The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCBUEWaBZN
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQysZpsf8V8
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz8T9zTtjA
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlQ3VEFQ2f
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"Oh, that's a good point."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjshCk5yD78
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMqrZLdglv
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**SWOOSH**133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxTVEvYASM
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"W-Woah!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuJFHOUV7k
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And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf2g2JE0V8
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetAa3YwF6x
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No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqKUnfZ9OD
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"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEN55kBpF5
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"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJvjUrnCsE
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"Oh, Juke."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1ivEETn1V
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlv1mSOq9qw
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcZveh7g9j
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Juke tilted his head.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKR1N7Q8Si
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj09fQQGOiH
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"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdCyKSqCHr
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfxaZMQ3SE
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"That's a good idea."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA9jmu5mX3
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I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfPZlsV7fg
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvKoyJeb6B
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTeMtT76dP
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB45kaeLuTx
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"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOsW5QDsbS
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**SWOOSH**133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZZPlVWuen
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Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHId4FGXBWn
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPr7hEvdyp
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"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pa9zTwaxy
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"That's a bird!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRDmUrGdtc
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlySbt9Y5i7
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdVXHOkOCi
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KCQXFsxPX
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"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVehf8MYKeO
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ863GAxmTMB
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN5kvfY05F
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR8TJCX42k
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He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLunNEmEh5b
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yi1Bbicde
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"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlSHF4RYFY
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"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ8IcodPpx
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"Hahaha!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObD2ptIpRX
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"Why aren't you answering me?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV4ALbF2fo
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He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9UAcSkHhl
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFimYtxlHWm
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGFEJixQQ4
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"Huh? Why?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgxgdfWXoZ
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rCjqXFRGO
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"Oh, alright!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjfNftdUNo
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwvneGwqSE
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKRMk0YhAJ
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVSRZccLR2
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Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8faX6gAOe
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76QNSvCRKV
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZdVOeE7Ra
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"Hold on–"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kKvHLgDlk
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Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yveLGS0MX
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
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"See what I mean?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkh7TwMYcn
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"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqetSsDoGI
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroH4EgVkzf
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ463XYyT9ex
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMPiMYtwq7
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPel5WmdFjG
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH7gu0IoJw
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr5lHwIUTB
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"...Maybe."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW2dlxyTrZ
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"Why only maybe!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVfumTLewl
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"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27DnHDurI3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ7S4R4z4L
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z85SdwIef
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"Ahhh... this is the life."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYQBSg7kiK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLofhhigWsw
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqkoRgSPxK
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWDLBOjVOJ
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawqRKyF2tG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUJNBWEOtc
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRaQnvv6YW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9j7LI54aN
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqTuhyWYod
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnjBNjXHqJ
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKupWeMgTPW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FKrPPgSqE
"Sure, sure, now scram."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVawkDMvf3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGJmqSnxrU
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM88WMkXS8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDlAnYcTZ6
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeUcMl4p37
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWS0ajumCH
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnuXB7S6af
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByUhBDbYuF
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaKsvd6puz
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDHqHfM7pq
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUjPrCPXNQ
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHAnWGJ11h
"A nap... hmm..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyHb6f099f
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv7Grbpf60
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEVvhbl3Ob
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeJzhmXXeu
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kYUGtovp2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTDi49BOBT
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvATZa7ukyo
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptaxCmDBcP
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUuPFCA6v2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6JCGq8Bo1
"Ack... this sucks."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg4HsuEAAz
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4O0i3AJFz
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP2STgxm58
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAif8YkSBX
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J82XOXZle
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a65Wsfi8X
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK25XWuCkCx
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoQk9JhRh1
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnWAb1ZoKw
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OQr866Dra
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKNQ0L0vul
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1iA4qCBge
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP8LJQlRbp
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvUl6jJTbu
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrPkoWzdQW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjimSZJzguP
"---Alright, that takes care of that."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdLIEdy97j
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc0T2RhN6G
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXtMJ06eoI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H9KZrlOso
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0MJEiPpy5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yQrLWBlYs
"...Right?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8apmdM3HMT
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aM094aSDy
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y84jiOf6F
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZcUuMpVSb
"..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIvX5JKd3C
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG11BQ23M0U
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJftbMtZGye
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMObJzg5WP
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjcDcTNELz
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfqeMZwFJo
Wait, where the hell is she going?133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhFffJaNjx
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W1lKExGkz
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGwczJTSh9
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTRky94BZ4
"Rover."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fI4hFF6X5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXGG0DpnMO
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsUBff0OmE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1V1ZALahU
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqjZ7TnBC0
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSgvq2I41M
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDutVsYlLdI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvztZF44X1o
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1aOulVxys
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD37cOkyqoS
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPcWOFVZZ3
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPgGlaUJ5K
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JtVXoqLCA
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCPogoIofi
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCckIpgJrnV
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie0NUkmdiJ
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX7WxW9qT1
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWQu9tVDaF
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc129B9W1l7
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvXagoz82z
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xYt9uJhkd
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"Oh, that... uh..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUUubF03TI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8ixE2JbIb
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNJt2b5tnY
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6LpiuUiA0
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2Bjkg0Q5A
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gmslrcKKj
"...Pff."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vgj82FVoI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDeuKae6RX
"It's not funny!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDLWqh6UEg
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplQIwz3a7D
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZOdQK3Xfr
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAhkTVjBxa
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDNvJdpjYl
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4MvEolyQz
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDJ6fFQvUH
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7phHfnBxA
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaYV3h21Ct
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbC7glJqTB
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuC2jhcM63
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"...I see."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbo51oOblY
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I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGUUxlFDe8
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMUeHM7Exd
"..."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhUmFaAzYd
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I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡithTPRqJCF
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZBXUBrNus
"What are you doing?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBrQcyWmpX
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvkbr3bp8V
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEEnpu1Wyn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkh5OOrTuO
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljsZ0IEYqx
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"W-Whaa!?"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHquYDgCIM
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKd6fgGTZZ
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYihCIHvGs5
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2CTVRrfPN
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsdHpjOhfE
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhQQfY3iTS
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3LRybHrq2
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IgKjzUtB7
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIz7rKzBbR
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxOrYrsiQJ
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VySZznhvu
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZs4KXTveU
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWSR54p2fI
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4X1opuUlv
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kyJaLHagp
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSNFjEANEl
"I don't like you."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDeW328ngG
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwcIzyB6pL
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoo6SSrM9K
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"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cfIZoPOCn
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fY5gxU3Zz
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHPmxjaMA7
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"I... guess you're right."133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxI4SfJfUW
133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW3FwNtlXB
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
