"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnsZNbGRmo
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr7SOmI1Ux
The coachman bowed before us. He was kind and polite, so I felt a little wrong about what I was about to say.
"Thank you. Can I make a report on the man who rode with us? He attacked me and my friend."
The coachman released an exhausted sigh. I lightly chuckled.
"I apologize, sir, but I'm currently unable to do anything about it."
"...I don't mean to be rude, but he attacked us. No, 'attacked' isn't right, he assaulted us. I can't just stand by and let someone like that walk away scott-free."
"As we are in the realm of His Majesty, we cannot reprimand him. However, after the ride back, we will gladly put him under arrest."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p5ToLdXOv
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jVvqwQzL8
I felt a vein bulge in my head.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbKWueGSir
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dk7CdPV2G
"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxiLnd5rEP
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt7pGKcLMe
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIjZxaqz0i
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f5E7A4h1W
"Listen, we're perfectly aware. But that man is a special person, and we are in very special times. I promise that you won't go unheard, okay? Just avoid making a scene."
"...Fine. Flinty, let's go."
Figuring that arguing wouldn't get me anywhere, I turned back to motion Flinty. She had her face pointed to the sky. After I called her, she awkwardly shrunk.
"R-Right. Sorry, it's just that this place looks way bigger up close."
"Wait until you see the inside."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXFbRab7Zb
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iOwWuModU
"I-Inside...?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKTLjNal5R
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtwiGKTjwA
She repeated my last word with an astonished breath. When we made it to the guard, I handed him my card. After a short inspection of our bodies, he gently bowed to us and led us through one of the three doors. Flinty covered her face for a moment before taking in the view.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnChBipu56S
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMQHqClrqc
"It's so... shiny."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAt7ymx5b8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTLanIohlK
The interior of the building was clad in marble and avant-garde designs scribbled throughout the floor and ceiling. No one column holding the interior had the same design; they each possessed an exaggerated illustration of an animal, some I didn't recognize.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLdEVSjVjK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXzFF2QZ59
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3MhnMA4ol
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxHT10UXYr
"The Garden?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVU2ONWpIH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPckSvXWScV
"That's where the plants are," I replied, "It's a lot smaller than you'd expect, and it's all indoors, but they have some wonderful specimens in there."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHwU1QNMZ3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbjoJMYzmw
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw5afzj2tz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1cKOpeDJM
We traveled up a set of stairs. Even the steps were polished and spotless, which made me feel slightly guilty about stepping on them. Once we arrived at the second floor, we traveled down a lengthy hallway.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZfLBv1JKm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENdSgM10vp
"Hey, Kenny."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNRM9NTmxa
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4WOAvs9RP
"What's the matter?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM93giHDeVg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVgKLQmSnM
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspphJIw7TR
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkEwJCrP7j
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71HHf7KKCb
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY84Xd30GWL
"The chandelier? What about it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQmDCM0t64
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7q21bgyeY
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UfX3me0EN
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEjABwAS9j
"It's pretty, but I can't help but think it's overkill. And just look at that lone little chain keeping it hanging; it looks like it's gonna break any second."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9EnGjxusc
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii5c2mF6c4
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Uq5w1559V
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"Ah, that makes sense."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6lDuMpokD
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPifPEKVbzC
I wouldn't put it past royal mages to know mana suspension of that degree. It was likely an earth infusion, or maybe the mage just had dense mana. Either way, it made me wonder how many more appliances in this building had mana in them. I immediately thought of the doors, but considering how many we've passed in this hallway alone, that seemed unlikely.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga0rwcqXqT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMovA7grGC
"...Then again, this building is quite old, isn't it– oop!"
I broke out of ruminating when I ran into the back of the guard. He stopped moving. and I could tell by the side of his face that he was surprised. I peered around his body to see what it was that he was seeing.
"...Oh no."
White hair, green eyes, crossed arms; these features were exhibited by a young boy in an exquisite outfit. The boy had two guards behind him.
His eyes met mine. His smirk turned from childish to demonic. I took a few steps back and bumped into Flinty.
"Kenny? What's wrong? What are you two looking at?"
She peeked over the guard and saw him. Unlike me, however, her face lit up with an excited gasp.
"It's the prince!"
I already began turning, but before my legs could locomote, Flinty's fingers wrapped around my wrist.
"Kenny, it's the prince!"
"I know! Why do you think I'm trying to–"
"Mister Chambers!"
His squeaky screech echoed through the hallway, reverberating my name.
"I order you all to have dinner with me!"
I looked over my shoulder. Flinty's face was as bright as the sun.
Sighing, I resigned myself to the situation, following Prince Orice's unreasonable order.
–
–
–
Maybe I shouldn't have been so distraught upon meeting the prince. Thinking about it with a calmer mind, it was bound to happen eventually. I was frankly surprised it took over ten visits here for me to meet him.
"I finally had a chance to sneak out this time!"
That was his response when I inquired him, spoken as if he was shamelessly proud of himself. He was shamelessly proud of himself, actually. It only made my impression of him worse.
The two guards who were tailgating him were the same two goons I made total fools out of all those weeks ago. They were also inadvertently the reason why I got my decrepit nickname, but I knew better not to blame them.
If anything, it was me. Though I wanted to berate the prince, it was me.
"So, why have you called us to this room?"
"I already told you. It's so that we can eat together!"
Flinty and I were sitting by each other on different couches. The prince was sitting across from us on one of his own, but I could tell that his was much more comfortable than ours.
"You say it's so we can eat, but I'm not seeing any food on the table."
"Just be patient. It'll come in a jiffy."
"In a jiffy..."
I repeated his peculiar phrase under my breath. It looked like waiting was an inevitability.
"I just wanted to see the plants, man..."
"You'll see them after our dinner, I promise! I just need to discuss things with you. First, some important business, and then some other business."
"Important business? That's hard to believe."
"Then get ready to be surprised."
We sat in silence, intently gazing at each other.
"Aren't you going to tell me?"
"I'll do it over food. I read somewhere that talking over food helps build bonds the best."
"Fine. I'll wait. Yell at me when the food is here."
My body sank into the couch. I closed my eyes and leaned back. The couch put me in a tranquil state, and despite my intentions, I could feel myself lulled to sleep. My senses were being severed from the outside world.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy6giHzWcW
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"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ERgZuZiwW
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"I-I think he did."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0iEI3Uhye
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The prince's and Flinty's voices dragged me back to consciousness. However, noting that they thought I was unconscious, I decided to play the part and see what would happen. I had a bubbly feeling in my chest. I was becoming giddy. I was convinced I had devised the most meticulous scheme ever.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhXQhBnCgZ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWRbFVHqGt
"That's rude of him."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOulUBUDvq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwu2jCdIIF
"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHogV4EvTS
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuIDzzenXl
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWXzXm2BB6
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV2rkaS8iK
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wNODGbalH
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjmKBLZwFS
"Of course I do, I'm just pulling your leg! You're the girl who was kidnapped by those two corrupt knights. What was your name again?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrIfXmUzhO
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7rlikQcNT
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvJi9amifR
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTcCP45pow
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2ZpJHtVF8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwTO6FL2p9
Flinty let out a weird noise.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqHi7WZpBL
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvhIf2pwiW
"Mhm!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3guBOKeiR
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFuZIP7UHH
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8NpZgY1sA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunU9oNAgqS
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuCL1RWDH2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkOfFOnuKb
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38NK4V3WMm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfM0WVQ9qg
The prince was bemoaning over something.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51VnPfKKmI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCKziYCKjD
"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPgEgmCWfO
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3kSA6FWaN
"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGg9rp4AAG
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He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcauMLU2Qn
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJGgeYnPoh
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINYJivjH1X
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaQZqKQhb9
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVLvSRYye8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN4hJPNVpL
"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS94IyZpZ8
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmAJcNuBlv
"I've never seen anyone as brave as him; just think about it, he saw two adults ganging up on one kid, and he beat them up! He was much smaller and younger. By all means, he should've turned his tail and ran, but he didn't! I've only ever seen Skylark act like that. Everyone else is too big of a wuss, but not Mister Chambers– and even better, he's just a little older than me! He's not some adult who scolds me for everything I do or watches me like a hawk. He's a little boy, just like me!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdKrLHiBc3
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAObnZWosU
"That's... surprisingly sweet."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXkaP04RRe
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbdu3kddHv
"I'm trying to get in his good graces, but for some reason, nothing I do seems to work. I'm starting to think that he just doesn't like me."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VOu2OB6gl
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ltOavgBOV
"O-Oh, I'm sure it's not that. It's just, well, from what I've heard of him, you always seem to meet him at the wrong times."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPCezVCjHA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6y9uIUMoE
"...Really?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIk1hUMQap
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLiCXKj6n9
"You're also incredibly obnoxious."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccQJUYZzQg
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQOLIGzRyo
"GAH!?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlMZHcgDak
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo40SiY2lmG
"Huh!?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyaxBP5UcO
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD5G0cCcKi
I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuwHZdXxTm
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKHTpWJoPG
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzq50AbT8j
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCcNC13Egz
"Nevermind that. What Flinty said was right, but what you said was even more right. I don't like you very much, I'm sorry– ack!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3iMcKHA0k
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqXeQwZZZ9
I felt something blunt hit my shoulder. Flinty was looking at me with beady eyes with her fist against me. I looked back at the prince, who had a perturbed expression. He quickly looked down at the table and pinched his chin, whispering something to himself.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMTizcdZGA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnr6WUrHoU
"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0Snir055I
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCGFzglR3z
"I-Is he really being so nice? He barged in and forced us to eat with him, and he still hasn't apologized for chasing me last time!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaePkVhJgA
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwXwqKPwC3
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dy5CRRnGy
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrHIz7F8ZQ
"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL2VuwZ5jK
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfhs6ji3eB
"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfQkZ0Xbhu
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ770YEOQQPo
The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuCj4mJ4Yo
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcTsCFtWGv
"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62zVTDQ09K
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQinyhYfym
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgLc93aIdR
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK3eEaSQBM
Flinty stuck her tongue out. Something about this felt strange; why was I being painted as the enemy here? I looked at the prince, who was still bowing. He kept lowering his body. His hands were balled into fists. They were quaking.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHw1AtAEVs
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAQ8mWR9zS
"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g5A81J1Ne
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgRD4F1maR
If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYxSvqoJQB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a86nWwlys
"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuZVObJQAY
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hngf1AWRZ
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ruDcvmyiz
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzvwQ5yPXD
"No."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4OloUsuaI
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeJiBwMN0j
He sank into his couch with a deep frown. I looked at Flinty to gauge her thoughts and she just lightly shrugged at me with a sigh. The situation was satisfactory, then.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlyfQc8dgJ
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14sGZHJ0O8
"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEowKgFRVYG
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nF1H7L0Fr
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6EplTBfq1
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1cyk2LAtG
He looked at me. I was expecting him to stick his tongue out at me as well, but he just looked deeply sad. Somehow his frown grew even more profound, it almost looked inhuman.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90kGWDxbL2
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquE55rqlRe
"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ElVfzbNwT
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBeNr8tCtQ
"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCVHvwSXAk
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdms1slDa8O
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qNqOBEjKt
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg7hMBm66y
"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKMNzIj8RB
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwYpP1aNl7
The prince shook his head in a satisfied manner, the frown entirely departed from his face. I was beginning to wonder why he was acting the way he was, but recalling what he said earlier, I had a clue as to why.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgT14fnTRp
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"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH8TpVBTOq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHTedqKuUA
"--Hrk!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtGeOPZJMc
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I hit a sour spot. I nodded while making an 'ahhh' sound. Of course, it was the only explanation. I was also insufferable when I stopped talking to people, after all.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CaiRHLLtq
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7ApzeKA2T
The prince looked down at the table again. I didn't have a chance to press him further, however, because a group of people carrying plates and glasses barged into the room.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjzVUEYv7P
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG4JdoXcK4
"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDkFBzrJy9
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–
–
–
I struggled to comprehend the thing that was before me. Calling it food felt disingenuous because what I was looking at was more like gold painted as if it was food. I was convinced the moment that I took a bite out of the piece of meat before me, my teeth would shatter like glass. My fork would likely bend and bust before that, though. But these were just expectations; I had to confirm them. Therefore, I poked the meat. It wasn't hard, it wasn't heavy; the surface recessed inward as my finger pushed against it. It wasn't a precious metal in the shape of a meal. It was a meal.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL58Ako6a9
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwkEYBSIe6
"I can't eat this."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AK1c8VK3s
235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCoy3TU4Be
"I can't eat this."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELxaXvrOW2
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The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdbTrcRDHR
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"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFUjlMt5Hj
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Flinty nodded and motioned for her fork but I didn't move. I was comfortable calling myself starstruck. Time seemed to slow down the longer I gazed at the meat. Before I knew it–235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaUedJR6U6
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"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP2KkCvjmM
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Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJySSSCmCH
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"Mister Chambers?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRrCpsAERy
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"What?"
"Let's talk about the business I mentioned earlier. But first, at least try what was cooked for you. I promise it won't disappoint."
"I feel bad even thinking about eating it, but if you insist."
I grabbed a fork and stuck it in the meat. The chunk came off with little resistance. Blood trickled from the inside onto the plate. I put it in my mouth and slowly began chewing.
"Well?"
"...It's incredible, but, what type of meat is this?"
"Aviartidae. They're quite common in the badlands. They're like vultures, but–"
"But they're monsters, yes. So, what's this business about?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nsxH6uYxL
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"Right..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVikJmGX4Q
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The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0mt1riJKZ
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"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMONiXKOs7v
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"I see. And what are the details?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf1tbwz40F
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"I was just getting to that! Well, never mind, it's more or less an escort mission, except you aren't escorting anybody in particular, you're escorting a letter to be sent."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiKEhfs6NF
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"A letter?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULXQJe6ofQ
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"Yep. There's a town a few days away on horseback called Kommunikatsiya. It's one of the central hubs for communication here in the Southern Country, overseen by The Zariel Kingdom. Your goal is to deliver a letter to the foreign communications center, and that's about it. All the other details will be covered by the letter itself."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIwEjPGLyE
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"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jl63OHuIF
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"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2PyEkN9kr
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I widened my eyes a little.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh5WzNF7XT
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"Really? Who's working with me?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQtPXHWHEo
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The prince gave me a stern shrug.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkKljxFkRr
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"I dunno. My mom and sister are the ones operating this whole ordeal. Whoever they'll be though, they'll be on your strength level."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQs47Y7zte
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"That's relieving."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CmZuD6v7Q
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I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw4YVJctb3
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I didn't have any plans for the next week, but I already knew the Tea Mage was going to be angry hearing this news. It was likely to take well over a week, maybe even two or three if we ran into problems.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdknVZNIa3
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"How far did you say the village was again?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE45BNr9vtV
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"It'll take five days on carriage if everything goes smoothly. Don't worry about travel expenses, by the way, we've got that covered."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4jduZxC2z
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"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ElNwl9PO6
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I picked my fork back up but paused before I stuck it into the meat. I had a sudden epiphany about what the prince was saying.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4uOiKfAG2
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"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vCAnBEbDu
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"..."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09nMGjYAXy
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The prince's expression turned pensive. It was clear to me that he wasn't well informed about this information. If I had to guess, the princess was the one who was supposed to relay this to me.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gxO3vAvTp
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"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXjLQp7bU8
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"I see."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96LiAwd5Ep
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Recalling what the princess told me a few months ago, it suddenly put the operation into perspective. I already began making guesses as to what the letter was about. It could've been a call to arms of some sort, or maybe a letter to get a negotiation with the Eastern Country started.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie1I4rtIyz
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"Since the Eastern Country is an empire, they're a pretty aggressive nation. This whole mission is vital, but it's also imperative that it's concealed."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJzcufTiQo
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I nodded along to his words, taking another bite from the ambrosia before me. I didn't have any strong feelings about the situation, to my surprise. Something like this coming up was always in the back of my mind; I was frankly confused as to why it took this long to happen.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFVjrbOCvE
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"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhnqtJf6Vl
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"Yes," the prince answered, and then his face suddenly turned pale as he covered his mouth with both hands, "You, Flinty, you weren't supposed to hear any of this! Crap!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qUYidUhEe
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Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mQRLdpWx2
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"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp2Lrh5Sy8
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"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaLENbsJTI
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The prince looked a little swayed, but what worried me wasn't him, but the two goons who were behind him. They were giving each other quizzical looks, and I could already guess what they were thinking.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0JuftwOAn
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"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOBmaD55i5
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"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmYClmFKL2
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"What is it?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWwFxcaaPK
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"Can I... maybe join the operation–"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzpz6zbFrs
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"Absolutely not," I declared. It wasn't because I feared for her safety, though I did, it was because I already ascertained that this mission was way out of her league.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MKQg6gbcg
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"Yeah, no shot, Flinty," the prince said "Nothing against you, but if we have two kids on this operation, not only will it be embarrassing, but it will also call our morality as a kingdom into question."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgjUYprbxT
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"...I see."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE4PRLXzh8
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She let out a dejected response, but from the tone of her voice, it was obvious that she expected such an answer. She quickly shook off her disappointment with a shrug and kept eating her food.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc85sARba3O
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"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH0dtN60Gz
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I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEp07zwo0i
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"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa9CaY6Ur3
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"...Yes?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jI9rcjCTo
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"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrBVGFS6Cw
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"No."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qS2KyeAn1
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"Oh."235Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8GwUbpV18
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–
–
–
"...Ah, here we are."
I finally arrived at my intended destination. Closing the door behind me, I entered a room where the floor itself was dirt and grass. Calling it a room almost felt insulting, because it felt as if I had stepped into a secret facet of nature.
This was the royal palace's garden. I took a deep breath through my nostrils.
I was entirely alone here. Flinty, for whatever reason, insisted on staying with the prince in the dining room. She seemed to be trying to get in his good graces, which I would've called an intelligent and strategic maneuver were it not for Flinty's amiable nature, which made the real reason obvious.
Admittedly, in the back of my mind, I had a suspicion that she just didn't want to see the plants. To an extent, I was probably right.
Anyway–
"Now, which one do I choose?"
I wasn't just here to marvel and study the magical plants. Since it was the second Wednesday of the month, I was permitted to intake one magical plant of my choosing into the tendril. If I didn't have such a restriction, I would've absorbed them all in one week and have no reason to visit again, effectively crumbling the agreement the princess and I made.
At least, those were the words my supervisor said, who just so happened to be–
"...Roy, I understand you're only 'fulfilling your duty', but you're far, far too close."
Looming behind me like a demon in my sleep was a gray-haired man in a robe. He was holding a wand about two heads taller than me while the magic stone was nearly the size of my head. It was an exceedingly rare feature for Exotica, but that was becoming of someone like him.
"If I let you become too greedy now, then my status as Royal Mage would be meaningless."
"I'm not asking for much. Just, please take a few steps back?"
Surprisingly, he did, but calling them 'steps' was generous. I sighed and ceased making an appeal. It was obvious I'd be getting nowhere doing that.
So instead, I ventured through the garden and scouted the catalog of magical plants. Most of the garden was composed of common vegetation, but the magical plants were placed in blatant places, almost as if they were begging you to come and tear them off their stems.
Unfortunately, though the garden had a plethora of magical plants, it only had a handful of unique species. I was able to identify them thanks to my tome, and by that, I made a pecking order on which plants I should absorb the soonest. However, as I scanned all these precious Exotica, I began to think about the definitive pecking order I've created.
Ordinarily, I would've gone for the Silk-Bloom, which excretes exactly what the name implies. But in light of the recent mission I've been tasked with, my consideration juggled between the Silk-Bloom and two other ones.
"What's taking you so long? You usually pick one and leave by this time."
"Shut up! Simply admiring the plants is part of my promised time here too!"
Telling Roy a half-truth, I continued pondering the situation. Aside from the Silk-Boom, I had considered intaking the Blover and the Spit-Blossom. I had no doubts that, when pushed to the limits, these plants could perform extraordinary feats, much like the Freeze-Dry. But choosing between the two was possible. They both had their benefits, after all.
"I implore you to hurry up before I grow suspicious and do something by accident."
"Threatening me is just gonna make me nervous. Who do you think I am anyway?"
Blover, or Spit-Blossom? The former could produce harsh winds, while the latter expelled sturdy projectiles.
"...Wait."
When I thought about it that way, and when I considered the plants I already possessed in my arsenal, the choice became clear as day. Therefore, I walked up to the plant in the shape of a gallant clover and kneeled beside it.
"Finally. You were very close to suspiciously and mysteriously bursting into flames."
"Uh-huh."
After I finished intaking the plant, I stood up and walked to the exit. Roy stopped before me and bowed slightly.
"Safe travels. I sincerely hope you found your time at the palace pleasant and useful."
"I certainly did. For the most part, at least. Thank you for your service."
I bowed back at him, and we exchanged nods. I walked through the door and found myself back in the hallway. To my surprise, Flinty was outside waiting for me, but she wasn't with the prince.
"Hi! Did you enjoy your time with the plants?"
"Yeah, my tendril has a new one, too. Anyway, Flinty, where's the prince?"
She scratched her cheek and nervously laughed.
"Commander Skylark found us in the dining room and, well..."
"I can imagine. He must've thrown quite a tantrum."
"Not really? He was putting up a good fight, though."
I snorted.
"Yeah, I can imagine."
Flinty and I traversed the hallway. We met up with the guard from earlier by the staircase. He looked relieved for some reason. We made it down the stairs and traversed the halls quietly. But, before we left, an unfortunately familiar face was standing by the palace doors.
Except, he wasn't alone.
"Mm, yes, Kenneth, girl, I see you two have finished your business."
The man from the carriage was standing there, surrounded by guards who had their spears pointed at him. Except, from their apparel, I could tell they weren't ordinary guards. They were likely elites of some kind. He seemed completely unbothered by it though, wearing the same grin he's always had.
"What... happened to you?" I asked.
"I proposed, but the queen selfishly rejected it. I've calmed down since then, yet these dregs insist that they keep watch over me."
"Really. Color me surprised."
I sighed, somehow unsurprised that things turned out this way. But I suddenly had a new concern appear in my mind.
"W-Wait, how are we going to get back?"
"Mm, well, I'm forced to stay here for the time being, so you two may take the carriage back without me."
"Huh!?"
His face hadn't changed one bit, so his words were entirely serious, but I still couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't get a chance to ask any further questions because the guards pushed the man to move.
"Ah, careful, fools, I have no interest in getting my clothes dirty."
"Just move it along," one of the guards responded. The group walked by Flinty and me. I let out a sigh, relieved that–
"Kenneth, before I leave, I must grant you my name!"
I turned my head back. The man was walking backward.
"My name is Kostik Coyote. You'd do well to remember it!"
His voice reverberated throughout the building. The man, Kostik, disappeared into the hallway.
"What a nutcase."
Flinty of all people muttered that comment. I couldn't have agreed more.
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