"I see it. The light, I see it!"163Please respect copyright.PENANAInAYmPoA3z
163Please respect copyright.PENANA472mqnFeCf
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAqo2PK88Q2y
163Please respect copyright.PENANAOt2WxR8ce0
"We did it, Flinty."163Please respect copyright.PENANAg0c24NaJ3Y
163Please respect copyright.PENANAf3djufZ9mJ
"Yeah."163Please respect copyright.PENANAY4KXHOUU4s
163Please respect copyright.PENANAFe7s7BfLNC
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAljhB909C1d
163Please respect copyright.PENANAxKM4azjr8t
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.163Please respect copyright.PENANAjtD6zBuUpL
163Please respect copyright.PENANAnpErduqzfT
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAHhE6sh2n4F
163Please respect copyright.PENANAeRyvYFoZfM
"Ah, you made it!"163Please respect copyright.PENANAbOrcbNQyVV
163Please respect copyright.PENANAwwV2DWea9c
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAdH22fEyyKg
163Please respect copyright.PENANAsySMJAnG0j
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."163Please respect copyright.PENANA1mZOGOJPye
163Please respect copyright.PENANAmQyUbhZQGM
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."163Please respect copyright.PENANA1c3B4fUGeT
163Please respect copyright.PENANAKnFPdwVEBv
"Ah, alright."163Please respect copyright.PENANAZbn1ToAQDZ
163Please respect copyright.PENANAsltFQnVImw
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.163Please respect copyright.PENANAWApVZzbXxi
163Please respect copyright.PENANAKpFJTVfzeo
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.163Please respect copyright.PENANAlmv9GhJwAO
163Please respect copyright.PENANAgwVCp06onf
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."163Please respect copyright.PENANA3xFBVEQtwk
163Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZrcUSBgYB
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."163Please respect copyright.PENANAiXKCL8LTu8
163Please respect copyright.PENANAbE0VkIOLht
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."163Please respect copyright.PENANAxrdZhsLabn
163Please respect copyright.PENANANlbUwy04ib
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANANQOkbBMsXe
163Please respect copyright.PENANAP3YnYVbLLo
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAm9tavMjcZb
163Please respect copyright.PENANAORuWEwW9Vb
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."163Please respect copyright.PENANAxpeZ1HPatb
163Please respect copyright.PENANAnMrJstTRXW
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."163Please respect copyright.PENANAXG2NalgD7M
163Please respect copyright.PENANAPj9F5hzBbt
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."163Please respect copyright.PENANAhSfbQChzNZ
163Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ct0nHt6Pu
"Of course! Let's go."163Please respect copyright.PENANA94Nq5UZKVh
163Please respect copyright.PENANAuQRdC7imHc
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAXiKjwu1i24
163Please respect copyright.PENANAmoZiJf1q5l
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."163Please respect copyright.PENANAbVmALt5TsD
163Please respect copyright.PENANAmsspHvBmLh
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.163Please respect copyright.PENANANXkYPx6XbD
163Please respect copyright.PENANA3CAvTRi4Ku
"Uh, do I have to?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAwZKgZnRq2L
163Please respect copyright.PENANAxW1V3Mb1N2
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."163Please respect copyright.PENANAl0ONwfTX87
163Please respect copyright.PENANA8LFKtnIlDE
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.163Please respect copyright.PENANArdY6zuPqgd
163Please respect copyright.PENANAkWEPWjdSXT
"Kenny?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAwLwEdBytpn
163Please respect copyright.PENANAUDIBiuXLQy
"Yeah yeah..."163Please respect copyright.PENANAALKJ1EzX9V
163Please respect copyright.PENANAyffJSWWhHW
I took off my shirt.163Please respect copyright.PENANAMAfrg9XKm4
163Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ltw90nZTZ
"Alright, now come here."163Please respect copyright.PENANAwcJ1ot4mxw
163Please respect copyright.PENANAmF3ewy62Av
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAZH4SmgL8M3
163Please respect copyright.PENANAu6M6jqGkra
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."163Please respect copyright.PENANA5jMUtBVvRt
163Please respect copyright.PENANAQNE1nE3646
"Right."163Please respect copyright.PENANAGCtoMCfDg3
163Please respect copyright.PENANAtP8OFFzfHI
I tried that, but it didn't work.163Please respect copyright.PENANA6zaLNUtQXw
163Please respect copyright.PENANARlz4E4oLfD
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"163Please respect copyright.PENANA05mR9tyefR
163Please respect copyright.PENANAEBQvtXX2oN
"Beats me."163Please respect copyright.PENANA595vb0WiM9
163Please respect copyright.PENANA8pvqcoOhkh
"But it came from you, didn't it?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAl9sZf64qWL
163Please respect copyright.PENANAtY9yMsCQli
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."163Please respect copyright.PENANAaNXDkJ55J2
163Please respect copyright.PENANAFq9KkD5uFU
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.163Please respect copyright.PENANA6o5n6LnGp1
163Please respect copyright.PENANAHfht4Sr6N8
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"163Please respect copyright.PENANAfLc5oO9LYa
163Please respect copyright.PENANAL5XbaBljoi
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAluepuMmGqD
163Please respect copyright.PENANACDSiCzbILV
"It's no use. It isn't possible."163Please respect copyright.PENANAfRoWEJ1ZOm
163Please respect copyright.PENANAkuxoAUJzzR
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."163Please respect copyright.PENANAgTHOkiNrOk
163Please respect copyright.PENANAxrMFayydkp
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAXXStXNSDAL
163Please respect copyright.PENANA1INj8Zjg4b
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."163Please respect copyright.PENANAjJ5zEft4fy
163Please respect copyright.PENANAIIuaV6KjrO
"A-Ah, w-well then..."163Please respect copyright.PENANAtXBlxhaC96
163Please respect copyright.PENANAj3UHwucBOA
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.
163Please respect copyright.PENANAAqHnbDSYV8
"K-Kenny?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAVWsknQqq5h
163Please respect copyright.PENANAuHRKH2RywS
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAMbjSkcPGTi
163Please respect copyright.PENANAzXLd7Zx8Xm
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."163Please respect copyright.PENANAaKF7lt9Ge4
163Please respect copyright.PENANAGscxz52o0u
"Y-Yeah."163Please respect copyright.PENANAgcC42l7rkv
163Please respect copyright.PENANAfFPD5l8Pw4
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.163Please respect copyright.PENANAmLUBOy3VuB
163Please respect copyright.PENANARqNKyscBrk
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."163Please respect copyright.PENANADtSIRCFZWN
163Please respect copyright.PENANAPRk2SizRIB
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAsHdmahroWy
163Please respect copyright.PENANAlsKMy3zJ9q
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.163Please respect copyright.PENANABnyZZiTEST
163Please respect copyright.PENANA2evH3XWxJT
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"163Please respect copyright.PENANA7YwmLBHELD
163Please respect copyright.PENANALjOX8183ky
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAGw0B926u2s
163Please respect copyright.PENANAJd4aKq5ynf
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."163Please respect copyright.PENANAjieJxKsC74
163Please respect copyright.PENANARrxuErt4qk
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."163Please respect copyright.PENANAyGHu07U6c6
163Please respect copyright.PENANAsV4ccDod8T
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."163Please respect copyright.PENANAXHU17kpMxm
163Please respect copyright.PENANAt0ntUaJiFt
She looked over at Skylark.163Please respect copyright.PENANAmxGV78Y0zu
163Please respect copyright.PENANAfCzA5Hrzws
"And, again, thank you for helping."163Please respect copyright.PENANAuCrLsOnfwe
163Please respect copyright.PENANAX4T8ylSx4g
"But of course, it is my duty."163Please respect copyright.PENANAWOmqCDJTy6
163Please respect copyright.PENANAnLzgeV5NDu
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."163Please respect copyright.PENANABO0L0T7tQl
163Please respect copyright.PENANAWnsFGCCPhe
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."163Please respect copyright.PENANAoIbTgWsAFT
163Please respect copyright.PENANAncevs1HgGE
"That's stupid."163Please respect copyright.PENANAAA5v7eDZiZ
163Please respect copyright.PENANAwmZ0UrBfRI
I felt out of place as they quarreled.163Please respect copyright.PENANACWCcKWLI7Q
163Please respect copyright.PENANA0dd1l4ScNI
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.163Please respect copyright.PENANAGtkYpHJwsU
163Please respect copyright.PENANAm3Fw4uTLX5
"...Yes?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAYQVctBG99H
163Please respect copyright.PENANAlozITZtdDq
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAvkGD6uJoR8
163Please respect copyright.PENANAycOZP5FP4x
"Yes, my lady."163Please respect copyright.PENANAahGhZgfsyS
163Please respect copyright.PENANAs6HxnfkqsH
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAjSGRdJMPlI
163Please respect copyright.PENANATz1WvRqdyU
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."163Please respect copyright.PENANAxgLUhxTuJl
163Please respect copyright.PENANAoKldyxKoUc
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?163Please respect copyright.PENANAOdDsnNeAjR
163Please respect copyright.PENANAisa1MPFiYL
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."163Please respect copyright.PENANAIXRKj8kKtt
163Please respect copyright.PENANAV34LN4YNSk
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAk4yFIqYAop
163Please respect copyright.PENANA68eSAPnMG1
"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?"163Please respect copyright.PENANABe3nHqews1
163Please respect copyright.PENANAeQXZzlAO5z
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"163Please respect copyright.PENANA8rT57UerED
163Please respect copyright.PENANAt8idd2Hrmw
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."163Please respect copyright.PENANACWIUhBXswT
163Please respect copyright.PENANA96uo1vewiI
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.163Please respect copyright.PENANAQIsV3XIV8m
163Please respect copyright.PENANAY454tHz1XJ
"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?"163Please respect copyright.PENANABxSFweyMV7
163Please respect copyright.PENANAAPoVytypYn
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.163Please respect copyright.PENANARjmN0xB0FJ
163Please respect copyright.PENANAQtbeEJZZtp
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAVoO9YIp9Pg
163Please respect copyright.PENANAqxF7oQQDe5
She scowled at me. Oops.163Please respect copyright.PENANAR7wPtlyUEX
163Please respect copyright.PENANA0pEpI1P7Vp
"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!"163Please respect copyright.PENANAvBf8sAiABp
163Please respect copyright.PENANAxnWQyMz6L2
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."163Please respect copyright.PENANAPXw4aZFIsB
163Please respect copyright.PENANA41JvdmDx23
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."163Please respect copyright.PENANAHfU0voIE4h
163Please respect copyright.PENANAOYfaNBGCvQ
I was suddenly invested.163Please respect copyright.PENANAUm5mYMaBna
163Please respect copyright.PENANAquPWE1xlEK
"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."163Please respect copyright.PENANAlGD3DbRI1z
163Please respect copyright.PENANAEHabSc1wof
"Uh-huh."163Please respect copyright.PENANAcczc9QBksl
163Please respect copyright.PENANAmTPgOV9tbn
"I mean it. Forgive him."163Please respect copyright.PENANAevi16XrnMJ
163Please respect copyright.PENANAzHeHz67AXn
"O-Okay, I will."163Please respect copyright.PENANA9XEwcj4iby
163Please respect copyright.PENANAAmHa4cNVYM
"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."163Please respect copyright.PENANAUFL5Wi6VuM
163Please respect copyright.PENANAX2DMPftmQq
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.163Please respect copyright.PENANAWzzdwGHkbR
163Please respect copyright.PENANAIUs3sm1shv
"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."163Please respect copyright.PENANAJGV4QC7A5x
163Please respect copyright.PENANA2Eqr5L5KfG
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.163Please respect copyright.PENANAuUCg3YPYsW
163Please respect copyright.PENANAkfYJNzZ0oI
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"163Please respect copyright.PENANAOZTbY3K2PP
163Please respect copyright.PENANAn4Ilpmn7S5
"I refuse."163Please respect copyright.PENANAp3JencnCXZ
163Please respect copyright.PENANAob0XwboKtH
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.163Please respect copyright.PENANA18Zpn6P7AX
163Please respect copyright.PENANAf3oWZhY6wh
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."163Please respect copyright.PENANA6CyaSPplFK
163Please respect copyright.PENANAFvI65aG4aZ
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."163Please respect copyright.PENANAlG8HT70q0y
163Please respect copyright.PENANAI4pAaugPv8
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANA6ldynlaYaT
163Please respect copyright.PENANAXJCzE7hfjJ
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."163Please respect copyright.PENANASDJXT2P3Tg
163Please respect copyright.PENANArNp4toEMIx
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAZoRtSjuE1q
163Please respect copyright.PENANADSPGgBKUZI
"Tea Mage...?"163Please respect copyright.PENANA5s1p72bcM9
163Please respect copyright.PENANATYvGuq4QPO
"I think his name is Freed."163Please respect copyright.PENANAx4EAMkt9D4
163Please respect copyright.PENANAGdeodu3o4f
"Oh, Freed."163Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0qSZk34qa
163Please respect copyright.PENANAbBhpl7ErMR
Her face twisted into a moue.163Please respect copyright.PENANAbi8kYlYnPR
163Please respect copyright.PENANA8BQu9SKhEo
"I see. He must've refused, then."163Please respect copyright.PENANAFHRokOv5TV
163Please respect copyright.PENANAJWAdwzT7uU
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."163Please respect copyright.PENANAC9AhrLbQTl
163Please respect copyright.PENANAZZJU01jhaV
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAOfY2y1BH4B
163Please respect copyright.PENANAZNL6iKbdix
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANA40z1dhVvik
163Please respect copyright.PENANA7wJ5QSBo5K
"Is that thing also Exotica?"163Please respect copyright.PENANAqImNFIl24J
163Please respect copyright.PENANAi0MPAZCrrw
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"163Please respect copyright.PENANAzQ0MTNN72I
163Please respect copyright.PENANA4uIthdDtOj
"Right."163Please respect copyright.PENANAHns6ThTKt7
163Please respect copyright.PENANA3cwaqurh5p
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANAyP7PmD0E1x
163Please respect copyright.PENANAlz1tyoZZgT
"...It'll probably be fine."163Please respect copyright.PENANA1avcMgRIk9
163Please respect copyright.PENANASCLTQCG8ox
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANA5aSBQFj5WT
163Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZW1qn3JRn
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.163Please respect copyright.PENANA1tpW5f6Gra
163Please respect copyright.PENANAOLCHk68loH
It made me look forward to the future.