"I see it. The light, I see it!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYErjA2wRe
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyXaRkLkDa
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVlK77dlRD
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"We did it, Flinty."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqqI1dujZ8
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lGEHJnoIa
"Yeah."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBaSXWHM76
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6DmZ0WJNf
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW8EDOlZaz
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This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51PsQlPICX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmF150Ugvp
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp7V1phfAy
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMYDjSBkjP
"Ah, you made it!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KyidoZlFC
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lMMkjoWde
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEQaDNDVl2
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbO6mplsp7
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBPe4G9LBH
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxrBLwZt2w
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp83yGfNIh7
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0uxOB71Kg
"Ah, alright."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKwfb6Zmip
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO4fAtJz46
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"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJGQz7csff
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOy27bdc7Y
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0RO5mD4Jk
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mmiBc2Yq5
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nfbTmm1nK
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevEeqj6Nn8
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAmwusxTAX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUe1XtNoRa
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WJ5D1yjgM
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjiyJRElej
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhG20H9XDa
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7vzejSECn
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnZwLusfwu
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69L6udDS9b
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaNAbjji2f
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2omTlSgm3
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01Yakj7YxF
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2wNrmOpvz
"Of course! Let's go."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXafBz3ztj
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN8ZHsLhYq
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3EP4pdksW
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZzcfnaAY1
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdMoj7SilJ
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtbOLevwTV
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ935k1KQKjN
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"Uh, do I have to?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNd4OqmyBH
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3G2hRNuSU
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0Lo6NAL0u
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinsSrjv1Bm
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBRpNiltOA
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu0DPxNJjU
"Kenny?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU9SZlWeGO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakeK2kMZC6
"Yeah yeah..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEaq7PTwK5
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruNdCMSHzq
I took off my shirt.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs6gRU19Su
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViRNvN0WQL
"Alright, now come here."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpI9Nc6GDL
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSgVgzBQoL
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTaSZC2450
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzhRRvUfdb
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFkwsZ7AJf
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKQ9RiNIDv
"Right."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKEqwXgI7D
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I tried that, but it didn't work.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNcrCEwp9Z
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIHQCXxgO9
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkxLs2vSqX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC1fRWbPRN
"Beats me."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdggsLVqWY
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ012ctqaEkt
"But it came from you, didn't it?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTXdaBT8fD
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER7MgiB6Iw
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU3qJgnBAe
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxTHI6IOyl
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C1Cb1NsG2
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"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYvLthUNwf
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUVLBJe8Oy
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qJg0QwecV
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDyco3kXgc
"It's no use. It isn't possible."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZZicMJZQg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZj8rZfgYP
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoLmoHxLwO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8HdjcZRxy
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaTQ4PtFFp
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjntwoyFMla
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1GpYgiFvX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qCHQw2l57
"A-Ah, w-well then..."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBI1Xo2dGc
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZkSIdD9sj
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.
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVJ57rCJH8
"K-Kenny?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzVGpOo0x3
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMfXx77zp7
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcJFRNJO6y
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y1Sf81TG9
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfacP5ewa0t
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesqEYAHfCp
"Y-Yeah."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5MnLHcbGq
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hqdGgfb0R
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuBvcJVG5m
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaL3BNti3s
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyascjZGlW7
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rHlbcv7Gc
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvLxdsI9or
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It wasn't just Skylark, of course.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc89vYaPj2
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqGsKP3nfj
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLd2zG8Vfu
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdvxkuq087
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztWRzw61UU
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MxahtwtIz
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFKmOxR2vo
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvYZBhudCP
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyKmWFcao6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpanxGNej4
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6feIIKQJvi
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She looked over at Skylark.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oip7yjX2V
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZCqHQ4MON
"And, again, thank you for helping."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLFwXtmSOx
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VJShrEGXy
"But of course, it is my duty."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUlJafjBoR
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7bMfULC2M
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6718xLwU0
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiPJEfvkgR
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweZSzbyKaN
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sQXUQx962
"That's stupid."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFGg5OaWT5
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I felt out of place as they quarreled.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIchVzxqydv
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"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVL1CuQPpP
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"...Yes?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R6Qm6ibef
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPbw4nOUtb
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmmsBdR6Un
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP8m2S8tNN
"Yes, my lady."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB2EvSNuZm
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb4N6wDdt9
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SY2icwBU3
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UpCCjYOEB
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMxzrEBEtS
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGNWhCzxl8
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?208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lU8grDHvh
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzorn0mWfjT
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w7GIpvjkG
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Usfy1zCqn
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCHDQFhA39
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9TqKxUAFr
"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?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyRgKF4gMo
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysdv4ie4zG
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36G1OBgdqH
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ71DSbFJxB
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSs92d0M8F
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfcCzE2XDg
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyYF6BrCL6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUHViRNmxD
"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?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wZufEKzvv
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GEhO5hIaz
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XIL0CROdp
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YdDT6ijl3
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatF5PmoWl1
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6T77UXxZi
She scowled at me. Oops.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAHS8JweMf
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoakwJ2ik3
"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!"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXElHGGnPP
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyOp3gIQPe
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgYPtOF2nj
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK6JKhwkSG
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CCsK5E9x2
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I was suddenly invested.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSITektTQR
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"He wanted you to meet with the royal magicians, most likely, after seeing what you did to the two rogue knights. He might've been too blunt, however, please forgive him."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrFF58CGqg
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmJTPsAX2n
"Uh-huh."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8RUH4hJTX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaLewGGBQQ
"I mean it. Forgive him."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xxQiiiy4I
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOPX2p4EOp
"O-Okay, I will."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6Oct5CNsM
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgfaa6eCD7
"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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8bWjtlIHS
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The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJvSRe14L0
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"Kenny, there may be a time when you need to fight for your kingdom. Not in a war, that isn't a citizen's duty, but at the very least, to protect the sovereignty and pride of it."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMRdK6bIdO
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakXjz16tcf
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhOFG6KiJy
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"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFJb6KLuSq
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"I refuse."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz5cXNJciV
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The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFHOP1PTi6
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kihv6pGma
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkswjEJqTGt
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSoUYGFwoT
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."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZiKxIh7Ab
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePpNexGOE6
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcnJMb60h8
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODjVbwkKN8
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWFx8VVAFM
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfpcp3PJk4
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7dgVZtzch
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTiMbN8zgr
"Tea Mage...?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqsperfMjw
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5y3HHWOKCn
"I think his name is Freed."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6sOnVdbKb
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VmRh2TkH9
"Oh, Freed."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiqF3XvEut
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUyBNwFz11
Her face twisted into a moue.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU2QJ1Gyy8
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAVldv3ysc
"I see. He must've refused, then."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a33oPL6Gt
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAvxa7NaW5
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCjplo82Sy
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK1cnf2tWa
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16XMjZEpEA
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqank3YTfbD
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKG1EqK4v5
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZCcx7Mpxd
"Is that thing also Exotica?"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxstkPIsS0J
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrlNrEb685
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX8Ozkzk7Z
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NnXK05ZoI
"Right."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvh986ItKT
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyCkBy58ME
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4wLpnngVX
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusevsPR0b8
"...It'll probably be fine."208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ6qhstRuv
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzbL0JTf6y
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqGva13l1i
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO3Fx1D5ty
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.208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkikn8NVIa
208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5pu6fNzim
It made me look forward to the future.
