The next day, Robin prepared herself to embarked on the short journey to the small settlement with the intention to check a few things out. She wanted to verify a few things before taking the initiative in erecting a country. She hadn’t disclosed this to any of the servants yet, but that was because she is currently still deciding.

The idea of forming a country seemed unstable. There was no need to create a country, rather just a large research institute. That posed a pressing question in whether Robin should create a large research institute, but then she needed the exchange of ideas, contracts, treaties, large-scale food production, and consolidated power in order for foreign powers to resign to her demands. In the end, it was all about power, strength, population size, and economic force that allowed for successful research.

She rather not focus too much on it during this time, but rather considered what her next step would be after experiencing what life was truly like out in this world. It would allow a great amount of context before any further plans could be conducted.

In order to not be overly conspicuous resulting unwanted attention of the settlers, Robin decided dress plainly with a dark brown cape over her shoulders. She paired it with a set of breathable and comfortable high boots that reached a few inches under her knees. She also brought along a messenger bag, composing of 12 inventory slots, four slots occupied with a notebook, pen, snacks, and gold. She patted the area where the concealed pockets laid, feeling the outline of her pocket knife and pepper spray. From where the pepper spray came from, it was a special event item needed for some quests.

It seemed the only redeemable part of Afrein’s events were its unique set of quest drops that usually included weird modern miscellaneous. However, she could not deny their useful functionality that it provided. It may have been sheer luck Robin stumbled upon it and may help her greatly against physical assault.

Since Robin did not have any mana running through her veins, nor did she display amazing physical strength like the rest, Quinn request to accompany her. However, Robin rejected her and offered Ibaraki and Moei to be her bodyguard and tour guide, which Quinn relented.

Robin stretched her arms and headed toward the giant marble altar, its main use to teleport players to any location from where a previous landmark had been placed. Basically, any place a player had traveled to and took the liberty to embed a specific landmark stone on the ground would bookmark the location.

Robin couldn’t be any more amazed at the servant’s insight, deep conflicting emotions arising from her.

I’m too undeserving of them.

The thought of having formidable followers with a weak-willed leader leading them was disheartening. But it only made resolve her to work even harder.

I’m going to have to work overtime huh.

She dryly smiled as Quinn and Dorian’s figures faded from her consciousness. Only to wind up vomiting her breakfast upon arriving at the edge of the settlement.

The world spun, as Ibaraki and Moei called out to her in worry etched in usual impassive faces. To think teleporting would have severe side-effects on her body, had sprouted a new type of PTSD.

Oh god. Why is that big rock bending?

Robin’s face drained of color and struggled to keep her composure. Her head felt like it was being ripped apart, with the world swirling and bending.

Luckily, Moei took out a status ailment, which Robin chugged down in an instant. Suddenly, everything stilled and her headache resided leaving with only a refreshing feeling. Robin was left gasping for large breath of air as her eyes refocused at the large brown wall from a reasonable distance.

“Let’s go,” she forced out, picking herself back up. She patted her clothes from any dust and reorganized any creases.

Before taking another step, Ibaraki and Moei transformed into their more human appearances. Their horns and intricate markings faded away as though they never existed in the first place, and their oriental clothing were replaced with an outfit similar to her own. They retained the same hair color of silver and brown, however, their eyes were slightly duller than they were before, less demonic and more human. Even after hiding their original appearances, they retained a sort of allure and distinctive charm.

“By the way, did you guys explore the settlement with the same appearance?” Robin asked, stopping in her tracks.

Moei shook her head, “Moei and Ibaraki snuck in and assimilated with the rest of the people by changing our appearance different from how we look now. We didn’t want the guards in the main entrance to search us for the fear of being found out that we are not human. Furthermore, Moei does not like others touching the body given by Master.” The brunette explained, the corners of her mouth frowning at the last sentence.

“I see. However, I plan to enter through the front gate instead of sneaking in. And about searching our body, we can always ask a female to search instead and maybe put away any weapons in your inventory.”

Robin took out her dagger and handed it to Ibaraki. “Could you please put this in your inventory. I don’t want any miscommunication to occur if they found out I have pepper spray and a dagger hidden."

As they reached the front gates leading into the settlement, they were halted by a few guards.

“Please show us your identification.” One of the guards approached her group, intending to scan if they held any sort of intent. Judging by his actions and language, the middle-aged guard seemed adept in his job.

“We don’t have any sort of identification, sir. Is there any way to register for one?” Robin inquired. She made sure not to move her arms or move in any way that deemed her suspicious.

The guard nodded, before answering, “There is, but it will require a fee. You’d have to come to the station to register and pass a few body searches.”

She nodded in understanding before following the guard to the station. They entered through the gates but was strictly lead into a wooden building with a few open windows as ventilation.

Upon entering the wooden building, a gruff man in his 40s welcomed the guard named Abel. He smoked tobacco from a pipe and one of his eyes was covered by an eye patch making his overall profile intimidating. His arms were bulky and hairy, with scars littering all over it probably a reminder of his younger and dangerous days.

“Able what brings you here?” the man took a quick look behind Able before coming to a quick understanding. “New people to register for identifications?” He got up and headed back into the small compartment before bringing out a large white orb before placing it on the reception desk.

“Young lass, place your hand on the orb.” His voice was a bit hoarse, probably due to the tobacco.

Robin did as she was told, placing her hand on the cool orb before it glowed a light blue. A few words appeared inside the orb, wavering in instability. They were automatically translated, revealing her basic occupation, race, and age.

Cold sweat formed on her back as her heart trembled in anxiousness. Ibaraki and Moei were not human, so they would be instantly found out. Would they? As removed her hand per the request of the gruff man, she watched him take the orb back inside before returning back with a card.

“Keep this with you at all times, lass. If you lose it, you’ll have to pay 5 silvers to get another one. This card is your ticket in and out of this town, and since you’re not a citizen of this town some places will be restricted for travelers.” He explained, taking another puff from his pipe, before coughing in a fit.

Her nose wrinkled at the dense smell of tobacco and also the pathogens from his mouth. “How do we become citizens of this town?”

The man pounded his fist lightly against his chest, before taking another puff from his pipe. He seemed more annoyed, probably from her pestering. “Lass, if you want to be a citizen of this town, you’ll have to take an examination at the Kingdom’s bureau. But since you don’t have any occupation it’ll be harder for you. Mages and strong adventures have the priority to register as citizens first before normal kids like you. There’s a long wait list, for people like you and usually takes up to a year or two.” The old man had turned his attention away from Robin and instead went to refill his pipe.

Robin ignored his rude behavior, probably because it wasn’t the first time he dealt with pestering people who asked too many questions. He seemed to be a man of few words and more of a man who didn’t give a damn.

She looked at the id card in her hands, flexing it to see if it retained its durability. It had the same sheen and texture of plastic but doubted it was made from plastic. After all, plastic required natural oil and would have to go through some sort of chemical process. However, she was slightly curious how the card formed in that small compartment using the orb. It was a shame the process was behind the small room in the back.

Moei was up next, reminding of Robin’s initial anxiousness. She mentally berated herself for not taking into account the identification process, may leave them more problems than sneaking in.

She found herself nibbling the bottom of her lips in anticipation while racking her brain for any logical excuse. Before long, Ibaraki had gone up while her composure started to slouch.

“That’ll be 15 silvers for your identification fee.” The old man coughed alerting Robin of her transaction fee. Surprised, she handed him the silver coins a bit absentmindedly before realizing he did not mention Ibaraki and Moei.

The old man grunted taking the money. “Since you guys don’t seem like the type to cause trouble, I’ll personally waiver the body search. Now scram.”

What just happened…

“How did you guys manage to escape from the identification process?” Robin questioned, feeling a bit light headed.

“Master, the orb could only verify anyone below level 60. Other than that, it was simple for us to revise the parameters the orb would reflect.” Ibaraki explained before adding, “Would you like us to eliminate that rude insect?”

“A-ah that’s not necessary. It’ll cause more problems for us…” she mumbled.

He nodded, an indescribable look flashing instantly before vanishing. It went unnoticed by Robin, but Moei quickly glanced at the silver-haired demon. “As you wish.”

As they walked down the cobblestone street, Robin hummed at the clean and neatly set stores along the path. The houses reminded Robin of the Gothic style houses seen in Germany, with timbered frames accented with bright clay-colored roofs. Compared to the actual medieval times depicted in history books, this town was comparably cleaner than what Robin had anticipated. There were no signs of horse dung on the ground, or human excrement and it seemed people took into consideration when building the roads for ease of travel.

Currently, she was walking on the promenade and took notice of the street lamps neatly aligned in a parallel fashion. Greenery surrounded the pillars and even the two-story buildings had flower pots and vines wrapping around the walls of the buildings. The town as a whole emitted as a culturally vibrant area, as the people bustled to do business transactions.

“Moei, Ibaraki. Take me to the bookstore from where you bought the magic books.”

Before long, they arrived at a quaint bookstore with two large clear paned windows. Robin scanned the towering number of shelved books through the window before entering.

“Ring”

“Customer. New Customer. Squawk” a high pitch voice sounded, before squawking yet again. The bright tropical colored parrot flew from the stand, circling the room before landing on the shoulder of a long-bearded man.

“Welcome dear customers, to Alden’s Bookstore,” the man smiled, forming deep wrinkles at the edge of his eyes.

“Good day sir.” Robin politely answered. “I’m here to buy some magic books.”

The man smiled even wider and stroked his long beard with bony hands. “Then you’ve come to the right place, miss. Come.” He gestured for her to follow him to the back end of the wall, where the tall shelves resided. From there, his hunched figure made way onto the ladder attached to the shelves.

Oh man…

Robin thought watching as the fragile elder, take each trembling steps up the ladder. She winced watching his hands tremble as he grasped the side of the ladder, continuing his small journey up higher and higher.

“Miss, what magic book are you planning to buy?” the owner asked before Robin could announce her concern.

“Fundamentals of magic if you please,” she replied staring at the parrot perched on its golden cage.

The owner gave a hearty laugh, “Oh, you aspire to be a magician too, miss?”

“Um..sure.” Robin didn’t know how to reply because she never considered becoming a magician. The thought didn’t really pass her mind, until now.

“If you want to become a magician, there are some other books I can recommend to you, miss.” he turned to look down on Robin. His beady blue eyes glowed in either prospect riches or from eccentric thoughts.

“Sure, I’ll take those too, mister.” Robin had a hunch the old man was trying to sell more books, like any other businessmen, but money was not a problem to Robin. She bought around 1 million USD worth of copper, silver, and gold. The amount of money she currently had right now couldn’t even put a dent in her brother’s financial assets.

“Also, is there like a school that teaches magic around here?” Robin added. Considering this was a place filled with magic, a school was no doubt in existence.

It may even be like H*gw*rts.

The owner shook his head and brought back five books around the size of her high school calculus book. “Miss, if you want to study magic, the capital has the most prestigious school. I once attend such school before,” he waved his hands in such vigor as to express his pride and enthusiasm. “But, if you want to even set foot on the school grounds, you’d have to be gifted in magic or have a backing from one of the lords in the kingdom.”

Oh? She suddenly became more interested in the magic school. Her posture slightly straightened out and her ears were open in interest. “Could you please tell me more about this famous school, mister?”

“Of course!” the owner happily exclaimed. “Come, lets head to the back. I’ll bring some refreshments for us.”

“Thank you for your generosity, but we should pay for these books first,” she reminded, pointing at the thick stack of books.