The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GsK9V3izp
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSJQXuCqVS
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl5fUHDKit
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhFFBfeVyb
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"Oh, that's a good point."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbAuHtb12U
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsh0tJ3R3P
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**SWOOSH**167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOg750pGsA
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"W-Woah!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVfDLfS6FQ
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And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoQ4SaWgg0
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMjabvmMrc
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No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPnjST0YoJ
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"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDYFaCv3cz
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"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGZInz5oZe
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"Oh, Juke."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjblDC187EQ
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprjKlK8FyP
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc4FOVvPEA
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Juke tilted his head.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstX5thUrim
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmV9mhiz6y
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"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6HLqzIvZw
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2jasYq21U
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"That's a good idea."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcPq8wrC3Y
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I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXldhGnpg0
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnve28X0sP
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegW0AysViW
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7krfKh6dpl
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"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH06ma7YpS
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**SWOOSH**167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTGLJJ3AZq
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Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU4P3wHrG8
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl2giLYUNd
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"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7NnHFw6PS
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"That's a bird!?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypHgCAntkf
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJGru0h5y6
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c0KsR0hb3
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNiDjflxVb
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"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9xAOHwxsz
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxL33JSZF3
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD9qG5kpGV
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OEnBERWlx
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He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBmDjte3ry
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIWO013GDI
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"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6baz7LRRzO
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"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuwrM42L3y
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"Hahaha!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu3NfxNa7o
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"Why aren't you answering me?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0qevFXPvx
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He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBOcw5xCvD
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfotzxdYZXg
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kUmHaek84
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"Huh? Why?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79Iw5YsWPh
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1Bb8X4iEj
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"Oh, alright!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQOmWWxJgM
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJJfVyE1ro
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcoSwkYaSD
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYbIGgW9d2
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Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOUjR1xzN4
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3AQOTmzfD
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluuOwQkjRU
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"Hold on–"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb93zwjLXf
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Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcBV4FGDQC
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
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"See what I mean?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM3h7UB1yV
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"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfWTM2f9QF
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHcN5iCSV7
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuAQqyxiVL
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLyv8kmgMR
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIrvm6VqBY
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3xKa0REvp
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdxRfZFy9P
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"...Maybe."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVTWNQDiw8
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"Why only maybe!?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94TQ3sRyOI
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"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPEsD8tNpc
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYVExbbZZX
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ897p5aRBG1
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdgrqNEAUV
"Ahhh... this is the life."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfd4VKE3Mv
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHt8TmKFHL
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2NHMtlQZu
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMqjvXLiWi
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFEMm5EBkK
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnGtKuAN8u
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUnAyFix9W
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFPsHwO6d4
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBldesulB6H
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAYyIdYKTP
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjGh54yqa5
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02oyfMVirZ
"Sure, sure, now scram."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zhdtkpg1b
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse3897eqqU
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL03QLiG04p
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEgAanNt6F
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Kqk4PWrWC
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiE0FJJyq7
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkC8rjz8r13
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmQ3gCrXwx
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ403TzvVy8I
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cDlydTNIs
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yMTTPAzQj
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO0wTNIiVe
"A nap... hmm..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT4mPpVwl7
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJB4WiE4r4
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Uefl26M5s
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGKxIjit9H
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpgPLykGH8
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnv6cN2Qsj
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYToC4wr6ol
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZhTIjAfxO
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGHR44tvDy
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHTszXlWKN
"Ack... this sucks."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsEez2XcGO
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO008fEKIct
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsVThTp42R
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWxBN1C7Ts
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjsO4Nht1X
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17FdkcMEQf
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDqfVVl91F
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAchVxigMZy
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp2C4CpkEZ
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEqrDheZBX
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhtKn4s0BW
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmL73SsqBq
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRnraxby24
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM6jBCEzxa
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQdOEPmHf2
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXja8QTQ88
"---Alright, that takes care of that."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo97BoIortF
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF1XjKaGv2
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRIyf6N8wQ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnqdXnXq9y
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFYQvFVzBw
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6tjasg0VX
"...Right?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis87tl6L5O
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX97zos79Ps
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWxNnUDNvP
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1XdoVxRB7
"..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3XPItY4gd
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z7qf6WehK
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79hgRBfeqf
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMkbdG4pHI
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA7a36p41n
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hy2y0yaQu
Wait, where the hell is she going?167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjJ2zIKD0h
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr9pRaKgRR
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxbv4N58Q3
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO7niNgnmE
"Rover."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMNPca7vyZ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvg6c0viiB
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DaBnoN8Kx
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnCw9wNHMd
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6EwfltmOT
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT2mNLmfHT
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPeP23kpSS
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuGZKJ2LpA
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO3SWTpprn
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMaHnsMGB0
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1si1FmJRB8
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjCpsWmGC2
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9OWeYoJb3
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueDBmwKWb3
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyITUy8YrQp
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjugdLBrDFP
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0RVhyhj6Y
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnsqYtoXIj
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Xd7p1cIQ3
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk5enJ2Kk5
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6iqgCRVNa
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcNy374b9F
"Oh, that... uh..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO48iOx9tDk
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBiyx2CXe1
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75nfFkGUBB
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0grgwW6kV3
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYALIXBxwZR
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhShCOetekb
"...Pff."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6P91xGmT4
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslGirgWgM1
"It's not funny!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lfo0o9cTC
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE1SUF3Dxa
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ180W2zk15S
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P2BQpi0Nf
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsipiyasR0
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5rlToC0pb
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6GGGHSByX
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKB1r1O8Is
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfq5toX35b
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDSo9KRJC9
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gHW6CrKpO
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFwiLbJAlj
"...I see."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGck3MzVCp
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIexCJzdccA
I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJxS8Y2mUE
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o4ivgblyX
"..."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM0nkHpvss
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QrNSxVC9X
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnMnx3ZTPV
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp01pGdbZuO
"What are you doing?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnlAaQS7WE
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdTmtxNI15
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPFXLOZ614
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHeelFuYOj
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYPe5GxEGu
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kiUqv6wqk
"W-Whaa!?"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t7yPKsuEr
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyXuHylCek
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2MABiv9r0
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLdIH1DuZg
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6EwynKkXJ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEms06qxt1O
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1CLwVv5lC
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd0EmXpwTF
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5zQzAANah
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1AXZJ4Nkw
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0Dvnn4KWJ
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcX0blMvu7
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqZLN0xxYG
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKFMgVXJT5
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YwhzbNGMc
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRSOgHHjiL
"I don't like you."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg6y6whEs3
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySrVIuCwpY
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83RpdmLQEB
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OLn25QHT7
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP2eUn6jOD
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRGZbBGUFu
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzMiA4fTYy
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV1RN1VfPT
"I... guess you're right."167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvreV365Jl
167Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkvX5kDk4v
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
