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?235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5kDjkq2Pn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvIl0vNmhL
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJEjd0HzQW
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPGMXBwPZC
"How?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclw5zuiY5w
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaeFdqG4Lm
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HTjDYER03
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP5atTUCSC
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ06dvUpl1e
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn15kvQNb0
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoAyHukTim
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq941zKdI9
Pars turned to answer Juke.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX9A2m2fPk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8I5ZM24wk
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtB1YdjwsG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz9MoKLZHZ
"That so, eh?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC33rnXoR9W
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMOKRNgbDi
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw7qe1vE67
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GDmFOhGny
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiUBBBzmFh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMZZCiZmhM
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzkkP4rsaI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILzTbPXk0P
"Hey Becker, how's the–"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MqMSrPEuh
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQE65oGHKQ
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHtcHqwAi7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO17ucHWnP
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ36HZNLYa
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAkusGUUeH
"Are you a kid?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIqfHTiPnL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYIkALEaRB
"H-Huh!?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXJqoNkjQw
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjApjVH4Nqv
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tfHnxj2l7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzjjsJhwDT
"I said, are you a kid?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkecLgC8KZ5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KslMuRqMd
"I-I, yes, I am."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEjFcfB3Kw
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREIKC5ifMr
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL836gtaRe6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJmO2p5q5T
"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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CbvxRcAg1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwIfgxL5WS
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh2i1tvjEF
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMLrbs7Pp6
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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmOqFQj4RF
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGO3lLnjbt
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub8WgIWWg2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p4zSSFppo
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUh1k4EMGN
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKHmLyfiWz
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeC3fP5he5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7EIQpdB7N
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48AmBc4QSU
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwPEAypIiJ
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubyWj2D5lK
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"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaHFRO0n9G
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvIncxIB7i
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgP0FCK82n
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4GjccIjQs
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrqOmEKpMJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDre2Q6cVvx
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUKXKsTS7s
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGo8VxMRv6
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4Sn8vw7Ba
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkroGPBsKX
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r12YSV11V
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU9nP9BkX0
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BaLNGJfn6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ838SqiBwTV
"W-What?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKtlN9VsF2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMyfvBuDwQ
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyCMBHLjj7
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1Z5f2iLpW
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfKsWA2J1X
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMekc4407h
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55gtOYzB2k
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhj1eGfYZT
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlktJeTNOu
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VBP3tNzTJ
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAdoaC2FsE
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN14MxCoraE
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98d7JyC4hG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuH8fWjzpKh
"I'd never."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgev8FQ4mP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VsREXJBJF
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRikFpvqVC
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaOJHwzKWc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbBwWXGSR7
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeCwpveC1P
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76JubhSm46
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyJfy6H7RQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHa8B4ad8W
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?235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH8IUtmmhd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90pHgO1i5C
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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZWqnt8q9D
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f8XmJfVxB
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7Jim9o0ha
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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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz451iop0u
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1k94mYFGr
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApEYOoKL3u
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFuIBq6QmS
"What did you want to tell me?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqsPgeEDyH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOBUeUbYU0
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNfnhLBzlD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7bNmEDUFt
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8snxDa3YTy
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezwPi5WcRL
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjjn4pqt5O
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxIBL4MTjj
"S-Sure. What is it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSGmoqCvP0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpLP5FO4MA
"Do you like fighting?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYQxWoZNom
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v5irwCL4V
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv5BJFJoLr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sKwigClpq
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oqo0HS2nS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4BKfgyj4q
"Then, why do you do it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6JF0ivAbW
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6xoxmwWpY
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcnKjC9UIi
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe62uo1TYFc
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79pfJfyX8N
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa6XnoTA7G
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOleY51P1x
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"...In that regard, I'm very like you."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ATvH95yfW
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsotSb4mbeL
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqYHVHq5ua
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtQI7bIqSy
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdtFGWArHr
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs59iTMNTCQ
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSSaOGVZdM
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64Ggq6zw2h
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynl9lfTbLT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBffDVnO27Z
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkcgnVdqi5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBKMdiR4Hx
"...W-Whaa?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r95fAA2Xa
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZjw0m7H9m
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zw5mTbM5A
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOk9otxWFS
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TJO5INAOK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ371OlbEAQ4
"It's... it's okay."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwHKRFyxmg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD2wpns29K
"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?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn7JgliOv3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iQLBnGzrv
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkZYDvVJmA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHheZ3uAhH
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Rjk9SmXX0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccOvqjmgVF
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlJ1FolKAC
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxd99mummG
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQrBUMDyq5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOqYL8TH2g
"...Y-Yes."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexehwmbtzI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4846tDwgQa
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMXpvqkFwx
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVXqWRpTir
"I see. I see now."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiDSg1McS3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXfG2GdFLi
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6ketLDxOQ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQedEBoWce
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9a3vCWCep
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBfYEHzQf7
"Like, um, like what?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uO2Imx36K
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwDDTdEuWE
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzrzRI4sI0
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9ILSs6zyZ
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSpqF6AC6b
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj5VcQjm82
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxMaMsY0gP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQnkekiZhN
She paused to scratch her head.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEvlDcqmLK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitl8p4IO6w
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QHjznS8yv
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljkXmLGoDf
"I... I, I'm not–"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYVrJ7mqoz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVP8VaxJld
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o00YMfmFn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6JXakHxDH
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMTyMpMKCV
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ko0GXrQpo
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSwh6Hy32D
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXb36ev5ci
"On the right?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr5GM9CEKa
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjH3vEZuuE
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKn4rY1ZZz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBafU9WctI
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV79JSLVEB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU9OzleorI
"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstAonQf6sd
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLDobNjUjh
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov6HsP9JzJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrX1uhBFux
"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."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO69sNE3i5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpjScdI42k
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu5tK3hpSD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP2rA4lvLF
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzxceutCcI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g0uhMSd1j
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQaSbbZDd5
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4xpnye5rV
"...Maybe."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEYa2pT4EJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX79TBrKQzO
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.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQpm8tWQfg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprnjuds4jV
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
