"I see it. The light, I see it!"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGJm6hTY18
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7jknYQLdw
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaIe5C5Mu8
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0l6xZ347i
"We did it, Flinty."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv82OI3I2Gy
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvBfFXNeB7
"Yeah."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj7Iv1HMTO
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWHOnyEwhe
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIdG4ZoBRd
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQFLApMrV6
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZlxfzp462
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eUraqs86Q
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb74atvfms
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVCVzu8dHL
"Ah, you made it!"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPmqdg2iZr
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUZwPNGoNk
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAh7R6xzZL
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VzWZDF1Ch
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgHo8tAGWk
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMuUZJMU00
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLSJHfp5zg
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqWdgpl4bQ
"Ah, alright."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEOma8I2dR
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Rpr6G8GxO
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZn4BSRuzG
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2inqtO2xte
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHBw9cCBHi
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXGOZXAMmu
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28S1zidKJa
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcid5QLlGE
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6SkxQJf6r
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfI8WWv1P6
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFymXuyTT3
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4bynGdk1Q
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j8aDw1dAi
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTFLWyuk4j
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xxMqcpi6N
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhQ2q9irJB
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIrNLZ0nLQ
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPxxXVyh1f
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0JRdLKsFI
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAb9kTGBbd
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxojyyQKzYr
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJwP9t7o4s
"Of course! Let's go."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yk1G8Gpcw
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKqcA2Uv5e
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd4nZ6pVv3
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkYZuHNiHj
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFAtIH8H8C
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexRiguulWk
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S6nFJYmbs
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NGhqYwneV
"Uh, do I have to?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H9SANv2ZG
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOXWBf9lkh
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXX16vOVe5
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpv1BureDr
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50pjO37Pvv
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1GBPVK8BZ
"Kenny?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxF9TbQRJT
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJBhEz2E5P
"Yeah yeah..."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc5V9Jn3Wf
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9qWHRGS4h
I took off my shirt.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LETSp3nzd
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvDcmpl8Ic
"Alright, now come here."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjrWVpUxUN
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2aNHjpa7k
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK0jJ38hwv
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBKAjgk7Td
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ81UXojgJT
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqblqFc6YH
"Right."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQiOO3hKxP
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBfBc9MpHr
I tried that, but it didn't work.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3DdQx6pIe
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lJnVbkCrs
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS9E0pVwCX
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfSB35VXuw
"Beats me."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDt4fb5IXm
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ4Y32Nls8
"But it came from you, didn't it?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSZeiFaQQF
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI536ohEYgB
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhAx2jXW4e
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTQhZXgIUY
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89t3g9jX5r
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqYcsi9lXZ
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwslvTXkpN
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4ccDdwof5
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhOVvXQHtr
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHb4GAEGrn
"It's no use. It isn't possible."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIAgGgXrse
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zI3BrteP3
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEkJClQerj
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91NZQ6DhA7
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT9dn4BvZk
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtLdrdOyjb
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37v7CwkFkG
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreP4ux1Vpy
"A-Ah, w-well then..."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3aojwplct
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKcXvHrxFo
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.
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnwTbX2bYm
"K-Kenny?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ1V58sz1k
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBgFmZkio5
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC2wfTsxrU
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaLBAHeHK4
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ592Lrlkpl
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKRhcAgGTp
"Y-Yeah."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoepufU8DEh
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwLQ11qoxg
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fOSsXRVcg
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMGw69UAH2
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbPjYsBvJ6
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH2SiRBVqM
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtjIhwuAGq
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoRVZCJcAm
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoe0FxNr5C
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSk7J50ww3
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9e6qnW9KX
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS7PHZQO8e
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfHkBMc5W4
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8DQMDzTCa
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAe8bjuT5w
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiGoZf384X
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9UpMrpxLU
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWEqdoMwK0
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RrSM9Ks8J
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasBoEqLLlM
She looked over at Skylark.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWanUp0HhP
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IdpPwcjn9
"And, again, thank you for helping."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB8d81EjlM
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxPUGCOCbS
"But of course, it is my duty."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPl6ndcL8a
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPxj0DO90M
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtcWaWiDw8
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp2lgDM2b9
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAUd8hROkR
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewkIhlzF65
"That's stupid."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKclcqZaxHV
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnH6SqGgma
I felt out of place as they quarreled.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7juqadke3O
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9tZGYgV2n
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYloNraNQa6
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5hrD41Lbm
"...Yes?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDJNSHgyDy
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1FbEuXnXz
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2pnSpesvv
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdjG3k9D1M
"Yes, my lady."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKlNB1TfVy
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gUBI2LHS6
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRzWQAbooO
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWMVLYqXmc
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbCi6RNZJW
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqciaaWSJF
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?188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoPgjV6YgF
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSjgUgljBD
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfqwcvYezM
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWJ6nDC0bA
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDZuKsZzc0
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7ZWuB0nAe
"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?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTeS9ettZS
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSp9RXAmGb
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72p1qtapCn
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxFLw7MvQp
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMxshx19Po
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNS3M6N8fU
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLIYN3Zf1x
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHrqfls8Ip
"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?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngzqWElsiX
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHJ9TAQc4I
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPgKZs56o3
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXuVsyryly
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oe5RFTxZ2
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXMD3YKWLG
She scowled at me. Oops.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AmjKXQ62L
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3DXVaay2c
"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!"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16jbzZw1p8
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMQVYwpPRs
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKe8u639t0
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN37wa79iIp
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwE8NAjAxi
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Aj1cztbI
I was suddenly invested.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluphfUuB4p
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc85s9OSYDR
"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."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz95rDHNRNw
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD4WtzVZuh
"Uh-huh."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPPgkLHEv6
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi12rOgaAvb
"I mean it. Forgive him."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycGOlTX9C6
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kWpKAnNME
"O-Okay, I will."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZeeZqrvda
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRUgSmDnAN
"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."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAUgaFQYPP
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoZ5ucU672
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxHLoOMbHO
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpml3mHiRNp
"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."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpGmhydTcV
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bj29AU3Ac
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnxo5yY98R
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tv8AxCJZD
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZZ8N23XN6
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOsrjMR8EK
"I refuse."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpI9tEO2zF
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEvzXBrurx
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mYfmuMjyq
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSt16ABPQA
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O2riDRmGc
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsXlDpFcvm
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."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV8OECXvDV
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGqAZ87CDP
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9dGSKZpAT
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj16Hffoaqa
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHrHyium88
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0Kl9NRbWM
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7NdTZPX59
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvEOVnJWGk
"Tea Mage...?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoWpJ2zs3A
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx2Er2YsTa
"I think his name is Freed."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DsItmVQxp
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b6RoJgxpY
"Oh, Freed."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ6n9FeVpH
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPKIhGcoXm
Her face twisted into a moue.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp66KzPg8H
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloQnfl1SLY
"I see. He must've refused, then."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCVJdBdQS0
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifokwq7Gme
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCH8TmghTb
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz7nptXEgo
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLeWyXDFtX
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrttDzF4S7o
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8znxwEspXG
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68hkZElOC6
"Is that thing also Exotica?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc59llSXL5x
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT1xbjnuyD
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6Wq6G2mHa
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsbTRZoTFx
"Right."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStZSXZBVVY
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfSjmtz998
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0ypIEaYm5
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntPCG3YbTf
"...It'll probably be fine."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRtI1n4IpV
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nXA6T1hEj
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvmtJxlHvx
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPbVuGiOhO
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.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp4munvuxo
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwbUDarkzQ
It made me look forward to the future.
