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?263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwhyi8hMfm
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1luYjxrqiS
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJb1Gkri8b
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNx6yQ14Vb
"How?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFyGM2f0XK
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XDoXNxZvi
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFBOFKgeLV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qPSWHMDdu
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX2lFJOL0E
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL5bVjtiD7
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AqKPsH9UG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUAMNm5TNk
Pars turned to answer Juke.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JGaepbNMX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVQBfsBtMH
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoOdKolWW0
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkFjwv98lH
"That so, eh?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH3K3rSpRE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyrwbj1bmI
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUfj2IlsZU
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj15nVRcNCY
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqjUOwWdNU
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdLXZ2e3BY
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm4VB9e7pn
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwkVCdWxFO
"Hey Becker, how's the–"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO7Hb3tJcu
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRRarh6uPV
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOFO7fB5Rb
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ahXsUdtcj
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVIfYr1o3E
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKpKEA01tn
"Are you a kid?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRDDb12R79
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyArbj6N5Q0
"H-Huh!?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bdsCGVOnJ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKEPFmylan
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUKFfx7vCn
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvYPmfZPTn
"I said, are you a kid?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86u1a7gqCH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhggAte8Ae
"I-I, yes, I am."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNw7R0aJLr
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zY1CKSQiI
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpx5Vsfp2j
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57YTXpul5T
"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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVGHqtDUt0
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyse7vIyrs
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmYjFKNIhA
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPZRr7nlJ8
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoHlgu74BX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAow5SmcTLS
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Omymn8Jc3
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYzp2bv9hE
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vvFfPOig1
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPqljpAMxx
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFfvZsp21A
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55KOMO6MtY
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL4ywB1O6B
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbg2lgpcYO
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3WaopqtJ0
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3IqWj4TJV
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQJN61d7fk
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS0frNZ21w
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bBJyExPqS
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCoq5ddu9Z
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ4m2FXHdK
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyqlPL1MBN
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjIEmOvOTg
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWCISC84a8
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvwlbFU8gS
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbN9OXE4tY
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12c1fKODnW
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZHKpBhucM
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3GxgEVAPO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1CsNZkHNV
"W-What?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNF3zfK0m3
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjeGWnwaCd
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejipP8DjE4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlo9XLw8Nz
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Rumc4rpYq
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHXW46TFXx
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FJjXRy1tH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQbe33Zwzq
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrdauejNCQ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nn5g1YvPs
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82Nc5cf9Bd
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhNCrJ4xUx
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28d4t6b50F
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IAzm7Z4tr
"I'd never."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zNBF9TDeq
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLJFnJPdhG
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAteLjo9So
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqweNEwBn56
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGakinXpoBc
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBf8AzMZ58
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPVdDOy4Ra
"..."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyJL4wgQDY
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF0KRbpYlF
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?263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelVRxoaGyA
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCGk1lztV2
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ5zZrbt4V
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyUHc1Y5fX
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw26K4mHHvq
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoer3B31hK
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uaUyUAJIC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86Sc4egqhX
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabC8hPhccj
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkJXkBqWiY
"What did you want to tell me?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCq271Oyj2
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vCvj6LLdv
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU5m7JGfrR
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLqYT4yVoI
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ3bNNdPGa
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5plxeAPcMB
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rRK6EmRjW
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIJVQqvTDT
"S-Sure. What is it?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29HTEhQFrf
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTTKb1cUj5
"Do you like fighting?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuTTthHWGY
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXL7i2dbcf
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vq4grVWG0
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ItdA9FT5x
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZeKJEQKC3
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm53TwgUrk
"Then, why do you do it?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZMkefqRHk
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngsbPj5opN
"..."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4wnANsjQn
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwiaChO2rt
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0OjgYJUzM
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHMnzxXk8H
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN5EDOqOLX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPk0B18A42
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv3KvENY5g
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoVWfrRamv
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj76zkCO9T
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97B5HxlhVv
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpArO1oLam
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwF6YPFR3C
"..."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAummnnWJ4x
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgnElXhyxT
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv47amr0US
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsZoma6A0f
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40CJXskYnr
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5VUiG1STQ
"...W-Whaa?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9T5n5l4G4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLPSZ1bTW6
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiy9syKHhL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGEyq6KyYf
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYZBB1P7lg
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAsR2uB244
"It's... it's okay."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwnVgaZjLz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu40cIHQ2yI
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRujSShbg5l
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXiEPjJyBE
"..."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvStoOR5wH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92DXLFr4Ip
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4sZBVSRzj
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz7iT2xp8L
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv3vDEvB6c
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKr5wkfCJK
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnzjEddOkn
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQQoDMD7TY
"...Y-Yes."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeqCyYKfzX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcOXEDq4VG
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4cCcFKjw2
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ch2ZhPGmI
"I see. I see now."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2iXkgQGVD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFPk1Vo80I
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsawTGgPn1
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZWPQTMWFA
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyowsu70KO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi97A2hN5Qr
"Like, um, like what?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuAcHCo9eg
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1Dh24se6r
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKOFkwPiyE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQjEvD88zM
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc59dqD4w7
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4sv6X2mHP
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3bEbtRsgf
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nTrLUWU2K
She paused to scratch her head.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2e9qof75X
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6URrZfpJg
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJdu5UzMGq
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh35GifRd8d
"I... I, I'm not–"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5beJRlfTaF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7QZElewMp
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuNbsIk7zw
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKwonUKwH1
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S2tF3qW1o
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcHkHfdQGf
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwCqsS3vlT
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvZGuch9MB
"On the right?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3ziFoVxA4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs1KyGWPi7
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3tWhv8Cwp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bgErpLfkx
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HFP0XWoHd
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQYdu2JYVW
"..."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchhepl5apP
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC5L6clIQl
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKXBnM4kIO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJzO1oX9ih
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgT4AWxioG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAVrQEBW13
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbKIC4j92E
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycyqCMs0FV
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EjBg0xE87
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlLUHQyr4d
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEu5kU7Yav
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31U6UEtWqd
"...Maybe."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTeucBFYAz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEyxN3LStf
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMYuVLXDol
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayqrofGPo2
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
