"I see it. The light, I see it!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaiRGLIcvC
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInYQt3a4ht
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"We did it, Flinty."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPRPhb0EBt
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"Yeah."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbGAg7XSY8
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKeIDesa3H
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This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpGYOVeK7o
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoSJhhloqB
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"Ah, you made it!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqqnDzNdOW
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16rWCWsjS7
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"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyiI1VdE7I
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7huBhnsC5B
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQsSceR40i
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"Ah, alright."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi62mymvi3
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3Y2yRA285
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"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnC1HfJMvI
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDbhdw92PR
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoKV5nSNfy
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS1cxI6dV5
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IIL2ZxZXq
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz9OstbKZP
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53EKXKZKgA
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxh7IEKpMx
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"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv46dhGwgpt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivfrCYsbHf
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm4tSIe087
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT16MVj1Hjb
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5npwLN1kp
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9xIxnpP0s
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1Feh7otUs
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"Of course! Let's go."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMq4KGWSyv
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiy3ZafwIm
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"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfEPTNencg
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Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYJXd7qNgs
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"Uh, do I have to?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOoSW0ZS3j
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"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1JiI3Qd1A
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Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRLGuVpTXu
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"Kenny?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE58oxHz46q
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"Yeah yeah..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdBPJfzN4I
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I took off my shirt.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqk6ZRWpLt
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"Alright, now come here."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT41OXnyCR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBGx7sqO1B
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm8cxAxV86
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyteubJ6Efo
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHJ9zf1Dub
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"Right."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVtlzOYWTn
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I tried that, but it didn't work.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cPp6j67a7
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"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR20fuJrDk
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"Beats me."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mMiWtZ5gl
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"But it came from you, didn't it?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtOsjjuUbP
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"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdv9iWU6v1
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlHzh7I368
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq2MXJSJ60
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"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN8ctHjlEp
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp6hK2aHoT
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTcvkM7cTA
"It's no use. It isn't possible."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3ys9fdWH7
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"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HYa8uvgRO
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"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fWjvLQBdw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaY3PjxVjr
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iTBWk5u8N
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGOpoN3psQ
"A-Ah, w-well then..."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xQOgKGKB7
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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.
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jVPtOwTlv
"K-Kenny?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGm3gY6KSk
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxcLnf2YTh
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"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8wuUYBjue
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"Y-Yeah."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXFThj3zJY
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It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo3oPxYcsS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlAwyhCFPp
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vqvU0w3XX
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck9CZJaevy
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTMfPo2LcD
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It wasn't just Skylark, of course.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNNfqIEsWF
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"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3abi0jRRkm
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHOZ8xLYuG
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"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb13eS1DkF
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JG9OkGWr7
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvUSSV3NXg
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxKo26QmUX
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDeZBr2pUq
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She looked over at Skylark.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SPbH36Z3X
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"And, again, thank you for helping."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnR2IY5ESd
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"But of course, it is my duty."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIufhbGPEzB
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"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbEjfCGLZ4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb9lckzk2O
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6P2666Puz
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"That's stupid."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ857tAm72Rr
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I felt out of place as they quarreled.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa4HDkUaBB
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"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBkFW4Fux7
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"...Yes?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpusYQ3Axc
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"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcycyaAl7FX
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"Yes, my lady."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUN8I9owjd
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYocrGHz7M
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"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlnH0M4wQi
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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?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwS8iUIljA
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"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG7rwua8bN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYUQudDmwO
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLEWcOObQN
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRyCmU61us
"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?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9QoudmAKZ
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FYZjZrGTg
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG3EB6nObw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs1E7dRVtR
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGd5h89nND
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs1lCvQRtf
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ09YKBhh7Y
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthQWqN92sH
"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?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiENQbRgQL
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fvlyUy5Mv
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFJpbFOpPy
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"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMwih5mzug
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She scowled at me. Oops.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UEEkvDuzN
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"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!"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLQS0NVyUz
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdR99QHKVG
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeROn962GM
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"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4FVCi1TeD
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I was suddenly invested.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzZTdia9DU
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"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvX9BN5vft
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zLQfz0rKC
"Uh-huh."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnQkqJDghf
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lPoVTkHT6
"I mean it. Forgive him."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvekCXWyZJ
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"O-Okay, I will."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxJwmTrUnb
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1cx807SGq
"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBmPEBin8B
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The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzGNspaU1a
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"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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPDhyAUF5G
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I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuZ4wEyRl3
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"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0nOU8VYo6
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"I refuse."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5XfVZDCOS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiX7WK1ion
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S8zwCxryx
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"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiCXdDVRJx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVW3wL0lRy
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."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ITylvaNvU
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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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy5fl5xzvE
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"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN2LM6VNv4
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFdQZpXlhK
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JLAhkbUa0
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5DQjUWkno
"Tea Mage...?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd9QrKKfpN
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"I think his name is Freed."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVk8CgVlgx
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAzQpNUEdp
"Oh, Freed."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDURz7OOVg
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDSocbAPQY
Her face twisted into a moue.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4vZUSl6K8
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjFNMJAFlr
"I see. He must've refused, then."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIeoEIi8Xw
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ5bHB4GUw
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UIilDLATm
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnid6F0zKp0
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnvsb6gM90
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8olyy8viQZ
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCOdgyMwNR
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pilgWdzbn
"Is that thing also Exotica?"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfi1vQDaxs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2IxYuwUH9
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS5nQkrOVD
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CNCHCkD6k
"Right."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGwGAjkDEs
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjRMtoxvsP
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41CoTnoeBS
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbRrvTKHD9
"...It'll probably be fine."204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZuctn66pP
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrgxDQjOpq
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiU6ggUrjt
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQirJj69GNS
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.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJx4zRs98d
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCICtHxpup
It made me look forward to the future.
