I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqwrAvb5dB
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWZvtvCbQ1
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvBfM89wtv
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdHdNlBcS6
"How?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyf76hj1e1
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYKeSKTa1b
I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH69mBFD6y
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd959PRuM6
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYTst66IyH
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IVdjdESQw
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3D0C87MUh
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaurYa8Jl6
Pars turned to answer Juke.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iA7mF8NtC
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfUZoZ98if
"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11S1cdFk99
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrLQ82PTIs
"That so, eh?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN4pDw6mr3
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCBbecLtqb
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WnsK6wK6J
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfrplmeaA9
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp6m46pp2z
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArO5ZgT2jB
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XHb5im3UT
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvcJJnUkI5
"Hey Becker, how's the–"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1gfhjFkqi
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgteePpm8oJ
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiICsYpaJf
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd6khtDl84
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB995RVjk8
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpafbqz0nR
"Are you a kid?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMSDhSY2n7
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu5UggnaZA
"H-Huh!?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9u3f0eKxT
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX1ncdUCLG
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFoxB6v0zv
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPgh9xNk7P
"I said, are you a kid?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDSA3aAPRC
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo3Kt6G2gC
"I-I, yes, I am."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEazGjhY0w
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyJ3gIcdhK
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv7KCmLnso
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHyCr7kOTP
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZUc31LB5S
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFsThZ16ig
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRfvcRvPHQ
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXxzXQi5rP
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0L70DG9lt
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDfTV3gZ0N
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKVA8b7x7x
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKyxDUZIjB
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTftb6JzAw9
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgaRwy1sj0
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw72oS9KupM
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfKKoPEyX5
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzULm9n35RN
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVwJdlFlzU
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMNHq4p77o
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCK7C7mR80
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjgkcB5KgQ
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSo7NHmQWn
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO1UeEFGPa
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOnfhxjjtY
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoClb0PpZMf
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwtUDYxnB6
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ6EjevMZO
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJoVXirASk
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcesrEuCegP
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpkAZ2wWjS
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8OeFg3yh8
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5Q358lwzD
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidyuABCkyh
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiujiOT8rVQ
"W-What?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfck2ZHo7pi
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSfGnMJLck
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrtpmsTTHc
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpVd31PZzb
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho0GeC70Ci
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYkNwEqPY1
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJPZMNybZk
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQEzFpAjwD
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2oaE1bq7p
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5wMMo7ZjK
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDKcxQCSpm
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EYPvaaIHz
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBUv21T51F
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxftujN382d
"I'd never."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qfwvp7Gou
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4MRS207PA
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXspAYaTF6
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcNLMg4NtU
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaa0SglxWQg
I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPWmnjJfzX
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8zqbuo7vX
"..."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2SMIZDLOq
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY404jRLYm
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uaaVXKpHV
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7ANhHkZGN
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3AmIYF4VS
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHhoxUs3xi
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW27OdJdMf7
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxDKJIIf5r
She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrLoRoHcvb
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LggAwE7sk
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAjwiavTfc
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzqzZy6Qg8
"What did you want to tell me?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppNQxyFLMT
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNF6yLOLj2
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRrxtcnDmL
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkvYGJNroh
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNTQ2FfUtp
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lf13fy5Qf
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe4klAkb6s
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEfvnhf060
"S-Sure. What is it?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5E5KF9jnu
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDOA77YpT3
"Do you like fighting?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPpx2u9Il0
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp6Sfnwhh9
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zViHHuxT5
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmREtApCOKJ
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsrg5koP1L
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OHhJqm0Y2
"Then, why do you do it?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wNnBmzcdo
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzThV359egB
"..."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwrg36Tixl
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAx7iPJqCs
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC0UKvM2Zu
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdkqQR951N
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWtyrUElRc
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTfk9USJXf
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNqmwfRMzM
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8YoCyGSK0
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHGm5gPido
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyRV65lIPh
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhZ6uaXREA
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEChGtWaANC
"..."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rdzbbiekx
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wqyMpTMyn
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI4QE7FsnX
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5EXJh1Kxf
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4Zgj8j7ym
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSilCPOrc4e
"...W-Whaa?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnIaJyoMLZ
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cKubAwWV3
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PF4ay4blr
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ963mS1Tl2q
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBweNwnd9zu
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETKV55Y8Kq
"It's... it's okay."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRq56shVQd
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpT0PgPY4n
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RnC2nm4tu
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLsLVGIszp
"..."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByQgBwhrxq
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bDjTQqSrS
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91tpJqVncF
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaeSyI34cw
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFJaZg6D5s
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHXVREXXzV
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3N3rVeapq
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6z6M15RIZ
"...Y-Yes."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhXLeVJNd8
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6GUYU3OE3
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0VfDpUYaB
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5emADjgfIu
"I see. I see now."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn6UzCiaKZ
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJoAX6pkit
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCkVOEDzXq
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dBLEyz5Pg
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2DjFMDR4M
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDu54XFCIU
"Like, um, like what?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WnOHVxhbU
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfqgl5BAab
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCWaNPsLdA
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3quQTdLdZ
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4rcTEc1YQ
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT6H98an4L
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORuhEiWF13
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z6klQ4FSq
She paused to scratch her head.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDKeYoDm0p
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAcpU5fnwA
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LSKt2QVEI
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6OMJFod1W
"I... I, I'm not–"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY09SDa0Gl0
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOia0bxtxC
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiYaXqUs14
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9latt8r5eE
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVme8EIuyua
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIZaWAAHeG
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqqF22HSvx
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Pueh7XEG6
"On the right?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgI3AL6dm7
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv7EQRVTFy
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEeyMrYYDT
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6qlTuJUCk
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwBygovmRG
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv3oPzCNt5
"..."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QoFlm4eCg
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpDgUIcQUK
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAV0qX3TE1
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZBu8aQj7r
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjogmG21dQ
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AQENrhyLY
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9Ox1vGzvK
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24nqzQPwYm
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJlt0v1Fm6
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFgvw4ftX5
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIdvtbYslq
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi3JoQatis
"...Maybe."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWofzuCyJT
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjFGC0wObD
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfuqcYe5Th
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsDZdTdcmY
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
