"Help, Reinhard!"
The crowd parted, clearing Grin's path of any obstructions. He charged forward, head down, covering the distance in a few great strides as if intending to ram the Sword Saint to death.
When only about five body lengths away, he suddenly leaped into the air, launching himself at Reinhard in a flying tackle.
Reinhard, though somewhat taken aback, chose not to dodge, fearing Grin might fall if he missed. Instead, he caught Grin in a princess carry.
"Lord Sword Saint, I wish to report! A spy from the Northern Kingdom has infiltrated the royal capital and attempted to murder a fine citizen of Lugnica."
With that, Grin raised a small hand, pointing directly at the figure standing in the shadows of the alley entrance, smiling alluringly—it was Elsa, who had chased him here.
Perhaps due to the princess carry, Grin's voice became unexpectedly high-pitched, making him sound like a frightened woman.
The surrounding citizens began to gather again, and onlookers from the buildings opened their windows, leaning out to watch from a distance.
"Good heavens, isn't that Lord Roswaal, the Margrave of the Menzies Territory?"
"Why is he nestled in the Sword Saint's arms?"
"It might be rude to say, but I find this utterly disgusting!"
"The nobility is truly corrupt! Who knew the Sword Saint had such... exotic tastes!"
...Reinhard remained unaffected by the gossip. His gaze had already locked onto the gut ripper, Elsa.
The Sword Saint's powerful aura, even without drawing his sword, felt as heavy and imposing as an insurmountable mountain.
Elsa's lips moved, forming a few silent words. From this distance, no sound could be heard.
But Grin understood. She was saying: "We will definitely meet again."
After saying this, Elsa slowly retreated deeper into the darkness.
The insignia was in Grin's hand, and Grin was now under the Sword Saint's protection. With the situation no longer favorable, Elsa weighed her options and chose to retreat.
Sword Saint Reinhard looked down with a gentle smile and said, "Fortunately, we have the vocal support of so many citizens. The danger has passed, sir. Can you stand on your own?"
"Uh, of course."
Grin stood up and checked his body. Aside from some bruising on his abdomen from the kick, he felt no other discomfort.
A faint glimmer flashed in Reinhard's blue pupils as the Divine Protection of Discernment instantly activated.
As a favorite of this world, Sword Saint Reinhard could essentially obtain any Divine Protection he wished for, as the world's will would grant him the corresponding ability.
Upon sensing someone tracking him, Reinhard surmised someone might be seeking his help. He thus proactively deactivated the Divine Protection of Invisibility, allowing the magic mirror to lock onto his coordinates.
"Sir, you are not Margrave Roswaal, are you? Impersonating another's appearance and identity without authorization is a serious offense."
Sigh...
Grin let out a long sigh, feeling like the world's third-ranked expert emerging from seclusion only to be interrogated by the second and first.
"Why can everyone see through this Transformation Magic? Unbelievable."
With that, Grin swept his hand over his face, dispelling the magic.
The disguise on his body shattered like a mirror, revealing his original appearance.
He was about the same height as Reinhard, with the delicate features of an Asian youth. It seemed the influence of the Queen Snow White card had significantly boosted Grin's looks.
In truth, Elsa couldn't have spotted flaws in the Transformation Magic based on appearance alone. It was the killer's suspicion and keen intuition that had exposed Grin's identity.
After examining Grin's true face for a moment, Reinhard said, "Sir, you look very familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"
Grin retreated three steps in surprise and suspicion. "Wait, Lord Sword Saint, why are you hitting on a guy like me?"
Reinhard stepped closer for a careful confirmation. "Sir, I remember now! I saw your portrait on the wanted criminal bulletin in the royal capital. You look much better in person than in the drawing."
"Really? I'm not *that* handsome, hahaha."
Grin scratched his head sheepishly, then suddenly realized something and asked,
"Hey, wait, where did you say you saw it?"
Before Grin could finish, Reinhard's figure flickered and appeared behind him.
With a dull *thud*, Grin was knocked unconscious by a karate chop... Clang, clang.
After all that running around, Grin was back in the prison cart.
Reinhard regrouped with other patrolling Guards, intending to transport Grin to prison first.
Besides Grin, the prison cart currently held another criminal who was wailing.
"Sir Guards, I know I was wrong! I didn't mean it! I just gave them a little push; their injuries aren't even serious!"
This person had slender shoulders and a light frame, resembling a dried-out stalk of wheat from a distance. His short, ash-brown hair was messy, and he wore only a thin green short-sleeved shirt.
Grin sneered contemptuously. "Hmph, coward! First time in a prison cart?"
Hearing Grin speak, the man jerked his head around. His bangs swayed, revealing crescent-shaped, thin silver earrings hanging from his ears.
"Senior! Are you experienced? Can you teach me how to get out of prison quickly? I'm running out of time!"
The youth shuffled forward on his knees, performing a kowtow before Grin.
Grin's eyes shifted. He recognized those earrings. Combined with the kid's appearance and attire, this was almost certainly the unlucky war god, Otto Suwen.
"Hahahaha, if my old self's judgment is correct, your name should be Otto, right? I observe that your fortune hall is darkened, as if overshadowed by dark clouds. You must have suffered a severe financial loss, correct?"
Otto's body trembled in surprise. He looked up, astonished. "Ah, you even know that? Senior, are you a fortune teller? That's great! Master, you must save me!"
Grin shook his head, pretending to ponder deeply.
"Asking me to save you isn't impossible, it's just that..."
With that, Grin extended his right hand, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together in the universal gesture for 'money'.
"Oh, oh, that's easy to discuss!"
Otto, desperate for any cure, frantically searched his person. After turning all his pockets inside out, he barely managed to scrape together ten silver coins.
Grin weighed them in his hand, looking disdainful. "Is this all?"
Otto looked troubled, gazing pitifully at Grin.
"Th-that's all I have. Once I earn some money, I'll definitely make it up to you. Master, how can I escape my current predicament?"
"Ahem!"
Reinhard, walking ahead, coughed twice and interjected:
"Mr. instigator, you already have enough charges. Adding fraud could lead to a very heavy sentence.
As for you, Sir Otto Suwen, you accidentally injured the creditors who came to collect debts. You'll likely only be sentenced to three days' imprisonment, so please don't worry."
"Three days? That's okay, that's okay, I still have time!"
Otto wore an expression of someone who had narrowly escaped disaster. He leaned against the prison cart's railing, sighing numbly.
Clatter!
Grin tossed the money back to Otto. Pointing at the setting sun, he put on a profound air and said:
"My grandma once said, when a dragon carriage reaches the foot of the mountain, a path will surely appear. Why be so negative, Otto? Just treat it as a three-day vacation."
"Master, you make sense. I've regained my confidence! I will definitely repay the money!"
Otto sat up, ready to put the money away. Then he discovered that the ten silver coins he had just handed to Grin had now become fourteen.
A complex mix of heartache and emotion flooded Otto's heart. He lowered his head, sobbed for a moment, then looked up gratefully at Grin.
"What are you looking at?" Grin said with a look of disdain. "Consider it a loan. Don't complain it's too much."
"Wah... My credit is already ruined in the merchant circles. I never thought you'd still be willing to lend me money. It's so moving! True friendship is found in adversity!"
With that, Otto actually hugged Grin's leg and began wailing loudly. It seemed the immense debt pressure had been weighing on him for far too long.