Chapter 210 - She Detains the Beasts I (1/2)

Robin's shopping trip was going well, and she had nearly toured the entire shopping district. But her fun was cut short by the sound of thunder. The ground shook. People could be seen fleeing from around the corner, while knights were seen heading towards the epicenter.

'Hoh. That's quite the ruckus!' Robin noted, overlooking the scene from a doorway. '...Should I go take a look?' She pondered.

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”Quick! Where are the water mages!?”

”Is anyone proficient in earth magic?! We need to clear the rubble to search for any victims!”

A large warehouse made of stone and wood had suddenly exploded. Flames were quickly beginning to spread among the newly wrecked storage place.

'Hmmm? Why does it smell like somebody burned their toast?'

”Can anyone use earth magic? Please, we need help!” A soldier called out to the surrounding crowds that were watching from a safe distance.

”Um...If you're okay with me, then I do know a bit of earth magic.” A voice sounded from behind the soldier.

”Ah, thank goodness-Wait, who the heck are you!?” The soldier exclaimed, seeing a young man dressed in green with a peculiar brown feathered mask upon his face.

”What, you haven't heard?” Robin asked. ”I'm Hero Robin. If you have any questions about my background then you can ask Bastian Lave of Lave Mercantiles. He can vouch for my identity. But for now, there is not much time for talk. Shall we begin moving the debris out of the way, for now?”

”Eh-right. I'd be grateful for the help!” The soldier replied, embarrassed at his improper display. Robin began by spreading her mana over the area, to examine the damage.

”It looks like there's no need to be alarmed. There are no victims within the rubble.... Huh?” Robin tilted her head, trying to understand what her mana was sensing. Her eyes widened as she shouted to the other mages.

”Get away from the building! Quick!”

”What is it?” The soldier asked.

”Something's coming from below!” Robin called out, beginning to deploy a barrier in front of the ruins. Hikaru had taught it to her in passing that morning, while she was shopping, but Robin had never made one larger than a hand before this.

The earth began shaking once again. The surrounding mages took the hint, and began to move away.

”Hurry! Get out of there!” Robin urged, as the water mages ran towards her. When the last mage passed her, she finished the last part of the spell.

”[Spatial Barrier]” She said, her voice echoing with imbued mana. Underneath Robin's voice, Hikaru muttered. '[Light Shield]'. This spread out visibly, covering Robin's spatial barrier so that the people could see where it was.

'Hikaru...What is this?' Robin muttered, looking at the glowing symbol that was the same design as the one on Hikaru.

'What? It's not bad to do a bit of advertising now and then. The Hero should be given credit where it is due. This is also part of justice.' Hikaru replied.

'You and I should have a talk after this.' Robin sighed, before strengthening her barrier with magic. It was none too soon. A second explosion burst from the ground of the warehouse, scattering earth and flames into the surroundings. Due to Robin's barrier there were no casualties, but everyone was shocked to see a great magic beast in the center of town.

It stood 18 ft high, with heavy armored segments, like an armadillo. Yet its face and horns resembled a rhinoceros. Steam billowed from its nose as it stood there, to recover from breaking through the stone ground.

”It's a Rhyllos! Run!”

”What's a Rhyllos doing here!?”

”The city is doomed!”

”Which insane idiot thought to drag a Rhyllos here!?”

”Hikaru, I have a question...” Robin asked slowly.

'Yes, what is it?' Hikaru asked.

”What's a Rhyllos?” Robin asked. The people in the surroundings almost unanimously felt like collapsing to the ground.

”What the heck! You're the Hero, but you don't even know what a Rhyllos is!?” The soldier exclaimed.