"I see it. The light, I see it!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9MKT6uzWv
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS9lSeb5zA
Victoria rushed ahead of the group, and ahead of our guide, Ng. She was right; a couple of dozen meters away was a field where the sun freely shined. I could hardly believe it myself, but Victoria was in it, basking in the light like a reptile. I made it out.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J2ruQ7VTX
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiZuYrvb5W
"We did it, Flinty."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiJHiVBeSU
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNTg386eLJ
"Yeah."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYeSFQ1OBq
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5evHuKcOn
She looked awfully happy. I was too, but likely for a different reason. I looked at the rest of the group. Skylark was being himself, Ng had a look of wonder, and Victoria's mental age regressed by twelve years.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwWxmwtHco
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ3CHUTBMK
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8DCdDzbpm
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV4ufaBB36
After Victoria finished, we walked around the crops and stood before the farmhouse. Linda was rocking in a chair. She perked up when she noticed us.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPGbhHRtNe
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2YBdjAXKK
"Ah, you made it!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb4ts1z7lQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzRhcn3DDG
Linda ran up to us. She exchanged hugs with Victoria. I couldn't help but think of what Victoria said about her, but still, the scene was... it was soothing to the soul. I felt a type of satisfaction I couldn't describe. It was borderline euphoric, watching daughter and mother reunite like this.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgemKWGS69
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZGsNMEEcq
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdXhesz5Dg
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTmZwS5ERv
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQLQ3RqPQz
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcINPmsEaW
"Ah, alright."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoDRa5HOaM
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT0CyZ0ykb
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAzXXQ0Jx3
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy0XXwF6fD
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDngPavx4gq
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxopYzKZOU
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MLLZIKajW
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcjq1GhyRJ
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIZcTv8G11
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAaKmiHTZp
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8LXibMlqu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3PWCYGDn5
There was no first order of business to returning from such a mission. It was awkward, admittedly, because while Victoria had her clothes changed, Ng made conversation with Linda, and while Skylark intently watched the sleeping Kim, I didn't have anything to do.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAmXq5hK48
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB9upllqsR
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fdjBKRrqA
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW488ra83yM
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeug0dIi1zC
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvSNiDwkUD
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe694gc5YE5
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEaQERTKAb
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ABW7DDq55
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnnGHED9h4
"Of course! Let's go."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eYAFOoQ0l
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z1tiaMfp5
Flinty and I exited the living quarters and ran to the front of the farmhouse. There was a basket of dirty laundry with a washboard inside beside a barrel of water. Flinty took a bucket and scooped up some water.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YV908J50T
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBTyxq9j3N
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAVkKTgq1t
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YOCRy32fw
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzORvevxH7l
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPltoRePX0
"Uh, do I have to?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhRNzu3y5g
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOl1zNtnAg
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoigEi1pdh
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hs15pyG56
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3Nw0OIXQf
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mvIL1jxTf
"Kenny?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWjmgl5DhT
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH7vj9dlnK
"Yeah yeah..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf2q2yFrN2
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4qil0uJ0Y
I took off my shirt.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnEJXKktN4
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmAXP7G7YN
"Alright, now come here."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrtbF5jm1Q
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiYTMfGU9j
She was kneeling beside the bucket. I slowly walked over to her and sat down. Thus began the cleaning of my shirt. I quickly realized that Flinty, what with her frequent pauses and occasional dopey look, knew about as much as I did. But, I didn't say anything. Something about this, even though it made me feel awkward, was nice.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDEaqVgyWB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A1PXS8z37
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9gOlnyfuP
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptVcdzNPw1
"Right."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguTiyuuq4n
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqfmWButy6
I tried that, but it didn't work.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuvXv55Ubb
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GoPoP1azf
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkGwXkbarK
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBnzjrEPGk
"Beats me."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktHHsomtOW
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp9MvkBwVv
"But it came from you, didn't it?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZLXtXGWXS
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9OFKIWQrr
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor7Iza1vlO
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEG3At9XGQ
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf70oiBW0wF
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P1cqah0C8
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm4ineoQ6e
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RAydiKq6D
She snatched it from my hands and rubbed it against the waterboard. Her eyebrows were furrowed. She scrubbed it for a good three minutes before growing tired.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRMDw3OyRi
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8fromduC3
"It's no use. It isn't possible."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzIW3408Tp
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ13NU84qhx
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDjkkkD10t
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kjELRzXTS
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6ArC18VVb
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE1WEOtntu
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSZOLGeCMe
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh2FYV86tj
"A-Ah, w-well then..."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xNXgnyFHI
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYmj4HRv8g
Her brows were still furrowed but her face was a pretty shade of red.
I grabbed the shirt back and hung it to dry. To be honest, the stain looked even worse, but that was neither here nor there. It was a little chilly being bare-chested though so I put my coat back on.
"..."
Dang. I already began to miss the shirt. I sighed. It would be fine, it wasn't a particularly rare shirt anyway. I walked back to Flinty. Frustration still lingered on her face.
"Stop looking so grumpy."
"Hmph. Fine."
She sighed and got up. I looked at her quizzically, and she tilted her head in return. I didn't know what came over me at that moment, but I wrapped my arms around her.
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"K-Kenny?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDihYAMJXl
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWtbM3jkeE
She fidgeted a little, I didn't let go. Eventually, she returned the hug. I couldn't tell how long I was hugging her, I was too caught up in the moment. I let go of her and put my hands on her shoulders.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kCmtZeBwR
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iU00cZXxg
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPvZYQZz6i
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb2O8pp1Oe
"Y-Yeah."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKP9do9Wms
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirouZPvgR6
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5O3b9CWS7A
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqG10ukJij
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KuvLdlIC8
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZUvT7TOHD
I nodded. We traveled back to the farmhouse. Flinty split up with me to go wash herself, mentioning how her effort made her all sweaty. I simply entered the living quarters. I was expecting to kill time staring at the ceiling as I waited for a meal to come, but the presence of the two people in the room destroyed that expectation.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fYd7s89TT
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQcugw1mL8
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6XpXpF6ZL
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRM73VPgCQ
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUUIWROaFN
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xc4sq1uWP
I darted to her. She was rubbing her head under her cloak and had one of her hands held by Skylark. She looked at me, and I caught her smiling.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRogGqsfA8
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLx3nbB6oF
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQbhVNxmdd
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW2FRYBZ22
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUvpiWiDqg
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rpM3YMLGx
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkSLOuoDJA
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDCrdw8Q61
She looked over at Skylark.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXDuSQDmaP
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4q6LedBLI
"And, again, thank you for helping."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeQSmY7uVW
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEGKoJA8Gr
"But of course, it is my duty."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aCJiDnwGu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIANDHqZUM
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFxIlP8hC9
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeTWO5xX2l
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5tjzeajmO
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8VMryLE4O
"That's stupid."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQZd64V0hE
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aSIZwkXc0
I felt out of place as they quarreled.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH1Hlg92aR
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qLF7wRGGL
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN9hSRHo6I
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9RFhqyBwC
"...Yes?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV514W8QrZM
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x5pWUwNsS
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mr73ROsTq
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q45CKq55T
"Yes, my lady."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRSxJgHCiv
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7ByX2ByFN
Huh? What was happening? I stood with a blank expression as Skylark exited the room. The thought of stopping him didn't even cross my mind.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7wR6uwysa
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZenck0d2T
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LQ09t0Pov
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SCTKYwSHN
I sat on the adjacent bed. My hands were fidgeting a little. She wasn't going to say what I thought she was, was she? How could she even have found out?138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMWDYj0By7
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiSufGafCq
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGHmpEWwLm
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2WdoRExeO
She put her hands on her hood and pulled it back. In front of me stood a woman with short hair and giant curls resembling coils. She had eyes a shade of green that could blend in with the leaves. I was shocked by the sudden revealing of her face, but I was hounded more by the colors of her features. I recognized it.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ2zEIcbss
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7qQvU6QV8
"My name is Phoebe Zariel. I am the sole daughter of King and Queen Zariel, and I am the older brother of Orice Zariel. You've run into him yourself a few times, haven't you?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHPy1QlTdm
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq4AklcMN3
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlhkRxrubm
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi8Tm8AjrX
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzYBFF91HF
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxeLVtLrtW
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzBAaYVO9i
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvEBWgSejt
"Many things have been occurring against the Zariel kingdom. From what we know, the East country wants to use land the kingdom controls– the Exotica Mines, specifically– and offer us their exclusive goods in exchange. We refused dealing with them many years ago, and have suddenly seen a spike in criminal and alarming activity, whether it be in the city itself or villages. You are a resident of Buffalo Village, correct?"
"...Wha? What– huh?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwP1cwxQJu
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh13xJ6Fay
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiUZ15YeOx
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZeW8LL4PV
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjGd7HHvsY
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxkVH2e57N
She scowled at me. Oops.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMHTUydL4m
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW4BRlxD6G
"He is not dumb! He has the kindest heart out of anyone in our family! So what if he escapes from time to time? He's only ever done good for the citizens!"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43rV1HuD2C
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BUo3clIHr
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUDQC5B9yc
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEhCn4wNO9
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFX7vHB5bB
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WFQogpeNO
I was suddenly invested.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6cgy4WhN2
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst9AjxcGh9
"He wanted you to meet with the royal magicians, most likely, after seeing what you did to the two rogue knights. He might've been too blunt, however, please forgive him."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKMKrz3PIa
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpw0OShnlW
"Uh-huh."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqpj4EuwOo
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ukIfRdenL
"I mean it. Forgive him."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVj9ykWmkSj
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0AeBH944C
"O-Okay, I will."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5D8ydtOni
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudC1YZnYkM
"Excellent. Moving on, my mission today was similar. I ventured out specifically to find you and see if all the fuss Orice was making was warranted. I came out believing it was."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ojhLWvwhM
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadImfYiMxC
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBtsKQstIP
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylYiHISPb7
"Kenny, there may be a time when you need to fight for your kingdom. Not in a war, that isn't a citizen's duty, but at the very least, to protect the sovereignty and pride of it."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ7n1sP16u
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bu76kEcCR
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dRsdm6WLf
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1VVTh5GMt
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLPxa6MvV1
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIiuBDIlb5
"I refuse."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEEUmBmieQ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7GGYQoYdE
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGecrYpSff
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bFZpeKutc
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZJWJGFADf
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljLOXMXnEQ
She sat down and crossed her legs.
"Enter the combatant's guild, gain combat experience, and take jobs relating to us. You'll avoid any affiliation and still gain the same rewards."
"Rewards?"
"Well, for starters, money."
I listened a little more intently.
"Additionally, you'll garner clout in the realm of combatants and form beneficial connections. If you need it, I can make sure your family will gain immunity and financial assistance."
"That's..."
The words she was speaking almost seemed fake. All of that, and all I had to do was join the guild and take some jobs? I had suspicions.
"And finally, you'll gain access to all organic Exotica in the palace."
"W-Wait, you don't mean–"
"Correct. All the magical plants in our possession; you won't own them, but we'll allow you to study them."
"..."
At this point, it would be foolish not to accept. But I still had difficulty believing her words.
"...If you see my name in the guild registry, which you probably will, then that means I accepted your deal. But, you don't have to do everything you said. I think just some money and the plants would be fine."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXy9dQi4t2
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyAK99Jjnv
She smiled and firmly nodded. I almost felt like I was taking advantage of her. For her to make all of those offers, she must have been desperate. I didn't know quite what yet, but I had confidence that I would find out.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODo7uyp8SF
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ182SswjcMF
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLgcE2vASo
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgRQ6jheLS
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLwuXrsSFw
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbebGG4XDDn
"Tea Mage...?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzBfcumXa8
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CpzTDsFP4
"I think his name is Freed."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax2cNuJIRJ
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X58Egvhcy
"Oh, Freed."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV3kYSxvVh
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcEfUrspXx
Her face twisted into a moue.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi2OelIB7e
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOLksQCiM0
"I see. He must've refused, then."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfiZIk232i
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH8MIwkxzE
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshAT54cdlS
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuTxnT1z4H
I nervously laughed. I was also a little worried. The princess made him out to be a delinquent, and I didn't want to be studying under a delinquent.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6R1qk9Pbr
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf8GUAJ9yj
She stuck out her hand. I grabbed it and shook it. After the matter, the princess put the hood back on. I tried looking under it and I still couldn't make out any of her identifying features.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrhHslZwUy
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGULqbYMV9U
"Is that thing also Exotica?"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwzl88dbyk
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweXbXS4RqL
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDuxvnd009
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DftP1MwYl
"Right."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzESKfZYM9V
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgq166sPuC
The princess laid down on the bed. Looking at her now, it suddenly hit me, the severity of the conversation we just had and the thing I just agreed to do. I lost my breath for a second.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkkF5quyOY
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3ddJFBzZD
"...It'll probably be fine."138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOA9PmyO6w
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbMTiPpIqf
With that affirmative thought, I waited along with the princess. Skylark joined us shortly, and not too long after, the rest of the group came. Flinty was first, and Ng, Linda, and Victoria all came at the same time. The three of them were carrying plates of food and drinks the likes of which I'd never seen. The table usually stationed in the living quarters was too small, so Victoria left momentarily to bring a new one. I didn't understand why we didn't move rooms but I didn't question it.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpx7Lg6hAS
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpxP8ngKCd
It was a large event. Not particularly noisy, but it was large. Words flew, laughs rumbled, and stories were told. It was nice, a scene that accorded with our victory. It made me feel happy. It made me feel like I was a part of something more.138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FjoWc8Pfk
138Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqcsxyc2fq
It made me look forward to the future.
