"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh5sf0oPTA
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJw622RgDd
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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqt5OZsO8E
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOJfioCcAK
I felt a vein bulge in my head.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgKklLZMVd
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSe66OJgrF
"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjePN0BlIB
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VuPSDEriQ
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl22ynmWvO
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVeVx55eFk
"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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoNqkPtCqx
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T0qwGKX5I
"I-Inside...?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUlveBFsPx
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ7vsnqXPf
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfptro9IwI
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPnwD0rt8l
"It's so... shiny."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32EkJ6XQv6
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiKE2EcY6Z
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcAeIRD730
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ceeDAKsIs
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoFTZOC6iz
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHd0zT6S7R
"The Garden?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1opMUoO5tB
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLS3KyBEDB
"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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnP2tImKnz
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs6DJcrFo9
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q7TAoLBPi
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMOZ4lQRSh
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczYDCuX5nU
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vr0Ju2mpS
"Hey, Kenny."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPP0Ono7Wo
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKVWTlwnl0
"What's the matter?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw26yMAJwlz
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yhWj7hJYf
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBWn5N5KPV
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EE03N4GgH
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vxzK9xNiE
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbdvrZaSix
"The chandelier? What about it?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TQMGdkPqV
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRUT3WIDU8
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBATAkOJ0r7
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9K0qfcIhm
"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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVxdZMNGO9
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6K4IGCACt
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v09i55MeY
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUMwMDdlX7
"Ah, that makes sense."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAMWCYepZW
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wmF4VdU0P
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCieOQ0bEJ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQf5C516am
"...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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVM5qTCkNr
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICycWytCyF
"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsngVR0OA1
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEeyzsxpJW
"I-I think he did."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD2o5HUrWT
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqwNH2Zlo5
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2IW8gi0sG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9ttmfqnab
"That's rude of him."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmsIPBoSzg
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR9mSxziZZ
"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP5kAi2V3W
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN8BuFvwTF
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdgqdkYXje
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aTF92Oavi
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uhP2LeWhj
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlzbC753wf
"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?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6MByEzhXG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5fOTQ3mqR
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nvcYFEcos
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAgunvDYpq
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgEkCqQ7gb
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EQfRRuPND
Flinty let out a weird noise.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69oiYWrFPz
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldaNoDuuBx
"Mhm!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG5P35S1FE
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAxEG3t0Sz
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITpSSoMC0x
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58EX1LE4W3
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9TZfT7805
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wT7kcErdM
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LNZMgB9QC
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsTQpg3Htp
The prince was bemoaning over something.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBq7Jq8WPg
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy62U0I8Ax1
"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKHWTMdHUG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovczAmF59j
"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0pZZpfwUs
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCZNAy8fVZ
He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91hwamoems
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5RVK35Dwx
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY7MiDTSP6
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG3XqrYagU
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn7aUdMbI2
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TWfPuvDNI
"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw94zBDLNti
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0duCVGxhXN
"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!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j47ObG8hI
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbH2ORalaT
"That's... surprisingly sweet."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6Omqf4AOm
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3qI5dS8i1
"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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqjdqc8YXj
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzScch2lwF
"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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Co78FL78K
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ079tp3KXfR
"...Really?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoMFydwaA8
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMc6Puad43
"You're also incredibly obnoxious."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRTarAn5eU
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRbDnh5Vb1
"GAH!?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVgE4JMFYk
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6rMw0eAIi
"Huh!?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i7ulDk6L4
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1zOYU8obB
I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpcOAPmP29
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7PIoZKa84
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GSAa3TfKr
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOD6Lm5D7U
"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!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfiY9ibdjD
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJcfEohCK2
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxYluVsDGD
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yKi8iuqkO
"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwjMn3z95q
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKGZAHrkpd
"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!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSnbYufror
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKyPPN2PpJ
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst1EeaRisr
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzthjWtZhfs
"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxjB31R9ht
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYwr5RVwDj
"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFpH5RgjD1
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyHMwNr1G1
The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGL28Ob6Ou
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmcgpy5f3P
"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ry5aZpzMU
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35JhCRVkft
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEStWM2DR3
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUAd1yCeZn
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0BrallA87
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywB1wRMlSc
"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCJQ6ROuSl
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0krx7orn0
If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfTWbDI304
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIR3xnj5oh
"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc85fXEIxMJ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXTeM8JVyR
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3nCi7Ak0p
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjxS0grBme
"No."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm0DwEyiHo
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdl7aZ6NDj
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq2ABojl24
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2IWWXmuWF
"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoTCW92CHs
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wr6QkvcRj
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYfWsIh1DF
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX28oWlEeZo
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpJSIr07Ei
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QopYZtIHH
"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR8jprUPv1
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5yajWyZvT
"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SLTLcq3Q9
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V2vYW7Dij
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEEUdhwmqV
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mwxA11hHW
"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPLM41h1i9
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoZav8p7Zg
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEzEbay7VE
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdieZSE3sd
"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr4ceWHrHO
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmzSuVvCnk
"--Hrk!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnIWwG06oS
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkyDz3w3Ru
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mm9n2Olte
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToiEbxb2PY
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgC8CJpbFw
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswp5Q48rqO
"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QDkHDAoz8
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagxF1VPUc6
–
–
–
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUM1wxFSnG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZkpbTzLds
"I can't eat this."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49v0vzzCpX
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkY7NMLb8w
"I can't eat this."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePEze88qbV
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMKXtP1Qvt
The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZnUIXdH4K
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qi4l0Pepd
"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8AeezwiY5
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFKa9jD1fo
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–177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cXte3jcF1
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoG0jHlKH2
"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsHzOqj7zy
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ84nvSN2e
Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQePfPJlAch
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9aOiQAiq0
"Mister Chambers?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3MRuXzYrJ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKDdZA3G2n
"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?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00BlLb5JAr
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRQlY8qZo9
"Right..."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs494pC0du9
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze55fv76aU
The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19oZ44zFgk
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhDIj7IruW
"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHNHLFsql4
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPuZCXAMbX
"I see. And what are the details?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoDIeggKHK
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzNbUMJVtj
"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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkjFtK4gJ9
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKrP6J3arL
"A letter?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF3jgaY1dG
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVGnCHMtae
"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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgEyJHKHUY
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X4Fof6gZs
"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH8q9QGGmj
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zWpLBJocE
"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rk0NOhscs
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvJxIsltuk
I widened my eyes a little.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAdX2xif5m
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreN2n0R7nF
"Really? Who's working with me?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDA47PSFcj
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVHDXpofvn
The prince gave me a stern shrug.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2psblIOOd
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgAxI3irt0
"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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgU7MB1wy3
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscp2x46prU
"That's relieving."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyYnL6KcXT
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDasE7CB9G0
I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUf6wKbBHh
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvX2OJirL0
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpuv2GJmTi
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPvNbO8Ypk
"How far did you say the village was again?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcnIgcVzCf
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisujlCJYdF
"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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0tu5zLXZ4
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfqBAiHIkK
"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6goy3gJH5r
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAaZd8osFj
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi7dZ9oI1N
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerzwQ8yzi8
"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvf9pq3ieT
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyKHdsxwRR
"..."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGCNehAxDX
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pNeZxhjAh
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6KnTAui5z
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XcTZn9osi
"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptlfWpJzNf
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdRIX9A4iX
"I see."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIBpjuq2do
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3rjaaova7
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7UsMj3dqX
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVEuA7ff88
"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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNsvwaXfJB
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlXFtATU8Z
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadFl3I6baT
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXohZSUWwPO
"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUbDAPdumF
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUe6AvxENF
"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!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1120ScB8F
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPX3seI8o5
Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48rp7jwvXQ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAuhlHWgEJ
"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39n4g33xRm
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZcDiBEy8t
"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUhMNAEPpg
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr7fWrQHfg
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mgz44zal1
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"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYtf8SBDb2
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1qD6ZkBh7
"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiZEO89YnQ
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKwzvueCH9
"What is it?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR2ReNVG8x
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvKK9Hthde
"Can I... maybe join the operation–"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDAc52cpMb
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoZCY5Uszv
"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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAxk77J1fc
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU9Ruj3wCZ
"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."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiAQS01uDb
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMXuMYdiah
"...I see."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF91ojwJUY
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpaUC3bFOe
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.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04hbQgdpw5
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91j18RW8ld
"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0IuuMi44Z
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlWb9MNLs4
I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEPTZ59LaE
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"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l2t8qcP3y
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJzwdsV0Hm
"...Yes?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTugvSs8TT
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NnO17hqCy
"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTNS92KzX2
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf8pGiJkBU
"No."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvSWwjYR7X
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9t96Opa8e
"Oh."177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuexPSDULg
177Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBDipbjfkl
–
–
–
"...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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