"I see it. The light, I see it!"181Please respect copyright.PENANAA9TXZm5B5i
181Please respect copyright.PENANAdv3qw1E66E
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAk3v4s9ZrJQ
181Please respect copyright.PENANAqPX8wG6QN9
"We did it, Flinty."181Please respect copyright.PENANAhir1AuUm4K
181Please respect copyright.PENANA8SEgy72ywk
"Yeah."181Please respect copyright.PENANAG37hATckBn
181Please respect copyright.PENANALPFuwJJjmw
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAyTnzVGUje8
181Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZsBCF4oIt
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.181Please respect copyright.PENANAgtZB47NtKX
181Please respect copyright.PENANAzD80Ecx1Sf
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAcNLgg5ttc3
181Please respect copyright.PENANAdULvhkLvQd
"Ah, you made it!"181Please respect copyright.PENANAekIyf00SY1
181Please respect copyright.PENANAjDD3ihaIYU
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAYqT4x5iYCR
181Please respect copyright.PENANAKIAM7pqmRA
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."181Please respect copyright.PENANAYq24FnUzOs
181Please respect copyright.PENANAayvTLMlyNR
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."181Please respect copyright.PENANAoUJN5OtoDD
181Please respect copyright.PENANAgPydaEgnbR
"Ah, alright."181Please respect copyright.PENANAJtFFn7BN5p
181Please respect copyright.PENANAMk2OVcG4CG
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.181Please respect copyright.PENANAW5tVIQsO79
181Please respect copyright.PENANAZQAzUjF5Ia
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.181Please respect copyright.PENANAOJlFGCKvl4
181Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ze1O5VJfk
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."181Please respect copyright.PENANAcvQC2Vh7AH
181Please respect copyright.PENANAgpWlU27HYq
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."181Please respect copyright.PENANAHNqvUL5Ysl
181Please respect copyright.PENANAJJaX9X78Ug
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."181Please respect copyright.PENANAqxgvxojeDD
181Please respect copyright.PENANA8SLCRbx1GZ
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAoUEhWHLGUn
181Please respect copyright.PENANAiYbuZRJ42w
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"181Please respect copyright.PENANALKBf7euSGl
181Please respect copyright.PENANAzeBgScs9sb
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."181Please respect copyright.PENANAnbfLK6R6bj
181Please respect copyright.PENANAl1xPpoXE0B
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."181Please respect copyright.PENANA0lJfIdEv1k
181Please respect copyright.PENANAWcihislsqE
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."181Please respect copyright.PENANA0V5E0qLVIF
181Please respect copyright.PENANAScoanBPchC
"Of course! Let's go."181Please respect copyright.PENANACxtctOljbp
181Please respect copyright.PENANAnsyY51nB48
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAsHtcS7OItg
181Please respect copyright.PENANA1dwcy3T9wd
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."181Please respect copyright.PENANAxPK222tdg8
181Please respect copyright.PENANALMoQSn8bGr
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.181Please respect copyright.PENANAkktmJvkzCj
181Please respect copyright.PENANAzYUG6drtQv
"Uh, do I have to?"181Please respect copyright.PENANAUBeiIeqIeI
181Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZuU87YAeG
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."181Please respect copyright.PENANAA4uDlrIDsc
181Please respect copyright.PENANAiCkPP2jJDb
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.181Please respect copyright.PENANAX8aaK2noTF
181Please respect copyright.PENANAJR5tGHMIQs
"Kenny?"181Please respect copyright.PENANA8gx7GJqhWa
181Please respect copyright.PENANAT8Mq7rcBSR
"Yeah yeah..."181Please respect copyright.PENANAVXMH2W0LCq
181Please respect copyright.PENANASIcajvlO3u
I took off my shirt.181Please respect copyright.PENANA4svCpR9Tsv
181Please respect copyright.PENANAElBT5a2XaD
"Alright, now come here."181Please respect copyright.PENANAhtuUfRIiWR
181Please respect copyright.PENANAPrI3qtBhyK
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAlgRKCY3e0I
181Please respect copyright.PENANAzyBQdaGusG
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."181Please respect copyright.PENANAjhazPV0pMc
181Please respect copyright.PENANAqXyUB3dZXb
"Right."181Please respect copyright.PENANAJaUB1PpjJX
181Please respect copyright.PENANAII5WvynMGp
I tried that, but it didn't work.181Please respect copyright.PENANAu5igFDvfP7
181Please respect copyright.PENANAxjkMjP5DnH
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"181Please respect copyright.PENANAvAbY1VKzgc
181Please respect copyright.PENANAeHpzVUIDjE
"Beats me."181Please respect copyright.PENANAUW0sdOXb2b
181Please respect copyright.PENANAab2nNb3vFb
"But it came from you, didn't it?"181Please respect copyright.PENANAs6ovFyt40f
181Please respect copyright.PENANA1Pr1CD2fUd
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."181Please respect copyright.PENANAkjWYdJOSvd
181Please respect copyright.PENANAu1eTsIykXi
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.181Please respect copyright.PENANAp5FFDeQv6a
181Please respect copyright.PENANAHX5HjjlDzb
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"181Please respect copyright.PENANAOe4yTaOU3n
181Please respect copyright.PENANAAr2TwErKg9
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAjqOz2x1aAj
181Please respect copyright.PENANApzH092AyLM
"It's no use. It isn't possible."181Please respect copyright.PENANAaOJ1pMpD5r
181Please respect copyright.PENANApK0qLiKlrF
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."181Please respect copyright.PENANAqpoWZlVj4s
181Please respect copyright.PENANAzAdI5PcEma
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"181Please respect copyright.PENANAdM7YX5TwbC
181Please respect copyright.PENANAtQF6bwC6R1
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."181Please respect copyright.PENANAmCZEXHC6ku
181Please respect copyright.PENANAmwrSqxqjXO
"A-Ah, w-well then..."181Please respect copyright.PENANAIFLultQM2P
181Please respect copyright.PENANAbfgvPwtqOo
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.
181Please respect copyright.PENANAu1F4tllAhU
"K-Kenny?"181Please respect copyright.PENANAJo8EDrRbNi
181Please respect copyright.PENANAJDPyW2fB3U
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAUayT5aNTdu
181Please respect copyright.PENANAUVs2K5tM8U
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."181Please respect copyright.PENANAc4RgazMkp5
181Please respect copyright.PENANAwcydzmCiXw
"Y-Yeah."181Please respect copyright.PENANAm7RKVYvBKp
181Please respect copyright.PENANAgoBvMo94z8
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.181Please respect copyright.PENANAAqWhjJdAh0
181Please respect copyright.PENANAKlg0X3vAtM
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."181Please respect copyright.PENANAcd6X9YJP7h
181Please respect copyright.PENANAv0gbG3kmM4
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAyvYNsKhs1R
181Please respect copyright.PENANAIBIhGLLk2A
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.181Please respect copyright.PENANAyKlFTKWTLC
181Please respect copyright.PENANAs1I9Mri2if
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"181Please respect copyright.PENANAVtqga1JVk6
181Please respect copyright.PENANAwUtaQn1HG1
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAiTUNYbWNG6
181Please respect copyright.PENANAfCLxqcz7Dj
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."181Please respect copyright.PENANAs2iZebu2e0
181Please respect copyright.PENANANn0GqOBTl7
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."181Please respect copyright.PENANA55dVt17n0S
181Please respect copyright.PENANAEjEKEFqyTg
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."181Please respect copyright.PENANAvCDrNtW8ik
181Please respect copyright.PENANA2o08VMlqCf
She looked over at Skylark.181Please respect copyright.PENANA3RLVS2oEFW
181Please respect copyright.PENANAp5lW7PKUMS
"And, again, thank you for helping."181Please respect copyright.PENANAPQddltSJNm
181Please respect copyright.PENANANOmJkOHCsT
"But of course, it is my duty."181Please respect copyright.PENANAXzq4C7fAGK
181Please respect copyright.PENANAOdmpQHOGTD
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."181Please respect copyright.PENANA9HtebloFzE
181Please respect copyright.PENANAz3TnWXbOFK
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."181Please respect copyright.PENANArpiPv6SYbe
181Please respect copyright.PENANAkZgR6xU8ue
"That's stupid."181Please respect copyright.PENANAlR9lCm9fYF
181Please respect copyright.PENANAFCLN5FpBr5
I felt out of place as they quarreled.181Please respect copyright.PENANAGwXsh2Pckh
181Please respect copyright.PENANAWLxiDuqFvJ
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.181Please respect copyright.PENANA2hm76InYBb
181Please respect copyright.PENANAPPzuFrsm2h
"...Yes?"181Please respect copyright.PENANANhrN2ZApgD
181Please respect copyright.PENANAcVli5Us2eO
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"181Please respect copyright.PENANAiqtvP9e38d
181Please respect copyright.PENANAyZWBzXr08J
"Yes, my lady."181Please respect copyright.PENANAw9bHpxNT5I
181Please respect copyright.PENANAMDEr1OptYl
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAg0dRmRCnoh
181Please respect copyright.PENANAYbVd3Q6f4Y
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."181Please respect copyright.PENANAt0KJHGB3Zv
181Please respect copyright.PENANABMYze7CqQM
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?181Please respect copyright.PENANApJDGPOVYAQ
181Please respect copyright.PENANA3pt3jdi0yC
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."181Please respect copyright.PENANAbz9noeGrnS
181Please respect copyright.PENANAVMhlNwyFjd
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANANtNHa5cxcS
181Please respect copyright.PENANAo8mtBbs6MJ
"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?"181Please respect copyright.PENANAM9cUcYRLUp
181Please respect copyright.PENANAHZWQt1DzHA
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"181Please respect copyright.PENANApyMWsgOmFz
181Please respect copyright.PENANASsCyuvjMuF
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."181Please respect copyright.PENANAXXqvRIPXZC
181Please respect copyright.PENANATFyUw8i9ne
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.181Please respect copyright.PENANAkal6biJ9zw
181Please respect copyright.PENANAwAo57aHiaX
"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?"181Please respect copyright.PENANAiXLoYtpnE6
181Please respect copyright.PENANA3a2VVqJTI9
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.181Please respect copyright.PENANAmmxz4qlrv6
181Please respect copyright.PENANAK7jRS2h1Mg
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"181Please respect copyright.PENANA2OrymNkPCv
181Please respect copyright.PENANABR7E6cgI46
She scowled at me. Oops.181Please respect copyright.PENANAvwMgTzFOB8
181Please respect copyright.PENANAqIlzRTXG6u
"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!"181Please respect copyright.PENANADNgIyN5jYK
181Please respect copyright.PENANAf1m9DdlghI
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."181Please respect copyright.PENANADbWzcyDxyn
181Please respect copyright.PENANA8Z63bhmjOE
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."181Please respect copyright.PENANACOCj9pqruf
181Please respect copyright.PENANAUKhlUtanv6
I was suddenly invested.181Please respect copyright.PENANA26JFZsSkci
181Please respect copyright.PENANAslHc9I6yYc
"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."181Please respect copyright.PENANAXl153kxiqx
181Please respect copyright.PENANAA0sK5POCjk
"Uh-huh."181Please respect copyright.PENANAl6pwl1rpzn
181Please respect copyright.PENANAB9K4WTQyf6
"I mean it. Forgive him."181Please respect copyright.PENANAaCoCaC6lkx
181Please respect copyright.PENANA8nVYFRnkgd
"O-Okay, I will."181Please respect copyright.PENANAfRv7oXDZI1
181Please respect copyright.PENANAt59Lxov6kT
"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."181Please respect copyright.PENANAjMB6lPyDsL
181Please respect copyright.PENANAH7paFJNX7r
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.181Please respect copyright.PENANAqyw5X5a3dC
181Please respect copyright.PENANA27YExYuhKV
"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."181Please respect copyright.PENANANbdndsQsrx
181Please respect copyright.PENANAQJovQUgvKa
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.181Please respect copyright.PENANAT7CLJHhRDg
181Please respect copyright.PENANAL9linSiR6O
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"181Please respect copyright.PENANAbk86xZImRv
181Please respect copyright.PENANADW4HNHuw7z
"I refuse."181Please respect copyright.PENANAbaZAqYJN4S
181Please respect copyright.PENANAf2JlTkmNam
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.181Please respect copyright.PENANAGBsUsKkZo5
181Please respect copyright.PENANAbrxZZhiQPU
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."181Please respect copyright.PENANATflZOeqiOz
181Please respect copyright.PENANA3BWzuVx391
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."181Please respect copyright.PENANA927jfHygaP
181Please respect copyright.PENANAnZyTRh2lfs
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANA7hiyDFYr3K
181Please respect copyright.PENANA0uO8uC3j3e
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."181Please respect copyright.PENANA5Gwx9pFNlp
181Please respect copyright.PENANAbn6MXawrr6
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"181Please respect copyright.PENANAvF0DR5uFcL
181Please respect copyright.PENANAJZvz75RKFO
"Tea Mage...?"181Please respect copyright.PENANAL5SqFfCro5
181Please respect copyright.PENANA2xU1byHqA9
"I think his name is Freed."181Please respect copyright.PENANAIgnDC6fEk5
181Please respect copyright.PENANARtE1GNopOZ
"Oh, Freed."181Please respect copyright.PENANAVEE2EMRcEM
181Please respect copyright.PENANAiqfPQhh58h
Her face twisted into a moue.181Please respect copyright.PENANAZnZvkxxSTL
181Please respect copyright.PENANAt5yfFW5oJo
"I see. He must've refused, then."181Please respect copyright.PENANAJuVnm5fnGT
181Please respect copyright.PENANAlukS5fzoQ7
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."181Please respect copyright.PENANA8nDhfcozwW
181Please respect copyright.PENANAsA8Mz7tGXt
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAxx359vJity
181Please respect copyright.PENANALTzya6dKPs
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAVHhZOBIEaA
181Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2BIGMUIUB
"Is that thing also Exotica?"181Please respect copyright.PENANAv0AqtNimQT
181Please respect copyright.PENANAWlGCOm8ALq
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"181Please respect copyright.PENANAK6Cooa5yMi
181Please respect copyright.PENANAL0tYbOvuuW
"Right."181Please respect copyright.PENANA8PIxYU15GY
181Please respect copyright.PENANA2c760XQ8Yq
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAeU6ewCoR0z
181Please respect copyright.PENANAjmDA23Ubnb
"...It'll probably be fine."181Please respect copyright.PENANAVEr1FC85DK
181Please respect copyright.PENANAgwaKePmmG9
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAARNx6l2w7C
181Please respect copyright.PENANATgFgwLXYE5
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.181Please respect copyright.PENANAczwyNUbsXS
181Please respect copyright.PENANAV0EZ8SWudU
It made me look forward to the future.