"I see it. The light, I see it!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgSuzoNcYr
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0jbM8Djqn
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5mbdoeLJg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOeGP18Ivn
"We did it, Flinty."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IQx6tPOkA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qq096mShW
"Yeah."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJtKPcq6My
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii2Fyq0e0J
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU11rtJ8gA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOyNPgRZtH
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlJuYIP49z
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYsvzr8KQo
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQLU9VqgtX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqeI6VOqdU
"Ah, you made it!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdJMBhcEiy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4adBpGbJ2
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizaPFtCHv3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglzYc7NZpV
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk60Ft4Ibkc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1VcqDjij3
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMMEj6psZW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRjPoVoyu4
"Ah, alright."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmXEHmhaIl
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ04v6mLmG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGZnFrXyDc
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKjoRkVeiS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnZOcDiSd1
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV7cS9ivTA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgdZU7yx0U
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWfvawRVoX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGAoI6fQL4
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD5XZgZYuI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbql6QcLOS
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsjukhSl7f
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6aW7WWpGH
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhqhZZp80J
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLreAW7Ypi
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdz0SqNZEf
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNz4uyCo5v
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrcjJ4Xuxu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNQgem8xHT
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtkdE3Hyeb
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0bDiphcQQ
"Of course! Let's go."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHU5z9hfCj
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghKgKXzVAP
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9ZH0OwK2D
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbJ3mTuJch
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6q7sReoYa
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCAe7E0bPO
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBic7Zlyso
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"Uh, do I have to?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCHjysQeQE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI2rsRIAJ4
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOLILV3edO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1TyUXQzql
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6waafN2Wi
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeBDmZfJkl
"Kenny?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i3mVm1KsE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUhGVehaNV
"Yeah yeah..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqBS9fiAj8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx6FjmS8Pk
I took off my shirt.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3byKeFtDY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0apRGRD45L
"Alright, now come here."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YOtPWoLU4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAFgDTtAZZ
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHQ7xWE0XO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoTwQ6TmKE
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfCI0BYB32
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyApJ4DfjPP
"Right."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Dxsv8DnZQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinAatZ3kNP
I tried that, but it didn't work.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztGCzwRkll
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlUB5Grap5
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvjuVuH8oo
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExad9ZolLy
"Beats me."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh3lstiFf9
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXDCemy6za
"But it came from you, didn't it?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cP1le9BwN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLlaRQxcHW
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYFEddxoui
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ueFaN1IkK
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtcDwRuhw0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmwx9BbsKp
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbv0hrZmtA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO7k9AzRmU
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXum9R1VjYx
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTHa8AUh82
"It's no use. It isn't possible."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n0e1ZxwYN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WRvNkEtTC
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07lQ4Hj6KA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPV4Qi6tAZ
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEp9JqYvOa
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWskQ7So4b
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGmv8ua1pF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiawzMznWc
"A-Ah, w-well then..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZPFWb7CaC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQtVpTvUT3
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.
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxc9RZGOi1
"K-Kenny?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObu58W5JEC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9H6QpFamb
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IdyIDNXol
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkaHh2mPWQ
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsA5sl6rnS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01kloliZJL
"Y-Yeah."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUkcUBwnRB
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VVJEs36fz
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VGarTZtJg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pgKs4NSFl
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V905lB5Nx
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgfDo4uvdc
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKeUT942cC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b9LEwgmyf
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EzOceCt1S
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHidlgXbHiz
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EltNvdYEg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CYAPqeZYM
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjWJR3w33u
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4dstZe3fB
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjaVB28mZO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0TDHskpNG
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGKBkLPa4a
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGKCCSjmFI
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iK1is2ds7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm9YO8KVl3
She looked over at Skylark.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJUHmSsrcZ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxTqgwqIYk
"And, again, thank you for helping."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufI4kW2ud4
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBVhSUKTNH
"But of course, it is my duty."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Nn40qV4Ti
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNSFVdJqxB
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy8YGuuZ7D
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKjk04VdTP
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZvSJn5j8f
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE7IiJwVmG
"That's stupid."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoKG2asJNe
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVMaGNdI1E
I felt out of place as they quarreled.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutCd7Y9yrm
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXn8gOKUcD
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XSiCmbMRW
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"...Yes?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1FvORT8hc
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQvzBwmBuq
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvJSchcR8R
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcqmkjxFuZ
"Yes, my lady."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mx4pLq5SR
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6KSoOiiEO
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ51SwsMLJS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8DdQmiN4i
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkea2tUMxK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxVPTQ7c70
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?133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdK7KeucJo
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKMkgM2ZWg
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1OQ9umIsP
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffaByLuu0h
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolfKGisfKN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtQJMdEWIq
"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?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHEzxXTFZD
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd5FXIA6RS
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j4YdR7SkV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstVmfgrnEw
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgq8dRRpnN
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFguZeC65G
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TBpUatU8W
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsRDwq7ecX
"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?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA4dsjRJwC
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13XVb7wBXk
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaToWCKZDx
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gtiqtp7lt
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL50S96m8NJ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQxvPAlcB8
She scowled at me. Oops.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrjfLL754F
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4qbUdnIRZ
"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!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ9GbctpFT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwb6OCCmVK
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiihI0svPY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxRQsWziAz
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3E1YouOLS
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JjZUGLSNi
I was suddenly invested.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxce0RO9WsY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAAQRwIich
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1n49YON1J
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapXUN0JCKO
"Uh-huh."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8imJwavGfK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DdLYFpPZm
"I mean it. Forgive him."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43zLnnhbdf
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUcb2oGTdb
"O-Okay, I will."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fdi5GkQuO
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENzxOAYJnH
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZxU6D712q
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm4tEqsRvL
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FQlWqly5P
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tyz9CwrJ4
"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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLVOSF7h0o
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHdeubQYww
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq5BInFE4w
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWSbQBH4eO
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL39HQgmqJ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNVR3lh3Wq
"I refuse."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NQ30g7GpV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTd5e6JM05
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRj5saz71g
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4dZnQqJDK
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44Jat6iN5k
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAbTDaBgQh
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."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurxIgVbI7u
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhoAaUeJfi
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhZoZSPl0f
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qTxpRpZWQ
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6DV295Qsg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25oPMWwGqR
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4lnrrTngg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB9qMB7teZ
"Tea Mage...?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPWRlDYJiZ
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"I think his name is Freed."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RpnRb1ts3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqWbGOkw1G
"Oh, Freed."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTrTdSF5kJ
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Her face twisted into a moue.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92FRIqlQpW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u1eYvjOud
"I see. He must've refused, then."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWbYfC840s
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm3WM8MZK5
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YzPBFmVk3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3bsi8r2XP
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvMt8oxKdq
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEsSCQrPpc
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFZrCEs2Zd
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kwZQmHPcC
"Is that thing also Exotica?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6Lpgb1QsR
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bXma2C02D
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4pa5ewavh
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbA7blmlI2J
"Right."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bPjPHlyGI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD88qeeixXk
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh5Smld8Tq
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"...It'll probably be fine."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigAxfthham
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBdNkhdEiX
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyPJir6bMy
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXtjtqKCdO
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.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG3q4XNOAo
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi1c2y7y9D
It made me look forward to the future.
