She Becomes The Hero In Another World 179 She Arrives At The First Level

Once the chocolates were cooled enough to maintain their shape, Robin separated the chocolate up. Pedro saw that she kept the majority of the batch to herself. She only put aside three pieces per person. Each serving was packaged in a bamboo leaf, tied up with string.

"Why so little?" Pedro asked.

"The first reason is that these taste so good that it's easy to get addicted to it. But, just like all sweets, eating too much on a regular basis can make you fat. So it's good to limit the portions." Robin looked down at Quinn's portion thoughtfully.

"As for the second reason...Do you think we both have the energy to keep doing this regularly?" Robin asked wryly. She slipped an extra piece into Quinn's bag for his help earlier.

Pedro realized. She was saving the rest for future demand. He recalled how she saved the extra sus.h.i.+, which smoothly paved their way in Port Oracle.

"So those extra two portions are for King Throm and Queen Ayva?" He asked.

"Mmmn. The invitation should be arriving soon. They've had enough time to speak of everything that happened this week." Robin noted.

"Wait, so this was just a way for you to waste time?" Pedro looked oddly at Robin.

"How rude! Cooking is never a waste of time!" Robin shook her head. "If I didn't finish this now, I'd not have the time to later. I like to keep my word. Be genuine to those who are genuine, after all. There's no need to give face to the double faced."

"What does that mean?" Pedro asked. "...that giving face thingumy.."

"It's a concept from a certain culture that places heavy emphasis upon honor-or at least external honor." Robin mused.

"If someone did something dishonorable, and it was found out, he would have 'lost face' for his clan, and more importantly his ancestors. To honor a person, or to show them respect, would be considered 'giving them face'. This respect or honor was also sometimes used to call in favors from subordinates, or equals."

"And do you agree with them?"

"Honestly? I think it's a bit ridiculous. Instead of focusing on outward displays of honor, I am more concerned with being genuinely honorable. If the inner substance isn't solid, the gilded exterior can only become as singing bra.s.s. Or like an empty drum that can only make a lot of noise. Always clamoring about honor and respect doesn't make one respectable, after all." Robin replied thoughtfully.

"Words don't make the man. Actions do. But a man should be careful to keep his word, and not bl.u.s.ter."

She patted Ponzu's other shoulder. "Remember this, Ponzu. There are many people who speak well. They can even pantomime respectability. But when it comes time they ought to step up, they will be the first to run. That's why truly honorable people who care about their companions and keep their word are treasures."

Then Robin swept up the two servings for Ayva and Throm, leaving Ponzu in the kitchen with two identical chocolate handprints on his shoulders, as well as the rest of the chocolates to distribute. Robin hummed to herself as she walked away. That bit of mischief managed to restore her good mood.

"Robin.." Christian called, once he saw her emerge from the kitchen. "Are you finally finished?"

"Mmn! I left your portions with Ponzu. I think a messenger should be summoning me to the castle, soon. So, don't expect me to be back in time for dinner." Robin replied.

"Dinner? Did you even have lunch yet?" Christian asked with a somewhat pointed look.

"Did you?" Robin asked.

"We had tavern fare. But don't change the subject. Did you eat lunch today?" Christian pressed the question.

"Why of course I-wait...." Robin thought back. "Huh. Seems like I forgot. I guess I just wasn't that hungry today."

Christian flicked her forehead.

"Hey! What was that for?" Robin rubbed her forehead.

Christian growled. "Robin, I won't say not to bake things, but we'll get very worried if you end up skipping meals like this. You just got over a cold, so it's not good for your health. I know you have a backup supply in your magic bag. So, even if there's no time to cook, there's no excuse!"

"All right! Fine, I'll eat something. Okay?" Robin waved her hands placatingly, although she felt a bit aggravated at Christian's overexaggeration. Missing a meal wasn't that important.

"Right now, where I can see you." Christian emphasized.

"Now? But the summons might come any minute-" Robin began.

"If not, then I'll have Jasmine magic you to a seat and hand feed you in front of the messenger." Christian narrowed his eyes. "And I am pretty sure Queen Ayva would have a good laugh at your expense once she hears of it."

"...You drive a hard bargain." Robin sighed, as she sat down at a nearby table in defeat.

"I learned from the Hero after all." He smiled as he sat down across from Robin.

"Hmm..." Robin was originally going to only grab something light to eat, but now that she was looking, she found that she was famished. She ended up eating three wyvern bacon sandwiches and a side of hash browns.

"Huh...I guess I really was hungry." Robin tilted her head in pondering the mystery that is hunger. Sometimes one can feel it poignantly; other times, not at all.

Christian's prior frown had melted away into a knowing smile.

"See? You need to eat properly. Some people can get irritable if they don't eat." Christian prompted.

"And some people can get irritable even when other people don't eat."Robin muttered under her breath. With a practiced ease, she ducked away from his hair-ruffling hand, and danced away towards the door.

"Why you!-" Christian called, pretending to be offended.

"No thanks, maybe later~!" Robin laughed cheekily before stepping outside.

"...Heh! That Robin." Christian smirked as he shook his head fondly.

---

"Oh? Robin, just in time! The carriage arrived with the invitation to meet with King Throm and Queen Ayva." Chelsea pointed out.

"Oh great! I see you and Liam are back from your little disappearing act." Robin said.

"Eheheh. At least we didn't get stuck down a rabbit hole." Chelsea teased.

"What rabbit? It was clearly a grumpy old badger's burrow!" Robin shot back as she headed to the carriage.

"You aren't going to take the Hero's blade with you?" The coachman asked.

"Need I? I'm going to talk, not to spar-unless you feel like it might become something like that?" Robin said.

"Oh, don't go mindin' li'l ole me. It's just usually heroes are inseparable from their blades. It isn't often that we can examine them."The coachman replied.

The stagecoach made its way up through all the city levels, only coming to a stop in front of the gates to the first level.

"I'm afraid ye'll hafta get down and walk. Carriages aren't allowed past this point." The coach driver told Robin, handing her the invitation token, which had a hammer emblazoned with a flying dragon on the front.

"Oh? All right then. Thanks for the ride!" Robin said as she hopped off the carriage.

"WhPshaw! Twas jus doing mah job, Hero!" He shook his head with a smile.

"Yes, you were: which I am very thankful for." Robin nodded with a twinkle in her eyes. But, before he could answer, she had waved a farewell, and walked up to the gate.

----

The First Level was large. Though it had the same amount of square mileage/meters in it as the other levels, it seemed larger than the others due to the fact that there were pretty much only two large buildings here: The King's castle, and the King's Forge. Also, the area wasn't limited to the shape of an outer ring. Instead, all the area was condensed into a solid circle. This is what made it seem larger than the other levels.

The road to the castle was made of a somewhat reflective polished quartz. One thing Robin did notice, though, was the absence of the violet guards she had seen dutifully guarding the gate. Wouldn't there usually be more guards around the castle in case of intruders?