Well, those two will definitely be fine,” everyone around nodded, and Wilhelm, who had been pretending to be a sculpture, also nodded. “Leave it to us.”

His serious demeanor, calm voice, and perfect posture are really at odds with his youthful appearance!

After dealing with Merry, Hashirama suddenly remembered something, "By the way, Emilia, who are the other royal candidates?"

“Ah, I’ve prepared this well,” Emilia nodded happily, and then began to introduce it.

Priscilla Baliel of the Baliel family, who lost seven husbands in succession and inherited their estates, inherited the Baliel family estate after Pray's death. She was known as the "Bloody Bride," but it seems that she did not have any powerful subordinates.

Crusch Karsten, the head of the Karsten family, is from a noble family that is closest to the royal family. She has the support of most civil officials and is the most likely person to become king. She also has "Blue" Felix Argyle and "Sword Demon" Wilhelm van Astrea under her command. However, Sword Demon has changed careers and "Blue" has little combat power.

Anastasia Heshin, the president of the Heshin Merchant Guild, hails from Kararaki and possesses exceptional business acumen. In addition to the 'Best Knight' Julius Jucrius, she also commands her own mercenary group known as the 'Iron Fang'.

Finally, there's Felt, whose subordinate is the swordsman Reinhard van Astrea. Their support force is the Royal Guard, but that's hard to say now.

Chapter 713 The End of the King Selection

“I see,” Natsuki Subaru nodded after hearing Emilia’s explanation. “So, our biggest opponent is Crusch, and on our side we have Rose, Hashirama, Ram, Rem, and me. It feels like there aren’t many of us!”

“Well, the situation has changed now. News has come from the capital that a dragon has appeared,” Roswaal said casually, then looked at Emilia. “With the dragon’s blessing, the royal family will be resurrected, and the royal selection may be terminated.”

“Is that so?” Emilia looked a little disappointed, then breathed a sigh of relief. “Phew, that makes things much easier.”

"The dragon actually appeared?!" Ram and Rem looked extremely surprised. "It seems the kingdom has survived another disaster."

“There really is a dragon,” Natsuki Subaru looked surprised, then looked at Emilia, “But is it really okay to terminate the Royal Selection?”

“It’s alright,” Emilia shook her head gently at Subaru Natsuki, then forced a smile. “Actually, the Royal Selection hasn’t even started yet. I’m still studying. But given the current situation, I have to go back to the Great Forest of Eliol.”

"Huh," she said, but tears slowly streamed down her face. "Strange, what's wrong with me? It should be a happy thing, not having to learn so much every day."

“Emilia,” Natsuki Subaru stared blankly at her. Hashirama glanced at her speechlessly. Fortunately, Natsuki Subaru always liked to gravitate towards Emilia. Hashirama used his magic to push Emilia, making her fall into Natsuki Subaru’s arms, so that Natsuki Subaru would not suddenly go crazy and ruin the plan.

"Don't cry, don't cry," Natsuki Subaru said, not noticing anything amiss, as he held Amy in his arms.

Leah comforted her, and Emilia burst into tears.

Seeing that his tactic of throwing "Emilia" had succeeded, Hashirama shook his head. He had been too kind, but he had no intention of building a harem anyway.

After a while, Emilia realized what had happened, her face turning red with embarrassment. She apologized to Subaru Natsuki, "I'm sorry for getting your clothes dirty."

“It’s okay, this is a reward for me,” Natsuki Subaru said with a grin, giving Emilia a thumbs up. Emilia, however, didn’t quite grasp the point. “Subaru, let me wipe it for you.”

“It’s alright, Lady Emilia, you’re always welcome here. Besides, the royal capital will be summoning all the royal electors for a briefing soon,” Roswaal said casually, and Emilia agreed to stay for a while.

After that, everyone was free to do as they pleased. Ram and Rem went to prepare dinner, Emilia went over to join in the fun, and Subaru Natsuki followed along.

Hashirama looked at Roswaal, who had a fake smile on his face, and asked, "How are the preparations going over there?"

“We can go there the day after tomorrow,” Roswaal said excitedly. “Then, we can find out the truth once the seal is broken.”

"Hopefully, the timing won't conflict with what's happening in the capital," Hashirama said casually. Roswaal shook his head dismissively. "Just like when the royal family was wiped out, they were arguing. Now that the royal family has a chance to be resurrected, they're still arguing. Maybe there will be fewer corpses in the royal tomb."

"You're thinking really darkly," Hashirama shook his head speechlessly. "Maybe they'll blow up the royal tomb."

"Hahaha, isn't Lord Hashirama just like me?" Roswaal laughed loudly.

Hashirama was speechless. He was supposed to be an innocent and pure person, how could he be compared to a clown? "Oh right, there are two more people who need to go."

"The two elves who came with you? I understand," Roswaal nodded to indicate that he understood, and Hashirama left the house.

He then saw Theresa outside comforting Meryl, and it seemed she was treating Meryl like a granddaughter.

Ais was still practicing her swordsmanship, apparently preparing for the 'trial'. Hashirama thought for a moment and then went to find Echidna.

As Hashirama looked into the dream world, he saw Echidna quietly reading a book under the trees. He couldn't help but sigh, wondering how she would react when she saw the computer.

Hashirama casually manifested a body inside and slowly walked over.

"Lord Hashirama, are you still not giving up?" Echidna smiled when she saw Hashirama appear, then served him a cup of tea, and Hashirama sat down beside her.

“Well, that’s very appealing to me,” Hashirama said, swirling his teacup. “With your book, I can create a self-sustaining dream world, and then I can try developing a virtual game world.”

“A game world?” Echidna shook her head in confusion, then pulled out a book. “However, due to unknown interference, the future is no longer visible in this book.”

"It's okay. I only care about its ability to record past information and make deductions. Besides, it's not very useful for you, is it? You have so much knowledge, but I haven't seen you grow much."

"Lord Hashirama is really persistent. However, that history of only four hundred years only began to be recorded after I created it. Things before that are not recorded," Echidna shook her head gently and picked up her tea. "Lord Hashirama, please have a taste. This is my specially made tea."

"Is that so? That's a bit of a shame," Hashirama shook his head. He had thought that book contained all the knowledge from ancient times to the present. But looking at the strange tea in front of him, he said, "Try this one I made."

Hashirama waved his hand, and two bottles of chilled beer appeared on the table. Echidna looked at the suspicious, bubbling liquid and said, "Haha, I still prefer tea."

“That’s true, I do enjoy drinking,” Hashirama replied in kind. The two smiled at each other for a while, then Hashirama suddenly remembered something, “By the way, just how strong was the Witch of Envy who killed all six of you? And Rhine…”

"Wait, Lord Hashirama, who said that all six of us witches were killed by jealousy?" Echidna said unhappily. Hashirama was stunned for a moment. "The book says that the Witch of Envy, Satella, wiped out the six witches who had plagued the world in the past and destroyed half of the world. Doesn't that mean that the six of you were killed by Satella?"

“No, that’s not true. If I hadn’t been injured, I wouldn’t have been killed by the Witch of Envy,” Echidna quickly retorted. “‘Pride’ Typhon drowned, ‘Gluttony’ Daphne died of thirst, ‘Sloth’ Sekhmet died after falling into a waterfall while fighting a dragon, ‘Lust’ Camilla was burned to death, and ‘Wrath’ Minerva died after falling into a trap and going mad.”

"Well, it would be better to say that jealousy killed them," Hashirama muttered helplessly. "So, the deaths of the other five people have nothing to do with Satella, the Witch of Envy?"

“That’s right, but she devoured all the witch genes we left behind after our deaths, which is why there’s a rumor that she devoured us. Also, Satella and the Witch of Envy are two different personalities,” Echidna explained briefly. As for how much she was hiding, Hashirama had no way of knowing.

Chapter 714 Phantom Battle

"Witch Factor, huh?" Hashirama began to divine, "The original..."

Is this the residual power of a witch after her death? It feels like the power of hell. People who have fused with witch genes are all abnormal. Those archbishops of sin all seem to be mentally ill. Are they candidates to become demons of hell?

Hashirama's mind raced. Could this be the result of Hell's invasion? Were the so-called witches and archbishops of sin the future great demons? Then where was Heaven's power? Had they already fought each other to the death? Did Eris summon him here because she valued his disruptive abilities? Hashirama was utterly baffled.

"What is a Archbishop of Sin?" Echidna asked, looking puzzled. Hashirama looked at her speechlessly. "Don't you know? The Archbishop of Sin of the Witch Cult."

“No, I know nothing about what’s happening outside,” Echidna said, waving her hand. Hashirama looked at her with a puzzled expression. “Didn’t you look at the ‘Memories of the World’? It should have been recorded there.”

“But if you look at that, you’ll know everything, it’s so boring,” Echidna gave a very good and powerful reason, leaving Hashirama speechless. “If you don’t want it, just give me the book.”

“No,” Echidna shook her head, and Hashirama looked at her helplessly, “Don’t force me to use the contract, I just want to take a look.”

"I'm not afraid of contracts at all, they can be easily cleared," Echidna said with a smug smile. "Besides, there are six witches here, they're more than enough to deal with you now."

"Alas, it seems you are ignorant and fearless," Hashirama sighed, activating a spell to control the dream world. A giant tree rose from the ground, adorned with the sun, moon, and stars. Then, the surroundings shook, and the world instantly transformed.

"Where is this?" Echidna asked, looking at the strange, towering buildings around her. She looked around curiously. "Wasn't I just in my mental world? How could I suddenly be in another place?"

“This is constructing my dream within your own, a common trick used by succubi. Soon you’ll be confused and obey all my commands,” Hashirama said smugly. Echidna crossed her arms, looking incredulous. “Are you going to do this or that to me?! I won’t let you get away with this!”

"Then hand over the book," Hashirama said with a wicked smile. Echidna shuddered at the sight of him. "I know, here you go, but I haven't given it to you yet!"

"Why?" Hashirama asked curiously. Echidna explained, "The trials of the graveyard are driven by the 'memory of the world.' Without its power, the trials simply cannot be completed!"

“Is that so?” Hashirama nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll just take a look.”

"Phew, Lord Hashirama was really despicable," Echidna breathed a sigh of relief as she watched the surrounding scenery disappear, then became interested in the world she had just seen. "Where are those buildings from? I've never seen that style before."

“It’s the style of another world,” Hashirama said casually, then suddenly remembered something. “By the way, you said the soul contract didn’t work, right? I’ll give you another one.”

"Don't even think about it!" Echidna looked like she was about to run away, but Hashirama immediately shouted, "Bind her!"

She stopped abruptly, but her expression turned grim. "So you're the Witch of Deception, Pandora? You can change reality with words. No wonder you were able to find me. You've also tampered with my memories, haven't you? You replaced Roswaal's image."

"Who is that?" Hashirama stared at her speechlessly, preparing to add a stronger contract to her core, when he felt as if he had been kicked away.

Hashirama then realized that the five witches around him had already come out. They had been standing behind Hashirama watching the show, waiting for Echidna to make a fool of herself before they made their move.

"Hahaha, you idiot Dona, you got what you deserved this time!" The blonde, voluptuous Witch of Angry Minerva clapped her hands gleefully, then started punching and kicking Echidna. On the other side was the Sloth Witch with purplish-red hair, the one who had kicked Hashirama away. "What a nuisance, Dona, couldn't you have been a little more careful?"

"Those who commit crimes must be punished," the arrogant girl rushed towards Hashirama, but she could never reach him because Hashirama had temporarily set the area around him as an infinite space.

Of course, Hashirama also felt a strange force trying to separate him, but the disintegrated Hashirama immediately returned to his original form.

"Can you stop? I don't want to destroy the free consciousness that was born from the fragments of the soul," Hashirama said, shrugging as he looked at them.

"Free will?" After being brutally beaten, Echidna actually broke free from Hashirama's restraints. "They are just phantoms that I have recreated."

"Hehehe," the witches behind her all looked at Echidna with smiles, their playful gazes were more than just illusions.

"Alright, Lord Hashirama, you may leave now," Echidna waved her hand, and the witches slowly disappeared. Hashirama shook his head, not intending to say anything more about the matter. "Who is this Pandora, the Witch of Illusion you mentioned earlier? Are there many other witches in this world?"

“There were originally nine Great Sin Witches in the world, but four hundred years ago, we seven Great Sin Witches exorcised two old Great Sin Witches, ‘The Witch of Illusion’ Pandora and ‘The Melancholy Witch’ Hector,” Echidna explained briefly, then asked, “Who exactly are you? How can you use Pandora’s abilities?”