"I see it. The light, I see it!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yIMchDrHs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y1xrmldGQ
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hhOeHahce
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YtYAGTy9C
"We did it, Flinty."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn91286og7q
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ4RzGUmVb
"Yeah."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmkIEGC647
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS4xsxnmBY
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwrXaMf0jx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXXu8mVBDT
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUVPOuOjCL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYtBJ9XDm8
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD7RAM7vYT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS27b7aaHQ8
"Ah, you made it!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TQ2eRrHlq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBFbMC0T5e
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DojLs3yHP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh3FMM9fo5
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jddVQLw0O
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEzgaaeTc5
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBBDHz0XmS
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8unwv9kSRc
"Ah, alright."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gjvuy7ci0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEEIyIE5Ha
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu694tKKkAs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIH4RavZEE
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3ENRPcLrD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV3PiMyqkx
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVrKBd75f8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gkIk6oHGF
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaZUoMwX8O
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ90z59AmG
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZekkJoVGT
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AqcV7PU3Q
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl9oTp2WWz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW0PQOAoRv
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7UoPXlgN3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCXCVpGOYR
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJbVvRolxC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuE9oKNJqp
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPIxefHUA5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WNdbRr6AR
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Yl3CdNSw
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScWAyDJmKR
"Of course! Let's go."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbEcfoNQzj
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR4JQrZ5oD
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FYKNjCFdl
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bbPp1M4iv
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSNkJ4zys4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdACC4kg9lV
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iBbxFHnSd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj1366Ez1z
"Uh, do I have to?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL9gN9Qsw3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6sOI0kyPK
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbWFSFTHie
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Gtrg9xIM
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsCaW3TQAZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BAZuRvzaX
"Kenny?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sSR5FD4MB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdhu4KOVxO
"Yeah yeah..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1eYFU4vtk
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsyoCGZKsK
I took off my shirt.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsehQB7Uh4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlECn34Hks
"Alright, now come here."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe23eeaOOW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerHQWGUEs2
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmEunWNaED
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9jFZ2Lfg0
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9792FvX8Xe
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbe4Tmwirf
"Right."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeszMnLyqCo
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEB8kVHLq0
I tried that, but it didn't work.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7FIQadVEm
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnLSu8bOuL
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXCa2vGb7U
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPLfUvVzYn
"Beats me."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7HMkEMOck
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyimgkn3wh
"But it came from you, didn't it?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzDT0RbkgP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzVGWGUmmv
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADDjOuE825
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOiC6XCNg1
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFFjEMEp5t
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD6VwyU4fb
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcYzLo1jtD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSK0Y6Tngj
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLpfXRaS6C
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeHLCSJIZC
"It's no use. It isn't possible."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLpSgQk1vc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJScpVi3zhS
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmENx4u90u0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS8WjBJNyE
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeW12XSUQN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARg7nH9rBl
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsSDav76ZS
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanNMAKH9r4
"A-Ah, w-well then..."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kUqW2D9V0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXnVJnNJ05
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.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuJ6Emdlr5
"K-Kenny?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFCoYNeBen
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2aTlDRTNC
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfFGOctgah
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCwbyGTJmC
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhk1H0Ah5K
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP7012eJ9D
"Y-Yeah."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EiFnIZCtd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGAv15yKB7
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHOlaJ2VN7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajk9wwRBif
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ooNKwP5Fz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeGIW0jPS9
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8REC7mAKzt
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7USCYPgyvX
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHLxxWk2VA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaOk2g2zAF
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xjm7MnkFL
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHP5dR4UxD
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABNqqH5URW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3hsHo2YmL
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBEIDEXFSB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJzIuN0bLl
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FAgmcxtBz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrlZwXX5bm
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdAzkAXXF6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I1iRw90ZP
She looked over at Skylark.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn28MmUevy
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnOqurWSSA
"And, again, thank you for helping."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYl4OuVbh9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZp6oY9uXq
"But of course, it is my duty."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UWszGmzXx
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIalhKlbV3
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdO2oBeBNu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLaLF62uIT
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmOXJ2YH6t
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVmE0KuQIc
"That's stupid."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dmxxIC3TQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDQX9K7PaU
I felt out of place as they quarreled.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2hlyJxPD3
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qV2g1ys4J
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDjQiCF8Wq
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNBoWCRIAq
"...Yes?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGswM6SXhW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5hSC0iois
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2TTJOQjY9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv3JerUD7X
"Yes, my lady."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMCoOnEMh7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwSxwBAjFy
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxxMRIO5Xu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpNqcllJ9Y
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlimFPru4g
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfFDTMs5J5
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?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCPr711FFS
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGYcjb5k3h
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoEL8fiO8e
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK5FR2HdzI
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZeeS6DXXA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvNONYxKu8
"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?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtYgWFhHWN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL07vYpJ39
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxAslquXGz
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1yMfqLx4y
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS6TRuvJ2q
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvDyvE5GpQ
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnwEhFK4Zd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzR17fARGC
"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?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhUCrGJE1y
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rvM2sRMvC
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsir4kvCBE0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmvEDm8rnI
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYit0LZaPke
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VvqZzLath
She scowled at me. Oops.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUMuLrCHVa
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMuaWAjnmK
"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!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkF8PmIGPg
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgddBv1ksjK
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGxvrZgUrk
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxofFeoER9P
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2z4YbPI5h
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77wt7EInK0
I was suddenly invested.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uac4PhUxK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hIhiv68EA
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgEJu2WYXP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbdvodL9g6
"Uh-huh."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs61WENjg5n
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW28Y1iPbEh
"I mean it. Forgive him."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyM8vhzxDXB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMrx4RCda4
"O-Okay, I will."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MYyoLD2Bs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfZwDjpAGk
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmDJcAhY9C
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdmAYm8CCe
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWq2qUOgls
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXlhIiC8XX
"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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjrZAmHNCA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9isdI02E71
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGCzs7UDke
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9imh9DBFO
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNPWZbFTZf
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf7XaFl1hF
"I refuse."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cV5KE0tGI
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3HuOCC08V
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXDiXUEepN
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLPN4jk81M
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vKX77H4Q8
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JbYyrCh7j
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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDGxoTbKeU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbyszWQA7c
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaHZj8E8Nr
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu2dAabnc5
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM0223vofZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnMILMVIC5
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIFeKf8Jo6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSiaJsFQrx
"Tea Mage...?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRGKGjko5m
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4c8OexOCA
"I think his name is Freed."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpekVjmH1Ff
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjZa8JazBi
"Oh, Freed."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAB1VFQbNP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymsQ37manH
Her face twisted into a moue.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIjvQGT3uv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4oQWBLz8m
"I see. He must've refused, then."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrllHUcKXC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpoRw5qDXR
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATNVIr0dq5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs2FchotJT
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80O3LMLNfc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBgIkApGjW
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrkItGL3xG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PMKBH3cMg
"Is that thing also Exotica?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMukGGOg4m
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNloBc3mS69
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxpVGhGh9i
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUExF5CX1A0
"Right."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43nzPI6v3j
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKUjaRXQl9
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76u2c57nXs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkv9SwkERC
"...It'll probably be fine."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjGaurVrcG
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8WPoAYnwI
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwey5JLdwh
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMcguix4f7
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqYNsl4MRR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO9llMVhJP
It made me look forward to the future.
