The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxv5HeHVPu
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj0Rp4Fy4S
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvMFY4YBmT
Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjawvvhbZM
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoGevawwhL
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"Oh, that's a good point."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVggXT0nK5T
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBRLvfnOry
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuQH10cBOp
**SWOOSH**216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMMDRqRz8C
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqUc4t1lOe
"W-Woah!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz1XilWzr1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcQ91JAbBi
And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF0cT6kz95
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pzV5nbKH5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3wW93RMgl
No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jw1elk1uu
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iaPAFfFnb
"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27ROVmzh5c
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsyBWdHbyw
"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUHNZLxLU7
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d4ctkk4e8
"Oh, Juke."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J2NKozVDO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTKTu0N0hw
Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx34jtz79f
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv3ISHqL4S
"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPrCjuNykl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gdjkelQtE
Juke tilted his head.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKNMJeB65D
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX2ndPMryD
"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNZnquc2hf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiefunibquy
"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMVRpGdrla
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lqO2etGYe
"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6fB9yQueJ
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"That's a good idea."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq55FZEpVf
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBUi1WFZxK
I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG6H1WaHcC
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeJukCUaku
"What's the matter, Kenny?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zgVQDRbk9
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYiLMUDpYL
"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtgVceox5k
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu870Rcxv5
"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECD8A9jGzX
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkwXejBbH6
"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZElS7G6t9j
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRKB8LIkPI
**SWOOSH**216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0AcUS4X9V
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMuSvwNQUx
Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtbYgMhsSa
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A6MVa9OZ1
"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl7bk7TVIQ
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUq5bsOzNc
"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYltpK9bnuq
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm2lGy6xIL
"That's a bird!?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnuSmBEODc
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFCWuKAKkM
He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPqd2yzhDn
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsR216Pucp
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA2o0BIl5D
"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8neBUa3me
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R6YEqwCG9
"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf7VF5ipu7
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b02vVH5Zf
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlTaHrNS44
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2hYeEee38
"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH1OwlJggM
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zk5J8qlWe
He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5icErOVpQx
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37iCHT3Vud
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2sGFKEh8n
"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakNlOFRCdh
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPLQIUJRru
"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLPjMGesRs
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"Hahaha!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGBm7AI6EO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8KhCE0RVh
"Why aren't you answering me?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ0z2GtI24
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qSCwWIP93
He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLJxzldFex
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2jnnm3y3Z
"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu7jY2MSVB
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeBnDYcrg9
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyFktmJJZd
"Huh? Why?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltzyA1vujX
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqye4LOe91F
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"Oh, alright!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnXysoE5Iu
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNb9VYoHJy
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2hobhs17O
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRkOmXqeZj
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS9bcfRYW8
Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsgBO21Bpg
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Bn9EDTh0k
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhbEXjJPwM
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"Hold on–"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBmeiIplRM
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Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPZI2yi4QP
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzfbX5I2WH
"See what I mean?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuwryAhHat
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ0kcBje04
"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvjVTj7JnM
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbHxjSOdiA
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaC50Ibltf
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCmymH6hCx
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O3Fa6G8ow
"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J933RDxKh
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WyI2GII3q
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MUV83al6i
"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeo2W0lJdK
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYay0uX14UA
"...Maybe."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgQSvRoMfX
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"Why only maybe!?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka3SBjYwUL
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"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFAe1FbZHO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sjJ2UoOpQ
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy2baa2lay
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ278soK1sdA
"Ahhh... this is the life."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusXgSKaLqO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX1UwL5YyZ
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTiYcDjR1C
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48fWPetDKH
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VRHZtK8mY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXWgjMwPcB
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszNjzFT7oM
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUevkWBX7aQ
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rtrzcbdnB
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6GwKfmk4p
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoxtl0rXLP
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUINGYJrWx
"Sure, sure, now scram."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cg413Adv2
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyhjOP1HHp
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKPeA3rATs
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTnWWODLyw
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaXdCnaaA9
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpDR0rI91t
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuDm6e1lZy
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7GQfDjC96
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV7OT6boI1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy28d9JgJ9W
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMiEKPVv19
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23pe45R0S7
"A nap... hmm..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYVlGuTPeT
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRQLmYlgO5
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiYtMrvLy8
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiDDm5eHPw
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLO5qXDlD1
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QxDDWVC3m
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN498f3Cyob
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAxzNZTahW
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwove9R5Uq
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkcosX31Kx
"Ack... this sucks."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzFLzW77BE
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmrOi9Vnpl
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6egbKpsUJI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlezBaFB6G
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSnMZdVU69
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCEk8pzHLd
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEVbI2fVMj
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGEuaMWtTI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpeziavHjR
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2Pt4tC7Kl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPYQnMJRL0
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuwhMsjP1I
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvpfAXzfo2
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF9zQnTYZK
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCmoAl1NYa
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2WPyELZxE
"---Alright, that takes care of that."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0EnY3DGGS
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qCWuA9JDp
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIMV3M3IlY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68uIchwrtF
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqaLyvmUp3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPi0eHxGPe
"...Right?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaWoJAcywV
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB3kLBpdai
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xRu2YTx5C
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU9FMMtoJe
"..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv94Lc36Mzt
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JFtJ5NxNY
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1R3f3DpNL
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJLSaOTeJR
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn7u1NkrwD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapk1ulpoIQ
Wait, where the hell is she going?216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRcS6pcnua
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkkO7OPZ5k
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M6fj2WFgN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZi5Qy08qG
"Rover."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9gWbk5oXM
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr0hl2TuFk
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebZzuwblhM
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoavc6iKAIV
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEawBMhiN6l
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnoJwb2f21
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIXRsMCPR7
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqA7JPYpLd
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7XqoomiSa
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsVjseNuJ2
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ428cF38CYY
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx3Lqrip8l
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpDXwzjqAD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h4C1JdYj9
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSBxZ6ormp
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxejLZmpO1
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDxgnubIMy
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo6wBHGvlZ
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOssiy0vbqA
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0i8OXB4T5
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KIqRYMTRK
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH9gocvYco
"Oh, that... uh..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMJYl9hCIy
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3IlZLz67S
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMDZoXBiPO
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAE0v0ZgHE7
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFC24r943c
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6yRC5OAch
"...Pff."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8gtTqIx2K
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbwbjHyc7Q
"It's not funny!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVOsBrzLAy
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnTWb0kImH
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllaXdwed5g
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcrerRRZno
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0Ud5ycLrS
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQoCkajvyK
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBXrFYxz1F
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCn5Z0HPXN
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGMpUOHZUc
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEjxCnAlIk
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1gKURlphc
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOOZ5usOTH
"...I see."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7nMdMU2yI
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sfCrtLHJH
I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cpxACUlnm
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk6B9exXZq
"..."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ImYKflQlD
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppC11tG1pf
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzeM7Okfdw
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKvcliKjrq
"What are you doing?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4t02WViIm
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDCYUtXGct
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCTeolMe3P
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QdUFMeBIf
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoGRgpR8p5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCddgvwKgK
"W-Whaa!?"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb3VYHeTcR
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR6CAlbMZZ
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iX1mNSHZ5
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy4j8qdLdM
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaMKpqeVCz
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTpwYoz6ES
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2TO691bso
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aH9veDaj7
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U1v1XjGEi
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yhVCtpXE3
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyobDDahTG
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA6hhLH8ge
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVAXiYWmg3
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFuEAJYc9U
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GPsfmntpl
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RLXSSHUly
"I don't like you."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CFMd7Xkbm
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7deeBftz9
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasCvvxj787
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jzm5v1QBT
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia3YYoRQlj
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0hNUeew3K
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmt87KLxXN
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAhnHoCRAT
"I... guess you're right."216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZu4PSFx5O
216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJADeRr1SU
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
