"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6cTziiFKL
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhKn032iC8
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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9RlgsLMWZ
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZFQsx1ETj
I felt a vein bulge in my head.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACzkceZm2G
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB655vOqp64
"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXg0PSjoZA
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9D53AVijI
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3fDF5vbjm
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFslgATQ9s
"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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8TCYMAKTD
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZXV2DWUDe
"I-Inside...?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ5b2yVO4M
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ3YXwMTP4
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmckJ9Qrtz
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6D6V1LAYc
"It's so... shiny."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmwljP7l5J
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSozcC65BO
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iV02Px4Rv
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilJ5X9DhLf
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGg7lmnXDu
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzwIkkHqw1
"The Garden?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDXPWkMBrA
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0TXFBhpt7
"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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbUcIDzTwZ
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DuzzAPCUJ
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR0s5H7tcH
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmlByZzLcd
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6dlvbVp6f
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwQg28ohuB
"Hey, Kenny."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL19Jwh746f
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5Vh1NRnSM
"What's the matter?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeArYUcQRhM
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnhwoNRuv7
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IOvoHYmAT
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB40CPE9ijz
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOOOaL3Vvo
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJrUudpJ58
"The chandelier? What about it?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbdSeg0zcM
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYcl9HnGkL
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0oYn8J3wj
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a4nmIHbmP
"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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauZMyHfXNi
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3NevniCwe
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamoXwfMoI4
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9Z4X7jW0e
"Ah, that makes sense."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FvguUf1ve
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wTFhCbmPH
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5LYHyQ1Ci
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhoRssyNsk
"...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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ1vquaBMO
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhtmCq2l8C
"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EoC44sfsi
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PdSHxYlhu
"I-I think he did."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWmnrK93Km
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr65X9MzlY
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJDnZPhkpw
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCtSl5GlyK
"That's rude of him."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNNz8kC0NJ
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz47XDyYs2d
"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8w7CR00CM
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngqxFwhRE5
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6Dnv1ZmBN
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzZxm2Pe0U
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNRh2heu1p
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBov0TsNeG
"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?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7NXdysunL
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7bKUbC7Sq
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn877uypLj
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwcXGL9cY9
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCtmshXODk
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGm0Hou15R
Flinty let out a weird noise.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOAGs4VNWC
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP5mmeW0Ap
"Mhm!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXOIVuaekO
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5Xx5F9fxR
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuRAqtjP7M
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7yhOk0YAi
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE2fkTUf7n
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh1ElH5koP
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr1WjpjJbC
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ig2eMJi8U
The prince was bemoaning over something.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTi5PlTxnE
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUNR25GTrq
"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IzIyL2xyA
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvpUjm4Y27
"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgcmN71CGK
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrFhVYyGmn
He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeYwicMLEp
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1cnT4N0dr
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxzQWlbujo
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsebHQ39vr
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5NiFgqijr
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DKqSr1Ca1
"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBaIKBsLqJ
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbpVxRqCDN
"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!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczSasmbUmB
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKKsIcN9ll
"That's... surprisingly sweet."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV66WOZcAk
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgP8z2EaSk
"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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOwbGqyxIc
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf4tsTmBHU
"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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVIjM3uLst
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsMRC37kNI
"...Really?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUH4CWilXK
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvkANyFfti
"You're also incredibly obnoxious."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC2mkEhu25
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5SVyJLX99
"GAH!?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGoOXP4l2b
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2GgBHnccx
"Huh!?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKD8NGmhaK
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡermTWfvalF
I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEmfCUBELS
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbyafTVlN0
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxes41kZgdH
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50GCV87lRY
"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!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj0hSoLzAu
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTg5QxVF5X
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZd0nTiBNI
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyVb1Op80c
"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjO84m1YYq
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wId1yAHJs
"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!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDrdmXInbm
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycdCJZY7rE
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lwpynT7Af
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QjhmRymBO
"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnByvAeYq2k
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba1nVHWqSq
"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99acCYJcaS
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQObaR1184
The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBRMEqvpmw
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Ye4cwAXQ
"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YkD6wiAyb
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMNdXpnmCs
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqrLvFYL8D
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19StrxNW22
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IOHHrQWvm
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyimsMqW6gN
"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvkUp8HyuB
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3CGqlZYyS
If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NajreLmGP
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon5s3gEntz
"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFSSyFRtMV
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEaAbYbUY9
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cS1TSztqo
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZeg2ed0bB
"No."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUwA4dAgPn
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOeCNJUG49
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8uBJBGHZB
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM6tmtOYtk
"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtLveZrQWH
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6xz17KgCI
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgnqjVlSaN
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF2QZFhlWj
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocrvry2Toy
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2261HANV9T
"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhp9Gi8iMb
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8kaWmhlxR
"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFf48CP6uH
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswQDDODuQz
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4nOYEqNtq
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofI5KqZSY4
"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu56wa5Ymiy
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUocb2hdt77
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjGvKGyHPd
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozUCTKAXuV
"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBAZ6sE7Dq
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAPJyNKlZT
"--Hrk!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC550Duzho
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXPTSZpBiO
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLafwEkGID
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEK06zRsLb
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhaq6YDB62
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgbwA5h5JW
"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1AbkF5jdw
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOHJEcntdW
–
–
–
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zVS3bDyVk
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtwgXoCfvC
"I can't eat this."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6K41T0jTs
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVgvPVGBpz
"I can't eat this."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRRBfRVTf9
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UC8joEZn8
The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7PAHfszIP
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr0RToZKTw
"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd08UbpcFq
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof8Xm7A1G1
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–389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9bExsiIkQ
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7529aJZ0Zb
"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm9yrp7xTk
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRYAJEJJGJ
Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUbYyK5MKF
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vkLKoQnxV
"Mister Chambers?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU039YszF1Z
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb85424HRWs
"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?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL1wbZBqcV
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqIUH3VsND
"Right..."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD5Z5n0GIS
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvspxkW4MYx
The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCyRuD49vL
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3nqGmyQHU
"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpAyVX1H7u
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiqRTEuq0d
"I see. And what are the details?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ITwuuXwgE
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jEbSp5A4t
"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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9kM2cUHmw
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6TU2pHZ9S
"A letter?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw1rSGwrge
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNprPd39rCw
"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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiRKg9dpIC
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4cwUcDuBq
"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iXwr23CyR
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ94HNbLmH
"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxLqeZj6s6
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88kIId8vOI
I widened my eyes a little.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVH88pl2tK
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLMRJZkMov
"Really? Who's working with me?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFyUkvQ3lR
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsQO7ixA7S
The prince gave me a stern shrug.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o79B2Cxnc
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr68IOLI6U
"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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutQSAUG6mA
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJyHhrDKra
"That's relieving."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmdk78Jqz1
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ9TWJ6igW
I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHlzUSDUWt
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2etSoOHEK
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUjeOBVFhM
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz26MlZwDBg
"How far did you say the village was again?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Y2ysw0W35
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uKW4Jc5ew
"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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxB1fQ6nPY
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi225u2YVkm
"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMD90OOBgc
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eYCQrzcyz
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CAw5zZKUM
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OmFhQuPG6
"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTM7QgiNwx
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqBPsXFtva
"..."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPyqGcUpaa
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLy7qzaBcd
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ1qyaoC1T
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqyGqaGDlU
"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOeToOykWJ
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWNni3uivC
"I see."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHXkcwypgA
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BCZm9XMxM
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO75ZJWHi4
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HVHZhdXV6
"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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxpStyNrnD
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9LXjkqV8M
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzxgGncqL0
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7crDum5rBL
"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xYnAk7bTl
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK0oBap2f7
"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!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyJl4hrBS2
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQQJpFGoDq
Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXTBzuNjI3
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43JaeP30W1
"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn6bC4iHNz
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdwF7pP4oF
"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNFiiURBlx
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsowtCwVXg
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaosLTPwGEM
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"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmou0451Syl
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuSFepbtbI
"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MzUBkhVRX
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfwaLNrfOf
"What is it?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8j17uYw7U
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NVWAO9bNS
"Can I... maybe join the operation–"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLPSwhxXt0
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm7flExO5j
"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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVrqPpguXb
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSkJ5yGEhO
"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."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjr7Peb0sk
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOZB6uIghn
"...I see."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu8Vbvto8b
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfhvvTn2WE
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.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DOUTQSOq4
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYel8SBkOd
"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjlxCnMZgX
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRY5cI6HJ2
I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5suT79igO
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAzZVwcdwZ
"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcDyud4Efu
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoRnD0FYai
"...Yes?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscFLWDwXGM
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGmO1hoSCc
"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq1Xp93hSd
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZgnwxUPWX
"No."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyKITnRfzj
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenudjDiijK
"Oh."389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirTOZ8JUOi
389Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLr42iOyqh
–
–
–
"...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.
ns216.73.217.114da2
and then Add to home screen.