The next morning!
At the dining table!
Yukino and Hana ate their food angrily.
But it tasted like cardboard.
Almost simultaneously...
They both looked at Seiko and the others with resentful expressions.
As if asking, why didn't you warn us?
We ended up running into each other.
"You can't blame me. We originally just wanted to watch a good show."
Seiko shrugged innocently. "Who would have thought that newcomer would act so quickly?"
Hearing this, Yukino and Hana became even more depressed.
Now this was great.
Not only had they failed to offer themselves...
They had also become a laughingstock. It was a double loss.
Just then!
Eiko, wearing pajamas, walked over.
"Everyone, you're all here."
Seiko was surprised. "Are you... coming out to eat?"
Eiko sat down somewhat unsteadily and asked back, "What else would you do in a dining room?"
"???"
Seiko and the others were surprised?
The timing didn't match.
Was this one ending so early?
Hearing this, Yukino and Hana's spirits lifted, and their eyes were full of determination.
If that was the case... didn't they still have a chance?
But.
Instinctively, they all looked at each other.
Four eyes met.
It seemed like sparks were flying in the air.
Kamiyo asked curiously, "Where's Master? Why didn't he come down with you?"
Eiko filled a bowl of rice. "Master... seemed to have something to do and left."
Instantly!
Yukino and Hana's expressions stiffened, their whole bodies deflating like punctured balloons, completely losing their luster.
How pitiful x2.
Seeing this, Seiko and the others commented.
The Royal Capital!
A dragon carriage entered the city gates, slowly driving down the street.
"Really. Teleportation magic would be much more convenient."
Meili kicked the air, grumbling.
Emilia smiled. "We're going to the royal palace. It wouldn't do to be improper."
Elsa said, "Master, will we really encounter members of the Witch Cult this time?"
Her tone was very excited.
A Sin Archbishop...
She wondered what color their intestines were.
"Barring accidents, they should appear."
Ayato smiled, then his expression shifted. "Rem, stop the carriage."
"Yes, Master."
Emilia looked out the window, surprised. "What's wrong, Master? We're still some distance from our destination."
"Nothing. I just have some serious business to attend to."
"..." xN
Emilia and the others' eyelids twitched.
Well.
Master's so-called serious business...
Was almost certainly related to women.
If that was the case, the other royal candidates should also be successively arriving at the capital, right?
Stepping down from the dragon carriage, Ayato's target was very clear.
"I saw her nearby just now, I'm sure of it."
Arriving at a street, Ayato spread his perception.
"Is she there?"
Murmuring softly, Ayato came to an alleyway.
"Judging by your appearance, you look rich..."
"We won't make it hard on you. Just hand over all your money and we'll let you leave."
Accompanied by thuggish words, a scene came into view.
A group of small-time thugs had blocked a dignified woman in men's clothing with light green hair in the alleyway.
"Saving a damsel in distress... how cliché."
After complaining, Ayato walked in.
But!
She was indeed his target.
Crusch Karsten.
"Sir, this place is very dangerous."
Crusch looked at Ayato's arrival and said gently, "Please don't mind me."
"Hmm?"
The thugs, hearing this, also noticed Ayato's arrival and immediately began shouting.
"Kid, I advise you not to meddle in affairs that aren't your business."
"Wait, this kid looks rich too."
Their eyes lit up, and two of them separated and walked towards Ayato.
Ayato helplessly shook his head. "You really have no eye for this."
As his voice fell.
An invisible force had already spread.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
In an instant, these thugs' eyes rolled back, and they fell to the ground like mowed wheat.
Seeing this.
Crusch was slightly stunned.
Not magic.
How had he done it?
Could it be some special blessing?
After a moment, she nodded slightly. "Thank you for saving me, sir."
"What are you talking about?"
Ayato smiled brightly. "With your strength, even if I hadn't acted, they couldn't have done anything to you."