"I see it. The light, I see it!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUpbjxEQMZ
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkplS8POIqz
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxN31mKv4W
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"We did it, Flinty."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi5LLJCgir
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiRrEPDjuL
"Yeah."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm94wfyJlc
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab921HtYMz
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitg62cDUFL
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp0yp05dN6
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSROeejSP5
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Eif86S06y
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvrFeSnxRj
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTF92JNAxN
"Ah, you made it!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniOI1IpWVf
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIEqdMg1T5
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l5lfue29Z
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoBw9FKJl6
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FgM2b9GkO
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6btnorPXg
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEKPfpb5ZK
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk0wwlqOzg
"Ah, alright."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi69kNN9nxq
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkSXw0mfav
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD4MQj1Tvt
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldFFQCpiH3
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q4LUYx7A4
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulSffTFT8j
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFZxcOXm8o
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7bcADdQdh
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrhzIlIP3a
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XzrDoFMyu
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjqjPtSBBd
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoTn3kMG1I
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTViswtMna
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFI3Ys5CR2
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp9XvzqKAD
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFScRx8WM25
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJX5TXPqIa
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKrRw1FmQE
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUhQApQGBp
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMF9WsR8we
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOVzYi8mGU
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM5oJQgR3D
"Of course! Let's go."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW05DJTdw1G
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMDJd8Efwq
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIwnkvwRTI
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUrhtiAi2n
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrRLSE2ITx
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn9R0ufyrn
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA9k6NKYSW
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwxN1Yubxp
"Uh, do I have to?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOjPrB1VLP
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzHb2Rb9bS
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulIbhYR8Hk
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJcgMQeguK
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMsUKVOnpH
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf52E4vXVth
"Kenny?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD5KJUHBzA
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWr0rSJlCx
"Yeah yeah..."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyTDvx5OsJ
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLUBVsbvaj
I took off my shirt.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKkqqrhff2
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BB6auMVO3
"Alright, now come here."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqgewFtVjT
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxKaYnGliA
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXHcBDIbpy
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGazjA7fLto
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUm189xe2K
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSy2ahkQWq
"Right."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L64pcoerU
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhwNRp9XbM
I tried that, but it didn't work.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL18Afx7D5a
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjFfQ4AMUB
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiWTCRZViE
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsMJvAz6Py
"Beats me."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmChQc6uZqc
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ83nhzNWZi
"But it came from you, didn't it?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n7PJNmFrZ
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUcJhlYWOo
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWCp3FcDLt
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxHbDKW0VL
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxBripvoF4
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpUvTTnXqd
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66947RXVKC
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfY2QoPvUj
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ri20ymK9X
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRAHMgcV0p
"It's no use. It isn't possible."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8f415hMjE
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNu1JTk7oE
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53NsffQawx
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH0Nj0buB7
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRTK5fD37Y
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlQt7cToIJ
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCDXQz9FDW
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCKNnXW7zo
"A-Ah, w-well then..."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheztdhpQqD
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbJb19bgXD
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.
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b4rSv2HYw
"K-Kenny?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlcNc7dzzl
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD3AgZPylg
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfb7Bcx3nj
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovLgIqO8hT
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXZ4u7loDz
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3mllZiNxu
"Y-Yeah."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPvVXgbtzq
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuM5pairRF
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWXyuLOP1O
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FcopLcsXO
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx8aX9hir9
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPoYLL7Jlt
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ccFvSARSK
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZkwqHjfWu
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFur6EEMFH
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61KyI6HUCb
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmaF8QL0WR
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiy6y79LuG
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5Tpd1AFFM
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkweqzVpnFh
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ3F6ZCku9
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkAJQEW8Pp
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxqhQYr1Vw
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAIeTqediX
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l1dXuM8bL
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCaPpoA2G4
She looked over at Skylark.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKJuMg9aYU
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCNHSiK0Xo
"And, again, thank you for helping."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvmsU703HY
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbniPFY8oD
"But of course, it is my duty."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oFe4Oaa0Q
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplK3Tc3PFn
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcwM3qMfQi
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9f8DcODT8
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oFvqjjBYv
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC2uTVtoha
"That's stupid."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNyQLWmZ8G
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQmXLSG6LL
I felt out of place as they quarreled.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPLichrCa8
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOobsyISGR
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHh8OwQwhv
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnok28VFCEn
"...Yes?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHo4HgIPmK
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCOqDjBpM9
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Eg4R1pEku
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQAaFZ9wPt
"Yes, my lady."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbG78VzWbA
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVmk3bPIrc
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp96NSPWp7L
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAigoI0GRy
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3hxNzxJ0e
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi42dON615
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?197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFKDRP1E9R
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE9FcpNsQu
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqh6XtqJ3B
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSR5jfB7XO
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQXWWBK6ht
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQVfOAO5vY
"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?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrzxxArHnT
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ki1QhBCRN
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1RjfEsSsN
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEV7OTVShL
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpNUaz5Om1
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AYtnx1Ljn
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0T0bsGTKY
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkC7TxgVRRL
"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?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRzy8WaCOm
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZOmMb5c6c
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWev1pISXMk
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsZ0cFGj2m
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUhZizJ8vM
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqE5rpiDNz
She scowled at me. Oops.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7KNhWvyO6
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2UyQkyjlX
"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!"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj7ZjFpzFC
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1whSpKK3Ph
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73DgItSfZS
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyZpUIZYRK
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFSWxwECHU
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqB2lwDZSF
I was suddenly invested.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjafdxIiDD
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmVWQxd3jM
"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."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMaR9IcSgW
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg07t4GAi1q
"Uh-huh."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvGUUjoHfA
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHckUCxlRvF
"I mean it. Forgive him."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0VXmwON4R
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffiwTX2Zmo
"O-Okay, I will."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiHF5sSRJg
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5leD23AUd6
"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."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDKVoyYZQE
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPefRAFXwv
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDcPgSzVoJ
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbKI5DczAQ
"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."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxXyZk8zdG
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z1tNABDRs
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nbz0Cx3wc
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKJoJIlg89
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuGj9oY26R
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZABcpTh3Xg
"I refuse."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYXh2souoX
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNwbkuHfa7
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D4HE3blkU
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVEglomKQP
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU47Jo68Nr
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJRRoCdtUI
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."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRfzkX5ERf
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrOUa3UudP
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSCqW2VEfR
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlKEXVgG5Q
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurcZBlPEyV
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQQ8fKp52Y
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgEzIEo36m
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd96Yc1WfZP
"Tea Mage...?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeChkb3C7c
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9Zgim5rS7
"I think his name is Freed."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRx7w2KJjB
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAtoXl8wMF
"Oh, Freed."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fQjRIa2Zt
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyNwOR3B8S
Her face twisted into a moue.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGIytRU9yw
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs82nqTnnWs
"I see. He must've refused, then."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSkVJdCYZh
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1nxVIEu2L
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJJJIZoqbC
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCHpxSSLTV
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BIThIYp7h
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJAulYq4OM
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy6hYApsu8
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfwKe1yQUo
"Is that thing also Exotica?"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth6JU7KpnV
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsA9t8F0tL
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzT7OLBnnP
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrvUl4xmkb
"Right."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXmmchO9qh
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO8qtaUetQ
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv3rhF4E4K
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIUVqqMCiM
"...It'll probably be fine."197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UjZLWy3pa
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNd8okoyLy
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1Akpz865Q
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS0Sg01R4I
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.197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQuJPyMVEf
197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvA4lnRW0d
It made me look forward to the future.
