"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
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"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
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"Ah, you made it!"181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekIyf00SY1
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Linda ran up to us. She exchanged hugs with Victoria. I couldn't help but think of what Victoria said about her, but still, the scene was... it was soothing to the soul. I felt a type of satisfaction I couldn't describe. It was borderline euphoric, watching daughter and mother reunite like this.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
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"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
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"He is not dumb! He has the kindest heart out of anyone in our family! So what if he escapes from time to time? He's only ever done good for the citizens!"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
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"He wanted you to meet with the royal magicians, most likely, after seeing what you did to the two rogue knights. He might've been too blunt, however, please forgive him."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
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"Excellent. Moving on, my mission today was similar. I ventured out specifically to find you and see if all the fuss Orice was making was warranted. I came out believing it was."181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMB6lPyDsL
181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7paFJNX7r
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.181Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyw5X5a3dC
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"Kenny, there may be a time when you need to fight for your kingdom. Not in a war, that isn't a citizen's duty, but at the very least, to protect the sovereignty and pride of it."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.
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