I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn86uWUnUzv
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOTeV7tPZF
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f6dae00Sw
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq7yPY6lc6
"How?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvVrMAzsMk
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JMnVq6rAo
I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi88Od8wyr
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrT8HVUHOQ
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmYIW5u2pG
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm384nDOfQ
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkhWHHxlil
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIf6fQNTZL
Pars turned to answer Juke.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgz1g26oE5
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhpKJIfmhF
"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR2kWeabV5
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtvJOOsN09
"That so, eh?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdhAyYbGS2
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpbDSqzePt
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGZtMGvsDa
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpYhHZfB7c
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbPJJymCSu
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1RsUyEMzg
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRsD1P2LVM
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwGd0loMv7
"Hey Becker, how's the–"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiAUf2JP9v
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCt6barXf5
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsJpEfdc3O
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3i2RmFfsJ
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMsdAjubb1
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsR1ddwUWu
"Are you a kid?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL6oZx852n
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmZydmNKL9
"H-Huh!?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDiV9lW0fW
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKAJDJRNID
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQcDrFcAhB
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSdjX8Tm3R
"I said, are you a kid?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11PTuRKHMR
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcuOp86AYA
"I-I, yes, I am."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvReDxMMGC
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21xkpvK2a4
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8L5uZLk0r
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTeUekG70L
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPqgVhE2AM
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxifdvhAgbV
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl6Y1B7Bmf
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb2uidf2al
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbsX999Flu
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcH9f6ROaA
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAccXzoAgVU
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVAscL5c10
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQb4JYIwYY
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjDfAtS2H0
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPy5wsiKJs
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0lcaB1Lj9
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam0QN2ww0f
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM1X1w5dwu
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M2tIyV2NL
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RCnwex59D
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqW6Z41m1S
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVB8oUtJFe
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIIliIbYn6
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbzYW9q1an
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4KZ4ze5kO
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHcTTsU2e3
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWGAFoAZGg
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotAjBdlERq
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOLgz8xS9s
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CeFWCipMb
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpSqcom0jE
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbukPi7tfP8
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQI1ixuBG3
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu1oKVRB4t
"W-What?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf5vrJ5iqS
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpDYFDsLfi
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudStsCY2i2
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiVbfZdQjN
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSa8K2snSk
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXMSDkajB1
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F7XvGEaPf
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukjBGZZwCS
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85O4sBpb1s
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwtECsVrWZ
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqepmjPebo
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdb9LZoqLU
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM58lWI4e3H
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9msf0djoC
"I'd never."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaTNHllI2S
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFEXCYqinL
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZhNbxS1id
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOSspNug5i
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPdcfx4L8u
I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhdtbTDlKv
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrguSEClVPy
"..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3otb49MbPh
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuS0DdkXUw
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTTAtuGCsx
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jx2voJHZ6
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLGbpU2JjT
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjr8Hz073G
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM3c80oFUT
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CE9fGlOwu
She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI45To9jyZ6
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfbXzmY5vk
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6yyiykuaq
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoatphJYFnA
"What did you want to tell me?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AZKXLYYRs
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdRqHPW9QX
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSVvnpkwJf
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3fSsRDBa3
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoINIzF5Cn
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"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNOliyORdi
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwymIC7wlw
"S-Sure. What is it?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt1AlAhRxG
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHEiECkRAw
"Do you like fighting?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvNjEOzWvl
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYKanKsDZn
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoELMeVV1H
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv7FPaIUfB
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyEvzkw8Fn
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLssF6gSAqp
"Then, why do you do it?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhDbMtIR6j
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvbjQbCgGf
"..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeon8hmIYG
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JcUP0M4LX
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfg0YM2SMJ
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng25cwybxl
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21gOeRWMjh
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi2tZhqv6O
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJMbj82vWB
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKqcp3akuE
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthJuyNGs4o
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdRiA4Zb78
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvJPrL7HoY
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i5yBw1WaL
"..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnr0k5TvIx
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyQjMfEZ29
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTpTXfL48b
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"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXb3v39iBI
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L1wnO2pXp
"...W-Whaa?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYLO9acqun
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxX6XPJHle
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB1docZdsb
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc29qz2Y6b
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE7Vk0b9g2
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA69CXNkzg
"It's... it's okay."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfbL8zmW2O
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpLlRuWVfy
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJBMYvCzu5
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXVeMDDgK8
"..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsAD08Gm6p
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelMJp5dnyO
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r3Ybbv1ny
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHkMJg14lg
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtG2R8M6cC
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3qOW1Ise2
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzco0ArnuC
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS1RAZrke6
"...Y-Yes."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf4zp8O0aF
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tqkmgVLYY
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw6QBtPjBX
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAonXLSa2h
"I see. I see now."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqsh8SZKVC
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB5blDiQZ9
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMq3kkCZ2y
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpaRIQDArR
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNfKArwTtW
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVKLi0q37h
"Like, um, like what?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm4WUKDJys
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGw3kNPlJA
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V4NfWHm3y
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LRO81cWkl
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gUTHkcivk
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB5PBgQvdI
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLc531Ktxn
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmeGnXLk1q
She paused to scratch her head.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllZ2Ed92uE
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFps1mF7Xr
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14XWuDxdpH
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BAGyDSnev
"I... I, I'm not–"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9LebHRCbO
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpMcSOmKk1
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbMRRpcXsX
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa2AwCuQBQ
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr0eazCFDV
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN5qq8nXRG
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuZTOc261b
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyxEam7rxw
"On the right?"183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wL272BqAt
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If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyS5HG5AT0
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"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0Ut5yj7SO
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWiHAkunRK
"..."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyKNrXeZcg
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She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcaEsUEbg7
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYjhEtvDoI
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdagrcqVB9
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H98K9C8qi
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcQSUsUE8H
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY2NgtPnKM
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEJVSVlDlj
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFNM1LILJ7
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKPZfqHKsP
183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUDvitiiBH
"...Maybe."183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbrRkmREBK
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With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.183Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyJh9fLhVp
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Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
