"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMfBjxp3vd
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uY0wndgL2
The coachman bowed before us. He was kind and polite, so I felt a little wrong about what I was about to say.
"Thank you. Can I make a report on the man who rode with us? He attacked me and my friend."
The coachman released an exhausted sigh. I lightly chuckled.
"I apologize, sir, but I'm currently unable to do anything about it."
"...I don't mean to be rude, but he attacked us. No, 'attacked' isn't right, he assaulted us. I can't just stand by and let someone like that walk away scott-free."
"As we are in the realm of His Majesty, we cannot reprimand him. However, after the ride back, we will gladly put him under arrest."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwh0agKQgO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGIO9g4cPo
I felt a vein bulge in my head.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkVxeIvdtm
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZZ3hPpyZM
"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyfvkvzLi2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ru6dhGlA1
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQivlWk7bgd
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCQUsCpdke
"Listen, we're perfectly aware. But that man is a special person, and we are in very special times. I promise that you won't go unheard, okay? Just avoid making a scene."
"...Fine. Flinty, let's go."
Figuring that arguing wouldn't get me anywhere, I turned back to motion Flinty. She had her face pointed to the sky. After I called her, she awkwardly shrunk.
"R-Right. Sorry, it's just that this place looks way bigger up close."
"Wait until you see the inside."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPR2MEskjQ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGgY9GHbeN
"I-Inside...?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX2gpvWIPf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqjyQKUbG6
She repeated my last word with an astonished breath. When we made it to the guard, I handed him my card. After a short inspection of our bodies, he gently bowed to us and led us through one of the three doors. Flinty covered her face for a moment before taking in the view.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBb34NItsn
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4w8UVn8i8
"It's so... shiny."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1q7IATJsJ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGpOaXwkzX
The interior of the building was clad in marble and avant-garde designs scribbled throughout the floor and ceiling. No one column holding the interior had the same design; they each possessed an exaggerated illustration of an animal, some I didn't recognize.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNix1BLo0nM
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDOXWbxKkI
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshuaLfdDsB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQioNwiNS1f
"The Garden?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wLTXrNlTq
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVUaLQnli8
"That's where the plants are," I replied, "It's a lot smaller than you'd expect, and it's all indoors, but they have some wonderful specimens in there."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMllEmMM9Yk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoY77Kx1Kn
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt58RyyhnTV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMlA0m125H
We traveled up a set of stairs. Even the steps were polished and spotless, which made me feel slightly guilty about stepping on them. Once we arrived at the second floor, we traveled down a lengthy hallway.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICPGWHo4BQ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwhFHXL14M
"Hey, Kenny."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgu2Jwhu9x
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZyzWnmOmg
"What's the matter?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLjm3lC7WT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbOBGlroA1
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCe5t3B29i
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6p0jwzgil
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6NFHH7s8U
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXp9wEROTf
"The chandelier? What about it?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivA7nOKPcr
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBFlNsdNkA
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5lp8nMio3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORNVPI1M5l
"It's pretty, but I can't help but think it's overkill. And just look at that lone little chain keeping it hanging; it looks like it's gonna break any second."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOH6EUtYc1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacrHJRhOhN
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqPbgQM0Pr
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYwtgqWPiT
"Ah, that makes sense."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fjJbCv9pl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqcbYK8Srq
I wouldn't put it past royal mages to know mana suspension of that degree. It was likely an earth infusion, or maybe the mage just had dense mana. Either way, it made me wonder how many more appliances in this building had mana in them. I immediately thought of the doors, but considering how many we've passed in this hallway alone, that seemed unlikely.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2Pf7IudKR
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKnOnP65cq
"...Then again, this building is quite old, isn't it– oop!"
I broke out of ruminating when I ran into the back of the guard. He stopped moving. and I could tell by the side of his face that he was surprised. I peered around his body to see what it was that he was seeing.
"...Oh no."
White hair, green eyes, crossed arms; these features were exhibited by a young boy in an exquisite outfit. The boy had two guards behind him.
His eyes met mine. His smirk turned from childish to demonic. I took a few steps back and bumped into Flinty.
"Kenny? What's wrong? What are you two looking at?"
She peeked over the guard and saw him. Unlike me, however, her face lit up with an excited gasp.
"It's the prince!"
I already began turning, but before my legs could locomote, Flinty's fingers wrapped around my wrist.
"Kenny, it's the prince!"
"I know! Why do you think I'm trying to–"
"Mister Chambers!"
His squeaky screech echoed through the hallway, reverberating my name.
"I order you all to have dinner with me!"
I looked over my shoulder. Flinty's face was as bright as the sun.
Sighing, I resigned myself to the situation, following Prince Orice's unreasonable order.
–
–
–
Maybe I shouldn't have been so distraught upon meeting the prince. Thinking about it with a calmer mind, it was bound to happen eventually. I was frankly surprised it took over ten visits here for me to meet him.
"I finally had a chance to sneak out this time!"
That was his response when I inquired him, spoken as if he was shamelessly proud of himself. He was shamelessly proud of himself, actually. It only made my impression of him worse.
The two guards who were tailgating him were the same two goons I made total fools out of all those weeks ago. They were also inadvertently the reason why I got my decrepit nickname, but I knew better not to blame them.
If anything, it was me. Though I wanted to berate the prince, it was me.
"So, why have you called us to this room?"
"I already told you. It's so that we can eat together!"
Flinty and I were sitting by each other on different couches. The prince was sitting across from us on one of his own, but I could tell that his was much more comfortable than ours.
"You say it's so we can eat, but I'm not seeing any food on the table."
"Just be patient. It'll come in a jiffy."
"In a jiffy..."
I repeated his peculiar phrase under my breath. It looked like waiting was an inevitability.
"I just wanted to see the plants, man..."
"You'll see them after our dinner, I promise! I just need to discuss things with you. First, some important business, and then some other business."
"Important business? That's hard to believe."
"Then get ready to be surprised."
We sat in silence, intently gazing at each other.
"Aren't you going to tell me?"
"I'll do it over food. I read somewhere that talking over food helps build bonds the best."
"Fine. I'll wait. Yell at me when the food is here."
My body sank into the couch. I closed my eyes and leaned back. The couch put me in a tranquil state, and despite my intentions, I could feel myself lulled to sleep. My senses were being severed from the outside world.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9igBkTNiq
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XdvFWuiD5
"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HJoWxYhtL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YHMfQKTBP
"I-I think he did."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy358XEahSV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6Jt2ViGMc
The prince's and Flinty's voices dragged me back to consciousness. However, noting that they thought I was unconscious, I decided to play the part and see what would happen. I had a bubbly feeling in my chest. I was becoming giddy. I was convinced I had devised the most meticulous scheme ever.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYf8XZK4qQ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPup4riDHlO
"That's rude of him."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnna5gGFKKc
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhCEyGVgF6
"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWSwWSYEvt
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGHbgWlZmE
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvtz12w2IH
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc97JxjuXTt
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsgfJsS25U
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfAal0cNVm
"Of course I do, I'm just pulling your leg! You're the girl who was kidnapped by those two corrupt knights. What was your name again?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmJgwxmd1z
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAI7rilJEp
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyQkp1NDC4
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2byplgS7q
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTpO9AQtP1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQNERJlIDo
Flinty let out a weird noise.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaeWObK1Wy
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAsK4bjN7y
"Mhm!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXjboHMQ0M
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHhnDwtmAf
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7jFSZgyYp
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXORmoUGabI
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUavyCZm1R
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn9PbPP2eB
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P8TFBhDhP
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFY0Y1Mf21
The prince was bemoaning over something.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCCrDRnvKp
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhydKAxnQx
"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2br6FNrtN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcxAoIRFVv
"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJcRH6HV3n
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoZA0CPqtO
He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXrBNSGyoV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaFMHGnmET
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrauIUOfFf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB53YPfvW7m
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2agvpI4wBz
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQYBW4rehj
"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsS6LQse6e
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G8dlItu7U
"I've never seen anyone as brave as him; just think about it, he saw two adults ganging up on one kid, and he beat them up! He was much smaller and younger. By all means, he should've turned his tail and ran, but he didn't! I've only ever seen Skylark act like that. Everyone else is too big of a wuss, but not Mister Chambers– and even better, he's just a little older than me! He's not some adult who scolds me for everything I do or watches me like a hawk. He's a little boy, just like me!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xhXElR4TJ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0asZMbOet
"That's... surprisingly sweet."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31FPJwBCjh
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulIlOh2QPu
"I'm trying to get in his good graces, but for some reason, nothing I do seems to work. I'm starting to think that he just doesn't like me."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXn3L4izOC
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fgxDdJGFG
"O-Oh, I'm sure it's not that. It's just, well, from what I've heard of him, you always seem to meet him at the wrong times."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3XhaMEItl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhIv6y0lrr
"...Really?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr2kChJk9C
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p7cgG0jLf
"You're also incredibly obnoxious."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qjV7NcItD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtrI0q4UCo
"GAH!?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneyaIoPwFp
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocaOGviXQE
"Huh!?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgFOmxNafH
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby3hNo9BJK
I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjspWJfJbYH
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9UJMfYKo5
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpzzzpXMHs
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FBAX6SkY0
"Nevermind that. What Flinty said was right, but what you said was even more right. I don't like you very much, I'm sorry– ack!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yjNa0s7Hk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiKSTzvh5l
I felt something blunt hit my shoulder. Flinty was looking at me with beady eyes with her fist against me. I looked back at the prince, who had a perturbed expression. He quickly looked down at the table and pinched his chin, whispering something to himself.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6T7TQh95E
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTAMYfKyof
"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGv9lc75zS
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchWXi5atVY
"I-Is he really being so nice? He barged in and forced us to eat with him, and he still hasn't apologized for chasing me last time!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwEwLpXfdr
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepRUbv4Lcp
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYqwhRxtVM
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX6R5ttjHx
"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazqwBsNH8n
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9HtYQ6LWz
"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbb02CDaHY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgBvq3jtyu
The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLYYq6uo3E
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0YKEG8Gh5
"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt3pXsyPtY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDO5SLLyZX
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8rDERicFG
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoQcml4vM8
Flinty stuck her tongue out. Something about this felt strange; why was I being painted as the enemy here? I looked at the prince, who was still bowing. He kept lowering his body. His hands were balled into fists. They were quaking.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoURG8bgTSa
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo8Wylx3z0
"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU83roHP2xi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGK2xRfhIx
If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbOxDlvv73
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz3Mbs1I0N
"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1sHMRaqLI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8trV7vmsz
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCflRSLJyiz
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q6I7uJ7h1
"No."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnQeKhQ6Ke
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr22dORPtho
He sank into his couch with a deep frown. I looked at Flinty to gauge her thoughts and she just lightly shrugged at me with a sigh. The situation was satisfactory, then.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW64yBJhn9W
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7A9OtSqWD
"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3CaDiSwnB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzjo8ObKXY
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfORd4VHSV3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFnD4960Hx
He looked at me. I was expecting him to stick his tongue out at me as well, but he just looked deeply sad. Somehow his frown grew even more profound, it almost looked inhuman.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZPARWvcfN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1HX3EhUzS
"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBBQqaSt5L
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IhaORlZKb
"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CTXBtEdWn
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXg3TkcKfH
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBEcaE37tQ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iXd8vmXXh
"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HXKFMfO9k
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33VLm6RvMD
The prince shook his head in a satisfied manner, the frown entirely departed from his face. I was beginning to wonder why he was acting the way he was, but recalling what he said earlier, I had a clue as to why.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAskQWZ8r8L
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhMNjq02qX
"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMf2QnqIYa
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoE6s1lhtj
"--Hrk!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUXqdr8Mek
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69xQy9o43n
I hit a sour spot. I nodded while making an 'ahhh' sound. Of course, it was the only explanation. I was also insufferable when I stopped talking to people, after all.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94X9dUmBf2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE5dzJ4LCi
The prince looked down at the table again. I didn't have a chance to press him further, however, because a group of people carrying plates and glasses barged into the room.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ63FBrEck
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOZTVytC0I
"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xWzOQZm2X
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI39rKhxSSl
–
–
–
I struggled to comprehend the thing that was before me. Calling it food felt disingenuous because what I was looking at was more like gold painted as if it was food. I was convinced the moment that I took a bite out of the piece of meat before me, my teeth would shatter like glass. My fork would likely bend and bust before that, though. But these were just expectations; I had to confirm them. Therefore, I poked the meat. It wasn't hard, it wasn't heavy; the surface recessed inward as my finger pushed against it. It wasn't a precious metal in the shape of a meal. It was a meal.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIwHDHUaQd
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqUPs1kpCw
"I can't eat this."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEXNhEdNNW
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu2tZSPxaK
"I can't eat this."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SEQ5vreIV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkOInOOqdc
The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkF3xSsXd4
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ICnf6WSK8
"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnEORXBuSf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ2ppHdd4q
Flinty nodded and motioned for her fork but I didn't move. I was comfortable calling myself starstruck. Time seemed to slow down the longer I gazed at the meat. Before I knew it–216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqr0gg5taw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7Yh5Zf5Q4
"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22m3ebI8K3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEtunOHafL
Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFtQ1YAP2u
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiDGzkbR1u
"Mister Chambers?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgywtHKt8F
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a7arM1W2O
"What?"
"Let's talk about the business I mentioned earlier. But first, at least try what was cooked for you. I promise it won't disappoint."
"I feel bad even thinking about eating it, but if you insist."
I grabbed a fork and stuck it in the meat. The chunk came off with little resistance. Blood trickled from the inside onto the plate. I put it in my mouth and slowly began chewing.
"Well?"
"...It's incredible, but, what type of meat is this?"
"Aviartidae. They're quite common in the badlands. They're like vultures, but–"
"But they're monsters, yes. So, what's this business about?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aQuoJN1RG
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6755ME2MwR
"Right..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2E86xlXcw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOrMhPGMOy
The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8pCzdgzNG
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBFzXexXyq
"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAoKzN2wzI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBA3YwrrQS
"I see. And what are the details?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k4038CVDB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfT5Tt6AE3
"I was just getting to that! Well, never mind, it's more or less an escort mission, except you aren't escorting anybody in particular, you're escorting a letter to be sent."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pvo7hgsQg
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vRt8Ci0fs
"A letter?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsR6bypc70
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2NpzaKmSL
"Yep. There's a town a few days away on horseback called Kommunikatsiya. It's one of the central hubs for communication here in the Southern Country, overseen by The Zariel Kingdom. Your goal is to deliver a letter to the foreign communications center, and that's about it. All the other details will be covered by the letter itself."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3C0fQ7NiH
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqpdMeSWjK
"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2K8iJS8Nz
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9AAljzNPy
"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDE8dnqIyZ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8Zhozwn4r
I widened my eyes a little.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTavLYkyLXV
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"Really? Who's working with me?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO0ihIWOa1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM6WsTYGW4
The prince gave me a stern shrug.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsvOvwjqFg
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfutClgi7dy
"I dunno. My mom and sister are the ones operating this whole ordeal. Whoever they'll be though, they'll be on your strength level."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyECJgJCN6
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRK2SNzeaP
"That's relieving."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9rP4vburD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESTaM8pdgk
I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEb1TKUYPe
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKhNp7HPFp
I didn't have any plans for the next week, but I already knew the Tea Mage was going to be angry hearing this news. It was likely to take well over a week, maybe even two or three if we ran into problems.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInHWNOdr0p
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbUyr2kHUt
"How far did you say the village was again?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tBKXKLnCb
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lMQT0HZsP
"It'll take five days on carriage if everything goes smoothly. Don't worry about travel expenses, by the way, we've got that covered."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHhZEwRYL0
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fsrwgwUyI
"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZImfKxMPp
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrHHscu2P7
I picked my fork back up but paused before I stuck it into the meat. I had a sudden epiphany about what the prince was saying.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iB7PuKZgk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQZSov2UIg
"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj2HxQpYMU
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrQKF3oVLU
"..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoG6er6jto
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxdcnQsN4F
The prince's expression turned pensive. It was clear to me that he wasn't well informed about this information. If I had to guess, the princess was the one who was supposed to relay this to me.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfBbQ6OI3J
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"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpbvG5zGQd
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRbWsK456o
"I see."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwExd55Px1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sxyLVvDNQ
Recalling what the princess told me a few months ago, it suddenly put the operation into perspective. I already began making guesses as to what the letter was about. It could've been a call to arms of some sort, or maybe a letter to get a negotiation with the Eastern Country started.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xJoMHJpjE
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlt1jbcqtq
"Since the Eastern Country is an empire, they're a pretty aggressive nation. This whole mission is vital, but it's also imperative that it's concealed."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZlm1ERWnJ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXulBjBKFu9
I nodded along to his words, taking another bite from the ambrosia before me. I didn't have any strong feelings about the situation, to my surprise. Something like this coming up was always in the back of my mind; I was frankly confused as to why it took this long to happen.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oxRFt3VEp
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOjMgasnxw
"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7YLwcQVY8
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGCI7XgEzJ
"Yes," the prince answered, and then his face suddenly turned pale as he covered his mouth with both hands, "You, Flinty, you weren't supposed to hear any of this! Crap!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69tlIk7ky6
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCOfl67spK
Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWh4ce75Zl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXvQzEhwyS
"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfe07SZpdy
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeinICWBdn
"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhtkeIkqPp
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVpM6uSUri
The prince looked a little swayed, but what worried me wasn't him, but the two goons who were behind him. They were giving each other quizzical looks, and I could already guess what they were thinking.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1vZMdzZfZ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUYjzaHWgO
"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaJecRMLvo
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4f3IqBUbD
"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F985aR5m0
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ52BlvRWF
"What is it?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMoPOxqqzG
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkL71jUYoL
"Can I... maybe join the operation–"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyBsqsHClU
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx0XHeHeZU
"Absolutely not," I declared. It wasn't because I feared for her safety, though I did, it was because I already ascertained that this mission was way out of her league.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT20lXKB54D
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvPwMd8r9B
"Yeah, no shot, Flinty," the prince said "Nothing against you, but if we have two kids on this operation, not only will it be embarrassing, but it will also call our morality as a kingdom into question."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZzuAo9pdg
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WqUDMYBj2
"...I see."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsem4sUyMCq
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BHBF7cQYc
She let out a dejected response, but from the tone of her voice, it was obvious that she expected such an answer. She quickly shook off her disappointment with a shrug and kept eating her food.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGfuDy30hx
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9HpL9Xw2s
"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6be4Zc4Uf0
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojG6wgUZnu
I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0Yd9B7vHz
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7w4u4v5OR
"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX4JnPjHve
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W3Gd3zRxW
"...Yes?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNJp6MdtDN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DN0Swagow
"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhPnNW0Wyk
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZIbHYqEAX
"No."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4aXZJyVfC
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMq4JWzcJo
"Oh."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc0ptgdgMP
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KYooGjhlI
–
–
–
"...Ah, here we are."
I finally arrived at my intended destination. Closing the door behind me, I entered a room where the floor itself was dirt and grass. Calling it a room almost felt insulting, because it felt as if I had stepped into a secret facet of nature.
This was the royal palace's garden. I took a deep breath through my nostrils.
I was entirely alone here. Flinty, for whatever reason, insisted on staying with the prince in the dining room. She seemed to be trying to get in his good graces, which I would've called an intelligent and strategic maneuver were it not for Flinty's amiable nature, which made the real reason obvious.
Admittedly, in the back of my mind, I had a suspicion that she just didn't want to see the plants. To an extent, I was probably right.
Anyway–
"Now, which one do I choose?"
I wasn't just here to marvel and study the magical plants. Since it was the second Wednesday of the month, I was permitted to intake one magical plant of my choosing into the tendril. If I didn't have such a restriction, I would've absorbed them all in one week and have no reason to visit again, effectively crumbling the agreement the princess and I made.
At least, those were the words my supervisor said, who just so happened to be–
"...Roy, I understand you're only 'fulfilling your duty', but you're far, far too close."
Looming behind me like a demon in my sleep was a gray-haired man in a robe. He was holding a wand about two heads taller than me while the magic stone was nearly the size of my head. It was an exceedingly rare feature for Exotica, but that was becoming of someone like him.
"If I let you become too greedy now, then my status as Royal Mage would be meaningless."
"I'm not asking for much. Just, please take a few steps back?"
Surprisingly, he did, but calling them 'steps' was generous. I sighed and ceased making an appeal. It was obvious I'd be getting nowhere doing that.
So instead, I ventured through the garden and scouted the catalog of magical plants. Most of the garden was composed of common vegetation, but the magical plants were placed in blatant places, almost as if they were begging you to come and tear them off their stems.
Unfortunately, though the garden had a plethora of magical plants, it only had a handful of unique species. I was able to identify them thanks to my tome, and by that, I made a pecking order on which plants I should absorb the soonest. However, as I scanned all these precious Exotica, I began to think about the definitive pecking order I've created.
Ordinarily, I would've gone for the Silk-Bloom, which excretes exactly what the name implies. But in light of the recent mission I've been tasked with, my consideration juggled between the Silk-Bloom and two other ones.
"What's taking you so long? You usually pick one and leave by this time."
"Shut up! Simply admiring the plants is part of my promised time here too!"
Telling Roy a half-truth, I continued pondering the situation. Aside from the Silk-Boom, I had considered intaking the Blover and the Spit-Blossom. I had no doubts that, when pushed to the limits, these plants could perform extraordinary feats, much like the Freeze-Dry. But choosing between the two was possible. They both had their benefits, after all.
"I implore you to hurry up before I grow suspicious and do something by accident."
"Threatening me is just gonna make me nervous. Who do you think I am anyway?"
Blover, or Spit-Blossom? The former could produce harsh winds, while the latter expelled sturdy projectiles.
"...Wait."
When I thought about it that way, and when I considered the plants I already possessed in my arsenal, the choice became clear as day. Therefore, I walked up to the plant in the shape of a gallant clover and kneeled beside it.
"Finally. You were very close to suspiciously and mysteriously bursting into flames."
"Uh-huh."
After I finished intaking the plant, I stood up and walked to the exit. Roy stopped before me and bowed slightly.
"Safe travels. I sincerely hope you found your time at the palace pleasant and useful."
"I certainly did. For the most part, at least. Thank you for your service."
I bowed back at him, and we exchanged nods. I walked through the door and found myself back in the hallway. To my surprise, Flinty was outside waiting for me, but she wasn't with the prince.
"Hi! Did you enjoy your time with the plants?"
"Yeah, my tendril has a new one, too. Anyway, Flinty, where's the prince?"
She scratched her cheek and nervously laughed.
"Commander Skylark found us in the dining room and, well..."
"I can imagine. He must've thrown quite a tantrum."
"Not really? He was putting up a good fight, though."
I snorted.
"Yeah, I can imagine."
Flinty and I traversed the hallway. We met up with the guard from earlier by the staircase. He looked relieved for some reason. We made it down the stairs and traversed the halls quietly. But, before we left, an unfortunately familiar face was standing by the palace doors.
Except, he wasn't alone.
"Mm, yes, Kenneth, girl, I see you two have finished your business."
The man from the carriage was standing there, surrounded by guards who had their spears pointed at him. Except, from their apparel, I could tell they weren't ordinary guards. They were likely elites of some kind. He seemed completely unbothered by it though, wearing the same grin he's always had.
"What... happened to you?" I asked.
"I proposed, but the queen selfishly rejected it. I've calmed down since then, yet these dregs insist that they keep watch over me."
"Really. Color me surprised."
I sighed, somehow unsurprised that things turned out this way. But I suddenly had a new concern appear in my mind.
"W-Wait, how are we going to get back?"
"Mm, well, I'm forced to stay here for the time being, so you two may take the carriage back without me."
"Huh!?"
His face hadn't changed one bit, so his words were entirely serious, but I still couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't get a chance to ask any further questions because the guards pushed the man to move.
"Ah, careful, fools, I have no interest in getting my clothes dirty."
"Just move it along," one of the guards responded. The group walked by Flinty and me. I let out a sigh, relieved that–
"Kenneth, before I leave, I must grant you my name!"
I turned my head back. The man was walking backward.
"My name is Kostik Coyote. You'd do well to remember it!"
His voice reverberated throughout the building. The man, Kostik, disappeared into the hallway.
"What a nutcase."
Flinty of all people muttered that comment. I couldn't have agreed more.
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