Chapter 41

As soon as Lamis left, I sent a report to Prince Alan via messenger magic, detailing the events and my complaints. Soon, a message came through the ear cuff, and we moved from shop to shop by carriage. With the conditions that I would not leave Kir's side, only visit the stores Rona guided us to, and return by evening, permission was granted to continue shopping. The sightseeing would have to wait until we were better prepared. It was disappointing, but the scenery from the carriage was enjoyable enough.

"Intelligence Department's Lamis Gardock, huh? He's quite useful," Prince Alan muttered in a low voice, which was scary. Rest in peace, Lamis.

Forgetting the unpleasantness, Kir, Rona, and I thoroughly enjoyed our shopping. The maid-recommended clothing store had reasonably priced and cute clothes, targeting lower nobility and wealthy commoners. There were dresses, but also room wear and casual dresses for walking around town.

When I was measured, I was surprised. My size had changed quite a bit. I seemed to have grown taller and developed a more womanly figure. My chest was showing signs of growth!

Tears welled up in Kir's eyes as she watched the measurements. She looked like a mother. Oh, I'm sorry for worrying you.

"Miss Shina, I think you will continue to grow. Let's make the size a bit loose, and make the chest and waist adjustable..."

Rona and the designer carefully discussed the dress, fitting it to my body. She's a reliable older sister.

We bought more clothes than in Aile Street, visited a general goods store, and then took a break at a cute bakery. Mmm, sweets.

"We bought a lot. I'm glad we could buy clothes for Kir too."

"Thank you, Miss Shina."

It was wasteful, and she hesitated, but I bought them anyway. Because they would suit Kir.

"Next time, let's go sightseeing too."

We were supposed to return to the palace after having snacks a bit early. I was a bit tired from my recent illness. I'm still not allowed to use recovery magic by Grandpa Sand, so I can't secretly recover. It's inconvenient.

"Hey, ladies. Did you buy cute clothes?"

At that moment, a sleazy voice came from a group of people who forcibly attached their table to ours.

Three men in sloppily worn Marita Kingdom Knight Corps uniforms grinned at us.

"We saw you in the store earlier and thought you were cute, so we followed you. Sorry to scare you."

The most handsome-looking man among the three winked. Stop it, it's bad. Learn from President Nazir. He can wink cutely even in his 30s.

The other two smiled silently. They would look pretty good if they wore their uniforms properly, but why do they wear them so sloppily? Are they trying to be rebels? They look like middle schoolers.

Just as we were having a good time with the cute Kir and Rona, it was ruined. Don't touch our snacks, you ruffians.

"Are you ladies visiting the capital? We were born and raised here! We know good places, so we can show you around."

The man licked the crumbs from his fingers. How rude.

At that moment, the appraisal magic beeped a warning. Don't go with these people, absolutely not?

Why? They are indeed a bit creepy, but they're just trying to pick us up. Moreover, they are knights of the Marita Kingdom Knight Corps. Are they that dangerous for the appraisal magic to warn?

"We are about to leave. Let's go."

Kir urged Rona and me to leave. Though they looked much weaker compared to Kir, we didn't let our guard down.

"Don't say that. Let's have a little more fun."

The men followed us as we stood up and paid. The carriage was a bit away.

"Are you going to the stop? Then let us take you there."

"We are fine, thank you."

Kir guarded us while glaring at the men. We were surrounded by the three tall men, blocking the view of passersby.

As the men approached, we moved to avoid them, but we were being led to a less crowded area.

Actually, we were pretending to be led there. It would be troublesome if we were seen by others.

"Come on, don't be so wary. You won't catch a street carriage at this hour. Trust us a little, we are part of the Marita Kingdom Knight Corps."

Beep! The appraisal magic warned again. Oh, it's stronger this time. These guys are bad.

I secretly sent a messenger magic to Prince Alan. Not for help, but to report that I would take care of it. Prince Alan replied hurriedly, "I'm coming right away!" I'll wait!

"Which unit do you belong to?"

Rona, who had been silent, spoke to the men.

"Huh?"

"The Knight Corps has five divisions, each with three departments, and each department has thirty sub-units. Which division, department, and sub-unit are you from? Please give the names of your squad leader and deputy leader."

Wow, there are so many. Rona is knowledgeable. You've been in the capital recently, right?

"Your uniforms... The shape of the collar and sleeves are slightly different from those supplied by the Marita Kingdom. The quality of the fabric is also a bit different. Are these really Knight Corps uniforms?"

"Damn! Hey! Take them!"

At Rona's words, the men's smiles vanished. The handsome-looking man signaled, and the other two attacked Kir and Rona. The handsome-looking man reached for me.

Before his hand could reach me, he suddenly fell into a large hole that opened in the ground. The other two fell similarly.

When the ground suddenly disappears, humans fall straight down. All three fell with surprised faces.

The depth was about two adults. I made individual deep vertical holes for each of them, so from above, it looked like three holes in a triangular formation.

"Miss Shina, are you okay?"

Rona came to my side, peering into the holes cautiously to avoid falling in.

"Thank you, Rona. Are these fake knights?"

They said they would take us, so I think they were kidnappers.

However, Rona, who calmly cornered them, was impressive. She looked like a famous detective. But it was scary, she's a bit pale.

"Probably... I don't think they are knights from the strict Marita Kingdom Knight Corps. Their sloppy uniforms."

Sloppy, indeed. Even in another world, that level of creepiness is recognized.

"What should we do with them? Should we burn them from above with fire magic?"

Kir said coldly. What a brutal idea, Kir is angry.

"But why did the holes suddenly appear?"

"I dug them with earth magic."

"Oh, Miss Shina's magic..."

That's the kind of understanding you get from someone from Kyrat Street, Rona. The people there think my magic can do anything.

"Hey! Get us out of here! This is a joke! We are part of the Kingdom Knight Corps!"

"You will be caught and punished!"

The men were screaming from the holes.

"Maybe I should bury you to shut you up."

Saying that, I activated water magic. Water should be slowly rising from their feet.

"Ah! Water, water!"

From above, I used earth magic to throw dirt.

"Ah! We're being buried! Help!"

"Mommy!!"

I don't think Mommy would forgive bad kids.

"What was your purpose?"

I asked casually. Meanwhile, the water was rising, and the dirt was falling.

"Stop! Stop the water!"

"Ugh! Dirt in my mouth! Stop! Don't bury us!"

The panicked men didn't seem to hear me. I slowed down the water and earth magic, burying them slowly. I waited for Prince Alan to arrive. If he doesn't come soon, they'll be buried.