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?179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT37EFJHsd
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlowQNoF72
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfXPB6nzwg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhWc82u1GV
"How?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPxPmHqdcI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyXNfwUY7z
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdcKRnQY9Z
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFX14T1G9n
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy7NU6o0Sk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6HT4kdPSr
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21iXJ4aGuA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJjGzUx8Hq
Pars turned to answer Juke.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tZfv3AiHG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OQxxRdtDu
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4fvUXBCly
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCy6k3WbZfB
"That so, eh?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0qfVNjrxe
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmZRYEe4rM
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcbNWda89k
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7JqoVqttE
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwolz09C1R
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFmJzptXvM
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDobCoZh23
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoGEvQb0RI
"Hey Becker, how's the–"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloO1GZquVr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfHqMJ0jld
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAB6ZuIciq
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokq8XoV3oO
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLMRBxn7Ay
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE9ks0lkRN
"Are you a kid?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhEgn7cjZH
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIEwqlXn2J
"H-Huh!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp9JgwjFLK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAXIVea1hh
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcsgaqFglR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZyGdtHqzd
"I said, are you a kid?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV81UukLqWf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kSeZQGwvx
"I-I, yes, I am."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxr1VT7sPN
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtrSF0oURi
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0XVJcODIn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RGOSfnP3Z
"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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq29PidMEv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xHbOmDWBm
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQL1tKxhoI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWHKcjcyKA
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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcnULVdRRf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PCMJ8WEIL
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WufFTt3H8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC10scaA9yk
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxu61n597t
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemLEnZaLQI
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyi6kW3Aq9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6g0DXhzmY
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyrrYXetNy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOUNoJjupN
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WDZd1rBGC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqUr1oDMF1
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGydZDQqHLU
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c3QKrfOS0
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yGVzmllao
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Cpo9v6rpQ
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnu8ctOJxn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuzDldTW6F
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4OF96Nkyv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4syl2H25t
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYExEgBG4aC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5EOhYmcKP
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcj1CE81kw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iu0toTN5t
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF4o8QuJpL
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU3e6ye68o
"W-What?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVpjzz6LQ1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJvx7KsFaP
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0JVjPDfHW
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1vkGamjnU
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXnwKAHvtv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBaOHOG7kK
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ860ew4DhBe
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FttYL57oF
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsMYCbW6HF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8GT9xkc4G
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumKoKCzEKY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwznJkMnHhI
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsU7HSEd37
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsO0uCdqdv
"I'd never."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoBxyPBxBN
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNJhNWVDLy
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaffsDP1DY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H5cCKUuHf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6DRStN31e
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSkSn662l9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxzgNBIolI
"..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNkFc4MZMq
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyK5VfeCH9
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?179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bf2NpCoH9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps8Ic0gx7K
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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAwD7Q8qio
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujJMW8ZnjE
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZaIMNsqef
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kSXwOK8qe
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQQABV3QHn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEXYskbCG5
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXZFVHqvTc
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDPjnS2oqo
"What did you want to tell me?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiViQDj0l8D
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOlDOpyvgv
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4g6m5vHoc
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwkrSPH7kC
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE33Ywe5h4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNfLkAhCAc
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebYGN61znO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjB3TGoRiD
"S-Sure. What is it?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3fAeHYZLB
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgSnHip6DN
"Do you like fighting?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtVk83LLVb
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6xMNBX1JW
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37TFlAM9tr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcghkcqS8Bz
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffxuKM9tSG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCHxjneodv
"Then, why do you do it?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnAxnSgSyg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfJrRNfDFs
"..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWfSuK4O6t
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsVS1B9x16
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm27q8CyM6
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SIIpfU054
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1nw782lwr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4vlaGSNZW
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPckr9oTabk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi7cygvq1x
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp0MsYf9Xe
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPWpUTeejg
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZJeU0QGzB
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3yY0ZnUYN
"..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIESHFWIFDK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjqQL24vEW
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT6ykjpvmu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7xYmaT01Y
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC2YYbIe1s
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSl58PJibo
"...W-Whaa?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIox42EO3NG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexxEECNYSE
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctAbbrxexX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdc3zT1GzG
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLduOF1NFIO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCniSUSXzF
"It's... it's okay."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZs4QhQsrA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPx7lhSqmR
"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?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJfzoSofpV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiOTJtqldR
"..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3MRpNjm51
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWYlmRxf7D
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2rPonxMjb
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8UZVyY0J4
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHmvWNl2Po
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7mg66evYQ
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryviKpw5eO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljOv4TnYa8
"...Y-Yes."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznhGL7iVOJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rG1f5XfcB
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVZXuDqTAa
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMeslGEzVw
"I see. I see now."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CtPAcRtSK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIzXdzmmZk
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IiThAHmZz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZATBZTAM9
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqgVkIorDF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfMDbzhYol
"Like, um, like what?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTy5yPxtDn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaJuFDANbR
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4Jl5Qkptd
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6p9jPpcDW
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmf2yoUYhY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3AFRfTEqw
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUh8AKF60V
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGiBsfPW9j
She paused to scratch her head.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wGHIHzEET
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjgZE7mq2V
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWu3d1iUpd
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtyPcHohoR
"I... I, I'm not–"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmLNIPnDWs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFUHwUQrXB
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYaihZxKaF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVXIqQUa3v
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHKjqVkW06
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdrDsRCp4D
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvmvC1jHAb
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2z7U4ijjf
"On the right?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1z3znMKer
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKairA1Vtv
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexLsCErbO4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFWaX6bNB8
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRwcsBB3Ru
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5FlZJBOsI
"..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yv9G5xLvb
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6S0II4i1Q
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxv9dSs3E4
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyW9WhbxDl
"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."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs7XAJBjlx
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbNvSr6MLi
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZScL9XDqQ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98rhdGFpoh
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxnenQhoxt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbYPySiybB
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvNbFhYb1y
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4uesNfkGe
"...Maybe."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFRgGXb1fV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FrYeHDRbD
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.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOoYVlPOdD
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2w2zTNpI9
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
