I like traveling the most

"Thank you, Xiaolin. If it weren't for you, the consequences would be disastrous."

"No, if it weren't for you, Caiyue, who found the hidden witch cultists in time and found the caravan, both the villagers and Emilia would have been injured. It's your credit."

"But didn't you, Xiaolin, tell others about the hidden witch cultists?"

"What are you talking about? It was Caiyue who asked me to tell others...hiss——"

Being stared at by others with puzzled eyes, Xiaolin's consciousness became confused, as if an abnormal memory emerged in his mind.

He frowned and couldn't help but cover his forehead.

As a master of healing, Felice was the first to notice something was wrong and said, "What's wrong, Kobayashi? It was you who told me to be careful of the witch cult hiding in the convoy, and you even told me who they were."

Wilhelm followed closely and said, "It was only with Mr. Kobayashi's reminder that I was able to avoid being injured by the suicide attack of the dirty and despicable witch cultists. I must express my gratitude."

"On the way to Mezas Territory, didn't you, Kobayashi, say that Subaru would be misunderstood if he sent a blank envelope, so he warned him not to be attacked? There is no doubt that this is also your credit." Julius also told what Kobayashi did.

No, no, no, misunderstanding!

He was not modestly hiding his credit, but because these were really told to him by Natsuki Subaru, so he conveyed them to Wilhelm and the others.

Eh?

Did Natsuki Subaru tell him?

It seemed that he had grasped some clues in his mind, but it disappeared in an instant.

So strange!

What's wrong?

No matter how hard he thought, he couldn't figure it out. It seemed that there was a thin film separating the truth, and Kobayashi couldn't break it no matter how hard he tried.

"Anyway, it's great to be able to defeat the Archbishop of Sloth successfully. All the hardship I endured was not in vain. What's going on? I feel inexplicably moved." Natsuki Subaru wiped his tears like a joke, as if he had given too much for this family.

Seeing him like this, Phyllis said disdainfully: "I don't deny Subaru's contribution, but Subaru doesn't seem to have suffered any grievances, why do you say that you are so hard."

"You don't understand Phyllis, I died several times before... cough cough, it's nothing! In short, I contributed the most!"

"Hey————"

The cat-eared man stretched his voice.

Not only did he not explain it clearly, but he also took credit for it. I really couldn't stand it.

Kobayashi understood.

Natsuki Subaru couldn't say directly that he had reincarnated many times, otherwise everyone present, including Emilia, would die.

... No!

No, no, no!

After being interrupted by him, Kobayashi suddenly had an idea. He turned his head and looked at Natsuki Subaru with burning eyes, which made the triangular-eyed boy who was still proud and proud shrink his shoulders.

"Natsuki-kun!"

"I know it's Kobayashi, you are the most..."

"Not that! Please tell me in the simplest numbers, from the time you defeated the White Whale, how many times did you face the Archbishop of Sloth and successfully defeat him?"

The inexplicable question confused everyone, but only Natsuki Subaru could understand it.

"You ask me how many times? It's the first time, is there something wrong? By the way, I can clear the Archbishop of Sin in one go, I am really a high-level player!"

"What is a high-level player?"

"It's a high-level player, which is the highest-level reward awarded to those players who can clear a difficult game in one go. Anyway, you, the best knight, don't know the things of the poor."

"What is that?"

Julius and Natsuki Subaru bickered with each other.

However, Kobayashi could no longer hear it, and only one sentence was circling in his mind.

"——First time...?"

His fingers tapped lightly on the coffee table.

His thoughts slowly pulled away from the memories of the discussion meeting two days ago.

Now, he was at the Sword Saint Family's residence.

After the reward ceremony two days ago, he left the Duke's Mansion in Kurshu.

Subaru Natsuki and Emilia were going to the Sanctuary, which was the base camp of Emilia's camp. Xiaolin was not invited, so he returned to the Sword Saint Family's residence from the Duke's Mansion.

After returning, he kept thinking about what Subaru Natsuki said at that time.

In fact, he already had the answer in his heart, but he just couldn't reproduce the reason that convinced him.

What should he do?

Should he use divine power? But it was just a coincidence last time, and he didn't use divine power this time, so it can be concluded that divine power is not a necessary condition.

"Xiaolin? What are you doing here?"

While he was thinking, a gentle voice came from his ear.

He raised his head, not angry because his thoughts were interrupted, and looked at the Sword Saint who came back from the dusty outside, and greeted him with a smile.

"Welcome back, Reinhardt. You've worked hard."

"I'm back."

Reinhardt has been a bit busy these past two days.

The attack on the White Whale and Archbishop of Sloth had already shocked the kingdom. Who would have thought that our Sword Master would defeat two Archbishops of Sin alone, and they were the notorious Archbishops of Greed and Gluttony.

Even Julius couldn't help but sigh that the gap between him and the strongest on earth was too big.

Xiao Lin asked curiously, "You're back so quickly. To be honest, I thought you'd be back a few days later."

"That was originally the case, but with Lord Crusch's testimony, it was over quickly." Reinhardt said.

The kingdom needed proof that the Archbishop of Sin had been defeated.

Just like the White Whale and the Archbishop of Sloth, their bodies were used as evidence after they were defeated.

After all, you can't say that you defeated the Archbishop of Sin and the kingdom will believe it, even Reinhard is no exception.

And Kulxiu, who was rescued in time, patted his chest and said frankly that she would use her own reputation and the reputation of the Duke's family as a guarantee to let the kingdom admit that Reinhard defeated the Archbishop of Greed and the Archbishop of Gluttony as a thank you gift.

Obviously, the Duchess did it.

Thinking of this, Xiaolin curled his lips and said, "There is no need to thank you, right? In fact, Reinhard, you have successfully defeated the two Archbishops of Sin."

"No. If it weren't for your magical item, Xiaolin... It's called the Imperial Tool? Without it, it would be difficult to defeat the two Archbishops of Sin."

"Difficult means it's not impossible, right?"

He refused to accept Reinhard's modesty.

With the strength of the Sword Saint, knowing the abilities of the Archbishops of Greed and Gluttony, even without the Dimensional Matrix Shangri-La, it would only take some effort.

That's right, it took some effort, that's all.

Seeing that he still wanted to shirk, Xiaolin interrupted him and said, "Okay, Reinhard, haven't you heard that excessive modesty equals pride? Your credit cannot be taken away by others, and the kingdom has also recognized it, right?"

Even the self-hypnotic [Demon King Special Attack] would not work on Reinhard.

His character is really dazzling.

"No, that's not what I mean."

The Sword Saint scratched his fiery red hair and said, "In fact, Elsa also helped a lot. If it weren't for her assistance, it would definitely not be so easy. This is true, and I didn't shirk the credit."

Hmm...

Xiaolin pinched his chin and thought for a moment before nodding, agreeing with Reinhard's statement.

For ordinary people, it would be great if they were not killed on first sight, let alone conquered. For example, Elsa was able to hold out for a while, which was enough to show how strong she was.

"By the way, where is Elsa?"

"I really don't know. After returning to the capital, I have been waiting for the dispatch of the parliament and constantly reporting information about the witch cult. There is no news about where she has gone. But Meli is still in the base, and she will be back soon."

"That's right. Forget it, leave her alone."

He waved his hand.

The only person that the hunter can miss at present is the little loli Meli.

Speaking of Meli, she has gradually opened her heart recently.

Originally a child raised by monsters, even though she was adopted by Elsa later, she was still wary of people other than Elsa.

This is all related to her distorted education.

And now Meli and Felt, who are of the same age, are becoming more and more lively and more like children.

It's just that they are a little too lively, which gives the maids who take care of them a headache.

"Hey, Xiaolin! Where are you hiding?! Come out quickly!"

"Master Firut! Master Firut, please don't make a loud noise, it will disturb others!"

"Xiaolin! Come out quickly! Xiaolin!!!"

"Master Firut!"

While speaking, the young loli Firut's tender voice echoed in the station, even though the maid behind her who was about to cry kept admonishing her and told her to pay attention to the etiquette of a lady.

But Firut was still the little loli full of banditry, and even shouted louder to anger the maid.

"Master Firut's willfulness is still the same as before."

"Yes."

The two people in the room looked at each other and smiled helplessly in tacit understanding.

In order to prevent Firut from continuing to howl, Xiaolin and Reinhard did not let her come to find her, but took the initiative to walk out of the room.

"Okay, okay, I'm here."

"Xiaolin! I got you!"

The blonde little girl's eyes sparkled when she saw him. She ran over quickly on the breeze, jumped up and threw herself into Xiaolin's arms.

And Meili, who was following behind her, bit her fingers lightly and looked envious after seeing the two hugging so intimately.

Xiaolin didn't show favoritism, and picked up the black-haired little girl, so that she and Firut were both in his arms.

Since he came back, Firut has been particularly clinging to him.

It's probably because the atmosphere of the Sword Saint Family is not good, which makes the blonde little girl very uncomfortable.

But her strength is too weak, even with Grandpa Rom, she can't escape the protection circle of the Sword Saint Family, so she has to be trapped here in frustration.

"Xiaolin, teach me magic quickly!"

Firut, who wants to get more fries, may be the narrowest-minded one among all the candidates for the King's Choice.

"Don't even think about running away. I'm going to squeeze you dry today!"

"...Who taught you this?"

"It was Rom, he said that as long as you say this, there's no man I won't take down! He also said that if you add Meili, the effect will be even stronger!"

"That old man is shameless!"

The blonde little girl said the lecherous words with an innocent face, and Xiaolin already had Rom's naughty and dissolute smile in his mind.

Why teach this kind of thing when he's the person Firut trusts the most!

Firut asked him in confusion.

"Xiaolin?"

"Ahem...Listen carefully Firut, this sentence is really lethal, don't tell anyone else."

"Don't worry. Rom said that you can't tell anyone else except you, I remember that."

"Huh?"

What's going on?

In Xiaolin's impression, Grandpa Rom suddenly changed from an old stubborn image to an old father (grandfather) who tried his best to calculate for his children.

Could it be intentional?

Do you think such words will work on me?

... It really does.

Unable to bear Felt's soft and hard nagging and Meili's pitiful appearance of constantly begging, he had to put off what he was going to do today and turned it into a happy play time with the little lolita.

The days after that were very dull.

He returned to his daily life when he was in the capital and staying at the Sword Saint Family.

In the morning, he practiced with Reinhardt, while Felt received royal education.

After becoming a candidate for the king's election, in order to catch up with the other candidates for the king's election, her education model became more diligent and strict than before.

That's why Xiaolin agreed to play with her.

Otherwise, blindly putting pressure on her would only crush the little lolita, and only proper relaxation would allow her to continue to advance her studies.

So the afternoon was the time for the two to play.

Of course, it's not just about playing, there are also tasks to learn magic, but every time Xiaolin treats the tasks as playing and turns them into fun and educational.

Only in this way can Firut learn, and the old stubborn people of the Sword Saint Family will not say much.

Yes, the Sword Saint Family is not entirely ruled by Reinhard alone. If they only play, it will definitely cause dissatisfaction, so they need to make adjustments.

Anyway, the following days are very dull, and Firut and Meili smile every day.

It's just that this daily routine is not natural at all.

——Someone is missing.

Since the defeat of the Bishop of Greed and the Bishop of Gluttony, Elsa has not returned for a week.

Even if she asked Meili, she shook her head and said that she didn't know where she was. Even the black-haired little loli thought she was abandoned and cried out of worry.

Fortunately, Xiaolin comforted her in time and didn't let her leave to find Elsa without caring.

Until three days later.

Late at night.

Elsa, who had disappeared for ten days, returned to the Sword Saint Family residence again.

Looking at the charming assassin who appeared in the room, Xiaolin greeted her: "Hey, Elsa, where did you go to relax? Why are you back now? Can you please say hello in advance when you leave next time? Meili is crying so hard. Even if you don't tell us, at least tell Meili. She is very worried about you."

"…………"

Elsa rarely spoke. Usually, even if she was wrong, she would start to tease her. This abnormality made Xiaolin realize that something was wrong.

It must be related to her sudden departure this time.

Xiaolin exhaled and said, "What's wrong? Is there anything you want to say?"

"I'm going to complete the unfinished task. If you accept the task of the employer, you must complete it. This is the hunter."

"Hey, now I am your employer."

"The task of the previous employer is the same."

Elsa opened her lips slightly, and her hoarse voice sounded in the room illuminated by the cold moonlight. She was calm and decisive, as if no one could persuade her.

In addition to the task of killing all the sisters, the hunter has only one unfinished task.

——Get rid of Emilia.

However, with Subaru Natsuki here, Emilia can't be killed at all.

You can defeat me countless times, but I only need to defeat you once!

Subaru Natsuki's recollection is so terrible.

"You will die."

"If you fail to complete the work, you can't say anything even if you are hacked to death."

This is what Erza once said to Felt, and it is surprisingly useful for the assassin.

"What about Meili, what should she do?"

"The employer's request is that the hunter and the beast master attack together, so I will take Meili with me."

"Similarly, if you fail to complete the work, you can't say anything even if you die... That's what you mean."

"Hehehe."

Erza didn't answer, but the meaning expressed in her chuckle said it all.

He didn't answer.

Soon, the bright moon that was blocked by the dark clouds appeared again. And under the moonlight, Xiaolin was the only one left in the room.

At the same time, a faint sigh echoed in the empty room.