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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6LlHbp6sO
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LOyGcenVm
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgGjyu0IDa
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGEfECQBIQ
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"Oh, that's a good point."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U4VFeadZp
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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–137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMoVic4Yjx
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**SWOOSH**137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0VfWTDAhs
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"W-Woah!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0b67DUHCT
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL9Hs4hoX1
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJQzuhfBUd
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5YGmCRkOY
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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?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTm0pdZJIe
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"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEg2xhaWT1
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"Oh, Juke."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7tHeBaVrK
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczjZzQOzwr
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMvM2mD0PQ
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Juke tilted his head.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHDLEbfTaL
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzmcQuQWQV
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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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1b3lfp8cD
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9SLxC0VGJ
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"That's a good idea."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2XuhVmC0e
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWaacrLJBM
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmMzkpY0sD
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA6YyoCgy5
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tpAA6c9IG
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"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlk6QDtoK6
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**SWOOSH**137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCz1QMWu2A
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnNULLVAp8
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWUxAnspzO
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"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDDzfXiqkN
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"That's a bird!?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPzmXYz8ns
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3bmR5AehF
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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?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09CDsTi8sN
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGSmTYR8RT
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"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnB7B84ohW
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPbOD1Ss0L
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAdB4jrrBz
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DkEVK5KT6
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZIDGzwxVy
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvWjf1tkyq
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"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ftTn70Hxk
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"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd9xuEc5t9
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"Hahaha!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxhx1eGSNT
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"Why aren't you answering me?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP294Nu30M
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuq3NwTdwr
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfXF6avLzb
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOClTMr4zM
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"Huh? Why?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbeFC9ZkIh
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhZC8qWf9i
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"Oh, alright!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QNuHxP75S
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp4nPartvY
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHY5PrSae3
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VnPoaQexI
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkD60KZvRQ
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt72Y4K3GX
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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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv1b42pTp2
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"Hold on–"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyVV1pkGrx
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxc80RwbpN
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
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"See what I mean?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL53ngkEK6
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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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJrxrCus2N
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGkZ5BbW6s
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusfR0v21oJ
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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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhY9oSfzJA
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46t4NueBQs
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQX0TJl77b
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMnsw7XJc9
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"...Maybe."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QmAoN8HQ0
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"Why only maybe!?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfcHMz9ZGO
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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!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLPGrO4B2n
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcO83DTaaXE
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBw62MandX
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"Ahhh... this is the life."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaivCOQ4Fz
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTqmhlrXJE
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUomWkNG2MH
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnoE6K9wml
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEErKYXX5Z
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2LCMeZFjW
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jW0DhJcZf
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU12bZDaxW
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysFJRDTwfD
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1BMkbbU2T
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZELQCLhOPz
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEiBEoWC6N
"Sure, sure, now scram."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipV9irAru3
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIwy6q93nL
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSHSlJT26G
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJscuvPj59
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoe43r2yBu
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzmn6noEDn
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOLzQ76B4Q
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduduImwxqm
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjfRN6FCmK
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh3n9vuPky
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImL8Qc24So
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuruE7TonO
"A nap... hmm..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye79ukwDsv
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p6pZPhD8x
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ydogZNPgE
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzEZyzl6hQ
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi62jQO9sMj
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFDNlvBzRP
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEkBfpCwQy
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavIdiAnXj5
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqEjqwxPQL
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4qjMPGtdE
"Ack... this sucks."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqGGJJW4xi
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k5eDqjZus
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmi2gM0VsO
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncYJNS9bTA
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlz64GRMgn
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3bTs0A6HM
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Je3whnBqF
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2gGGUc5sj
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgATOHIAZk
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YR69YKs5b
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9b0BSnrys
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.
"..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIXul6Cffl
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIA73nrmBA
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56NuRh0v0Q
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7cm5bzUfZ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88UDSBq1Nl
"---Alright, that takes care of that."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hjEiv5uWC
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoydRxt6QQf
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLDI11LsHM
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqIJWa3xbZ
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVCp3T1TqT
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawHAweCCxj
"...Right?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehlSn65ipF
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDIjeyORpq
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPANWClqyMm
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFYOqyOPHE
"..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1q6LST3aA
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ApyzVFcni
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cOmbRl5Y3
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSPar7w9Cl
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–137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAfQXIJBeq
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OBkeurSc1
Wait, where the hell is she going?137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7UxoMy9ce
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04nH7OaNu1
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigV9nPWQNP
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pX4tjyfOJ
"Rover."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh7pLGcMa8
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTiP3d4G5W
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdt6azrOkv
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnjeZrihrY
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN0WJq5tOU
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNpg3Bewj8
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZENnw023Dd
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZHaguaYDz
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4RBU8Ulx3
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ed4LMpAGM
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpvlVjnM31
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcopd5AIz8
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD6OshWnBK
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTv0RMk8Oi
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxXGinPB3Q
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJOo946DAz
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5N4sv4ZV4
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplRn4bm0mm
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1geqHcz8D
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvfVgNXDYq
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4pkuUbkq7
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"Oh, that... uh..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXZQXfWQnw
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31rUoHYqEA
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTQfM8ets3
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gC6KSFVLJ
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzosj1971w2
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF9PLyzIQ0
"...Pff."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHW29Dmm6P
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdviLPInrR4
"It's not funny!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsl5qOV88o
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7wqyxWZAO
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC1AU1WEv3
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0E2xXkLzK
"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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx1jw5hOnT
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc4aIS4Vtw
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKikmip809
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO8ry1ZpPY
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ4YGItGbO
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"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXQR4eUQDQ
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"...I see."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVfFcNyeEO
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAyAtSmC0h
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lihxDd5MC
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"..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELHBut8nJ2
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I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A8mTnNI3c
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcaekRsUsV
"What are you doing?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfSSsq66fu
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSj1nhEQu1
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwrGoWqnVv
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDDnXpyBY7
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3zJ7g374E
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhujDrgdBQ
"W-Whaa!?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2YZeSUzzL
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OjQTHYocn
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfVurVYE92
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ702G9Sy9TE
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwxP0Mdt4n
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI5jV3ohoT
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KQWSpNKzV
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHzNdHXSHw
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rR7hHTArO
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5GYRsLiHh
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47LfSTEZev
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFi7hfvJQJ
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXLUlyJjkx
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjzkovNFFr
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFgh826qg1
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ754kHkqBiK
"I don't like you."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7S1hLuptn
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1uC1dwC0Z
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9D9gyxbgK
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"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q9ZX3Ol1l
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOO55qJ9pL
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9suHC45gLg
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHJn1tRDpu
"I... guess you're right."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOyxrRppb9
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ0naH5dqk
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.
