"I see it. The light, I see it!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NqnvaOEoh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsCZjNVOBF
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLuDFj4lKe
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbE9CGUesT
"We did it, Flinty."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZYlBvWrBd
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHqJ0WBBA4
"Yeah."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdFcovlJG1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqMnsUyk8Q
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUZOVDXPg1
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This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7Ba5xgrs9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0x31dO2wE
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvWjN81Zcz
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"Ah, you made it!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVfEwszST6
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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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mHuBU3Xbz
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbv9PGK7QM
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gn9DcCzNJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDlbZGFb57
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziiu2wENjS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCSjI2TjJ3
"Ah, alright."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0XR5uWclx
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzULjTr57G
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"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZecmnqobt
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfNRReAnPd
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRC8FvWfkX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfvPoo6xRl
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpGxZE4nct
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUEdpDvzTZ
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbCKWitVAe
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPjh7hjPKs
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcjnMiPGKP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmWNICyAfu
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk5PJ3pH1Y
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FAul4LzEC
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbSuisWjMY
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkbXgG9Buz
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbWAdzbyHh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7J2pOshPW
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFjKQgxR60
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwy776n5XP
"Of course! Let's go."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyFgOKI78y
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw3fhrOxbA
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSewY6o6cb
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2J1lmBJNB
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflBlqCjd7r
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuF4s6Ijip
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NcjUDAGLt
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"Uh, do I have to?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nKkrQIwIJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sRz35FaVs
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvORDQ3Atsf
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFL6tEqAv3
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv24Ot2S939
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtAEE2nEaD
"Kenny?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisIB788oCh
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMm3zdLdvw
"Yeah yeah..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrElMGYUzJr
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCTkEVZxfV
I took off my shirt.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq5PGRs1VF
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5Kzyb91TQ
"Alright, now come here."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjz1RNeBuC
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2soNEfqhV0
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClyjKYH6LB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMic1wl9MB
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdcKNccaZU
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXBvDAft6X
"Right."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3Mtmbepxv
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzvgiUpIXX
I tried that, but it didn't work.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6DzH998AB
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"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGZb9hEIM1
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsQNqP3eMi
"Beats me."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN0oPwHKmO
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQqoNp9ymo
"But it came from you, didn't it?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD2QRJfZWJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOvPqzCOCt
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkya0aBbXHP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ4zbA9eK3
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Yxt9BSVPS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F3SHZo5lC
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h2FqFwWS2
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6CbhkTuuI
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4mUj6HSkH
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQDjvl3JcI
"It's no use. It isn't possible."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVgrJsVdOg
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vXb9NWm3r
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB0jvPqqLd
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4lG6uzKrg
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIzpdY2W1w
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc8qC3Iz3P
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmLHlJXRD8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYmZAys4Rf
"A-Ah, w-well then..."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleifVqYOH9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdh5w9AXxt
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL5tC360v2
"K-Kenny?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi1FoJxWx7
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m3jcONUlN
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t4mvMvdXx
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD1Ip2oLdt
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpMd2ALpfa
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZKevJw8G6
"Y-Yeah."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hB9C2huOu
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBznaYj4je
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCboVUpwmQB
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqDhKr810k
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4exSByNc9F
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiemwWRE6GS
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUkkhHm7OS
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It wasn't just Skylark, of course.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWNGh5bUr8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEJM3vbL82
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1bpQDgHMJ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8QZrBADTS
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMkIDTl4uP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyUOnHcXNd
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeasvFPcL2J
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YkKmC1sMN
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCVypL0FrN
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LOGunpjv8
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbpC2yeeom
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9Fv8NllwH
She looked over at Skylark.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2he09gWmT6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidmPYP7Xq8
"And, again, thank you for helping."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6culMa7bm
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8py463qBw
"But of course, it is my duty."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfhMYQ9PsV
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMfEcCOBIA
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPslskfSRg0
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v8TnAlI3C
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85ZbJoIpEM
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh4Zv9wdF5
"That's stupid."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpsww1gKPc
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboiY9VuYMM
I felt out of place as they quarreled.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tnMo379Hu
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"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVKdFOQJ9O
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"...Yes?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9x9FtdkY4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uc4fiZrHu
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs2XEg46Yx
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcWttiUVt0
"Yes, my lady."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllZR0e1O9e
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFBCrbccOv
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXdj1eTUhl
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLMBFthH1e
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X4uRcnzSn
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapw6UUwBf9
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?193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNGjIhRyOX
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnDYehfAWS
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xVSixoTJI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqpfbZ8e3r
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLninC6Z6xP
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcbedv2U9R
"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?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7zCasLIfw
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q5tJpCo6q
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NjFlMAVqW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmnGFh1MeG
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpysJTJ2k8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDu15t4HZ4
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLumM3YKxcS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcUpShuwAs
"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?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHjlffWOy4
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIFWtsEmwd
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcpEOKYtc6
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdAhslO79S
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIRWMDozu8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMZHwYOxag
She scowled at me. Oops.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c2yoFqUtJ
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"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!"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf23D2HEyk
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvmL46yjFM
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIGgKO8qa9
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7hK8gLSKE
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf44Slux47Q
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImoyMGl2n8
I was suddenly invested.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCojnuTg0Z
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"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtsezrkhkI
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuniaVhTjw
"Uh-huh."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChF49Cnbi3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51UQi5W1xP
"I mean it. Forgive him."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlnew2rwZa
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wt5kVcBjv
"O-Okay, I will."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNDbhnGRPq
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqKGfVdLit
"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9rqFDI36E
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuvD62Pu1b
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPJX4rfgby
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"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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkS4ZBDqqo
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs4Mg18zPF
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKUkn7MREq
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"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSEUOhlNkT
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdncXUCyVFy
"I refuse."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iIITlp2Yx
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62o7Kvmlcs
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLlLMMnEaL
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUhIOf48cd
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRSBEJxio7
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnjaqEC8W2
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."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVtqJdy0su
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwQKTtDhLN
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmgxovuV7E
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhoqQ0jrPA
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvg0PRYbHs
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d0m6eINER
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yZTZChV2k
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbru75Nbcf5
"Tea Mage...?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdM6s5Xus2
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"I think his name is Freed."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuWSvW7sGZ
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"Oh, Freed."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVJiNtCdfK
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5JW3aOFnu
Her face twisted into a moue.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSPo1m1p6a
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL4IXSkvgs
"I see. He must've refused, then."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK49eNcr5c8
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PkEiyhocp
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW6giwP7I7
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40HHXjaQX3
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc4afrTkPa
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGC0PBNRdK
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuxu6vm1cR
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTcOJpuzGl
"Is that thing also Exotica?"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhDLT4KANZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24v8bIQKxM
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8Tc2CN1C3
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcS6YQptL2
"Right."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQviu6ftdYa
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmAYphkGBA
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXthD1ihU3i
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"...It'll probably be fine."193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gYqIPBdaZ
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EC7cDxq5N
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27CiIwUCAS
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxHXme4pYk
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.193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkXvxsrZ5L
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT33e7Zapx
It made me look forward to the future.
