She Becomes The Hero In Another World 108 She Kicks Out Jasmine

"As it may be a trap, don't eat or drink anything that wasn't cooked by either Ponzu or Robin until I give permission. Also, stick together in groups of 2 and 3. Non-fighters should stay with one of the knights. This is an order."

As the Prince, he had always been sparing with his orders. But, due to the urgent situation, and with Keith's backing, his words held absolute power among the knights. They saluted Christian with a fist tamped above their hear.

Chelsea was still surprised at receiving the message through her necklace. Hadn't it always been a two-way communication between her and her brother? Worried, she silently trying to contact him. But all that she could see was "Welcome to Paradise."

Robin and the group broke camp and got in their carriage. Then the company made their way forward to the tower, which they realized was connected to an impressively carved wall with a gate in the middle. That wall circled about the city, which was visible through the open gate. At the gate stood several knights in shining, ornate armor.

Christian opened the carriage window to speak to them.

"Welcome to Paradise! I a.s.sume you received our magic transmission?" The leader of the knights asked.

"Yes, we did." Prince Christian nodded. "It appears that my company has just been caught in some sort of sudden teleportation, so we're a bit turned around right now. Is there anywhere where we might be able to take a look at a map of the surrounding areas?"

"Why sure, a few of the libraries would definitely have some." The man nodded. "But if you are in need of a more detailed map, then you'd have to get permission from the Knight General, Sir Drago. We don't often get visitors, due to our location, but you're welcome as long as you don't cause trouble. If you get bored flipping through texts, there's also a nearby dungeon you can go to hunt for wild animals."

"Thank you, sir knight." Christian nodded with a smile. "We'll check the library first, then."

"Good luck to you all!" The knight waved them in cheerfully from the gate.

When they were out of earshot, wind fairy Elise said quietly. "Is it just me, or was he a bit too cheery to be a knight?"

Robin shook her head. "There was a cask of ale hiding behind the line of knights. They were probably just about to have themselves a drink."

"While on duty!?" Chelsea gasped.

"It's generally more common in protected areas where there's not much that threatens them." Robin replied. "While the military are there to keep the peace, when they've steeped in peace for a long time, they can get a bit complacent and rusty in their skills."

"Oh? How do you know this?" Keith.

"Let's focus on the task at hand." Robin replied, not feeling too talkative.

"Right, the library." Christian nodded and the carriage driver turned to ask for directions from a friendly-looking chap walking past.

"Library? Ah, you go down this road a bit until the marketplace plaza, then you turn left, go over the bridge and past five buildings. The library is the one with the dome on it." The young man pointed out.

"Thank you." the driver nodded before setting off toward the marketplace.

Robin watched that cheerful person as the carriage pa.s.sed by, when something in the expression of the man caught her eye. His mouth still smiled cheerfully, but his eyes held a disdainful sneer in them.

Robin recognized that sneer. Her cla.s.smates, cousins, uncles and aunts: they all had that expression on their faces while looking at her. Thus, she had become extremely sensitive to a gaze like that.

Robin sat for a moment pondering upon the reason for this expression. But, as it didn't sit well with her, she opened up the small window in the wall and spoke with the driver.

"When we reach the marketplace, turn left. Do not turn right." She ordered.

"Yes, sir." The driver replied. While he didn't know why the hero would say such a thing, his job was to drive, not to ask questions.

"Do you think he was lying to us?" Christian asked.

"No. But, regardless, from his expression, he was surely up to no good. Instead of falling into a trap, it's better to go cautiously on our own terms." Robin replied.

"We should search for a competent inn first, before seeking out the library. We don't know how long we'll be staying, after all. Moreover, we've got all day to head to the library,so there's really no rush."

"If you say so." Christian gave way, trusting in Robin's judgement. But Robin's warning had reminded Christian not to let down his guard.

There seemed to be a sinister undercurrent within this city called Paradise that they needed to be wary of.

----

Once they had settled in at the inn, everyone gathered in Robin's room.

"Now, before we attempt to do anything else, it's time for breakfast!" Robin declared.

Since they had been too surprised and preoccupied with their dilemma, they had forgotten to eat until now. As it was inopportune to us the kitchen, currently, Robin brought out some pre-made foods and fruits. During that time, she also distributed food to everyone in case they got separated from her for lunch and dinner.

"So, now what do we do?" Chelsea asked, after they had eaten. She was feeling highly uncomfortable now that her foresight wasn't working for her.

"We gather information." Keith replied, as if it were obvious.

"Go about the shops to look for anything of interest, find the library, and ascertain our location. If we have to, we can try contacting the higher officials here, and see if we can glean some information from them. Then we meet up in the afternoon to discuss our discoveries, and figure out what we should do from there."

Keith glanced at Christian as he added. "Also, please go about in groups of two and three. Like Prince Christian said, we don't know the area. It's best not to be alone until we're sure it's safe. Are we all agreed?"

Once everyone expressed agreement, Christian ended the meeting. They grouped up in twos and threes and left to go gather information. When the afternoon arrived, everyone had safely made their way back to Robin's room.

Upon exchanging information, they realized four key pieces of information. First, the library was located within the castle, which required an invitation for entrance. Second, the Knight General, Sir Drago, was busy guarding the nearby dungeon to prevent the dungeon monsters from attacking the city. Third, there was a strangely super-effective healing potion being sold in the stores. And fourth, the healing potion ingredients could only be found in the dungeon.

"Well, how should we go about this?" Robin asked.

"I'm interested in the super healing potion ingredients. It might be effective in helping to accelerate the healing of Robin's mana source." Jasmine said.

"That plus the fact that Sir Drago is currently at the dungeon means that it's possible to meet both our needs in one trip seems to be the best method."

"Hmm, I wonder about that. He might not be okay with us seeing the military map, considering how many secret spots would be indicated on it." Keith frowned in thought.

"Ugh! I don't wanna enter a dark musty cave!" Elise pouted.

"What's wrong with caves?" Skye asked, confused. "I think they're rather nice, though?" The two began arguing with each other in a corner.

"It might still be better to have some of us stay behind and try to see if we can get an invitation to the castle library. How about we split into two teams?" Christian suggested.

"If so, you'll have to be part of the team that stays behind." Jasmine pointed out. "It's easier for a foreign prince to gain entrance than a lowly commoner."

"Mmph! That's right...." Christian admitted ruefully. "I will stay here with Jasmine, Keith, Ponzu, Gerard, and the Driver. Robin, tomorrow morning, you take the knights with you to the dungeon to go speak with Sir Drago, and collect the ingredients for that Super Potion Jasmine is raving about."

"Hey, why am I staying here?" Jasmine objected.

"Obviously, I was balancing the fighting power between our two groups." Christian said. But in his eyes was a subtle smile. 'If I'm not going, you don't get to go either!'

"Well, now that that is settled, why don't I begin treatment on Robin's injury?" Chelsea suggested. "It's best to make whatever small progress we can before tomorrow."

"Eh?" Robin asked surprised. "I thought we were discussing that super potion thing?"

"We still don't know if it will do your mana source any good. That's why it's best to continue with the original treatment until we can confirm its effectiveness." Chelsea said.

"Well...that does make sense, I suppose" Robin said. "But Jasmine isn't allowed to watch!" She glanced sharply at Jasmine, whose face was gleaming with a cat-like grin.

"Ah! Why!?" Jasmine was shoved outside with the rest of the company. She gazed in shock at the door that closed behind Robin and Chelsea. Christian and Keith hid their grins behind their hands as they went about, preparing for tomorrow's tasks.