The guard took the paper Miss Hero handed over and read it carefully.
The neat handwriting on the paper and the good cooperation from the young girl made him feel as if a spring breeze had swept through his heart, not noticing at all that the hero had not spoken.
After reading the note, he gave the hero a once-over and noticed the Gleaming Scale Serpent at her feet.
The Gleaming Scale Serpent straightened up, the stigmata engraved by the cruising bishop gleaming on its scales.
"I see, I understand now."
[The guard's attitude was a Critical Success!]
The guard turned his head and shouted to his colleague.
"Hey, bring a map for this distinguished lady!"
"Ah, are you sure about that? It's for internal use..." his colleague whispered.
He sneaked a glance at the hero, seemingly understanding why the guard on duty was so proactive.
"What kind of look is that? Of course it's fine, she's the church's hero. Didn't you see the stigmata on that familiar?"
The guard glared at his colleague.
"If I didn't have to stay on duty, I'd gladly guide her myself. It's an honorable task."
His colleague sneaked another glance at the hero.
She looked curiously at the two whispering, her emerald green pupils free of shadows, and her delicate face showed no signs of rough travel.
If it weren't for the large backpack on her back and her traveler's attire, no one would believe that this young girl was the hero who traveled alone from the inland to the border.
Saying she was a town's young lady playing a role-playing game seemed more reasonable.
So when he heard what the guard on duty said, his first reaction was disbelief, thinking the guard had ulterior motives.
But the hero's identity and the stigmata on the familiar were undeniable, so his colleague no longer objected and handed her a map.
[The hero obtained a Special Item: Magic Map of the Border City]
It's a city map used internally by the guards.
Although it didn't include information on restricted areas, it was updated quickly and far more detailed than those available on the market. It even could real-time mark emergency events regarding law and order.
"Then, welcome to Border City, Miss Hero. May your endeavors here yield victories."
The guards slightly bowed to her and stepped aside to clear her path.
The hero nodded in gratitude and walked into the city with the Gleaming Scale Serpent.
Previously, the little girl's guards mentioned that heroes would receive preferential treatment in the border army, and it seemed to be true.
Passing through the city gate, she walked to a less crowded street and opened the complimentary map, her emerald eyes widened slightly.
The map's paper was thick, more like a small book, not only containing detailed information about the city, but if magic power was infused, the specially made ink would emit different colors of light, indicating the area's law and order status.
The back of the map had a finely drawn magic array, which even seemed to update in real-time if within Border City.
Magic was... truly amazing!
The hero flipped the map repeatedly, studying it like a new toy for quite a while before taking a step forward.
So, let's first go to the appraiser and see the necklace obtained earlier!
[Intelligence check passed: With the detailed map, the hero's pathfinding was automatically successful]
"Well, this necklace is indeed a royal item with an ancient history."
[Appraiser's interest in the royal family necklace]
In a well-reputed pawnshop in the bustling area of Border City, an appraiser wearing white gloves observed the pendant's patterns with a magnifying glass, full of interest.
The necklace had a simple design, with a gold pendant in the center inlaid with a colorless gemstone.
Because it had been soaking for too long in the decaying Black Lake, it did not appear to be anything valuable, but the appraiser's keen eyes wouldn't allow such a conclusion.
"It may have belonged to a prince—or even a king—because such emblems could not be used by an ordinary royal family member.
"And according to what you said, it's a unique piece that ended up outside, so it is unlikely to belong to a princess.
"Which means, it's very likely it was given to a woman a royal family member got acquainted with while traveling.
"Though the two developed feelings for each other, it ultimately resulted in a destiny of unfulfilled fate."
Although the hero did not disclose the origin of the necklace, the appraiser guessed it with almost full accuracy, evoking admiration in her eyes and prompting the talkative appraiser to straighten up.
[Does the necklace have enchantment?]
The appraiser's expression became serious. He took off his gloves and touched the surface of the gemstone with his fingers.
The hero perceived his magic power activating, and as the appraiser's magic flowed in, the originally colorless gemstone gleamed with a hint of blue.
But when the appraiser's fingers withdrew, the blue hue quickly faded.
"You see, this gemstone is a magic crystal. Although it had depleted over time due to long storage, the necklace as a whole should have an enchantment effect.
"If you take a bit of effort, carry it around and resonate with it using your own magic, you might be able to awaken it."
The appraiser donned his gloves again, not sparing words of praise for the necklace.
"It could be considered a rare treasure. Is the owner your ancestor?"
The hero shook her head.
"Ha ha, then what a pity. Otherwise, you might have had a chance to connect with the royal family."
The appraiser also shook his head in regret, placing the necklace down and sliding it over to the hero on a tray.