Our exploration of Zariel City continued. Up to this point, the locations we visited didn't reach the exciting highs of the combatant's guild. That would change with the next stop.
Flinty and I were approaching a distinct segment of the city. According to her, it was one of the few areas with genuine greenery and authentic plant growth. I immediately had my suspicions, but this is Flinty, she'd never lie.
The only issue was that, due to the unique nature of the section, only authorized people would be allowed to enter.
"...So that's why, unless you kids have an ID or an appointment, I cannot let you enter the Green Zone!"
A lone guard with a spear was standing in front of a small portcullis. I could see through the holes that there was grass and trees in that zone. I looked at Flinty. She had her cheeks puffed and she looked like she was holding back tears.
"Guess this is a no-go, Flinty."
"...I really wanted to show you."
"It's alright. I grew up in a place with a bunch of grass anyway."
That didn't make her any happier. Wow, I suck at this. Despite her looks, she turned her back to the gate and trudged away.
"H-Hey Flinty, it isn't all bad. There's still a lot of other places we can explore."
"I know. Don't worry, I'm not upset."
Any semblance of sadness was removed from her face. Now, she just looked miffed.
"I was hoping that he'd let us in out of pity. The guard is too strong, though."
"That's.... devilish of you. Unexpectedly, too."
She playfully stuck her tongue out.
"I really did want to show you the Green Zone, though."
Flinty sighed. Her enthusiasm made me want to see it, too, so I was also bummed out. But hey, there's always a next time. The sun was likely to set soon anyway.
"..."
I couldn't be happy with "there's always next time," though. This expedition was for Flinty, not me.
"Why don't we sneak in?"
"S-Sneak in!?"
The suggestion appalled her. Actually, she just looked shocked.
"But sneaking in isn't... isn't it wrong?"
Probably.
"Not really. I mean, if it was to do something malicious, then of course it'd be wrong. But we're just trying to look around."
She nodded along to my explanation.
"T-That makes sense... but I don't know."
"If sneaking in bothers you, then forget it. I don't want you to feel guilty."
She had a very mixed look. I'm glad Flinty has a stern moral compass. I'm starting to think I may be a bad influence on her.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIXJY31aWv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9n5pE3fe9
"W-Well, I really do want to show you the Green Zone, but..."
She was having an intense internal conflict: morality, or looking cool to her friend. If I was able to tell so easily, then I'm definitely a bad influence on her. But right as I was about to open my mouth and tell her that we should give up, she spoke.
"Okay, we can sneak in. I have an idea!"
"You do? Can I hear it?"
She nodded. We walked around a corner into an alleyway to not be seen by the guard.
"I have a friend who lives in the green zone. She might be able to get us in if she tells the guards that we're her guests."
"Will the guard only believe those inside the zone?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYs7XlhlpG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG5Z8ym58b
She nodded.
"Alright, that sounds like a plan. How will we contact her, though?"
Flinty froze, then nervously laughed. Looks like that plan is out of the window. I thought of a substitute plan while Flinty stared at the ground clenching her head.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsUq8koM1J
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZcShpxTip
"I think if I send a message–"
"That's too slow. I have a better idea."
Despite her dejected face she still listened.
"What if I grow a plant tall enough to push us over the wall?"
Flinty seemed excited at first, but then her face grew contorted.
"But, won't that make us intruding really obvious?"
Ah, crap. Now I was looking dejected. I tried thinking of another idea but that was easier said than done.
So, I suppose in the meantime–
"We'll go with the letter. Do you think it'll be sent in time?"
"We could ask the guard to deliver it. No, that won't happen, will it? Hmm..."
The both of us furiously brainstormed. I was suddenly made aware of my hunger, and thirst, and my general tiredness. Maybe stopping by a restaurant before entering was a good idea?
Right as I was about to suggest that though, I caught something in the corner of my eye. I turned my head to see a woman in a dusty, casual dress with an apron on as she was holding a vase over her head.
"Flinty, look!"
She did look, and I felt like she got the same idea as me. We ran out of the alleyway to the woman.
Time to put my best kid face on.
"U-Uhm, miss?" I said.
"Excuse me, miss?" Flinty said. But, she wasn't putting on puppy eyes like I. Actually, she had no reason to; she's adorable as is.
"A-Ah, what's the matter, children?"
Flinty took the conversation.
"A friend of mine named Vikky invited us to her home, but the guard won't let us pass! Can you please help us?"
The woman looked flustered, but then she furrowed her brows menacingly. Excellent. You did a great job, Flinty.
"Is that so? Follow me then."
The woman took us to the guard and confronted him. Even though the guard explained over and over that we needed written permission, the woman didn't let up. I felt sorry for the guard, but that's what he gets for picking a fight with petty kids.
The guard stared daggers at us, but he let us go anyway. He mumbled something about "idiot adults." I get it. They're great, aren't they?
With that, we were now in the Green Zone. Before us was a cobbled bridge over a creek of water. Over the bridge was a field of grass with houses sprawled around. It was a misfit in a city like this, but it was still a pretty sight.
"Come on, Kenny!"
"Right."
We ran over the cobbled bridge, but before crossing it, I leaned down and stared at the creak. I could seriously see my reflection in it. I looked a lot older than I thought I did.
Buffalo Village didn't have any such creek, just a well. This was an exciting moment for me. A second later, another reflection joined mine: Flinty's.
"I love doing this too," she said. "We don't have any mirrors at home."
"I could've sworn I saw some at the Tea Mage's shop."
"Huh? Where?"
"Probably the greenhouse."
"Probably!?"
I got up and crossed the bridge. Flinty rushed after me.
Honestly, aside from the grass, it was just like the city. The buildings looked like and were spaced the same, and it was just about as busy too. People here wore different clothing though. While those in the main parts of the city wore tight pants, shirts, vests and the like, the people here dressed in the same clothing. The women wore what the lady from earlier was wearing, while the men wore white shirts with a blue vest and brown pants.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZXoLUZkLL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJknJvoRo7D
"So, how do you like it?" Flinty asks.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7Geeij9kP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqRWdS3O56
"Their attire reminds me of home. Is there a reason why they all wear the same clothes, though?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOzYmN8WEK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZc5Hnu7tw
Flinty shrugged.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rnLYBeFxA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF1TMb9ndm
"Maybe so you can tell that they're from here?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziRqD3CGWf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMt1sYG2wX
That would make sense, but that makes it seem like the people here are being branded. And if that was the case, well...175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xIdS2CJgK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdSemahBIV
"I hope it's just a cultural thing."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpZphlHzTP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0l6J1f3jO
"Why don't we ask them?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXG5NFuG4j
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6hXTernFS
"Not a bad idea."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkH1M1OgdX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu9t0SPYBe
Flinty grabbed my hand again. She told me that we were going to visit her friend Vikky. I thought she just made that name up, but it was apparently a real person. We were walking through the streets– streets wasn't the right word, more like grass paths –and waving to the few who noticed us. Everyone was exceptionally busy doing basic things to survive, like carrying water and cleaning clothes. It was a lot like home, but I wondered why they weren't using any of the technology outside of this section. Was it really to preserve the environment?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb9GtL3RUG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUR5Ms7AtS6
My questions were useless since I never asked them out loud, but I'm sure I'd get the chance in a moment. We left the first cluster of buildings and were out in a field again. In the distance were lodgings much bigger than the ordinary house. They were only one story, but in width, they were nearly three times the size. There were fences nearby housing cows, pigs, and goats, and a few dogs were orbiting the fence around them.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK5a94Fyqt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUjW8ZwTXa
"Wow, is this a farm?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzREK6WDT2I
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gMmjcugWP
"Yep! There are crops behind the buildings, too. I'll show you."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqBIqL3pFQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9miukTzVar
All in all, we walked for about twenty minutes. Over the farm buildings, I could see the tall wall that shielded the rest of the city. The Green Zone was about a mile long, which shouldn't surprise me. It's just a segment after all.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhNXrQVF8d
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0dSWOTkFt
As we approached the farm building, I noticed that one of the guard dogs peering at us. Flinty seemed calm so I didn't think it was an issue. Then the dog started sprinting at us. I don't hate dogs, and usually, I'd welcome such approaches with open arms, but this dog was over half my height.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSyZUaiAF6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSCcxCgGoH
It was a giant. And it was burly, too.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1odZbkVEcJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuZo2Jswjb
"Uh, Flinty?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WCEwGPHFM
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp80eXE9ms3
I had my tendril out and pointed at the dog. When Flinty saw the dog, she ran towards him.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMxqna5eKK
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1nlJ6jknE
"Kenny!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPdtCvFVxo
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNWTVGA7oM
Ha, I was worrying over nothing. Wait, Kenny?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdtbUq489Z
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgomX8Y31B
"That dog's name is Kenny?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1NB7bdJDY
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B1Qm8NdEo
Flinty was being barraged with licks and couldn't answer. I sat down and enjoyed the scene. It was really cute.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyzzADp1gf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9LWTzBFpJ
After a minute, the dog calmed down and Flinty was able to sit.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2sv9VGuxe
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3ZKBmWOEX
"Y-Yeah, his name is Kenny. He's really nice. You should try petting him."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2UV3JJzEj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyeK88N4jw
"Okay."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT0j3XDkKP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH5GTye45P
I got up and approached the dog, putting my tendril away. I didn't want him to think I was dangerous or anything. I inched closer and closer, and then I stretched my hand out. I was expecting to be tackled, but the dog started sniffing my palm and licking it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftAerm3Kjf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtXmUQGxBd
"H-Hey, that tickles..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAx4XkMhIc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsZy8h1AXO
Aw, who am I kidding? I can't seriously think this creature is dangerous. I move in to hug it and rubbed his sides as I made funny noises. I rubbed my face in his fur. This dog was awesome.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1hP9IJvLU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUl0flhijk
He had a flat face, but I thought it made him look cuter.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96C2eBZKPf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmoz9IbK77
"You two got off to a good start, didn't you?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuebKJlNA5Q
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HAk4cOxtS
Huh? That was a voice I didn't recognize. It was the voice of a girl slightly older than us. I couldn't turn to see who it was because my face was still in Kenny's fur.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT9lD62ZA4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGHdN9djDN
"Vikky!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDvIortpRF
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X9yeny15d
Oh, that's who it was. I quickly separate my face from the dog and stared at the two while laying on the floor. Flinty did a triple high-five with both hands with Vikky. She looked to be a few years older than us. She was wearing the same dress as all the other ladies, and she had rose-gold hair and a puffy ponytail.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJxpI6eh36
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1dod8Y4qb
Ah, wait, what am I doing? This is blatantly rude! I quickly got to my feet, brushed the dirt off my clothes, and offered my hand. She was a few inches taller than me. Her eyes were a little thin.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtrYuMizRz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgYd2IjvJq
"Hello, my name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers. It's a pleasure meeting you."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD3CjmhwJy
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutZlVMENdS
She looked strangely amused.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLqAwXQmEO
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSZDI0babR
"Full name? Alright."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lXhPCBPHn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs48oyXXtsk
She took my hand, straightened her back, and shook it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BynkM7wY4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQT6I0F8r3o
"I'm Victoria Zariel Josslyn, but you may call me Vikky. It's nice meeting you as well. Are you a friend of Flinty's?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrgnC3nLyf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycb8nOn4yM
"Yes."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDu5vp7aJQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpA0Vq4Wdi
"Then let's get along."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbRBv60xlk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUehIZGkuP
She was polite. Flinty invited good company.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqnASiCQQO
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL1tIhDCBk
"V-Vikky, please call him Kenny."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8racGkjJ0X
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCQVntGhHv
I'm supposed to be the one who has a say on that. Eh, whatever.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIuYd6Pb8f
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yqzni4po6
"So, Flinty, Kenny, what brings you two to the Green Zone?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IUqjGeEMN
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTQBFM199A
"I wanted to introduce Kenny to the place, and to you too. I'm his guide right now!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVxV6Z2Itu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4X1XzQ0wn
"Ah, exciting. Would you guys like to–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMvL4FAsTA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNNjvQXXPq
All of a sudden, she cut off her sentence, then looked at us nervously.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MIufcNXbV
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjKcTwazkg
"A-Actually, Flitny, you caught us at a bad time. Maybe later?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQt0Hede34
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EOnLX0diL
"What, why?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdLyXhUY2u
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BD9eHsxk3
Victoria glanced at the farmhouse and then back at us. She leaned in and began to whisper.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXNGaeluQO
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawkocejJVg
"Well, to be honest, we've been having difficulty with the crops. It's been like this for a few weeks now. We thought it was just pests at first but..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vkWv8iCGa
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxY6otp4wz
Then she pointed to a place behind her. It was a forest, and from a distance, it looked dense. I was shocked that I didn't notice it until now.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDrMCHlzgS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvjre7VrrG
"We discovered that a beast from the Green Zone Forest was attacking our crops. It probably isn't anything too dangerous, but you can never be too sure, y'know? We asked a friend of ours to get some mercenaries here, or at least some knights."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHxWhbLwBp
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyKRhgHT2o
So that was what the lady from before was doing.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gXHyPPQCf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuqwyjja9y
"That sounds awful. Is there–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1Lyw6HX3j
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIDOLt0FWl
"Nope, don't even think about it. I'm not going to get you kids involved with something dangerous."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqsQfss74r
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kEOLo62Gm
The idea of getting involved with something dangerous was obviously unappealing, but when I saw how distressed she was, I couldn't help but get involved. I had a bit of confidence behind my words anyhow.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgLTatQ0lg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mXTUC0sbC
"Well, Vikky," I started, "I happen to possess a certain set of skills–"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvptK5eTYs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJeNHnwewi
"I don't wanna hear it. I'm not getting you two involved, plain and simple."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ767J452dU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgetWWOhZt
"Wait, Vikky, Kenny can absolutely help!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczi9tpBZnZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5aqrQ5Vms
"Huh? You're kidding, Flinty. Just look at him."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hhvs5zy9w
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Rnfwqrmm7
I made a grumpy face.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xFlRoLQan
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6taj996XbU
"No offense, of course, but it's best if someone older comes around later."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6Xrrr8XhY
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BeqeWLwfP
That's a bit lame. But, it can't be helped. If Victoria didn't want our help, then that was fine. I was getting tired anyway.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfTx3nzMCR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDHob0axZM
"Vikky, please, let us help you," Flinty insisted.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvsRFkEiJ8
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yA2ektU3A
Darn it, Flinty. I should've expected as much considering how she treated the cloaked woman from earlier but last time was just paying for a drink. This is dangerous.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNowFTjkmrS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPh76HPFRH
I wanted to say that out loud. But, of course, I couldn't. Not just because of Flinty's determined look, but because helping someone out was always a good idea. Who knows, maybe it'll strengthen the bond Victoria has with her parents.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4whxIquix7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg0mDjGeg4
It's worth a try if nothing else.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNUVpYGQa4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkA5wpvBzl
"...Do you want to help? That bad?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8t7FUwIhQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDglvyixde1
The both of us nodded. Victoria sighed and put her hands on her hips.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJU41T6gfx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw6bOyuSy8
"Well, how about you help with the crops then? They're all torn apart, but the monster left the bottoms of their stems, so we have to pull them out."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM1RrFj2gi
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDoihO289T
"There's still a part of them left?" I asked. Victoria looked at me curiously.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZLoRq3C7o
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHhQuAhJWN
"Yes."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvbJnLHe3C
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOYuEVOORy
"Can I see the crops?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3heuaOmE3
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGte2H5nGJO
"Uh, you can."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL49GCQtGxm
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylUiVcoMiP
I followed Victoria to the farmhouse. Flinty was giving me a big smile. I blushed a little.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z9GmtbRzQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCK7Xf0Lmc
–
–
–
The field before me was vast. It was a field of numerous crops. It was mostly just grain and corn.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IdpAI5gyk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr2t8SJ1CV
Victoria showed me the ravaged spot. The damage spanned about ten meters. Either the monster responsible was very big, or very aggressive. Seeing as how the crops nearby looked rather unscathed, it was probably the latter.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXvFo7wC9I
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Czu4kWiQf
That barely mattered, though. I cracked my knuckles and got out my tendril. Victoria was bewildered.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0cnt3MaHb
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbYf3dhSNG
"W-What the hell is that!?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvknEFuQfp9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFexiw4ZU6
"It's Kenny's tendril!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhrMCAr2WG
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmQCiTsCde
"Tendril!? Wait, Flinty, you're okay with this?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkHkT466uL
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mXpp4VzpV
I ignored the bantering of the two. I didn't need the Tendril for this, I just wanted to look a bit cool. I stood before the broken crops and crouched beside them.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXKG0xCboq
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt7Zbakgyy
Mana spinning. This didn't requiree much speed or power so controlling my mana was easy. One by one, I walked to the torn crops and rebuilt them.
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQXJ97wJwk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjWYqmVj0v
It was sloppy. I hadn't practiced with normal plants in a while, but I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I decided to mess with the Tea Mage's plants once lessons started.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFBgx366Yt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqCmz5HiYc
But hey, they were back and alive now. I turned around to see how the two girls were doing. Victoria was in front of me, on one knee and with an arm on her chest. Her head was lowered.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMHBQTcJ1E
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs1UnGXafF
"What are you doing?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRjzPLEvz2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7YdGp8Bw4
"I thought you were a boy. I thought you were just one of Flinty's rare friends. I was wrong. I can see it clearly now."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfOcyiXXvf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7i6643l7D
She looked up at my face with tears forming in her eyes.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XeSgwdb1z
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnQ7Pz1qD1
"You're an angel."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4wZw4iCll
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KI4xCbXJJ
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLnjF61Ty5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5hXQ74zfs
I was at a loss for words. I wasn't flustered or anything, I understood what she said perfectly. I looked around Victoria and at Flinty. Her face showed the shock I should've been experiencing.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5NUBaYQHX
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprZDqFI4bq
Victoria kept staring at me. The pressure of her gaze made me sweat. Unsure of what to do, I presented the tendril right in front of her face, and she scurried away with a squeal.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoGJarZXxS
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7kmUTrs3s
There were very strange people in this city.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2mtQmdhVR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYJQFr6NBN
"A-Ah, I apologize, Kenny. Seeing such a feat baffled me."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNcEYvX7Fk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDApX7Vyb6
"No... worries. Anyway, what about the monster?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMys7bTyypH
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWFaHtcekB
Victoria's face returned to being concerned.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvbz7mBj65
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mszHc0yGU
"I don't know about this. Honestly, now that you've shown me that, I want you to stay away from danger even more."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUQXdDdzkx
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OdEPcfD2s
"But Kenny can fight, Vikky!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRZcFWxGyD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91fMkZtb2y
"Really?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0axZjAU9v
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf4RzmnWTV
She pinched her chin and stared at the ground. I'm glad Flinty was taking charge here.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ8lxSEdG0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUfl2PEiC3
"...How about I consult my mother first? She's dealing with the brunt of the problem after all."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a7cdlklqQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILvF4Dbdkn
"Yes! Let's do it!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkyCrO6jZz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj6G7Jc11l
"Fine by me."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto1EIUJhYr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E7wpQLeX6
Thus, we followed Victoria into the bar, and we were staying there this time. I was feeling reinvigorated. Maybe showing off is a source of energy for me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfnHQeE8pT
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvRdJyhAhT
I looked at Flinty. She was happy of course, being able to help one of her friends. But she turned her head backwards from time to time.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs7zqJmJ52
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ttnkccPKA
"Is something wrong?" I asked.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStBGjZfgop
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGnxHCRSPh
"...Well, when I see you doing stuff like that with magic, it makes me really excited."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUocuurp9Pu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3lFpNR523
Ah, of course, she was learning after all. I hoped that she didn't want to study plants as well. I wouldn't deny her, but I wanted to keep my "thing."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tQjzqEwhq
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ366BTaYrPR
"Sooner or later, you'll be able to do amazing things too. Learning magic is a long process, you just need to tough it out."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO2xRFwaRf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrqHp8snf6
"Is that so?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67euaqlNzz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUQ8m3FxmN
Her smile slowly faded. Her hands were shaking. Something was clearly wrong. But, we were in the farmhouse already. I'll ask her later.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCNFzlScNJ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA5fBxyo86
"Please, enter right here."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5WW5lAUJM
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGIQdmEVIX
There was a door to the side of the building. When we entered, it looked like a living quarters. There were four beds, two pushing against their respective walls.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXttkpFQZJQ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLvckSwQNF
"Take a seat. I'll bring some food over."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszMIdgbQ3F
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdryQGXy8L6
The middle of the room had a circular table. A strange place for a table, sure, but certainly convenient. Flinty and I sat across each other. A few minutes later, Victoria entered the room with an older lady. She had the same dress and hair color as Victoria, but her hair was unmodified, and her face was slightly wrinkled. I stood up and walked towards the older woman, offering a hand.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YtsqaXJ6T
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGUXUsfVWr
"I'm Kenneth Buffalo Chambers. It's a pleasure meeting you."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XT9olRq8R
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVWdRuId1v
"Oh, how nice. I was afraid that he would be more menacing."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF6fwv8QPg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZen1R12Wa
The old lady accepted my handshake and smiled.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh550oLW86a
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAAf2tCD7N
"So you're Flitny's new friend? I'm glad. Flinty is a good girl y'know, so treat her well."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDQez3sXnd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5wEsyXrXJ
"R-Right."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm1C8pZjQc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9wN1X3olI
"Mom, we're here to talk about something else."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8HX4odV5i
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E0FnxMEae
Victoria calls this old lady her mother, but she looked more like a grandmother than anything. Putting that aside, we all sat down around the table and started discussions.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlyvauNUbC
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsULtEEUF2
"First, I'd like to thank you two young ones for helping me and my daughter. Especially you, Kenny, since you don't even know us."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK5r91DeU1
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVdhETnRs7
I nodded.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e32X31wz7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr5PihK5FG
"I'm sure Victoria has explained the situation already; there is a monster coming from the nearby forest and terrorizing our crops. As we're the only ones growing food in the Green Zone, it's become a hassle. I'd like to take this monster down as soon as possible."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpaK3SSKwf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGyjv1Yg8B
I raised my hand.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzdRGb36Z9
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQSYrnQzUE
"Yes, Kenny?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIjsipHK0a
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUpSiXya9Q
"I was wondering, why does the city leave monsters in the Green Zone anyway? Shouldn't they try to eradicate them?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgdpBD8Kzs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK70IDQZKW5
The old lady joined her hands together in a finger tent.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztWfEChNVP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3RrqyDNfG
"...Kenny, there is a very special situation occurring in the kingdom right now. Thus, monsters have been allowed to brew in the forest."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyy5dwO9vp
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GkcR2vMbV
"Allowed to brew?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4kcPTem4s
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaKBcDLSf3
"Correct. The forest in the Green Zone is a magical forest. Though its monsters have been eradicated before, they may sometimes form from the special mana there."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbBudeI7j5
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClhjWohf9T
"I see."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXI7pY3l6Q
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhR3NWmt8U
The forest was a special zone, then, containing a type of mana not usually found in the environment. But, if it was only the mana that was special there, then–175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01PKg0MZUZ
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdhCqukc6s
"That means that someone is creating the monster, correct?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIL2HElGuk
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfEyAgdvaW
"You are a sharp boy. That is precisely what the issue is. Someone managed to use the mana in the forest to create a beast. Though it isn't very powerful, the beast isn't the issue."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0ZTw0IMKA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR8IfCRYgH
I have gotten myself wrapped up in something bizzare. I didn't even know beast-creating magic was possible. Tough, if the atmospheric mana allowed it, then was possible.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ265Vxk4mvP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7UQJvStnT
"Even after hearing this, do you two still wish to help us?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jRD7MUU4L
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeGWjOhPFy
I looked at Flinty, and she looked at me. She was giving me a look as if the answer was obvious. I sighed.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdnt404WPg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURZng1Vx8D
"Yes, we'll help in whatever way we can."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1lVcLiaz0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseqKRMVbQJ
The old lady got up from her seat and bowed.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLVQ6y8Izj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCohcZd3UR9
"Thank you. My name is Linda. I'll be working with you and Victoria to find the perpetrator."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbSrVn308Z
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAXwpNvnRn
–
–
–
After the situation was revealed to us, we were given a basic run down.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eXyaMRENb
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPN7RSBKMS
In short, the mission isn't very dangerous. Though a monster was summoned, the monster itself is weak, meaning that the person who summoned it is hardly a threat as well. This meant that having Flinty help shouldn't be a concern. The difficulty of the mission comes from finding the perpetrator. The beast started appearing a week ago, but the person could've infiltrated at any time before that. It's not like the regulars in the Green Zone keep track of who does and doesn't enter. The person could even be a regular in the village, and nobody would know it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0uMnPwN3M
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sbOenRk7N
But, Victoria told a different perspective to the situation. She explained that the person responsible, should they be a villager, may not even be a danger and that that person might've created a rampaging beast on accident. It was a stretch, but nevertheless worth considering. After all, it wasn't common knowledge among the city dwellers that the forest in the Green Zone was a special-mana zone.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKVASsA8hd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvYj7rtOlH
With these two perspectives in mind, a plan was formed. First, there would be a public gathering where we would announce the situation to the rest of the Green Zone inhabitants. We would say something along the lines of "If the person responsible comes clean, then we will dispose of the threat and tell nobody." This phase of the plan covers Victoria's proposal, but I still had to confess that it was flawed. The perpetrator might be too scared to come out, or they might think we're lying. Still, it was the best thing we could come up with on short notice.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3LIzgzXSj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkUAF3D5bF
Should that plan fail, then what we would do is dispose of the beast. The hope was that it would insensitive the person to create another monster, and we would somehow... catch them in the act.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMbWZxwwar
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF5YWTYDgI
"...Wow, this plan sucks."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl14yg2R1B
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpaSTLCBOQ
"Kenny!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFwfrvAdaR
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCQQ2cXtos
Flinty punched me in the shoulder. I apparently said my thoughts outloud. I apologized, but the two women looked at me somberly. They knew I was right.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX5ELL253d
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZblXe3rE9
Still, I hadn't a better plan. If the first plan didn't work, we'd probably have to stay a night or two. For that, I requested Victoria write a letter to Flinty's residence, saying that she will be at the Green Zone for a bit.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYi4oWyjBz
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxThQJ5eKl
Flinty looked dismayed. She probably didn't think about this turning into a multi-day state of affairs when agreeing to help. Still, she didn't look like giving up on them at all. It made me feel more confident, too.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIuSAIaIkC
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcYelflqPo
"So, when do we start the first plan?" I asked.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceJi77FhAc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDhZVLwBiy
"As soon as possible," Victoria responded, "Mom and I can gather the people in the barracks, and we'll do the announcement as planned. Kenny, you'll be with us to make sure they know we can handle it."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzg3oFtETl
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm9MxmMblZ
I nodded, but something was bothering me.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NEKqlOHy4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98cL2J0SUq
"Will the people really all come together?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe9QNJYMY8
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYXfAZQdzU
Linda stepped in.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4b44CWNLs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5ZTyEipAU
"To be frank, we are the primary source of food in this area. They are required to hear what we say. It's nothing to worry yourself over, Kenny. At most, two-hundred people live in this zone."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO5qULLqdj
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnNtc9SE2M
Huh. I could've sworn I saw more people than that. Well, not that I'd know.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlK6aOdbfE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpohT51d0Am
"Kenny, Mom, let's get going. Flinty, you'll watch the crowd from a distance to catch anyone suspicious."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRydzrDJ7e
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A4RW0mpdr
"Mhm!"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V3Ai50DTg
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGg7wkRkd0
Flinty was given a sheathed dagger. It fit her small stature surprisingly well. I called it a dagger, but calling it a miniature short sword would be more accurate.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ3ezArRjt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRkjKwusiM
Anyway, with the plan created, the four of us left the farmhouse.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtBQvM92nw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUPWPbM5he
–
–
–
I was waiting on the outskirts of the barracks by a peculiarly large rock. It's been about half an hour since the two ladies entered the barracks. Flinty wasn't with me, but I knew where she was hiding. She was inside a crate near one of the final buildings of the barracks. From there, she could observe the crowd from the back. As I stood, my face made strange contortions.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4cKK4ZHtt
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqOkOKTwRG
I was having second thoughts.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2SWEeeTu0
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYx1M1CPY6
I mean, how couldn't I? A part of the plan was to talk to a group of inhabitants who were quietly minding their own business. This whole thing was honestly ridiculous.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoeko4oKK7
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST0Pwf4Xq3
I thought for a minute, that it would be a good idea to just grab Flitny and go. She'd obviously reject, but I already knew how to convince her. After all, weak or not, a monster is still a monster. Something terrible could happen, couldn't it?175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7JSwSmVhA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKLZwTpr7m
"...Something terrible. Gah, darn it."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtDAHS2Uiw
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkbdmAUkvk
Now that I've articulated myself, I was my second thoughts were wavering. Something terrible could happen, and if I was to leave, then it would be to Victoria and Linda. Yet, here I was, complaining about it, thinking of excuses to get out of this Green Zone.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXrTHNq4E6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv135aCZS4q
Once I realized that, I became determined. I can't afford to ignore this, to just brush it away and hope it all works out. Not when the issue is manageable and evident.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS8XcMlgVA
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNDNuOTjUL
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf53sSF9nsU
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5f6sBUulU
I sighed. I was shaking. I only just noticed. I quickly stopped myself.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2xQnKY2El
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4jU3Vo8gX
Phew.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0IKomDurf
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIu2T4Vrty
The words of Jackson and Anabelle rang in my head just now.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM0KM8SqhM
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqOoSmDkRV
Sorry, I'll keep them in mind, I promise. And I'll keep it this time.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5CNjrWiNW
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NSOjNDCAZ
"Haa, hey Kenny! Mom should be bringing the people here in ten minutes. Are you alright over here?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7qD5NpRVs
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd81yfyRAD3
"Huh?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJM3FodtaP
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgol9nbKFyF
It was Victoria. She suddenly appeared beside me. She was out of breath and rubbing her brow.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIasY2AAxB2
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgov9LqCA0i
"Uh, I'm just fine. You don't look so good though. Do you want something to drink?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncHEKhmPgI
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOXAk5RCvB
She was out of breath. She looked exhausted, to be honest.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCONltoIGWn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICHwZSgtzM
"...That would be nice. Do you have anything?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaIzxn2GwO
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4WVZhA0lT
"Well, yes, but I don't think you'll like it."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaytUAlpZv
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWwPgnyVi9
She raised an eyebrow. I pulled out the tendril and she took a few steps back. I produced a Watery-Gad-Blossom and showed it to her.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5FC3qoB3V
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhpClLoEgV
"W-What is that!?" She yelled.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTJVkdNeb4
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8sptcJVwW
"It's a flower that excretes a drinkable liquid. It's much more refreshing and tastier than water. You can try some."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhGlMqlplN
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlgoq1vZF2
She looked suspicious of it.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbOc1U1Qlu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG7xMBr8OU
"How do I know it's safe?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgTtpw90Xo
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOnL2wKWwh
"I can drink it right now and prove it."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnr6dl9zLp
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDlXGdGoxr
So I did. The water tasted much better than I remember. She had her eyes on me for a minute before sighing.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZYRYffjnd
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMJwnSSJWj
"Fine. I'll try it."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv7YjGYjrE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9kNgmJFXG
I extended the tendril to her. She looked intimidated but grabbed onto it anyway. She opened her mouth before the flower, and using mana spinning, I released some liquid. She drank out of it for about thirty seconds. When she finished, I returned the tendril.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHlgdNQX5X
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJndYNYU4eT
"...Okay, fine. It's good."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAot6Iozp0O
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CpLposutb
Yes!175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIESPA0lB8M
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwRCJliuhp
I don't know why I was so happy. I almost jumped in the air. Victoria noticed my excitement.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi92GIhd0qn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B7txah6tN
"That tendril hasn't won me over yet, though."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqbwivOGYu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXppcvaLZJs
"Did I at least get some of your trust?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcKlCH3fYE
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOtyoMYIzi
"Huh? You already had it, goofball."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jwUj8KL2Y
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCgmcepLgq
Oh. Well, now this is awkward. Victoria walked over and leaned beside me. She had a serious look on her face. I tried imitating it. She just looked at me with a raised eyebrow.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5LAJyWGuc
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWjlfnqnwV
"What are you doing?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyGYhGxcso
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyTny86FaM
"Passing the time."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTFTIJx4me
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZELIA4FDx
"By making fun of my face?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw0X2S2eCn
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQxVrLxPqN
"I'm not making fun of you."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLzbMXF6Ud
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCqWRatUXM
She laughed a little.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDZNIttOZu
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUn5GoCzJb
"I know, I'm just messing with you. Y'know Kenny, you're a really good kid. I don't think I've thanked you yet for helping us. So, thank you."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjynxk2NF6
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KrrlZdZ32
"Of course."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVwVJswtts
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFio8datR7W
"But, can I ask you a few questions? It's about Flinty."
I suddenly had a terrible feeling.175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1GSi6Jsqr
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvSjHyBrWj
"How'd you two meet?"175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe19PvTcBsD
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7mKa3OTTe
"..."175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqvCUqzr3l
175Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuKV20IhSS
It was an innocent question. I was relieved, since that meant I didn't have to share any of my feelings. So, I got a little closer and told the story.
