Our exploration of Zariel City continued. Up to this point, the locations we visited didn't reach the exciting highs of the combatant's guild. That would change with the next stop.
Flinty and I were approaching a distinct segment of the city. According to her, it was one of the few areas with genuine greenery and authentic plant growth. I immediately had my suspicions, but this is Flinty, she'd never lie.
The only issue was that, due to the unique nature of the section, only authorized people would be allowed to enter.
"...So that's why, unless you kids have an ID or an appointment, I cannot let you enter the Green Zone!"
A lone guard with a spear was standing in front of a small portcullis. I could see through the holes that there was grass and trees in that zone. I looked at Flinty. She had her cheeks puffed and she looked like she was holding back tears.
"Guess this is a no-go, Flinty."
"...I really wanted to show you."
"It's alright. I grew up in a place with a bunch of grass anyway."
That didn't make her any happier. Wow, I suck at this. Despite her looks, she turned her back to the gate and trudged away.
"H-Hey Flinty, it isn't all bad. There's still a lot of other places we can explore."
"I know. Don't worry, I'm not upset."
Any semblance of sadness was removed from her face. Now, she just looked miffed.
"I was hoping that he'd let us in out of pity. The guard is too strong, though."
"That's.... devilish of you. Unexpectedly, too."
She playfully stuck her tongue out.
"I really did want to show you the Green Zone, though."
Flinty sighed. Her enthusiasm made me want to see it, too, so I was also bummed out. But hey, there's always a next time. The sun was likely to set soon anyway.
"..."
I couldn't be happy with "there's always next time," though. This expedition was for Flinty, not me.
"Why don't we sneak in?"
"S-Sneak in!?"
The suggestion appalled her. Actually, she just looked shocked.
"But sneaking in isn't... isn't it wrong?"
Probably.
"Not really. I mean, if it was to do something malicious, then of course it'd be wrong. But we're just trying to look around."
She nodded along to my explanation.
"T-That makes sense... but I don't know."
"If sneaking in bothers you, then forget it. I don't want you to feel guilty."
She had a very mixed look. I'm glad Flinty has a stern moral compass. I'm starting to think I may be a bad influence on her.208Please respect copyright.PENANAf1gRbVIZOs
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"W-Well, I really do want to show you the Green Zone, but..."
She was having an intense internal conflict: morality, or looking cool to her friend. If I was able to tell so easily, then I'm definitely a bad influence on her. But right as I was about to open my mouth and tell her that we should give up, she spoke.
"Okay, we can sneak in. I have an idea!"
"You do? Can I hear it?"
She nodded. We walked around a corner into an alleyway to not be seen by the guard.
"I have a friend who lives in the green zone. She might be able to get us in if she tells the guards that we're her guests."
"Will the guard only believe those inside the zone?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAuse9WAfmfC
208Please respect copyright.PENANArlS6Be3pcN
She nodded.
"Alright, that sounds like a plan. How will we contact her, though?"
Flinty froze, then nervously laughed. Looks like that plan is out of the window. I thought of a substitute plan while Flinty stared at the ground clenching her head.208Please respect copyright.PENANAm06BpxHL8s
208Please respect copyright.PENANAYjvyMbeaXr
"I think if I send a message–"
"That's too slow. I have a better idea."
Despite her dejected face she still listened.
"What if I grow a plant tall enough to push us over the wall?"
Flinty seemed excited at first, but then her face grew contorted.
"But, won't that make us intruding really obvious?"
Ah, crap. Now I was looking dejected. I tried thinking of another idea but that was easier said than done.
So, I suppose in the meantime–
"We'll go with the letter. Do you think it'll be sent in time?"
"We could ask the guard to deliver it. No, that won't happen, will it? Hmm..."
The both of us furiously brainstormed. I was suddenly made aware of my hunger, and thirst, and my general tiredness. Maybe stopping by a restaurant before entering was a good idea?
Right as I was about to suggest that though, I caught something in the corner of my eye. I turned my head to see a woman in a dusty, casual dress with an apron on as she was holding a vase over her head.
"Flinty, look!"
She did look, and I felt like she got the same idea as me. We ran out of the alleyway to the woman.
Time to put my best kid face on.
"U-Uhm, miss?" I said.
"Excuse me, miss?" Flinty said. But, she wasn't putting on puppy eyes like I. Actually, she had no reason to; she's adorable as is.
"A-Ah, what's the matter, children?"
Flinty took the conversation.
"A friend of mine named Vikky invited us to her home, but the guard won't let us pass! Can you please help us?"
The woman looked flustered, but then she furrowed her brows menacingly. Excellent. You did a great job, Flinty.
"Is that so? Follow me then."
The woman took us to the guard and confronted him. Even though the guard explained over and over that we needed written permission, the woman didn't let up. I felt sorry for the guard, but that's what he gets for picking a fight with petty kids.
The guard stared daggers at us, but he let us go anyway. He mumbled something about "idiot adults." I get it. They're great, aren't they?
With that, we were now in the Green Zone. Before us was a cobbled bridge over a creek of water. Over the bridge was a field of grass with houses sprawled around. It was a misfit in a city like this, but it was still a pretty sight.
"Come on, Kenny!"
"Right."
We ran over the cobbled bridge, but before crossing it, I leaned down and stared at the creak. I could seriously see my reflection in it. I looked a lot older than I thought I did.
Buffalo Village didn't have any such creek, just a well. This was an exciting moment for me. A second later, another reflection joined mine: Flinty's.
"I love doing this too," she said. "We don't have any mirrors at home."
"I could've sworn I saw some at the Tea Mage's shop."
"Huh? Where?"
"Probably the greenhouse."
"Probably!?"
I got up and crossed the bridge. Flinty rushed after me.
Honestly, aside from the grass, it was just like the city. The buildings looked like and were spaced the same, and it was just about as busy too. People here wore different clothing though. While those in the main parts of the city wore tight pants, shirts, vests and the like, the people here dressed in the same clothing. The women wore what the lady from earlier was wearing, while the men wore white shirts with a blue vest and brown pants.208Please respect copyright.PENANAfMapcXnegv
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"So, how do you like it?" Flinty asks.208Please respect copyright.PENANAQaxp4uB3IJ
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"Their attire reminds me of home. Is there a reason why they all wear the same clothes, though?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAh84FZrqTab
208Please respect copyright.PENANARVKG20TpDf
Flinty shrugged.208Please respect copyright.PENANAqz0Pqnd0zh
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"Maybe so you can tell that they're from here?"208Please respect copyright.PENANA5HBxvnwLr4
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That would make sense, but that makes it seem like the people here are being branded. And if that was the case, well...208Please respect copyright.PENANASbFsJeQWf4
208Please respect copyright.PENANAnNcyEfvVjz
"I hope it's just a cultural thing."208Please respect copyright.PENANAGodsU2iDDQ
208Please respect copyright.PENANAT87x2P9paP
"Why don't we ask them?"208Please respect copyright.PENANA1dwfEKD9IW
208Please respect copyright.PENANA6APeO39vNA
"Not a bad idea."208Please respect copyright.PENANAXDfXw92vpU
208Please respect copyright.PENANA2eASFz6iy9
Flinty grabbed my hand again. She told me that we were going to visit her friend Vikky. I thought she just made that name up, but it was apparently a real person. We were walking through the streets– streets wasn't the right word, more like grass paths –and waving to the few who noticed us. Everyone was exceptionally busy doing basic things to survive, like carrying water and cleaning clothes. It was a lot like home, but I wondered why they weren't using any of the technology outside of this section. Was it really to preserve the environment?208Please respect copyright.PENANABdd37n80he
208Please respect copyright.PENANAIUDofv0fGh
My questions were useless since I never asked them out loud, but I'm sure I'd get the chance in a moment. We left the first cluster of buildings and were out in a field again. In the distance were lodgings much bigger than the ordinary house. They were only one story, but in width, they were nearly three times the size. There were fences nearby housing cows, pigs, and goats, and a few dogs were orbiting the fence around them.208Please respect copyright.PENANAwLKbY4dn85
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"Wow, is this a farm?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAP2vtLW9HRW
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"Yep! There are crops behind the buildings, too. I'll show you."208Please respect copyright.PENANAzw7N42T6Vb
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All in all, we walked for about twenty minutes. Over the farm buildings, I could see the tall wall that shielded the rest of the city. The Green Zone was about a mile long, which shouldn't surprise me. It's just a segment after all.208Please respect copyright.PENANAhgQELIOU6e
208Please respect copyright.PENANAJe40pnRoEZ
As we approached the farm building, I noticed that one of the guard dogs peering at us. Flinty seemed calm so I didn't think it was an issue. Then the dog started sprinting at us. I don't hate dogs, and usually, I'd welcome such approaches with open arms, but this dog was over half my height.208Please respect copyright.PENANAzypm9dRxW8
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It was a giant. And it was burly, too.208Please respect copyright.PENANAOAvL1rByFG
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"Uh, Flinty?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAhqRXB7wlSQ
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I had my tendril out and pointed at the dog. When Flinty saw the dog, she ran towards him.208Please respect copyright.PENANAP538tXPsgP
208Please respect copyright.PENANAYdjWdXN6TA
"Kenny!"208Please respect copyright.PENANAcTKECZm2Ty
208Please respect copyright.PENANAhplxGObT1T
Ha, I was worrying over nothing. Wait, Kenny?208Please respect copyright.PENANAMTwbWpbvQi
208Please respect copyright.PENANACys0ng7rL5
"That dog's name is Kenny?"208Please respect copyright.PENANA7NVP2UmKEE
208Please respect copyright.PENANA1hokYEH4fC
Flinty was being barraged with licks and couldn't answer. I sat down and enjoyed the scene. It was really cute.208Please respect copyright.PENANA8PjM70uO1h
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After a minute, the dog calmed down and Flinty was able to sit.208Please respect copyright.PENANA8dJDLy4nvI
208Please respect copyright.PENANA6abjOA6mxb
"Y-Yeah, his name is Kenny. He's really nice. You should try petting him."208Please respect copyright.PENANANnv25lUVdZ
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"Okay."208Please respect copyright.PENANASR8VFxIOIm
208Please respect copyright.PENANAKf0dTgOzDA
I got up and approached the dog, putting my tendril away. I didn't want him to think I was dangerous or anything. I inched closer and closer, and then I stretched my hand out. I was expecting to be tackled, but the dog started sniffing my palm and licking it.208Please respect copyright.PENANAGRofZzIjE5
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"H-Hey, that tickles..."208Please respect copyright.PENANAy6xH8gY3MW
208Please respect copyright.PENANAtz3bIiM7SV
Aw, who am I kidding? I can't seriously think this creature is dangerous. I move in to hug it and rubbed his sides as I made funny noises. I rubbed my face in his fur. This dog was awesome.208Please respect copyright.PENANAEnwBOJ6Nc5
208Please respect copyright.PENANAEP2NyUPca8
He had a flat face, but I thought it made him look cuter.208Please respect copyright.PENANA1xOuKv2V55
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"You two got off to a good start, didn't you?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAJCtJRlRRLM
208Please respect copyright.PENANAjeJwugHTJE
Huh? That was a voice I didn't recognize. It was the voice of a girl slightly older than us. I couldn't turn to see who it was because my face was still in Kenny's fur.208Please respect copyright.PENANAv8Vj3tOJQd
208Please respect copyright.PENANAULnz4EdQNo
"Vikky!"208Please respect copyright.PENANAOtGUnBTkcX
208Please respect copyright.PENANAKiwJBlpocP
Oh, that's who it was. I quickly separate my face from the dog and stared at the two while laying on the floor. Flinty did a triple high-five with both hands with Vikky. She looked to be a few years older than us. She was wearing the same dress as all the other ladies, and she had rose-gold hair and a puffy ponytail.208Please respect copyright.PENANAtWjN5ahgLu
208Please respect copyright.PENANA0jcKaByA9M
Ah, wait, what am I doing? This is blatantly rude! I quickly got to my feet, brushed the dirt off my clothes, and offered my hand. She was a few inches taller than me. Her eyes were a little thin.208Please respect copyright.PENANAQxQXt3RrPY
208Please respect copyright.PENANAbp4YIgGtoI
"Hello, my name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers. It's a pleasure meeting you."208Please respect copyright.PENANAVqYXk0FxQt
208Please respect copyright.PENANAXTrDZZTpgG
She looked strangely amused.208Please respect copyright.PENANANrnjTZjOPo
208Please respect copyright.PENANAfGs7oFVLSn
"Full name? Alright."208Please respect copyright.PENANAds5BzZvjfk
208Please respect copyright.PENANADdPL6PXGqN
She took my hand, straightened her back, and shook it.208Please respect copyright.PENANAvKfgYR70g4
208Please respect copyright.PENANAT51GIkygRS
"I'm Victoria Zariel Josslyn, but you may call me Vikky. It's nice meeting you as well. Are you a friend of Flinty's?"208Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZtT3CwETT
208Please respect copyright.PENANADYsBqZmTgv
"Yes."208Please respect copyright.PENANABB9Wc5MgWh
208Please respect copyright.PENANABrhw42fD5I
"Then let's get along."208Please respect copyright.PENANA4MVEGIfjg7
208Please respect copyright.PENANAKnvsL5On1L
She was polite. Flinty invited good company.208Please respect copyright.PENANALewLf2lxwW
208Please respect copyright.PENANAkmcPdNhp1w
"V-Vikky, please call him Kenny."208Please respect copyright.PENANALnpTNVqSSZ
208Please respect copyright.PENANAXDNwalYCj5
I'm supposed to be the one who has a say on that. Eh, whatever.208Please respect copyright.PENANAviKLwi5EAk
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"So, Flinty, Kenny, what brings you two to the Green Zone?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAGnap1yjsMv
208Please respect copyright.PENANAwcaXyAcgQH
"I wanted to introduce Kenny to the place, and to you too. I'm his guide right now!"208Please respect copyright.PENANAWYpErNypbh
208Please respect copyright.PENANA3VvMDdYSLA
"Ah, exciting. Would you guys like to–"208Please respect copyright.PENANApLgw2BfAff
208Please respect copyright.PENANAFHudXkKCUs
All of a sudden, she cut off her sentence, then looked at us nervously.208Please respect copyright.PENANAonqYQDe0MO
208Please respect copyright.PENANAptuvB6mN5q
"A-Actually, Flitny, you caught us at a bad time. Maybe later?"208Please respect copyright.PENANA97bILVIyCf
208Please respect copyright.PENANAr0bZqU5swd
"What, why?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAUWsjJYj0qS
208Please respect copyright.PENANAmYv4RZHT0H
Victoria glanced at the farmhouse and then back at us. She leaned in and began to whisper.208Please respect copyright.PENANA6i0779H1R6
208Please respect copyright.PENANAyhDswEQHGg
"Well, to be honest, we've been having difficulty with the crops. It's been like this for a few weeks now. We thought it was just pests at first but..."208Please respect copyright.PENANAC8pSJG4ufN
208Please respect copyright.PENANAIcw8v4Ao53
Then she pointed to a place behind her. It was a forest, and from a distance, it looked dense. I was shocked that I didn't notice it until now.208Please respect copyright.PENANAuDBt3i1s2r
208Please respect copyright.PENANAbfOiuXNQVA
"We discovered that a beast from the Green Zone Forest was attacking our crops. It probably isn't anything too dangerous, but you can never be too sure, y'know? We asked a friend of ours to get some mercenaries here, or at least some knights."208Please respect copyright.PENANAzpu8b5OBPA
208Please respect copyright.PENANAPw0wJi9G0f
So that was what the lady from before was doing.208Please respect copyright.PENANAc9WXOQbmMQ
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"That sounds awful. Is there–"208Please respect copyright.PENANA3HKZgImIbs
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"Nope, don't even think about it. I'm not going to get you kids involved with something dangerous."208Please respect copyright.PENANAu5QDT8J1O7
208Please respect copyright.PENANADiVysLJQSN
The idea of getting involved with something dangerous was obviously unappealing, but when I saw how distressed she was, I couldn't help but get involved. I had a bit of confidence behind my words anyhow.208Please respect copyright.PENANALml8YIbJeA
208Please respect copyright.PENANAxTiTf4CPCn
"Well, Vikky," I started, "I happen to possess a certain set of skills–"208Please respect copyright.PENANA6v7q4hy2ev
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"I don't wanna hear it. I'm not getting you two involved, plain and simple."208Please respect copyright.PENANAUwMMEWROOK
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"Wait, Vikky, Kenny can absolutely help!"208Please respect copyright.PENANACGvP8DWukH
208Please respect copyright.PENANAHxTD2hkziH
"Huh? You're kidding, Flinty. Just look at him."208Please respect copyright.PENANAagxxDgyyJb
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I made a grumpy face.208Please respect copyright.PENANA8ObHWWuYsl
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"No offense, of course, but it's best if someone older comes around later."208Please respect copyright.PENANAzFwO3nP2zR
208Please respect copyright.PENANA4s1kSd1cLS
That's a bit lame. But, it can't be helped. If Victoria didn't want our help, then that was fine. I was getting tired anyway.208Please respect copyright.PENANAU15WuWKhbi
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"Vikky, please, let us help you," Flinty insisted.208Please respect copyright.PENANAp18MiLgN6c
208Please respect copyright.PENANAljN2QZ2l5H
Darn it, Flinty. I should've expected as much considering how she treated the cloaked woman from earlier but last time was just paying for a drink. This is dangerous.208Please respect copyright.PENANALq72dag0af
208Please respect copyright.PENANAeYvKkrg0sB
I wanted to say that out loud. But, of course, I couldn't. Not just because of Flinty's determined look, but because helping someone out was always a good idea. Who knows, maybe it'll strengthen the bond Victoria has with her parents.208Please respect copyright.PENANAaWii3vd8oP
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It's worth a try if nothing else.208Please respect copyright.PENANAqGlDESOsYd
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"...Do you want to help? That bad?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAnXRJfqqsxG
208Please respect copyright.PENANAGGHdkEFTnJ
The both of us nodded. Victoria sighed and put her hands on her hips.208Please respect copyright.PENANAsGwQVdIRhp
208Please respect copyright.PENANALD1jHFiVRD
"Well, how about you help with the crops then? They're all torn apart, but the monster left the bottoms of their stems, so we have to pull them out."208Please respect copyright.PENANAqthNmr6nxd
208Please respect copyright.PENANAfH3xYAruKS
"There's still a part of them left?" I asked. Victoria looked at me curiously.208Please respect copyright.PENANAdWD6lYH5NF
208Please respect copyright.PENANAywVXSpmeWM
"Yes."208Please respect copyright.PENANAXfL7KARP7Q
208Please respect copyright.PENANApWdXvD0ynn
"Can I see the crops?"208Please respect copyright.PENANA0J6K49APac
208Please respect copyright.PENANAjilXN4fdHA
"Uh, you can."208Please respect copyright.PENANA5J6E2hi313
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I followed Victoria to the farmhouse. Flinty was giving me a big smile. I blushed a little.208Please respect copyright.PENANAxTDMY3ODNK
208Please respect copyright.PENANAu3HH9hqplJ
–
–
–
The field before me was vast. It was a field of numerous crops. It was mostly just grain and corn.208Please respect copyright.PENANA71efirhedv
208Please respect copyright.PENANAyeeoKStYh5
Victoria showed me the ravaged spot. The damage spanned about ten meters. Either the monster responsible was very big, or very aggressive. Seeing as how the crops nearby looked rather unscathed, it was probably the latter.208Please respect copyright.PENANAda4T6ymY7U
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That barely mattered, though. I cracked my knuckles and got out my tendril. Victoria was bewildered.208Please respect copyright.PENANALBMpZQEgal
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"W-What the hell is that!?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAqF8ZxrUwbf
208Please respect copyright.PENANAzuz0vwSPTL
"It's Kenny's tendril!"208Please respect copyright.PENANABUTnU59aUj
208Please respect copyright.PENANAjhIoYgiID3
"Tendril!? Wait, Flinty, you're okay with this?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAcavxHMfGGS
208Please respect copyright.PENANAHYpFNVkS98
I ignored the bantering of the two. I didn't need the Tendril for this, I just wanted to look a bit cool. I stood before the broken crops and crouched beside them.208Please respect copyright.PENANAnxlSk6zsgn
208Please respect copyright.PENANA7YOvIsNwYY
Mana spinning. This didn't requiree much speed or power so controlling my mana was easy. One by one, I walked to the torn crops and rebuilt them.
"..."208Please respect copyright.PENANA6bou1AMpKA
208Please respect copyright.PENANAUZW4JfVDgk
It was sloppy. I hadn't practiced with normal plants in a while, but I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I decided to mess with the Tea Mage's plants once lessons started.208Please respect copyright.PENANAtR7bMgCrM3
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But hey, they were back and alive now. I turned around to see how the two girls were doing. Victoria was in front of me, on one knee and with an arm on her chest. Her head was lowered.208Please respect copyright.PENANAdTFohA0bnk
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"What are you doing?"208Please respect copyright.PENANADrWVu9mQXz
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"I thought you were a boy. I thought you were just one of Flinty's rare friends. I was wrong. I can see it clearly now."208Please respect copyright.PENANAPuZ47W3SfW
208Please respect copyright.PENANAMZnRXMQqOL
She looked up at my face with tears forming in her eyes.208Please respect copyright.PENANAh2kNbMQ0a0
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"You're an angel."208Please respect copyright.PENANARfHYeau1Kt
208Please respect copyright.PENANApv0P9FVX7o
"..."208Please respect copyright.PENANA0qtFn3Ype6
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I was at a loss for words. I wasn't flustered or anything, I understood what she said perfectly. I looked around Victoria and at Flinty. Her face showed the shock I should've been experiencing.208Please respect copyright.PENANA2l8mvPweAr
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Victoria kept staring at me. The pressure of her gaze made me sweat. Unsure of what to do, I presented the tendril right in front of her face, and she scurried away with a squeal.208Please respect copyright.PENANAFYfl1TBYVs
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There were very strange people in this city.208Please respect copyright.PENANAjkltKpk2JH
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"A-Ah, I apologize, Kenny. Seeing such a feat baffled me."208Please respect copyright.PENANAuAk9rAFX5g
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"No... worries. Anyway, what about the monster?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAacR3fOzeO6
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Victoria's face returned to being concerned.208Please respect copyright.PENANAo3buhDV3EM
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"I don't know about this. Honestly, now that you've shown me that, I want you to stay away from danger even more."208Please respect copyright.PENANAJDuVxPq1Hd
208Please respect copyright.PENANAsV1dwzyCgN
"But Kenny can fight, Vikky!"208Please respect copyright.PENANARnKOJYihVF
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"Really?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAklnxSnWTcN
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She pinched her chin and stared at the ground. I'm glad Flinty was taking charge here.208Please respect copyright.PENANA1kid4Ab3qy
208Please respect copyright.PENANA5iWPUH55y1
"...How about I consult my mother first? She's dealing with the brunt of the problem after all."208Please respect copyright.PENANAF5adIEn5NE
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"Yes! Let's do it!"208Please respect copyright.PENANApUDfMi85Vd
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"Fine by me."208Please respect copyright.PENANAECZPw83H18
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Thus, we followed Victoria into the bar, and we were staying there this time. I was feeling reinvigorated. Maybe showing off is a source of energy for me.208Please respect copyright.PENANA627AOKz6Nt
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I looked at Flinty. She was happy of course, being able to help one of her friends. But she turned her head backwards from time to time.208Please respect copyright.PENANAisiON6tfFL
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"Is something wrong?" I asked.208Please respect copyright.PENANAjDRBwKzCys
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"...Well, when I see you doing stuff like that with magic, it makes me really excited."208Please respect copyright.PENANAgvwIwweUUO
208Please respect copyright.PENANA4ARqfrq7fn
Ah, of course, she was learning after all. I hoped that she didn't want to study plants as well. I wouldn't deny her, but I wanted to keep my "thing."208Please respect copyright.PENANAWsIj0wICpG
208Please respect copyright.PENANAX6M9cAOVie
"Sooner or later, you'll be able to do amazing things too. Learning magic is a long process, you just need to tough it out."208Please respect copyright.PENANADQGAWds3Hr
208Please respect copyright.PENANAQJ6pQnewp9
"Is that so?"208Please respect copyright.PENANA7g6e1RHseW
208Please respect copyright.PENANA8vVVEgOdRV
Her smile slowly faded. Her hands were shaking. Something was clearly wrong. But, we were in the farmhouse already. I'll ask her later.208Please respect copyright.PENANArrFPGYj2GR
208Please respect copyright.PENANAGy3yN7djMw
"Please, enter right here."208Please respect copyright.PENANAdW4uRXPFtD
208Please respect copyright.PENANAcixb72XPxQ
There was a door to the side of the building. When we entered, it looked like a living quarters. There were four beds, two pushing against their respective walls.208Please respect copyright.PENANANzLpnqqzW8
208Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9IFC7Iqcq
"Take a seat. I'll bring some food over."208Please respect copyright.PENANAw2TS0ay8et
208Please respect copyright.PENANABEoYBn3H29
The middle of the room had a circular table. A strange place for a table, sure, but certainly convenient. Flinty and I sat across each other. A few minutes later, Victoria entered the room with an older lady. She had the same dress and hair color as Victoria, but her hair was unmodified, and her face was slightly wrinkled. I stood up and walked towards the older woman, offering a hand.208Please respect copyright.PENANAjdttADYZAQ
208Please respect copyright.PENANATPsbHDKQr6
"I'm Kenneth Buffalo Chambers. It's a pleasure meeting you."208Please respect copyright.PENANAKT976UrmQV
208Please respect copyright.PENANAJX2TjtQVUg
"Oh, how nice. I was afraid that he would be more menacing."208Please respect copyright.PENANAu7kVIJFFgs
208Please respect copyright.PENANAl2OPXpV5do
The old lady accepted my handshake and smiled.208Please respect copyright.PENANADjORw7CKZ4
208Please respect copyright.PENANAxycv3fr690
"So you're Flitny's new friend? I'm glad. Flinty is a good girl y'know, so treat her well."208Please respect copyright.PENANAC3i3Jl6Kv8
208Please respect copyright.PENANARiy3aDsp9V
"R-Right."208Please respect copyright.PENANAWMKfFXolYv
208Please respect copyright.PENANAEe0Hm33gK1
"Mom, we're here to talk about something else."208Please respect copyright.PENANA8v9pRFkZuA
208Please respect copyright.PENANATiMWJe42N5
Victoria calls this old lady her mother, but she looked more like a grandmother than anything. Putting that aside, we all sat down around the table and started discussions.208Please respect copyright.PENANAarC1l5lGty
208Please respect copyright.PENANA7mIrAlrsjN
"First, I'd like to thank you two young ones for helping me and my daughter. Especially you, Kenny, since you don't even know us."208Please respect copyright.PENANAxoHa4tCOYj
208Please respect copyright.PENANA0ibbDQJSYl
I nodded.208Please respect copyright.PENANANIesG3x8ua
208Please respect copyright.PENANAmY3AvTr8vT
"I'm sure Victoria has explained the situation already; there is a monster coming from the nearby forest and terrorizing our crops. As we're the only ones growing food in the Green Zone, it's become a hassle. I'd like to take this monster down as soon as possible."208Please respect copyright.PENANAm4vz9WlPv8
208Please respect copyright.PENANA8OBRySZ9ST
I raised my hand.208Please respect copyright.PENANAFtFNtonDCj
208Please respect copyright.PENANAspjziQRv49
"Yes, Kenny?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAlv27ToVKpu
208Please respect copyright.PENANAIJjaCJFDtT
"I was wondering, why does the city leave monsters in the Green Zone anyway? Shouldn't they try to eradicate them?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAaj7gWuqQs0
208Please respect copyright.PENANA27PTTlZUWF
The old lady joined her hands together in a finger tent.208Please respect copyright.PENANAFONjhNHOHi
208Please respect copyright.PENANAnKLn0LCh6j
"...Kenny, there is a very special situation occurring in the kingdom right now. Thus, monsters have been allowed to brew in the forest."208Please respect copyright.PENANAxKZvE632Ol
208Please respect copyright.PENANA4Dqa4E44YF
"Allowed to brew?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAqwKyyV6TKG
208Please respect copyright.PENANAHtJ6NUK1B5
"Correct. The forest in the Green Zone is a magical forest. Though its monsters have been eradicated before, they may sometimes form from the special mana there."208Please respect copyright.PENANAWovlY8MdYC
208Please respect copyright.PENANALr0YuHPe7C
"I see."208Please respect copyright.PENANAHGqyGkBSSP
208Please respect copyright.PENANAkpxMBkwAZH
The forest was a special zone, then, containing a type of mana not usually found in the environment. But, if it was only the mana that was special there, then–208Please respect copyright.PENANA4piDylUHRK
208Please respect copyright.PENANAihLQBUz8FM
"That means that someone is creating the monster, correct?"208Please respect copyright.PENANA5WUuYZSfWU
208Please respect copyright.PENANALXNVYxm3KO
"You are a sharp boy. That is precisely what the issue is. Someone managed to use the mana in the forest to create a beast. Though it isn't very powerful, the beast isn't the issue."208Please respect copyright.PENANAey23eYr3nV
208Please respect copyright.PENANA4GtptNzpM5
I have gotten myself wrapped up in something bizzare. I didn't even know beast-creating magic was possible. Tough, if the atmospheric mana allowed it, then was possible.208Please respect copyright.PENANADlmKIbD2qC
208Please respect copyright.PENANA9dvc1t7lsC
"Even after hearing this, do you two still wish to help us?"208Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ml9qoycSz
208Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9bV1SilDf
I looked at Flinty, and she looked at me. She was giving me a look as if the answer was obvious. I sighed.208Please respect copyright.PENANAjeJnE2Vdgi
208Please respect copyright.PENANAFFNGd2aAV5
"Yes, we'll help in whatever way we can."208Please respect copyright.PENANAeRQ0Bzqgnx
208Please respect copyright.PENANAZnY1PKYEdH
The old lady got up from her seat and bowed.208Please respect copyright.PENANA2nJPtbLlrZ
208Please respect copyright.PENANALu5OyL6cZp
"Thank you. My name is Linda. I'll be working with you and Victoria to find the perpetrator."208Please respect copyright.PENANAXGPBLR28o7
208Please respect copyright.PENANA2RI5iANOzj
–
–
–
After the situation was revealed to us, we were given a basic run down.208Please respect copyright.PENANArTzMRtCeDp
208Please respect copyright.PENANAjGWaCYmP7b
In short, the mission isn't very dangerous. Though a monster was summoned, the monster itself is weak, meaning that the person who summoned it is hardly a threat as well. This meant that having Flinty help shouldn't be a concern. The difficulty of the mission comes from finding the perpetrator. The beast started appearing a week ago, but the person could've infiltrated at any time before that. It's not like the regulars in the Green Zone keep track of who does and doesn't enter. The person could even be a regular in the village, and nobody would know it.208Please respect copyright.PENANATShzNT3x0Z
208Please respect copyright.PENANAhzLfPP1Sg5
But, Victoria told a different perspective to the situation. She explained that the person responsible, should they be a villager, may not even be a danger and that that person might've created a rampaging beast on accident. It was a stretch, but nevertheless worth considering. After all, it wasn't common knowledge among the city dwellers that the forest in the Green Zone was a special-mana zone.208Please respect copyright.PENANAqyCdSmG9MT
208Please respect copyright.PENANAKbihT1KMcW
With these two perspectives in mind, a plan was formed. First, there would be a public gathering where we would announce the situation to the rest of the Green Zone inhabitants. We would say something along the lines of "If the person responsible comes clean, then we will dispose of the threat and tell nobody." This phase of the plan covers Victoria's proposal, but I still had to confess that it was flawed. The perpetrator might be too scared to come out, or they might think we're lying. Still, it was the best thing we could come up with on short notice.208Please respect copyright.PENANAjl7CZHR0pw
208Please respect copyright.PENANA6WFrOe34Iz
Should that plan fail, then what we would do is dispose of the beast. The hope was that it would insensitive the person to create another monster, and we would somehow... catch them in the act.208Please respect copyright.PENANAZ24MJt2p7w
208Please respect copyright.PENANAqXkN0zKAKG
"...Wow, this plan sucks."208Please respect copyright.PENANApnyJuV13kw
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"Kenny!"208Please respect copyright.PENANAo3zXMhUcOP
208Please respect copyright.PENANA8qV6CsW401
Flinty punched me in the shoulder. I apparently said my thoughts outloud. I apologized, but the two women looked at me somberly. They knew I was right.208Please respect copyright.PENANA6p2ykSoN58
208Please respect copyright.PENANABl6Ckt3dRv
Still, I hadn't a better plan. If the first plan didn't work, we'd probably have to stay a night or two. For that, I requested Victoria write a letter to Flinty's residence, saying that she will be at the Green Zone for a bit.208Please respect copyright.PENANAmWieaXVuvF
208Please respect copyright.PENANAYbwQjERjwk
Flinty looked dismayed. She probably didn't think about this turning into a multi-day state of affairs when agreeing to help. Still, she didn't look like giving up on them at all. It made me feel more confident, too.208Please respect copyright.PENANAzdCaLxHIfH
208Please respect copyright.PENANAk9jS85dqV4
"So, when do we start the first plan?" I asked.208Please respect copyright.PENANAm6DCZVVCYT
208Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZiPzZBOkD
"As soon as possible," Victoria responded, "Mom and I can gather the people in the barracks, and we'll do the announcement as planned. Kenny, you'll be with us to make sure they know we can handle it."208Please respect copyright.PENANArvP28zJjM9
208Please respect copyright.PENANAdxa8pzqN0M
I nodded, but something was bothering me.208Please respect copyright.PENANAthQkBxrr6T
208Please respect copyright.PENANAnFawtxN3Hf
"Will the people really all come together?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAl9HHEdTtrI
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Linda stepped in.208Please respect copyright.PENANA7RG8sJWru7
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"To be frank, we are the primary source of food in this area. They are required to hear what we say. It's nothing to worry yourself over, Kenny. At most, two-hundred people live in this zone."208Please respect copyright.PENANA2dhhUmkPk5
208Please respect copyright.PENANAyim7Yv2hgG
Huh. I could've sworn I saw more people than that. Well, not that I'd know.208Please respect copyright.PENANAGUEnntaVSs
208Please respect copyright.PENANA7WQR6wY7hF
"Kenny, Mom, let's get going. Flinty, you'll watch the crowd from a distance to catch anyone suspicious."208Please respect copyright.PENANAtSKRHiQOlJ
208Please respect copyright.PENANAPbskWgZZDi
"Mhm!"208Please respect copyright.PENANA3r20QHb9W4
208Please respect copyright.PENANAprVvFKZ68m
Flinty was given a sheathed dagger. It fit her small stature surprisingly well. I called it a dagger, but calling it a miniature short sword would be more accurate.208Please respect copyright.PENANAYdHFfgLe8S
208Please respect copyright.PENANAbComKB8FjD
Anyway, with the plan created, the four of us left the farmhouse.208Please respect copyright.PENANA8X1IccGUt0
208Please respect copyright.PENANA76rrpPye31
–
–
–
I was waiting on the outskirts of the barracks by a peculiarly large rock. It's been about half an hour since the two ladies entered the barracks. Flinty wasn't with me, but I knew where she was hiding. She was inside a crate near one of the final buildings of the barracks. From there, she could observe the crowd from the back. As I stood, my face made strange contortions.208Please respect copyright.PENANAf0tZzMkb8j
208Please respect copyright.PENANA5x5MReEYoU
I was having second thoughts.208Please respect copyright.PENANA5S7G4c0PCC
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I mean, how couldn't I? A part of the plan was to talk to a group of inhabitants who were quietly minding their own business. This whole thing was honestly ridiculous.208Please respect copyright.PENANAvNkARMkqJ4
208Please respect copyright.PENANA4oGL7GOOuK
I thought for a minute, that it would be a good idea to just grab Flitny and go. She'd obviously reject, but I already knew how to convince her. After all, weak or not, a monster is still a monster. Something terrible could happen, couldn't it?208Please respect copyright.PENANAGXP6sCsKKX
208Please respect copyright.PENANA0UM8m6PdrO
"...Something terrible. Gah, darn it."208Please respect copyright.PENANAKyY08uUn45
208Please respect copyright.PENANA7HfSk710oH
Now that I've articulated myself, I was my second thoughts were wavering. Something terrible could happen, and if I was to leave, then it would be to Victoria and Linda. Yet, here I was, complaining about it, thinking of excuses to get out of this Green Zone.208Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8ijMZvnOr
208Please respect copyright.PENANAYyoV52MiKV
Once I realized that, I became determined. I can't afford to ignore this, to just brush it away and hope it all works out. Not when the issue is manageable and evident.208Please respect copyright.PENANAep3d143FAO
208Please respect copyright.PENANAOfohJg0RJn
"..."208Please respect copyright.PENANAxgmMGBHHKu
208Please respect copyright.PENANABlzkcuIipr
I sighed. I was shaking. I only just noticed. I quickly stopped myself.208Please respect copyright.PENANAMO3eE5r9Lj
208Please respect copyright.PENANAHklUq5643x
Phew.208Please respect copyright.PENANAPoKzCSGJyG
208Please respect copyright.PENANACoWi4wAsxV
The words of Jackson and Anabelle rang in my head just now.208Please respect copyright.PENANABtIyq2mR0a
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Sorry, I'll keep them in mind, I promise. And I'll keep it this time.208Please respect copyright.PENANAEvgGny2xfK
208Please respect copyright.PENANA5TKrNnbrkQ
"Haa, hey Kenny! Mom should be bringing the people here in ten minutes. Are you alright over here?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAel2gEv5cco
208Please respect copyright.PENANA9gGFi04cN5
"Huh?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAzXxkczbzTV
208Please respect copyright.PENANA3r1ESUbTQR
It was Victoria. She suddenly appeared beside me. She was out of breath and rubbing her brow.208Please respect copyright.PENANACZFzaXfbcf
208Please respect copyright.PENANAnb9K6MTt2U
"Uh, I'm just fine. You don't look so good though. Do you want something to drink?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAmgUnSJNFno
208Please respect copyright.PENANARMZE4jFBkn
She was out of breath. She looked exhausted, to be honest.208Please respect copyright.PENANA2zlSSHc5xS
208Please respect copyright.PENANAzk2ZIXmomG
"...That would be nice. Do you have anything?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAQxFO76Pmia
208Please respect copyright.PENANAeyvctes7lX
"Well, yes, but I don't think you'll like it."208Please respect copyright.PENANAPm2xaxZx17
208Please respect copyright.PENANAN0V6RaaWhZ
She raised an eyebrow. I pulled out the tendril and she took a few steps back. I produced a Watery-Gad-Blossom and showed it to her.208Please respect copyright.PENANAsH22XiZ2r1
208Please respect copyright.PENANA8Djsh2koUR
"W-What is that!?" She yelled.208Please respect copyright.PENANAX0Ho83xDfu
208Please respect copyright.PENANA9bZ43wABxd
"It's a flower that excretes a drinkable liquid. It's much more refreshing and tastier than water. You can try some."208Please respect copyright.PENANAjDNzPYVakE
208Please respect copyright.PENANAJaKgno8s2W
She looked suspicious of it.208Please respect copyright.PENANA3Fwgr5oc2w
208Please respect copyright.PENANAoMrVCfUam9
"How do I know it's safe?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAQRCNxQk91O
208Please respect copyright.PENANAY4R69UwYKi
"I can drink it right now and prove it."208Please respect copyright.PENANApPFQOrWrvm
208Please respect copyright.PENANA5c5QoBL4qK
So I did. The water tasted much better than I remember. She had her eyes on me for a minute before sighing.208Please respect copyright.PENANA8OHR2qIPlI
208Please respect copyright.PENANAWoyMgeq4DC
"Fine. I'll try it."208Please respect copyright.PENANA6sRciDUj3B
208Please respect copyright.PENANAhVA7gHnvjG
I extended the tendril to her. She looked intimidated but grabbed onto it anyway. She opened her mouth before the flower, and using mana spinning, I released some liquid. She drank out of it for about thirty seconds. When she finished, I returned the tendril.208Please respect copyright.PENANAb1wPHxtP6S
208Please respect copyright.PENANAheZZoR3N0k
"...Okay, fine. It's good."208Please respect copyright.PENANAeK2sEqX1VU
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Yes!208Please respect copyright.PENANApoo9Am17bv
208Please respect copyright.PENANAaeMKid60T2
I don't know why I was so happy. I almost jumped in the air. Victoria noticed my excitement.208Please respect copyright.PENANACWsVMnW5Fd
208Please respect copyright.PENANAwY0AbOtRrB
"That tendril hasn't won me over yet, though."208Please respect copyright.PENANArNgswO132D
208Please respect copyright.PENANAzPLYcHzGjR
"Did I at least get some of your trust?"208Please respect copyright.PENANA1alvABEHrX
208Please respect copyright.PENANAM0Us3AUmFw
"Huh? You already had it, goofball."208Please respect copyright.PENANAPN4Xd9D2Nu
208Please respect copyright.PENANALxCrjBa0Xw
Oh. Well, now this is awkward. Victoria walked over and leaned beside me. She had a serious look on her face. I tried imitating it. She just looked at me with a raised eyebrow.208Please respect copyright.PENANAuNS9rliSrt
208Please respect copyright.PENANAdWdltOg3cY
"What are you doing?"208Please respect copyright.PENANADaR9CvCLcp
208Please respect copyright.PENANAjf9FMsH2n1
"Passing the time."208Please respect copyright.PENANAYcaiXiN5o4
208Please respect copyright.PENANAeAbfVPnJdX
"By making fun of my face?"208Please respect copyright.PENANA30sFkEUsvG
208Please respect copyright.PENANAAeZ5ET5njT
"I'm not making fun of you."208Please respect copyright.PENANAWAguxVywlv
208Please respect copyright.PENANAyJAwQqnd4u
She laughed a little.208Please respect copyright.PENANAb7Ju0OVG6g
208Please respect copyright.PENANAwqyb4CslNW
"I know, I'm just messing with you. Y'know Kenny, you're a really good kid. I don't think I've thanked you yet for helping us. So, thank you."208Please respect copyright.PENANABxkqDN2fbl
208Please respect copyright.PENANAjnWxcawILe
"Of course."208Please respect copyright.PENANAJh0m2bkuEq
208Please respect copyright.PENANA6SD2nE1sXY
"But, can I ask you a few questions? It's about Flinty."
I suddenly had a terrible feeling.208Please respect copyright.PENANAM2hClZp9WB
208Please respect copyright.PENANAnvK3QYfINQ
"How'd you two meet?"208Please respect copyright.PENANAjBrFZwoTvv
208Please respect copyright.PENANAAFZ9tikaAr
"..."208Please respect copyright.PENANAY4uVEgPT57
208Please respect copyright.PENANAeVcuk4XIDw
It was an innocent question. I was relieved, since that meant I didn't have to share any of my feelings. So, I got a little closer and told the story.