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?169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuVgsm9UeQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNCuLBeoOI
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh5tJ5gUn8
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM2PJT1avW
"How?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89SDuirCKj
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEisMRBYsh
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh1JFkcDJq
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93Dc6HrHWn
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftFndXN9Px
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOuLVeNuWu
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzao3UMMgRq
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx79SkzzGc
Pars turned to answer Juke.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphbf3yxQKq
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxg15R4jsW
"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."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vGUtLOVMs
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbCLQCiPIW
"That so, eh?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rQL97xIWb
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE6FOcFJET
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf0w9cBtKb
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1nM9SMgW4
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4PtWiOESh
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfK00PjqrU
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV8cs3EpXR
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS3bISDbOe
"Hey Becker, how's the–"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs4XQygZpx
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqPl7qefai
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQh1yUV2iA
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLwXwbYLay
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7xe0eaeo4
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhINkPnoKH
"Are you a kid?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOAHNO4kLv
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjtfQPa95f
"H-Huh!?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEHK3utBUY
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUuioC1iNq
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRZd8gdX3y
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjkmLbFMi9
"I said, are you a kid?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIe3IxDAK7
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bp9pN2qOr
"I-I, yes, I am."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWOo5BW6b0
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhsRTOfbZL
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbIV6e7Oy6
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0mTWjLh77
"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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0sgjVhMX4
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVHo7VU6gz
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCKKKBix0g
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVVthsEGjl
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."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT8qGc8fFk
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwjtaNWJQj
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFngjWU187k
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKIpXIEfud
"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."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadw68mULOg
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvoWOioUFV
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCrjS2K1Ar
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaYwxFUEFO
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kkw7Xyw6M
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNtKj5b58c
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bk57nAn1q
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLpbVduHxL
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfnsU3mn92
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPgIooOUSz
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1Kz9vSC0R
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOI6b7RS5G
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLfSXOpAyM
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanreZdoU42
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3gbM7XPQQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQthkSR2H1K
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz5gkZt4Ri
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bwzx4X2uR
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKMSW6HL25
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM07qZa0FRK
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBveQbivOOi
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkhM76ilVB
"W-What?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfszH8kj1Z
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMylfB7yevC
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSngTnGuXtd
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT7wwsdopC
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqaucGZUpu
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aPQxl34EV
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDTGJFmhz5
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed7SXTGLJj
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXHgDQsyrA
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQEwdDjw9y
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUTMMtFKlV
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2LUvCXXVh
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmngews4PT
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCGUn6QDoC
"I'd never."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARjyRqEb4z
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK9mKR8VHP
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E9Tt3UaQg
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUIBj3YpSC
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgj50Q0fmV
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9KwWwwdFy
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK1KIwUKrv
"..."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFrvnou3RI
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEu8tXB7vn
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?169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UmOyWKej9
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k6Mt8pSUv
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."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97wGFwVAhU
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQBYglN4Ro
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGiumugMcC
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTD9t8vF2M
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaynjz9SFNc
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6r2JoxeQD
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQhLHuTjE4
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUstpHzk7e
"What did you want to tell me?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3tkeGfryU
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDM5ZZcGWX
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1B0OduuzP
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSeqCPqJl1
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf16iSk1mS
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHIJUNbgnq
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmAJjkZyk5
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bSddlEes8
"S-Sure. What is it?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALsD20S0IT
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEDg6GDnrp
"Do you like fighting?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfACxOtiBB
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ872rlx080g
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar79rxSaKW
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQLUSIRcaX
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0DXMdpkFK
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4zMsTzXtl
"Then, why do you do it?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWnSTrnYFj
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNeeJy29ZT
"..."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUGWcBwKUv
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF9Emx0LzM
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk9wF7mTmG
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e7gzC3ah6
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2OZsvKrmy
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ENz6sb5SG
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB9LKLmfk7
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4CIKAqQ0k
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEHT8hVAyh
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhSnpm96Qf
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kknsvHlFy
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNcynShg4G
"..."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC93jUmtTr
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgoRDPtXMI
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlhDU651zg
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8p35CBcOv
"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."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn0A75g842
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0SrZIZ8HP
"...W-Whaa?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqR26EDicq
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZAGRvyv6G
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sB8KGzU4T
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbNWwhFNd6
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBtqDyQKEa
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghjU23EKfK
"It's... it's okay."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZwjRAl6Au
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBPEJ8X7nt
"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?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmIdhgz7KA
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjujLkLLAK
"..."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP53wSnbbZS
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV3Vu9HBDM
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5sGPKMo0P
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nx5exaM3c
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7Sb8CZVIo
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOpQEH7p0u
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw95rkV9ZC5
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bYbHdCP95
"...Y-Yes."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnBo9046LO
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r2fBDYsoR
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwOFpySl9A
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4yu7ZPFbm
"I see. I see now."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrexVSnZiQ1
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpHQXCnXgf
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvPH8gsGe6
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF5a2JPH3u
"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."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3a6IwqBIg
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3xYq7mQRP
"Like, um, like what?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcFLZLLfMo
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f5b4BbhxN
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIWEhLNsoW
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGL8PmJKlj
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsb0qCGiUL
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSMazt5EGd
"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."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWkSYZfnGF
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4zAACRAti
She paused to scratch her head.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZgjKeq3N2
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDFXCjErBj
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8oCs5Mhoy
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaWm9PPcyk
"I... I, I'm not–"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ922C2z5NlJ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMAUtM5JMh
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxLcb4cjSu
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEpGugwwrT
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7oG8mSjmv
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I50jMM8o8
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyj8b4KoYp
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4amoXxwm0k
"On the right?"169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8p9JaC8JH
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wBk2YYz7R
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5pEhk2ura
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw2ZKgfmdC
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxQfVNYCY1
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VkefZZWrK
"..."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQE78LgAoQ
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29F9JBNWib
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqf47SvN1A
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuZ0QhxBES
"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."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfJ78xKJK1
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqWylGmwII
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1L9zfXkFp
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHuJ6BCt0b
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sG83YHM3L
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQuEpLOmVG
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXafADxJ7oD
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vBjeDbke1
"...Maybe."169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQwq9f1tkz
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAwMXGVf74
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.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsWVTARYaR
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtvuycQJq7
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
