I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKYMLwUhNx
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGtmCCck2f
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsspKVa7fAW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzL8liHjJO
"How?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZvXyKdBbh
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhMQ8q8PPD
I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yjPaMCYVU
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhwohINu71
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPld6zmoVgs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiYlOqRuUW
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKJ3N5Pv63
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwhjSlbJ86
Pars turned to answer Juke.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIphWHfOLm
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF05LXKnnR
"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0SzfN99UX
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx3ppvn3OB
"That so, eh?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVpDDQa7hQ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39luBhKMgc
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi8FD71gZ1
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCqeQDu72R
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ5Lmlf09R
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aYNhgAaeh
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaG0rPYZa0
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRJhak4wom
"Hey Becker, how's the–"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ169xPJ2RPh
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3jgDSFIpo
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhM4lVXhWt
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z2qUyR8fh
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TJNbaFesz
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELPqeIqdQS
"Are you a kid?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXg1Z2YIbW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r6SwC6Blu
"H-Huh!?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0MY8xpWT7
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXx8enPpJF
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaCriEbrGP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuqcqGVRLL
"I said, are you a kid?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrJi9dFTF6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsdc9lKeJA
"I-I, yes, I am."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErXgkoNz6f
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QZLqSPCU6
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkAaIL9JIi
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAXJQkIhMQ
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0kfTmQfmM
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRolt5D9Zq
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT6nTG1tCZ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHuVzunQVy
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUHGeraMjT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv528YsPNwj
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARMVZESbLN
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvS0wmPygB
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsMKygUZjU
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG4EQnVRf0
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RrgV9JdbF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhj54inJrR
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp24RCnuSor
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat4rMhadPD
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib04zoURKH
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGamyw3rZHG
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs50i9JWjyn
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysIghkFhoE
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ2LEovwDZ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCbGzdZ95K
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2sTVacCqB
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I07S4iFaP
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ69jWv08M
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYUr1TaABS
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiBSB3AMum
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZEQq6McTQ
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZcBhXUkYP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPvVhjTpTS
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NCTksuQWR
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmqRF9FmCG
"W-What?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5FFMWmf2a
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorpzrGx9FM
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQOlz3jUHZ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJXhlgG7fw
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItP5N3EDdn
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jnOeBioU7
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8rHRc5sOE
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmxd02w6MC
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3Qt4TCAwD
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITAfkqimOq
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgVdCo3bLH
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMTN5Hztu6
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP1cZ3KsfY
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozDK3TSOIf
"I'd never."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13Kw2DAYBm
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSYprliWzI
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKZFpnknRZ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO3RGKPzKr
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5W2r89q3X
I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwN90nAHZA
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXW4JTOE8r
"..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrSr42VDgD
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Yma1ZRsNF
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7arsMsfJQP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXjZuhp0lu
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRU1yRyL5U
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI4kZUABxr
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xwV8jzTXA
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She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZkSbB2xV6
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHD8Rijsz8
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamJGuRwZis
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KjfQSp9fg
"What did you want to tell me?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoUVWkGMcy
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf7ZRJ1wS3
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubkIR7sF8q
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBQYt8Qepn
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz6VxDwvUF
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"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWp4ltmEgl
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI85ALDPpxy
"S-Sure. What is it?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbBKBstOOA
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsjiOw79QF
"Do you like fighting?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8i1axMYeu
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvOM6Mdp7H
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobYGJeXGye
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4sg7PPddy
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYqceteTqc
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdiZmDne5a
"Then, why do you do it?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTAjdD5spX
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCO6PbqVj1
"..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFRhTLFBGs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPREGz8kl8
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd579KziBi
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyhDwl5xJA
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvunXRqSUW
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItZ2mPZFWR
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYwZZEipWg
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFhyfxN5fF
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqEuTVTNkY
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL8UF4RfYz
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcn9meQhzq
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVzuykCR5G
"..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpyLXkzWoD
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AbeH1oBPm
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnApXIHSKs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY71OBesop
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvun2OrWD9
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNM5fGPVu8
"...W-Whaa?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPL2pm3OcO
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6uitEBLqD
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85zPRwnHuZ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcbZ07qlem
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiesZEyLOP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vmjkwoyks
"It's... it's okay."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSu2OXgViF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoK8FnQdzM
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpOpFoYDkN
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRAw91NVE8
"..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8m6O96Vy4
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3KtHCZ5ZB
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarb86CIGnP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5RKt5CzsV
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcFFlOP9gK
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmCbVf8r7i
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcpLgt00vP
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7mllRBI7B
"...Y-Yes."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX8I4mKXGF
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfKqrLUbfz
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL5xoHoJ8e
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt38FheD9g
"I see. I see now."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMRacyI5iU
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HOYXmUYld
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoyOXDyXjS
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qw7imZFnm
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh7AyN6EA7
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3WDOwmymN
"Like, um, like what?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpPkcwatTs
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLjYM3AKZz
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvzYN9CClq
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz4FnAD3E6
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldu5rRrkBT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJun7ccgkSg
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XkXF5RZrU
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV12gmlSgBR
She paused to scratch her head.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvvCBYbu8t
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfjYOPE35L
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb14MYu5Kiq
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtBtaVpssh
"I... I, I'm not–"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCO1rQlDWa
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoFurSFa8l
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxCp2O4wDe
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLdakhuyLK
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12FuexBBUi
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcJa3GMSP8
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtPTvg3duM
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT1qfQiO14
"On the right?"158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviQgfMCQwN
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6OWXucOXa
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliy893DyQb
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4csHemzlfd
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JiAxJUStv
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumJOQKm4pz
"..."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1gWrSCaQT
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLtODISEgn
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIlR8JhAPR
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUSLp6NJVt
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsAwCwTkd1
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ4gnRwIKS
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtSvmbNTjQ
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8p4AqOAIn
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96cVTp3G9R
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ9Nmf6AJv
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gglv9DYgj
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5W6K2LNWF
"...Maybe."158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4wX206vp1
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qyln4W0v6
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJTFj1MKYt
158Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ905Fz0Vdy5
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
