"I see it. The light, I see it!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtOpgb0vvA
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyatr01h8m
Victoria rushed ahead of the group, and ahead of our guide, Ng. She was right; a couple of dozen meters away was a field where the sun freely shined. I could hardly believe it myself, but Victoria was in it, basking in the light like a reptile. I made it out.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8BjHuj7b2
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcmbwSj6ew
"We did it, Flinty."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupdKLAEMD1
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGwYbQ2xaK
"Yeah."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV41nGuh2Q
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5dqH1G71k
She looked awfully happy. I was too, but likely for a different reason. I looked at the rest of the group. Skylark was being himself, Ng had a look of wonder, and Victoria's mental age regressed by twelve years.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1xY5Ei9y5
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1HcDO23yP
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jTZM5Elx0
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VQkpQP1I0
After Victoria finished, we walked around the crops and stood before the farmhouse. Linda was rocking in a chair. She perked up when she noticed us.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6VxE8PmT1
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysmkXfhsxj
"Ah, you made it!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9W9J2Tue7
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GgJtbP2mT
Linda ran up to us. She exchanged hugs with Victoria. I couldn't help but think of what Victoria said about her, but still, the scene was... it was soothing to the soul. I felt a type of satisfaction I couldn't describe. It was borderline euphoric, watching daughter and mother reunite like this.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY69TeKSYLB
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJJrAnJ988
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrFLlWdw5R
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg1ASjddrE
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKQmTIxbDR
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUSWQNW2t6
"Ah, alright."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqejTR4uh5i
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTECtdPtU1
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZyxrSIZet
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETkjKHJKFi
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9xIF0lBRx
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5THxKGVtb
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7lPe4Ktc3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnciHXmG6BM
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63Das5wl0g
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3l3oFCZt3
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcNlxTmQPo
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFpmS3CJf2
There was no first order of business to returning from such a mission. It was awkward, admittedly, because while Victoria had her clothes changed, Ng made conversation with Linda, and while Skylark intently watched the sleeping Kim, I didn't have anything to do.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgR58wMdoJ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaS7nEJc5P
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7CvuYa45Q
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg3kfNUb9g
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJYl9Sf1CX
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiJITE5t6h
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTrHo0GJ4o
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPTtoJSa8r
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUjGlxI1Jp
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoaovUKM6j
"Of course! Let's go."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfde1jdsAK
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykopSs7eML
Flinty and I exited the living quarters and ran to the front of the farmhouse. There was a basket of dirty laundry with a washboard inside beside a barrel of water. Flinty took a bucket and scooped up some water.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlATdJa6VD8
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d36BAHft4
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBO4dWMm4k
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszldZ3sFrA
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD5i5GBH8y
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjkVIYu0Uf
"Uh, do I have to?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TaDjMN7bk
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1S0nINyqU
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ208dUcvJfm
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlUAs7TTg9
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3qPRGJzHJ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp47ahS3ss
"Kenny?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a2pr1AMCq
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7VAOCFv2P
"Yeah yeah..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCYzGkgjoZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK5sWcFGek
I took off my shirt.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfvqBjRF1c
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzBxvqoffF
"Alright, now come here."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx7VOa1xMd
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA6Z41p9t5
She was kneeling beside the bucket. I slowly walked over to her and sat down. Thus began the cleaning of my shirt. I quickly realized that Flinty, what with her frequent pauses and occasional dopey look, knew about as much as I did. But, I didn't say anything. Something about this, even though it made me feel awkward, was nice.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeDRtgn31g
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWY1AsZohl
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1ABCGD1Xw
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ95XbqGDJ
"Right."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIuCuIo4hc
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQk435y92v
I tried that, but it didn't work.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpjXJ4lJFB
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NNiHLOv0t
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o0xkeRVFl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqW3n4POaq
"Beats me."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfOsflbeI4
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEIUFKQJV6
"But it came from you, didn't it?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTX2ZjsqZD
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWpuFTbr0v
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaRoCIWl3L
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i18GUicvj
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFk3CeSxOu
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m3KMaYipe
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjCfa5aDFW
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSgihlkzGJ
She snatched it from my hands and rubbed it against the waterboard. Her eyebrows were furrowed. She scrubbed it for a good three minutes before growing tired.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRWfg3OQ63
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRUQciqvls
"It's no use. It isn't possible."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vSrKRs55i
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuJbVm35k6
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh07FToMRX
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxyuPyUT00
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XghlN7JBV
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGQmMYDHdB
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgagkUV6DP
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m7VD8GSg3
"A-Ah, w-well then..."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ801FhDvNvH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXq1ObkhTS
Her brows were still furrowed but her face was a pretty shade of red.
I grabbed the shirt back and hung it to dry. To be honest, the stain looked even worse, but that was neither here nor there. It was a little chilly being bare-chested though so I put my coat back on.
"..."
Dang. I already began to miss the shirt. I sighed. It would be fine, it wasn't a particularly rare shirt anyway. I walked back to Flinty. Frustration still lingered on her face.
"Stop looking so grumpy."
"Hmph. Fine."
She sighed and got up. I looked at her quizzically, and she tilted her head in return. I didn't know what came over me at that moment, but I wrapped my arms around her.
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3GjeCgapn
"K-Kenny?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpmDkzBNiZ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXXDAWNaOG
She fidgeted a little, I didn't let go. Eventually, she returned the hug. I couldn't tell how long I was hugging her, I was too caught up in the moment. I let go of her and put my hands on her shoulders.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJpTMLvOeM
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyAwOfqQmF
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjnz6peDJf
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbeJGzk0HX
"Y-Yeah."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRFZ28fLgE
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPSknnBwvd
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl4nlJBTHz
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkJ3b7z0cN
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1NBRTqOju
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0aGidpvhr
I nodded. We traveled back to the farmhouse. Flinty split up with me to go wash herself, mentioning how her effort made her all sweaty. I simply entered the living quarters. I was expecting to kill time staring at the ceiling as I waited for a meal to come, but the presence of the two people in the room destroyed that expectation.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHA3QDVviU
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqJdEwEi6h
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn8VkYBwf2
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoXhS7EbcG
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCf1bmKVoi
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DcehsujAQ
I darted to her. She was rubbing her head under her cloak and had one of her hands held by Skylark. She looked at me, and I caught her smiling.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72fArLZwJY
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbI9mT6cNG
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA1yIMjRDV
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq8elX77Ma
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaza351aLrS
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF7KaCz1gU
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCZ1pFBogo
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsTNHp7Oeb
She looked over at Skylark.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3xYXhLfsC
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazQW0PDKKj
"And, again, thank you for helping."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFQpwOLGja
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEPLzJGFii
"But of course, it is my duty."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyO63b95Fu
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17e9os9UYw
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJu8gKKMVQ
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGvmHVIY7i
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mlNGWLmHK
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj4CmnpGiE
"That's stupid."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEB1PNoaAF
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NyhxzjOPF
I felt out of place as they quarreled.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNClfp3sMTL
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZzsVmuQtc
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SACR4ZCZF
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4ubTXCj07
"...Yes?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoskSOZ8k5H
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK03SVLRlnH
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBfgEa9Kec
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMHGZNtbRQ
"Yes, my lady."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvREHMkBhk
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAGcy9gwil
Huh? What was happening? I stood with a blank expression as Skylark exited the room. The thought of stopping him didn't even cross my mind.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR90xzgXyo
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTsHocOww3
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphGgIgFgnj
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznSB3xCkGJ
I sat on the adjacent bed. My hands were fidgeting a little. She wasn't going to say what I thought she was, was she? How could she even have found out?165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhuFBOyfzj
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDhQTDPbkj
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGlxpRjl5S
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNezCkhDp2
She put her hands on her hood and pulled it back. In front of me stood a woman with short hair and giant curls resembling coils. She had eyes a shade of green that could blend in with the leaves. I was shocked by the sudden revealing of her face, but I was hounded more by the colors of her features. I recognized it.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHevM7lT2n
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIBL5GBM0c
"My name is Phoebe Zariel. I am the sole daughter of King and Queen Zariel, and I am the older brother of Orice Zariel. You've run into him yourself a few times, haven't you?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1B4l9kj8h
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IOP9usCnV
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh0qGmlevh
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFTGoPiAvd
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFO4bkYLrp
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4DZgcmPQG
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHutadenkp
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlf3aqY6fn
"Many things have been occurring against the Zariel kingdom. From what we know, the East country wants to use land the kingdom controls– the Exotica Mines, specifically– and offer us their exclusive goods in exchange. We refused dealing with them many years ago, and have suddenly seen a spike in criminal and alarming activity, whether it be in the city itself or villages. You are a resident of Buffalo Village, correct?"
"...Wha? What– huh?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpH9ZoW58n
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeJPSJLD0J
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Junqc2A4f
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfoi4s1iby
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4Us15d1js
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ7g3gdYvs
She scowled at me. Oops.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwBQtzn2X4
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnOqkcVJkV
"He is not dumb! He has the kindest heart out of anyone in our family! So what if he escapes from time to time? He's only ever done good for the citizens!"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhwNE7Loy3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpblhhnpm3N
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ti0DSwKN7
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtzDbhhpep
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnB4gj3VeA
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88aGtEA3l0
I was suddenly invested.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsgNjUInO9
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBjKNIY7ru
"He wanted you to meet with the royal magicians, most likely, after seeing what you did to the two rogue knights. He might've been too blunt, however, please forgive him."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSMEG56sPn
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAf7YsdOmb
"Uh-huh."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudleRoj2uh
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡducnP5uhz0
"I mean it. Forgive him."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsSgGf7f0g
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ5dSefFfZ
"O-Okay, I will."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy7omk40EH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqkGN9hDhH
"Excellent. Moving on, my mission today was similar. I ventured out specifically to find you and see if all the fuss Orice was making was warranted. I came out believing it was."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeDWvMqsI7
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYqYE1cZyn
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL5SCkLbIP
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoKwIHoxji
"Kenny, there may be a time when you need to fight for your kingdom. Not in a war, that isn't a citizen's duty, but at the very least, to protect the sovereignty and pride of it."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL0Nq509RR
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m7On3xDHy
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOxdpv0VB8
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbRfIUCH63
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTP8YdFGeO
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3C9EnRqut
"I refuse."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbenC3Rxp5A
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUK3JsuJYi
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW7TLVQFW4
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn6J5NrNjH
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxXooGSraS
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OfGxOmKa6
She sat down and crossed her legs.
"Enter the combatant's guild, gain combat experience, and take jobs relating to us. You'll avoid any affiliation and still gain the same rewards."
"Rewards?"
"Well, for starters, money."
I listened a little more intently.
"Additionally, you'll garner clout in the realm of combatants and form beneficial connections. If you need it, I can make sure your family will gain immunity and financial assistance."
"That's..."
The words she was speaking almost seemed fake. All of that, and all I had to do was join the guild and take some jobs? I had suspicions.
"And finally, you'll gain access to all organic Exotica in the palace."
"W-Wait, you don't mean–"
"Correct. All the magical plants in our possession; you won't own them, but we'll allow you to study them."
"..."
At this point, it would be foolish not to accept. But I still had difficulty believing her words.
"...If you see my name in the guild registry, which you probably will, then that means I accepted your deal. But, you don't have to do everything you said. I think just some money and the plants would be fine."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBgM3UES0C
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wSbHyW4sh
She smiled and firmly nodded. I almost felt like I was taking advantage of her. For her to make all of those offers, she must have been desperate. I didn't know quite what yet, but I had confidence that I would find out.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWOST2VbRo
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lceYWHXN4
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HpDPALgyE
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFrXogywtI
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwhjbSE1NG
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3T0CwlV3s
"Tea Mage...?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPFHriaqyI
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVGjOyGrMx
"I think his name is Freed."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR1MGCGrpV
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGAbSJaedd
"Oh, Freed."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroauvEdWfH
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33VVOUgQ9q
Her face twisted into a moue.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcA9GfQu3N
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P8BxYRNQE
"I see. He must've refused, then."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMNvmhhwmm
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXW0klMkjb
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweHI4jeHj9
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQwXaYKcr0
I nervously laughed. I was also a little worried. The princess made him out to be a delinquent, and I didn't want to be studying under a delinquent.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0PBSqk4aM
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkS6MatnAw
She stuck out her hand. I grabbed it and shook it. After the matter, the princess put the hood back on. I tried looking under it and I still couldn't make out any of her identifying features.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyuzoyC3RR
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZXFMV6CO9
"Is that thing also Exotica?"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoPVppVXjl
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu1rLipChI
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmmcBZwq8q
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4Cfd2ysBe
"Right."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxCVq4YFqK
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWo16sVxZq
The princess laid down on the bed. Looking at her now, it suddenly hit me, the severity of the conversation we just had and the thing I just agreed to do. I lost my breath for a second.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAwBPUFe9i
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWQC7T8Qz3
"...It'll probably be fine."165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqebKF7m8Kh
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK4LYqTdLJ
With that affirmative thought, I waited along with the princess. Skylark joined us shortly, and not too long after, the rest of the group came. Flinty was first, and Ng, Linda, and Victoria all came at the same time. The three of them were carrying plates of food and drinks the likes of which I'd never seen. The table usually stationed in the living quarters was too small, so Victoria left momentarily to bring a new one. I didn't understand why we didn't move rooms but I didn't question it.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GaDdhpGvy
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu3aDz6gNn
It was a large event. Not particularly noisy, but it was large. Words flew, laughs rumbled, and stories were told. It was nice, a scene that accorded with our victory. It made me feel happy. It made me feel like I was a part of something more.165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzXDqy2Zz3
165Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa4MYdgSDs
It made me look forward to the future.
