"I see it. The light, I see it!"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLumaOHNumb
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL98WqKkoS
Victoria rushed ahead of the group, and ahead of our guide, Ng. She was right; a couple of dozen meters away was a field where the sun freely shined. I could hardly believe it myself, but Victoria was in it, basking in the light like a reptile. I made it out.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVRtBWLapH
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrk8uzCuKA0
"We did it, Flinty."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpWpeeskO0
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBt0bxjNer
"Yeah."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguvjJgRwIk
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U6QXa35C2
She looked awfully happy. I was too, but likely for a different reason. I looked at the rest of the group. Skylark was being himself, Ng had a look of wonder, and Victoria's mental age regressed by twelve years.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhm6JrJ2Ob
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This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vRLBOHPD6
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHc66cN3Uk
After Victoria finished, we walked around the crops and stood before the farmhouse. Linda was rocking in a chair. She perked up when she noticed us.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqSPHbAMEz
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"Ah, you made it!"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFykeO6DUiz
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34gpt6QHWe
Linda ran up to us. She exchanged hugs with Victoria. I couldn't help but think of what Victoria said about her, but still, the scene was... it was soothing to the soul. I felt a type of satisfaction I couldn't describe. It was borderline euphoric, watching daughter and mother reunite like this.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnu8P8N4UG
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IR8cfe7ev
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UORZ8EQyy
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMx0ILnYdr
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhAM5p73Wx
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRqw8a1Kb8
"Ah, alright."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNpA5i9QeA
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaBjsQkMkS
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktZGuLYZJg
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TeLPwDw7B
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIWmy5bumK
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTyMukBn4f
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQUVnrznVh
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqyWCJ0MbQ
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyDvsEieFJ
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8w0ATEjaZ
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cCupzo9jn
There was no first order of business to returning from such a mission. It was awkward, admittedly, because while Victoria had her clothes changed, Ng made conversation with Linda, and while Skylark intently watched the sleeping Kim, I didn't have anything to do.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNN62V9GiC
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXE1oSEVkN
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXkubGOXYy
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pvB6j0guG
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vrjGuaeOf
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4aOXGz7VG
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXurX7eZN7
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JIj1raunZ
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRyrorYC9G
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G3K3BJrFk
"Of course! Let's go."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgYHUdvHsG
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dly8BZDSG
Flinty and I exited the living quarters and ran to the front of the farmhouse. There was a basket of dirty laundry with a washboard inside beside a barrel of water. Flinty took a bucket and scooped up some water.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEtLGV5Akl
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz4umQGbG7
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡponoGUgGgo
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHRiodDN19
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS1oYpoHOW
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"Uh, do I have to?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhvF8UevPe
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejbOvFZX41
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSqvXIwX45
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJyGqz1iV8
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCFhovq8lw
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKnls8yWSU
"Kenny?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXErCyyruA2
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDa17cfL5m
"Yeah yeah..."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy92vlwWvd
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5cV6znEO4
I took off my shirt.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOBvX6ZMh8
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp13dUEZlrf
"Alright, now come here."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecro0rMnVZ
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOl21Xjvvq
She was kneeling beside the bucket. I slowly walked over to her and sat down. Thus began the cleaning of my shirt. I quickly realized that Flinty, what with her frequent pauses and occasional dopey look, knew about as much as I did. But, I didn't say anything. Something about this, even though it made me feel awkward, was nice.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbwTNIOBk4
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTiLJ8FbNN
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7HiiY12ee
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0MiV1IDe2
"Right."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJALx8Xj66
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wzDw1DJZA
I tried that, but it didn't work.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF0Q5Wpv61
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHWPVzltM3
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt97wHFqsY
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkf6qEGA8Q
"Beats me."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEruSdk37z9
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUhEB0wVrx
"But it came from you, didn't it?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb28psZm3o
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjloAnqEBjv
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwst1vVgLv
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0wF9qY9rn
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDCweKvysN
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfMpzXAZAy
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWr9zlMpAh
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWXi23mtfg
She snatched it from my hands and rubbed it against the waterboard. Her eyebrows were furrowed. She scrubbed it for a good three minutes before growing tired.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrPIL66Z7X
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjENk6g4T6G
"It's no use. It isn't possible."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeMSaMRufm
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY2FrdYLbY
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77uvmEO0eC
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYG5kQLMpm
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPtdKq2b0M
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y1ub0MYSS
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BSmDmToEU
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwccpDhYbR
"A-Ah, w-well then..."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0V3Jb7Zxz
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRHnr26Rc4
Her brows were still furrowed but her face was a pretty shade of red.
I grabbed the shirt back and hung it to dry. To be honest, the stain looked even worse, but that was neither here nor there. It was a little chilly being bare-chested though so I put my coat back on.
"..."
Dang. I already began to miss the shirt. I sighed. It would be fine, it wasn't a particularly rare shirt anyway. I walked back to Flinty. Frustration still lingered on her face.
"Stop looking so grumpy."
"Hmph. Fine."
She sighed and got up. I looked at her quizzically, and she tilted her head in return. I didn't know what came over me at that moment, but I wrapped my arms around her.
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkaCYo1lz4
"K-Kenny?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV6Jr1ifi1
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXqIFeDmsD
She fidgeted a little, I didn't let go. Eventually, she returned the hug. I couldn't tell how long I was hugging her, I was too caught up in the moment. I let go of her and put my hands on her shoulders.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNbyJD2vpk
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XTuIj0mLJ
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q2uuuZ0kK
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl3dr4JCT1
"Y-Yeah."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHaiFfsy7y
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhwUzKl5fk
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt6cr2QvRP
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYf9BNsg7l
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaj8HuEY7J
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfltEwEXSV2
I nodded. We traveled back to the farmhouse. Flinty split up with me to go wash herself, mentioning how her effort made her all sweaty. I simply entered the living quarters. I was expecting to kill time staring at the ceiling as I waited for a meal to come, but the presence of the two people in the room destroyed that expectation.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lc9cMco7H
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It wasn't just Skylark, of course.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9k3YBC7y3
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOslec9h3ob
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOjAGpjzyK
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMlTzoydz4
I darted to her. She was rubbing her head under her cloak and had one of her hands held by Skylark. She looked at me, and I caught her smiling.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxKyb2IIQc
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHkeD5G3P9
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks6UbBVI3F
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ3XSHC63D
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8ud01QH2Q
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzVd4akO8Q
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoKqf1woYw
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHag4qoAUvH
She looked over at Skylark.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHcIdFcUBz
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLKLxivRKw
"And, again, thank you for helping."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXqRBAWY9W
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvIFAf7ca7
"But of course, it is my duty."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZn9ufnwYS
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvwJRs19fN
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrL84wBQSW
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNmT6629KO
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6X2ZkM5Sg
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd9tcDxJ9M
"That's stupid."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTAGvrHLFc
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRpwpwXGlx
I felt out of place as they quarreled.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3z2yl0Uvz
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEwxne3TY3
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2chn7kcs8K
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlPZ6f41CC
"...Yes?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiljhuxLAC
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GWJPGs0py
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr0wpkpryL
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bvWZx9cmK
"Yes, my lady."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc8YIyazAU
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z5rhwuqu2
Huh? What was happening? I stood with a blank expression as Skylark exited the room. The thought of stopping him didn't even cross my mind.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V2ZlfGyFl
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWrPNYoNMV
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS4nnBGbBo
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdbEarvQ9Y
I sat on the adjacent bed. My hands were fidgeting a little. She wasn't going to say what I thought she was, was she? How could she even have found out?73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg4kNIx5rB
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt283cR4zb
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz8wf2rAhn
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASPeWvHfl5
She put her hands on her hood and pulled it back. In front of me stood a woman with short hair and giant curls resembling coils. She had eyes a shade of green that could blend in with the leaves. I was shocked by the sudden revealing of her face, but I was hounded more by the colors of her features. I recognized it.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXGGXiyL4Z
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq3AqmFSbR
"My name is Phoebe Zariel. I am the sole daughter of King and Queen Zariel, and I am the older brother of Orice Zariel. You've run into him yourself a few times, haven't you?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwx75WDSsp
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiiV6ZFdi8
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CPKPG6KPJ
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPny9hGyxu
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNfGckc8iR
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFvLC2UEc9
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmOfKOw0T7
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwwfU0TXfT
"Many things have been occurring against the Zariel kingdom. From what we know, the East country wants to use land the kingdom controls– the Exotica Mines, specifically– and offer us their exclusive goods in exchange. We refused dealing with them many years ago, and have suddenly seen a spike in criminal and alarming activity, whether it be in the city itself or villages. You are a resident of Buffalo Village, correct?"
"...Wha? What– huh?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2kv6nsKHx
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiX573fGse
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87dksbGhrg
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEOmfrYwd7
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HhOSePxAl
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv8TI3qojf
She scowled at me. Oops.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhtJ0MF472
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"He is not dumb! He has the kindest heart out of anyone in our family! So what if he escapes from time to time? He's only ever done good for the citizens!"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xkqMuCcas
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU9jqBmkVo
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYf3cJHOgR
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iUE1K8ytZ
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv6SkbEHb6
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmrhIi1ZCF
I was suddenly invested.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmGtbXojT7
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdNGWBeWP8
"He wanted you to meet with the royal magicians, most likely, after seeing what you did to the two rogue knights. He might've been too blunt, however, please forgive him."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNrJpq4mQs
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWb2sBxMho
"Uh-huh."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg5FyYfw9Q
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cJoDcbait
"I mean it. Forgive him."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLlPAT8t2o
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm4O9HTmJZ
"O-Okay, I will."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2cn001txA
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBztnO23hnB
"Excellent. Moving on, my mission today was similar. I ventured out specifically to find you and see if all the fuss Orice was making was warranted. I came out believing it was."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnUIILXaLq
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJvp2Bshas
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiyEFoQeXk
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"Kenny, there may be a time when you need to fight for your kingdom. Not in a war, that isn't a citizen's duty, but at the very least, to protect the sovereignty and pride of it."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgALRuofiEE
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWZAM47fdH
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnVgrEsVWb
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvfERSEbTh
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIrf7sz78U
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lUwszHxdJ
"I refuse."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiLJNTUOun
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bU8is2IKH
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TgM7mBxNX
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP9KruUMlH
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxMr0EvK2C
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSopKq4vXzQ
She sat down and crossed her legs.
"Enter the combatant's guild, gain combat experience, and take jobs relating to us. You'll avoid any affiliation and still gain the same rewards."
"Rewards?"
"Well, for starters, money."
I listened a little more intently.
"Additionally, you'll garner clout in the realm of combatants and form beneficial connections. If you need it, I can make sure your family will gain immunity and financial assistance."
"That's..."
The words she was speaking almost seemed fake. All of that, and all I had to do was join the guild and take some jobs? I had suspicions.
"And finally, you'll gain access to all organic Exotica in the palace."
"W-Wait, you don't mean–"
"Correct. All the magical plants in our possession; you won't own them, but we'll allow you to study them."
"..."
At this point, it would be foolish not to accept. But I still had difficulty believing her words.
"...If you see my name in the guild registry, which you probably will, then that means I accepted your deal. But, you don't have to do everything you said. I think just some money and the plants would be fine."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZnq0dVlQu
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHTnz8kZUy
She smiled and firmly nodded. I almost felt like I was taking advantage of her. For her to make all of those offers, she must have been desperate. I didn't know quite what yet, but I had confidence that I would find out.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAY28Xgcv9
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"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF19fPrRxj
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4JgfYrxEk
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvQ07ioQQa
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrdgf5gvzI
"Tea Mage...?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUcCSwEL2o
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"I think his name is Freed."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmKq2tLBCu
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"Oh, Freed."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWHMhrD9ZH
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Her face twisted into a moue.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6L1L94t9eF
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"I see. He must've refused, then."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPmWhY8PA0
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"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67hyxqdctg
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYIETdIcaT
I nervously laughed. I was also a little worried. The princess made him out to be a delinquent, and I didn't want to be studying under a delinquent.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPc0bp3fpO
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUALafO9fb
She stuck out her hand. I grabbed it and shook it. After the matter, the princess put the hood back on. I tried looking under it and I still couldn't make out any of her identifying features.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIOFQu6R5s
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dcponGrep
"Is that thing also Exotica?"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg516jwFspI
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOTNZa0NEV
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjeNNXmXTr
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21ulLl9Wdk
"Right."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oNkTInb06
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqK4XrhdRE
The princess laid down on the bed. Looking at her now, it suddenly hit me, the severity of the conversation we just had and the thing I just agreed to do. I lost my breath for a second.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3ZeQQA3tn
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"...It'll probably be fine."73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ39Wgf4az
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7EKOWI0cT
With that affirmative thought, I waited along with the princess. Skylark joined us shortly, and not too long after, the rest of the group came. Flinty was first, and Ng, Linda, and Victoria all came at the same time. The three of them were carrying plates of food and drinks the likes of which I'd never seen. The table usually stationed in the living quarters was too small, so Victoria left momentarily to bring a new one. I didn't understand why we didn't move rooms but I didn't question it.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gpaIesy8u
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSsG8HpgeJ
It was a large event. Not particularly noisy, but it was large. Words flew, laughs rumbled, and stories were told. It was nice, a scene that accorded with our victory. It made me feel happy. It made me feel like I was a part of something more.73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsOttLwCzb
73Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneV0xSpUp8
It made me look forward to the future.
