Chapter 206 - She Meets Fest (1/2)

”Hmm?” Robin glanced back to see a figure behind her.

”...Another person! Ah- ouch!” She jumped a bit, wincing as the muscle pain became more apparent. As it was dangerous holding an unsheathed blade, she sheathed Hikaru for the time being.

But...She examined the man who was still catching his breath. This person did seem to be somewhat familiar... Robin hit her fist into her open palm as she remembered.

”Ah! I remember now! You're Bastian's butler, right?” She declared.

”Hah- in-indeed. Among other things, I am considered his butler.” The man replied, standing up straighter as he seemed to catch his breath again. Dark Hair and eyes, if it weren't for how tall he was, Robin might have placed him as a transmigrated Japanese person from earth. But, something in his eyes flashed golden for a moment.

'Hmm, that's some recovery. Is this perhaps the kind of talent true professional butlers cultivate?' Robin noted. The man who had to lean against the wall was now acting perfectly fine, as if he had not become winded from his obviously long sprint.

He adjusted his glasses and glanced down at the sheathed blade on Robin's belt.”Indeed, now that I see it, it certainly is the Hero's blade. It has been a while, Claíomh Solais.” The man said.

”Please, no one can properly pronounce that archaic name. Call me Hikaru.” Hikaru said.

”Hikaru, huh. very well.” the old man said.

”Um, I believe I am not mistaken, but just in case, Hikaru, you know him?” Robin interjected to ask.

”Christian, what are you doing spacing out again?” Jasmine smacked him on the shoulder, bringing him out of his daze.

”Hmm? Ah! Uh, sorry. I can't seem to concentrate right now.” Christian honestly admitted.

”I can see that! You've got something on your mind, don't you? Well out with it!” Jasmine ordered.

”Ah, it's not-” Christian began to deny.

”What. Did. I. Say?” Jasmine narrowed her eyes at Christian. ”Spill everything before I pour a truth serum down your throat again.”

Christian shuddered, and relented.

”I can't stop thinking about yesterday's event.” He admitted. ”Robin ran himself ragged right in front of my eyes. And I couldn't do anything...”

”Would you have preferred to stay back in the dwarf kingdom?” Jasmine asked.

”What-no! Absolutely not! ” Christian immediately denied.

”We were all there, Christian. I, as well, could do nothing but watch.” Jasmine pointed out, then added a jab at the end. ”So don't think that you're special just because you couldn't do anything.”

”I wasn't saying that.” Christian shook his head. ”It's just....why did Robin have to go and do that?”

”Do what?” Jasmine asked.

”Why did he have to save me?” Christian asked with a bitter expression. ”We had already pre-established that I was going to be the bait, so then why-”

”Did Robin ever say he agreed to that?” Jasmine asked, cutting him off.

”Heeh?” Christian tilted his head in confusion.

”I said did Robin ever agree that you would be the bait” Jasmine asked again. Christian thought back for a moment.

”Well, no, but I thought that it was implied that I was allowed to come along because I offered to-” Christian was cut off.

”Robin specifically said: 'Do as you like', didn't he?” Jasmine said. ”While I'm not sure what made him change his mind, he had also said that he wouldn't take you anywhere where you would die.”

”So he...why would he do that?” Christian asked, even more confused at this point.

”Thinking of it from his perspective, yesterday could very well have been the day of his death.” Jasmine said, pouring herself and Christian a cup of tea.

”Here is what I think.” She said, handing Christian a cup. ”I think that Robin had already prepared for the occasion, in case he were to die.”