"I see it. The light, I see it!"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe0WGSlHr0
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEdrUXWcpB
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8AI402DOj
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3XYicLUbS
"We did it, Flinty."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb27PQEVCEW
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwI0ZoUDpo
"Yeah."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz7HVmKUpx
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcgODqzPBv
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcilbLG63hE
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfgOina459
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeCzuF1ynj
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRt6YJB6bh
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxYOZCYGJ9
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LQoRq9b8Y
"Ah, you made it!"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdZJSvp2qC
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFslOdD7co
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKD1uRN1eD
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3Xppxh8If
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwuKOKiLFh
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHi9DSfwdT
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwGNL3herk
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1YMaUwIBw
"Ah, alright."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNArrF1Q6A
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7NxMkHB4A
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1d61vSTMM
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QQImZF7CL
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUHqnGzR69
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4T6yrS04o
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjatsXd2XB
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qyUuKHIeq
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNwa9aM6Qh
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGhPJ3TbTk
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ae13UQMGG
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOInwrmmHNh
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlbrUfVlig
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97x96MdNLu
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRm5csUXQM
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYteXv0OHT
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73nkB0sKt3
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYmt6UDtLi
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPavE1F3VC
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld5grlCsFl
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYyyY1PPpN
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1EMyNBtOk
"Of course! Let's go."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpjErXLw7c
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5GRF9Knzx
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9Ude4pCM1
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCUO0YA4Qi
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTuqeRPQ5S
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9TzJiSRBS
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrJ6fivTQa
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X8moCmWRN
"Uh, do I have to?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC2CZ527xh
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGPlvvtxZd
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WHq8NNdmY
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBabhaWGNmQ
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM0BmVkz67
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vR2PEfZrj
"Kenny?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbKeL7P91j
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCqLKheMDi
"Yeah yeah..."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8KrvPBB4M
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFVx9YEWVp
I took off my shirt.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZIKAtHDcs
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA2UAPIGUn
"Alright, now come here."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1hJog2NX2
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzvlK53npm
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuQs8Ki2Mc
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQUVGa8YcP
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugiazSQDI4
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmDIHTVwOR
"Right."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlpdUSpZ3K
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRJKbgLlFu
I tried that, but it didn't work.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwtfpWs7AK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVAHTJ4irl
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhIPw0fypO
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eEXWMgGlc
"Beats me."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFUI4TfQek
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UjC3VFDaI
"But it came from you, didn't it?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gRGkDGWys
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeljkKJsp5Q
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp3u1zrNlV
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvLg2yBZab
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8jhteNkwD
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN16PJPprT5
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIF4cP0wqw
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw1RUSASP5
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryUTr7DQyW
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWJZ1xlHDn
"It's no use. It isn't possible."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb64UAfvZI7
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbdRsis62i
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKSBBIGMJT
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5AaW71TH3
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96rOfLoH0C
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOWqnMBfo0
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xQsjCP60b
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRron51xLWY
"A-Ah, w-well then..."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ7odu3QOh
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX9ti4Fjye
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.
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdwG8pp1S7
"K-Kenny?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qWrmvvljT
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQtZLq3WBP
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYhXFjp2FN
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeZCr0cuyM
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwjO45mE7d
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KFQLcvSKo
"Y-Yeah."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32kek7uzrB
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmb8FZz16f
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMl1BP91if
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6qrB7L5OZ
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmftTI1th9
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojB4x1NLSk
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFs4rpjXKK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1g8bCJDdr
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa1bqRL9w0
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpmneAZyMI
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCegXk7SHSQ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyWZBNaTTY
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i26EMbxx1
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJcpPBtmR5
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0GmIAfTCF
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A4SliqpF6
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEheWELw18D
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMutfX6Hwzf
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrrYpK7pty
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YOo5fY8UY
She looked over at Skylark.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuk6mY7WqL
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DYV9z8lgT
"And, again, thank you for helping."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY8jq4gf8q
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4f3UpskWn
"But of course, it is my duty."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdIQ27Kv50
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDqMQ4cvzp
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka0SUkMyq5
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGB24Zd0SO
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPFNdaAewu
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPk8aWUOAf
"That's stupid."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE0OV3mMhA
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLANvxMBEm1
I felt out of place as they quarreled.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYROdHyUZIE
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kYlziELB6
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCHEYmijDP
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkiWiolXDv
"...Yes?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg5FwFK4hq
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lqTyEZLew
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kgCqTu3px
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtGfVKULhp
"Yes, my lady."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6DBGWoRop
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHV2oF72Cg
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVLfR6Sc5c
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47MBEIAHjq
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKMuSHObVS
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6XLkFWh3s
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?199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGqgvv6t77
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlOMW6t2Po
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVHxmVMLEK
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYyXW2nc4P
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpOjnKoq2W
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUwPdJLeTF
"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?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvR0IxGG3m
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNgDn5CZLz
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB4QqbQerq
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgUknrWceB
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGPU0nU24R
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K2p5cM5s7
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J6VKlX9RN
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sF6DV6ZnV
"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?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgau94taEqQ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSJ6QvG7ds
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40IURSg6Xs
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0khtfEBIo
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1kR4omlrJ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfbjfyiy9X
She scowled at me. Oops.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroRcYoBRdX
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKX7mrHSti
"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!"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIIsL0cJZg
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsglt72KHbS
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOmyV0sJ7N
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmaS5xJ6wz
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr573NcT9g
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfh8IxvJu1
I was suddenly invested.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTpdFUvjC3
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtVIiVCbUj
"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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLewxPd6kSa
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg2kRwmNbH
"Uh-huh."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGJl5uR8KU
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp7lP0dF3h
"I mean it. Forgive him."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyy8eg8d7A
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy7uIVFe9c
"O-Okay, I will."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVydpRY8tX
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSFIjfSHRr
"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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYzGJ2hMEz
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uruyTKJTf
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiNQYIlzWT
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEninCV4wcY
"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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV6qdo7v80
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6PJUMuaLN
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqMJcv2AJk
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzIU2QCSTj
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPamt8LvDIt
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0M9QyZupM
"I refuse."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZDs1XL5Ga
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxgWTYVOr2
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbQh1OGpEQ
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiyybFIIuf
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzma85VUmzO
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA96zHa7qS3
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."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgdRzl5mMm
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaqaCkDb6v
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13ZgvU9U2g
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI3opPCsFU
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgXrfPqB7C
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpOCh0c19y
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IUbTbq6Qc
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB7m8DsYB7
"Tea Mage...?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDVaN7IowL
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgcmwcamfZ
"I think his name is Freed."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzwsHtXy6K
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UjETRkOlR
"Oh, Freed."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey3uiFC8Kw
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPbf6NsluJ
Her face twisted into a moue.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV4xQpFICb
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniEx40tZ9M
"I see. He must've refused, then."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6Ms7oPsk3
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFLvIdsQ9J
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKyDYT0pRG
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8CkQK7aQD
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7rkTcxzy1
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsagVxwjYxO
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDbGcNpfmD
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXcafGTCUF
"Is that thing also Exotica?"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe2XEtE7GT
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkClwarZykI
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyOohetQmM
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgByI60i7ek
"Right."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB6tyHn5SD
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXHyiWxOKl
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP3nFP5VLH
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GvEGPdEX8
"...It'll probably be fine."199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwUnXAYzUL
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwYMFyxHYa
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkd2tVPl1P
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqSuWAeiWX
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.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CEMagzDLd
199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6QAm5qMtg
It made me look forward to the future.
