"I see it. The light, I see it!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUVva4VGa7
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIhSohGgeN
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"We did it, Flinty."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjNWb8sXeh
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"Yeah."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlWCtnh3Gp
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnAnWF5CRG
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIxMMGLU3Q
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYGHWKVleB
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0lgbIIpH0
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUGTyjP8wX
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"Ah, you made it!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjyX9PocWq
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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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZjUrQ7SyZ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOw7sF8HEa
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInPjZZDi7b
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qVtXLL0Q4
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ99IJP6v1
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"Ah, alright."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmIigdKO4E
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXeDLaPSED
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVBDBC2Pte
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"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T44xEvQSN
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdwrHWPJcz
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpDX6EOScn
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HdFiRUstQ
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN933dGM3t
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcCl0NZbIX
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4zEVmmFxt
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3H2et9Kiw
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKiqruryjj
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDV9eOYZiS
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23Z5GPKsBH
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtXfE8stOt
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fYTa86tWD
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1bCHSInq6
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5lwOiKiud
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MuK917ixL
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvSzXuWsez
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"Of course! Let's go."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAwX3JE0B1
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUkJDFEfg6
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZemT9oVPV
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuBogArzSc
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0cO3v3AyC
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Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJA3Awx4Q5
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"Uh, do I have to?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0oC7jSXcw
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R71BBMZgv
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc6kdXnLC7
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFzwhgNAx3
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHws0bEGwg
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmcB5pN3ja
"Kenny?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XdwCqLQJv
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHd9cyxahY
"Yeah yeah..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG55a8k8Ya
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgrVLzgBBY
I took off my shirt.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A6V2CAgyK
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjNFlxCIAF
"Alright, now come here."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU8aVvK9Re
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXwWQ57eWK
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4jge8ndBz
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0j6wnugNw
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2OFH5xtDj
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"Right."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BOh4i0gGN
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I tried that, but it didn't work.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhyRwGsOor
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedPzayuuez
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH0MWaabhK
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS6x2vNMb3
"Beats me."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyLmefoUKq
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYRf78RNY1
"But it came from you, didn't it?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC1UaHW1Z9
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckuYziuBmo
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUeGjem6bO
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRlbLoDo1K
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVzw4ekeNk
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds31X3GnOC
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xh8afDYXz
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfV28uQF87
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4McHVTA4wX
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHymGer2Od
"It's no use. It isn't possible."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgWBaJ4mU4
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"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCoqVGMkeS
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoZVaEBMdD
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfNyslV8Fe
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZZpqljQea
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38TU4fxfKm
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqD0jEbXzv
"A-Ah, w-well then..."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGNNzdee9K
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvdICaLd1K
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.
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LkhgeORPM
"K-Kenny?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1YW2EyE33
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxot89mjGC
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd8sE2v34g
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaorcx4vW3
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZpCQacSSB
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iyZBG6Yps
"Y-Yeah."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnDNpsm2X3
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgmQzgYggo
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwIHAArdJp
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"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXFo3m0KOT
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqARxvRmYq
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttnx6eaN7h
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It wasn't just Skylark, of course.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLxGog0vy9
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"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTST597ypcw
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVSj5cFOn1
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAoam4DovS
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0OcL91OtC
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDXi9tQyU6
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE50Q27LPN
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5gRN4r5TS
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZnVYPf2z8
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhV3talTEC
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHrovxTujo
She looked over at Skylark.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHzYbbhLVF
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"And, again, thank you for helping."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB5SvesZWm
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWbLByghgw
"But of course, it is my duty."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd95gq04XK
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEAL98u7dS
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLinhpLDST
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"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU210HLrbO
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DG5iomLSL
"That's stupid."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMWnuWBRBZ
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I felt out of place as they quarreled.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jCRBP6Lba
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5nQp9Yjv4
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnroiHcU2R
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"...Yes?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW16jquV8GD
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"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3zS17yYeE
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"Yes, my lady."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfNQPAJBiN
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPSWdAQDQT
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJUcTJ9hIP
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"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rBq3UiuHf
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc8wScRjE2
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?209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaIDWRB9RZ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkUiVPaKxK
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJQK88ymmC
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrao3vDtGun
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsCLRmS1aL
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqpWlhNEDF
"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?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFbTR1Y8UC
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsFGyHcF3c
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSwmWM08tJ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MUwqcV82W
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKJ9h5Kby0
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ644XWcznkz
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntttZzBnY8
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWdFRzYxr9
"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?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLef5FIUNps
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNH6EfToTa
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoQyYpzXCD
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94eXVLurMN
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ruc2RdIdH
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt31FS7lJ8b
She scowled at me. Oops.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkTfTWMXqJ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVXklclSYT
"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!"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuogZ5lwhz
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbttZ79MSye
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunb5LQ0v3v
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal682SchZC
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSZkVdTDdP
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpWFItMSrm
I was suddenly invested.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXOe9SIEXy
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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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40htU6Ntuq
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJtno77i8X
"Uh-huh."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLjNlNJerZ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNRlv3Xi2z
"I mean it. Forgive him."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXXUtgFENa
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcEqkVnrRI
"O-Okay, I will."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ustwnauNA
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUKTSfqjvT
"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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94wYSeRvNb
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The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jASwGSQfu
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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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsquRXrR39
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaJHDNl7eX
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobsGXGEZrr
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"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQwdh1vFba
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLicXzHFu9O
"I refuse."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkG2GCdI4eq
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The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTtIMGJzdB
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWLC5MCd5S
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseKYDWx8mK
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhLVx44doD
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."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypLXM98Bbi
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBF6joKxvC
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcLeWVV8OX
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI60xuWPFM
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMgLYeScgt
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSb5yOxQ71
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdxTG2HU6W
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKS2nFHoTq
"Tea Mage...?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf9YkEBAWY
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ8sUkOxK2
"I think his name is Freed."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHKIgwbJuu
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmWG52Wyzn
"Oh, Freed."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB8cJ9zCWx
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdLeguYbci
Her face twisted into a moue.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgdYUwo9v2
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u2A7lriao
"I see. He must've refused, then."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL20HFiGgR
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudeAot1ItH
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxILwjpDdZ9
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5Wje9XtIQ
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTtbYkI5su
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3FpntHKjk
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy9R4Jd1lD
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexBO3oLj9r
"Is that thing also Exotica?"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIC0du65RN
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoB8r2LhxR
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI8k04EATQ
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd0whB4bxV
"Right."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuJIhGePdG
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0Ll2w8nCU
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqMWYTq8M9
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvApN4ZWkvR
"...It'll probably be fine."209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp8g7GDUYx
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA84B5O8C2
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNECoYui5q
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBHuKTU9GF
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.209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0QBIQwc0Z
209Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl3pD8Nlmd
It made me look forward to the future.
