I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nKWA2y86a
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LpvkD0OvK
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KxDnyG0Fd
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk7L4i38Q6
"How?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN2shfn65l
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv2teVdqRS
I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdRD2gcVvu
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V15bi5P3J
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH3waciu5C
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBunnn9vATn
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CRDuR4LeU
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnGF06IhZO
Pars turned to answer Juke.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfSo6bBVaj
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn88GM7xy0K
"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1eCez6YHM
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGXBiZeMPD
"That so, eh?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke1e72j9bx
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ5yEeeAKj
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5ehBuoSwg
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnh6nFqhYB
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHhytbyUZL
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCOa8NkmNj
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxA4jR1fY9
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbzlLrzrDl
"Hey Becker, how's the–"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW7FEOEeBd
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5mjWxCiti
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtGZbvvAUf
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj3uHqRqIN
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7mt3UDpkj
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YmXoD52eX
"Are you a kid?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnHLNvGf5i
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGfI8K0Ndc
"H-Huh!?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaluqgfDZt
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGY6F7pvE4
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsf0lMwidOq
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24iE77yL9h
"I said, are you a kid?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeG8koTAli
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp2X0TSQ4N
"I-I, yes, I am."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7Ynx6P6q6
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfT9QkBVLV
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7VnA7rIjO
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3tzkMVVbe
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNUZ0doYLv
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNovnExfLXs
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGMNlTw4Jg
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FOutFq0xQ
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNWZ7PUOqE
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EIvPxI50A
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozURU0ZRv9
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BxDK7rxAA
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xnzLBnJ0L
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStcw0ZZhc9
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQvZTYvPDl
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpZXCZ2q8I
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUwq4Jkspr
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP4aZDVN5n
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXAEZsODwD
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o8OSj2IGp
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Wox8xh2s
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPPC6AMBug
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH4WSoJcCg
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv8KR6MTd6
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yn2MhUnqB
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzwV1xExTc
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC7xsihxhO
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLeXBfIHgw
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh4cJ2DuZJ
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MAvTy8fHb
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Tgq7mKBca
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DitR1Ys3g
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kJA3g90p2
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQmsSswEu1
"W-What?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YsEC2wdnQ
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BAOASNb97
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5SVr8eyNr
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwobdl8L55G
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4GD1Godnz
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7KYWoHCZj
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfRQDDtyTW
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQtTvs6vC7
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOYpLbqwHO
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR8iZUbS9H
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgWl4ir6ry
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aAUthy6ET
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2ZuJQL5cP
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbCBhesTsh
"I'd never."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhYMDDDCD9
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7mGLt4TPT
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6mYnsbPKe
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTlOUuy31l
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR9BIl9r9r
I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeqmssindI
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZNo0FjlF7
"..."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZetbdQy3a
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZkPUQeDeB
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoYvjmXXfK
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Raq2EJgni
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJcWfF7SDr
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbFZQLoqoo
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICC2kZUU5P
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL79hT7bAUc
She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TDDDmuQIv
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwRh1WOBZP
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw2gN6PItA
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e7xw0EAZB
"What did you want to tell me?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYudY8bPSb
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSo9N9phxw
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjNYUCKuu5
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoupGVH3Y1
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN3wR9ZqX9
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPoiRQKcYR
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRlgR0NPID
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP4oHjDeq5
"S-Sure. What is it?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kTYpt6Ymg
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzuPutsFPr
"Do you like fighting?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0w8vY8Umn
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkadczKvDn
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIiDr0fyNq
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqwhPyhgeE
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4prHGXTvbF
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbikfFTUAJ
"Then, why do you do it?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N8PaHYTWG
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYnN0Nwzzk
"..."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPYMBJyA43
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M6vNzKsP3
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9Ee4Ya0tr
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq7gGDOgNu
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeNBT77fIp
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDei3TQ2LzH
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek1vjUaJTO
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vF6CFx7pQ
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8233dMEZZc
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Lj3bueKch
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IWSEMivfc
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l0g66C93D
"..."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTRSH8FA9P
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5hszdqrsK
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwWSYjRUTy
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXvhqtSyHk
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZFCBndHup
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhviqvbNme
"...W-Whaa?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjWiOWarFr
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCLVMvgRg4
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsGVOuGuz0
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3fOa8UCin
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zEuj6Fufc
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHwmQ56OGu
"It's... it's okay."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4XjII0sWa
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0rd0ZRihr
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXMib1wTrJ
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUBoE4J1DQ
"..."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZKETPhmm9
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsC7Qwm6Cm
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIYw5VW8Bf
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pHct1hxCX
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOETv40qK6
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY2A03nfuU
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMGUyv5QkQ
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFi1XGzkpV
"...Y-Yes."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLqKDhHL1o
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpYzLQytYK
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8AEjQymUW
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67JzqHZecj
"I see. I see now."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc9MTU0cVP
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iocajnYjY
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACWC3d6LXo
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaEk2AnmmI
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzbpRjTERu
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx996z8f7W
"Like, um, like what?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTygS7Uo5zn
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrw7pkRvoD
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WIJ78bTfk
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5u7laleGj
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGIVvoAyMj
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0VdNeTdVI
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6GSdOGQDs
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZkenxdih1
She paused to scratch her head.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmymolHla3d
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vrUMsLfkI
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWBzKQcShP
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ591kCeYKQF
"I... I, I'm not–"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA9eIzCW3c
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolEqaogmlt
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp8tkDVSqX
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx7OQsVWaC
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TfS6YZ4Rg
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD9f9oXtO3
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGiCc1Jh8x
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwHbzbBO4t
"On the right?"91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK1hH1SnKP
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vfPqnKcH8
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8ulNt5fNY
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGxNMD1WSa
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA43bJHhDR
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRyol5VRAb
"..."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqlqd3xdo9
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqteRR4yGtH
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIob7xMHiJ
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2lUQkv1jd
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIusIf11ol
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqbXkaSmzl
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJxN7h87JV
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI5W5vKZDL
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCw6q3XVtJ
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4MeMxKQP7
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPezraCDH0
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurvgmCD54h
"...Maybe."91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzhKWdyWNf
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesS6puXi6x
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5LrIK3lYv
91Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAOLrkIPP4
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
