"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
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsB1fRmLIk
"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
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwndWQa70Sw
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB25Hl6kSIa
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RmubW3F4t
"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
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYtt5iT9Cb
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
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL6ve63t3W
"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
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oxYSNhssr
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
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERwA6wPv9c
"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
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQzjNa6YrC
"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
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7akqNVWtw
"...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.
