When Rover separated from Kenny, she created a mission for herself. She wanted to find the way up the tower and rub it in his face. She knew Kenny wouldn't mind it very much, but she didn't particularly want to enrage Kenny. She just wanted to throw a jab or two his way. It was fun for her. A type of fun that was harmless and calm, one she usually found in hearing stories.
Besides, the quicker she delivered this stupid letter to the stupid Dean, the faster they could leave and avoid all the stupid nonsense this city was going through.
So, Rover didn't traverse the building all lax and slow. She didn't spend her time ogling at the architecture or meticulously investigating what was behind those doors. No, when she deemed the distance between her and Kenny far enough, she broke into a sprint, covering the grounds of the hallway almost immediately.
When she turned the corner, she saw something at the end that was unlike the walls. From this distance, she could only tell that it was an opening, but there were signs beside it. Rover, proud of her senses for a reason, spotted the engravings on the signs from across the hallway. It was the caricature of somebody ascending rudimentary steps.
Rover smirked. She found her head start. She made it to the end of the hallway in a near instant. However, she didn't walk up the stairs immediately.
"..."
Kenny had told her to meet back at the entrance if they found anything. This suggestion was holding her back, which surprised Rover.
But, many things have been surprising her today. Many things about herself, about others, the list could go on. Though Rover had a part of her that wanted to honor Kenny's suggestion, her eager, daring part wanted to rise up those steps and get this letter delivered right here and now. In fact, she wanted to do it so fast that by the time Kenny would finish his inspection, she'd be back to meet him with their mission completed.
She listened to the latter part and ran up the stairs.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrv9FEGwUL
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKdeK0jdxT
What she found when she arrived on the second floor– which was a longer trek than she expected –was a series of rooms isolated in glass boxes. The floor was carpeted and there was a central path that branched off to all the rooms, with a few leading to doors embedded into the walls. Rover didn't care for the framework of the room, instead focusing on finding an exit. Unfortunately, the maze-like structure of the floor made navigating it difficult. Rover concluded that one of the doors lodged into the wall must've led to the next floor, but even though there were no obstructions to her vision courtesy of the glass, finding an exit from any point of the room was impossible.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx0z3aTuch
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXjjXCYDjm
"W-Who makes their rooms this confusing!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2ZstrMmAi
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHUIldlnro
Rover had nobody to voice her complaint to, however, so she saved it for whatever draftsmen would face her first and scoured the room for an exit. Though she compared the structure to a maze, in reality, the paths lead to destinations without any deliberately puzzling forks. Still, traveling in this area, where everywhere she looked had a desk and chair loitering around, was disorienting.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeGEUsne2G
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf3aNsI0Vg
She managed to arrive at one of the wall-embedded doors. She tried to open it, but the door didn't budge. She tried to kick it down, but even with her physical prowess, the door didn't falter.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnBp4sdV8P
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmJQjPx7bD
It was reinforced with mana– that was Rover's conclusion, and as Rover was unable to use any magic, there was no way she could tear the door down with just her strength. Maybe if she was stronger, she thought, but she discarded the idea quickly. She turned around and retraced her steps, tilting her head downward and fixing her eyes on the carpet. She returned to an intersection, and with two other paths to choose, she decided on the left one. The path only led to an ensemble of glass boxes, however, so she retraced her steps yet again.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKAPUlWEhb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXcmDHDQnT
She was beginning to get a little thirsty. She began to regret her self-imposed restlessness. Nevertheless, she continued searching, and searching, and searching–
"--Who's there?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUbTr94s4c
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJekvgFItw
It was faint. It could've just been a trick of the mind, or maybe the floor was settling from all the garbage placed onto it. But, she heard a distinct noise. She was sure it wasn't her body making it, or the rustling of her baggage. No, it was a noise of something foreign. So, she spoke out, sharpening her eyes and hearing to where even her heartbeat didn't fall upon her.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERLNOQdOR6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPxDd1HySn
–Again. There it was again. She began crossing out the possibilities. It could no longer be a trick of her mind, nor could it be the settling of the room. Therefore, she asked again.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofo44fIpSx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HTqIAs3UH
"Who's there?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2rJGIFfhj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp3aJQMDbj
She drew her rapier. Her eyes darted around the room. Whatever, or most likely, whoever made the noise, was hiding behind one of the dozens of desks sprawled around.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufgj7h4foO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaAKEPxCkP
Therefore–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXRVTQr5yt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfJkjE7kM6
**SHATTER**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVV8G1kWkU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9xaMGsUpn
She would attempt to draw them out. And what better way to do so than to cause a little mayhem?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBXm4lrTPk
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7FHL3sMEq
With a series of swift kicks, she shattered the glass boxes in her immediate vicinity and toppled over all the desks and chairs that her limbs could reach. But, even through all the noise and rumbling, she never let her vision drift away from her surroundings.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIbiDZw8sJ
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Her hasty action drew out her desired result.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoNlECNxfB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYajoYnbps
"You're an insolent, deleterious girl, but you have good discretion."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZoXPqDNPB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDURgfehXRA
A man popped up from a distant set of tables. He grabbed a chair and chucked it, shattering a glass wall in its trajectory toward Rover. She merely kicked the flying object into a wall.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc40baQKDph
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"Powerful, too."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm7fRx5o1B
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkURAz76K6i
Rover raised her rapier, brandishing it and pointing it at the man.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOKDfzf5R0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡighVEg88O0
"I don't know what deleterious means. Is that supposed to be a compliment?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ge2iKBG5D
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL29J6FLo3
"If the poor man who will have to clean up after your mess thinks so, then yes."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91O6NRHMqb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf10IA5E94D
Rover narrowed her eyes. It wasn't just the fact that he liked to hide, but his articulation infuriated her. She was naturally wary, but holding back the desire to rush in and ravage him was difficult.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqBtiIy3ai
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFOJagcYkK
She inspected the man's outfit, seeing a large coat, reaching to his ankles. He likely had a set of weapons hidden beneath it. After all, Rover thought, men with hair as kempt as his always carried an excessive deal of weaponry.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU3i76X5te
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTD3jHwY67
"...I don't know how you got up here, but it's obvious that you're a threat. Sorry, I'll have to fight you now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcywpZ5Q7Ds
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xi0fiTvBf
The man fiercely unzipped his coat and reached both his hands inside, taking out a duel set of–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4r7KumJ2SE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YBmuQLxcg
"Crossbows!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68l78r8Dl6
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Rover's heart sank, but only for a moment. The crossbows weren't big or imposing, and Rover couldn't begin to fathom how he would reload them, meaning that handling them was clunky. It wasn't so different from fighting a mage. At least, it shouldn't have been.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrVJxYMqAw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7rzjnqMXm
But Rover saw two pillars– or, what could be better described as chimneys –attached to the ends of the crossbow, creeping from the depths of his coat. The man fired them, and Rover evaded them easily, but then another couplet followed, and then another, and another, and another–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcZLfwxvYC
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR83Y57uB8
"Ngh! How!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfAYpnvj76
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc296Dh5ci
She flipped a desk over and used it as a shield, blocking the maelstrom of arrows to little effect. Their momentum was stopped, but the arrowheads happily pierced through the several inches of thick wood, stopping just short of hitting her face. Unfortunately, the cumulative force of the arrows ruptured the table, splitting it in two and forcing Rover to roll away to grab a new one. She went through two more desks before the flurry of arrows ceased. Cold sweat ran down her spine, but with the quantity of her sweat, it would be more accurate to call it a river.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCbOD3k8u5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNGle5bGHR
Rover peered over the desk. The man clicked his tongue and put his crossbows back inside his coat, and Rover exhaled in relief. The man dug through his coat and pulled out a large, serrated knife.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77OZdHPwZQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH2qbgUKUK
"I'm a fool, using my crossbows in a place like this where you can simply block them. Arrows don't come cheap."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdpKjaQNCp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuzGUIz8nq
"What are you talking to me for? Are we going to fight or not?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cm2a0PauF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYBwRXpWSc
"You ought to know the answer by now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlpvF217El
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmR1fbrNA6
The man entered into a restrained fighting stance, taunting Rover by jerking his fingers and telling her to bring it. Rover was more than happy to oblige.
As she ran to the man, bursting through glass walls, she grabbed her parrying dagger and raised it. The man backed away and hopped onto a desk, kicking a chair at Rover. She blocked it with her arms and shoved it aside.
"--Huh?"
The chair had blocked her vision for barely over a second, and yet, the man had disappeared from her view. She frantically looked around the floor but found nobody, likely meaning–
"You're hiding behind a table again!"
With how little time had passed, the man must have been hiding by the desk he stood on. Rover rushed to the desk and kicked it and nearby ones over. Indeed, Rover had found the man, but she also found a ball of water hovering right in front of his palm.
Rover's instincts kicked in and forced her to duck, allowing her to get by with just a few grazed strands of hair. But the man didn't let up, rushing at her with his knife in both hands. Rover backed away from the first thrust, but the man caught up quickly and thrust at her again, forcing Rover to parry it with her dagger.
She'd typically be thrilled about such a situation, as having the opponent's weapon interlocked with her dagger made their movement cumbersome. But his weapon was light and smaller than hers. Rover realized it too late, and thus, the man was able to easily deliver a kick to her abdomen, knocking her away.
She didn't go far, and though the kick hurt, it granted her beneficial information.
"Ack," the man shouted, shaking his foot like he'd stubbed his toe, "that was through a shoe, too! Are you made of iron?"
She smirked. Rover now knew her physical strength was superior to his.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgG2WKgAGA
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNlAFwqVDr
"Before we keep going," she started, "what is your name?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbHpf1yIzO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeFVkfQ3oT
"Hmm? What's this, are you trying to duel me?"
"What else would I be doing!?"
The man lowered his knife for a moment, tapping his chin–
"I decline."
And dashing towards Rover yet again. The split second of rage Rover felt from his response was enough to stun her and allow the man to close the distance. He thrust his knife at her repeatedly, then switched to slashing, the first of which Rover quickly blocked with her rapier. She reacted faster than the man and delivered a kick from the side, but her foot didn't meet with the man's body. Rover looked down and saw the man's free hand open, and a tiny yet dense mass of stone was in between that and her foot.
"Tch!"
She dashed away, shaking her head and clearing her mind, then took the offensive. She poked her rapier at the man, able to stay at a distance where his knife couldn't reach her. The man kept backing away and dodging her thrusts until he collided with a table. Rover smirked, reeling her arm back and stabbing the rapier into the man's leg– but it failed. Instead, the man perfectly blocked the oncoming strike with the flat side of the knife. Rover's eyes widened, the brief moment of disbelief weakening the force she was applying, and allowing to shove her rapier aside. Nonplussed, but more so because of her broken stance, a punch to the face and subsequent kick to the stomach sent Rover rolling across the floor. The glass tore her clothes and dug themselves into her lower legs.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v7Td14Jko
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6PG9PJHt9
"Hrk! Ahh, this sucks!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpedILe7Mjn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tjU4Ha1zK
The prickling pain of dozens of miniature shards lodged into her skin was as oppressive as it was unique. Rover struggled to grit her teeth through it, and more than that, struggled to keep her legs standing straight.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgZWrJh1Vu
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"Phew. Give up now?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGziknNSgD
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"'Course not, just thinking."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxUT0upvBS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKri87KFwvI
Her rapier was an effective but exploitable tool. She also lost a substantial amount of mobility, and now blood was slowly leaking from her body. The one time she utilized her dagger only led to a counterattack, but that instance was a defensive use.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNBvJEkB3Z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8BOuQHRXt
The man didn't let her analyze the situation unperturbed. He broke into a sprint, yet again clutching his knife in both hands. But Rover had already sheathed her rapier brandished her dagger, and challenged the man's rush.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyEs0P58iB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYISKCGDHnu
The surprise on his face was evident, and he skidded to a stop. Rover weakly slashed at him and the man backed away. She caught the hem of his coat but missed his body. The man didn't rush in again, instead, continuing to back off. He freed one of his hands and began mana expulsion.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUqgZBBbB2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva6eM7l3le
"--Shit!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeIQydggWD
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Rover realized how precarious the situation had become. After all, if the very thing locomoting her had been impeded, then evasion became a mountainous task.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKnuqEAuoP
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The man must have had a similar epiphany.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpUr6GF28C
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It was a blade of wind this time. It was speedy, but Rover could tell that its strength was far less than the water spell from before. Instead of dodging it, she grabbed her rapier, still in its scabbard, and blocked the spell.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeeHQzJvjy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrVsY1QUMF
"--Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoN1TV0MBu
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Rover was surprised by her move's effectiveness. Or, rather, she was surprised by how weak the spell was. Then, she lowered the scabbard and looked at the man again, who was preparing a far more voluminous spell.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXLwbl9QD3
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Before she could even react, she was sent flying.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoXkImg8BM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYG34vfTph
The spell itself didn't hurt her, but the distance she was flung was simply absurd. She flew across the entire floor, only stopping when making contact with the wall. She slid down, rubbing her back when she met with the floor.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUMeFzQsG9
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"Ngh..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr2h96JCVm
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She got on her feet, using the scabbard to help her rise. Her breathing was heavy, and her vision was becoming hazy.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6deeTXCBkP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjbjaNi0fx
"This just... isn't my day, damn it."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtJNT7RBd0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ySdxiWtw7
"--Rover!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRypdpZbp5l
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry042ZH1fO
And then, she was taken out of her exhaustion, if only for a moment. A familiar voice, yet one that should not be here, called out to her. She turned her head to the person with the voice and saw a red-haired boy with a white coat peeking out of the floor's entrance.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgrv0xydED
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMv5dMwJwC
"K-Kenny!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V06bFfVl0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfNDc59gTG
"Rover– goodness, what the hell happened here!? Actually, nevermind that, listen, you–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHxCnGoyip
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhjtf4g85L
"Sorry, Kenny, I'm in the middle of something here."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9nzoDU3X9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS6n6euSni
She straightened her posture and rubbed the saliva off her chin, limping to continue her fight.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZtrKBMTpQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBZamkTo3b
"What are you doing!? Look at yourself, you're in no state to fight!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFouSPNbbl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnNQQmbnS3
She turned her head to him, conflicted.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRSpwb7lJ3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyxfiZDwDn
"I... So what, I don't need your help! I've got it under control, it's fine."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXBcuV202r
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr3crn9B0g
Kenny grimaced and pinched his nose. Then, the door opened again, and out from the threshold walked a white-haired woman in a robe.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16YQk2Ctlg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mYfuNnoqz
"W-who's that," she asked, confusion momentarily overtaking her burning drive.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtRjGUnu7m
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sbMSJire8
"Ah, you must be Kenny's friend. We can introduce ourselves later. Please, stand aside for the time being."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK0j6mrcQl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1ygNDDjT8
"H-Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QRTAHjr7Z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNcoqAWcOd
The woman walked with a bold gait, brushing past Rover without even sparing a glance. Kenny ran up to her, gnawing at his finger as he looked over her wounds.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiy4CfjDiX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP52UcUgTW
"You... you are so reckless!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHF8HJu2f9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0ZyUYrrJz
Then, the boy raised his voice, stunning her.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm9F7opSfG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstd60T123a
"Why is fighting the first thing you do, huh!? Can't you use that head of yours for something else!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0zWWq1B3g
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0xz0fVIsS
His words, to her surprise, slashed at her egregiously.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdAMKIHYug
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zgYoTpVUD
"...T-The hell are you talking about!? What else was I supposed to do!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68HJiv6W2w
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46IQtX3yMk
"Didn't you think of waiting, or running back to me or something!? I could have shown him that note! Or, if nothing else, we could have fought together!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ7EtteMTW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtJNJDVsHQ
"--!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSraK3J0WWf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgZbBX4cH5
His words had left her paralyzed and her mouth agape. Kenny's expression was suddenly tainted by guilt. He exhaled and rubbed his head.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTBp2QG65y
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xTGurECoc
"Sorry, I'm just a little angry right now. But, I'm glad that you're fine. Relatively speaking."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qgktKWpi2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe66v9aE9Ci
"I... hmph, of course I'm fine!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76foGTyDuS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB6HJ5RTpu
A light smile found itself on his face.
"We'll talk later. For now, let's defuse the situation."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33uATB2iZ0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkCbcz5fuN
Kenny walked past her but stopped just short of passing her to speak.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3iybJ7xAG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUvreHV9Pb
"S-Seriously, though. You have no idea how glad I am that you're still alive. I don't know if I could've handled it."
"...Handled it? What do you mean?"
Kenny blinked a few times and shook his head.
"N-Nevermind, I said something weird, ignore that."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzCGZbo4QN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmubX6KhRE
Rover turned around, eyeing the two new figures in the room. Kenny was behind the mysterious woman with his tendril out and a bellicose stance. The woman had a peculiar two-pronged dagger. Rover found it strange; she knew that they would be trying to talk the situation out, but they were poised to battle at any moment.
"Pars," the woman spoke, "I'll keep it quick. These two are here to deliver a letter issued by the Zariel Kingdom itself. I know you're a stuck-up guy, but please, don't force me to fight alongside them."
"..."
The man didn't immediately respond, but his posture did loosen.
"Stuck-up? Really? What'd I do to get on your bad side?"
"Oh, come on, you know your sins."
The man sighed.
"Is there a reason I should believe them?"
"Why, yes, there is."
Kenny took it as a cue and reached for his pocket, unfolding and showing the note. The man nodded, opened his coat, and placed the knife in.
"That better be authentic. Not like it matters though. It isn't as if I'd win a fight against you Lola."
–
–
–
I had a lingering anxiety during the exchange. After all, Lola had told me that Pars was an obstinate individual. I was left doubting her assessment. Judging by the look on her face, even she was reconsidering it.
Still, though, a victory was a victory, and it deserved some kind of celebration. I spent mine dropping to the floor, narrowly avoiding the sea of glass and panting as the delayed exhaustion set in.
"Phew... that was nightmarish."
I retracted the tendril and wiped the sweat off my brow. A little this sounded beside me, and I turned to find that Rover had joined in my rest.
"You don't look happy," I said.
"Hmph. I've got a sour taste in my mouth. I dunno how to feel about this."
"Well, be glad you're still kicking, and dread the scolding I'll be dishing to you."
"You already gave me a good one, there's no need to waste your energy."
Then, Rover began to pick the glass out of her legs. It was obvious from her wincing that the process hurt. I didn't have a potion on me, but I did have something to soothe her. I took out the tendril and summoned a Soothe-Bloom. Rover looked at it quizzically.
"...So that's the tendril you were talking about."
"Hmm? Did I not show it to you?"
"No! Don't you remember how much of a priss you were about it!? Eh, forget it, what does that flower do?"
"Just watch. Or, listen, I suppose."
The Soothe-Bloom shook, and a gentle chime rang throughout the room. It was a single and quick occurrence, and it left Rover only more perplexed.
"Alright, try picking the glass now."
"Okay."
Much to her nature, she tugged the largest one she could find, her mouth agape at the speed at which the wound was closing.
"W-Woah, it barely hurts. Is this some kind of black magic?"
"Black magic!? Don't insult my plants like that!"
She paid little heed to my demand, continuing to pluck the glass out of her legs. She finished a few minutes later. I offered to wash her legs with water magic, which she accepted when I insisted. Afterward, she got on her feet. Her leg was still injured, but the bleeding had stopped thanks to the Soothe-Bloom.
"I feel... kinda tired, though."
"You just fought somebody and had your wounds speed-healed. I'm surprised you didn't fall asleep."
"Huh? That flower knocks people out?"
"No. Not directly, at least. Anyway, enough of that."
I got up, swiped the debris off my shorts, and walked to Lola and Pars, moving around all the toppled furniture. The two of them were talking about something, but from the little bit I caught, I couldn't distinguish what.
"Hello, kid," Pars started, "Kenny, right? Look, I don't want you to get the wrong idea from Lola here. I'm a decent guy, just a hard worker. She likes to ignore that part, though, which–"
"I do not care about that. I just wanted to know if you two were ready to lead us to the Dean."
Lola let out a chuckle and Pars, a tired sigh. Lola took the initiative in the conversation.
"Don't mind him, he's still young. Whenever your friend is ready, we'll gladly lead you."
I turned my head behind me and looked at Rover. I threw her an oscillating thumb, asking her for an assessment of her condition. She smiled and returned a stern thumbs-up.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1Y3ODQ9x9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxDpQgBQt3
"Looks like we're ready. If you don't mind, though, could you please get her some bandages?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE48Ne3oK1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVkkylIBsB
–
–
–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhFj7FTI73
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4f9kV6961
Rover and I were at the final stretch. We were walking through the floors of the building like it was a morning stroll, all thanks to our guides. Truly, if it weren't for them, we would have gotten hopelessly lost.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFdsQJV9bs
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YpdWNYxw9
According to Pars, the interior of the Pillars was designed to disorient those unfamiliar with it. Rover spoke from her experience and confirmed that the design worked. The Pillars were perfectly defended from the outside, but hiring someone to infuse their mana for every square inch of the building was an impossible proposition. So, instead, the builders were ordered to make each floor– with the first being a notable exception –like a maze. The walls were also stuffed with foam, which explained how I didn't catch any noise from Rover's fight until I reached the stairs.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQSrUwHJ7k
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3jHcJJYAF
Speaking of Rover, she was glum, moody, and seemingly deep in rumination. I thought that it had something to do with her pride since she scratched at her bandages very frequently, but it turned out that they were just made of shoddy fabric that normally irritated skin. I realized that I was overthinking and that it would be best to just ask her, but I hesitated to do it. The mood was gloomy, however. If nothing else, I could claim I was just trying to liven the place up.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUAPGrGMGf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvcVsAVHnW
"So... Rover, what's on your mind?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmtf4LoMAU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha0hhgV2mD
"I'm thinking about what you said. Don't talk to me right now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69Ca059X2g
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziO8vnHDdM
"O-Oh. Carry on, then."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyZ6nGSYMN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaafzyW0nPX
I was shot down quickly and was left feeling sheepish. Somehow, hearing that she was thinking over my words was foreboding. It scared me into being silent, but I still wanted to talk about something, since simply talking and walking through these floors was nerve-wracking.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob3YkUxYt9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqZhkH0imQ
So, I decided that now was a better time than ever to ask a question that had been plaguing me for hours.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCvHfiw8yY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCQjaEi6AR
"Hey, Lola, do you mind if I ask that question I was talking about?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnIqdQIFtn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWRk9YDPtP
"Hmm? What are you referring to?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeJX4NU2nS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmpP1KF7CV
"...Nevermind. Can I ask you a question?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDB8dMzRxN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI03KMrjve
"Of course."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK7HhBK3xp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PgvFSFTxu
"Hey," Pars interrupted, "Why don't you ask me that question? Come on, give me a try."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiNrIqIvWy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqGS75PH7g
I blinked a few times, failing to see any reason why not.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiisxvE4oZS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcp4ULIcCJ
"Very well. What is going on to make the security so tight?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtZBguXQUj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiJv3x1WJV
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkko1aGuX4A
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReWsQZTYCB
I was met with silence. Lola and Pars exchanged looks, Pars' expression grim.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFMBAxNhYn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgsBTFcUMq
"Since they are delivering to the Dean, why don't we–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt79Ov6fpQ6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJDq85lGVm
"No. We have been explicitly told not to share. I won't make any exceptions."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x1QHd8I3B
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3bHyCsfhq
Lola frowned and let out a tired sigh, rubbing her brow.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5oYU1Udnx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8CW6Bnndi
"If you can't answer, that's fine. It would ease my anxiety if you did, though."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIXRfoKyHp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneDKZY56iq
"Then I suppose I have no choice."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwI3TSfsdS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGViSqdvQdf
"Lola! Are you kidding me!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixg7MRrZGn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b7z51cWqV
Pars glared at Lola, his hazel eyes lit aflame.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HNB06rA53
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR7F0SvPBo
"What? They aren't citizens anyhow, they're unlikely to spread the information."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDlOsShIBq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA98l1pDJk0
"That's beside the point! We were told not to tell them!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW2vUaa0ml
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SwqkfFpEn
"You are such a priss, Pars."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc08daM8QmQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0V7eDBfRv
I perked up, hearing that word from someone that wasn't Rover. It was ultimately a coincidence, so I just kept listening.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepkkZHDezj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmcKgl4lkM
"Hurl your insults, but we can't tell them anything. Even if it wasn't demanded, what if they told everyone in Zariel Capitol, hmm?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOLvSXY9aN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKzuykObvF
"That won't happen, and I know you know that."
"Yeah yeah. But it might."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWdSIZzpZM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yGwXS8ibC
Though I didn't see her face, I could by the movement of her head that Lola rolled her eyes.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Klznkrjmh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz5CuVcJiC
"I'm going to tell them."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSBSV6w7uH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBV5SNZ5jU
"Don't you do it."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas5QjBLRLz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGcy9bFNLi
"Listen up, Kenny. The reason for the increase in security–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPmsQHSMaR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJIcEnq9qN
"Lola, I'm for real about this."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqEf9V2LNP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkbrJsArEZ
"--is because of a series of assassinations."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI1oU1NLtU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eN70MWKaA
Pars let out an exhausted, lengthy groan. Lola leaned in beside my ear, not giving me a chance to digest the information.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyEHryTmrw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FER21K687
"Pars is a pushover, too. Watch, he won't do a thing."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLFAjwuNDo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzwx4wG10s
"...Well, cat's out of the bag, so I might as well elaborate. Don't want the kid thinking I'm all fussy too."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g8vJZDVAA
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQutdAiUDX
Lola's eyes widened. An overwhelming quantity of thoughts were swerving in my mind, but at the very least, I could be sure to never trust Lola's assessments of people's character.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXBuaOQYlC
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67eg1oW6z4
"Lola told the truth. There was a series of assassinations just a week ago that happened right under our noses. Assassinations are naturally a cause for concern, but the people who were assassinated are why security is so tight right now."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2nHYf9TLg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqua2oif7l
"Uh, well, who got killed?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fymbe79km
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK4Ah8a0sc
"Three of the four Sherrifs, and three of the eight Officers. Some of the strongest defenders the city has to offer, and half of them were killed. Some of them were my friends, too."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATVwba0pUV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcvhdeyhCX
His voice became sullen. I was about to comfort him, but he continued speaking before I could.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28gWpAMN0f
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc05Dg4DCTe
"I'm an Officer, and Lola here is a Sherrif. Since we're prime targets, we've been living in this Pillar for the past few days, having the Head Guards on watch duty. The other pillars are in a similar situation. Let me tell you, this place sucks to crash in."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhgfBbz4JK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtsNXWBrdI
"I-I see."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm4QlunRgA
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8peZdclwG
The explanation put everyone's behavior into perspective. Frankly, it made me surprised that they believed me and Rover so readily, even with the letter. I felt lucky.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3e7WtexJk
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hZrTiwFHe
"The worst part is that we don't have any suspects, let alone culprits," Lola spoke, "It's been nothing but hassle and heartbreak."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vYhmfBOoX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVF7gTImWh
"...You have my condolences."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMS8VGzGW1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt2M8oae1k
"Thank you, Kenny. You're sweet."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhPK2FyQly
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aC2CHBRpJ
"Mmm."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjkbDLH3px
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8VSjS82AH
I suddenly began to admonish myself for the previous frustrations I had about this mission. I cleaned my slate and loosened my muscles.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOa2tztEFR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHbNA0bQrw
"Alright, we've made it.'
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb8QmZFOqG
And then, we stood before a set of double doors. Not particularly grand, but certainly not shabby. There was a plaque above it with "Dean's Office" written in bold.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLo0U3WMMv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnq7rxW5re
"I'll ease us in," Pars said, "It's time to utilize my expert charisma."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vrwHGB7So
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7E194ehXR
"You need to stop talking," Lola replied in a deadpan while Pars flung the doors open. Lola walked into the room. Rover and I followed, but I stopped right beside Pars while Rover went ahead. It looked like he was on the brink of tears, but erased the look once he noticed I was looking at him.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgIeAQj1nB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFCDjboB43
"Hey, Kenny. Do you think I'm unfunny?" He asked, pointing a finger at his chest.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP0w2hzHjP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv5jneI7Pj
"...Well, you haven't made me laugh."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLKvdZy0mt
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxKItXQ0wK
"Come on, kid. I can't even get a 'yet?'"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmalafk3cbd
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i60ZHi10e
I shook my head and walked away from him, rejoining with the others. They were standing before a lengthy and opulent desk. An older man flipping through documents and stacks of paper stopped his activities to look up at us, raising an eyebrow.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxkb2BgrNg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHGFGpMEVe
"Sherrif Nico, you bring along unfamiliar faces. I assume that they are here for good reason?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCqhWL9bHl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzaaziGaT7
"Of course, sir. Here, you two, give him what you must."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZngUunkuqa
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12PxI9Q7e0
She signaled me and Rover to pull out our cargo, and we obliged. I grabbed the package from Rover's hands and delivered it with the note on top, placing it on the Dean's desk.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuhqUL2vbP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ2BsxVIaj
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HwWcJfHWv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY2BU8YwsX
He looked at me as if he was expecting something. I realized that he likely wanted elaboration.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUnhhavLBD
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFPjQN13t9
"U-Uhm, we're here on official business, sent by the Zariel Kingdom. All necessary information should be listed in the note, and–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfM3OhEmHy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjclrMWyOQJ
"I see, thank you. I'll see to the letter being delivered."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4G3JUnh5z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITxJ2AMn4W
The man took the package and placed it aside, giving me a novel smile.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj5cqH0IyM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE0dBU6dJm
"You two are free to go. Sheriff Nico, Officer Abbas, please escort them back."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeJgfRGIBT
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBxPytBVYt
I looked back at Rover, who was brimming with a giant smile. I couldn't help but copy it. I walked up to her and held my palm up, and she slapped it powerfully.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJVqXy7IJl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05wQVpaGuD
"Nice," she shouted, "Good job," I yelled. We weren't quite in sync, but our points crossed over.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7eaTGoIsx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV4XZTXwbD
We had completed the mission.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHqNFE7d95
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQB0ei9TpC
–
–
–
The trek back was quiet but laden with good spirits. Rover and I commemorated our job well done with silent exchanges of looks and gesticulations. We separated with Pars and Lola once we reached the first floor, and Rover and I practically sprinted to the exit.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp127hGiM7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG726aTDqG
When we got out, we were blasted by fresh air and a breath-taking sunset. It was so invigorating that I didn't even pant from the running. Truly, it was the best of times.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfcn634fI4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUDHLVP0py
"One last high-five, Kenny!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjx4ZSdXIM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrJampSGNT
"Alright alright, geez."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PoAnihxMh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2JOAHC6NL
Despite my tone, I reciprocated the gesture with a smile.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQshOjJe1H
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNnojHnFtN
"I can't wait to see Juke's face," Rover continued, "He's gonna look like a such a dolt."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaWuVDyH3h
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMw2zCB6c9
"I'm just glad that we're done. Let's meet up with him and leave this place."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuFWDz156a
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwXmhtl4Os
Nodding along to my suggestion, Rover and I began to exit the premises of the Pillar. Mason wasn't here, and neither was anyone by the fence, but that didn't deter the start of our footslog. We passed through the tiny gated entrance and traversed the streets. Surprisingly, the hustle and bustle I've grown accustomed to was absent, but I was in such a good mood that I didn't bother to think about it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZju9cV55QC
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4XSPirvET
"...This is quite convenient. I feel like I'm flying, and nobody's here to block me."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRSrfgbBh1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvLe6tFiG6
"Huh? What are you talking about?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBEowJZVSS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mK2APFVOl
"I'm talking about the crowd, or the lack thereof I suppose. It's nice, being able to travel here with some peace and quiet."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNBDylAcX6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyvdhoUCMs
She looked conflicted about my statement.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FAHQoOjMf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfLIoc87Jc
"I dunno, it just feels creepy to me, but I can see where you're coming from."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYGQHbojv5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VeomqH06E
"Our dispositions are just too different. It's not much of an issue."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBRR5CDrLN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj6UUKBnlW
"Dispositions...? What?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKhHq9atz9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cqgTzAm8D
"Uh... our natures, basically."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjI2S80tAn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCodZtjOLw
"Ah, why didn't you just say that then!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj41ePMu9T4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz4eX06luT
I answered her with a shrug, which elicited a stern huff out of her. We walked in silence afterward, giving me a chance to mull over her words.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x290Mryzn
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I could understand why she would think it was creepy, especially considering how busy it was not too long ago. But at the same time, it was the evening, so it made sense.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc3Qc6g6XB
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But, as I briefly looked into the passing alleyways, failing to spot a single soul, I wondered if the time of day was the whole picture.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw28H6c4sw
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"Hey, Kenny, I think I made up my mind."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AKPhwI33A
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She pulled me out of my rumination.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrFLdDHuEP
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"About what?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jco6blL1B
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"About what you said."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIddiSSHKpp
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A speck of dread entered my body, but I kept my ears open all the same.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC83bLMxZf8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodLQaX6Vno
"Well, what is it?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWas2Uq9oo7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgE2fy1FTm
"See, when you said that thing about fighting the guy together, that stumped me. I already told you that I used to only work alone, so it didn't even cross my mind."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEXCcCXUNl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKucVAqAUgy
"Right."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUrmoIihHG
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"So I decided that I'm gonna consider the idea. If I can, then I'll gladly work with people. I just hope that it won't have to be with a priss. If it is, then I'd rather not work with anybody."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpR9f8MbtN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkFiKvNYQu
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJv1hg4FGQ
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Somehow, I was left disappointed. Certainly, I was glad that she opened her mind to the idea of collaboration, but I was upset that she didn't address any aspect of her recklessness. Her wording struck me as dubious. 'Consider the idea?' Really? I set those thoughts aside, and for this one moment, I let it slide. I didn't want to trample upon either of our moods. Instead, I shot her a thumbs-up with a neutral expression.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhopgjuDB9Q
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"That's great."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IEA8tPNNL
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykz3tHRtzX
She thumped her chest proudly. And so, we returned to silently roaming the streets, moseying down to our inn–
"Kenny."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcbXuCDPZH
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"Uh, what's the matter?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nGxsUXg8Z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DyXwu1tJ6
Rover suddenly stopped moving and called my name. Her face was grave. It made my hair stand at its end.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhdN5qufIm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdVmtnkbcP
"Don't you hear that?" She asked, curling her palm around the back of her ear. I copied the gesture, but still, the silent street remained the same.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v8JP4n8YY
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"I can't say that I do."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaGYG90HmE
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Her face morphed into one of irritation. She suddenly clasped my arm and began to drag me away.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28QEP04FNp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03isBsFHcV
"W-Woah, what are you doing!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdMqiYFhGH
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"Just trust me here!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGtS9rXxkX
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Her sentence, mixed with a pleading one with gravity, shut me up. She let go of her grip, but I followed her to wherever it was that she was taking me. We diverted from the main street, weaving between alleyways and even climbing walls. And, as I progressed further and further into the depths of the city, I began to hear a noise.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRskpECTEE
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It sounded like chatter.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllbIShTbYg
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Tens of minutes passed by the time we finished. Rover stopped by the edge of an alley, motioning me to do the same. I peeked around the corner and laid eyes upon a plaza brimming with people. The sheer number was overwhelming, likely in the hundreds– no, even in the thousands. I couldn't make an accurate assessment, so I gave up on it, instead focusing on the surroundings. I noticed that the crowed had gathered around a stage. The stage had dozens of figures in robes.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO9TSpgIBZ
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"Kenny, wait here."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C0PecMCRu
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"Huh? Why?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfATxF6f5j
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She didn't respond. Instead, she crept out of the alley and took a left turn. I heard a thud, and a minute later, she returned with an unconscious body locked between her elbows.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmqRGytAuF
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"W-Wha–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iuo2PmCkz
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"Shhh! Shut up!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBJ55nWrev
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9bGEUzKRB
I wanted to protest, but the appearance of the robe caught my eye. It was lengthy fitted with a hood. But, most of all, I noticed its distinct dark blue color. Rather, it was a distinct color until I laid my eyes on it at that moment.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJPWzA93ez
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrxVOLXUJb
"This is..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVzNfIYhcM
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"Something fishy is going on here."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PQI5HLOCb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYdnd7N5RV
I couldn't voice the connection I made, but my mind still thought it, and it horrified me. It paralyzed me and left me standing there like a fool. Rover paid no heed to it. She likely thought that I was spectating the ceremony, much like herself. I couldn't call her assessment inaccurate.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApQ0hC9mvc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHtxdBzKpo
Two halves of my brain worked separately. One focused on the robe, the other, on the stage. A woman in baggy clothing walked up to the podium, the crowd quieted down.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4nIlDX8iM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfWHtgGj2d
"Alright, can you all hear me?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc2pbolajB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EIaXwCmna
I noticed that around her baggy clothing, she wore the same robe. No, it wasn't the same robe as this random man, but the one robe that I truly had seen before, the one robe that I associated with an entirely different person. It was the robe–
"I don't want to waste my time, so I'll keep it brief. I am Hard-Bringer's Harbinger of Rage, and we're seizing this city!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mdLAv5Qif
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ymbFOUu18
It was the same robe that Ng wore.
