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?148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8RkrdKhfo
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9MYibYApx
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5lH2DWd8o
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVbkCnloub
"How?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp5lf9E7Qg
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsNeJFcEby
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH26xdQ8q30
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2JuTzb3TR
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHaoAqJTr7
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP2qaF4nVa
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iUKm6J9cK
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzS7wr6IKG
Pars turned to answer Juke.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvKpOIUEGU
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkRTfOoEtB
"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."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKRDE4uNqK
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK5bMxADxD
"That so, eh?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig9wBDyu4G
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3bZ04kdj5
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQr7lGx35C
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3ch0bhdIP
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cGALHfho1
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFHGTrZFdW
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmIeqvFwid
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJffPSQ9obu
"Hey Becker, how's the–"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHBfMLEqZL
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvJNoZYiUo
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY4vQpnip3
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tUf2B9Zjn
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vdrbApxNF
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIdwiouaPi
"Are you a kid?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyPyHmr02V
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9L7reLBzJ
"H-Huh!?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWAqnXRUM2
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyCXIi66jE
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne2t9E6VvX
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbMHOs1vgG
"I said, are you a kid?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9VixSSy09
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUUYpptOgh
"I-I, yes, I am."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYPPbKwEqy
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf7r6Ppdji
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumSMyLkuTU
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8xuwf9NMa
"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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxHiXDfzGA
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztMyiNyfuT
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2kGSxcqlf
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EA3PrHq3y
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."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLraEVtMj9w
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQV0dJ8akl
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM78mTGpPC
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxOXUPUHoR
"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."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKnhOUykx9
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcNACuLYjw
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7DuHFuQht
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNa7STW74n
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyXaVnBBFr
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGBsJx5nAc
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJkmGe7Spa
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeIr8Cjd75
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1CaUW9Spc
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSBUDJnlW9
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQihQi4Tvea
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkUD6X8vbg
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kWLtKxs9S
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S2oalbjP3
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqpNHLQxzs
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs3PGgoIaF
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2sE7AqoE2
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc7KVbmAXB
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aI6dmZGEY
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGR3AeaeJF
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAdftmztLF
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AbH2gAtca
"W-What?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuES1i09yC2
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpbITCcj6P
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXyUQMOdJo
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIFssCMsi7
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ad5e8ZMgm
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pqokmyxBG
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylC41LkFyM
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ197nUVwN
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OjBwSwWek
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGW6L28WRO
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleNg2GIcmR
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cu9Y9y6IJ
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XgN4xNlBL
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfocmw7JRV
"I'd never."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirrvZqvUGf
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktIaMSXizX
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47G2xzLj2c
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYm5vmv2TF
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9enjLAGUzU
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4iJ1OdvB3
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeDsSwyOLn
"..."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRypU6kXBT
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLc0PGjAwc
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?148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3wu7bG1nC
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoSvAlkIYF
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."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeRL7h2rDi
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbdx90ks1F
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiNcIGMwDC
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BgiAJXIpt
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUopVmKDBw0
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWzu6iDnJq
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU35Xqnu0O
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIFvVtN1ox
"What did you want to tell me?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55m2MJ48tA
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBn62GdpMi
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpvXhvtos7
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOjq4o7Elg
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aSv6juXEQ
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXL5OTCqH3
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuazW01JGF
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VoEDTqAaq
"S-Sure. What is it?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAQy0tMMWN
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMfxiKzDdO
"Do you like fighting?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqDTq8gOvI
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6wfzAy9Td
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23UjdjxBcJ
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLdoRpWn61
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRPIXqMoUJ
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBD2xnMpci
"Then, why do you do it?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixUeHX8bAo
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VlbMIYreJ
"..."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudUuLz4WFP
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR0M3eW6X0
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAOYDWMlsf
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMn3Y6IUxo
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMr81IKrvZ
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyTPCFffyi
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pcGqlALiY
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWxKgsr48M
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMjrTUEaVQ
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgmSkRQOg0
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2PNNf6iBc
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYkWIuj8nr
"..."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcZycP0nbV
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh06u3OVW3W
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmQ6oRtqO5
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp1mJKmqbC
"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."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvbnrUoatp
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYvxpgle8X
"...W-Whaa?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGaDH6v78k
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05EMAbFloD
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK73OgcvLv
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJouMORgHK
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvunCzjd1k
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfv9BKHY9m
"It's... it's okay."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP2he9Bq1H
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMyanMhJAI
"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?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u6LHbWTcU
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOTXfoUg7b
"..."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuniBUayoh
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHtF2BEm8B
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEnPL6evHx
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdHN9zzrU2
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKgHLogwHW
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEwJieQyNd
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYeteKi7wz
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD5XZAQH5y
"...Y-Yes."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr90RDPpmG
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2WuvN3WZE
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOvp4BNVN6
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLRy8P6zW7
"I see. I see now."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocAMuYs3y0
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKdRUi7dRP
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlyh34r4nE
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJEXyxxiOl
"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."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0xYBTbsD2
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP85OtyZZFL
"Like, um, like what?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbU6TIQMvv
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6HKoDZEKf
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgEhUmkHeP
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO7m1p2MHi
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdyLPImeQY
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfdL9gz53W
"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."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqj5hmKQK0
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kHi5B1klI
She paused to scratch her head.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2f9uTomDp
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe9IphHNTE
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlloRhZ4gBG
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIjj3ssHP5
"I... I, I'm not–"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyGsMhnhOm
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdPAsfZM43
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94PfpUNu3f
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj5dxEQxHE
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoGmK3TbrY
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkDXdzmnOp
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBOBCtNen4
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehEtLu9D9T
"On the right?"148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjYd8Aiqfw
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xRPqXgapF
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnjBJiVG1C
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmEU2KIlnX
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1attR2mOC
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb0EWNdiYe
"..."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJacLQrRhil
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWThZ1KAAa
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mCqrBNLWh
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgLoY89gRL
"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."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rs4RCPXxC
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoobLnDmxe3
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEOwEIBnba
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k6K35vMck
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbX1bWBnTf
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt0bBUmTvV
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh36FThVydo
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAiptcSBsj
"...Maybe."148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UsOWQaKZU
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTgkyd2fJq
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.148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09C3CPQnTd
148Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxywL1dmln8
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
