"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRhZJCGgIM
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznaaMfO9yf
The coachman bowed before us. He was kind and polite, so I felt a little wrong about what I was about to say.
"Thank you. Can I make a report on the man who rode with us? He attacked me and my friend."
The coachman released an exhausted sigh. I lightly chuckled.
"I apologize, sir, but I'm currently unable to do anything about it."
"...I don't mean to be rude, but he attacked us. No, 'attacked' isn't right, he assaulted us. I can't just stand by and let someone like that walk away scott-free."
"As we are in the realm of His Majesty, we cannot reprimand him. However, after the ride back, we will gladly put him under arrest."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEdMeMscLV
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK3JQ9zgrF
I felt a vein bulge in my head.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcc5YtRUvb
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wTFx6ljbg
"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV8xAP7m57
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGPXZrfAW7
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwB65VloEF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFXq1B0kyZ
"Listen, we're perfectly aware. But that man is a special person, and we are in very special times. I promise that you won't go unheard, okay? Just avoid making a scene."
"...Fine. Flinty, let's go."
Figuring that arguing wouldn't get me anywhere, I turned back to motion Flinty. She had her face pointed to the sky. After I called her, she awkwardly shrunk.
"R-Right. Sorry, it's just that this place looks way bigger up close."
"Wait until you see the inside."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSvrXiJrMF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXwD0OrkSq
"I-Inside...?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT33RoSfAM
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVJtPiLUuu
She repeated my last word with an astonished breath. When we made it to the guard, I handed him my card. After a short inspection of our bodies, he gently bowed to us and led us through one of the three doors. Flinty covered her face for a moment before taking in the view.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm4Mr4gHLR
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqfU6pHieu
"It's so... shiny."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu9XbXHprs
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ1ltkU5JF
The interior of the building was clad in marble and avant-garde designs scribbled throughout the floor and ceiling. No one column holding the interior had the same design; they each possessed an exaggerated illustration of an animal, some I didn't recognize.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0WLQUPlDn
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxvcWspjF5
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsbjeBG9L2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7gZ7VfJjX
"The Garden?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu9bNiRGJG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pHAWAABNS
"That's where the plants are," I replied, "It's a lot smaller than you'd expect, and it's all indoors, but they have some wonderful specimens in there."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2cNi41MHB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TsCj6EYxP
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfjixH2L45
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsW5ga3BLh
We traveled up a set of stairs. Even the steps were polished and spotless, which made me feel slightly guilty about stepping on them. Once we arrived at the second floor, we traveled down a lengthy hallway.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizzz3sWcd4
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53NtlzyAFw
"Hey, Kenny."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pFi43PJIT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkom7FmKyA9
"What's the matter?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM67ei3ZBA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChKAH5m029
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv0NgxVHvR
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7c1M2y453
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnTG0Wp9YJ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TbMU7pF1J
"The chandelier? What about it?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzCJbTuKCc
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxtHKdto2Z
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1GgHl3qcB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIhUs3TVgK
"It's pretty, but I can't help but think it's overkill. And just look at that lone little chain keeping it hanging; it looks like it's gonna break any second."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkXFs62HHA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J02wzWkyM
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI9di1iwbL
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s61DCt053
"Ah, that makes sense."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCaIYfB8ET
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLtdMhNaIM
I wouldn't put it past royal mages to know mana suspension of that degree. It was likely an earth infusion, or maybe the mage just had dense mana. Either way, it made me wonder how many more appliances in this building had mana in them. I immediately thought of the doors, but considering how many we've passed in this hallway alone, that seemed unlikely.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13C8iEDlYk
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU2Trtk0ZB
"...Then again, this building is quite old, isn't it– oop!"
I broke out of ruminating when I ran into the back of the guard. He stopped moving. and I could tell by the side of his face that he was surprised. I peered around his body to see what it was that he was seeing.
"...Oh no."
White hair, green eyes, crossed arms; these features were exhibited by a young boy in an exquisite outfit. The boy had two guards behind him.
His eyes met mine. His smirk turned from childish to demonic. I took a few steps back and bumped into Flinty.
"Kenny? What's wrong? What are you two looking at?"
She peeked over the guard and saw him. Unlike me, however, her face lit up with an excited gasp.
"It's the prince!"
I already began turning, but before my legs could locomote, Flinty's fingers wrapped around my wrist.
"Kenny, it's the prince!"
"I know! Why do you think I'm trying to–"
"Mister Chambers!"
His squeaky screech echoed through the hallway, reverberating my name.
"I order you all to have dinner with me!"
I looked over my shoulder. Flinty's face was as bright as the sun.
Sighing, I resigned myself to the situation, following Prince Orice's unreasonable order.
–
–
–
Maybe I shouldn't have been so distraught upon meeting the prince. Thinking about it with a calmer mind, it was bound to happen eventually. I was frankly surprised it took over ten visits here for me to meet him.
"I finally had a chance to sneak out this time!"
That was his response when I inquired him, spoken as if he was shamelessly proud of himself. He was shamelessly proud of himself, actually. It only made my impression of him worse.
The two guards who were tailgating him were the same two goons I made total fools out of all those weeks ago. They were also inadvertently the reason why I got my decrepit nickname, but I knew better not to blame them.
If anything, it was me. Though I wanted to berate the prince, it was me.
"So, why have you called us to this room?"
"I already told you. It's so that we can eat together!"
Flinty and I were sitting by each other on different couches. The prince was sitting across from us on one of his own, but I could tell that his was much more comfortable than ours.
"You say it's so we can eat, but I'm not seeing any food on the table."
"Just be patient. It'll come in a jiffy."
"In a jiffy..."
I repeated his peculiar phrase under my breath. It looked like waiting was an inevitability.
"I just wanted to see the plants, man..."
"You'll see them after our dinner, I promise! I just need to discuss things with you. First, some important business, and then some other business."
"Important business? That's hard to believe."
"Then get ready to be surprised."
We sat in silence, intently gazing at each other.
"Aren't you going to tell me?"
"I'll do it over food. I read somewhere that talking over food helps build bonds the best."
"Fine. I'll wait. Yell at me when the food is here."
My body sank into the couch. I closed my eyes and leaned back. The couch put me in a tranquil state, and despite my intentions, I could feel myself lulled to sleep. My senses were being severed from the outside world.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgDuGeRNgU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVkwnk5gAw
"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHRZbAHj0m
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IqNPyniVN
"I-I think he did."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQio1dSaSH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoXEbjA5Xb
The prince's and Flinty's voices dragged me back to consciousness. However, noting that they thought I was unconscious, I decided to play the part and see what would happen. I had a bubbly feeling in my chest. I was becoming giddy. I was convinced I had devised the most meticulous scheme ever.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd6TIfJEZp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU2bdfrfP0
"That's rude of him."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqtLxdJ1T7
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyzsvD04Pd
"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDakLY0nWLs
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG9QdbKBEk
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTz2F6ZDwh
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwxaO8qMI8
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YjPbckSda
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE78LI3KC4
"Of course I do, I'm just pulling your leg! You're the girl who was kidnapped by those two corrupt knights. What was your name again?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESrROU9pZ8
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPyJPBHI3N
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ0Wp6qejP
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwhAA2aSyT
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFLZdcNY2h
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6phiYVRn0
Flinty let out a weird noise.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCILr3TgDsp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5O1549ams
"Mhm!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJazPPObA3
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9STJob82T
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RURsA2aem
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmttUskKB5
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAltTjxosH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9U8cvl3q4
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5KghUWzxB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx6O2TVXtA
The prince was bemoaning over something.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2gBqEwAlH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDapJ0bWRgH
"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qEYlUfW62
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlgdVqVFv2
"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdsczzr7Yg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj6dDR5rQ2
He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEMIv0hpcm
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUSftkuc9C
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3xa0lfE6Y
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqh7iLcFi5
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ie259EXR2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5Wt892pn3
"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAuFw9iIl0
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP1wlQtwHX
"I've never seen anyone as brave as him; just think about it, he saw two adults ganging up on one kid, and he beat them up! He was much smaller and younger. By all means, he should've turned his tail and ran, but he didn't! I've only ever seen Skylark act like that. Everyone else is too big of a wuss, but not Mister Chambers– and even better, he's just a little older than me! He's not some adult who scolds me for everything I do or watches me like a hawk. He's a little boy, just like me!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXULosN9RWg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjhejniM7t
"That's... surprisingly sweet."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUjNq6POX1
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBudfv3lby
"I'm trying to get in his good graces, but for some reason, nothing I do seems to work. I'm starting to think that he just doesn't like me."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRprX763Cw
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AUxaEpwAr
"O-Oh, I'm sure it's not that. It's just, well, from what I've heard of him, you always seem to meet him at the wrong times."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey9GK0lBGG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPck6bVkc39
"...Really?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0kwkHfdHA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG10ogCy30
"You're also incredibly obnoxious."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2tUevYttB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4VaoIVlVo
"GAH!?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBItCFCQzy
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMSYKFUCqY
"Huh!?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh3hb1cqzR
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf83Dee8KS
I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQytWN8QQaF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5iZhBzFMs
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUKtHetobx
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepPKZzOKhX
"Nevermind that. What Flinty said was right, but what you said was even more right. I don't like you very much, I'm sorry– ack!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEMkIxSfIw
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzquV8zwoTP
I felt something blunt hit my shoulder. Flinty was looking at me with beady eyes with her fist against me. I looked back at the prince, who had a perturbed expression. He quickly looked down at the table and pinched his chin, whispering something to himself.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK9B9Oq0XH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPxzN27qJN
"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hzp8mnho8
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlmL6fRUP7
"I-Is he really being so nice? He barged in and forced us to eat with him, and he still hasn't apologized for chasing me last time!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcWJsrvuY2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1MvXpzNVZ
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8OBsGe6qD
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLPB4DN0V7
"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAsCsctg2a
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34Br0CQQq4
"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6JWznIymE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfItBu16rc
The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulAR3Ozjpk
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSS4dCTSfF
"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmczIEZ8js
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZRUhDs2XM
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfmo90x8VL
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsbQty90ZJ
Flinty stuck her tongue out. Something about this felt strange; why was I being painted as the enemy here? I looked at the prince, who was still bowing. He kept lowering his body. His hands were balled into fists. They were quaking.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZnvvryEus
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7wmpJ2d8g
"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg78CTrEMdQ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pYzq0p88O
If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOJNHT2eQE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFT9sI8yHc
"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsXkS91NGD
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviFsDoaReW
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUap15u0CI
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVfkQ6nVr0
"No."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iVNJAiI2Y
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFZMZgTvZU
He sank into his couch with a deep frown. I looked at Flinty to gauge her thoughts and she just lightly shrugged at me with a sigh. The situation was satisfactory, then.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCaa8c6fXE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGsQFsbYQM
"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XMrnMYVpv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQyjEgdtL4
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzWGzXBIIk
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIuuQovOqf
He looked at me. I was expecting him to stick his tongue out at me as well, but he just looked deeply sad. Somehow his frown grew even more profound, it almost looked inhuman.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn2k5S2adH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzbhd6NZoT
"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL68DvkwdCN
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV7CM9NdFM
"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AAJn6G5dK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4B18Wjlul
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Fx0RJFOYF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5YUmHXb3S
"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ2dVdkWSv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYACrdxIeZy
The prince shook his head in a satisfied manner, the frown entirely departed from his face. I was beginning to wonder why he was acting the way he was, but recalling what he said earlier, I had a clue as to why.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2JlIg74b2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EQGY42OJB
"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSsXY77nWq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRWdzXlS9N
"--Hrk!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyTnzsrHHD
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWPAqDHoqW
I hit a sour spot. I nodded while making an 'ahhh' sound. Of course, it was the only explanation. I was also insufferable when I stopped talking to people, after all.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9FM2JHg6T
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYvG9AXLhj
The prince looked down at the table again. I didn't have a chance to press him further, however, because a group of people carrying plates and glasses barged into the room.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx9tYh3Em7
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUQ2vKTbaG
"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPcHtnIjWs
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnPBZ2G3O2
–
–
–
I struggled to comprehend the thing that was before me. Calling it food felt disingenuous because what I was looking at was more like gold painted as if it was food. I was convinced the moment that I took a bite out of the piece of meat before me, my teeth would shatter like glass. My fork would likely bend and bust before that, though. But these were just expectations; I had to confirm them. Therefore, I poked the meat. It wasn't hard, it wasn't heavy; the surface recessed inward as my finger pushed against it. It wasn't a precious metal in the shape of a meal. It was a meal.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ508C6qY9fL
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKMP7vShGI
"I can't eat this."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFhrdoZS2p
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERQCj6VlhU
"I can't eat this."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dVa1eUF1F
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmpYNhQDoj
The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKxKIPOaOL
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6goSrWwbh7
"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLgD2H1ONh
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTDSNfWCJg
Flinty nodded and motioned for her fork but I didn't move. I was comfortable calling myself starstruck. Time seemed to slow down the longer I gazed at the meat. Before I knew it–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MBIyIudc5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGheI3tQ8aH
"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqR11axiD5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReTcgPMjxu
Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUbluhe7kf
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg9bX9bJGK
"Mister Chambers?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iBzvQJONO
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnX3p5Kaqo
"What?"
"Let's talk about the business I mentioned earlier. But first, at least try what was cooked for you. I promise it won't disappoint."
"I feel bad even thinking about eating it, but if you insist."
I grabbed a fork and stuck it in the meat. The chunk came off with little resistance. Blood trickled from the inside onto the plate. I put it in my mouth and slowly began chewing.
"Well?"
"...It's incredible, but, what type of meat is this?"
"Aviartidae. They're quite common in the badlands. They're like vultures, but–"
"But they're monsters, yes. So, what's this business about?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUDHVXtezG
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PlDTNe5mo
"Right..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZtXswG05j
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu8P0AdcK0
The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhgMonltTs
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoug6oE7u7i
"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsbeqsJO1S
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5fUgH0GLL
"I see. And what are the details?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqK7OeXR1g
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACW1LEoNZi
"I was just getting to that! Well, never mind, it's more or less an escort mission, except you aren't escorting anybody in particular, you're escorting a letter to be sent."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMwsr7Kog0
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9CaGZBcGa
"A letter?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kHoh5WATp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp1gETzMCa
"Yep. There's a town a few days away on horseback called Kommunikatsiya. It's one of the central hubs for communication here in the Southern Country, overseen by The Zariel Kingdom. Your goal is to deliver a letter to the foreign communications center, and that's about it. All the other details will be covered by the letter itself."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kcjkNAXSm
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MIEWg7fd2
"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGI5ke4t23
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ArDfLBjCO
"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51KNiDSJCv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZFCVVZpf6
I widened my eyes a little.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMr8FVnxqf
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywIeTGtbjY
"Really? Who's working with me?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ95KuLdh1X
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8yqn9KBMV
The prince gave me a stern shrug.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN67fmvlzmJ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa8H3dHLvj
"I dunno. My mom and sister are the ones operating this whole ordeal. Whoever they'll be though, they'll be on your strength level."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B7DTjiG18
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh0kq6b5GN
"That's relieving."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhegtYPlLeF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvUH4VFAXI
I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08KHcduY4T
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8mCywNRZp
I didn't have any plans for the next week, but I already knew the Tea Mage was going to be angry hearing this news. It was likely to take well over a week, maybe even two or three if we ran into problems.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51yp4JMJUC
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsleLuDJUA3
"How far did you say the village was again?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7OwYxthlT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9CuuB1RDK
"It'll take five days on carriage if everything goes smoothly. Don't worry about travel expenses, by the way, we've got that covered."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EECtBFhOW
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMI9xGhttg
"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h73IZKlKd
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkRxIPN6Zz
I picked my fork back up but paused before I stuck it into the meat. I had a sudden epiphany about what the prince was saying.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvzN7bj0Rq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBnQjJUWbH
"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRslPQUOpuE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmmQzyPW23
"..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uqJGcuYL6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNX7sPz50P
The prince's expression turned pensive. It was clear to me that he wasn't well informed about this information. If I had to guess, the princess was the one who was supposed to relay this to me.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbTNfVpble
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BUC1E58tY
"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj3NHdUhbq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyplzlaK4TJ
"I see."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3mbK4zmgj
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVRkhoRp6g
Recalling what the princess told me a few months ago, it suddenly put the operation into perspective. I already began making guesses as to what the letter was about. It could've been a call to arms of some sort, or maybe a letter to get a negotiation with the Eastern Country started.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekytpsTf82
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqQD89ZIuT
"Since the Eastern Country is an empire, they're a pretty aggressive nation. This whole mission is vital, but it's also imperative that it's concealed."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmHBj6Ufld
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXcxOUXl8e
I nodded along to his words, taking another bite from the ambrosia before me. I didn't have any strong feelings about the situation, to my surprise. Something like this coming up was always in the back of my mind; I was frankly confused as to why it took this long to happen.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2lJlTvbJg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6YPCpNdjm
"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQojle1TVX
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80uNJoCnVD
"Yes," the prince answered, and then his face suddenly turned pale as he covered his mouth with both hands, "You, Flinty, you weren't supposed to hear any of this! Crap!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjXJ60n18l
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3sa4BdK56
Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RBSNLr8bK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1yaEFvMfW
"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Ea6SpkZb
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjejiKI7GD2
"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUkTfQKY6w
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLvNFT8U9l
The prince looked a little swayed, but what worried me wasn't him, but the two goons who were behind him. They were giving each other quizzical looks, and I could already guess what they were thinking.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcPAoqkdgU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyUkhX7aMi
"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpdTvOhwIf
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3B4sqteGy
"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNEag0ZqAv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXIEpSKiOY
"What is it?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJWS2u7f3L
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9lZjEGenA
"Can I... maybe join the operation–"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH21TEDsVN0
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zFPkK9eFX
"Absolutely not," I declared. It wasn't because I feared for her safety, though I did, it was because I already ascertained that this mission was way out of her league.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGCifh7cap
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKMAvxR265
"Yeah, no shot, Flinty," the prince said "Nothing against you, but if we have two kids on this operation, not only will it be embarrassing, but it will also call our morality as a kingdom into question."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESihmM3ipU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU22dxAP9FM
"...I see."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC5GX04JcR
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWM8gEctkC
She let out a dejected response, but from the tone of her voice, it was obvious that she expected such an answer. She quickly shook off her disappointment with a shrug and kept eating her food.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevhdVWmBaE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSCYSip2HH
"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo679JN3Z5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRhyIZTQbS
I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKY8nFfOsg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnJNTKOr54
"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuCBws64Us
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVVR7uIqa5
"...Yes?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIxVvTWzhq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjDXHp7W56
"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpu1ZXC8ju
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuvkji8A0S
"No."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMbo5hMLOY
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISpPvp7Pj4
"Oh."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbXYk2yHnM
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0JonkjC6E
–
–
–
"...Ah, here we are."
I finally arrived at my intended destination. Closing the door behind me, I entered a room where the floor itself was dirt and grass. Calling it a room almost felt insulting, because it felt as if I had stepped into a secret facet of nature.
This was the royal palace's garden. I took a deep breath through my nostrils.
I was entirely alone here. Flinty, for whatever reason, insisted on staying with the prince in the dining room. She seemed to be trying to get in his good graces, which I would've called an intelligent and strategic maneuver were it not for Flinty's amiable nature, which made the real reason obvious.
Admittedly, in the back of my mind, I had a suspicion that she just didn't want to see the plants. To an extent, I was probably right.
Anyway–
"Now, which one do I choose?"
I wasn't just here to marvel and study the magical plants. Since it was the second Wednesday of the month, I was permitted to intake one magical plant of my choosing into the tendril. If I didn't have such a restriction, I would've absorbed them all in one week and have no reason to visit again, effectively crumbling the agreement the princess and I made.
At least, those were the words my supervisor said, who just so happened to be–
"...Roy, I understand you're only 'fulfilling your duty', but you're far, far too close."
Looming behind me like a demon in my sleep was a gray-haired man in a robe. He was holding a wand about two heads taller than me while the magic stone was nearly the size of my head. It was an exceedingly rare feature for Exotica, but that was becoming of someone like him.
"If I let you become too greedy now, then my status as Royal Mage would be meaningless."
"I'm not asking for much. Just, please take a few steps back?"
Surprisingly, he did, but calling them 'steps' was generous. I sighed and ceased making an appeal. It was obvious I'd be getting nowhere doing that.
So instead, I ventured through the garden and scouted the catalog of magical plants. Most of the garden was composed of common vegetation, but the magical plants were placed in blatant places, almost as if they were begging you to come and tear them off their stems.
Unfortunately, though the garden had a plethora of magical plants, it only had a handful of unique species. I was able to identify them thanks to my tome, and by that, I made a pecking order on which plants I should absorb the soonest. However, as I scanned all these precious Exotica, I began to think about the definitive pecking order I've created.
Ordinarily, I would've gone for the Silk-Bloom, which excretes exactly what the name implies. But in light of the recent mission I've been tasked with, my consideration juggled between the Silk-Bloom and two other ones.
"What's taking you so long? You usually pick one and leave by this time."
"Shut up! Simply admiring the plants is part of my promised time here too!"
Telling Roy a half-truth, I continued pondering the situation. Aside from the Silk-Boom, I had considered intaking the Blover and the Spit-Blossom. I had no doubts that, when pushed to the limits, these plants could perform extraordinary feats, much like the Freeze-Dry. But choosing between the two was possible. They both had their benefits, after all.
"I implore you to hurry up before I grow suspicious and do something by accident."
"Threatening me is just gonna make me nervous. Who do you think I am anyway?"
Blover, or Spit-Blossom? The former could produce harsh winds, while the latter expelled sturdy projectiles.
"...Wait."
When I thought about it that way, and when I considered the plants I already possessed in my arsenal, the choice became clear as day. Therefore, I walked up to the plant in the shape of a gallant clover and kneeled beside it.
"Finally. You were very close to suspiciously and mysteriously bursting into flames."
"Uh-huh."
After I finished intaking the plant, I stood up and walked to the exit. Roy stopped before me and bowed slightly.
"Safe travels. I sincerely hope you found your time at the palace pleasant and useful."
"I certainly did. For the most part, at least. Thank you for your service."
I bowed back at him, and we exchanged nods. I walked through the door and found myself back in the hallway. To my surprise, Flinty was outside waiting for me, but she wasn't with the prince.
"Hi! Did you enjoy your time with the plants?"
"Yeah, my tendril has a new one, too. Anyway, Flinty, where's the prince?"
She scratched her cheek and nervously laughed.
"Commander Skylark found us in the dining room and, well..."
"I can imagine. He must've thrown quite a tantrum."
"Not really? He was putting up a good fight, though."
I snorted.
"Yeah, I can imagine."
Flinty and I traversed the hallway. We met up with the guard from earlier by the staircase. He looked relieved for some reason. We made it down the stairs and traversed the halls quietly. But, before we left, an unfortunately familiar face was standing by the palace doors.
Except, he wasn't alone.
"Mm, yes, Kenneth, girl, I see you two have finished your business."
The man from the carriage was standing there, surrounded by guards who had their spears pointed at him. Except, from their apparel, I could tell they weren't ordinary guards. They were likely elites of some kind. He seemed completely unbothered by it though, wearing the same grin he's always had.
"What... happened to you?" I asked.
"I proposed, but the queen selfishly rejected it. I've calmed down since then, yet these dregs insist that they keep watch over me."
"Really. Color me surprised."
I sighed, somehow unsurprised that things turned out this way. But I suddenly had a new concern appear in my mind.
"W-Wait, how are we going to get back?"
"Mm, well, I'm forced to stay here for the time being, so you two may take the carriage back without me."
"Huh!?"
His face hadn't changed one bit, so his words were entirely serious, but I still couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't get a chance to ask any further questions because the guards pushed the man to move.
"Ah, careful, fools, I have no interest in getting my clothes dirty."
"Just move it along," one of the guards responded. The group walked by Flinty and me. I let out a sigh, relieved that–
"Kenneth, before I leave, I must grant you my name!"
I turned my head back. The man was walking backward.
"My name is Kostik Coyote. You'd do well to remember it!"
His voice reverberated throughout the building. The man, Kostik, disappeared into the hallway.
"What a nutcase."
Flinty of all people muttered that comment. I couldn't have agreed more.
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