The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfGXrKLdTl
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OF92Rp9VU
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF4lR3tQui
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6ig5zimip
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"Oh, that's a good point."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SIkoKAHxg
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucIaD6zV49
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**SWOOSH**203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JIwT7sClk
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"W-Woah!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXRzgSlQf2
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And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwkXuAgY06
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtpua2p3b6
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No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUgpQlUfyR
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"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxVjeyFKjN
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"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt88nGDbxB1
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"Oh, Juke."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbxAUIVOGl
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxd5pmVxv0
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvb75pXaJA
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Juke tilted his head.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4Ni4RddPL
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMo4QbV4rk
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"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8VSAexAo4
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLDlR5I2cQ
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"That's a good idea."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDj1UhUqz0
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I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKbLLnkZNN
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhvP9vM6i5
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d7weflJ3T
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS2hZN5ta7
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"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs5l17sff6
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**SWOOSH**203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkMSH7Olrk
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Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHChdKSQk4c
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEqYIe3bMR
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"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWvBNKmc4z
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"That's a bird!?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOkJjItQJf
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipCg1Oa6xz
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LC7qCj07c
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJChf7axXi8
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"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM7MIyNUHy
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd1hpxnffR
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0Pp8eEwqI
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN1xpTzZWR
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He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau6fEIRHeR
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebzet2UNqd
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"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtvW2VCSbh
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"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB12bnFDbY
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"Hahaha!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzGl9IVOTm
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"Why aren't you answering me?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWUDy0nm2f
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He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaZgXmJGZv
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaZFmR60Yc
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlSbk8pPbd
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"Huh? Why?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu18vY8mJmP
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd0FBAsbk9
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"Oh, alright!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqp8lXMomk
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1Wjzhh24g
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE53kRokBl5
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNiuZfr95K
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Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3KL1g5yn5
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ496pziK6KN
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxauuNSWPIl
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"Hold on–"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uuYgt9YTz
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Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0QTMroGQZ
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
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"See what I mean?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp8BbiNwy5
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"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDUw9nRG89
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0vgGJEpH3
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmsUKH1lih
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc57cVrPW5z
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhJaumBAIA
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVDSWfCTro
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaCAn3t25b
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"...Maybe."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNHJCLKRH5
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"Why only maybe!?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1xoPC3pqR
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"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTelW7qbW8
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywJMmPPP8f
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPAKORHwmC
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcK2wJF0fD
"Ahhh... this is the life."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwf5IZ5CzC
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh6eQXJLin
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqJ14WsdIg
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwQpiBd77q
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSUBrcNX94
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokAC9rxJsx
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTACGXbNbh2
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f3piNUlWI
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzkhyjcTpG
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSPDbyolnn
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cTiqQTr9S
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa93Cj6663
"Sure, sure, now scram."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8cpjtZSI4
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Ny5cxbk6
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qrz9LgExo
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNED21IrM2
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA0x5WzxYx
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiy4Au08dz
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwefNBzY93
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVNJyG9F2g
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwpnyslDLq
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l0xlNHYhT
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlFJ7CobUY
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa9z07kQ50
"A nap... hmm..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjaCGksiiQ
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNek8Alkrz5
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6sgYAjFrn
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN9rjOzx84
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMU4n040ej
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv115Rx6rJ
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUItlQ23ml
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP20FT8s4hM
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7coNNsq76r
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPpf3hN5IB
"Ack... this sucks."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSMSS4IHbX
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGBTXU3IyE
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYLMowtBVH
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6VSmQqvQK
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2p0WoRIjQ
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSdctlMTZi
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHTnb21rj5
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPjoajnZXX
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuylWR84sWk
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bcEpkaE8T
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1NuhfN3DF
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7Gee9fbiU
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGicKaCN25
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44rPa9r9eb
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HreV4DwyL
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oWhXuqyjV
"---Alright, that takes care of that."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2RtgmLlQH
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPnwtUkfD4
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XOThGWsEb
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UyqAyILen
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYGeAhcGIM
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIOFBxnAgt
"...Right?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88nluHCL2y
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4ynj0mLMX
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4zRvCUgbg
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9icEITNjUM
"..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7iUs5jgp5
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT9r6ZzlcV
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP69ReieBBo
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld36Z7lfum
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObOQ4fNHXf
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9K4p0a4Ot
Wait, where the hell is she going?203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlujnucqZh
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz4wCL8uQw
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUOUc6yrxZ
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dr2IMUXw6
"Rover."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWkBE15vRc
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CywgSwlPs
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC2WPNtlzm
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw6IGrz4ZI
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl1zw2zgYW
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWknA6bo1fR
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZNjrNJUi0
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUEsvIma5z
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjXIh8TsAv
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY908PnPDw2
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHBSVStoGD
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgeexEQbjO
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72E3aovmXF
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQrfEeU0TC
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYYqKSo0bN
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfG03kh2M3
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS6OpbvFuo
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG0VOfX4BD
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ13Tr4e0Q
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFaGiYpiiC
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkJR5RAJu4
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfYvYOA2gY
"Oh, that... uh..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQghkYyelT
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VJGIlUkxz
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXcn2kaOtI
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0nomIHvso
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FtqtrhW2l
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9nJTzstaa
"...Pff."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJvOIxyRhH
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0vtoFhs6p
"It's not funny!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUGGXsRURs
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqnOr3uSfX
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLdyRuWGwZ
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmVPe2doVY
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uVK8EIr0V
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlry1eXTqNO
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRY365Rbuh
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgBlEKa77Z
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRBRr2OUNS
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDCkgHSENU
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFvFMNoyAP
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdNsNnyk8F
"...I see."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLwDwz4bft
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipF8zfrOXp
I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTQcAdGA90
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VWglgb0EA
"..."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k3EKjaHmu
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I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnSuH8UYkR
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDsbMGwWgY
"What are you doing?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FOIONXHQ8
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzqRvCw1G9
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTggcFloyr0
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXft2lq6pyG
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PTSB1d0DY
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jOgyKP8o4
"W-Whaa!?"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAswUDsVTc
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXrvHWP5t3
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmUfYrMV0Z
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuISiDa5FWn
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3gAp6xkpb
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YEwHZN8NO
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqAiwYjZxI
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLq7vRfdgc
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7nKSxfLVt
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUam1uniT5
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l7dXzR0xD
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjJ6XYQcSh
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5oU3eVTux
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr23xEE2m3O
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2LwbPV6B7
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlNNVlnuNa
"I don't like you."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdIvuKC4Re
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpgwEqDvHg
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vlM3lrwHN
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPb7c8Ps79
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8FRuF4kge
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pnFK8yQai
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHPcDLF5VR
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeyKypBByx
"I... guess you're right."203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm20ffEIK9E
203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7lpfPoMuN
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
