"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctWcqLcLup
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LImZPNgzA
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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DlnYrBstZ
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuXbLrK4Q8
I felt a vein bulge in my head.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdzYS4U3uA
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"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsqQ6qwmqF
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFeMPCVaWm
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cyiXwmZim
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXjnfbeFoS
"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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lqgP6hBpa
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXaufTIFkR
"I-Inside...?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBjWcQUmbY
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbooJxnRg3G
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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqijkl3lQ0
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"It's so... shiny."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH0ihndQQJ
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxbIbXbhVu
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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EZ9oUAfWV
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmSw63yqb8
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvNkCAmLLG
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CntUq9KU1
"The Garden?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1zkHzMjFK
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtZmoVoHbV
"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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSy3lmq6FW
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOebgZTxga4
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQqTEE4aUP
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1LG07d2CX
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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFY905J9av
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATSGwxB1mS
"Hey, Kenny."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy18uAnx8mi
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT4Ydvqz2y
"What's the matter?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42aepgRO1P
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9l6HRAp7x
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5nOBz8gK7
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9Tt27xiPq
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj592RPTOT
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxsWalGGZQ
"The chandelier? What about it?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLFLdXF1Ik
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjqvEtJBnP
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR1jtGUETM
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy6IVosKxl
"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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmZ0T3Libh
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqjPqGYtG4
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyyjDE3Xmx
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgf6S4TENG
"Ah, that makes sense."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps6U9y0r5W
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfra7SaM7WG
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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLsPzl8Dg3
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwrv8usRWa
"...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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kxBoWifvC
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"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGAfQ8TxHt
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"I-I think he did."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8K2Zvl9x5
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALVpnpHlb4
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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsz4Jjp3SF
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"That's rude of him."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy28LxG4EU
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"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgSJLQfwCq
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIutf2rhX2
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzWxZf1tKJ
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdt0F6PeT3
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HH0pfoTQY
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwEHV2dHPa
"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?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNaWq6iNRh
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkV8kFmzzm
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL65tCJWiJF
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"And it's a pleasure to meet you."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuaZByEFcs
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Flinty let out a weird noise.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk5u7hCmBv
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz498HAK4mP
"Mhm!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV70jqyiFoz
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0yHpKyoJw
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35k6TzBbCe
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI141pJYYo
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zU6AnMCuE
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7Kfjd60i8
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlK00UOlcy
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9RXLuR86H
The prince was bemoaning over something.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVxWO2O6ad
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"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztFxp93zrm
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"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzR7pEZFQm
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He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSulVF8bGw8
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJcmiObor1
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFQRYxGupu
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSEupKYjeX
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesGYwo4ikf
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI89SnVDYNp
"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXw6CpaTE3
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzYe26MFLD
"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!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡET3T6RqvCv
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"That's... surprisingly sweet."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjmnAKm5w8
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaRziHpLw0
"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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLE4Mb6Xba
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSASFExRm9t
"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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX8OCbsijp
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KUB4yCPeo
"...Really?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv32F0EVaiU
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"You're also incredibly obnoxious."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqm4X7lc21
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfm7Gh82jx
"GAH!?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL8sSbvseC
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"Huh!?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1co10qbPn
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I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2u6JKHzaH
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0XIaBpD67
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKm77gqePW
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKcZio5acf
"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!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddhW9N8MUh
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HzD2qlrZM
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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi14n3ytF0o
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"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxm0oZHIRu
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"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!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzbyPN92Sj
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPc5KG75S7
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxXD1jXbDm
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"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYEcvDjhj1
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"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyXRjvBRpm
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The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ4fRI3TT6
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QnihNKsG2
"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbhaBj58HE
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"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo8gGZIymk
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZYAfvqn3V
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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjzZMyfbLq
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"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkQveoHf2b
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If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3hDi6AD0i
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfLsbStPas
"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigIN4gSMHR
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDK4bgLjPe
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sKZjya9Ob
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"No."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjWPI1rKab
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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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh7SZub1D4
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"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oCgTzqAah
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"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjPsqCcURi
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDpyITuuWK
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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYezdcZ7o8
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"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS5F6NYwib
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"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBE2Yg9buR
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanJWCzS6qy
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjO1VS5s8m
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4ioIe94Tt
"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6UR12Qg70
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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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsKDlYmqMB
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"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR4r7IRuXZ
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"--Hrk!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy0zTEjgdJ
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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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIOJi0592a
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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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbA1Yp6B4P
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"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh7IxXl1TC
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–
–
–
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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVSWdolOzc
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"I can't eat this."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQPHvMo78d
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"I can't eat this."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YD2GKuTjk
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The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5esQDYXch
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"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfRZnhBCl4
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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–218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUXsiigx5s
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"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGTO0rQ7bF
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOxDUZnP3z
Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyocHa8kOH
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"Mister Chambers?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNjufPjiYc
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"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?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ3ld0aL6Q
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"Right..."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkG7yyo08F
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The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAACsZoRDjh
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbaaDJOKKm
"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2TVh5B0FL
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"I see. And what are the details?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NeMYmrv1V
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"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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2kDQfuNZQ
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"A letter?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLr3c7NJOq
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"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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvdo0IfuEA
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"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPa6qrA6wS
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"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oP839JKSy
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I widened my eyes a little.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCzcRmIkNx
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"Really? Who's working with me?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfXwiIpKP2
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The prince gave me a stern shrug.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhEbsYwgYv
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"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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuysFAKP1x
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"That's relieving."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiZ5qokdDj
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I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg01HmIXeH
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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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijJwiqUgIu
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"How far did you say the village was again?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfU9UsJ0gQ
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"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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHLayAk3DD
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"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vWfzqlE1R
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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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPdAJlrwzg
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"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCPENkB04i
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"..."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqmIpbPVpP
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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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ6n2JkNCD
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"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhAKZdmMH6
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"I see."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwu9u53WVT
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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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfryHClUwGO
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"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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9BcRGeFAE
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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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQtPSL282u
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"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHR6T77q3i
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"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!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A0JJncYL8
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0999PoQZjj
Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkqcYYXtMb
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"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLuPzNc8es
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"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvMOBWptl1
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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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA0LegL3sg
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"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg4ad04r95
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"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPulIZEnCsG
218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh596mnxtq
"What is it?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTVRObh3pj
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"Can I... maybe join the operation–"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfjRelX5Sh
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"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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wmoER9a4d
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"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."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzekQeunuuU
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"...I see."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnHpp7TdU0
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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.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUMvpsmuiy
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"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzyf2KQJdZ
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I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamX3TXJxnl
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"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpwVK8WZ7X
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"...Yes?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvFE74PgDo
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"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlba4E21rMp
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"No."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLaFYclmjL
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"Oh."218Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDAdpYikf4
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–
–
–
"...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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