"I see it. The light, I see it!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq61WI66X10
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnjd066mBe
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkTEV87VvK
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"We did it, Flinty."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeJtUrUuDU
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"Yeah."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlKd0tbmKA
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQji1k9Uke
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This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkPdOe508e
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPg73vmgnF
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"Ah, you made it!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ538kokfZcq
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSP1XGiRnI
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"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqDdMoOlOH
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaSTSf2RSl
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM5Pn5MtaG
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"Ah, alright."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgN268V2qE
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfJE4s5aTf
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"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQQgjIyFAS
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGYkB7FYnC
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTfewMmpZM
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBDVgC3TBe
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FfJk9gAoz
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr59c90dI4g
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4oBhp1szq
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3DnponGWU
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"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQHTjtefYl
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdjLBfVyKv
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3yx0uO9tL
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwNm57X8uQ
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHihFfMZFM2
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGomIuiCY2
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpBcgcJpRZ
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"Of course! Let's go."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQB09QdzRn
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw2Z6b8NmQ
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"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj9PAOmycx
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Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHjwRfyuLp
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"Uh, do I have to?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU4NNTgJ7t
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"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CQBK0iFl3
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Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx43DxbrNu
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"Kenny?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV22I5J0IQx
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"Yeah yeah..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh9kDk9ywS
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I took off my shirt.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabKpvsH1TI
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"Alright, now come here."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfZ365j7c4
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsBMEluaHc
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncH68ZZcBY
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qHrx4DsTF
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"Right."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSftWUY1xX
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I tried that, but it didn't work.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelMygZAOzi
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"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvZlUy8lel
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"Beats me."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO65EZuANXR
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"But it came from you, didn't it?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbUMMyJZE9
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"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBtPK9WXy1
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My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnULF8yNOW
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"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUDU9r7pfu
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLy3bkQnA5
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"It's no use. It isn't possible."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIussSwkuf
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"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHthiazCFmE
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"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb2HNCr0ui
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"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqgX6qGF7y
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"A-Ah, w-well then..."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhomNtIMMJj
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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?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1pQqI00ly
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUpQ9osDUc
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"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU3nwWTLUX
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"Y-Yeah."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkW8NwAXJy
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It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2H8WIEEOg
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXsjrKT2CX
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHmwYZhcr7
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VFf6GrUOg
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3TBEUc0bw
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It wasn't just Skylark, of course.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rJFWIkV2x
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"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHqAFTDU2U
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoa6eE41Av
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"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpufCJFzmg
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo2aYmeEeu
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxQRKREjcv
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiG2KqokCo
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJkjFtol4Q
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She looked over at Skylark.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1aCENkDRT
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"And, again, thank you for helping."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHYFKzBEBS
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiT2A7Fu6Z
"But of course, it is my duty."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgMff4i3Fz
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"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnbYB0QH64
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"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWHyyOU5R3
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"That's stupid."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mzOl5lwyW
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I felt out of place as they quarreled.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7roJc5zy1T
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"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJ2OL43I3K
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"...Yes?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRxV5gq86e
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"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbiJKbuPFo
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"Yes, my lady."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNluZGYWvNl
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T81EkdJne
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"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lVR7MXmDo
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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?137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUrHMoou3l
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"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikKfndi73x
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMKB6cK7gx
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"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?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC7z7sYCbX
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"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeU7SOZBmj
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"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVxQGtKqD8
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyxiwJL65p
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLKO3UI4rV
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKlu85jgHR
"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?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z2s0QSAsa
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J9ADcpk1u
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7szSd4oCE
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"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hat9QYmCJ
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She scowled at me. Oops.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS9X1BU1DQ
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"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!"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb7Ml42ypY
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeakeAgAgZ1
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJen6BLkIE4
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"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi6aKZGuwY
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I was suddenly invested.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJckfb5h22
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"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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNTKArUXUA
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"Uh-huh."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQZ3VzJ0CJ
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe5drQWJrx
"I mean it. Forgive him."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsvoT9KWfp
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"O-Okay, I will."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe4QG6QpTM
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"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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN7dLZLYJX
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The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbbh1deOwF
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"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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIq7Fm04Xf
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I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGVuc1dwaL
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"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0yG2RPBG8
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"I refuse."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6KGLTQnSB
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The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZdaIZhta7
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"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwZIAUC7Yq
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK7HQTunly
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."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eguNSLiCj
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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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P7UHqrVip
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"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZG4ynpJaf
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokDKnzx5X9
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazNe0UieSj
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwLFSWG70e
"Tea Mage...?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rwOSisnXe
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q2gWYqNJv
"I think his name is Freed."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3rwZvwa6L
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UxDOroIrG
"Oh, Freed."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn1A48kYZd
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfY7q6gLt6
Her face twisted into a moue.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5mlZbAdwD
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh6MQkCemV
"I see. He must've refused, then."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVxY6KxCmk
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDJeyW33K0
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiopUZnubLz
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGNRJu77uL
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumeBa6d4w2
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzXvPKNspK
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveU4dZPzq8
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVjboo9qAS
"Is that thing also Exotica?"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO09CNQCqR
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDBEyq68zN
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XLXmoaKOU
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQAVePQprJ
"Right."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcG69frS7W
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuTIa2eV3C
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkbSqbrJfv
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyppAs73sYf
"...It'll probably be fine."137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cf5edIdp0
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTNVo258UY
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDrHDDGOLw
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oFC1R2EmK
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.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6foFYIoUQH
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz8QuoAOm4
It made me look forward to the future.
