"I see it. The light, I see it!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepXLXhxPpy
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCptZTLQ2H
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvCbTGCgrF
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"We did it, Flinty."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AfYY62ZvQ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKWOA7iqLv
"Yeah."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ945CpYwP9r
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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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVnMZCtdCH
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl1WnTvqyz
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85ujVDz3GG
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIvp1vIHf0
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJSWAPy5qP
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBaB3pMIaV
"Ah, you made it!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR2uW25UpN
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL8LenjeVu
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OqKY9bMsE
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUpwQdNsbK
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl6kyjS4c7
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpTF1Rooz1
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJpjO1CYmG
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0WCfnn5YA
"Ah, alright."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtykNo2d33
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzMDq07QfH
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25kcPneS3T
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe8SMMpDpd
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrlQEMoN1Y
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIi4YwRn4B
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aSlBNr3A2
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag4iImKl2s
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RS7TlM0pg
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa7zCfaVtO
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcVPRSVs7P
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvDMxFDWmu
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlTIFb30kJ
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5bdHSiON1
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTQFOoAoqu
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6UKlgUHLX
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlx4LUtdz0P
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqmtZeVW7I
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWfdU1uhxD
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYYhUxIdDe
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJCyIi5pc3
"Of course! Let's go."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXFsQN4Elg
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqet7wzG8g
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa35W3ly8p
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlDH0HbHO5
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rHFTPvGUS
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGg28WhAR9
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9P4PGv4Dd
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"Uh, do I have to?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJalMLMvHMk
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"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O19NgLAM7
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bhkEnugSK
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh628GYlpr0
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"Kenny?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ650zbyfQal
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vgAsxe7PT
"Yeah yeah..."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmsoOWpbtH
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I took off my shirt.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpudTVwDq4
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"Alright, now come here."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhP8QM2GCw
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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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ie91AL7Le
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuRjMH6rKS
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJaXQodZSr
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"Right."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BGETwqDYi
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I tried that, but it didn't work.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQP22E2aTL
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApF5r4eIhQ
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPtVB9V8dZ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPEBC57Xtt
"Beats me."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmqtfEQwa0
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"But it came from you, didn't it?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhMRM3W0Jk
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbPv77bs5f
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2C4pnrxfY
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpJBkm50XM
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilQ3h0SvrK
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRfGPmLKfK
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7EkAcrjgE
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YTHiQqPHg
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8paKWxpsB
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvaWBsBevk
"It's no use. It isn't possible."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZAQLdDbEH
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmOoYfex9W
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4vH8BXJ28
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡishRt7bfO3
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknf3HsfNr7
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRNyor0ZSH
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kOsnLttXR
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"A-Ah, w-well then..."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw3aB74ZqR
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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.
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrgtfD1dfN
"K-Kenny?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgzOLLzqHr
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjfDd212wh
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI5V6eEHPE
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBmFsKVUZv
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3MnF68j5A
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJBa8umVTu
"Y-Yeah."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCmjscyqwP
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIohgcEFNZ
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnii0kOC28a
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs2kGyCPkl
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMuPLeRCYK
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFgKHSKxwk
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JOx265fsQ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssqZtUI0hB
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuLxw6ZyON
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM3tttBOXT
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKc8vsAtjPh
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56LDPGZU1f
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cZN73J5dO
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y81XDXuII
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp3yRI5qtC
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUeXZRbSfG
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbPEKzdbL2
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKC673WDFv
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1GwMBAakU
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3cSqj90X5
She looked over at Skylark.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzkObSgLqj
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U4dUfkeZt
"And, again, thank you for helping."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzMtw9xEoR
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCSCYWlQ1t
"But of course, it is my duty."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELjdP2n7VM
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"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqwbJrpYlA
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXkTyuqbgX
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvCcWhs8kv
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGARsBok8rc
"That's stupid."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvMgofAaLd
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I felt out of place as they quarreled.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sxK02XU85
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmOh6YRJGz
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbqgiSZpY0
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"...Yes?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspPybqX1HQ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnJ3YRZLTb
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvz4tqmrv6
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNwAQVuljk
"Yes, my lady."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP6mOkZWxe
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf0wkSchAS
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOZCacwAcO
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESHNWriyP0
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rzFItSiYB
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlruapwL2nk
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?222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbmTCTLpXB
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoTr6d3SP9
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3yyh3YJ3s
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hpGsIWzvm
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaChWE0vx7
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NqvQo6X1w
"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?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKDJA0aVbH
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjTMu7tBDE
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cmviVZFPw
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GxIF26eq9
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoLFjR5AwB
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKahQnuS8y9
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iIiaPBAA7
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXJqyWCQEt
"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?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtIulVtj0i
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuCBGZLjml
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwXQy4dm5S
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5H670eHCC
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MUvIDiiNh
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzjW7BRuwF
She scowled at me. Oops.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx9cSHCbMa
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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!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcZnvhKcsk
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1BZPCgy2x
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3jIoc0uK0
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR1Ck5UKCi
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYAns91Q8H
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRYiXXygPW
I was suddenly invested.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkNlb4BLkL
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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."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua6z3sF4XE
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYAj0UFyiK
"Uh-huh."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ208O7S5Zj9
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBiPj27Rpo
"I mean it. Forgive him."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69LnSJefrQ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncQsVef2b3
"O-Okay, I will."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFLTQmxIDK
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGhvOhoWb7
"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."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r6tWb4wnV
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5t5zoppNk
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabpXChFusN
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsISDYhH1G
"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."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYV67DzmXJ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5sY02t2Rs
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVn1jhtLmQ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGzSLvw4P7
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjDdr1CumO
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"I refuse."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnD1uXs2JZ
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc4CSFRoY6
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCQgHyteHv
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN3AWF4ivI
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqTlzhwhLv
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfJZxp1Xaa
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."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb0PDaNt8u
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlsfUQhzLX
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6X5CANLkV
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"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFwp5yo3ls
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYXLH8wnLo
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wV55MSzE0
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTNOzuksKP
"Tea Mage...?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLPXWSwpYX
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"I think his name is Freed."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeX2n7OU7X
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"Oh, Freed."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdgBxC51uk
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Her face twisted into a moue.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYp3dOZAfq
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"I see. He must've refused, then."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVXjX4nm8a
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"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgghdSnYhl
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX5EPYqGd0
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SeoTkWJB9
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoH9gUiGQN
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j4WOBiSKw
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSZIAvJPRK
"Is that thing also Exotica?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtqeLlhWvR
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlqN4eJHS2
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorVfXxccWt
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8McZCBQRN0
"Right."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgthLvTRgS
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fFd4LFmTn
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28Z4cenRVM
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"...It'll probably be fine."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlQmuujDIx
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrYI5AOcg4
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP1mQf2npH
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6rwPVa69U
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRyyudBG0n
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjFKwLjStd
It made me look forward to the future.
