Our exploration of Zariel City continued. Up to this point, the locations we visited didn't reach the exciting highs of the combatant's guild. That would change with the next stop.
Flinty and I were approaching a distinct segment of the city. According to her, it was one of the few areas with genuine greenery and authentic plant growth. I immediately had my suspicions, but this is Flinty, she'd never lie.
The only issue was that, due to the unique nature of the section, only authorized people would be allowed to enter.
"...So that's why, unless you kids have an ID or an appointment, I cannot let you enter the Green Zone!"
A lone guard with a spear was standing in front of a small portcullis. I could see through the holes that there was grass and trees in that zone. I looked at Flinty. She had her cheeks puffed and she looked like she was holding back tears.
"Guess this is a no-go, Flinty."
"...I really wanted to show you."
"It's alright. I grew up in a place with a bunch of grass anyway."
That didn't make her any happier. Wow, I suck at this. Despite her looks, she turned her back to the gate and trudged away.
"H-Hey Flinty, it isn't all bad. There's still a lot of other places we can explore."
"I know. Don't worry, I'm not upset."
Any semblance of sadness was removed from her face. Now, she just looked miffed.
"I was hoping that he'd let us in out of pity. The guard is too strong, though."
"That's.... devilish of you. Unexpectedly, too."
She playfully stuck her tongue out.
"I really did want to show you the Green Zone, though."
Flinty sighed. Her enthusiasm made me want to see it, too, so I was also bummed out. But hey, there's always a next time. The sun was likely to set soon anyway.
"..."
I couldn't be happy with "there's always next time," though. This expedition was for Flinty, not me.
"Why don't we sneak in?"
"S-Sneak in!?"
The suggestion appalled her. Actually, she just looked shocked.
"But sneaking in isn't... isn't it wrong?"
Probably.
"Not really. I mean, if it was to do something malicious, then of course it'd be wrong. But we're just trying to look around."
She nodded along to my explanation.
"T-That makes sense... but I don't know."
"If sneaking in bothers you, then forget it. I don't want you to feel guilty."
She had a very mixed look. I'm glad Flinty has a stern moral compass. I'm starting to think I may be a bad influence on her.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6kDhVVcvy
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ924cxjzEad
"W-Well, I really do want to show you the Green Zone, but..."
She was having an intense internal conflict: morality, or looking cool to her friend. If I was able to tell so easily, then I'm definitely a bad influence on her. But right as I was about to open my mouth and tell her that we should give up, she spoke.
"Okay, we can sneak in. I have an idea!"
"You do? Can I hear it?"
She nodded. We walked around a corner into an alleyway to not be seen by the guard.
"I have a friend who lives in the green zone. She might be able to get us in if she tells the guards that we're her guests."
"Will the guard only believe those inside the zone?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53pLoDPNAh
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgQjCHvGKE
She nodded.
"Alright, that sounds like a plan. How will we contact her, though?"
Flinty froze, then nervously laughed. Looks like that plan is out of the window. I thought of a substitute plan while Flinty stared at the ground clenching her head.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI89QWaTuJP
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvtnFRdrSR
"I think if I send a message–"
"That's too slow. I have a better idea."
Despite her dejected face she still listened.
"What if I grow a plant tall enough to push us over the wall?"
Flinty seemed excited at first, but then her face grew contorted.
"But, won't that make us intruding really obvious?"
Ah, crap. Now I was looking dejected. I tried thinking of another idea but that was easier said than done.
So, I suppose in the meantime–
"We'll go with the letter. Do you think it'll be sent in time?"
"We could ask the guard to deliver it. No, that won't happen, will it? Hmm..."
The both of us furiously brainstormed. I was suddenly made aware of my hunger, and thirst, and my general tiredness. Maybe stopping by a restaurant before entering was a good idea?
Right as I was about to suggest that though, I caught something in the corner of my eye. I turned my head to see a woman in a dusty, casual dress with an apron on as she was holding a vase over her head.
"Flinty, look!"
She did look, and I felt like she got the same idea as me. We ran out of the alleyway to the woman.
Time to put my best kid face on.
"U-Uhm, miss?" I said.
"Excuse me, miss?" Flinty said. But, she wasn't putting on puppy eyes like I. Actually, she had no reason to; she's adorable as is.
"A-Ah, what's the matter, children?"
Flinty took the conversation.
"A friend of mine named Vikky invited us to her home, but the guard won't let us pass! Can you please help us?"
The woman looked flustered, but then she furrowed her brows menacingly. Excellent. You did a great job, Flinty.
"Is that so? Follow me then."
The woman took us to the guard and confronted him. Even though the guard explained over and over that we needed written permission, the woman didn't let up. I felt sorry for the guard, but that's what he gets for picking a fight with petty kids.
The guard stared daggers at us, but he let us go anyway. He mumbled something about "idiot adults." I get it. They're great, aren't they?
With that, we were now in the Green Zone. Before us was a cobbled bridge over a creek of water. Over the bridge was a field of grass with houses sprawled around. It was a misfit in a city like this, but it was still a pretty sight.
"Come on, Kenny!"
"Right."
We ran over the cobbled bridge, but before crossing it, I leaned down and stared at the creak. I could seriously see my reflection in it. I looked a lot older than I thought I did.
Buffalo Village didn't have any such creek, just a well. This was an exciting moment for me. A second later, another reflection joined mine: Flinty's.
"I love doing this too," she said. "We don't have any mirrors at home."
"I could've sworn I saw some at the Tea Mage's shop."
"Huh? Where?"
"Probably the greenhouse."
"Probably!?"
I got up and crossed the bridge. Flinty rushed after me.
Honestly, aside from the grass, it was just like the city. The buildings looked like and were spaced the same, and it was just about as busy too. People here wore different clothing though. While those in the main parts of the city wore tight pants, shirts, vests and the like, the people here dressed in the same clothing. The women wore what the lady from earlier was wearing, while the men wore white shirts with a blue vest and brown pants.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVjRmKqBKP
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD27vhtOS8
"So, how do you like it?" Flinty asks.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5krfKsozS
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCNxR3Ny5j
"Their attire reminds me of home. Is there a reason why they all wear the same clothes, though?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSZrVu6gCZ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjmQewm7hO
Flinty shrugged.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0OiGojhCa
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwDg3I2s1F
"Maybe so you can tell that they're from here?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzQOKmNESX
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvFOOjlAvD
That would make sense, but that makes it seem like the people here are being branded. And if that was the case, well...207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxwFoROpbx
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyvpbfwU9u
"I hope it's just a cultural thing."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBucQLoaKs
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEnSJIZtF1
"Why don't we ask them?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8EI7qXT25
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWSHvc1eKH
"Not a bad idea."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTphKrvAhtf
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6J3x7aOEQ
Flinty grabbed my hand again. She told me that we were going to visit her friend Vikky. I thought she just made that name up, but it was apparently a real person. We were walking through the streets– streets wasn't the right word, more like grass paths –and waving to the few who noticed us. Everyone was exceptionally busy doing basic things to survive, like carrying water and cleaning clothes. It was a lot like home, but I wondered why they weren't using any of the technology outside of this section. Was it really to preserve the environment?207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiztc99ylem
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hzIYezws2
My questions were useless since I never asked them out loud, but I'm sure I'd get the chance in a moment. We left the first cluster of buildings and were out in a field again. In the distance were lodgings much bigger than the ordinary house. They were only one story, but in width, they were nearly three times the size. There were fences nearby housing cows, pigs, and goats, and a few dogs were orbiting the fence around them.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdga0SfyB38
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc75yZctJJt
"Wow, is this a farm?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLYqKyT9nf
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcVD5SYuXO
"Yep! There are crops behind the buildings, too. I'll show you."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMub9U2U9Z
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4OTzYqP1F
All in all, we walked for about twenty minutes. Over the farm buildings, I could see the tall wall that shielded the rest of the city. The Green Zone was about a mile long, which shouldn't surprise me. It's just a segment after all.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDOY6u1GUP
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx7prz6IIB
As we approached the farm building, I noticed that one of the guard dogs peering at us. Flinty seemed calm so I didn't think it was an issue. Then the dog started sprinting at us. I don't hate dogs, and usually, I'd welcome such approaches with open arms, but this dog was over half my height.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxMvUpi7X8
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFlVzRggRi
It was a giant. And it was burly, too.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIlCvAMvsO
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"Uh, Flinty?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDXywaMkz1
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaB9YEeXnG
I had my tendril out and pointed at the dog. When Flinty saw the dog, she ran towards him.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxNPrQpvpp
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5mLQ27dYf
"Kenny!"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1KIDVVeTP
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlmDyaaXkh
Ha, I was worrying over nothing. Wait, Kenny?207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAiIZF51O2
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFDzxXBhWH
"That dog's name is Kenny?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAbIY35SMb
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1Yff7B0xZ
Flinty was being barraged with licks and couldn't answer. I sat down and enjoyed the scene. It was really cute.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9zmL4g77g
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn9xaDkhlR
After a minute, the dog calmed down and Flinty was able to sit.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEeaTpCwFB
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dHU2wnkXA
"Y-Yeah, his name is Kenny. He's really nice. You should try petting him."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr4IEa9T0b
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3U5upeaaF
"Okay."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvjWZhmE1j
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUwxVnNOv0
I got up and approached the dog, putting my tendril away. I didn't want him to think I was dangerous or anything. I inched closer and closer, and then I stretched my hand out. I was expecting to be tackled, but the dog started sniffing my palm and licking it.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYKi0WvHg8
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoGu7rpAXR
"H-Hey, that tickles..."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgJOvqwDBh
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaYx4Y0QFG
Aw, who am I kidding? I can't seriously think this creature is dangerous. I move in to hug it and rubbed his sides as I made funny noises. I rubbed my face in his fur. This dog was awesome.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELkAP5C0ro
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOsHh7JOVl
He had a flat face, but I thought it made him look cuter.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTneMl1owf
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkOMTlT4Ty
"You two got off to a good start, didn't you?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOd9p6aA9i
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD51lVzCnB
Huh? That was a voice I didn't recognize. It was the voice of a girl slightly older than us. I couldn't turn to see who it was because my face was still in Kenny's fur.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMOPoDEOVP
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkRpq1SlwP
"Vikky!"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvJVMGBGjP
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtfNvpSplW
Oh, that's who it was. I quickly separate my face from the dog and stared at the two while laying on the floor. Flinty did a triple high-five with both hands with Vikky. She looked to be a few years older than us. She was wearing the same dress as all the other ladies, and she had rose-gold hair and a puffy ponytail.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XxiVwLrQl
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcmGjytIMu
Ah, wait, what am I doing? This is blatantly rude! I quickly got to my feet, brushed the dirt off my clothes, and offered my hand. She was a few inches taller than me. Her eyes were a little thin.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TACAsubQK
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGnHVAm8nY
"Hello, my name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers. It's a pleasure meeting you."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroLbRA0DzR
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60GE8QXGBk
She looked strangely amused.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rp06fxNid
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a6s8z18sv
"Full name? Alright."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOoNbyjvFo
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j1VeIzWrZ
She took my hand, straightened her back, and shook it.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigpU1W8zHC
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg5NYhxSu1
"I'm Victoria Zariel Josslyn, but you may call me Vikky. It's nice meeting you as well. Are you a friend of Flinty's?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH78dlPzASe
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwHKex4XzK
"Yes."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZQr2JI4bN
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ozc1P2zzr
"Then let's get along."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6AYWqi1eB
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUoGyJ0qjY
She was polite. Flinty invited good company.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOG8NwAzw7
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUHiHFDFz0
"V-Vikky, please call him Kenny."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9d1PkYMDo
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5CZi2k3PQ
I'm supposed to be the one who has a say on that. Eh, whatever.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZcgjPs3wc
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PaQ3Tx3yG
"So, Flinty, Kenny, what brings you two to the Green Zone?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccSi5uw1PZ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHTfUz1Jr9
"I wanted to introduce Kenny to the place, and to you too. I'm his guide right now!"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCnrkNtaQG
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU41ASqEF9T
"Ah, exciting. Would you guys like to–"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3Yp9YIRzD
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTr5a7eKhS
All of a sudden, she cut off her sentence, then looked at us nervously.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa1H0PLi08
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbQIdmVi3R
"A-Actually, Flitny, you caught us at a bad time. Maybe later?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpYXdgYjAY
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLgsy5euvz
"What, why?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuomXQfwPf
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF8qvUhLxt
Victoria glanced at the farmhouse and then back at us. She leaned in and began to whisper.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZbM28nDY5
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4T22yukdz
"Well, to be honest, we've been having difficulty with the crops. It's been like this for a few weeks now. We thought it was just pests at first but..."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qbZfKi1aG
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTYl6TVWwu
Then she pointed to a place behind her. It was a forest, and from a distance, it looked dense. I was shocked that I didn't notice it until now.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmJs3G1cgl
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoj6HZ3BBA
"We discovered that a beast from the Green Zone Forest was attacking our crops. It probably isn't anything too dangerous, but you can never be too sure, y'know? We asked a friend of ours to get some mercenaries here, or at least some knights."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNpAv2FgDD
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpw433U9CZ
So that was what the lady from before was doing.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBQRbXLohi
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhMnt8VGDG
"That sounds awful. Is there–"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6W13Ji0Hx
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"Nope, don't even think about it. I'm not going to get you kids involved with something dangerous."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6QvCDmVjT
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvzaAhOkxF
The idea of getting involved with something dangerous was obviously unappealing, but when I saw how distressed she was, I couldn't help but get involved. I had a bit of confidence behind my words anyhow.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvdhR1s7ki
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"Well, Vikky," I started, "I happen to possess a certain set of skills–"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogsmdXdfwB
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfaRjXkpJo
"I don't wanna hear it. I'm not getting you two involved, plain and simple."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq89e4cbpX
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbrUYHicWA
"Wait, Vikky, Kenny can absolutely help!"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb1WTugrfx
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOKMcIsbyh
"Huh? You're kidding, Flinty. Just look at him."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsZ5dFxVqU
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I made a grumpy face.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4hrzMgrYg
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"No offense, of course, but it's best if someone older comes around later."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa64EnPz9gi
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That's a bit lame. But, it can't be helped. If Victoria didn't want our help, then that was fine. I was getting tired anyway.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvePd0ye57Q
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGEsn6Lmvd
"Vikky, please, let us help you," Flinty insisted.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVG19lFsHW
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Darn it, Flinty. I should've expected as much considering how she treated the cloaked woman from earlier but last time was just paying for a drink. This is dangerous.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8wsG09dqH
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I wanted to say that out loud. But, of course, I couldn't. Not just because of Flinty's determined look, but because helping someone out was always a good idea. Who knows, maybe it'll strengthen the bond Victoria has with her parents.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgmxgwRm20
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It's worth a try if nothing else.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbehgbAu8jo
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"...Do you want to help? That bad?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyVRyuVvSA
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXemCgbEsiA
The both of us nodded. Victoria sighed and put her hands on her hips.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9YcpkEIal
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQUzLtm9Ye
"Well, how about you help with the crops then? They're all torn apart, but the monster left the bottoms of their stems, so we have to pull them out."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdIJPZ3I8c
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu6BTagu78
"There's still a part of them left?" I asked. Victoria looked at me curiously.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSHpfoeQtb
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"Yes."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaxpa09AS1
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"Can I see the crops?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt6n9OYtug
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"Uh, you can."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13D0fMyEeO
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDICkYZRfLQ
I followed Victoria to the farmhouse. Flinty was giving me a big smile. I blushed a little.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrAlGVOJwv
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrwylyANGX
–
–
–
The field before me was vast. It was a field of numerous crops. It was mostly just grain and corn.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfKQowPgsT
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvVcaM4Rkk
Victoria showed me the ravaged spot. The damage spanned about ten meters. Either the monster responsible was very big, or very aggressive. Seeing as how the crops nearby looked rather unscathed, it was probably the latter.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJRqeLoHFl
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That barely mattered, though. I cracked my knuckles and got out my tendril. Victoria was bewildered.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqifGCZEvB
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"W-What the hell is that!?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtND18MAuzE
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"It's Kenny's tendril!"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrA2Q3Ng6p
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRnX8ipOWO
"Tendril!? Wait, Flinty, you're okay with this?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaqBCp5dTr
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGehzieanYE
I ignored the bantering of the two. I didn't need the Tendril for this, I just wanted to look a bit cool. I stood before the broken crops and crouched beside them.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLo0uehvkT
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfvLPOc8cc
Mana spinning. This didn't requiree much speed or power so controlling my mana was easy. One by one, I walked to the torn crops and rebuilt them.
"..."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TcDKUH7SU
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBANgfRhNa
It was sloppy. I hadn't practiced with normal plants in a while, but I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I decided to mess with the Tea Mage's plants once lessons started.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIXwH2NSAz
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53B6kb9fFR
But hey, they were back and alive now. I turned around to see how the two girls were doing. Victoria was in front of me, on one knee and with an arm on her chest. Her head was lowered.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHtFLLeCKM
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd79t3nvom
"What are you doing?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWqCqfzY3b
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvFIZmfsXk
"I thought you were a boy. I thought you were just one of Flinty's rare friends. I was wrong. I can see it clearly now."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59YKIi7o1C
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjolWLmYNH
She looked up at my face with tears forming in her eyes.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bJupPsOSY
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ0PgANjm9
"You're an angel."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw5RIC2p2L
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHFdi2ur5y
"..."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDYkFQKqmV
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cBWj89RFT
I was at a loss for words. I wasn't flustered or anything, I understood what she said perfectly. I looked around Victoria and at Flinty. Her face showed the shock I should've been experiencing.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3jb0lwg9M
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen6CYQ1qiI
Victoria kept staring at me. The pressure of her gaze made me sweat. Unsure of what to do, I presented the tendril right in front of her face, and she scurried away with a squeal.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD5OJCeaa3
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zN7uwNt1z
There were very strange people in this city.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItWzKdNdLY
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnvWDyS66P
"A-Ah, I apologize, Kenny. Seeing such a feat baffled me."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvZ3Rxxb4s
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMpUPfqBPd
"No... worries. Anyway, what about the monster?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ie11UhrFl
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNo3IgU0yY
Victoria's face returned to being concerned.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiOh1QhOpy
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuFV66hGe7
"I don't know about this. Honestly, now that you've shown me that, I want you to stay away from danger even more."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6D6K803tR
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrWnVsKktT
"But Kenny can fight, Vikky!"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLMWDWFE4i
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUbf1sIPo0
"Really?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73E4HVaBmK
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy7NyyVmsh
She pinched her chin and stared at the ground. I'm glad Flinty was taking charge here.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfUKZseoD1
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPYPhf6ycF
"...How about I consult my mother first? She's dealing with the brunt of the problem after all."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRMw3PDFb6
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIj9jf72oh
"Yes! Let's do it!"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwabATwcklW
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4ttwuZ5bd
"Fine by me."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGDgdC8qfa
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqUBxS2ve9
Thus, we followed Victoria into the bar, and we were staying there this time. I was feeling reinvigorated. Maybe showing off is a source of energy for me.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nPvhtcY3Z
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjplKI7bI4D
I looked at Flinty. She was happy of course, being able to help one of her friends. But she turned her head backwards from time to time.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUNsV1kffR
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt1DaFmhVQ
"Is something wrong?" I asked.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI12cQi6mWP
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EzOYzGpLz
"...Well, when I see you doing stuff like that with magic, it makes me really excited."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEBaqWnHVI
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgOU0TyOqM
Ah, of course, she was learning after all. I hoped that she didn't want to study plants as well. I wouldn't deny her, but I wanted to keep my "thing."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2lrELDB5V
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qJ1P2EYR3
"Sooner or later, you'll be able to do amazing things too. Learning magic is a long process, you just need to tough it out."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2tiIuhBox
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYzMYGsn3V
"Is that so?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJWefUi3OZ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgigUKS4zF0
Her smile slowly faded. Her hands were shaking. Something was clearly wrong. But, we were in the farmhouse already. I'll ask her later.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCpza20ZgZ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DKpfA7xo3
"Please, enter right here."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaZy1V6xEZ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9nkLWKLpy
There was a door to the side of the building. When we entered, it looked like a living quarters. There were four beds, two pushing against their respective walls.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rQ73Ex4mF
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal90ABgnNn
"Take a seat. I'll bring some food over."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdGOtB6j2K
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKl6auFwAv
The middle of the room had a circular table. A strange place for a table, sure, but certainly convenient. Flinty and I sat across each other. A few minutes later, Victoria entered the room with an older lady. She had the same dress and hair color as Victoria, but her hair was unmodified, and her face was slightly wrinkled. I stood up and walked towards the older woman, offering a hand.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOre4I8zqt
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zhPhYkmcs
"I'm Kenneth Buffalo Chambers. It's a pleasure meeting you."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVjOe0TlaV
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yLITNmLL0
"Oh, how nice. I was afraid that he would be more menacing."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkkWhBwyGy
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5LKWaTTGD
The old lady accepted my handshake and smiled.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74bU8qol8M
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU28X0CYF5
"So you're Flitny's new friend? I'm glad. Flinty is a good girl y'know, so treat her well."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlxYgn16gT
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rIRKFyxfV
"R-Right."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqmed0NSwW
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O6zTJuhZu
"Mom, we're here to talk about something else."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPjWpwbcTx
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn1bJ9Mq5B
Victoria calls this old lady her mother, but she looked more like a grandmother than anything. Putting that aside, we all sat down around the table and started discussions.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY16rvCGdM
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ysv3O184B
"First, I'd like to thank you two young ones for helping me and my daughter. Especially you, Kenny, since you don't even know us."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf3bU1tTR1
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmg3upGkLM
I nodded.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ199bHfng
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8uF1JcfD8
"I'm sure Victoria has explained the situation already; there is a monster coming from the nearby forest and terrorizing our crops. As we're the only ones growing food in the Green Zone, it's become a hassle. I'd like to take this monster down as soon as possible."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iQ1OF6uyu
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhhXGrHjwC
I raised my hand.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7z87CE0tF
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXtuQhqJW5
"Yes, Kenny?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcYdJsdnYi
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl4tfCb9zj
"I was wondering, why does the city leave monsters in the Green Zone anyway? Shouldn't they try to eradicate them?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsWlSuN95t
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSlYJ6v6GR
The old lady joined her hands together in a finger tent.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZnA29PT6A
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntOhJ2VNR8
"...Kenny, there is a very special situation occurring in the kingdom right now. Thus, monsters have been allowed to brew in the forest."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiUmmuvtLv
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod8V0BHSYm
"Allowed to brew?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQoxUPZvQO
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx4gUa69G1
"Correct. The forest in the Green Zone is a magical forest. Though its monsters have been eradicated before, they may sometimes form from the special mana there."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRnSSOFCrY
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMsDZzubL6
"I see."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiGO6lHsSj
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzPzSS3eWW
The forest was a special zone, then, containing a type of mana not usually found in the environment. But, if it was only the mana that was special there, then–207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5MuAJ6Uqd
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMW9QU7Dhn
"That means that someone is creating the monster, correct?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAwZPSYFiA
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilyer6hwib
"You are a sharp boy. That is precisely what the issue is. Someone managed to use the mana in the forest to create a beast. Though it isn't very powerful, the beast isn't the issue."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHz4BpHXsO
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx1TUBut35
I have gotten myself wrapped up in something bizzare. I didn't even know beast-creating magic was possible. Tough, if the atmospheric mana allowed it, then was possible.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrpD0sgwMF
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5WLhpOYME
"Even after hearing this, do you two still wish to help us?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXjeT5Zfk8
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYrf8Bdpdd
I looked at Flinty, and she looked at me. She was giving me a look as if the answer was obvious. I sighed.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNcKrpB6T8
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9jl1mixLa
"Yes, we'll help in whatever way we can."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs0ULnRrwi
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm5DWz9NFO
The old lady got up from her seat and bowed.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpvoRCY5tY
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg9NpEtTzD
"Thank you. My name is Linda. I'll be working with you and Victoria to find the perpetrator."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuCnHIO2R2
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeP2qopPrH
–
–
–
After the situation was revealed to us, we were given a basic run down.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W8oDAuuvy
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIojq1UopHQ
In short, the mission isn't very dangerous. Though a monster was summoned, the monster itself is weak, meaning that the person who summoned it is hardly a threat as well. This meant that having Flinty help shouldn't be a concern. The difficulty of the mission comes from finding the perpetrator. The beast started appearing a week ago, but the person could've infiltrated at any time before that. It's not like the regulars in the Green Zone keep track of who does and doesn't enter. The person could even be a regular in the village, and nobody would know it.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgcy4AWNdM
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnjKNyBCdM
But, Victoria told a different perspective to the situation. She explained that the person responsible, should they be a villager, may not even be a danger and that that person might've created a rampaging beast on accident. It was a stretch, but nevertheless worth considering. After all, it wasn't common knowledge among the city dwellers that the forest in the Green Zone was a special-mana zone.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8XEzzuUth
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9Jon5QnQ0
With these two perspectives in mind, a plan was formed. First, there would be a public gathering where we would announce the situation to the rest of the Green Zone inhabitants. We would say something along the lines of "If the person responsible comes clean, then we will dispose of the threat and tell nobody." This phase of the plan covers Victoria's proposal, but I still had to confess that it was flawed. The perpetrator might be too scared to come out, or they might think we're lying. Still, it was the best thing we could come up with on short notice.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftsXxAsU2R
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAmFn1iQIf
Should that plan fail, then what we would do is dispose of the beast. The hope was that it would insensitive the person to create another monster, and we would somehow... catch them in the act.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJIYR6tEaS
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIV8t5FhxM
"...Wow, this plan sucks."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQycIn5SSg0
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsHakBqnmG
"Kenny!"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOBwnzuJjU
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGyC7fq0hO
Flinty punched me in the shoulder. I apparently said my thoughts outloud. I apologized, but the two women looked at me somberly. They knew I was right.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjtIEepAeR
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HSiTfYu9Y
Still, I hadn't a better plan. If the first plan didn't work, we'd probably have to stay a night or two. For that, I requested Victoria write a letter to Flinty's residence, saying that she will be at the Green Zone for a bit.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbHwzO60CW
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwxS2fNmUu
Flinty looked dismayed. She probably didn't think about this turning into a multi-day state of affairs when agreeing to help. Still, she didn't look like giving up on them at all. It made me feel more confident, too.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjryEuTtgjx
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV59pMYkVnk
"So, when do we start the first plan?" I asked.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP7IRkEdJT
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumg7gcyQGx
"As soon as possible," Victoria responded, "Mom and I can gather the people in the barracks, and we'll do the announcement as planned. Kenny, you'll be with us to make sure they know we can handle it."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0yjvS6fRC
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYV6CCIxSP
I nodded, but something was bothering me.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp909vyWxe
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLbivDNyLS
"Will the people really all come together?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD91ovAFTQu
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn0ghuUMzb
Linda stepped in.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi4VkXHzrA
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo2U7Ot4PV
"To be frank, we are the primary source of food in this area. They are required to hear what we say. It's nothing to worry yourself over, Kenny. At most, two-hundred people live in this zone."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURXQ1yimwo
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH8H1cHZ4v
Huh. I could've sworn I saw more people than that. Well, not that I'd know.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrewuSvwzq
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYMrihhVlv
"Kenny, Mom, let's get going. Flinty, you'll watch the crowd from a distance to catch anyone suspicious."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwI8EXdE8t
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwavV1l8uWj
"Mhm!"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkDaxDsff7
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELG4oD6pOi
Flinty was given a sheathed dagger. It fit her small stature surprisingly well. I called it a dagger, but calling it a miniature short sword would be more accurate.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CZj7sUsNb
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApRITgjJ7v
Anyway, with the plan created, the four of us left the farmhouse.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpxV8CiUqt
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ60tuJ6rEY
–
–
–
I was waiting on the outskirts of the barracks by a peculiarly large rock. It's been about half an hour since the two ladies entered the barracks. Flinty wasn't with me, but I knew where she was hiding. She was inside a crate near one of the final buildings of the barracks. From there, she could observe the crowd from the back. As I stood, my face made strange contortions.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocuU8nXaCE
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5GR9rU8h3
I was having second thoughts.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOvqsmyREo
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbGM26Mrs9
I mean, how couldn't I? A part of the plan was to talk to a group of inhabitants who were quietly minding their own business. This whole thing was honestly ridiculous.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpAbWHAsFh
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06RrUoG4Pp
I thought for a minute, that it would be a good idea to just grab Flitny and go. She'd obviously reject, but I already knew how to convince her. After all, weak or not, a monster is still a monster. Something terrible could happen, couldn't it?207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kAzC4hCPK
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3msYjwYO01
"...Something terrible. Gah, darn it."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGJJUSdC4Q
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5qroPNNBL
Now that I've articulated myself, I was my second thoughts were wavering. Something terrible could happen, and if I was to leave, then it would be to Victoria and Linda. Yet, here I was, complaining about it, thinking of excuses to get out of this Green Zone.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Ln8iiPLg
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjQa7Chd6L
Once I realized that, I became determined. I can't afford to ignore this, to just brush it away and hope it all works out. Not when the issue is manageable and evident.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXosAfbwRAQ
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv3egCkNM0
"..."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop9qyHGe6J
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8xkMMrJYB
I sighed. I was shaking. I only just noticed. I quickly stopped myself.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8oRI3FQT3
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcQ8kPybo0
Phew.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXg92O0gY8
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpcJlHJh3H
The words of Jackson and Anabelle rang in my head just now.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimqzbfS8XD
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY1SZFqIjQ
Sorry, I'll keep them in mind, I promise. And I'll keep it this time.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoxyIhEsc1
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21Y4MqEtvl
"Haa, hey Kenny! Mom should be bringing the people here in ten minutes. Are you alright over here?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcregHsAQLT
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR3yOeknYR
"Huh?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yJsnXwOrW
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpSfeGDbQ4
It was Victoria. She suddenly appeared beside me. She was out of breath and rubbing her brow.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNsJOTjqJF
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBiosON4o4
"Uh, I'm just fine. You don't look so good though. Do you want something to drink?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU788EKBtwG
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon68K8pQwr
She was out of breath. She looked exhausted, to be honest.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnMDIdk8db
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0sCN20ljU
"...That would be nice. Do you have anything?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kIzjphG4S
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUHDNbrQA1
"Well, yes, but I don't think you'll like it."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnubDatrpx
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjXCk1NbRn
She raised an eyebrow. I pulled out the tendril and she took a few steps back. I produced a Watery-Gad-Blossom and showed it to her.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl4f7cl43S
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw1GGaL180
"W-What is that!?" She yelled.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyWvDEjP4L
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6FwgFg8g2
"It's a flower that excretes a drinkable liquid. It's much more refreshing and tastier than water. You can try some."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l3LRYWf5b
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg5LcPpxve
She looked suspicious of it.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoUfwEGdj4
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yia6o6tC5
"How do I know it's safe?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqjeS3a5iS
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmkxeGz8Um
"I can drink it right now and prove it."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvMv1alZMj
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rOIWqIblM
So I did. The water tasted much better than I remember. She had her eyes on me for a minute before sighing.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElzJO3I2IB
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqSQxlYsm6
"Fine. I'll try it."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrNPKGOAEx
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZb4GXOHCo
I extended the tendril to her. She looked intimidated but grabbed onto it anyway. She opened her mouth before the flower, and using mana spinning, I released some liquid. She drank out of it for about thirty seconds. When she finished, I returned the tendril.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlbyU0jCIf
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymlxG5mroF
"...Okay, fine. It's good."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFxwBzHeN0
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO86umwyCNL
Yes!207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pD8OCpgT2
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tumtq51z4
I don't know why I was so happy. I almost jumped in the air. Victoria noticed my excitement.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DVeNgHVx9
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0drYlt174
"That tendril hasn't won me over yet, though."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIQy5kjj7P
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrz8qjtVId
"Did I at least get some of your trust?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAp8Ah2zjw
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0b51vLQs2
"Huh? You already had it, goofball."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY9Ppg6HN5
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFADFFN5am
Oh. Well, now this is awkward. Victoria walked over and leaned beside me. She had a serious look on her face. I tried imitating it. She just looked at me with a raised eyebrow.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI7MgtOGr0
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AL8zFmhHl
"What are you doing?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEcu0n4VdM
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLd7Ul7eOx
"Passing the time."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwkh4xkpUB
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5eEvXtoTT
"By making fun of my face?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vv0xos07d
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEE4GUQD0H
"I'm not making fun of you."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1jvSc9VG3
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlqdxq7ECp
She laughed a little.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KSGyt2o5l
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAAHeldrI4
"I know, I'm just messing with you. Y'know Kenny, you're a really good kid. I don't think I've thanked you yet for helping us. So, thank you."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN68AcuXqW0
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7dKFDkZPe
"Of course."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2TwkbZovL
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOm75qHo6y
"But, can I ask you a few questions? It's about Flinty."
I suddenly had a terrible feeling.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdSU8V7MHq
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu1GXHaWLF
"How'd you two meet?"207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6UywbRhhx
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuw2pfAmoW
"..."207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Bf4ohTAi4
207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQz2cVeITy
It was an innocent question. I was relieved, since that meant I didn't have to share any of my feelings. So, I got a little closer and told the story.
