"I see it. The light, I see it!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3kWwKrat8
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId3jHesypn
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnFJnNTP68
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrca4okxWI
"We did it, Flinty."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FOM4iT6C6
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBQ34oNh4F
"Yeah."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz1WZp8JM7
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhPMVdYiv8
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuGQzwkurn
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCBCSBuh72
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHDGX5evqn
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0juQZe8GE
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygJNrk01eb
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllooJqaIwy
"Ah, you made it!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5kjx8OWbB
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO2cxqxOun
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgkFRxOWhY
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NCXMmbMAb
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjhCx15r3e
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCimQQfdgS
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyN8884qLp
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI8ENLziCZ
"Ah, alright."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUfWbgab0v
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb4uteXMt1
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gt0YO3GSm
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrONEZBhgx
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOePXmdw1I
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEVRFTpT5H
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9f9yQJIO8
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDPvoYYHmM
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2t5tgpJGG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhfjiGNzRF
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWnjtDouho
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7w1gFntGjr
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cio09kuIx
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnBiMjgxaX
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmnxpgjUd2
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLzFlC3gnP
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlHuqc6Vdg
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCKrY26G7c
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3M8whmBoA
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwJERJmO9Z
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen4rcJDLSz
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuXV3NOBCy
"Of course! Let's go."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXRh8LGAS5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMxp7ZFsjK
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ5hjNFy9K
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDODQICVVH
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46R7cV7Ep1
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflwF7n1IZs
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi7zNol1rk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm4GJCLU9Z
"Uh, do I have to?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaywQWroLI
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV0iZoUVn6
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN9lOBo7MY
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59AGLYZ3fe
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfuuhh6ZoX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVB6YKMAG7
"Kenny?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi8SElI72Z
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnyUN07vQP
"Yeah yeah..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWMCfoMShm
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluksJTzKXK
I took off my shirt.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptOXuOo25O
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnicYBxA4x
"Alright, now come here."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHHoXUwNAI
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpJjWw5gvl
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PeMbKejxL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdISei3bkv
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf3MChCrfP
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l2Fwmzwm9
"Right."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzQGhS6rUu
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcCz7SyuVN
I tried that, but it didn't work.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivvAJ0gD82
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLU4pGzqoN
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d0KPPIaxj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIgvkaDbB7
"Beats me."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO0wW1ejEU
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT6dhPXJFD
"But it came from you, didn't it?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvB2Ar88jV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYQFVSant9
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPhCiqOcCU
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMwYtwnlrj
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5FVNbNrFf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm1XlCUEmy
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDZszCXTDc
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMJFggSsas
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzdK0Cj1cA
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5usERQxdT
"It's no use. It isn't possible."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mSHSMZ3ju
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzfDwyEYZ8
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6ZQ5JzChC
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe6hDu2P6I
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLS3XWknJn
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnxZLmzhDa
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujunGq7oys
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VrIXBnfXp
"A-Ah, w-well then..."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZJ2HYg8O5
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhkybHz5ZJ
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.
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRjSnhuFGy
"K-Kenny?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs46ZnNFDr
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o2P5EOgT9
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMqDWyvY9S
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHxmWERsPk
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8unPoAX6C
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFmPORR9bw
"Y-Yeah."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajeG1pZR62
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WE3ldUV6K
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugGbQ6cPtZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhCyazFHcP
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOntFYoKwF
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡditXveWrof
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtmu2HTu2z
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BZCpBnCz3
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CV9Y71HEj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMsK5AlAwr
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7NGHCcf7Y
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ayhG1UE0W
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hXMYhYSAM
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZBkqzvi68
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGLAiht47l
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ818zSCV7gb
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiIiXx3yAs
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG5MJAniIO
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlYZ87tmvD
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlBueTipPi
She looked over at Skylark.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUINzZ3O2g
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgPqEdqV6j
"And, again, thank you for helping."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7pmo023PE
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLP3MOHhi8
"But of course, it is my duty."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT6llE2Cvv
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl9i7wats5
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdknsXTbhs4
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMwn0nLUVr
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmojjhDPui
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcJNChvekt
"That's stupid."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rG2gkVWGf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBhT7aY9o9
I felt out of place as they quarreled.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgZXo80vUk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4gY699cLK
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUukMgkeSP
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8yWA7mWv3
"...Yes?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMXUZzls8K
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1gDPjffQU
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1SMjXDkk9
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gxarlxZBh
"Yes, my lady."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2VVl5f85f
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzJdBEQN1b
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuBdJOob1z
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg1NqYDikh
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuumLc9OD2
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSex2V7KXjC
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?131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7etFxSuP4
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPdYlygMBs
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvNs5CiKWZ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RwJaYBbb0
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0aSh1AsNH
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCrB1vPFOs
"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?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpMjlMVwkj
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqvTJJoOh8
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqeo2xJJaa
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyGXPMMHVN
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApTEIDtvRx
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk00wQjPcL
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUzZDJaBM6
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqKfZmzsES
"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?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1pCwPXD83
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1KZGKBEPM
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ66hAjy9Yk
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr84aO6ID7f
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy6YcXPxyJ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30s6c817dA
She scowled at me. Oops.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2en8uXhdRm
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTu8Z9Qen7
"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!"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LLDR87RAI
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqjt29qaI7
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgPH7SINlV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGPZvzjjm4
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsUEERrMkM
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGqRjvZMqQ
I was suddenly invested.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfGvf4tqgG
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbcpMvCgoe
"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."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LMiWoIXgV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnGmy6uvDM
"Uh-huh."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTwo4Phdqp
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu3T8kcCQ6
"I mean it. Forgive him."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGan35uE8OB
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMPhzFKlSo
"O-Okay, I will."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmEsTdJuh7
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqixERkUhB
"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."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBo0pMYMZ3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf92HVqI7g
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9QtPFxnNL
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIXUIpWs1i
"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."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi35CGfWMPi
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7KBZypN71
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0kOWoK4cy
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9tw4trW2G
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oXnHGmWsX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7fVXVwaDa
"I refuse."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcJ4uqwchV
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIWTooM2pE
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq1N0cEC5h
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4xsBujt92
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GbXTv0pcX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYzHFrxV8j
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."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgxl3dzn3g
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4X0meNVqp
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXqEQQpy5N
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wiHAj6JNk
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqo3wnMTDS
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAk7XS2EZD
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDiQlXKpBf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zi7INkopm
"Tea Mage...?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCsIEJDkcm
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwvliBQHeh
"I think his name is Freed."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2lFqcRK3g
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbX3YM4O5n
"Oh, Freed."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYXLJGgEEO
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW1Zy1cKwC
Her face twisted into a moue.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1riAGVM8C
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoIzWcpaoR
"I see. He must've refused, then."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaPT4VBfoE
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTXHmhzvZ9
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaVttzUEiT
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYubvHdoyX
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuLpvag7Uf
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1rUorywhy
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYteJzawfU
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn20wVVbRY
"Is that thing also Exotica?"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBdupZeHfN
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb4VmqGslW
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTFC6MCawJ
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKflk4WjlUC
"Right."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP3nSJ0H2w
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8KYNpsygq
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnyxbSHDzM
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gFfv1jDxa
"...It'll probably be fine."131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAYxl2ajrX
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nIMzINHC0
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8glwI2Ny3
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrdDyhFte9
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.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX6jdCaQ2A
131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPLlgvs4S2
It made me look forward to the future.
