"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdBJXhrHEd
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynRgQzZif0
The coachman bowed before us. He was kind and polite, so I felt a little wrong about what I was about to say.
"Thank you. Can I make a report on the man who rode with us? He attacked me and my friend."
The coachman released an exhausted sigh. I lightly chuckled.
"I apologize, sir, but I'm currently unable to do anything about it."
"...I don't mean to be rude, but he attacked us. No, 'attacked' isn't right, he assaulted us. I can't just stand by and let someone like that walk away scott-free."
"As we are in the realm of His Majesty, we cannot reprimand him. However, after the ride back, we will gladly put him under arrest."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST02Cs7eFl
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnRHbel9x8
I felt a vein bulge in my head.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AeJk6Z8f0
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"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15zEqSyRWY
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8UwrV0ylz
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRpwqAGIHA
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdrKKf3gBy
"Listen, we're perfectly aware. But that man is a special person, and we are in very special times. I promise that you won't go unheard, okay? Just avoid making a scene."
"...Fine. Flinty, let's go."
Figuring that arguing wouldn't get me anywhere, I turned back to motion Flinty. She had her face pointed to the sky. After I called her, she awkwardly shrunk.
"R-Right. Sorry, it's just that this place looks way bigger up close."
"Wait until you see the inside."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs1XK9QMIj
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjQqDvr7KA
"I-Inside...?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiHjGQveRz
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She repeated my last word with an astonished breath. When we made it to the guard, I handed him my card. After a short inspection of our bodies, he gently bowed to us and led us through one of the three doors. Flinty covered her face for a moment before taking in the view.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCYevsTFgp
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uVhVuGl1Q
"It's so... shiny."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtfNHw3YaK
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvczqHCQLO
The interior of the building was clad in marble and avant-garde designs scribbled throughout the floor and ceiling. No one column holding the interior had the same design; they each possessed an exaggerated illustration of an animal, some I didn't recognize.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuOpfNHhOt
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBw05SZMGg
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESszj68LwE
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"The Garden?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1RIxsl9y5
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"That's where the plants are," I replied, "It's a lot smaller than you'd expect, and it's all indoors, but they have some wonderful specimens in there."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdlgNQEjRp
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUdnWdjQrw
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTYCi8qQXk
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNu36HayWdb
We traveled up a set of stairs. Even the steps were polished and spotless, which made me feel slightly guilty about stepping on them. Once we arrived at the second floor, we traveled down a lengthy hallway.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xSqQ3w8CJ
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"Hey, Kenny."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcafD3y9D6a
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bEzglvXox
"What's the matter?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFMCLSgvhs
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dp1tvuYas
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKfquQwMqd
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt9LnRKe0V
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYbeGpS0hb
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADzHo5RWiO
"The chandelier? What about it?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fX99ibCa7
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyHdlwlYpS
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtZSJU6ysQ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1Pl6PtXAm
"It's pretty, but I can't help but think it's overkill. And just look at that lone little chain keeping it hanging; it looks like it's gonna break any second."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6JQwuuMAd
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2zEh0ava0
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBK5jaf9hH
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"Ah, that makes sense."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2UeSypiZ3
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I wouldn't put it past royal mages to know mana suspension of that degree. It was likely an earth infusion, or maybe the mage just had dense mana. Either way, it made me wonder how many more appliances in this building had mana in them. I immediately thought of the doors, but considering how many we've passed in this hallway alone, that seemed unlikely.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7ZNig9U0c
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrpszyf7zr
"...Then again, this building is quite old, isn't it– oop!"
I broke out of ruminating when I ran into the back of the guard. He stopped moving. and I could tell by the side of his face that he was surprised. I peered around his body to see what it was that he was seeing.
"...Oh no."
White hair, green eyes, crossed arms; these features were exhibited by a young boy in an exquisite outfit. The boy had two guards behind him.
His eyes met mine. His smirk turned from childish to demonic. I took a few steps back and bumped into Flinty.
"Kenny? What's wrong? What are you two looking at?"
She peeked over the guard and saw him. Unlike me, however, her face lit up with an excited gasp.
"It's the prince!"
I already began turning, but before my legs could locomote, Flinty's fingers wrapped around my wrist.
"Kenny, it's the prince!"
"I know! Why do you think I'm trying to–"
"Mister Chambers!"
His squeaky screech echoed through the hallway, reverberating my name.
"I order you all to have dinner with me!"
I looked over my shoulder. Flinty's face was as bright as the sun.
Sighing, I resigned myself to the situation, following Prince Orice's unreasonable order.
–
–
–
Maybe I shouldn't have been so distraught upon meeting the prince. Thinking about it with a calmer mind, it was bound to happen eventually. I was frankly surprised it took over ten visits here for me to meet him.
"I finally had a chance to sneak out this time!"
That was his response when I inquired him, spoken as if he was shamelessly proud of himself. He was shamelessly proud of himself, actually. It only made my impression of him worse.
The two guards who were tailgating him were the same two goons I made total fools out of all those weeks ago. They were also inadvertently the reason why I got my decrepit nickname, but I knew better not to blame them.
If anything, it was me. Though I wanted to berate the prince, it was me.
"So, why have you called us to this room?"
"I already told you. It's so that we can eat together!"
Flinty and I were sitting by each other on different couches. The prince was sitting across from us on one of his own, but I could tell that his was much more comfortable than ours.
"You say it's so we can eat, but I'm not seeing any food on the table."
"Just be patient. It'll come in a jiffy."
"In a jiffy..."
I repeated his peculiar phrase under my breath. It looked like waiting was an inevitability.
"I just wanted to see the plants, man..."
"You'll see them after our dinner, I promise! I just need to discuss things with you. First, some important business, and then some other business."
"Important business? That's hard to believe."
"Then get ready to be surprised."
We sat in silence, intently gazing at each other.
"Aren't you going to tell me?"
"I'll do it over food. I read somewhere that talking over food helps build bonds the best."
"Fine. I'll wait. Yell at me when the food is here."
My body sank into the couch. I closed my eyes and leaned back. The couch put me in a tranquil state, and despite my intentions, I could feel myself lulled to sleep. My senses were being severed from the outside world.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYsQxtwXTy
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"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoHJgDT7Dj
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"I-I think he did."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYaSNweMlo
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The prince's and Flinty's voices dragged me back to consciousness. However, noting that they thought I was unconscious, I decided to play the part and see what would happen. I had a bubbly feeling in my chest. I was becoming giddy. I was convinced I had devised the most meticulous scheme ever.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xQffUA6GH
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"That's rude of him."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZj7kUW21P
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9svTs0eoi
"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz4I6803aL
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdrzXaWeAN
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXpHPnTzfO
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxcH7XyI3z
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVYQ9fDCjp
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mRmTS935P
"Of course I do, I'm just pulling your leg! You're the girl who was kidnapped by those two corrupt knights. What was your name again?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHm62dsrMU
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOQhoHRDen
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3iCG9Nrao
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXP9V4Xwi7
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulxeMOreZH
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKaHqwCUFY
Flinty let out a weird noise.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz6i6LMAQl
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmeQDFqqHr
"Mhm!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbdUpmgHdJ
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRNdHEBIPl
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf8mkAbwO8
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NOYs7cjm3
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwymysa25D
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBDbb5duc9
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8PpsAAyW2
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The prince was bemoaning over something.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAXWJWV6Nn
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"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgATuGhQuuP
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"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6sFVW2fiC
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He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17VvBbYjCj
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrRKnnpo10
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO1RsZ6Q7i
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3zmKEcHkM
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK9PLgsby4
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwrqbp5p29
"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqXLNpuqOS
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg20L8OM6Dq
"I've never seen anyone as brave as him; just think about it, he saw two adults ganging up on one kid, and he beat them up! He was much smaller and younger. By all means, he should've turned his tail and ran, but he didn't! I've only ever seen Skylark act like that. Everyone else is too big of a wuss, but not Mister Chambers– and even better, he's just a little older than me! He's not some adult who scolds me for everything I do or watches me like a hawk. He's a little boy, just like me!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoQsvb2kaN
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"That's... surprisingly sweet."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97vSNyS0d2
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi8X2RghNW
"I'm trying to get in his good graces, but for some reason, nothing I do seems to work. I'm starting to think that he just doesn't like me."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5bm1zpwxy
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyARkvPLzv5
"O-Oh, I'm sure it's not that. It's just, well, from what I've heard of him, you always seem to meet him at the wrong times."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheSXf8vb6X
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3pEBIG05x
"...Really?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93YmnpS4ms
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"You're also incredibly obnoxious."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURaiNuiyKO
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"GAH!?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbkOUMbobk
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"Huh!?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc7YhrxgE8
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I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYBNUL0xbX
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"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAKpP61ECS
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hhxyQvewO
"Nevermind that. What Flinty said was right, but what you said was even more right. I don't like you very much, I'm sorry– ack!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeJEeDOuCm
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwqJQLlVGz
I felt something blunt hit my shoulder. Flinty was looking at me with beady eyes with her fist against me. I looked back at the prince, who had a perturbed expression. He quickly looked down at the table and pinched his chin, whispering something to himself.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i4fpRVEbE
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxH7LKrBLX
"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIpC5C9JTn
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp0gDTRD6O
"I-Is he really being so nice? He barged in and forced us to eat with him, and he still hasn't apologized for chasing me last time!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp0z9xmG5A
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"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTOWmhjqtY
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIibSaooBnf
"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sS5MPUp2a
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"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN5e9JKeAp
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The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9efA2Tcvi
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"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsGyiyttYy
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XWSdKbfwZ
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgosT72qWdS
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaglWexlV1e
Flinty stuck her tongue out. Something about this felt strange; why was I being painted as the enemy here? I looked at the prince, who was still bowing. He kept lowering his body. His hands were balled into fists. They were quaking.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvlKyw5JFY
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"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrROT1w4PW
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If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgRZBE9zIR
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"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEACAgYJHw
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwCWKMsDXC
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS4h598SFI
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"No."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZqyoxYzkw
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He sank into his couch with a deep frown. I looked at Flinty to gauge her thoughts and she just lightly shrugged at me with a sigh. The situation was satisfactory, then.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbyUmX7dak
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"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJHWZFmhp6
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"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCRMKcOf3l
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyydhyEoa7
He looked at me. I was expecting him to stick his tongue out at me as well, but he just looked deeply sad. Somehow his frown grew even more profound, it almost looked inhuman.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8OcskeEXF
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"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb8qEG2NBD
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"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg9jgKx8yt
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStycp5RDex
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUCwbMUANT
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"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHngWtlB52
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZjnb7MnDG
The prince shook his head in a satisfied manner, the frown entirely departed from his face. I was beginning to wonder why he was acting the way he was, but recalling what he said earlier, I had a clue as to why.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZeV2OPiQQ
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"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaOtiH5BXY
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"--Hrk!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sEshBYIIe
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I hit a sour spot. I nodded while making an 'ahhh' sound. Of course, it was the only explanation. I was also insufferable when I stopped talking to people, after all.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s5lWi4tS2
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The prince looked down at the table again. I didn't have a chance to press him further, however, because a group of people carrying plates and glasses barged into the room.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FPwX8Onkp
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"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPNsbDwg4l
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–
–
–
I struggled to comprehend the thing that was before me. Calling it food felt disingenuous because what I was looking at was more like gold painted as if it was food. I was convinced the moment that I took a bite out of the piece of meat before me, my teeth would shatter like glass. My fork would likely bend and bust before that, though. But these were just expectations; I had to confirm them. Therefore, I poked the meat. It wasn't hard, it wasn't heavy; the surface recessed inward as my finger pushed against it. It wasn't a precious metal in the shape of a meal. It was a meal.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKE99O94n5
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"I can't eat this."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5RCXigooD
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ifJOh5Zag
"I can't eat this."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv67HQ97jD
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The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUHJgrRMcW
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"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujOgYbgIPn
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Flinty nodded and motioned for her fork but I didn't move. I was comfortable calling myself starstruck. Time seemed to slow down the longer I gazed at the meat. Before I knew it–173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4EEe50Zrb
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"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2INGVWytv
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Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44nLX2YY1c
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"Mister Chambers?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTK0b6cuwW
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"What?"
"Let's talk about the business I mentioned earlier. But first, at least try what was cooked for you. I promise it won't disappoint."
"I feel bad even thinking about eating it, but if you insist."
I grabbed a fork and stuck it in the meat. The chunk came off with little resistance. Blood trickled from the inside onto the plate. I put it in my mouth and slowly began chewing.
"Well?"
"...It's incredible, but, what type of meat is this?"
"Aviartidae. They're quite common in the badlands. They're like vultures, but–"
"But they're monsters, yes. So, what's this business about?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZa7i4A2T5
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"Right..."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yJit24Jc1
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The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfrS38017m
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"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRsQkNji0J
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"I see. And what are the details?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2XO8NI5td
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"I was just getting to that! Well, never mind, it's more or less an escort mission, except you aren't escorting anybody in particular, you're escorting a letter to be sent."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId8w24EKnP
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"A letter?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcpk8boi8k
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"Yep. There's a town a few days away on horseback called Kommunikatsiya. It's one of the central hubs for communication here in the Southern Country, overseen by The Zariel Kingdom. Your goal is to deliver a letter to the foreign communications center, and that's about it. All the other details will be covered by the letter itself."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFjwzBAjir
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"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLiLy15EeW
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"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oLKdYIGDn
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I widened my eyes a little.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P2G55eTlX
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"Really? Who's working with me?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UrSID3T0K
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The prince gave me a stern shrug.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtxcISr6DL
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"I dunno. My mom and sister are the ones operating this whole ordeal. Whoever they'll be though, they'll be on your strength level."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1qL749yid
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"That's relieving."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSVbnsq06H
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I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKup2N547qj
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I didn't have any plans for the next week, but I already knew the Tea Mage was going to be angry hearing this news. It was likely to take well over a week, maybe even two or three if we ran into problems.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EVByfIw3V
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"How far did you say the village was again?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7raXSij3n
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"It'll take five days on carriage if everything goes smoothly. Don't worry about travel expenses, by the way, we've got that covered."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2ZqfFY8lb
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"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD754eRLfY7
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTDaNsCynq
I picked my fork back up but paused before I stuck it into the meat. I had a sudden epiphany about what the prince was saying.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPhXh4A6tX
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"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uJWK1Aes1
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"..."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkGIGwEDlo
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The prince's expression turned pensive. It was clear to me that he wasn't well informed about this information. If I had to guess, the princess was the one who was supposed to relay this to me.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1MdBbWYK2
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"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtgUA4dlXB
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"I see."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCRFHmEUe0
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Recalling what the princess told me a few months ago, it suddenly put the operation into perspective. I already began making guesses as to what the letter was about. It could've been a call to arms of some sort, or maybe a letter to get a negotiation with the Eastern Country started.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNHg1sOcfG
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"Since the Eastern Country is an empire, they're a pretty aggressive nation. This whole mission is vital, but it's also imperative that it's concealed."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWtNXBkETK
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I nodded along to his words, taking another bite from the ambrosia before me. I didn't have any strong feelings about the situation, to my surprise. Something like this coming up was always in the back of my mind; I was frankly confused as to why it took this long to happen.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTPrf4K9E4
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"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshfuhLeLQV
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"Yes," the prince answered, and then his face suddenly turned pale as he covered his mouth with both hands, "You, Flinty, you weren't supposed to hear any of this! Crap!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNOIdm8sqo
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Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs473uWuG8
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"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFpk7xgzcn
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"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCIefDUukH
173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bi2dLlWF9
The prince looked a little swayed, but what worried me wasn't him, but the two goons who were behind him. They were giving each other quizzical looks, and I could already guess what they were thinking.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1WZqOzkJO
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"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4dN54BIFW
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"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r0r1u0E0J
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"What is it?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k9djxBn77
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"Can I... maybe join the operation–"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuVHZ5JM3B
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"Absolutely not," I declared. It wasn't because I feared for her safety, though I did, it was because I already ascertained that this mission was way out of her league.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCMMaEhGnT
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"Yeah, no shot, Flinty," the prince said "Nothing against you, but if we have two kids on this operation, not only will it be embarrassing, but it will also call our morality as a kingdom into question."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewBSqYN4QW
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"...I see."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJwvor0BSb
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She let out a dejected response, but from the tone of her voice, it was obvious that she expected such an answer. She quickly shook off her disappointment with a shrug and kept eating her food.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUNW4V6rV3
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"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRPDUI0iUX
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I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dWdplFYD4
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"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSbAlyAAye
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"...Yes?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRw7fDj1Qz
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"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiKTNnQlSq
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"No."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEwnzVpcxZ
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"Oh."173Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2danLBUMFW
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–
–
–
"...Ah, here we are."
I finally arrived at my intended destination. Closing the door behind me, I entered a room where the floor itself was dirt and grass. Calling it a room almost felt insulting, because it felt as if I had stepped into a secret facet of nature.
This was the royal palace's garden. I took a deep breath through my nostrils.
I was entirely alone here. Flinty, for whatever reason, insisted on staying with the prince in the dining room. She seemed to be trying to get in his good graces, which I would've called an intelligent and strategic maneuver were it not for Flinty's amiable nature, which made the real reason obvious.
Admittedly, in the back of my mind, I had a suspicion that she just didn't want to see the plants. To an extent, I was probably right.
Anyway–
"Now, which one do I choose?"
I wasn't just here to marvel and study the magical plants. Since it was the second Wednesday of the month, I was permitted to intake one magical plant of my choosing into the tendril. If I didn't have such a restriction, I would've absorbed them all in one week and have no reason to visit again, effectively crumbling the agreement the princess and I made.
At least, those were the words my supervisor said, who just so happened to be–
"...Roy, I understand you're only 'fulfilling your duty', but you're far, far too close."
Looming behind me like a demon in my sleep was a gray-haired man in a robe. He was holding a wand about two heads taller than me while the magic stone was nearly the size of my head. It was an exceedingly rare feature for Exotica, but that was becoming of someone like him.
"If I let you become too greedy now, then my status as Royal Mage would be meaningless."
"I'm not asking for much. Just, please take a few steps back?"
Surprisingly, he did, but calling them 'steps' was generous. I sighed and ceased making an appeal. It was obvious I'd be getting nowhere doing that.
So instead, I ventured through the garden and scouted the catalog of magical plants. Most of the garden was composed of common vegetation, but the magical plants were placed in blatant places, almost as if they were begging you to come and tear them off their stems.
Unfortunately, though the garden had a plethora of magical plants, it only had a handful of unique species. I was able to identify them thanks to my tome, and by that, I made a pecking order on which plants I should absorb the soonest. However, as I scanned all these precious Exotica, I began to think about the definitive pecking order I've created.
Ordinarily, I would've gone for the Silk-Bloom, which excretes exactly what the name implies. But in light of the recent mission I've been tasked with, my consideration juggled between the Silk-Bloom and two other ones.
"What's taking you so long? You usually pick one and leave by this time."
"Shut up! Simply admiring the plants is part of my promised time here too!"
Telling Roy a half-truth, I continued pondering the situation. Aside from the Silk-Boom, I had considered intaking the Blover and the Spit-Blossom. I had no doubts that, when pushed to the limits, these plants could perform extraordinary feats, much like the Freeze-Dry. But choosing between the two was possible. They both had their benefits, after all.
"I implore you to hurry up before I grow suspicious and do something by accident."
"Threatening me is just gonna make me nervous. Who do you think I am anyway?"
Blover, or Spit-Blossom? The former could produce harsh winds, while the latter expelled sturdy projectiles.
"...Wait."
When I thought about it that way, and when I considered the plants I already possessed in my arsenal, the choice became clear as day. Therefore, I walked up to the plant in the shape of a gallant clover and kneeled beside it.
"Finally. You were very close to suspiciously and mysteriously bursting into flames."
"Uh-huh."
After I finished intaking the plant, I stood up and walked to the exit. Roy stopped before me and bowed slightly.
"Safe travels. I sincerely hope you found your time at the palace pleasant and useful."
"I certainly did. For the most part, at least. Thank you for your service."
I bowed back at him, and we exchanged nods. I walked through the door and found myself back in the hallway. To my surprise, Flinty was outside waiting for me, but she wasn't with the prince.
"Hi! Did you enjoy your time with the plants?"
"Yeah, my tendril has a new one, too. Anyway, Flinty, where's the prince?"
She scratched her cheek and nervously laughed.
"Commander Skylark found us in the dining room and, well..."
"I can imagine. He must've thrown quite a tantrum."
"Not really? He was putting up a good fight, though."
I snorted.
"Yeah, I can imagine."
Flinty and I traversed the hallway. We met up with the guard from earlier by the staircase. He looked relieved for some reason. We made it down the stairs and traversed the halls quietly. But, before we left, an unfortunately familiar face was standing by the palace doors.
Except, he wasn't alone.
"Mm, yes, Kenneth, girl, I see you two have finished your business."
The man from the carriage was standing there, surrounded by guards who had their spears pointed at him. Except, from their apparel, I could tell they weren't ordinary guards. They were likely elites of some kind. He seemed completely unbothered by it though, wearing the same grin he's always had.
"What... happened to you?" I asked.
"I proposed, but the queen selfishly rejected it. I've calmed down since then, yet these dregs insist that they keep watch over me."
"Really. Color me surprised."
I sighed, somehow unsurprised that things turned out this way. But I suddenly had a new concern appear in my mind.
"W-Wait, how are we going to get back?"
"Mm, well, I'm forced to stay here for the time being, so you two may take the carriage back without me."
"Huh!?"
His face hadn't changed one bit, so his words were entirely serious, but I still couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't get a chance to ask any further questions because the guards pushed the man to move.
"Ah, careful, fools, I have no interest in getting my clothes dirty."
"Just move it along," one of the guards responded. The group walked by Flinty and me. I let out a sigh, relieved that–
"Kenneth, before I leave, I must grant you my name!"
I turned my head back. The man was walking backward.
"My name is Kostik Coyote. You'd do well to remember it!"
His voice reverberated throughout the building. The man, Kostik, disappeared into the hallway.
"What a nutcase."
Flinty of all people muttered that comment. I couldn't have agreed more.
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