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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrUMbQNEHG
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUBpR0z3o1
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdQYoRiTcy
Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNcko9qZqQ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOSwFrCfPF
"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnlraoHxer
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69VQhYbEAR
"Oh, that's a good point."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLojNrmz1ml
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwF9Jbpi1k
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–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2F9KvJrum
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjnUM5oagM
**SWOOSH**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y44gYGtpg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxiMD6bLsv
"W-Woah!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFFrqYkV2f
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHiSBrH0xs
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorQAIInpqH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM5UDbqKQs
"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp1PfFylUv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8OkFVXhpf
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFikrF1vSv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVbS688kMU
"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mhdnjn45O
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXslG6o5oEI
"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvfjqprE3u
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfw9Ybm24C
"Oh, Juke."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR3li64mzE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOZNmJUGcs
Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PvNCMoEDD
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkekks9nyn
"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek0AFNqOgT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqEatAwck7
Juke tilted his head.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimWnlvG9Yn
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtOCFCLWEl
"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6THgBJfL9
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVC6WsA8GW
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WyF9sOSpT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPXhw629qZ
"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49ZPEo8oMX
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbQ6nvjzdc
"That's a good idea."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcSAi6brfp
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8EzihgTE3
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hP9PBf9n2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxIaiQaASy
"What's the matter, Kenny?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTNuPwTKJ1
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyV5FHvQ7m
"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOzeqoqAli
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NWUg5uM84
"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7bmWNNnhf
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzksdSxUBxf
"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa50aQ47M4
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9A6lOEOnO
**SWOOSH**198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjJuGdD8F0
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w1dKdGeG9
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO79UYIA3fa
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GkAxqwe8Y
"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVzGVMzc8r
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhxZ88DhCz
"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpldrwUXg8
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe7sJIGYw1
"That's a bird!?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jt5yL21Jf
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwS74OE8Uc
He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikRGtMqfOI
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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?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xltSpxn7I
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPnd1tRSEo
"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjbMJzQOPe
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IKjkOwEZ0
"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLcfPEe159
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEVXgxc81q
He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi5M2YGz4a
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8UTnl5MHM
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVkOwjOeZx
"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7M296Bqs2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDywexF6FWv
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyICBlFlds
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG2W7nTsm2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YsSMekxyj
"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMZWtwPJcx
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJRqgJbHen
"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbREnClQmBo
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm1ONhXa06
"Hahaha!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoio0Y5one
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzSAOhJqyo
"Why aren't you answering me?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gNjP67Dcf
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3fBG6tupu
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTTXGkCzRs
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcFWMcgm0U
"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSggyWIaPz
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA7zNVUHd2
"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9HJsEb8JB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfL0XgqKWw
"Huh? Why?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoDirzJwZM
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWcuFPhIwS
"Purely for the sake of the mission."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzs1z0SC6c
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWRLPHGcGW
"Oh, alright!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9T2RaLxdP
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmgS9UWvEg
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfH6yFQPv9
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SZaVDvvbI
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsRwewsmch
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLJJuCxNj6
Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnKpO1UFLx
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN06nkLDLA
"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmWdJGb6iT
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AfCrrkPuI
"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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjXAyOytQt
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV81ZVy058
"Hold on–"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCU30vYqeV
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRtuaO1rCR
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgU38jvRQX
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8E1mvgs1t
"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdV1wWNe4u
"See what I mean?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wnyDh5DK6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVTK5LUvDi
"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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjlibSwQLt
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3PtGHIwJF
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW0YYIl2nM
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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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUzT5wQUg5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL2jbh2A2x
"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJGJnp6Qmq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtBK6YBbCW
"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J0lQSOfX0
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUPYjyAVTj
"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOOO6u5ZpS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCB3E3ZuXh
"...Maybe."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjklkCq8dA
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEld44EKrMB
"Why only maybe!?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAKQIeFlno
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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!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiIOnhwcic
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHdYfovNg1
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80yT91y1RH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPxG53Nsoj
"Ahhh... this is the life."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXyzxNNveS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauDyIuqTVn
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUUwjbRiPe
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxZS2x7E0Z
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2Jh3myZzd
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHAJ3mV9UE
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyXAN8uSOf
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbta3OUrZdX
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD58pCa4mzv
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12KgmhaRE1
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalYlClc8LI
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3HWXCEi3f
"Sure, sure, now scram."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49Yba0ZKAt
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggujQSS1AI
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A3gxxwA5r
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PthZ01Z5b
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh4uAITd9m
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0AYVTk80n
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoKPPHIPPs
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZVySQF8y2
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe9ASOMwTZ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtNfUJGNeF
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWfFclLLBU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMOd0FMvCC
"A nap... hmm..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09bum0TIu5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwoJdzVUUU
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZKNZNcjkw
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftBTa8rNtv
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W89robmgl
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kKRK9FCE7
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCQYMluf4y
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTyDJP1qV9
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSECxDjbGhk
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpqQ09qJGl
"Ack... this sucks."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjskMR24k6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXcx6WXsnj
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsetLB9OOwC
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnaCbMzxFy
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzKP2qNKm9
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF3ZBhVLmq
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe0grkEFtg
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctIKFoLtjL
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacfoXybpW8
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltQQFFBpfu
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllB0p02Qku
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.
"..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd12BADDb3J
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySeaaswRjq
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nJFDRYUNY
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMQJhw9aHE
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1o7o8yLPp
"---Alright, that takes care of that."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcKjG48BrH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsYYwwNLi5
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqPu99LN7Q
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kwxfa28M9
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUqGP2Gt7U
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaPR0uXkmm
"...Right?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtprf7Rdmsl
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSQUYy9BkG
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBtqjkkXTq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eIRSKUYGc
"..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn2WICWiUK
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O10vcHL5O
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCS3IieRA4
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5S5ehUnBS
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–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy1FOiktZr
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONC8hOwA0u
Wait, where the hell is she going?198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmLkXJm2SV
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vBQtpiOuG
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyre2JuLt2k
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCERayx2WRt
"Rover."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAredNvGzfx
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXrnm1kB24
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTCeHQ5ElF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriwARnyKDU
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOladbiScrw
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe6BVI0r2P
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQigPY17Yj5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXKYTaRRMK
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeQAaFVnyY
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbnaMhGPv4
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmnfEysflF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H22IGIsS3
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad2vrrMWja
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlWTZrNeCG
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHxezLZMYC
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TZuDuLNpK
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZSMhkQoaB
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja3iadYk0b
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpO5vIndMH
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpyA6Nke5o
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4GP22oOdy
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJPj7P8stl
"Oh, that... uh..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbbjsXTokr
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzTnKEYpN3
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHfqSjf6Il
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKekopMQQu7
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFiCQblMuy
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oGjW1saFJ
"...Pff."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE7uwwGtKZ
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbI2EnpKsa
"It's not funny!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkudEy6OFD2
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvjEzmBPKl
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O8PYTVvvz
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSipav8PIWi
"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."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHou4jcnfI
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLUDPl9VkL
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxOavcBWsP
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZdQKcD5As
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds7CFAaVUS
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0zbxvRiAb
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoiZIEaA6g
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY3sYdABId
"...I see."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1Zpy7Lujb
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyDu5IQJdv
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNebSLREmF
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywGt9NKcWD
"..."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WRh4INRY5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet3vH917p1
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DEGRumrX5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqt1IcYc3T
"What are you doing?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRDqOpfyU6
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JFfxpnRhp
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwFARWNlTq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrohRVk9rfn
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh0745eZBo
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtPyVqCJOQ
"W-Whaa!?"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJurQ2R2vn
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOhaPkVVgy
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYBUBHijNU
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPo1Hn8Zfw
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zlToBQwOV
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksiFsTHrcZ
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj1WHxZFDi
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuynUnViamR
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7NkKODTbP
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUNU2ybNQJ
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcfJbANAFI
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWUBh6tgKq
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dzU8AlLM5
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAVAfN30aI
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjc59pXIJ7
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWIym3ZZiw
"I don't like you."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UmZWPKEsj
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC6phdgFyA
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.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup2ASRTmeg
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdqfajZEJf
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOLZ1k1Vn7
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJhBasQ3RX
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhRFcIpkrq
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMnh9q9paW
"I... guess you're right."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHnilO2I8b
198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORruR1rhYi
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.
