"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPkkNM6r1k
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVZFd4xSeZ
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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxfoPY011y
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjdKwmcFIK
I felt a vein bulge in my head.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdDJ4hZtwq
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqvBlT7KH8
"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmAL2H6waR
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGwmaJenaY
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe933zk7md
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ1buMQ6m9
"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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKTP4MQtCx
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKzFKurkv7
"I-Inside...?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIRuXPUwNC
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegcOqsDmtT
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K4lVAIhcr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYNRGmLzyw
"It's so... shiny."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k9ot1pYAE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OvphKkFSn
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9wHnV4yRR
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxnwXlJSqI
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSyVneRBNA
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2xbn1ptt7
"The Garden?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI1q9XeTOX
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sCfWYq9Xn
"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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5lfaEH2qf
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuSTByQxY4
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucqpsItwBv
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryGI8GOouE
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6r56qkYzG
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmV6jmjDTI
"Hey, Kenny."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxlSnWuwRB
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad0H6a8Gl3
"What's the matter?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqMqhXpas3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4zcVRvUaX
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSomY5F99rc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RYJteYKvY
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjQzoduvTS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q1izVVH7K
"The chandelier? What about it?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFUSkGk817
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVW5GOb4fo
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KOdowAuAG
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHb9w0sWhIQ
"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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f0Bvrh5WW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEspq1J9qa
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltaywLM9jb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GqhdrhakW
"Ah, that makes sense."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5n3X4NvU1
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuZohrhZJM
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbTk6TrSQ3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZag1RlANlm
"...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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMI5aayBcN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡettvVfIpqZ
"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuhJMAs33Q
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR5cp8CFMJ
"I-I think he did."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVJbM2xbj3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPVvCGUsK3
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3PkvPvTTM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp08ISPaM5s
"That's rude of him."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcJswBBdRX
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaNUNnoBiT
"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrreNYDhDV5
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJVFMgx3MZ
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbpF40ayCm
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lDcdRdON1
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWYOWVFgGE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMVU2A8c59
"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?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmi9EtmXOx
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3qy3XqjKd
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJhQ8rAWuz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOGswRrlrF
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDkOzJ27YM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPz4lm2cYO
Flinty let out a weird noise.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJFFpfbPbE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybribyEagO
"Mhm!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIeWO6x4xd
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWggNehsTi
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz3vPfaIsz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSp9k1aORL
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIg1l4PHo8
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVgDt602J1
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVRxZ0KL6f
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUiNCzjc5Z
The prince was bemoaning over something.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNND7qjBD1b
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYeFaIiI7e
"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOY1L2hHPZ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcjsShOqZS
"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA69lhjzvuE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRf2FtAe3SV
He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjKXLSwdEr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWkkYkk1n8
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNutDAYUHPA
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A5wCPZCqG
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JAJDFgykD
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw6DfmSAha
"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu8PcnzABC
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEkG2YuiT9
"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!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7liO5T1JYa
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTHLjxAPHi
"That's... surprisingly sweet."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbdNimYxj4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjIXRP2fdM
"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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3YqYOIkt4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnExpB5QBi
"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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk3FETl3jx
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDSgszEplV
"...Really?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbLybEEGAA
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgR1vrYssc
"You're also incredibly obnoxious."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyXHtLuU8I
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgyamrTHXl
"GAH!?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdomPLesaK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uWVV1UMwY
"Huh!?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbySJqywtb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ImGbrJEAi
I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jpmghOQNI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zNzXGQyPk
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLhwkqKIIY
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcwEXqHDXa
"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!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHkXalEXLr
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogmziR20vY
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAcWWM6eEn
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVYfaA4zT1
"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB7gt1RufB
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa4psFj6gl
"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!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXU1pfXlfY
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUmhhfdC2e
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEK0CjWXSd
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QIAmmVYY6
"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfOninf80F
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIP0s2RqSA
"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiG0xipBNW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2z1YSzP9b
The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKdH66o8oM
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoM6GBeF9H
"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HvgdeJt4A
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tjrbq30qn
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J1KYpcSTQ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5mZByaPpQ
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZzjhZnkpN
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdKnDlyoYA
"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYIdDvkvUQ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJodFrEjrLi
If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAWteZ3sF2
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahT1UP3D0R
"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIR1GKmFpP
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy75o34HLj
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I5tG1JLBp
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGzYlTovGA
"No."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEeEBx5PI8
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulXiQoomNE
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVbO6VZcZF
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82huh7RR4J
"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC70gYWk317
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYoTDjxYJD
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAixCTR4gxu
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqN72kpscc
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhSswj52e3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAowm6j6OOP
"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7YOm8GMQJ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJydB4MyQXU
"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuMVVqDVGe
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3nrorC8un
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j6yWSt4G9
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeIYY1D5wz
"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr5qL7PhrA
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJShSqQfFt
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDms1P0wuye
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWXCkHvjQC
"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmYWrg7zYC
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ4HbVqOQo
"--Hrk!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b4yxO2V97
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13dASLbGhl
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU7aCTQklc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc62AlZwhcN
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04BxOTHHG2
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsd187fnpg
"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB4ylwvzP3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uTjndNFEe
–
–
–
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZHQMAm8k5
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIXjyI6JHW
"I can't eat this."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb3D1hq50j
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYVrouhLUn
"I can't eat this."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yyc1GzxQ0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dcPlO5uw9
The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9F9gKVfvR
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l5DLtw54C
"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUKwhksNl3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZEjvPDD0D
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–240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdSPIyOWDl
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iG8S1xLwX
"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoQoHQfnwE
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDzEpaCGZZ
Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGhQ8tPvrK
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0utH3IPCvI
"Mister Chambers?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PRkDrcSvc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUAiGLmxup
"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?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxoKFt3flf
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI3F0c5tBI
"Right..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd69vtNM9uS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8sXMIqSev
The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KwwPVUpD9
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNacw5KXS1K
"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNQZ1xAm3o
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXdRuEx6Vf
"I see. And what are the details?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj5C65disc
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgve6qemjuk
"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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63lGrMNnyV
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjIxihuTWM
"A letter?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYikbpPj2uG
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNoEsVHAgB
"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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWE4hfVAas
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxg1Ag7Oe6
"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vcKc2qFnh
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BNoDg2des
"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29pGjpBpLb
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0zbLb89Gi
I widened my eyes a little.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWYEzzJo2h
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvGLax7fhK
"Really? Who's working with me?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6REVzYbsm
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4JX6atAoz
The prince gave me a stern shrug.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjHOUXSPlO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hxL6G0oN8
"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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUeETXD1b4
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8lSjZY1Ay
"That's relieving."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLYFv8s9WU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUfuxECbWT
I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JJa4Jk0C3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTsF3hHZlM
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShfzMy4NGU
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vf0zgT7Eq
"How far did you say the village was again?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo925Re4P2p
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKrRY01Z5d
"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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbrQPBJDPf
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH25xz9Rd3c
"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg18E6pKja3
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU272gkGxL0
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhCwTBFzms
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjx01mGdDZ
"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ4PY2D8Re
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03ktlOsXa5
"..."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxZI7jk86O
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The prince's expression turned pensive. It was clear to me that he wasn't well informed about this information. If I had to guess, the princess was the one who was supposed to relay this to me.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfpsRA7QXg
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97mWl2g1SN
"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGJOcxhieQ
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyAX0dkPLc
"I see."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cRFcQQPv2
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH65aIKNMkF
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBmqSlSNMn
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCwsYzRVwR
"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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sPMAnP45t
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr47NaiOB5
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiswKNVYJpz
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPk7tEoi7a
"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3b78qjVSI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjdVk5tN6g
"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!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn59LyYPLuL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg3YMftCqc
Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqVZNdDcUo
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogRHuRF0xg
"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBbJgIkDjG
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77oCcmXGDn
"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNoKhTzIUS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1aevBW68r
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdaiqy3l4T
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvtGYVC5Sc
"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ckIcQqsuO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpzGUo82nN
"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8UfF7SFHI
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrBFsQwf07
"What is it?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADYsdemeEk
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNcEwyB3cq
"Can I... maybe join the operation–"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQfyi4crUL
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2jtJOdCJJ
"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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVYZbbXDBS
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenYTrMr9kC
"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."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WnCTdRvzO
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQLmro96jN
"...I see."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUETRxmlwj
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVHywe5R8V
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.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ2HpudZWk
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvyFg1n3EA
"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5k5QeDNKW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDyt58NgSq
I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHUNztbHGR
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDYNlX3dZx
"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosCLPXtGmw
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxU19tRDlr
"...Yes?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfxgct9FTW
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqmQSTkMJc
"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7NuFgX7k0
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP6DWHfkjK
"No."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWh2X5jI6i
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVXjR7gxRm
"Oh."240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENRRzpudmo
240Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLWnjSNPvl
–
–
–
"...Ah, here we are."
I finally arrived at my intended destination. Closing the door behind me, I entered a room where the floor itself was dirt and grass. Calling it a room almost felt insulting, because it felt as if I had stepped into a secret facet of nature.
This was the royal palace's garden. I took a deep breath through my nostrils.
I was entirely alone here. Flinty, for whatever reason, insisted on staying with the prince in the dining room. She seemed to be trying to get in his good graces, which I would've called an intelligent and strategic maneuver were it not for Flinty's amiable nature, which made the real reason obvious.
Admittedly, in the back of my mind, I had a suspicion that she just didn't want to see the plants. To an extent, I was probably right.
Anyway–
"Now, which one do I choose?"
I wasn't just here to marvel and study the magical plants. Since it was the second Wednesday of the month, I was permitted to intake one magical plant of my choosing into the tendril. If I didn't have such a restriction, I would've absorbed them all in one week and have no reason to visit again, effectively crumbling the agreement the princess and I made.
At least, those were the words my supervisor said, who just so happened to be–
"...Roy, I understand you're only 'fulfilling your duty', but you're far, far too close."
Looming behind me like a demon in my sleep was a gray-haired man in a robe. He was holding a wand about two heads taller than me while the magic stone was nearly the size of my head. It was an exceedingly rare feature for Exotica, but that was becoming of someone like him.
"If I let you become too greedy now, then my status as Royal Mage would be meaningless."
"I'm not asking for much. Just, please take a few steps back?"
Surprisingly, he did, but calling them 'steps' was generous. I sighed and ceased making an appeal. It was obvious I'd be getting nowhere doing that.
So instead, I ventured through the garden and scouted the catalog of magical plants. Most of the garden was composed of common vegetation, but the magical plants were placed in blatant places, almost as if they were begging you to come and tear them off their stems.
Unfortunately, though the garden had a plethora of magical plants, it only had a handful of unique species. I was able to identify them thanks to my tome, and by that, I made a pecking order on which plants I should absorb the soonest. However, as I scanned all these precious Exotica, I began to think about the definitive pecking order I've created.
Ordinarily, I would've gone for the Silk-Bloom, which excretes exactly what the name implies. But in light of the recent mission I've been tasked with, my consideration juggled between the Silk-Bloom and two other ones.
"What's taking you so long? You usually pick one and leave by this time."
"Shut up! Simply admiring the plants is part of my promised time here too!"
Telling Roy a half-truth, I continued pondering the situation. Aside from the Silk-Boom, I had considered intaking the Blover and the Spit-Blossom. I had no doubts that, when pushed to the limits, these plants could perform extraordinary feats, much like the Freeze-Dry. But choosing between the two was possible. They both had their benefits, after all.
"I implore you to hurry up before I grow suspicious and do something by accident."
"Threatening me is just gonna make me nervous. Who do you think I am anyway?"
Blover, or Spit-Blossom? The former could produce harsh winds, while the latter expelled sturdy projectiles.
"...Wait."
When I thought about it that way, and when I considered the plants I already possessed in my arsenal, the choice became clear as day. Therefore, I walked up to the plant in the shape of a gallant clover and kneeled beside it.
"Finally. You were very close to suspiciously and mysteriously bursting into flames."
"Uh-huh."
After I finished intaking the plant, I stood up and walked to the exit. Roy stopped before me and bowed slightly.
"Safe travels. I sincerely hope you found your time at the palace pleasant and useful."
"I certainly did. For the most part, at least. Thank you for your service."
I bowed back at him, and we exchanged nods. I walked through the door and found myself back in the hallway. To my surprise, Flinty was outside waiting for me, but she wasn't with the prince.
"Hi! Did you enjoy your time with the plants?"
"Yeah, my tendril has a new one, too. Anyway, Flinty, where's the prince?"
She scratched her cheek and nervously laughed.
"Commander Skylark found us in the dining room and, well..."
"I can imagine. He must've thrown quite a tantrum."
"Not really? He was putting up a good fight, though."
I snorted.
"Yeah, I can imagine."
Flinty and I traversed the hallway. We met up with the guard from earlier by the staircase. He looked relieved for some reason. We made it down the stairs and traversed the halls quietly. But, before we left, an unfortunately familiar face was standing by the palace doors.
Except, he wasn't alone.
"Mm, yes, Kenneth, girl, I see you two have finished your business."
The man from the carriage was standing there, surrounded by guards who had their spears pointed at him. Except, from their apparel, I could tell they weren't ordinary guards. They were likely elites of some kind. He seemed completely unbothered by it though, wearing the same grin he's always had.
"What... happened to you?" I asked.
"I proposed, but the queen selfishly rejected it. I've calmed down since then, yet these dregs insist that they keep watch over me."
"Really. Color me surprised."
I sighed, somehow unsurprised that things turned out this way. But I suddenly had a new concern appear in my mind.
"W-Wait, how are we going to get back?"
"Mm, well, I'm forced to stay here for the time being, so you two may take the carriage back without me."
"Huh!?"
His face hadn't changed one bit, so his words were entirely serious, but I still couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't get a chance to ask any further questions because the guards pushed the man to move.
"Ah, careful, fools, I have no interest in getting my clothes dirty."
"Just move it along," one of the guards responded. The group walked by Flinty and me. I let out a sigh, relieved that–
"Kenneth, before I leave, I must grant you my name!"
I turned my head back. The man was walking backward.
"My name is Kostik Coyote. You'd do well to remember it!"
His voice reverberated throughout the building. The man, Kostik, disappeared into the hallway.
"What a nutcase."
Flinty of all people muttered that comment. I couldn't have agreed more.
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