Chapter 218 - She Takes a Break

Robin heard a sigh of relief. "Yes, well, there have been a few incidents, but because you healed up a lot of our injured men, we were able to prevent any casualties."

"Are there any sections that need reinforcement?" Robin asked, gazing up at the sun, which was dipping low on the horizon.

"Not for the time being, no." Came the answer.

"Thank goodness!" Robin sat on a nearby chair. To be honest, after that close shave, her legs felt like they were going to give out from all the running and recent tension.

'And I have to sort things out about Bastian before I get back...' She remembered with a sigh, feeling worn out. 'Suddenly being so busy....I should take the chance to sleep for another 3 days next chance I get, at this rate.'

"Are you sure they'll be okay?" Christian asked.

"Breaks are as important as work is." Robin replied. "Enjoy it while it lasts. Because if they actually need our help, then they'll probably need us at full power."

The three looked at each other, then Keith and Christian sighed. "Fair enough. Though I feel I haven't done much today..." Keith replied.

"Good that you know." Robin smiled, her eyes glinting with mischief. "How does it feel, being carried by the hero?"

"Carried?" Keith asked. "I don't recall you picking me up."

"...Oh. It's a term from my world." Robin said, realizing she had used gamer slang. "It refers to when the strongest member charges through everything, to the point where the other members don't have much to do in comparison."

"I'd say it feels uncomfortable. If you were anyone else, I'd ask to be placed somewhere where I would be more useful. But, since it's you, I can't help but worry." Keith grumped.

"Hey, what does that mean? I'm perfectly competent in getting out of any trouble that comes my way." Robin snorted. "It's the ones who can't that you need to worry about."

"But if it's you, then Christian won't be far behind." Keith pointed out. "Which means that in the end, I still have to worry about you." That caused Robin to pause.

"Hey, I object to that." Christian interjected.

"Object to what? That you wouldn't be far behind? Or that I have any need to worry?" Keith asked.

"Obviously the second one!" Christian declared. That made Robin pause. Surely, she'd have been able to tell by now. But the thought suddenly emerged. What if...what if Christian was only following her around because she was the hero? Her memories of her high school bullies came to mind. Hadn't they also called her 'Friend'?

Christian didn't know what Robin was thinking of, but he noticed a thought had come to mind.

"Hey, what if....never mind." Robin stopped. Then she shook her head with a somewhat self-deprecating smile. She didn't want to doubt her friends. It was probably just a baseless worry. Christian wasn't like them. He was genuine.

"No, what is it?" Christian asked.

"It's nothing." Robin replied, shoving that thought to the side. She felt somewhat guilty for even thinking about it now. Christian might be rogue-ish, but he wasn't a rogue.

"I insist, please tell me." Christian asked, drawing closer. He wanted to know what had made Robin make that expression.

"I was going to say, 'what if Christian finally stopped being someone we had to worry about?' But this is you we were talking about, so I-I can't really imagine it well!" As soon as the words left her mouth, Robin realized she had said something hurtful, and regretted it.

She glanced at Christian, hoping he hadn't taken her words to heart. But, it appeared that she had hit the bullseye. Christian sat there, speechless. Keith was unable to hold in his laughter anymore, and was cackling off to the side, which made it worse.

"...Sorry. It wasn't something pleasant, so I didn't want to say it." Robin apologized.

She had actually wanted to ask what if she weren't the hero...would they still have become friends? In all likelihood, the chances of that happening was not high. With no social standing like a noble title, or wealth, would there be any reason for their paths to cross? But, dwelling on a 'what if' was for those who had nothing better to do. As for Robin, she was just grateful that they were friends.

Christian's face was stiff, for a moment longer, but then he sighed. "Don't worry me like that. From your expression earlier, I thought it was something more serious."

Christian knew that expression. Robin wasn't being completely honest, but it seemed that poisonous jab was more of a reflexive protective measure. Robin was sincere in not intending to hurt him.

But Robin's expressions didn't match the explanation. Therefore, Robin must be hiding something. Honestly, Christian was curious. He wanted to know the reason why Robin had made such an expression. But, since Robin wouldn't share it, he decided not to pursue the matter further.

"Hmm? Isn't the fact that a kingdom's prince is always getting into trouble not a serious matter?" Robin asked, in a joking manner, hoping he didn't ask again.

After all, no one liked to know their good intentions had been doubted.

Christian sighed in defeat. "I'm really not that much of a troublemaker." He muttered in protest.

---------

After the 3 hour time limit passed, the stone door finally opened. To the lad's surprise, two ladies walked out, completely dry from head to toe. In fact, the boy next to Liam was watching with his jaw dropped, he was so surprised. At this point, he had put his discarded shirt back on.

"Whew! Finally! I was thinking this might last forever, and was getting worried." Chelsea sighed feeling a bit worn out from holding the water back for so long.

"Aren't you glad I had those wind gems with me, then?" Jasmine asked. "You'd have had twice the burden if you had to extract air from water."

"Ugh, don't mention it." Chelsea made a face. "This was my fault for not looking ahead more carefully."

"Welcome back. I found both the pearl and the one we needed to find. He has agreed to leave with us." Liam said.

"What!? Already?" Chelsea exclaimed, surprised for the second time that day.

"Yes. We came to an agreement while you were indisposed." Liam nodded. The boy hid himself behind Liam.

Jasmine smiled "So, kid. Any idea of a way out aside from the one we came in? I kinda don't feel like waiting in a swirling dome of water for three more hours, after all."

The lad shook his head. "I don't. But Boukki here knows!" He said.

"Boukki?" Jasmine asked looking around. "Who's Boukki? Is there someone else down here?" There was a fluttering sound as a pitch black raven flew down from the skylight, and perched on the cage. It had a half-sandwich in its beak. It flew over to the lad and sat on his shoulder, offering the food.

"This is Boukki! N-nice to meet you." The lad said, sheepishly. The raven dropped the sandwich into the lad's hand.

"Boukki, Boukki" It cried.

"Oh? It speaks?" Jasmine asked, surprised, trying to get a closer look.

"That's all it says." The lad pointed out.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Boukki!" Chelsea smiled. "And what is your name, young man?"

"F-felix." The lad stuttered.

"Fuffelix, huh." Chelsea teased.

"No, just Felix!" The lad exclaimed. "We can leave through the skylight, but my dad always left using a rope ladder, so it's still up there."

"Perhaps we could ask Boukki to retrieve it for us?" Chelsea said, turning to Liam.

"Don't look at me. I speak cat, not bird." Liam replied.

"Why not?" Jasmime asked.

"Because most birds I encountered became dinner. I don't have a habit of speaking to my food." Liam replied seriously. "Also, considering how much they twittered, it would probably end up more annoying than the women's gossip chain salons."

"So basically, 'It's a pain, don't wanna?'" Jasmine summarized.

"More like, I had no patience listening to bird brains." Liam snorted. This brought a round of giggles from the two girls.

Felix chuckled along with them. "Boukki isn't just any bird, though! Boukki is smart!"

"Boukki!" The raven nodded asserting it understood the compliment at least.