I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gSR80DEcN
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8LUxwwFHc
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk7HOXZ6ya
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdbUSfhvHP
"How?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AcdaAMJEi
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTSTOAlYIg
I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzspAhKUaUQ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiB8cyMzY4
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGkNKJIJFR
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBD2iZmgrp
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZxlJ3xvcl
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWdCyYRbdv
Pars turned to answer Juke.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxta6578uE
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xlwgj3otH
"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaMONIUmJV
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7APOQb75Bk
"That so, eh?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwZiTmCviR
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZirKUMrpYS
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzcnXcJz9x
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fjaRaeJPh
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJolZwviZp
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAjYjcU9H1
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvYv5csf30
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9iE9Au5HW
"Hey Becker, how's the–"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgEO7ZgAq4
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4hoGKI0Ss
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVQD1hCQjc
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiAK8LHiYj
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4MsHyXC7G
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFlgCxWs16
"Are you a kid?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8pUrbaf9G
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDCSj9JqSZ
"H-Huh!?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84fjMhDVS4
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLJ4ewSaSI
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDQMysLTs4
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYmNqmDYXJ
"I said, are you a kid?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50ReBePYSD
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV1BuTxU1a
"I-I, yes, I am."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDuCljGwH0
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdZTnjbo7w
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv60IkCA12z
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuuTNpbsdS
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwGatVPL11
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjB3zwWHB1
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr96CU0pjrr
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBJTme2Juq
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCdpnEH8Ca
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NiYCog5LV
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNj1DPlfX4
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFTkvOULti
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2r07i0tXk
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vIDxKNx8b
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWPKdM4Vq2
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6FE3tIqMu
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE560k24fVN
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn36nFfXup
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqFSKcKPqM
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpxyy0rXBP
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4BTe2FelR
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWM4Mtg94y
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZPfbysxLE
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS1RLqi7ce
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZxZAYNGyI
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1XwQF2ki8
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDHu7ThgAL
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6Yr8ybf5O
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje7Awx97CY
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU0puaHbvh
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJS6ArzlMK
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDh8bCvHeS
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXn1GCz1hG
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4olmpdqxF
"W-What?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzWreq9bjb
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sdi8M7AHi
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHjTnZOx74
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcv8ecqz9EM
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRE9IKZ1Qs
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA4ce9TbJP
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtzGrgOpRy
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qZfNg3Bvu
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuetle191h
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuXRZEWnNR
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCulbip2tK
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOgKfT8vzA
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFBFhOYDDa
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukh4zuaXIv
"I'd never."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsroUr6GJA
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwKSXR5qim
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ofzfPmz4Y
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234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ316dQulP
I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBd6Rt9iyX
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBR8gSzLVdY
"..."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5LheIoEs8
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8XUdCON5Z
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFdGPdNsY4
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ4dbYUwwX
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeGI5stAg3
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi5vb2u3WJ
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y9GZX1Hex
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She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo02wHiOaL
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUOIczkrqd
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC8YatG1H6
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"What did you want to tell me?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q1oMSURQa
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURIlMfTt6L
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNryvpqL48
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgGKkUYC2x
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dKOsTP0N3
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG435LTuuUJ
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XS2AqMJQb
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvehHfrMo1N
"S-Sure. What is it?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU2WqD3k5T
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Onje7FJoN
"Do you like fighting?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5paXGxullY
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoolrL5ikL
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm66yuDZtv
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6JEPwe0nF
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALr2K0BJCr
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cnfvroj1d
"Then, why do you do it?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNcRGt6FEB
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscsfdbF82X
"..."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFE6lWfcta
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzrg3K3kFA
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKM3S6eh9t
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ6Y5YImNW
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfPMeAuNe8
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"...In that regard, I'm very like you."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyBk4meSUm
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFbS4ib8lo
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vge3kyI9O
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE8dGoBguf
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj4XN41wHS
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA3ukH8YSm
"..."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqdSKVV2c8
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBqvIUb1oq
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20hrF8ddI0
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXACDOQPjHy
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN91qvEY7mf
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xIaRTpMBK
"...W-Whaa?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq9QVMJL6n
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkFiEn7Tud
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBbrIepSAI
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy40nWONHMC
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2byPLkskdk
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK8SdOlwO8
"It's... it's okay."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bd7wEoCpo
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ166cAIjot7
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct1w2pw2vH
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6mtTJxuaX
"..."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpNpapXCwv
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw4623o01e
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOJvSHAHks
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5z678VvjG
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDclkxVSxcZ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OMKjLRB3f
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRtA699LvV
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmS0ChC8MD
"...Y-Yes."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5blcls1E1v
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFcbGCdy3h
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85ntK91EP9
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFsHrl4pm8
"I see. I see now."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMNwx8mkHJ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNOYPl68yE
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIxtF2XvjY
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BB3ytKF0U
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzxKMKBfDG
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmPfMbaw6w
"Like, um, like what?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F8wXQ2GbL
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7FZRYs54L
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUizYxEwa95
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6LJqWSKqf
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkilvjPRSz
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YkPJmJW4p
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1jHuSCglq
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1jCRF5ZD3
She paused to scratch her head.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSRk4fzRIj
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKpi2cVgR2
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRBEx9VufI
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpkz7MW1fl
"I... I, I'm not–"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr1ahBEer6
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH7FRgYigr
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32SzFqY49X
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxOGoGXoZC
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfHt8cgosl
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEeTqGxEtG
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx9LekjuxX
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEShYO5nu5m
"On the right?"234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRLlkiOMKy
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuddwPl5Wr0
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0ukrh3CCL
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqwDB8P8IT
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHB37aIR8y
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwJtFtmCdo
"..."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHLPrHiGVZ
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdCJpEgD43
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1IJJzPt5H
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSEePjxkKt
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eYpSuG5S7
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi9BFnpup6
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5kVanSchb
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sw3fLYMlo
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4DmPoKkqA
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxGwW4AK0b
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzGIt7ralL
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqKZVqecgO
"...Maybe."234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy8uSqumVH
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItq1yUyAp2
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqIIKyQBx0
234Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFrDrEIS2h
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
