When Rover separated from Kenny, she created a mission for herself. She wanted to find the way up the tower and rub it in his face. She knew Kenny wouldn't mind it very much, but she didn't particularly want to enrage Kenny. She just wanted to throw a jab or two his way. It was fun for her. A type of fun that was harmless and calm, one she usually found in hearing stories.
Besides, the quicker she delivered this stupid letter to the stupid Dean, the faster they could leave and avoid all the stupid nonsense this city was going through.
So, Rover didn't traverse the building all lax and slow. She didn't spend her time ogling at the architecture or meticulously investigating what was behind those doors. No, when she deemed the distance between her and Kenny far enough, she broke into a sprint, covering the grounds of the hallway almost immediately.
When she turned the corner, she saw something at the end that was unlike the walls. From this distance, she could only tell that it was an opening, but there were signs beside it. Rover, proud of her senses for a reason, spotted the engravings on the signs from across the hallway. It was the caricature of somebody ascending rudimentary steps.
Rover smirked. She found her head start. She made it to the end of the hallway in a near instant. However, she didn't walk up the stairs immediately.
"..."
Kenny had told her to meet back at the entrance if they found anything. This suggestion was holding her back, which surprised Rover.
But, many things have been surprising her today. Many things about herself, about others, the list could go on. Though Rover had a part of her that wanted to honor Kenny's suggestion, her eager, daring part wanted to rise up those steps and get this letter delivered right here and now. In fact, she wanted to do it so fast that by the time Kenny would finish his inspection, she'd be back to meet him with their mission completed.
She listened to the latter part and ran up the stairs.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUMYiugQ3z
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0x5tBm3oy
What she found when she arrived on the second floor– which was a longer trek than she expected –was a series of rooms isolated in glass boxes. The floor was carpeted and there was a central path that branched off to all the rooms, with a few leading to doors embedded into the walls. Rover didn't care for the framework of the room, instead focusing on finding an exit. Unfortunately, the maze-like structure of the floor made navigating it difficult. Rover concluded that one of the doors lodged into the wall must've led to the next floor, but even though there were no obstructions to her vision courtesy of the glass, finding an exit from any point of the room was impossible.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzduqkHopC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOAftyLpN9
"W-Who makes their rooms this confusing!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqv0R1LrqT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6e8wbAjks
Rover had nobody to voice her complaint to, however, so she saved it for whatever draftsmen would face her first and scoured the room for an exit. Though she compared the structure to a maze, in reality, the paths lead to destinations without any deliberately puzzling forks. Still, traveling in this area, where everywhere she looked had a desk and chair loitering around, was disorienting.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbbv4NQZWZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYmAA8UiUm
She managed to arrive at one of the wall-embedded doors. She tried to open it, but the door didn't budge. She tried to kick it down, but even with her physical prowess, the door didn't falter.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvGagnDKYM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQjpnmPy8C
It was reinforced with mana– that was Rover's conclusion, and as Rover was unable to use any magic, there was no way she could tear the door down with just her strength. Maybe if she was stronger, she thought, but she discarded the idea quickly. She turned around and retraced her steps, tilting her head downward and fixing her eyes on the carpet. She returned to an intersection, and with two other paths to choose, she decided on the left one. The path only led to an ensemble of glass boxes, however, so she retraced her steps yet again.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR83YSKi7PK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0QP1dxRER
She was beginning to get a little thirsty. She began to regret her self-imposed restlessness. Nevertheless, she continued searching, and searching, and searching–
"--Who's there?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6ZygbpLja
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gefEkKBxF
It was faint. It could've just been a trick of the mind, or maybe the floor was settling from all the garbage placed onto it. But, she heard a distinct noise. She was sure it wasn't her body making it, or the rustling of her baggage. No, it was a noise of something foreign. So, she spoke out, sharpening her eyes and hearing to where even her heartbeat didn't fall upon her.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZYZ8O8Asz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pktaEOufC
–Again. There it was again. She began crossing out the possibilities. It could no longer be a trick of her mind, nor could it be the settling of the room. Therefore, she asked again.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60zGNsHke8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYhlrKacS0
"Who's there?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcl5zFyxfk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6W7RVlcqR
She drew her rapier. Her eyes darted around the room. Whatever, or most likely, whoever made the noise, was hiding behind one of the dozens of desks sprawled around.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZqUbbrbWY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOz9hbd2n1
Therefore–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0fK869E5D
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVOXFXCvE5
**SHATTER**179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw4M5h3H4w
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdIYmssQ6A
She would attempt to draw them out. And what better way to do so than to cause a little mayhem?179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08kNW1Hm5S
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKaN6WPK8q
With a series of swift kicks, she shattered the glass boxes in her immediate vicinity and toppled over all the desks and chairs that her limbs could reach. But, even through all the noise and rumbling, she never let her vision drift away from her surroundings.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSnQJuP0AK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdxCcIvkau
Her hasty action drew out her desired result.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo9u4561VV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2cOmjswUq
"You're an insolent, deleterious girl, but you have good discretion."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRYodR2s5r
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOWYpgTxid
A man popped up from a distant set of tables. He grabbed a chair and chucked it, shattering a glass wall in its trajectory toward Rover. She merely kicked the flying object into a wall.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRrMKACpvg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn67lqtD6B8
"Powerful, too."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHHxOksT6U
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxObNyOujcr
Rover raised her rapier, brandishing it and pointing it at the man.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWfyU1ax96
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4UzCO3lNr
"I don't know what deleterious means. Is that supposed to be a compliment?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYIMYduGlT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqiBykTk3n
"If the poor man who will have to clean up after your mess thinks so, then yes."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9QYnVJg3p
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKKLgVgq8y
Rover narrowed her eyes. It wasn't just the fact that he liked to hide, but his articulation infuriated her. She was naturally wary, but holding back the desire to rush in and ravage him was difficult.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv6g3r3Hpl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdADP3gO4VX
She inspected the man's outfit, seeing a large coat, reaching to his ankles. He likely had a set of weapons hidden beneath it. After all, Rover thought, men with hair as kempt as his always carried an excessive deal of weaponry.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcvFYB52T8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5uV8Qono9
"...I don't know how you got up here, but it's obvious that you're a threat. Sorry, I'll have to fight you now."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqMbcrhZtu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIqY7LWqOH
The man fiercely unzipped his coat and reached both his hands inside, taking out a duel set of–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7EJCFIsG8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7c5IOTDm3
"Crossbows!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9yI9QVpVJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPVOIaNe2f
Rover's heart sank, but only for a moment. The crossbows weren't big or imposing, and Rover couldn't begin to fathom how he would reload them, meaning that handling them was clunky. It wasn't so different from fighting a mage. At least, it shouldn't have been.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshTG3EXM7Z
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbLPabHUl0
But Rover saw two pillars– or, what could be better described as chimneys –attached to the ends of the crossbow, creeping from the depths of his coat. The man fired them, and Rover evaded them easily, but then another couplet followed, and then another, and another, and another–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr9ceOebh5
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VSIDoJhVw
"Ngh! How!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8KW9ys4C1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwgKemYnjb
She flipped a desk over and used it as a shield, blocking the maelstrom of arrows to little effect. Their momentum was stopped, but the arrowheads happily pierced through the several inches of thick wood, stopping just short of hitting her face. Unfortunately, the cumulative force of the arrows ruptured the table, splitting it in two and forcing Rover to roll away to grab a new one. She went through two more desks before the flurry of arrows ceased. Cold sweat ran down her spine, but with the quantity of her sweat, it would be more accurate to call it a river.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrOU2R5Mjm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnmtKS7Kmf
Rover peered over the desk. The man clicked his tongue and put his crossbows back inside his coat, and Rover exhaled in relief. The man dug through his coat and pulled out a large, serrated knife.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKUzd3c3O0
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFtpzUqxgW
"I'm a fool, using my crossbows in a place like this where you can simply block them. Arrows don't come cheap."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWt4Z05Oi9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4Lf1IOJSl
"What are you talking to me for? Are we going to fight or not?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxhJoI7ddu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO92eq0GuW3
"You ought to know the answer by now."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsulqYxlrXy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVdiTG0CPh
The man entered into a restrained fighting stance, taunting Rover by jerking his fingers and telling her to bring it. Rover was more than happy to oblige.
As she ran to the man, bursting through glass walls, she grabbed her parrying dagger and raised it. The man backed away and hopped onto a desk, kicking a chair at Rover. She blocked it with her arms and shoved it aside.
"--Huh?"
The chair had blocked her vision for barely over a second, and yet, the man had disappeared from her view. She frantically looked around the floor but found nobody, likely meaning–
"You're hiding behind a table again!"
With how little time had passed, the man must have been hiding by the desk he stood on. Rover rushed to the desk and kicked it and nearby ones over. Indeed, Rover had found the man, but she also found a ball of water hovering right in front of his palm.
Rover's instincts kicked in and forced her to duck, allowing her to get by with just a few grazed strands of hair. But the man didn't let up, rushing at her with his knife in both hands. Rover backed away from the first thrust, but the man caught up quickly and thrust at her again, forcing Rover to parry it with her dagger.
She'd typically be thrilled about such a situation, as having the opponent's weapon interlocked with her dagger made their movement cumbersome. But his weapon was light and smaller than hers. Rover realized it too late, and thus, the man was able to easily deliver a kick to her abdomen, knocking her away.
She didn't go far, and though the kick hurt, it granted her beneficial information.
"Ack," the man shouted, shaking his foot like he'd stubbed his toe, "that was through a shoe, too! Are you made of iron?"
She smirked. Rover now knew her physical strength was superior to his.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu4cgVC5Ps
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJImsZpl3u
"Before we keep going," she started, "what is your name?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJQONN9MjZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jcEN78I0x
"Hmm? What's this, are you trying to duel me?"
"What else would I be doing!?"
The man lowered his knife for a moment, tapping his chin–
"I decline."
And dashing towards Rover yet again. The split second of rage Rover felt from his response was enough to stun her and allow the man to close the distance. He thrust his knife at her repeatedly, then switched to slashing, the first of which Rover quickly blocked with her rapier. She reacted faster than the man and delivered a kick from the side, but her foot didn't meet with the man's body. Rover looked down and saw the man's free hand open, and a tiny yet dense mass of stone was in between that and her foot.
"Tch!"
She dashed away, shaking her head and clearing her mind, then took the offensive. She poked her rapier at the man, able to stay at a distance where his knife couldn't reach her. The man kept backing away and dodging her thrusts until he collided with a table. Rover smirked, reeling her arm back and stabbing the rapier into the man's leg– but it failed. Instead, the man perfectly blocked the oncoming strike with the flat side of the knife. Rover's eyes widened, the brief moment of disbelief weakening the force she was applying, and allowing to shove her rapier aside. Nonplussed, but more so because of her broken stance, a punch to the face and subsequent kick to the stomach sent Rover rolling across the floor. The glass tore her clothes and dug themselves into her lower legs.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKnZ10u7KD
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYvAh5jDA2
"Hrk! Ahh, this sucks!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifKa7zhdax
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QWCFUixhP
The prickling pain of dozens of miniature shards lodged into her skin was as oppressive as it was unique. Rover struggled to grit her teeth through it, and more than that, struggled to keep her legs standing straight.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwDzuziF4i
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvpIHj21Sd
"Phew. Give up now?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzElMam3lbm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tfwTpRGna
"'Course not, just thinking."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aotP7qmwr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH2SJjhUIa
Her rapier was an effective but exploitable tool. She also lost a substantial amount of mobility, and now blood was slowly leaking from her body. The one time she utilized her dagger only led to a counterattack, but that instance was a defensive use.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iyCZ1U4Jv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMgZzsAWyn
The man didn't let her analyze the situation unperturbed. He broke into a sprint, yet again clutching his knife in both hands. But Rover had already sheathed her rapier brandished her dagger, and challenged the man's rush.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VrBytaPVt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP0OufGdRh
The surprise on his face was evident, and he skidded to a stop. Rover weakly slashed at him and the man backed away. She caught the hem of his coat but missed his body. The man didn't rush in again, instead, continuing to back off. He freed one of his hands and began mana expulsion.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO6FgbuQpl
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmvfM2A6M8
"--Shit!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx1IiE1JkP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbUNO791DE
Rover realized how precarious the situation had become. After all, if the very thing locomoting her had been impeded, then evasion became a mountainous task.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdQpzXbVta
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54QVesWHcr
The man must have had a similar epiphany.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgRAFlUZxj
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwcmIP3LTK
It was a blade of wind this time. It was speedy, but Rover could tell that its strength was far less than the water spell from before. Instead of dodging it, she grabbed her rapier, still in its scabbard, and blocked the spell.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31m7SBtShm
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B6vDpzLhS
"--Huh?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbZCdtbi5y
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGFkPViI3J
Rover was surprised by her move's effectiveness. Or, rather, she was surprised by how weak the spell was. Then, she lowered the scabbard and looked at the man again, who was preparing a far more voluminous spell.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14wt386VvL
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1b4nCxsb5
Before she could even react, she was sent flying.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr70ktrCMyT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGdfCbS5B6
The spell itself didn't hurt her, but the distance she was flung was simply absurd. She flew across the entire floor, only stopping when making contact with the wall. She slid down, rubbing her back when she met with the floor.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR0tsCiY8C
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YLOgVBccZ
"Ngh..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK80YC3BNlJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rPoV9JkeE
She got on her feet, using the scabbard to help her rise. Her breathing was heavy, and her vision was becoming hazy.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchBONMgCg3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03tLXj45ac
"This just... isn't my day, damn it."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHN3bXCJet
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69gCOQlUeG
"--Rover!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6iu2vt2FE
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEXAWHoMic
And then, she was taken out of her exhaustion, if only for a moment. A familiar voice, yet one that should not be here, called out to her. She turned her head to the person with the voice and saw a red-haired boy with a white coat peeking out of the floor's entrance.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUM6GgTcnM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweUS1VgmrV
"K-Kenny!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWAlvzrFM3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuKBTUDZql
"Rover– goodness, what the hell happened here!? Actually, nevermind that, listen, you–"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iO9BoFSYG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsbk6IqIOR
"Sorry, Kenny, I'm in the middle of something here."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2vTwwaOuG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNZJCPVQQt
She straightened her posture and rubbed the saliva off her chin, limping to continue her fight.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgYN3VJ69m
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaJMUfCmrP
"What are you doing!? Look at yourself, you're in no state to fight!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OUui9zJOv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1OOntouJx
She turned her head to him, conflicted.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGNDsfxqim
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFwjFunFKn
"I... So what, I don't need your help! I've got it under control, it's fine."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7rtuCjd6t
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOfC0xXZ1G
Kenny grimaced and pinched his nose. Then, the door opened again, and out from the threshold walked a white-haired woman in a robe.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFyJ24B5jD
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwPXtJColv
"W-who's that," she asked, confusion momentarily overtaking her burning drive.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlKDLk42p1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dnIJJvWjX
"Ah, you must be Kenny's friend. We can introduce ourselves later. Please, stand aside for the time being."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSEwHiVal3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0RQDREEJs
"H-Huh?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwQudQUFcC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZJg4ia3l7
The woman walked with a bold gait, brushing past Rover without even sparing a glance. Kenny ran up to her, gnawing at his finger as he looked over her wounds.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jhTvqA1yi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF5Y0uMUuo
"You... you are so reckless!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jd7lCIuhD
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUqdakzqkF
Then, the boy raised his voice, stunning her.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB6XEJG83b
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNq4uZTRHQ
"Why is fighting the first thing you do, huh!? Can't you use that head of yours for something else!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlDdXWjRrT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL2lOqpw4h
His words, to her surprise, slashed at her egregiously.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK7MdvSiE7
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjWi3PTmU5
"...T-The hell are you talking about!? What else was I supposed to do!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAN6urhFEA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilUM3cswKx
"Didn't you think of waiting, or running back to me or something!? I could have shown him that note! Or, if nothing else, we could have fought together!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj8PqwNrxI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4kCFlvbH7
"--!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVDie2Q30e
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91t3naJHJ9
His words had left her paralyzed and her mouth agape. Kenny's expression was suddenly tainted by guilt. He exhaled and rubbed his head.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl24Z0KZpCW
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGEQbtOxkH
"Sorry, I'm just a little angry right now. But, I'm glad that you're fine. Relatively speaking."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQL4CBDDb8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfNSWQFPRZ
"I... hmph, of course I'm fine!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0yT1N84lt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77TS6BpqqX
A light smile found itself on his face.
"We'll talk later. For now, let's defuse the situation."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR0WjCQQOw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6YOmabmQT
Kenny walked past her but stopped just short of passing her to speak.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjyTiIckF9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvxUQAsbU3
"S-Seriously, though. You have no idea how glad I am that you're still alive. I don't know if I could've handled it."
"...Handled it? What do you mean?"
Kenny blinked a few times and shook his head.
"N-Nevermind, I said something weird, ignore that."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPB8oeVZQr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOchVl2ERT
Rover turned around, eyeing the two new figures in the room. Kenny was behind the mysterious woman with his tendril out and a bellicose stance. The woman had a peculiar two-pronged dagger. Rover found it strange; she knew that they would be trying to talk the situation out, but they were poised to battle at any moment.
"Pars," the woman spoke, "I'll keep it quick. These two are here to deliver a letter issued by the Zariel Kingdom itself. I know you're a stuck-up guy, but please, don't force me to fight alongside them."
"..."
The man didn't immediately respond, but his posture did loosen.
"Stuck-up? Really? What'd I do to get on your bad side?"
"Oh, come on, you know your sins."
The man sighed.
"Is there a reason I should believe them?"
"Why, yes, there is."
Kenny took it as a cue and reached for his pocket, unfolding and showing the note. The man nodded, opened his coat, and placed the knife in.
"That better be authentic. Not like it matters though. It isn't as if I'd win a fight against you Lola."
–
–
–
I had a lingering anxiety during the exchange. After all, Lola had told me that Pars was an obstinate individual. I was left doubting her assessment. Judging by the look on her face, even she was reconsidering it.
Still, though, a victory was a victory, and it deserved some kind of celebration. I spent mine dropping to the floor, narrowly avoiding the sea of glass and panting as the delayed exhaustion set in.
"Phew... that was nightmarish."
I retracted the tendril and wiped the sweat off my brow. A little this sounded beside me, and I turned to find that Rover had joined in my rest.
"You don't look happy," I said.
"Hmph. I've got a sour taste in my mouth. I dunno how to feel about this."
"Well, be glad you're still kicking, and dread the scolding I'll be dishing to you."
"You already gave me a good one, there's no need to waste your energy."
Then, Rover began to pick the glass out of her legs. It was obvious from her wincing that the process hurt. I didn't have a potion on me, but I did have something to soothe her. I took out the tendril and summoned a Soothe-Bloom. Rover looked at it quizzically.
"...So that's the tendril you were talking about."
"Hmm? Did I not show it to you?"
"No! Don't you remember how much of a priss you were about it!? Eh, forget it, what does that flower do?"
"Just watch. Or, listen, I suppose."
The Soothe-Bloom shook, and a gentle chime rang throughout the room. It was a single and quick occurrence, and it left Rover only more perplexed.
"Alright, try picking the glass now."
"Okay."
Much to her nature, she tugged the largest one she could find, her mouth agape at the speed at which the wound was closing.
"W-Woah, it barely hurts. Is this some kind of black magic?"
"Black magic!? Don't insult my plants like that!"
She paid little heed to my demand, continuing to pluck the glass out of her legs. She finished a few minutes later. I offered to wash her legs with water magic, which she accepted when I insisted. Afterward, she got on her feet. Her leg was still injured, but the bleeding had stopped thanks to the Soothe-Bloom.
"I feel... kinda tired, though."
"You just fought somebody and had your wounds speed-healed. I'm surprised you didn't fall asleep."
"Huh? That flower knocks people out?"
"No. Not directly, at least. Anyway, enough of that."
I got up, swiped the debris off my shorts, and walked to Lola and Pars, moving around all the toppled furniture. The two of them were talking about something, but from the little bit I caught, I couldn't distinguish what.
"Hello, kid," Pars started, "Kenny, right? Look, I don't want you to get the wrong idea from Lola here. I'm a decent guy, just a hard worker. She likes to ignore that part, though, which–"
"I do not care about that. I just wanted to know if you two were ready to lead us to the Dean."
Lola let out a chuckle and Pars, a tired sigh. Lola took the initiative in the conversation.
"Don't mind him, he's still young. Whenever your friend is ready, we'll gladly lead you."
I turned my head behind me and looked at Rover. I threw her an oscillating thumb, asking her for an assessment of her condition. She smiled and returned a stern thumbs-up.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkhKJwbucb
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G4cAuIMKA
"Looks like we're ready. If you don't mind, though, could you please get her some bandages?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7KDFpWS4B
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzbrkFba8o
–
–
–179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZCYnZ5CNM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKufgXKrcr
Rover and I were at the final stretch. We were walking through the floors of the building like it was a morning stroll, all thanks to our guides. Truly, if it weren't for them, we would have gotten hopelessly lost.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHhMeP6tBV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAFtysoFz8
According to Pars, the interior of the Pillars was designed to disorient those unfamiliar with it. Rover spoke from her experience and confirmed that the design worked. The Pillars were perfectly defended from the outside, but hiring someone to infuse their mana for every square inch of the building was an impossible proposition. So, instead, the builders were ordered to make each floor– with the first being a notable exception –like a maze. The walls were also stuffed with foam, which explained how I didn't catch any noise from Rover's fight until I reached the stairs.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJiU5nMyhz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CbuZFohsD
Speaking of Rover, she was glum, moody, and seemingly deep in rumination. I thought that it had something to do with her pride since she scratched at her bandages very frequently, but it turned out that they were just made of shoddy fabric that normally irritated skin. I realized that I was overthinking and that it would be best to just ask her, but I hesitated to do it. The mood was gloomy, however. If nothing else, I could claim I was just trying to liven the place up.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru6ASTtMxo
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwBEVqldaV
"So... Rover, what's on your mind?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMy3463C0B
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8ci4UOvP2
"I'm thinking about what you said. Don't talk to me right now."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6HgWji39I
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR9ncSPJlw
"O-Oh. Carry on, then."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBBs1rsRyu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVobNSkWKxA
I was shot down quickly and was left feeling sheepish. Somehow, hearing that she was thinking over my words was foreboding. It scared me into being silent, but I still wanted to talk about something, since simply talking and walking through these floors was nerve-wracking.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWeZddXqXb
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuL4QHmVGg
So, I decided that now was a better time than ever to ask a question that had been plaguing me for hours.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCzIVZNEv8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTekXwI0Z9
"Hey, Lola, do you mind if I ask that question I was talking about?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEarjwSgZv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHPc9HA0Xd
"Hmm? What are you referring to?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6GDzduf6R
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp4QYESUxD
"...Nevermind. Can I ask you a question?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYPIUkQmg1
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3rGSaEWQb
"Of course."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVV4Xtw8Wf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSj0nFY0hj
"Hey," Pars interrupted, "Why don't you ask me that question? Come on, give me a try."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOP9C4s9EW
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnhOeOh6xm
I blinked a few times, failing to see any reason why not.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoR4gsHJ5H
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhTuBnWOfY
"Very well. What is going on to make the security so tight?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u4AKaLsm5
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U2YXgUr50
"..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhqUdVHOov
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMOkmKlHAJ
I was met with silence. Lola and Pars exchanged looks, Pars' expression grim.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhrVpopqwx
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsoAp8zEKR
"Since they are delivering to the Dean, why don't we–"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLouO9htMfk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTNeb3nabD
"No. We have been explicitly told not to share. I won't make any exceptions."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN14DSNwA4j
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOFNiFFtjf
Lola frowned and let out a tired sigh, rubbing her brow.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5brsOz69Ak
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNbfdb5Fa1
"If you can't answer, that's fine. It would ease my anxiety if you did, though."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvyuzz3PdK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4XE7Isqoe
"Then I suppose I have no choice."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EDUh6Rc2T
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPDJu7dFLU
"Lola! Are you kidding me!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwIeM6bmZ9
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgZY3oVnVT
Pars glared at Lola, his hazel eyes lit aflame.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1NwQGoNX2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vEVEN0kGT
"What? They aren't citizens anyhow, they're unlikely to spread the information."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfMw7TPhla
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kJWjHPtmL
"That's beside the point! We were told not to tell them!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90eOKQFD5r
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VbNgO4Fav
"You are such a priss, Pars."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI5zgMXl7V
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu0T0KA6dU
I perked up, hearing that word from someone that wasn't Rover. It was ultimately a coincidence, so I just kept listening.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj8ivctXZS
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIlnwU7MKl
"Hurl your insults, but we can't tell them anything. Even if it wasn't demanded, what if they told everyone in Zariel Capitol, hmm?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoSNwrkMCi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DTxW2VC4i
"That won't happen, and I know you know that."
"Yeah yeah. But it might."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuuR0kR9fR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rjDvwVmlY
Though I didn't see her face, I could by the movement of her head that Lola rolled her eyes.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaRV9FHFzI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pxyyltVuS
"I'm going to tell them."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUokI8xPZbX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBuEy9jniG
"Don't you do it."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFML3gdumhw
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4HTDZJRJd
"Listen up, Kenny. The reason for the increase in security–"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u5QKg5eD8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoln6vmIgZs
"Lola, I'm for real about this."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6X8jY1bwo
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tUSQGenKi
"--is because of a series of assassinations."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDfwNSJg5l
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS3rPVuQiQ
Pars let out an exhausted, lengthy groan. Lola leaned in beside my ear, not giving me a chance to digest the information.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhXfWYgJnK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptrsRqLXiO
"Pars is a pushover, too. Watch, he won't do a thing."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEEd3IhEO8
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHySH6Qfl1
"...Well, cat's out of the bag, so I might as well elaborate. Don't want the kid thinking I'm all fussy too."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoh89pEKjx
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJC0woVtak
Lola's eyes widened. An overwhelming quantity of thoughts were swerving in my mind, but at the very least, I could be sure to never trust Lola's assessments of people's character.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP2okgepyM
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kgL8rPe3q
"Lola told the truth. There was a series of assassinations just a week ago that happened right under our noses. Assassinations are naturally a cause for concern, but the people who were assassinated are why security is so tight right now."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRqiQGXy4x
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgcb4gUQYz
"Uh, well, who got killed?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pKictI786
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFnPxALyii
"Three of the four Sherrifs, and three of the eight Officers. Some of the strongest defenders the city has to offer, and half of them were killed. Some of them were my friends, too."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5mrXnFBDt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvYPzU9MfZ
His voice became sullen. I was about to comfort him, but he continued speaking before I could.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj9JfJOd2v
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWFEAImx0r
"I'm an Officer, and Lola here is a Sherrif. Since we're prime targets, we've been living in this Pillar for the past few days, having the Head Guards on watch duty. The other pillars are in a similar situation. Let me tell you, this place sucks to crash in."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOmHSHyACg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkMUSreuZz
"I-I see."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtDLUJqmxJ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwob4zS7Egp
The explanation put everyone's behavior into perspective. Frankly, it made me surprised that they believed me and Rover so readily, even with the letter. I felt lucky.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZGPQ7m2yR
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaCXtIoCK5
"The worst part is that we don't have any suspects, let alone culprits," Lola spoke, "It's been nothing but hassle and heartbreak."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeKpuDQZ35
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlnH9KkV39
"...You have my condolences."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTkldtcxdh
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdhATT7Zd2
"Thank you, Kenny. You're sweet."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OsDKS5PWG
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gR39mTcCl
"Mmm."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTzGFpSvG7
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46GTOxuF1O
I suddenly began to admonish myself for the previous frustrations I had about this mission. I cleaned my slate and loosened my muscles.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XGsd2jHLN
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MU4s97QaH
"Alright, we've made it.'
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrshVXPVFv
And then, we stood before a set of double doors. Not particularly grand, but certainly not shabby. There was a plaque above it with "Dean's Office" written in bold.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gATJCHSib
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMTiQBVjEp
"I'll ease us in," Pars said, "It's time to utilize my expert charisma."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYEeXq8x9S
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobEcQSLBPH
"You need to stop talking," Lola replied in a deadpan while Pars flung the doors open. Lola walked into the room. Rover and I followed, but I stopped right beside Pars while Rover went ahead. It looked like he was on the brink of tears, but erased the look once he noticed I was looking at him.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZDsVDle7B
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9aV01OEvf
"Hey, Kenny. Do you think I'm unfunny?" He asked, pointing a finger at his chest.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKFQLyyI65
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCeGnyUcNz
"...Well, you haven't made me laugh."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOMyAtNYCy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoonEm9Q5wp
"Come on, kid. I can't even get a 'yet?'"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjQnBClraX
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dZ4nP2HMf
I shook my head and walked away from him, rejoining with the others. They were standing before a lengthy and opulent desk. An older man flipping through documents and stacks of paper stopped his activities to look up at us, raising an eyebrow.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FUCx50jCi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtPvkPCTs7
"Sherrif Nico, you bring along unfamiliar faces. I assume that they are here for good reason?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuik86DMsZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD8v5bdWeD
"Of course, sir. Here, you two, give him what you must."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA21lcQWSEv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L0PeKimIF
She signaled me and Rover to pull out our cargo, and we obliged. I grabbed the package from Rover's hands and delivered it with the note on top, placing it on the Dean's desk.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu7oUzi5LT
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhQiV5XO0l
"..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXjbnSzawb
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NTr4b77D1
He looked at me as if he was expecting something. I realized that he likely wanted elaboration.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHGBpDKPDu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMoOJlRujn
"U-Uhm, we're here on official business, sent by the Zariel Kingdom. All necessary information should be listed in the note, and–"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzKudll4DF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVCr7SXJSC
"I see, thank you. I'll see to the letter being delivered."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy39qK8vU2N
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZCIDvuqRB
The man took the package and placed it aside, giving me a novel smile.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5186pgiG2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0JX7aFdvd
"You two are free to go. Sheriff Nico, Officer Abbas, please escort them back."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB8f8xI52u
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17hrMtF0SH
I looked back at Rover, who was brimming with a giant smile. I couldn't help but copy it. I walked up to her and held my palm up, and she slapped it powerfully.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjCb9uTkxY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgk8wd2UP2
"Nice," she shouted, "Good job," I yelled. We weren't quite in sync, but our points crossed over.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3uslycIEZ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdywdmtpNQ
We had completed the mission.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wQh1xVyzY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJQhfCbkWw
–
–
–
The trek back was quiet but laden with good spirits. Rover and I commemorated our job well done with silent exchanges of looks and gesticulations. We separated with Pars and Lola once we reached the first floor, and Rover and I practically sprinted to the exit.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZCXFQEhlf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W7ygQOVjn
When we got out, we were blasted by fresh air and a breath-taking sunset. It was so invigorating that I didn't even pant from the running. Truly, it was the best of times.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6vUCg1DuP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreKCvwtHoR
"One last high-five, Kenny!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaIALxzrmv
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZhTu5nhWz
"Alright alright, geez."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJTjB52BNn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QYU3yQyNA
Despite my tone, I reciprocated the gesture with a smile.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbCjcHmOEi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX01rg13GMM
"I can't wait to see Juke's face," Rover continued, "He's gonna look like a such a dolt."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KCbmmWf57
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsuZ3JNN23
"I'm just glad that we're done. Let's meet up with him and leave this place."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4rGY8fVlP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkdtUhsylf
Nodding along to my suggestion, Rover and I began to exit the premises of the Pillar. Mason wasn't here, and neither was anyone by the fence, but that didn't deter the start of our footslog. We passed through the tiny gated entrance and traversed the streets. Surprisingly, the hustle and bustle I've grown accustomed to was absent, but I was in such a good mood that I didn't bother to think about it.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdcyrt5Yzf
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpG8xGonSL
"...This is quite convenient. I feel like I'm flying, and nobody's here to block me."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3fM6hAxPs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ5iPsW26i
"Huh? What are you talking about?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gKzxndyBr
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDFkI4OlEo
"I'm talking about the crowd, or the lack thereof I suppose. It's nice, being able to travel here with some peace and quiet."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lk7dq9VHO
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAipsjkmGix
She looked conflicted about my statement.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtKENA9Rkn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxFb2ioWck
"I dunno, it just feels creepy to me, but I can see where you're coming from."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmN4YUGPLQ
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3V185wcIz
"Our dispositions are just too different. It's not much of an issue."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPsvJTyUJg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVrNEG52Us
"Dispositions...? What?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgSTvtjh9c
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIQVlcQCsQ
"Uh... our natures, basically."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9UQ3L1TQb
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9Q2g60mqg
"Ah, why didn't you just say that then!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ca0AfywSg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNDdNIqigN
I answered her with a shrug, which elicited a stern huff out of her. We walked in silence afterward, giving me a chance to mull over her words.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGYaL0inqu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA3HjEvU25
I could understand why she would think it was creepy, especially considering how busy it was not too long ago. But at the same time, it was the evening, so it made sense.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDPHaGDwbI
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ug297HnHU
But, as I briefly looked into the passing alleyways, failing to spot a single soul, I wondered if the time of day was the whole picture.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtV7k3w7lt
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NLL1yj0v1
"Hey, Kenny, I think I made up my mind."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6y23FSUfs
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUwtaTMe0t
She pulled me out of my rumination.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn56ou6b2r2
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr2Q0QmV1J
"About what?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZl9ndcqhe
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDdW1gO67G
"About what you said."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2j0PA3Oow
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOde3mgelq0
A speck of dread entered my body, but I kept my ears open all the same.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OK0hgMyTy
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVfEkzOk9w
"Well, what is it?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrboG5gq6t
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeBeTma1Vq
"See, when you said that thing about fighting the guy together, that stumped me. I already told you that I used to only work alone, so it didn't even cross my mind."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j6L78E2Y3
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdj5DvVltQ
"Right."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7bOmsR6tC
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo761CiaLPF
"So I decided that I'm gonna consider the idea. If I can, then I'll gladly work with people. I just hope that it won't have to be with a priss. If it is, then I'd rather not work with anybody."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ap5ugD3MA
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIawUVngwic
"..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OPmcGxxS7
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTbmoCPl6g
Somehow, I was left disappointed. Certainly, I was glad that she opened her mind to the idea of collaboration, but I was upset that she didn't address any aspect of her recklessness. Her wording struck me as dubious. 'Consider the idea?' Really? I set those thoughts aside, and for this one moment, I let it slide. I didn't want to trample upon either of our moods. Instead, I shot her a thumbs-up with a neutral expression.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3NovJ2dLK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX55flOE9K
"That's great."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wgdTHgj2C
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB2GxndRLI
She thumped her chest proudly. And so, we returned to silently roaming the streets, moseying down to our inn–
"Kenny."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBVQ4HcCQK
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3J271tOI3
"Uh, what's the matter?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyy4ZgMX6U
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMpgyCSceW
Rover suddenly stopped moving and called my name. Her face was grave. It made my hair stand at its end.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNeKaiBbGi
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ3PKOLuKM
"Don't you hear that?" She asked, curling her palm around the back of her ear. I copied the gesture, but still, the silent street remained the same.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ6g7xfiDg
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35VqpronBr
"I can't say that I do."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFUSb5mNIk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vxB1fwccq
Her face morphed into one of irritation. She suddenly clasped my arm and began to drag me away.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6crAvaOwo
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIaL0OuMzJ
"W-Woah, what are you doing!?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtPPzGngEk
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEHqoOMtrs
"Just trust me here!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzyjHW2tye
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg185AOmwrD
Her sentence, mixed with a pleading one with gravity, shut me up. She let go of her grip, but I followed her to wherever it was that she was taking me. We diverted from the main street, weaving between alleyways and even climbing walls. And, as I progressed further and further into the depths of the city, I began to hear a noise.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnANqmOgae
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JPXf0TTYF
It sounded like chatter.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFiP0UR276
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeEe06BlA4
Tens of minutes passed by the time we finished. Rover stopped by the edge of an alley, motioning me to do the same. I peeked around the corner and laid eyes upon a plaza brimming with people. The sheer number was overwhelming, likely in the hundreds– no, even in the thousands. I couldn't make an accurate assessment, so I gave up on it, instead focusing on the surroundings. I noticed that the crowed had gathered around a stage. The stage had dozens of figures in robes.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZsT7HhBts
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvHsfimW51
"Kenny, wait here."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ7Xs5EnLV
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMFUcSHIh4
"Huh? Why?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGE3Z4UYvz
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2n4kG6wlH
She didn't respond. Instead, she crept out of the alley and took a left turn. I heard a thud, and a minute later, she returned with an unconscious body locked between her elbows.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7s90gVtkP
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrZHuSmeyK
"W-Wha–"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88WvmnMl0c
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrAxHFHCzH
"Shhh! Shut up!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pgHOBm6cF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjZE5nX6RS
I wanted to protest, but the appearance of the robe caught my eye. It was lengthy fitted with a hood. But, most of all, I noticed its distinct dark blue color. Rather, it was a distinct color until I laid my eyes on it at that moment.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kOiSmuMvY
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ni2fIIwrO
"This is..."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ihwLVTNqu
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeohDlQZ0vO
"Something fishy is going on here."179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx04ql86x6m
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yLjeYnXR4
I couldn't voice the connection I made, but my mind still thought it, and it horrified me. It paralyzed me and left me standing there like a fool. Rover paid no heed to it. She likely thought that I was spectating the ceremony, much like herself. I couldn't call her assessment inaccurate.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvxXs2xvlW
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf95tayH1i
Two halves of my brain worked separately. One focused on the robe, the other, on the stage. A woman in baggy clothing walked up to the podium, the crowd quieted down.179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSoLnPODeF
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwva8obD69
"Alright, can you all hear me?"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lQgX6lN6Z
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2EO1BiHk6
I noticed that around her baggy clothing, she wore the same robe. No, it wasn't the same robe as this random man, but the one robe that I truly had seen before, the one robe that I associated with an entirely different person. It was the robe–
"I don't want to waste my time, so I'll keep it brief. I am Hard-Bringer's Harbinger of Rage, and we're seizing this city!"179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtIzJYcrqn
179Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EuLxFXnHS
It was the same robe that Ng wore.
