"I see it. The light, I see it!"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTeovyad6S
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzRqWGEhwD
Victoria rushed ahead of the group, and ahead of our guide, Ng. She was right; a couple of dozen meters away was a field where the sun freely shined. I could hardly believe it myself, but Victoria was in it, basking in the light like a reptile. I made it out.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqqwBv96R3
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"We did it, Flinty."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjETutfZBM7
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"Yeah."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKZbWWtgGD
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She looked awfully happy. I was too, but likely for a different reason. I looked at the rest of the group. Skylark was being himself, Ng had a look of wonder, and Victoria's mental age regressed by twelve years.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwLSC12uHc
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This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8ruxHaFHT
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After Victoria finished, we walked around the crops and stood before the farmhouse. Linda was rocking in a chair. She perked up when she noticed us.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUClY4Ns6a
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"Ah, you made it!"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG7AtS42bq
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Linda ran up to us. She exchanged hugs with Victoria. I couldn't help but think of what Victoria said about her, but still, the scene was... it was soothing to the soul. I felt a type of satisfaction I couldn't describe. It was borderline euphoric, watching daughter and mother reunite like this.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vOgkrTcvh
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgvl7G8oKD
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdtmqT9CWf
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"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRkMi6NTXr
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"Ah, alright."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcN1pwYLs1
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjtyG6oMAs
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"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeawAtyUpg9
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"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLB2rISIuqm
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Hn5Ixfaa
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdXAHEfkx8
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"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKnjRvZZp5
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAUobS5dRV
There was no first order of business to returning from such a mission. It was awkward, admittedly, because while Victoria had her clothes changed, Ng made conversation with Linda, and while Skylark intently watched the sleeping Kim, I didn't have anything to do.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPExX6U9fg5
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"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7OHkEcu1i
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIS2f59cW9
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2HTRMB2Da
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbBV4MI7qR
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aPyyeXSUb
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAq0qWpjvI
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5xhkBEJp7
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"Of course! Let's go."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DsYfN6z8F
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Flinty and I exited the living quarters and ran to the front of the farmhouse. There was a basket of dirty laundry with a washboard inside beside a barrel of water. Flinty took a bucket and scooped up some water.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxjofecKKg
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"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgfxlVoNOH
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Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VYzGU46kW
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"Uh, do I have to?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVKr3leH2D
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"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLXmEkZhpb
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Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvqMt1MoXd
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"Kenny?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSE14gO8xY
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"Yeah yeah..."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKdx8xd5kH
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I took off my shirt.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X4RGe53Ih
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"Alright, now come here."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYYz3jB7ws
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She was kneeling beside the bucket. I slowly walked over to her and sat down. Thus began the cleaning of my shirt. I quickly realized that Flinty, what with her frequent pauses and occasional dopey look, knew about as much as I did. But, I didn't say anything. Something about this, even though it made me feel awkward, was nice.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9FNg1R0wr
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"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPtmp8Q9qZ
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"Right."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz2RWOJiiD
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I tried that, but it didn't work.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJqllC1Nzi
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"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAjnzmD1xh
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"Beats me."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5D9GNhZ9j
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"But it came from you, didn't it?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU44ttUeNNW
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"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKdqMRNi2f
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My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡql7N8pGvnQ
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"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotE718thDz
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She snatched it from my hands and rubbed it against the waterboard. Her eyebrows were furrowed. She scrubbed it for a good three minutes before growing tired.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDHYKOotL1
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"It's no use. It isn't possible."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSFlEqZ0EC
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"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdswwpkKqW
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbkkfaje5c
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHOdl9a2cT
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"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1r26DwOzKo
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"A-Ah, w-well then..."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszedOCJojX
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Her brows were still furrowed but her face was a pretty shade of red.
I grabbed the shirt back and hung it to dry. To be honest, the stain looked even worse, but that was neither here nor there. It was a little chilly being bare-chested though so I put my coat back on.
"..."
Dang. I already began to miss the shirt. I sighed. It would be fine, it wasn't a particularly rare shirt anyway. I walked back to Flinty. Frustration still lingered on her face.
"Stop looking so grumpy."
"Hmph. Fine."
She sighed and got up. I looked at her quizzically, and she tilted her head in return. I didn't know what came over me at that moment, but I wrapped my arms around her.
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"K-Kenny?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQfm71gHIU
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She fidgeted a little, I didn't let go. Eventually, she returned the hug. I couldn't tell how long I was hugging her, I was too caught up in the moment. I let go of her and put my hands on her shoulders.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XDbwLEJMz
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"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rRVM9izbD
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"Y-Yeah."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cRVv9W09M
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It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CjLJytPxT
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"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGXnQdYkBv
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08MzLbu5vK
I nodded. We traveled back to the farmhouse. Flinty split up with me to go wash herself, mentioning how her effort made her all sweaty. I simply entered the living quarters. I was expecting to kill time staring at the ceiling as I waited for a meal to come, but the presence of the two people in the room destroyed that expectation.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00DoyKTc4J
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It wasn't just Skylark, of course.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui1M3uijqp
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"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq2rAlI36B
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I darted to her. She was rubbing her head under her cloak and had one of her hands held by Skylark. She looked at me, and I caught her smiling.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtx8Vx2Jd8
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"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPVdU6mXpn
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASlTbG45he
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3cgXOOc0u
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PQLLs5nTS
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoQ2XoQJxE
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She looked over at Skylark.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHNSWdU3JQ
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"And, again, thank you for helping."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu1i6tx9Ih
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"But of course, it is my duty."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsTKSyyEfb
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"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jxumIw3r3
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"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZAQpf3RxI
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"That's stupid."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbT8RnwBoB
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I felt out of place as they quarreled.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4OTGF7oBZ
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"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60diYjrWut
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"...Yes?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0MTrIHnzV
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"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp5Eps3atT
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"Yes, my lady."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdESotojXt
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Huh? What was happening? I stood with a blank expression as Skylark exited the room. The thought of stopping him didn't even cross my mind.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR7QjvOb9P
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"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo9qxIhZB5
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I sat on the adjacent bed. My hands were fidgeting a little. She wasn't going to say what I thought she was, was she? How could she even have found out?200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nu8C5g8ns
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"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8vcX2LzUe
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She put her hands on her hood and pulled it back. In front of me stood a woman with short hair and giant curls resembling coils. She had eyes a shade of green that could blend in with the leaves. I was shocked by the sudden revealing of her face, but I was hounded more by the colors of her features. I recognized it.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQeFbVdxCv
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"My name is Phoebe Zariel. I am the sole daughter of King and Queen Zariel, and I am the older brother of Orice Zariel. You've run into him yourself a few times, haven't you?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENQgAJD8mG
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cOWdvgY3e
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ68orwfr2
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"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfoj82gWJf
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I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Nta8yosrM
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"Many things have been occurring against the Zariel kingdom. From what we know, the East country wants to use land the kingdom controls– the Exotica Mines, specifically– and offer us their exclusive goods in exchange. We refused dealing with them many years ago, and have suddenly seen a spike in criminal and alarming activity, whether it be in the city itself or villages. You are a resident of Buffalo Village, correct?"
"...Wha? What– huh?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LAtUrGRUQ
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTEVY54paJ
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw0Fp510Ro
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"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qYPeRWMfs
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She scowled at me. Oops.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjgZjHf9t6
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"He is not dumb! He has the kindest heart out of anyone in our family! So what if he escapes from time to time? He's only ever done good for the citizens!"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppCFhc4iQX
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdqBo4mghy
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mS8zrlKBR
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"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrYBevHddQ
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I was suddenly invested.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKNpuFhwCk
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"He wanted you to meet with the royal magicians, most likely, after seeing what you did to the two rogue knights. He might've been too blunt, however, please forgive him."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqEvW2nAy7
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"Uh-huh."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P6sIJnjLY
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJF4yXZ1NC
"I mean it. Forgive him."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYAHk2Cj98
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"O-Okay, I will."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMc7bDJIYV
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"Excellent. Moving on, my mission today was similar. I ventured out specifically to find you and see if all the fuss Orice was making was warranted. I came out believing it was."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivZO7yLWIA
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The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSFEVS1KIt
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"Kenny, there may be a time when you need to fight for your kingdom. Not in a war, that isn't a citizen's duty, but at the very least, to protect the sovereignty and pride of it."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qB8x3hJyw
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I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXwR1aw59z
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"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yRsctxs49
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"I refuse."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TkPhILOJG
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The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztU0TExkYG
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YarBe2AMF
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj7BO7HFNM
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lIJJgubsN
She sat down and crossed her legs.
"Enter the combatant's guild, gain combat experience, and take jobs relating to us. You'll avoid any affiliation and still gain the same rewards."
"Rewards?"
"Well, for starters, money."
I listened a little more intently.
"Additionally, you'll garner clout in the realm of combatants and form beneficial connections. If you need it, I can make sure your family will gain immunity and financial assistance."
"That's..."
The words she was speaking almost seemed fake. All of that, and all I had to do was join the guild and take some jobs? I had suspicions.
"And finally, you'll gain access to all organic Exotica in the palace."
"W-Wait, you don't mean–"
"Correct. All the magical plants in our possession; you won't own them, but we'll allow you to study them."
"..."
At this point, it would be foolish not to accept. But I still had difficulty believing her words.
"...If you see my name in the guild registry, which you probably will, then that means I accepted your deal. But, you don't have to do everything you said. I think just some money and the plants would be fine."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTROhnkB8WI
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She smiled and firmly nodded. I almost felt like I was taking advantage of her. For her to make all of those offers, she must have been desperate. I didn't know quite what yet, but I had confidence that I would find out.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP53mKh0vys
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"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUwok7ShNF
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXTXBnRYDZ
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvemceSYpW
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"Tea Mage...?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4bidAUP0X
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"I think his name is Freed."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaR1sYzdLc
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"Oh, Freed."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlY3oSwAHC
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Her face twisted into a moue.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqb8l83cQZ
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"I see. He must've refused, then."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATVmPfy2Y1
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"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfkSwCGzmb
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7Rm2MMXmn
I nervously laughed. I was also a little worried. The princess made him out to be a delinquent, and I didn't want to be studying under a delinquent.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2fdjkktNu
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRTrlnGRkz
She stuck out her hand. I grabbed it and shook it. After the matter, the princess put the hood back on. I tried looking under it and I still couldn't make out any of her identifying features.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr11AAUxcP
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn6Uk7rt2D
"Is that thing also Exotica?"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDazFPsKFQ
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGKp72SCr7
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqoNp86n0k
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"Right."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI6KonPV1E
200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkqwPdPBc2
The princess laid down on the bed. Looking at her now, it suddenly hit me, the severity of the conversation we just had and the thing I just agreed to do. I lost my breath for a second.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiac3c4kf0V
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"...It'll probably be fine."200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpljtR0v8y
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With that affirmative thought, I waited along with the princess. Skylark joined us shortly, and not too long after, the rest of the group came. Flinty was first, and Ng, Linda, and Victoria all came at the same time. The three of them were carrying plates of food and drinks the likes of which I'd never seen. The table usually stationed in the living quarters was too small, so Victoria left momentarily to bring a new one. I didn't understand why we didn't move rooms but I didn't question it.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzQ69HqFIL
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It was a large event. Not particularly noisy, but it was large. Words flew, laughs rumbled, and stories were told. It was nice, a scene that accorded with our victory. It made me feel happy. It made me feel like I was a part of something more.200Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRZH7UP1mG
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It made me look forward to the future.
