"I see it. The light, I see it!"207Please respect copyright.PENANAfNADSlw0QG
207Please respect copyright.PENANA19ozazMXO7
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAZNPwgqPHcy
207Please respect copyright.PENANAImOPge2tlO
"We did it, Flinty."207Please respect copyright.PENANAI9r70YAN34
207Please respect copyright.PENANAVrSIOVHhKc
"Yeah."207Please respect copyright.PENANA7wB9kilTnd
207Please respect copyright.PENANAtpMYhzpdNC
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANARM3dsd19m7
207Please respect copyright.PENANANcSmv2GQRj
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.207Please respect copyright.PENANARKsTNzk87S
207Please respect copyright.PENANAWEPAmY2iNC
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANA38duf66qq7
207Please respect copyright.PENANAQYwQlKV6Xq
"Ah, you made it!"207Please respect copyright.PENANA4ngO8R5LMX
207Please respect copyright.PENANAlHHCJGytbl
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAits9azrv6F
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"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."207Please respect copyright.PENANAAkR3FJ8Y5E
207Please respect copyright.PENANABHS9Jvk4qR
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."207Please respect copyright.PENANAQgexHqZSBq
207Please respect copyright.PENANA6reNccDEQF
"Ah, alright."207Please respect copyright.PENANA4rlwL6G4US
207Please respect copyright.PENANApV5cNcUADK
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.207Please respect copyright.PENANA7oVhpWGtE9
207Please respect copyright.PENANAoIlpxoY1pT
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.207Please respect copyright.PENANAXdidzYvscf
207Please respect copyright.PENANAQpX4izVrjy
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."207Please respect copyright.PENANADuF7ahbQtL
207Please respect copyright.PENANAufmI80mErP
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."207Please respect copyright.PENANANjHxUAxhHW
207Please respect copyright.PENANAJvKUWGWNSF
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."207Please respect copyright.PENANAYkn55UAqjK
207Please respect copyright.PENANAJgl7xS2sgJ
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAbwbNPXyLtJ
207Please respect copyright.PENANAmHQ0KGiwO0
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"207Please respect copyright.PENANANibGSgnYSd
207Please respect copyright.PENANAwGr7V3Fg5R
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."207Please respect copyright.PENANAb4HA9CYYtN
207Please respect copyright.PENANAyd7xgIgTSt
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."207Please respect copyright.PENANAvUjxYwrxOg
207Please respect copyright.PENANAHziLdRR7RW
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."207Please respect copyright.PENANAfpiOkAN4mv
207Please respect copyright.PENANAscDWZgPA1p
"Of course! Let's go."207Please respect copyright.PENANA9OBdKxm5eL
207Please respect copyright.PENANAGZXM2OGT1e
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANA97cn2TdYfR
207Please respect copyright.PENANAy5iH0aHu1z
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."207Please respect copyright.PENANAzEioLfaL9E
207Please respect copyright.PENANAJOrpS7N7X5
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.207Please respect copyright.PENANAXF1mPt0lcP
207Please respect copyright.PENANAGnBsvAl88V
"Uh, do I have to?"207Please respect copyright.PENANAjrEpFmvwqT
207Please respect copyright.PENANANRMSWU2woC
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."207Please respect copyright.PENANAgsgIYn4etq
207Please respect copyright.PENANALolm1vBEfS
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.207Please respect copyright.PENANAipsTCfZslv
207Please respect copyright.PENANAQkPWgh7F4E
"Kenny?"207Please respect copyright.PENANAgCjEBw19AY
207Please respect copyright.PENANA7syt0HplUA
"Yeah yeah..."207Please respect copyright.PENANAXlCjvElSFA
207Please respect copyright.PENANAxf5mOinlGP
I took off my shirt.207Please respect copyright.PENANA3EXUGgtdsu
207Please respect copyright.PENANAVYj4bFUBG2
"Alright, now come here."207Please respect copyright.PENANAhnStRAwshj
207Please respect copyright.PENANAmZdsvuUnaq
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANA9HtQVSeIxR
207Please respect copyright.PENANArHtgh1s8tA
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."207Please respect copyright.PENANAmrjNu4Mt5Y
207Please respect copyright.PENANAF2YuWJZWm0
"Right."207Please respect copyright.PENANAHBRC7PbrT7
207Please respect copyright.PENANACNgGFCbX2u
I tried that, but it didn't work.207Please respect copyright.PENANACkh6pE7n18
207Please respect copyright.PENANAKtfod9oguU
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"207Please respect copyright.PENANA3tP0CUeiol
207Please respect copyright.PENANA9JwMeXRovS
"Beats me."207Please respect copyright.PENANAaQGDuVcRlL
207Please respect copyright.PENANAsdyDBZPzMq
"But it came from you, didn't it?"207Please respect copyright.PENANAeBXj0sNrgg
207Please respect copyright.PENANANVbaH0tL9R
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."207Please respect copyright.PENANAMuVOQAGk06
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My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.207Please respect copyright.PENANAB25Hl6kSIa
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"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"207Please respect copyright.PENANABIty0FtfHl
207Please respect copyright.PENANAq4f3v1fdIo
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAV5HOLpUJIu
207Please respect copyright.PENANARJgg6GDwWC
"It's no use. It isn't possible."207Please respect copyright.PENANAoascbht1o7
207Please respect copyright.PENANAR8TtsdbXvS
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."207Please respect copyright.PENANAdMmVrHwAo4
207Please respect copyright.PENANAYFMCk3m6Mx
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"207Please respect copyright.PENANA2u3JvuujEO
207Please respect copyright.PENANAlxlPJsB8O7
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."207Please respect copyright.PENANAf8uHJQlex4
207Please respect copyright.PENANAwu1AsJ23Gm
"A-Ah, w-well then..."207Please respect copyright.PENANAqIR1bLZGIs
207Please respect copyright.PENANA088wwnRtBq
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.
207Please respect copyright.PENANAMfmL6EmmZH
"K-Kenny?"207Please respect copyright.PENANAvR8b4fdMu5
207Please respect copyright.PENANAmrYhb9V5zg
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAlztV736tzT
207Please respect copyright.PENANAryASPcCfmM
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."207Please respect copyright.PENANA0daRXzbVse
207Please respect copyright.PENANAwsFXbTHcDQ
"Y-Yeah."207Please respect copyright.PENANAEZQujqVNHt
207Please respect copyright.PENANAgAQkTnq51y
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.207Please respect copyright.PENANA7nFGNzLqFU
207Please respect copyright.PENANAiBrP05OAou
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."207Please respect copyright.PENANAzdplsc2IsL
207Please respect copyright.PENANAlW61CKkUt9
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAVnW5M5b5jZ
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It wasn't just Skylark, of course.207Please respect copyright.PENANATtOjO905ev
207Please respect copyright.PENANAmPJsvRFeJP
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"207Please respect copyright.PENANAK8hjiX4rLf
207Please respect copyright.PENANArf0souf1Ji
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAPFQtBvTEX8
207Please respect copyright.PENANAzvPJmCLul5
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."207Please respect copyright.PENANAqMW06THE5R
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"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."207Please respect copyright.PENANA1bW8KK5E6o
207Please respect copyright.PENANATl49UrgtPa
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."207Please respect copyright.PENANAwNhEvIkQZI
207Please respect copyright.PENANAopGTH6rm1I
She looked over at Skylark.207Please respect copyright.PENANAntnP9xCHWN
207Please respect copyright.PENANA1CvNmo2UQU
"And, again, thank you for helping."207Please respect copyright.PENANApSAhAsf3jU
207Please respect copyright.PENANAdvlAea6GF6
"But of course, it is my duty."207Please respect copyright.PENANAJJfTJGeth2
207Please respect copyright.PENANAVeOcfWOwsD
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."207Please respect copyright.PENANAMYxCLdkOyY
207Please respect copyright.PENANAQLgL2jfNeP
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."207Please respect copyright.PENANAevFSpsi09X
207Please respect copyright.PENANApF6YsigcUz
"That's stupid."207Please respect copyright.PENANAJfduxBSE4c
207Please respect copyright.PENANA5iF6AfqC19
I felt out of place as they quarreled.207Please respect copyright.PENANA53XYjxeT21
207Please respect copyright.PENANABIPy5T9KZA
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.207Please respect copyright.PENANAPoM8OQE5iV
207Please respect copyright.PENANAtJTfs0szYR
"...Yes?"207Please respect copyright.PENANA8EIebBXcJj
207Please respect copyright.PENANA1hvG1FjaBb
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"207Please respect copyright.PENANAR3fP1HLWYJ
207Please respect copyright.PENANAQLczM7Ki08
"Yes, my lady."207Please respect copyright.PENANAJez8yXS3xd
207Please respect copyright.PENANAwPJw8szcbf
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAmlV64ZqGUI
207Please respect copyright.PENANAkScdY5ysCb
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."207Please respect copyright.PENANAQgSV5jsFmY
207Please respect copyright.PENANAQMwtIOsBoY
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?207Please respect copyright.PENANAI4Nb5A9Qrr
207Please respect copyright.PENANAPuSfh25iAS
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."207Please respect copyright.PENANACPEpx0fAw8
207Please respect copyright.PENANAL4Uq3j9T6E
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAdOPV3ORdPD
207Please respect copyright.PENANAW2YFAcgVsI
"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?"207Please respect copyright.PENANALjMhmrmiuH
207Please respect copyright.PENANAAXjuVxsWdS
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"207Please respect copyright.PENANAbQhOgsbmTb
207Please respect copyright.PENANAO5z5aoPdWF
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."207Please respect copyright.PENANAfLGtk5lb3L
207Please respect copyright.PENANAoQL7BbZH2V
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.207Please respect copyright.PENANAseBunz3BWd
207Please respect copyright.PENANAbn21auq4eS
"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?"207Please respect copyright.PENANAWjVgugzLGI
207Please respect copyright.PENANArs0qeIqqQF
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.207Please respect copyright.PENANAHNNfI4rhB4
207Please respect copyright.PENANAgt5zEKTZyM
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"207Please respect copyright.PENANAsaPnSJpiW3
207Please respect copyright.PENANAWZjaJYo9pM
She scowled at me. Oops.207Please respect copyright.PENANApksIuAPfTQ
207Please respect copyright.PENANA22ZouuzrfB
"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!"207Please respect copyright.PENANA4JDWYDYka8
207Please respect copyright.PENANAnNeQLGSK6k
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."207Please respect copyright.PENANAV6iokCARHG
207Please respect copyright.PENANALGqJVbop4m
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."207Please respect copyright.PENANACfDNZ2ZiYh
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I was suddenly invested.207Please respect copyright.PENANAetDTwSwcSh
207Please respect copyright.PENANAZCSClzo9iW
"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."207Please respect copyright.PENANANJTVadSnHJ
207Please respect copyright.PENANADBhlucqzXJ
"Uh-huh."207Please respect copyright.PENANAniTtYpS7Ve
207Please respect copyright.PENANAxxI1df9InV
"I mean it. Forgive him."207Please respect copyright.PENANAaWomXb2Qvc
207Please respect copyright.PENANA7zGxGMPh2J
"O-Okay, I will."207Please respect copyright.PENANAWwocd0oxkf
207Please respect copyright.PENANAzeQh53vVeL
"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."207Please respect copyright.PENANAEw25UhfCrx
207Please respect copyright.PENANAJVF94cNCdY
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.207Please respect copyright.PENANAZHs371G6UP
207Please respect copyright.PENANA9zEtdNWpzu
"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."207Please respect copyright.PENANA7KPW5YsG4z
207Please respect copyright.PENANAp7ORap7nGU
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.207Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6iHvSxkYr
207Please respect copyright.PENANA8p3bcsOw5k
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"207Please respect copyright.PENANAzp0wrsRysi
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"I refuse."207Please respect copyright.PENANADN3znZiSb4
207Please respect copyright.PENANAniPnehowkM
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.207Please respect copyright.PENANApL17xZwIOi
207Please respect copyright.PENANA7SyhqhkK7J
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."207Please respect copyright.PENANA1SMzLhgqVu
207Please respect copyright.PENANAxluhlSgOx6
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."207Please respect copyright.PENANAlbwUN8lM17
207Please respect copyright.PENANAce4AfEuV6b
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAblOY4kBEw1
207Please respect copyright.PENANApu1CpMckxF
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."207Please respect copyright.PENANArJvzIeEqxU
207Please respect copyright.PENANAC67YwNHgdP
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"207Please respect copyright.PENANAXPuLs1op2A
207Please respect copyright.PENANAkQqzQLmVK5
"Tea Mage...?"207Please respect copyright.PENANAeQHU5uZoHL
207Please respect copyright.PENANAosamSmyLJ7
"I think his name is Freed."207Please respect copyright.PENANAUtreZkkJ1J
207Please respect copyright.PENANAnoJCsyEW4C
"Oh, Freed."207Please respect copyright.PENANAM7NOgnk70p
207Please respect copyright.PENANAEXCmSHOaai
Her face twisted into a moue.207Please respect copyright.PENANAwMR3mtdOfE
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"I see. He must've refused, then."207Please respect copyright.PENANAHpGqoy9IqE
207Please respect copyright.PENANAE5zrP946T5
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."207Please respect copyright.PENANAKAIXxfNF0v
207Please respect copyright.PENANAOXVjIS0t3d
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAci0ZD8fei1
207Please respect copyright.PENANAlhAocMs1UI
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAngnL0UMVFD
207Please respect copyright.PENANAIpSYsG0izv
"Is that thing also Exotica?"207Please respect copyright.PENANAV9a56nU8BL
207Please respect copyright.PENANA3o0LcjOVrN
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"207Please respect copyright.PENANAh4JeI87a4D
207Please respect copyright.PENANAXLKpmhYYk7
"Right."207Please respect copyright.PENANAiQ45bYknUl
207Please respect copyright.PENANALdpxYZp8Rv
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAUUutrA18gj
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"...It'll probably be fine."207Please respect copyright.PENANA9xw8Cu5ZOz
207Please respect copyright.PENANARx7ck5mPKP
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAYPwQZDwiZD
207Please respect copyright.PENANA28ZBbq2Hgu
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.207Please respect copyright.PENANAc8xmMXTRki
207Please respect copyright.PENANA7j3fYE61Rw
It made me look forward to the future.