"I see it. The light, I see it!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPC4OkeX1r
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8leKmWK2LU
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgma2gb73w
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JlmO3SqUH
"We did it, Flinty."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxbaln524b
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutpYDSTioN
"Yeah."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEfxHgC1ax
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WT3fmNBuf
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVLY0LPCjR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqpZGCLYDp
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG96OQe4wdl
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvhg4CYj7U
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbxgR5QyNt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE5wEB4UCQ
"Ah, you made it!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcbFooUtFJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGX416NTiS
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhTAEy29oS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6Ii7QDgD4
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVQbEV99az
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNj7kqqQ0y
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgo0rK9Y0z
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9SAoIWqa5
"Ah, alright."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHVpI2LEZX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqnfdMolzf
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7edBHzil3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrW9UsD72d
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKz5Ljemcu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60ojjERgK1
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCux74li4o
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLmQ3nUour
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAo2Cp5094
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r2P1LTlui
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5YCxCOmRf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzLf8s9Rs3
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8zCuD4jnV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeUPkluuTj
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSGoWb5M1E
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXQOyiXcoK
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3X6QSARq9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK74N1HoWI6
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3n1FjZrB3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdw9HXbquO
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO5Q7EQI8l
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfu9q5mUC6
"Of course! Let's go."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwtU8IYxFf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIOipMYehp
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkqEn3O4sF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqflX48GMB
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zsB1ZwKFN
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwO8OUyr6L
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbktPp43qvn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMkEAv9P6E
"Uh, do I have to?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6omJ0awwFj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsQ26RIMKy
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHoFTU5qln
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zgx4Qn45H
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MazKnDQg6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MfwCCUYUb
"Kenny?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeZ6t7JgkI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AncxMHVFd
"Yeah yeah..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoTihz7Mab
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TZUly8Mdw
I took off my shirt.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiXjI52lIK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC3sYItylK
"Alright, now come here."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufXtTdS6fx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSq4KxnAES
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCIU70t0nt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUCSGMyB2J
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKVgCTnRF1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ6VZAXw0R
"Right."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOpzOEkyIi
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXLkOvDEvv
I tried that, but it didn't work.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAGm8iQoUX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPJdLbsxVx
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGc71b5rYp
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA06xa9Sg8
"Beats me."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2lKDNSNxi
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR21kNb8S4q
"But it came from you, didn't it?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8jBIhcvyU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1aCY14DkO
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuE5zX0CMu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktipq3yTSz
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiuwzXzWC1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXQqx3UJ7U
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdb71Gdfyt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNvIysUCEO
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6X8BUl114
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivi7bndCme
"It's no use. It isn't possible."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqX1fQ5cRt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutPFH9rcq1
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DN8PpRVoR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRjKNg9k1L
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaLDRbODkS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IZGF39a1p
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXFPPrS03P
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D1sdFWEEt
"A-Ah, w-well then..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR4AYUQvvu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bukle9LMP
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.
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YWjFJQZLB
"K-Kenny?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryDkD93SDm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEu7rnztuA
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx3vmdDTBS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKLqozzEfH
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBMuZlYH9k
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRifdFU8SY
"Y-Yeah."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EZMU4JlMw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmHBUnP7XF
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatoIf6NDse
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpGTtxwsvy
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50586iyUty
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF96lXyWzz
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0UXDXKJxv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfckaMdc8z
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c6vL2Aq84
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfDlsg9JvV
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQdmUOjL1u
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9XiQGuNln
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbkpWtenzn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFtzY6jXSc
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiwZhxeqyv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElfcbuqGEE
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M9LJcSj0U
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DHjXMwLpX
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvUDm42khi
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIPsvEaEYs
She looked over at Skylark.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh3d1Lj1tt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY0St2ea50
"And, again, thank you for helping."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97iMXyro4b
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpvTJjmwPw
"But of course, it is my duty."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiHldWcA3P
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9POOpPw5C
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHhxFYrnxS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRFQViyy2B
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nTuHb45LT
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxYAXTaRR1
"That's stupid."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYWJ2jEJwH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyvd3ZbDxW
I felt out of place as they quarreled.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosmwRLwfiq
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dFKKvNZum
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nlsrzyivG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPskyJKAr59
"...Yes?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXkBgBkcyc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf2XuyzeAs
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEtbjJOKfy
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeHNi3DX20
"Yes, my lady."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RoA7RlzOt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIijeeL8Om
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAZ2uFKH3H
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIjo6P7Ynu
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye6lyf4Wl9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQldZxPygVj
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?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB653Z0Zt9G
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa8jxC1T5S
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohzcH3xAas
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81YBgyW7rD
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8oZO2buiI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjDRZ6BP9K
"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?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPhKc8UpOX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAc63hjF4U
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrKxYUECuh
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqT6LXXhlU
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFaRyvWkgZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEyGqRichQ
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlz1nOOOTr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDV1u6GYtC
"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?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9RbiSav4n
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidBTaRJ8Cf
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ616tNxNVWf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6tAQPVK5B
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG70lXyxiUG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eTs0Mo9Xm
She scowled at me. Oops.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD21EZJMWJG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuPgmEnRg3
"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!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxCvzOjJT1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcevWZlVuCq
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXSpgiP3Rd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF98slg9Sm
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4CWpMSuqx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcAjZzRkSx
I was suddenly invested.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxONfODWsJu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9J692HzIt
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTcCbasYQb
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKwC6V41WR
"Uh-huh."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYVwkBK6dK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe2te0PsXD
"I mean it. Forgive him."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7VgrwwVVh
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFftrSFltSK
"O-Okay, I will."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DMRu1dsmz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pq4yhuKEG
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5DbFEftdN
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FDvMB9yJH
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeseI1Mf3N
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JnuYo5P5X
"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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCB2BiRg3x
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAfzhmdVYv
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a6yPrRkCo
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPef62QBkJ
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqITAlMHbcB
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z3e7ThI1a
"I refuse."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUwrLSEKJW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznSajdNAbb
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD7uFGj44r
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPFv2IgPVB
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSVSdJVKaw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmJ1vkhRez
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."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZfOoA7pEH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje1BMJey40
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME0ffzv6ap
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4AskZyqAb
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZUXMz0siP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcvOrQ0sV1
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ1JNRzomM
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRd2XRPVvp
"Tea Mage...?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxcbysLB0V
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gvQdzCkYJ
"I think his name is Freed."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFRuMRzQP0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5nZLnlig6
"Oh, Freed."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiSkzH8aJX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUQY2OS5RR
Her face twisted into a moue.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzjOPuPw7r
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLl4i1F4dI
"I see. He must've refused, then."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28wdJuh9Zc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw9VQHvxM6
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN622Msg1p
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymVNnhIXaK
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68DzL52370
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FwObp6VYf
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZsVYNKxL6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ045qzd6tRg
"Is that thing also Exotica?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5sxVNvW3i
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw0RYEFXIx
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2oPAmb6dn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn4RwWIiXI
"Right."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYxxhToqEe
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElZ05Ft9By
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HsLQPKu8d
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnVzFtfxrL
"...It'll probably be fine."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPQ97Lhoce
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8m0SyG4wd
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdeXSHXpav
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69lXF3zfvx
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.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImlL7bTmZO
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOAgIoWvjN
It made me look forward to the future.
