"I see it. The light, I see it!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtG3qEEQRe
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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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeiJAxmsjL
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"We did it, Flinty."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdepGvnP3qM
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"Yeah."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKh9c0LC1W
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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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRd6q8LJto
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This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaFpJR65Ll
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ETec1wShE
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhEW7qZM7c
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"Ah, you made it!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zpwf3ba0n
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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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHcUK8S8iv
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EzLrwx045
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqlXfkyEQT
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ozzUs3Jb6
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC8tXuSuit
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"Ah, alright."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91ooE3n3Hn
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUrbYcuVnR
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdggcqiue68
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNIK3q9Yfk
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahIuAvrP3u
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cKwdcfZ8G
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9w8fOwzp9
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje5Dz0TpGj
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYlsJPCzfB
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVwKyBMj9p
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9FkTFsM3K
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVN02AQ1Dh
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZGRg79YYR
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KRgck9OsA
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIry3C27M3
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpeqxTbgiX
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2WiY9Lz0F
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LxXqYRMTD
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7lrZkcvjh
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7H2or0mDU
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"Of course! Let's go."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi1tQpyreU
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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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1q8fQKn7W
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"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwFX7WObuN
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Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOJ9XxzaYn
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"Uh, do I have to?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnSZcdB3Eb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06LatfFqTc
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ab6ljEZO4
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Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9kOZS10X2
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaMtLau2eN
"Kenny?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4mJN9n38o
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagSKfSwcLE
"Yeah yeah..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPztYI7vRSs
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZrsJFu8pi
I took off my shirt.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkZt4zXCI9
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"Alright, now come here."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRi79qnuH1
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwyik3kdRJ
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1IihIrwDp
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQPDeetvJ5
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTzlPJ55pz
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"Right."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFCTHSUWgO
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I tried that, but it didn't work.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL1QFCxC0d
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"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K1Vahng39
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"Beats me."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KI2HMnwQ8
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"But it came from you, didn't it?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pa8XKljlW
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd3rhFPqGb
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczAKqH2KAZ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0An2mLgLgZ
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz6skyG1NZ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKfdoFgoVM
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa95gEpBHM
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJg5ZChUc9
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJM6NgF66s
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLMU2uQ7W9
"It's no use. It isn't possible."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlU0vYvYDl
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"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiO5CzNEGC
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDxvMBuMox
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4J6t2vqs9
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvS9mocx1e
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu697mddbfV
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"A-Ah, w-well then..."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVxZeTMMDx
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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?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA9TvzCKBX
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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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY4ifKz1RO
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"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1CYNnli80
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoTLXnMJLF
"Y-Yeah."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m5Zmrtsko
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It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iMVL2FJOs
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9nmVbySSO
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEQhfmsVpa
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Yx1taJ4XF
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKZlRA34ZF
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It wasn't just Skylark, of course.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwMk5BDwcH
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"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoemXDCqTZ
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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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQnAoAdpQE
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"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzQsSar24l
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBEXsyhhsX
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LtxUQihRb
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NlBSAg41Z
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVzv8zO28h
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She looked over at Skylark.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnXErI61zf
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"And, again, thank you for helping."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKHdH1SBcN
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"But of course, it is my duty."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirzmSj2ABg
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"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59FywwOxW2
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"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1jKHwSAxR
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"That's stupid."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvdbTWEJ58
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I felt out of place as they quarreled.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKIL1tvsbh
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuAU8rQQ82
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaxxU7tNHF
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"...Yes?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex421UwFSa
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"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIe0X0YD9j
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiHy0rIL9m
"Yes, my lady."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR7BAjDqBj
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O4BezteQk
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e7jzeRcIn
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"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ7wsDChXu
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOycIEweyV4
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?132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu8JSsBE4r
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"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4NLZGyrid
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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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3He0iPPpKf
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXzOm8JOph
"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?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudWgR46Z6n
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIykLY70Wn
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvePDw7bhYF
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaBeFLRU3R
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfEz5n97rI
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MTiubM4Qu
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8LEnLUANv
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkLm1keb5z
"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?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinfyOP6mdP
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAtx6Tycw7
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsukBQrCe2y
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"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8FD1jaMTx
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeo0f5y3T6
She scowled at me. Oops.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV7MHnZY0N
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAE0Z4v300
"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!"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTYkhuS4UC
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"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgM4LWPt8r
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"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3kwxhOtnJ
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I was suddenly invested.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgoOfg7NO6
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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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURBFJjJXa0
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRW2KDu4Py
"Uh-huh."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrEa4ye7sq
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc1aJlhZ9T
"I mean it. Forgive him."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAipNnJ01o
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"O-Okay, I will."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4NamClcIw
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL6n84e3IC
"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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv3sJ5icBM
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The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7igD05DBNE
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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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIBoxp6ZUx
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I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DfY6zpvIj
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"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hTrZPKSFK
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"I refuse."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1jM4yRA46
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The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMksM9sUDd
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"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi8Dk1H9NV
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHjtXNeCUY
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."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVhulVLYeh
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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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVXV8tvy2V
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"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnKAg90kq7
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMdsjRJw7S
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYlVBGwT7e
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK6waySz8w
"Tea Mage...?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbicDrxt8mp
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9jd3CT4Gw
"I think his name is Freed."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlny7Xxxnu
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTB8PO2MKJ
"Oh, Freed."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFHPAHWAbE
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhPSkyLZcL
Her face twisted into a moue.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxJDlpWXR5
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqAxkCFF7c
"I see. He must've refused, then."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8U1JTthxS
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtPfAp1RnQ
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlegraFXQiQ
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJg1vaiSZ0
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdFcZVlox8
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnRidtSah5
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrOxvzvUF3
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfil9s8tqs
"Is that thing also Exotica?"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqgJyAxxWp
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YvmorB8qW
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMuIfYEdMr
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVXyLxU0Nn
"Right."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsvZApAWGM
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1phc3z6IY
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M1MNr1VNX
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVsCjuihBb
"...It'll probably be fine."132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz8tCiMzdt
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qJVv6Z0kJ
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EMXeE9Qdf
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBPy7WUtzE
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.132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgMzj5Ps4Q
132Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZTeWqsacW
It made me look forward to the future.
