"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG22AEwSww
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZla6gT35U
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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWkJZeNc6m
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dWUtjwoXs
I felt a vein bulge in my head.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UL4u23YwN
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sWyfzpJF3
"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl47QOlTTg
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ngJ7Vdn1F
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oHigcmOos
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ2lddy1ZC
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqP2MA34lP
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOOmosreDB
"I-Inside...?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7H5v5SYEL
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrP0Jf1Bae
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"It's so... shiny."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgWVq6y4Cx
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A8XhTbjMT
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTim8g2q1YL
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYH4wQzLxl
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIg94V2h85
"The Garden?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI0crKnZTi
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoIjPzJw5N
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolwel3MGVH
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1syZKaGPH
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv67jXtmIlL
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPSKuGBeLf
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ye3zyCw3m
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi8n4I8Xgc
"Hey, Kenny."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJwWJFXrjp
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfgZxjpqfy
"What's the matter?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGVZv8y3qL
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n0zjpfRF0
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rHehl88Lz
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkf9KWOt6r
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpUH5nAmnh
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3b0e99Uc3
"The chandelier? What about it?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tPh85JGq6
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIqdoSdk26
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsUgffPDLj
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sQhl0DBrO
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh7c55Kqfg
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgU7bCPEmb
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9RFnBxh0z
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"Ah, that makes sense."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYLMapwLU5
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsbLvmDM2k
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xavNEtwdB
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OQit6JiqF
"...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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtT5SeGlXZ
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"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbbaQ8p7Ct
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsmCpRhgyF
"I-I think he did."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxIFtQcrEG
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2afMODWNPA
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"That's rude of him."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWZFrHd57z
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbUbd7CnVL
"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUPu3xkUqs
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vG11TZiuw
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7JFDQlfqK
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwga8mU4WU
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTgTHyJOBE
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1DzqXokF0
"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?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUgSoSqOJr
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6z3VEqJM6
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMr7NsHWNB
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYVmd2n7O1
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIMBeiFVr9
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwBhClZGOS
Flinty let out a weird noise.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcqZnxLdJV
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFov9xkGzo
"Mhm!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XnOIjz5uq
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rTOKZOKAT
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy3xbIZmyE
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iuSoWlISw
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvH5xdWufN
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UTIPDPuw8
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDwou0ycUL
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUzcDQdjDz
The prince was bemoaning over something.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMxWJiHvmb
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILuneMK36m
"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VK16MKTwf
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmOJXMUSdU
"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSBmkcU9bL
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He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANBl2abtU3
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeZoh9oZil
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtme1rnUIwb
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAPJ3VhtzN
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qK4v0kkdm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qIn7Mnq5D
"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsJglUvYPU
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J1yM7FxRJ
"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!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6ndSj8eS7
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKGF8lgZc1
"That's... surprisingly sweet."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA9lhg8OV8
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSIMFB1JEh
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLakXfMuTVz
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLCmZusWug
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc2WblQxk3
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezkP23VuS4
"...Really?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjhwe2aybk
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjkc9JyEJg
"You're also incredibly obnoxious."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj3zX6HuO7
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1KO3PDaDA
"GAH!?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9044XBSh8M
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"Huh!?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYK40QX20J
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZfxUckWjs
I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzkMihGGAh
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUn2aHHMpt
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeuKPUcJ74
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7tZ5oJKzw
"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!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghvZ5cyCaD
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTzfgW8VQY
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnidLhq7OF
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6irbksrmVK
"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8n0dc9Z3V
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJcKdFMMIc
"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!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjPWgPa5iV
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAvwpeQORb
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVZI0Xp4IJ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY4CZmn2UP
"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BaeCvfB6K
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"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHEhhdStaZ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnZsqwrNnc
The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GO8Bnu7jw
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"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGayHMusBtj
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkl5cfZHGE
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuc91zlYlT
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5KJeg7Gi4
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx84e1Ik38O
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKKR08ip4j
"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvY6dfQHpu
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItZnt5ZHqC
If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gixnpXPNL
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"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacmbXnwwBm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ0XLE5sqZ
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxPoCIsPPn
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"No."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QfPXFTufm
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0Cry5rKvy
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWTooGlrXV
"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8bWfPEw0U
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZBJvSZGUi
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp7Uw3DCE8
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKL3HU2cqH
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5yvztolc9
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"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xJoGYr98z
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"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH4llZEEPm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXaOnVH0VK
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd5o4a2c5e
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjZlzr9N2a
"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKcUPJGXqY
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZob29SgxTp
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHviOtdOlGg
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"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwdcFjVjBs
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"--Hrk!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhsoBmULGY
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9o2icELSM
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqo8wz0CJs
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rJCeFFfjj
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yjjuXA8OU
"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUsfNwXzF0
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRqhTUz9nv
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"I can't eat this."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh5fpAk2it
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"I can't eat this."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpEtMy0qbx
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The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ2V1bD8MD
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"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyM9oqGIb2
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMk7HDMapvJ
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–163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt6epM0qtb
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"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsCukbsTqr
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Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgP7ZGFDX2
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"Mister Chambers?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLi4yh5uXN
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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?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIVELJCf2i
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"Right..."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobJhI3w0et
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The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzdxIg4S4L
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcDDv0ZhCu
"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXhOHw9kTW
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"I see. And what are the details?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetgvWhoJPz
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwqAVaOlIm
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhqUutz3LQ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj20Hm3j7vm
"A letter?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH6u9CybEa
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGcd7DGSbw
"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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfVRJTZXeM
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW9cDvdYhB
"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JBh54ArDv
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ340BQC0DQy
"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAEZXgrMUD
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I widened my eyes a little.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmDZ5RY7Ng
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"Really? Who's working with me?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDVifrhiN6
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The prince gave me a stern shrug.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdBgEKMKBM
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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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyiC5yfOMk
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUtxLoFrAx
"That's relieving."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73lQlU253O
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I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS4fYeXlI9
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTsCaGPybF
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nA4V43yVZ
"How far did you say the village was again?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUnONa9Dx5
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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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrJqrYz4VU
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBbJ9qS6CK
"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSePnTti0Ru
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx8Sawsop8
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIJlAmoWVd
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"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLQVvXHrRa
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"..."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSj2g5cYuZ
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCdxD9p03f
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"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1ZoGASVZ5
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"I see."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPVNxzOcAS
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiEdsj72rK
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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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrkrD6ign9
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCKRcDoTTj
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ814Plfyc3u
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"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq658xSVGaM
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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!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg8sqetcLO
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLvbeJLMtJ
Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrLnQ3BFAj
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"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0XpVLReZm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8xgzr3eh5
"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSjVrwABg8
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICi74cXE0x
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPuPU7xTVM
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"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnzilIaPxN
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"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3LX5kOW5T
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8e9TzihNE
"What is it?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizeIc3SBdZ
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"Can I... maybe join the operation–"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qx43w1UuU
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xg0stFPVd
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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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaAPfDnY4d
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"...I see."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHXsmNtjCZ
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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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNneO56xU7c
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"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskBFznthZN
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qTXVzF4XM
I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR4r5ubjhe
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"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBwZtQMiD9
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7Y7byEH05
"...Yes?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxtrjF7Chf
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8WYVhuaB3
"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa1xY5HaGf
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZeBBzLrAt
"No."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGTPKh7LaY
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBajwib7Uis
"Oh."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhpUvZDR2V
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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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