"I see it. The light, I see it!"26Please respect copyright.PENANAvoIanBTHOb
26Please respect copyright.PENANA57IzT1IXQ0
Victoria rushed ahead of the group, and ahead of our guide, Ng. She was right; a couple of dozen meters away was a field where the sun freely shined. I could hardly believe it myself, but Victoria was in it, basking in the light like a reptile. I made it out.26Please respect copyright.PENANAnpTspm1puf
26Please respect copyright.PENANA8gTEuRiQ9q
"We did it, Flinty."26Please respect copyright.PENANAnfbWOuFR5t
26Please respect copyright.PENANAPADy3OLal6
"Yeah."26Please respect copyright.PENANAKsO0xAPDjV
26Please respect copyright.PENANA0dT8z5pTSS
She looked awfully happy. I was too, but likely for a different reason. I looked at the rest of the group. Skylark was being himself, Ng had a look of wonder, and Victoria's mental age regressed by twelve years.26Please respect copyright.PENANAdOganegPl4
26Please respect copyright.PENANAsLmsS4gpoW
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.26Please respect copyright.PENANAB2WWrmmgxE
26Please respect copyright.PENANAqE5dTfMGLs
After Victoria finished, we walked around the crops and stood before the farmhouse. Linda was rocking in a chair. She perked up when she noticed us.26Please respect copyright.PENANABbQN8S5qIt
26Please respect copyright.PENANA7cUAmGGfnq
"Ah, you made it!"26Please respect copyright.PENANApnMs02yXh0
26Please respect copyright.PENANAkmq1O6oZb2
Linda ran up to us. She exchanged hugs with Victoria. I couldn't help but think of what Victoria said about her, but still, the scene was... it was soothing to the soul. I felt a type of satisfaction I couldn't describe. It was borderline euphoric, watching daughter and mother reunite like this.26Please respect copyright.PENANAoOBRUNVMtC
26Please respect copyright.PENANARE7Bwpeuiz
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."26Please respect copyright.PENANAPqHhx9NCZw
26Please respect copyright.PENANAx0OFKMQt5R
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."26Please respect copyright.PENANApPJ0gs08LT
26Please respect copyright.PENANAO5ttlDzbHD
"Ah, alright."26Please respect copyright.PENANAjnwGnWOOPG
26Please respect copyright.PENANAZL1blbEMOa
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.26Please respect copyright.PENANAfuYITguhxN
26Please respect copyright.PENANAKmkW5vKqwb
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.26Please respect copyright.PENANAKe3j60VJR0
26Please respect copyright.PENANA1PBmuK8Ce4
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."26Please respect copyright.PENANAbDdaEY6q0a
26Please respect copyright.PENANAzenH0aoCRJ
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."26Please respect copyright.PENANAfE5caT92WP
26Please respect copyright.PENANAlJAH6d0CB3
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."26Please respect copyright.PENANAXzqTJidVNZ
26Please respect copyright.PENANA3o3DTsgB9t
There was no first order of business to returning from such a mission. It was awkward, admittedly, because while Victoria had her clothes changed, Ng made conversation with Linda, and while Skylark intently watched the sleeping Kim, I didn't have anything to do.26Please respect copyright.PENANAVurnT5itOk
26Please respect copyright.PENANAiwlAvYfyFd
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA4ulLU4NeDl
26Please respect copyright.PENANAejLy39Ep2d
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."26Please respect copyright.PENANAGlrkrPrtJu
26Please respect copyright.PENANAfxoeSpfSRh
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."26Please respect copyright.PENANALs4DpR5nfN
26Please respect copyright.PENANAa4UfrqQido
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."26Please respect copyright.PENANAlzFYNaMuZs
26Please respect copyright.PENANADIPbJDFeMy
"Of course! Let's go."26Please respect copyright.PENANAI8QU35pG7t
26Please respect copyright.PENANAmKg412qkiB
Flinty and I exited the living quarters and ran to the front of the farmhouse. There was a basket of dirty laundry with a washboard inside beside a barrel of water. Flinty took a bucket and scooped up some water.26Please respect copyright.PENANAr2URe2gMiO
26Please respect copyright.PENANAxfbhRBTAz5
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."26Please respect copyright.PENANA4DNNDCM56s
26Please respect copyright.PENANALMndnpCpM7
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.26Please respect copyright.PENANAKuYuTyLcAg
26Please respect copyright.PENANAL6hzeMCs9e
"Uh, do I have to?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAARuyLMdcEa
26Please respect copyright.PENANA6YIHUaQm3L
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."26Please respect copyright.PENANAhjapIpGiP6
26Please respect copyright.PENANATA8XLnxSr5
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.26Please respect copyright.PENANAdBZPCBkmn9
26Please respect copyright.PENANAQyOtqGJ7fw
"Kenny?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA2OGrQQgWJr
26Please respect copyright.PENANAd0ZZaaLhIO
"Yeah yeah..."26Please respect copyright.PENANAxlP9R0qKGG
26Please respect copyright.PENANAx0d3zX7YZM
I took off my shirt.26Please respect copyright.PENANAINCPqNHcMO
26Please respect copyright.PENANAjIEsV2U8LG
"Alright, now come here."26Please respect copyright.PENANAMWS1DRQyRw
26Please respect copyright.PENANA2qLOpDWs2M
She was kneeling beside the bucket. I slowly walked over to her and sat down. Thus began the cleaning of my shirt. I quickly realized that Flinty, what with her frequent pauses and occasional dopey look, knew about as much as I did. But, I didn't say anything. Something about this, even though it made me feel awkward, was nice.26Please respect copyright.PENANAhmYjAYz4J4
26Please respect copyright.PENANA58Hwh8xGwW
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."26Please respect copyright.PENANA2jWYxNmwHQ
26Please respect copyright.PENANAa9bnTQiThZ
"Right."26Please respect copyright.PENANAX3DdkYb0hd
26Please respect copyright.PENANApToaClXuwL
I tried that, but it didn't work.26Please respect copyright.PENANAzgdUTVoeni
26Please respect copyright.PENANAh7WLBK4Uhx
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAtmAS2J7jFG
26Please respect copyright.PENANA47QxPW5uTz
"Beats me."26Please respect copyright.PENANAwNgcAIR46K
26Please respect copyright.PENANAkbTXKGPoPe
"But it came from you, didn't it?"26Please respect copyright.PENANACcphKHvQGw
26Please respect copyright.PENANABV3YNHDo4E
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."26Please respect copyright.PENANAhegYQPl8xN
26Please respect copyright.PENANAz60jQfKX4l
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.26Please respect copyright.PENANAlIy8QrsYKX
26Please respect copyright.PENANAW3EfqHtYtN
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"26Please respect copyright.PENANAJuYM4po1i9
26Please respect copyright.PENANAtcML77TE76
She snatched it from my hands and rubbed it against the waterboard. Her eyebrows were furrowed. She scrubbed it for a good three minutes before growing tired.26Please respect copyright.PENANAGI2FhPl4AY
26Please respect copyright.PENANA1C35jMy0Xl
"It's no use. It isn't possible."26Please respect copyright.PENANA3UzDalfPDn
26Please respect copyright.PENANAOEI1egKYAr
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."26Please respect copyright.PENANAyNwqPKudk3
26Please respect copyright.PENANApoiYTKM9TP
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"26Please respect copyright.PENANABEwtKhNokH
26Please respect copyright.PENANAyVOmdYR4Vs
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."26Please respect copyright.PENANAMIvn6hCmx1
26Please respect copyright.PENANAnnM09S3D7u
"A-Ah, w-well then..."26Please respect copyright.PENANAuCmz2yscFG
26Please respect copyright.PENANAIPrLZyfvJ7
Her brows were still furrowed but her face was a pretty shade of red.
I grabbed the shirt back and hung it to dry. To be honest, the stain looked even worse, but that was neither here nor there. It was a little chilly being bare-chested though so I put my coat back on.
"..."
Dang. I already began to miss the shirt. I sighed. It would be fine, it wasn't a particularly rare shirt anyway. I walked back to Flinty. Frustration still lingered on her face.
"Stop looking so grumpy."
"Hmph. Fine."
She sighed and got up. I looked at her quizzically, and she tilted her head in return. I didn't know what came over me at that moment, but I wrapped my arms around her.
26Please respect copyright.PENANAl5KhJIPqJ2
"K-Kenny?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAkQvHbKBqbE
26Please respect copyright.PENANAgtopcI0SzU
She fidgeted a little, I didn't let go. Eventually, she returned the hug. I couldn't tell how long I was hugging her, I was too caught up in the moment. I let go of her and put my hands on her shoulders.26Please respect copyright.PENANARxCUP1xl5P
26Please respect copyright.PENANAFV7Jz5y83M
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."26Please respect copyright.PENANAh56sDRezX4
26Please respect copyright.PENANA8dWR0DR3bE
"Y-Yeah."26Please respect copyright.PENANACY7XtwDA99
26Please respect copyright.PENANAHLAnENYNSw
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.26Please respect copyright.PENANAkbE6Xvul5r
26Please respect copyright.PENANAJXENPElo9i
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."26Please respect copyright.PENANAutCH8PJDYx
26Please respect copyright.PENANAi8DmZeYfny
I nodded. We traveled back to the farmhouse. Flinty split up with me to go wash herself, mentioning how her effort made her all sweaty. I simply entered the living quarters. I was expecting to kill time staring at the ceiling as I waited for a meal to come, but the presence of the two people in the room destroyed that expectation.26Please respect copyright.PENANAw3MA5rPbLj
26Please respect copyright.PENANAokAaCkVc0B
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.26Please respect copyright.PENANAvwmMiqR3L1
26Please respect copyright.PENANAvhMLQaXO7S
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"26Please respect copyright.PENANAHXS9rDK7FK
26Please respect copyright.PENANAEJC9bvMmkV
I darted to her. She was rubbing her head under her cloak and had one of her hands held by Skylark. She looked at me, and I caught her smiling.26Please respect copyright.PENANAtN1t8qZ4Bh
26Please respect copyright.PENANAKOyr8pyQtP
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."26Please respect copyright.PENANAxsSEAfbELp
26Please respect copyright.PENANAAJHC5PE0WP
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."26Please respect copyright.PENANABt586V3lWX
26Please respect copyright.PENANARrEy3VkyTz
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."26Please respect copyright.PENANAfiVQifcW4m
26Please respect copyright.PENANActKEjOQ5E1
She looked over at Skylark.26Please respect copyright.PENANAs0fJ3aDn2Z
26Please respect copyright.PENANAeVL2KWVEHI
"And, again, thank you for helping."26Please respect copyright.PENANAHL90cnabHD
26Please respect copyright.PENANA8O2czk3OFj
"But of course, it is my duty."26Please respect copyright.PENANAHPrXXmLfTL
26Please respect copyright.PENANAIuhMJSieCX
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."26Please respect copyright.PENANAq68D07d7uZ
26Please respect copyright.PENANAzzFUdHwZi0
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."26Please respect copyright.PENANA8N0lowiJpD
26Please respect copyright.PENANAkqBgfk5cl8
"That's stupid."26Please respect copyright.PENANAzxhAcf4uQV
26Please respect copyright.PENANAAkAjvuENww
I felt out of place as they quarreled.26Please respect copyright.PENANAjx4MoXTqgL
26Please respect copyright.PENANASCRM45ww0P
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.26Please respect copyright.PENANAbdUIkIhkXs
26Please respect copyright.PENANAiQ33ca6Jv6
"...Yes?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAydu3YIHknY
26Please respect copyright.PENANAtAHlQieUNf
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"26Please respect copyright.PENANA24zdcIODC4
26Please respect copyright.PENANAzZFJiOiv4S
"Yes, my lady."26Please respect copyright.PENANAtRn0qHo1J6
26Please respect copyright.PENANAsam3a3RmKY
Huh? What was happening? I stood with a blank expression as Skylark exited the room. The thought of stopping him didn't even cross my mind.26Please respect copyright.PENANAOKNrARURuM
26Please respect copyright.PENANAuSNvRVdxiX
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."26Please respect copyright.PENANAWWvRTMc4r8
26Please respect copyright.PENANAQjjgkcnJ4W
I sat on the adjacent bed. My hands were fidgeting a little. She wasn't going to say what I thought she was, was she? How could she even have found out?26Please respect copyright.PENANAY9tSYbttnZ
26Please respect copyright.PENANAjxdAGhx1Fd
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."26Please respect copyright.PENANAb64AnhMbqy
26Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZvXzfskek
She put her hands on her hood and pulled it back. In front of me stood a woman with short hair and giant curls resembling coils. She had eyes a shade of green that could blend in with the leaves. I was shocked by the sudden revealing of her face, but I was hounded more by the colors of her features. I recognized it.26Please respect copyright.PENANALrZtm1uCwT
26Please respect copyright.PENANAGF5Z2VVzM1
"My name is Phoebe Zariel. I am the sole daughter of King and Queen Zariel, and I am the older brother of Orice Zariel. You've run into him yourself a few times, haven't you?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAAr1qqMAdyy
26Please respect copyright.PENANAjN5oNSFunJ
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"26Please respect copyright.PENANATRPytj67iG
26Please respect copyright.PENANAwK7onGy2il
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."26Please respect copyright.PENANAhATyim7UYO
26Please respect copyright.PENANAbecMoVYkwU
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.26Please respect copyright.PENANAVvGXtYYonm
26Please respect copyright.PENANAjzo8gfiNsp
"Many things have been occurring against the Zariel kingdom. From what we know, the East country wants to use land the kingdom controls– the Exotica Mines, specifically– and offer us their exclusive goods in exchange. We refused dealing with them many years ago, and have suddenly seen a spike in criminal and alarming activity, whether it be in the city itself or villages. You are a resident of Buffalo Village, correct?"
"...Wha? What– huh?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAy8ooPZxuz6
26Please respect copyright.PENANAlEAnORvWGs
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.26Please respect copyright.PENANAYVLKVnVXQl
26Please respect copyright.PENANAaddshArOip
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAkuamWOPquf
26Please respect copyright.PENANAhAvMnLvVTI
She scowled at me. Oops.26Please respect copyright.PENANAWVKpK6fdwy
26Please respect copyright.PENANAYQw0GWJTW1
"He is not dumb! He has the kindest heart out of anyone in our family! So what if he escapes from time to time? He's only ever done good for the citizens!"26Please respect copyright.PENANAsDGPPcBwuL
26Please respect copyright.PENANApnmyGEndj8
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."26Please respect copyright.PENANA6DXWPcnHH4
26Please respect copyright.PENANAaBX3oSqarv
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."26Please respect copyright.PENANAEGFabng4mi
26Please respect copyright.PENANAXKpGL8BV6Z
I was suddenly invested.26Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7959COsTA
26Please respect copyright.PENANAS3voRJnCbX
"He wanted you to meet with the royal magicians, most likely, after seeing what you did to the two rogue knights. He might've been too blunt, however, please forgive him."26Please respect copyright.PENANAFRR0RvI7ZB
26Please respect copyright.PENANAPXjaggBdrC
"Uh-huh."26Please respect copyright.PENANADOEmQFPfhK
26Please respect copyright.PENANA5rg8tHCVb2
"I mean it. Forgive him."26Please respect copyright.PENANAfGoW2ui8l2
26Please respect copyright.PENANAM7LOrMXx4O
"O-Okay, I will."26Please respect copyright.PENANARqomivFqHe
26Please respect copyright.PENANACsqLyBSke7
"Excellent. Moving on, my mission today was similar. I ventured out specifically to find you and see if all the fuss Orice was making was warranted. I came out believing it was."26Please respect copyright.PENANAonvYP7PcOX
26Please respect copyright.PENANAvrBrp7KjP0
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.26Please respect copyright.PENANAtBRHgVExxW
26Please respect copyright.PENANA1wPmKWCuiC
"Kenny, there may be a time when you need to fight for your kingdom. Not in a war, that isn't a citizen's duty, but at the very least, to protect the sovereignty and pride of it."26Please respect copyright.PENANAJs5oBMeccL
26Please respect copyright.PENANAR8roPqoMlE
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.26Please respect copyright.PENANABmD8Ir5Bob
26Please respect copyright.PENANA3CfQEllgkH
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"26Please respect copyright.PENANAumyBZeiE17
26Please respect copyright.PENANAGEJ32mR3iB
"I refuse."26Please respect copyright.PENANANjb7ySleMo
26Please respect copyright.PENANAckw9rxgJyt
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.26Please respect copyright.PENANA3fPZGWCDTJ
26Please respect copyright.PENANAJC8IL8prXP
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."26Please respect copyright.PENANAhupY5qBNQ3
26Please respect copyright.PENANAub8dzzt95F
She sat down and crossed her legs.
"Enter the combatant's guild, gain combat experience, and take jobs relating to us. You'll avoid any affiliation and still gain the same rewards."
"Rewards?"
"Well, for starters, money."
I listened a little more intently.
"Additionally, you'll garner clout in the realm of combatants and form beneficial connections. If you need it, I can make sure your family will gain immunity and financial assistance."
"That's..."
The words she was speaking almost seemed fake. All of that, and all I had to do was join the guild and take some jobs? I had suspicions.
"And finally, you'll gain access to all organic Exotica in the palace."
"W-Wait, you don't mean–"
"Correct. All the magical plants in our possession; you won't own them, but we'll allow you to study them."
"..."
At this point, it would be foolish not to accept. But I still had difficulty believing her words.
"...If you see my name in the guild registry, which you probably will, then that means I accepted your deal. But, you don't have to do everything you said. I think just some money and the plants would be fine."26Please respect copyright.PENANAWOJ2KQbUNu
26Please respect copyright.PENANAbA64Gekg8X
She smiled and firmly nodded. I almost felt like I was taking advantage of her. For her to make all of those offers, she must have been desperate. I didn't know quite what yet, but I had confidence that I would find out.26Please respect copyright.PENANAVOUx8j6aQ6
26Please respect copyright.PENANAvktLqzlRPE
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."26Please respect copyright.PENANAAz5oE47WYk
26Please respect copyright.PENANAji2KcUs6iM
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAavuzioN95W
26Please respect copyright.PENANA2vtxVo0Cqk
"Tea Mage...?"26Please respect copyright.PENANArDu5zBlZxV
26Please respect copyright.PENANAMWWlu0sPaO
"I think his name is Freed."26Please respect copyright.PENANAnX6UkIUPj7
26Please respect copyright.PENANASe0O4sNmy0
"Oh, Freed."26Please respect copyright.PENANAbGZsAiDbDv
26Please respect copyright.PENANAA8DzUiztjO
Her face twisted into a moue.26Please respect copyright.PENANACJvZsFFgMo
26Please respect copyright.PENANAjrb26HA2Do
"I see. He must've refused, then."26Please respect copyright.PENANASMksSep79Z
26Please respect copyright.PENANAJw1GsWpo2V
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."26Please respect copyright.PENANAHEZPxkvXe2
26Please respect copyright.PENANAaPuJHlTcvW
I nervously laughed. I was also a little worried. The princess made him out to be a delinquent, and I didn't want to be studying under a delinquent.26Please respect copyright.PENANAdotChipfo0
26Please respect copyright.PENANAie2EgRFmw7
She stuck out her hand. I grabbed it and shook it. After the matter, the princess put the hood back on. I tried looking under it and I still couldn't make out any of her identifying features.26Please respect copyright.PENANAxMnQO4FhNp
26Please respect copyright.PENANAvcnc0OZv4y
"Is that thing also Exotica?"26Please respect copyright.PENANAOQpWuV86GU
26Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZFeAxqERu
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"26Please respect copyright.PENANASlfwfYR5yE
26Please respect copyright.PENANAc8tZ8YCuzJ
"Right."26Please respect copyright.PENANACvxPLgvPru
26Please respect copyright.PENANAwvhIg9WG7r
The princess laid down on the bed. Looking at her now, it suddenly hit me, the severity of the conversation we just had and the thing I just agreed to do. I lost my breath for a second.26Please respect copyright.PENANA8aaRm8Ui4B
26Please respect copyright.PENANASl2SoeFVde
"...It'll probably be fine."26Please respect copyright.PENANArttjU7Wajp
26Please respect copyright.PENANAVJT3keP1l3
With that affirmative thought, I waited along with the princess. Skylark joined us shortly, and not too long after, the rest of the group came. Flinty was first, and Ng, Linda, and Victoria all came at the same time. The three of them were carrying plates of food and drinks the likes of which I'd never seen. The table usually stationed in the living quarters was too small, so Victoria left momentarily to bring a new one. I didn't understand why we didn't move rooms but I didn't question it.26Please respect copyright.PENANA93tpTIg2NA
26Please respect copyright.PENANALw54BtWsOz
It was a large event. Not particularly noisy, but it was large. Words flew, laughs rumbled, and stories were told. It was nice, a scene that accorded with our victory. It made me feel happy. It made me feel like I was a part of something more.26Please respect copyright.PENANA7sd28Fg9rc
26Please respect copyright.PENANAWsE0ewXKXJ
It made me look forward to the future.