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?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOUUbKLD8C
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQOrlrnUmu
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPkRSFlLqd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2GaTXVCUF
"How?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1yD8BCfn5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ115ap4uFLW
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSsc0613Cd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwJX4olLC7
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxBq6tPzQk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhVOXjZQPP
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53l8txOCak
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlal7Bn4xWw
Pars turned to answer Juke.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy2yuyKxUk
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbEKniMvhF
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoVKTojLM6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8BcitAoOM
"That so, eh?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoCsexQUN7
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vSUMu8hpQ
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPO9c7THgL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrUml4HX7W
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4AVxTrnCP
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wg0MsrZsa
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JKGXkD0GB
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68GSaNRlEW
"Hey Becker, how's the–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBndb34yrPL
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdW1o9mQLz
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ka9bz0tw0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsq1WCkA1k
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Vk9F7W7V
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgedsTxqwvi
"Are you a kid?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyzz8hDCPh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEmDjs51CH
"H-Huh!?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KCKndNymZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQTvytYNkT
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEnUtbQ7PH
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMZ8qLJ76p
"I said, are you a kid?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7Zv42bRBb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcPti8ZxUN
"I-I, yes, I am."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwjqm3A3Uh
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudLx5aNmuA
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBQGk0QqKl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXF9SyV2ka
"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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEerNz36Mbn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDksyk5nrS
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMczzuwccYd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXlZuW4UWn
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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Btrl9jucn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sdzllB3Kl
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnleR7EtTg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlkM8N4ZPc
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOAVyusaVU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4o2cbvX1w
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aCvt3yRS0
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9SvjU67ex
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDlVLZoo2B
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHTOJBpThn
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4untDnfcBx
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdsCU4Q2tM
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS5dxwKLOB
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiKfpWxPh7
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkwPBjhEax
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA27gdr7ulV
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvZHOqRHXl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQtLvGVxoq
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVLfmTjCgJ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRoz4nqmpG
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSfnpinaZZ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sMbYwKoSh
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gKrMTH3Aw
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkS7XnpgT6F
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG4QZI42K1
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb2cYPpQ3A
"W-What?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn3RALpFAT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdojhyqpvZ
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ti1XK8y7K
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gEyhBpnxy
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdJThL3BVN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZu0BHUKmU
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLrDMNUuAN
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5fFJuIjSH
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVJ3Z4cmJi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IGVXMm5uw
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oX1aKNWwG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4keqL9M2A
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrdSn4xqKF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Btpi6uXy7
"I'd never."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lJNHR5Be9
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKkOaxDD4p
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMIG92eytu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1blI1XSGgi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD40FWP8cOQ
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIwmp4nQu6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWGBkEKKKo
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1gx5HQNGw
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Pa9LbHdM
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?217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk0Bi0jKQb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWUa5ewMvh
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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91ZLNIhLC1
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrJX9p1xol
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFCV83MpWi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrliGZgKWAq
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFhriG3fmn
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpkDsHGiCJ
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzgHk0DLrp
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"What did you want to tell me?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ583ijuY1UC
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSR7jubjqf
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIf5frHwhg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx2kHA0GSt
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNPv6dIHxD
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"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuvui9EsWp
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYbukrYFfe
"S-Sure. What is it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpfAZO1CnU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oCswhnuJB
"Do you like fighting?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpnXfE8C3b
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHr57Pyltf
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Adzpygc31
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y8be7nUIA
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gWpO2ATiu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4QYOGqJVp
"Then, why do you do it?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB059M33Gq8
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrIPOZUL4A
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBD8F1io2x
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51fQ2SG40d
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs8Cl7KRPl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRBb8oAGI1
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A3OueUCWg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKsY9Pa694
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX51xabKl6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWsiIv56DP
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYLQygEkzD
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDbqdPEKOY
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgAiwIstjM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2wCbjpn4D
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgN4avSnX8
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDmOB9bHeX
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGLC9MuGtu
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0I1Vexffk
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxPDb6LHkG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2iBztV6XV
"...W-Whaa?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwjgMAgPlG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSHOh0KdSN
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ352aPTN85c
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZriXWc1VNL
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkkOrdM1jF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA8cZSxunW
"It's... it's okay."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkseGXCCWg
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5rfn4mwSk
"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?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6LmUOugda
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpzCh13ZT3
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTAeit6xOF
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWabPOovJy
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrLntusEXQ
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxkTGsb76H
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV5oFC9jo4
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp3DCOozsH
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNO7lilEog
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIErw1rR4Cn
"...Y-Yes."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgrzwrRAp2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfQ02bK6Zj
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vpj4BRdIq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMBEQjAnKo
"I see. I see now."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoYNIrA0sl
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwb9VXtTpS
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgLcBebow5
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZjYzOkky2
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdyL9NCjAH
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU4XS00ZCw
"Like, um, like what?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQLkeTUpgo
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvcczAsWWp
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59ktGpXSoR
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolLHOzz1rR
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM5xRrAqnz
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXTHj796bn
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWQAFogzFp
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHopG1afAPs
She paused to scratch her head.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxZUIVXjsq
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLiMikrxmS
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXKO9mxUSV
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIZfTj9uhO
"I... I, I'm not–"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbDYETSZdU
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBCFbxNZbk
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡommh2NL7Oi
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCYTIuNQyP
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7lCg819Up
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"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiwOqyeVf6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GuGMfz3BR
"On the right?"217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa2p4PgEL6
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA0UosRSIW
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt8PNGyRPT
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxRRGcVNEg
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVotgYpOrd
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8HuGBcX5z
"..."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGV7wnV5pO
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She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXCilh40zb
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qBvQ5qzqe
"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."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuBxx8ZeAp
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkxzo0YVgi
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrcKUzvxZ2
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Co2KVZrrk
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe26J0vSoXG
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlLIq8TSMB
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNZ499lFHQ
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"...Maybe."217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07U5DVZTzD
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKpLh5lLt0
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.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZldskhHgM
217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE7eO8mQv7
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
