"I see it. The light, I see it!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SNSjj2sZs
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQlX8mSECH
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJtbX7kODN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhDv3SGMUE
"We did it, Flinty."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps4TfM1se1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxCBEMIA5A
"Yeah."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWwx9MMMTK
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwaxwbZhPy
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOrgINT7IB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5VqyFwi8B
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp9XHI7dEU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm8komrITZ
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0MAebevkR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve1mCHIn5k
"Ah, you made it!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuCygUIZjH
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxP9iiIRwP
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxJGEfy6c9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12k4fD1V1C
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK5SkBpBis
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYSXVclhd3
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkD8G2lY2X
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aQzg1qI4i
"Ah, alright."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpG7n9TVdZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe1umOAs9a
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD8xez8a3H
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZaLcPeTWB
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpICNr1S1Y5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1kNiRzz8t
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ2tofAySl
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUopiGk6Nv
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNLkz3vIR3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVh5TD5BUe
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsfTOHyO95
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ67QDHNm8S
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2Ksp5Z76e
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrIOl3Obfc
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft90b308P5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihk8CoRDCk
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVb6Z6zALf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhQjVJ0m8s
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJboGjgqs50
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtgvod70Aa
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJTUlq3v2z
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJAIP7Qtpg
"Of course! Let's go."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR28OWzpFwO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNOsC44wi6
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNIlbkvCLb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lzhvHj51i
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVlpZiqIub
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNy7aVG3Tj
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h8J4paRCN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGnzMFE3As
"Uh, do I have to?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegS6PVclIc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO32EGnQt8a
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT5JTk4ekb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yCa422Qji
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvVTfKyQt6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEEz7hCLbh
"Kenny?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DAQnY2Lbg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG8nm6RHG3
"Yeah yeah..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSQkVpykBr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aGBG8SvtS
I took off my shirt.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvkeI2PJEa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGNdSDyACE
"Alright, now come here."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehyh2kyCw7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWZ7iqoQmE
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1ubrGuN88
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzzphiRM4j
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvYliIM6iq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtovMzxAjce
"Right."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp1RTRejDn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeZWKVK3Rw
I tried that, but it didn't work.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMzL8NBaWO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8JVsxg3Bt
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCskMb82Xzg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOnQMV4cCI
"Beats me."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg43p3Tpoue
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGfYLernl0
"But it came from you, didn't it?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCaz1826WD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB2IWK4JEK
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99Fyb0SUzm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZgzifGjRq
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfzXv4gaqP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWSPBv4Vlt
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWZghcFVWn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM0vzscl4x
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgFdsFqDe7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi0Gr1OfQH
"It's no use. It isn't possible."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyonExf5hB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNuzmjpMsi
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmtG4s1uMP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUWIc2eLrb
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3bfEFyKCT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj7RWbISgH
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQEmTDfW1y
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IB8CIk9zu
"A-Ah, w-well then..."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpEHqxSJO3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93uNSTzZKf
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.
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixX1j6Nr2W
"K-Kenny?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxDKspPu2G
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcE1hXmn4k
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp7QIP18c7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vh4ST2zln
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkT2ZHA0UJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKMjW43sEf
"Y-Yeah."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEg34JXwI2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK6xaTHQE6
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5LGoC2BVC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeEwIprHjj
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f65ASZq21
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5DtSlMwX7
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9VbNrqOxj
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxKlDgm8Vs
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3lhSO3003
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUKGLW8zvh
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bTLVxMtPk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxst5wEwej
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3vwOcvWk8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRtuqPzE74
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpY9Zj1MTJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdASlZRa8sX
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s9e5usHzx
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6olgLBuGn
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUe4H2Mydq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UTH4lMO2H
She looked over at Skylark.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzjcIUVeBC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPONRbYxj2
"And, again, thank you for helping."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLGwqA2ZtJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72YNJUjWEr
"But of course, it is my duty."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFYkJX3zNd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Woks8uKoZ
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqZTvePGrQ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVkPDVHd31
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQfWpzmaWk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl0WsZzG1p
"That's stupid."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszLkXsjUEa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbg9cZToWP
I felt out of place as they quarreled.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHl0zq60SD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FL2IL3Dmc
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPkun97AZB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN0VfsRYov
"...Yes?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJnR4801rX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfbcRQX7vY
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ9VHyEfFN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q6C1viSKB
"Yes, my lady."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhKPeN3ESO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq1SVMhvGU
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pQoqAwhrS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxG4OHDCG6
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVzIR9rW1E
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKox2OhOMb
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?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0GdAw8cBi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvGu6WTe8w
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtF9dFqDJq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K9wvYGM8D
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvwsMVbEFr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI84qspkuT
"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?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5Tg3ikbbg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvMoiCH9wQ
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmnb56adpd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TmnwD4TIv
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqErEQUwVA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAFfduIjxh
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h1Szz4ue3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3kPVos9iM
"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?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMHJFMVTvm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2VEG5w2ni
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzyg5fbI0M
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn80rt2oBU
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSEGt2fKUC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpVIDVmT9p
She scowled at me. Oops.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUxBrPH4OR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7fOU92UoM
"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!"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD9zImYFPI
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKpRmvvQCO
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7tIrD2SKm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeyO8bNtnb
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0dVQhDoQG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgln7JTOsJ
I was suddenly invested.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjE3YozNZ5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL1xPiWc5S
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEFHhmqfVB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy3iLd3IeI
"Uh-huh."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc9WPvi0vn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB4xL3OeuC
"I mean it. Forgive him."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkd1bYvQxy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MPcR76hGw
"O-Okay, I will."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQViL4eGUeW
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ktkRan156
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2lpiY9SGk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtQCdbSFrL
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGw6J1xutY
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipj8Svy5d5
"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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokkNRBkfa7
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVIVlt5EEY
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR1F7AjlgR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d1ObiEcER
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjGJWUHmaP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe99NnBOfw
"I refuse."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlfWwuFbfL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV2zPcYBLg
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljcVgNhPgU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgII5k29kG
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5pnA2YrVm
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqS1sa4URo
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."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4pYHp3SZx
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDDnD8WgcP
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6e16S3nhL
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBQNeTVb2F
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXiLH6eQbr
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjbSuXJzm4
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCURfyUhfN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgksUMAJdJ
"Tea Mage...?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GL5S9TqX2
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDcn17dcGE
"I think his name is Freed."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm3z5VeQ0Z
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL92QkLZqA4
"Oh, Freed."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwFqUI5rfO
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Her face twisted into a moue.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUQCG0dQ02
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"I see. He must've refused, then."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5ViY8Du7A
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1RQGlQEfu
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9inbOMS1h
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YDMTnxZeb
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JNYaUTjn5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPjKTsAa99
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITQLGpBHd4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIqNYMGlvz
"Is that thing also Exotica?"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGX5Pumy4z
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡindgrvAep9
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDcMFzuNPe
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ETnXZLwOI
"Right."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9yQAihGva
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2daLyE3wS
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WyyRCOOms
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpxX0jEcAT
"...It'll probably be fine."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZsJXavWqA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlkGAFmPWa
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsPC9ijrmN
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GWSzT3hUa
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.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6g55QiPAa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlTuigaKRD
It made me look forward to the future.
