The stone bridge was suspended dozens of meters above the lake. I spent my time gazing at the deep blue water, admiring it. It was my first time seeing natural liquid so dark. It was sublime.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMQjzTyydp
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"Hey, move aside, I wanna see the water!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEAl3iUtBM
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Rover nudged her head out the window beside mine, to my immediate irritation.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC6vJ8vy3w
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"There are other windows! Why don't you use them?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ407DR4O6pS
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"Oh, that's a good point."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rPLSqM8sW
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Once she left, I returned my attention to the bridge and lakes. I could roughly make out moving shapes on the other bridges, but the sun forced me to squint my eyes, so I couldn't tell what exactly they were–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wr7EJoT2U
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**SWOOSH**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVefx0CxdG
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"W-Woah!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mXRwRV6E5
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And then something flashed by me, leaving behind a gust of wind that pushed me back inside the carriage. It was already gone by the time I stuck my head out again, a mere blur in the distance.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyz2a6w1bD
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"What was that? That thing's too fast for it to be a carriage..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB0yLFRXGm
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No one heeded the call and answered me, so I was left hopelessly curious. I stuck my head back in the carriage so that I could theorize, and also so I didn't accidentally lose my head if another one came along.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL4NZ2dB0c
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"It's a city with communication as its vocal point... maybe a bird? But what kind of bird runs across distances?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChOZQQ5wh8
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"What're ya mumbling about, kid?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbXsujKqUg
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"Oh, Juke."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2qIp26bJk
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Juke suddenly called to me, breaking me out of my rumination. His voice held a bored tinge to it.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUXe8Pk9f8
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"Do you know anything that can travel across land faster than a horse?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt0KTVfpLc
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Juke tilted his head.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl44j0ZnqO
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"That's a weird question. Why're ya asking?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkenZza6TD
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"I saw something blur past us just now, and judging by its speeds, it couldn't have been any ordinary animal."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjItjLHNy2C
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"Ah... well, I don't have a clue. Ask Dennis, he's probably been here before."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc8dSoPjAp
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"That's a good idea."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TnA3jzdAq
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I turned around and slid the tiny hatch open. There, Dennis was holding two reins in each of his hands, humming a gentle tune. He must've heard me open the hatch as his head leaned back ever so slightly.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNP8Q6HuAR
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"What's the matter, Kenny?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3siNTcGpN
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"Have you visited this city before, Dennis?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqmZP82Fep
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"Of course! I wouldn't be taking you all if I was unacquainted."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCNurS6cBv
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"I see. Well, do you know what thing is traveling so–"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBlnvzHcil
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**SWOOSH**161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcBo2xybKy
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Just like before, a creature blurred past us, leaving behind a wind so tempest it nearly knocked the coachman off his seat. He picked up his hat, which was miraculously caught by a garnishing piece of excess wood.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vwNauoYxt
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"That! Do you have any idea what that is?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu1ZcID7wy
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"Oh, those. Those are Velocibas. A peculiar avian, dare I say."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F0dqUkSQV
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"That's a bird!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZSXrdIWIh
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He nodded his head. I saw the edges of his face curve upward.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvqksTZ1ix
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"Indeed. They're quite rare in the wild, so Kommunikatsya has cultivated them inside city walls. Considering their speed, they're quite handy for transporting messages, aren't they?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt4aMaRGIt
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"...I would hate to be the one who has to feed them."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtFhacDP5q
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"Haha, indeed, but I'd love to be the one who sells the food they eat!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQnyEuksBe
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He boisterously laughed, adding levity to the disaster we narrowly avoided, and also putting a slight smile on my face.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYWlNcX94H
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"That's a quaint way of looking at things. What do they look like?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkILPFSmbQY
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"Hmm? One just passed by. Didn't you see it?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ7gavSFBK
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He asked me this as if it was abnormal for one to not see it. With that thought in mind, I became slightly embarrassed, but I, fortunately, had a logical reason behind any inability I had to see them.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6zr2n0AhH
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"They come and go so quickly, by the time my surprise is gone, I can't make out their features."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclbUghzWTv
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"I see. Well, we're almost in the city anyhow. You'll be seeing them often, don't you worry."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoA2xAHppw
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"...They don't move that fast inside, right?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eAPYq2NRq
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"Hahaha!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN3U69w0zb
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"Why aren't you answering me?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CPfsCGOtV
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He kept laughing, leaving my question unanswered and my body tense. I gulped and returned my head inside the carriage, silently praying for the best.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKrvVAoVLC
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"What's that look on your face for?" Rover asked me.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxwoLjJmz1
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"It's nothing... let's avoid the main streets once we're inside."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA60uDHUHQ
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"Huh? Why?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf4dvKLbv2
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"Purely for the sake of the mission."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm8dLMyAH1
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"Oh, alright!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPWrMsYBEr
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Telling Rover a half-truth, she threw me a thumbs-up with a toothy grin. Unfortunately, she began thinking about why it was for the sake of the mission; the way her eyes drifted to the ceiling gave it away. By the time she prepared to raise a question, I stood up and held my palm out at her, shaking my head no and pleading for her cooperation with my eyes.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVX9xpnhpa
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She merely shrugged. It wasn't assuring at all.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjUD34GENN
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"Looking at it now, this city is a lot smaller than I thought at first."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BX58QS4nG
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Juke's voice suddenly hit my ears. I turned my head towards it and saw him beside one of the windows.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWbfk7wsX1
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"Eh? The city isn't small at all!" Rover cried.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjNNIOvDO7
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"I think the lake's doing a doozy on yer eyes. The bridges, too. I've been to a lot of cities, so as the expert, I can tell ya that this one's tiny."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyiFFw8QuZ
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"Hold on–"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXwcfHNK2P
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Rover moved towards Juke, peering her head out the same window Juke just had, seemingly forgetting the advice I gave her two minutes ago. I moved closer to the two.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhx1DKqLhL
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"...You know what? Compared to the capitol, this place is pretty tiny."
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"See what I mean?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M4Hiamr6P
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"I think that's because the city specializes in something," I interjected, "Since it's primarily for communication, you don't need much space for living quarters and the like. I remember the Tea Mage talked about something like that in one of his economic ramblings."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFHD19o50g
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"The Tea Mage?" Juke asked, which made me realize I neglected to mention him at the campfire last night.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqUbZupVYq
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I hoped that the Tea Mage wouldn't somehow find out and hold it against me.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPuwjnqBxP
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"He's my mentor, though calling him that is a bit of a lie. Anyway, you should visit his shop sometime."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2qzvhfb03
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"I don't have tea money, I'm afraid. I ain't rich."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsCJvNZQi3
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"Aren't you a combatant...? Well, never mind, I could always get you a bag or two, free of charge."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0glRXELpW
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"What about me?" Rover asked, "I never had tea before, so I'd like to try some."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqpV7SXiIE
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"...Maybe."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyUi4clIE1
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"Why only maybe!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nVnXWAcid
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"It depends on my mood."
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, leaving me with a satisfied smirk on my face. My face quickly turned neutral once I noticed that the carriage was slowing down.
"We're here? Finally."
Juke stood up. I expected him to exit the carriage, as his short self-spoken sentence would imply, but the carriage began moving again. We likely hit a stop where a guard had to ID the driver. I was surprised that the carriage wasn't searched, but Dennis might've known the man who checked him personally.
Juke didn't stop moving, though. Instead of leaving the carriage, he pushed aside the cushioned seat and waltzed into the storage room, closing the door behind him. I didn't call out to him; I was too engaged in perplexity to do so. I looked at Rover, she clearly didn't have any answers so I decided to follow him in.
Except, right as I was about to grab the doorknob, the door flung open, and out came a man who wore the same sweatpants as Juke, but who also had a light black shirt instead of his bare chest. Additionally, his iconic bucket helmet was missing, and nothing was there to compensate for it.
Indeed, Juke was currently showing his face to us.
"...Why are ya two looking at me like that? I know I ain't half bad, but I ain't good enough to leave yer faces starstruck."
"Well, at least you talk the same," I muttered.
His face betrayed the impression I had of him, which left me both disappointed and mystified. His face was stern and his chin was defined, but he didn't have any facial hair or scars to speak of. Indeed, he simply looked to be a man in his thirties. Though, the way his dark brown hair was tied into a miniature ponytail was unusual.
"Ah, that's right, it's my first time showing my real face to ya."
"You... I don't get why, but I thought you'd be wearing your helmet forever," Rover said, and though I didn't voice it, I couldn't help but agree.
"If the folk here saw a shirtless man with a bucket on his head, then we wouldn't be very inconspicuous, would we? It's alright though."
He stuck a thumb into his chest.
"I'm willing to lose my Endowment for the time being. It ain't like we're looking for a fight, yeah?"
I absentmindedly nodded along to his comment, too busy scanning his new outfit to properly listen. I noticed something and snapped my fingers.
"That's what was confusing me! Where is your shirt cape?"
"My shirt cape?"
"Yeah, this shirt isn't what you normally wear; what's up with that?"
"It was sweaty, so I tossed it aside."
My face took on an exaggerated frown. It was not one of sadness, but one of simple understanding, enhanced by my sluggish nodding and crossed arms.
"Are the passengers ready?" A new voice asked. It was Dennis, who was peering into the carriage from the front seat. "We've arrived at a stable. I believe it's about time I take you all to your abode, no?"
–
–
–
Though it might've been silly to expect otherwise, to my dismay, the infrastructure of the Communication City was very similar to Zariel's. Indeed, each building held a different purpose, had noticeable cosmetic differences, was even made of different materials, and most weren't even made for civilian harboring, but the atmosphere still reeked the same.
–That is if it weren't for the unusual hustle and bustle of the streets.
I have only visited two cities in my life, so my perspective is nescient, but I have never seen every entity in the street wander with purpose. Whether it be a person, an animal, or a person with an animal, they all moved systematically, carrying freights of various sorts or simply trying to move from one destination to another. Nobody was loitering around, not even in the occasional alleyway I stopped to glance in.
The atmosphere of this city was indeed different, but I had difficulty discerning if it was to its benefit.
"...Those three buildings..."
I did fail to mention one major infrastructural difference this city had over Zariel: the three towers.
I didn't know their names, nor did I understand why they towered over everything, but their size and unique shapes signified importance. That much was evident to anybody.
"Do you think we'll go to them?" Rover asked giddily, seemingly overhearing my self-mumbling.
"Well, we are in a city of communication, carrying something highly important. Those buildings also look very sturdy, and if I had to guess, the leaders of this city are housed them–"
"Blah blah blah, I didn't ask you for a run-down! Yes or no?"
I sighed. I deserved to be chided for using her question as an opportunity to think out loud, but my eyes twitched nevertheless.
"Yes, probably."
"Woah... that's gonna be awesome."
Rover tightened her fist. Her resolve looked to be at an all-time high, which was assuring. I couldn't say the same for myself, however.
"Being in this foreign area, for whatever reason, is putting a sinking feeling in my stomach."
"Huh? You're homesick already?"
"H-Homesick? I'm not homesick!"
"You're totally homesick."
"Shut up!"
Rover surprisingly complied, but her smirk still left me frustrated. I distracted myself by gnawing on my finger and looking at the streets yet again.
In doing so, I noticed something that widened my eyes.
"That's... is that the Velociba?'
Amongst the myriad of horses, humans, and dogs was a mountainous creature with a bulb-like head. It stood still, and because of that, I could make out its feathery exterior.
"That sure is," Dennis exclaimed, "they're a beauty, aren't they?"
Narrowing my eyes at the creature, I uttered a noise of uncertainty.
"They're imposing, sure, but they don't look like anything special. They're quite average."
"But wouldn't their height be a factor of their unique splendor?"
"I suppose... wait, what does 'splendor' mean?"
Leaving my question in the air, we continued traversing the city.
"Oh, I also heard you two discussing the Communication Pillars," Dennis said.
"Do you know anything about them!?" Rover asked, making her infatuation with their scale clear.
"All I know is that those three buildings are where information goes in and comes out. They look so intimidating for a reason. For one, their security and speed of delivery are incomparable. Their outer layering is also magic-proof."
"Magic proof?" I asked, "Who was the one who made them that way?"
"I'm unsure, but it must've been a great mage, no?"
I pinched my chin and looked at the ground. My mind went to those 'twelve founders' people, but I quickly dismissed it, since it would likely be common knowledge if one of them made it that way.
"I wonder... if it's one of them..."
Rover muttered to herself. Judging by her tone, she was thinking the same thing as I.
"For a building that size, it would take even an expert decades to coat that in anti-magic matter, and there are three of them."
"Maybe it was one of them."
She had a pensive look on her face, which brought upon a question I had in the back of my mind.
"Say, Rover, why are you so enthralled by the founder people?"
She flinched, a sweat immediately forming on her brow. She fumbled her words terribly before squeezing an answer out.
"W-Why aren't you, huh?"
"Why are you answering my question with a question?"
"If-If you answer my question... then, maybe I'll answer yours."
"You're going to make a lot of enemies like that, Rover. You know, Flinty always tells me that kindness and fairness are the building blocks of any friendship–"
"Shut up! Answer the question!"
I shrugged, deciding to comply for the time being.
"If you're asking me why... I guess all my fascination is spent on magic plants."
"...Huh?"
She gave me a look of abject bafflement. I didn't know how to react to it.
"W-What?"
"Plants? I know you told me you study them, but I thought it was just a throwaway hobby or something."
"That's offensive! Take that back!"
She rolled her eyes and looked away from me. Naturally, it only irritated me further.
"You're making a big mistake, I hope you realize."
"You really are a kid."
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!"
"--It looks like we made it, no?"
Dennis' voice returned and our merry band came to a halt. He was standing before a building as tall but designed differently from the rest. However, judging from what I've seen at Zariel, I would hesitate to call it an inn or apartment.
"The hell is this place?" Juke asked, practically for me, too.
"It's our current abode. Rather, all of yours, since I'll be spending most of my time at the stable. Let's go inside, I'll introduce you."
Doing good on his words, Dennis opened the door and we entered without a hitch. My immediate impression was that this place smelled far too good for its appearance. The interior was primarily composed of wood, some segments in a noticeably better condition than others, and there were no windows to speak of. The only sources of light were lamps sprawled at the vacant tables.
"Sheesh, this place is gloomy. Are ya sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
"Don't fret, I'm sure. In fact, it's good that it's empty right now."
Dennis walked up to a countertop and knocked on the surface in a peculiar rhythm. I expected it to be some kind of code for a person to come out, but then Dennis slammed a card he took out of his shirt pocket onto the table, and a door behind the counter magically opened.
"What the...?"
I immediately assumed that I was seeing things; after all, magic of this kind was unheard of, unless this was a form of mana suspension I somehow didn't know about. I was not alone in my shock, though, unlike pure stupefaction, Rover's mien held a degree of awe.
"Ah, is that you, Dennis?"
And then my bewilderment went away like it was carried by a flood once a man came out the doorway.
It wasn't an unknown, mystical form of magic at all–
"It was just some guy."
Dennis and the man exchanged a few words with each other, prompting him to motion us to follow him into the doorway. We all did and were taken to a miniature living enclosure with three doors.
"This will be your temporary place of residence," Dennis explained, "Two of the doors lead to a bedroom, and the other, a restroom. There is a kitchen and dining area as well, as I'm sure you can see."
The place was far more inviting than the room outside. Sure, the floors were still wood, but it was mostly covered in carpet, and even the parts that weren't had a better-kept surface.
There was also furniture sprawled around the room. I took the liberty of testing one piece for myself: one couch of many surrounding a round glass table. It wasn't as comfortable as those in the palace, naturally, but it was still more than suitable.
"This is quite nice," I blurted.
"I don't think I've ever seen a place this neat," Juke replied, "It's got couches, tables, and everything. What more could ya want?"
Juke sat at an adjacent couch, digging into it with his bottom and squishing the cushioned armrests intently. He closed his eyes and released a lengthy breath, sinking further into the couch.
"I see you two have taken a liking to it," Dennis said, "familiarize yourself further. I'll go visit the stables, and I'll be gone for a while. Before executing the mission, enjoy the pleasantries of the city. If you can find any, that is, haha!"
"Goodbye, Dennis."
Dennis bowed and left the room. That friend of his approached us. He was bald and chubby, but he had an amiable demeanor.
"Just so you all are aware, those two doors that are beside each other are the bedrooms, and the one across is the restroom. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you all need anything, just ask, alright?"
"Thanks, pal. Ya did a big favor for us."
"I'm being paid for this, don't worry."
"Ah, I gotcha."
The man smiled and waved as he left the room, leaving me and Juke alone.
"...Wait, he didn't give us his name."
"Yeah, yer right. Also, where did Rover go–"
**SLAM**
One of the doors to the bedroom flung open. Rover stood there, a hand on the door.
"Did you need me?"
Juke and I gazed at her with wide eyes. Confusion settled, as I was certain Rober was behind me not even thirty seconds ago; how did she worm her way into that room?
"...Well, kid, guess we know which room we're taking."
"I suppose so."
Rover shrugged and shut herself in her room. Juke and I stood up and entered our living quarters. Unfortunately, we faced an immediate issue.
"There's only one bed."
Not only was there only one bed, but the room was in a shaky state at best. I should've known that the main area of this building was a far more honest indicator than the living room. On the other hand, though, I wasn't particularly bothered.
After all, those couches made quite a good pitch.
"So, who's gonna take the bed?"
"Ya should take it, kid. Yer young, so sleeping all cramped up will stunt yer growth."
"You just made that up, didn't you? Well, if you don't want to sleep in it, that's fine, but I don't either."
He looked taken aback, but not in a bad way.
"What are ya saying?"
I leaned in, more so for the effect than fear of anyone overhearing me.
"I don't trust this room. You can sleep in it."
"Are... are ya serious?
I frantically nodded. A huge smile appeared on Juke's face, and he lightly chuckled.
"Ya strong folk are weird. Welp, I ain't complaining! Come to Papa, Mr. Bed!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMo51NYgNU
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYiM4IGtwi
He spun his body to face the bed and leaped into it with a running start, letting out a lengthy and glad breath.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKi2t7Lzjz
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"Ahhh... this is the life."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITLiUoaR4r
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVmXjkxGgl
"You act like you've never slept in a bed before. Also, don't jump like that! You might break it, seriously."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2YlvDAhuO
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBtVn7IvJH
"Eh? I ain't fat, kid, this thing can handle me just fine."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVVu7pDalZ
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbNlLRKoUN
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQcJ1RQIAS
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwLRMDnkj1
"I'm gonna stay here for a while; take a nap, maybe. I ain't had a good nap in a while."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyVa185mr0
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQhtuHNMzv
"Alright, sleep well. And if you break anything, you better be willing to pay."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk1t4L8m92
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocmnKEav5A
"Sure, sure, now scram."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawlMLwamL9
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNWI7dqg43
I left the room, releasing an exhausted sigh when the door shut.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJbakWVBWp
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AETwafNmP
"This place... it's bad for my psyche."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbaarQG1WD
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrNznfBDof
I clenched my head in my hands. Truthfully, I felt as if I was walking on eggshells every second I was in this city. It wasn't just the fact that it was foreign, though that did contribute to my stressed nerves; it was, of course, the mission itself. It lingered in the back of my mind as injurious anxiety, popping into its forefront at moments of silence and ease, preventing me from keeping my breathing straight or taking a rest.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31MvL17lCA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpaIJJANRW
"...Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbTtrIsut0
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQYTt7ezuE
I stood up and walked towards a couch, pressing my arms into the cushions a few times to test it out even though I knew it was soft. I took a proper seat after a minute of testing. I couldn't discard the notion that this experience was an inferior one, but I enjoyed the feeling of my body sinking into the cushions all the same.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCpSojfSnb
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1NcStvaDT
"A nap... hmm..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxFRUZ2URp
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1Opv0zSR2
The last nap I had was back in Buffalo Village.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMBvL1vFBN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHClXCr7eEu
"Or, no, it was at the carriage, wasn't it? The one that broke down..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsjbpnAJR0
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZGbYvYjvc
I shook my head violently. That event was ages ago, and I was in an enclosure with friends in the other room.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3Osg2Ki8a
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP48rUDWDQb
With warm thoughts, I closed my eyes and my heart rate relaxed, slowly, slowly, slowly–
–
–
–
It was a sudden and rude awakening. Yet, my eyes remained open for what felt like forever before my body registered my woken state. That was when I first moved. It wasn't a limb or my head, rather, it was my throat. I swallowed and found it dry. The discomfort didn't arise just from that area but from a place in my upper groin as well.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80oElagcIG
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yVNa6Pjel
"Ack... this sucks."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZmAz9TMbH
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCNLfNSUtV
To be woken from a pleasant dream just to empty my bladder was annoying, but I should've expected it from the amount of toilets I kept seeing in my sleep.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV5ojaZ9Kh
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ3otK2IFz
As I stood up from the couch, I did a few stretches–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKQiy81IOX
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH1H6J16JQ
"Ah! Ack ack ack!"
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJblbyqE9X
Then I fiercely gripped my calf. A sharp, overwhelming pain suddenly arose. I tried to soothe it via massage, but my fingers were small and weak, and most of my efforts were already focused on gritting my teeth and heavily breathing.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdINtbp8D1
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZaQS5ngh9
"Where... are those potions when I need them?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZGkYBzSOY
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMFVJlKN5W
I knew where they were, of course: the carriage. But it was clear that I wasn't going to be making any round trips to it now, and I didn't have any desire to bother my teammates for something that I was sure would go away in ten or so minutes.
"..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONaAIU73dN
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA15kb2IHls
But, goodness, did it hurt. And the new pain didn't make my need to release waste any less dire.
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc3oLMMTVQ
I had to wait a minute until I could even stand on my right leg, and even then, walking was a challenge. However, I was able to arrive at the restroom. Surprise washed over me as I observed the state of the room. It was much like the one in my apartment. Though it was quaint, I didn't have the luxury to mull over it for long.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvsmrM4xmm
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaRYE5OnXQ
"---Alright, that takes care of that."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR3FHjMTPK
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS087rFRXm8
I washed my hands and exited the restroom using the wall as support. Returning to the couch required a similar effort, but I came up with a brilliant idea. I used mana expulsion to create a stick of stone, making sure to thin it out so it didn't weigh too much. Now I had a cane with me, which made traveling much easier.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIpqURKJej
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUMGvgzxea
But of course, the fact that I needed a cane at all forced a nervous chuckle out of me. I prayed that whatever it is that I did to my calf wasn't irreparable. It couldn't be though.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2uSiCwOik
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbqpSAFznT
"...Right?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEsKJGgM11
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTF3Cyt4yV
I figured that, most certainly, sleeping would help my situation, so I limped back to the couch and took a seat. I set the cane on the floor and closed my eyes, shaking my body a little bit and squeezing the armrests to numb the calf pain.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAguVcHUS33
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu3zKB7POm
"..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiArF6gYib5
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHYZPVvRgu
Needless to say, sleep didn't come easy. I had my eyes closed the whole time, counting the seconds as I felt my mind slowly creep into a slumber.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUodl3YpAfy
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9IcRdLN6S
And then, a noise. It was an unordinary creak, one that came from a door. From the direction of the noise, I knew it was one from our living quarters. Judging by the quick and nervous whispering, the person who left their abode was Rover. I kept my eyes closed, praying that she wouldn't bother me, hearing her creep and tip-toe away from me and towards–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CHPfs3uzx
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzlWFD2lF9
Wait, where the hell is she going?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeWA7CkQFD
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8oqa4tbGo
I opened my eyes and turned my head towards her. She was hunched over, looking like an amateur bandit.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4gtynYf8D
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UGFhajKsF
"Rover."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rewWImTeB
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QJzB2a1Sl
"GAH! Ah, Kenny, y-you're not asleep?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHQBbv5uXF
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CD4E8V15h
She jumped and quickly turned around. She was surprised at first, but her expression quickly morphed into a scowl.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMJ6ii5DrK
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIn4UCMxd6
"Why'd you scare me like that? I almost hurt myself, geez..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEX1wWHgZY
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKghAjUvJRe
"Nevermind that, where are you going?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf7ZIu2liz
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqo4nWITLY
She flinched and widened her eyes, averting her gaze as she tripped over her words. Thus, I raised my palm and shook my head no.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqquASituvI
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc8y3q7Kel
"I can already see your guilty conscious, so just do me a favor and tell the truth."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUG9p2FEXa
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw26UyL6WD
"F-Fine. I was going to go out and check the city, that's it!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFPYi3Pcok
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqudG53vuQB
"...You were sneaking out for that? Isn't that what we should all be doing?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64bWnD7hQg
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY6bd0TVJt
She shrugged at me. A quick moment of silence passed between us, and at that moment, she noticed the stone cane on the floor.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt2IbhjA3W
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaSuRsM8aV
"What's that for?" She asked while pointing at it.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXxlCPEs2x
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2sThX7mX3
"Oh, that... uh..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLF2okRKmw
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrpm5v0gKJ
I struggled to eke out my response. It was a little embarrassing, truthfully.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwAb1PGlsw
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95v79tZT71
"I got a leg cramp. A really bad one."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvMsCD6ZOI
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KIn2mbH1J
"...Pff."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6UksQqa0Y
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIDCR5q1kA
"It's not funny!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZeL1m7Qgr
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhTBLq3uW4
She didn't burst into full laughter, yet I wish she did. Somehow, her light chuckles were more insulting. I sighed and closed my eyes as she kept cackling until a genius idea came to my mind.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkwSwuQshU
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyspM4VmaK
"Hey, Rover, since you're going out, do you mind stopping by the carriage and picking up a potion? They should be in the bag to the left of the sleeping equipment."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbUjrjrxpT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWTPapOTAa
"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, I'll get you some."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi0i77kjkM
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXDGJDjqJ1
She turned around and reached for the knob, but stopped moving before she turned it, rotating her head back at me.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemz3xEa3Xb
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvCUaZ9aoE
"...Which bag is the sleeping things one?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaGz3JDdTE
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOoC4SvYXv
"...I see."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5NWcsiDUA
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNW0z8nCIB
I sighed and leaned over, grabbing my cane and cursing at the heavens that Rover of all people was the one that would be helping me.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7yqK8Tw3E
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EWfMX93U8
"..."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZM7OmTarOu
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79I1Df7fYd
I felt guilty for thinking that. I shook my head and stood up.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RLXkohhEo
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAmULi4VSw
"What are you doing?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM4IrBqchp
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78NTe5Cdcw
"I'll be going with you. Exploring the town should help ease my anxieties too, I hope."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxRk7CDi72
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOL7RihFoT
She looked surprised for a minute but had a confident smile show a moment after. She walked up to me with her chest puffed. A feeling of foreboding took over me and I instinctually took a step back. She snatched my cane away with one hand so quickly that I tripped and landed on the couch.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XuNpO0ZVf
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"W-Whaa!?"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAolFNERAB
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMWQIVEGDA
She was holding it with one hand, playing around with it, inspecting it like it was an unknown fruit. I didn't care so much about the fact that she so shamelessly stole my leg support, but more about the fact that she could lift and toy with it with such ease.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCh1lgEcXq
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJoQaHNWyF
"All this will do is slow us down. I'm not going to match the pace of a cripple, I'll have you know!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u5FOtljHm
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPGjIfD4g0
"You could've worded that better... not just because I'm not a cripple."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IjIdvBnCO
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLqkGkfAF1
"Whatever! Here, hop on!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo728bCkXT
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gm3o28KdV
She crouched down and flaunted her back in my direction, motioning me with her arms to–161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5khHEfdHB6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx5gVHklJ8
"I am not going for a piggyback ride."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRzRt2Nl5z
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmVdBKrg2d
"Then I guess you aren't getting your potion!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie0etcxDZq
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF81lv8reR
"I don't like you."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtbMh2wBef
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91OWoYyUWg
I put my hands on her shoulders and quickly hopped off the couch. Rover caught my legs in her arms instantly. She stood up, but paused. A few seconds passed, and before I could question her, she shook her head and walked to the door as if she wasn't carrying anything, which begged a certain statement to be made.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyYIul5SEr
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15ZgdLzm92
"Rover, you are surprisingly strong."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmibG0Mnv6
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSZFxLKnWO
"Surprisingly? I didn't get selected for this job for nothing!"161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrf3hyXZHM
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqgvxqhJig
"I... guess you're right."161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw9BEf7u7d
161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1MMx1JEuL
She opened the door and walked through. I had to duck my head several times, but aside from that, we left our abode without a hitch.
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