"I see it. The light, I see it!"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwUJzwxTYt
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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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06pAN1eZef
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"We did it, Flinty."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNBkR7A7R4
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"Yeah."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUzP79woir
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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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOWxiXS0zw
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This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvIaZmSuxe
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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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ1krFuEhQ
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"Ah, you made it!"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WeDTdjCuY
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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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XA3PBAjvi
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"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUtXjOQzsa
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsS9jyUqCz
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai8K9S8cgn
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"Ah, alright."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLemyZEz6U
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2XMH9mkKp
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"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv9nvYCJsC
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"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmaaEahOAk
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmqFMjZoyA
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AjT0ekvVI
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSYVgIHgBu
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJYRZcVpHd
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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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJjzgOXO1P
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"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxEOEpaHDo
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosnyA9pJXE
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTPTw7ykfW
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXpJjgjPGL
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDn5v9vkTt
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MWKAoHVzp
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZEJwv0lDN
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"Of course! Let's go."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNTuchNaYp
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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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexb3h7p65c
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"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBctMpw5Qd
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Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCE0tAbYs9
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"Uh, do I have to?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vPTCPsmjq
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"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9eHyxXAw4
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Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOYKQzzy39
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"Kenny?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sImuLev4n
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"Yeah yeah..."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rGy1B8f59
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I took off my shirt.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa73f1Pj1gn
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"Alright, now come here."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EObB2RuMg
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQsmJuVkH8
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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zrbPZk4NQ
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"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4R31rkEnj
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"Right."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqL7xLEPwf
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I tried that, but it didn't work.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqM52TWccg
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"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYIrQcYjvv
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"Beats me."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eYULq6qbr
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"But it came from you, didn't it?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP4zSEFibH
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"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqxu6ld1e0
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My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pY6pkcbW4
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"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKVzLtKGea
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYwbbwohPg
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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjX1WYpkNv
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"It's no use. It isn't possible."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNy3MK4Edq
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"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAfJB5ICXh
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKLTwZr2kx
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZPGZEpTM4
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2pHVvtI2O
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0Bu3TeEBT
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"A-Ah, w-well then..."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZpEi0HE77
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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.
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"K-Kenny?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlxKpYyFoj
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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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeHIYt8bze
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC3vTBWSyE
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2utmsLZ90
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89CXXBfmCe
"Y-Yeah."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVRGZoi7Vp
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It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCUwILXekg
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"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDXuvvm9VU
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlalgIKV9m
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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn25w1aUt9
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It wasn't just Skylark, of course.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcbIzucfHR
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"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIrWM7xb50
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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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXHwGBVJ0N
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"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C2afSONKK
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BUR2JHv1d
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNqZkS56Z4
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlpXFNVR8j
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFFgpmaQLL
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She looked over at Skylark.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYboMyiLO23
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"And, again, thank you for helping."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5BKUNbdzi
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"But of course, it is my duty."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAqejZtZyg
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"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMqXiCHNFe
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"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcTr2NqaYF
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"That's stupid."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx4TPLZfVR
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I felt out of place as they quarreled.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHWyBNkag0
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"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJT8KeNuHa
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"...Yes?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24EAqOf9AK
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"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcFVZILEIc
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"Yes, my lady."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1uJ1O5qtT
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuvDvxmfwr
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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtVGtwFSe4
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"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaYAc1NAcS
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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?155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLkQNZyeUO
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DTTQZGNgM
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFwRzTvf34
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCb4Wrhd6P
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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aAmoTHU2b
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53wgw3ahNB
"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?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4p8YaPEdi
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZdCGNYaCp
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUfaCJqhnf
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Kd01MCiP2
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzLSma7X6R
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lagqj1jMM
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwGJcuWe5g
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPp101wzWE
"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?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI8nad1MyK
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRCJsjGKWB
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOnKSMD5Ml
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"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhgnESaM4Y
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She scowled at me. Oops.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXypwYDi5k
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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!"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbpFxTude0
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMnsozdvAm
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctw7bc6LG1
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"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kOgLG8q3p
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I was suddenly invested.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1cFDqWVYa
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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."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6gNqRBUPk
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQL8PwfO3e
"Uh-huh."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdXetromP1
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74GI07ILIy
"I mean it. Forgive him."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R2PhFDNk8
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7aTVul91G
"O-Okay, I will."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JBqwEXBNf
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr7BNBM1uJ
"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."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxOcC5oyG3
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The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviG8rmqiVs
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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."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74zFGmwKQh
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2FNrEcdGX
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwyKC5xnDU
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AB2KKPvGI
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDBqY7ME6H
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeer2T4PRFX
"I refuse."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwWKRVU9kf
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The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPaUwDuNuD
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"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2koVckwWhi
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfwpww70Qv
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."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUAgaTlEwv
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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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYgfSNWZNh
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"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSipTCd10jW
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88cX6eZFzA
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXR5trklDG
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"Tea Mage...?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLof6hyODWZ
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"I think his name is Freed."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarKgkCjgSY
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXEbv1ju28
"Oh, Freed."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fnUwO7PS3
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Her face twisted into a moue.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9YM6hNCM6
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"I see. He must've refused, then."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5v5vMWm6r
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCugtrsVSFu
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtwa7NKqdY
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe27VcaWJaV
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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyYjylSQji
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XK4xXVqrc
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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFghtp9a6x
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQaao4AUD5
"Is that thing also Exotica?"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKURvVq58Q
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"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ643szXFh7i
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGL4y8l8xi
"Right."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqddAT8b2FK
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd3u3K6tRo
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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52GLbmfQh3
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"...It'll probably be fine."155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLAeyPsTzP
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4ZPX8raDL
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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPgdgKE8Bz
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUNqnsJ3AK
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.155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXTFtadKYX
155Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ6yo64Qoy
It made me look forward to the future.
