"I see it. The light, I see it!"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXvBXmJrlK
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4MPICjKT6
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c9XKuPbmQ
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"We did it, Flinty."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOMOTRhJLQ
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"Yeah."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7g7ushVB7
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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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCHS7IWJtb
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mt9KgM112
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr330hrHk5
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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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFPE48VGQg
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"Ah, you made it!"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ah03UCLWJ
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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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNGa7BnibD
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wwqy5ykdP
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gTXsvM8Mw
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpZnM7y8Nd
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFakwAS8xU
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"Ah, alright."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBdx2I9vKU
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ELQ5yc4wo
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"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NxcStmORT
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"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVjtmFVpwz
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4pWT6yLgo
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytJWNVePuh
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP55ynveTJd
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWGXCbdgyt
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oHVGlW9Ig
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw6zdt3aPc
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH5RGiG5nd
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLaQzQAQXE
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIpAkDBIj1
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXbZRgrcVo
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lq7yJOg9l
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW7Ji4MW4e
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO28e80p6cX
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPi8IR494p
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ23XEWTMtF
"Of course! Let's go."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21GP7lPAL4
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQmepxj1Ha
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjZNp4Oxh0
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"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMIA55eNmm
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Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxLL3ozEYP
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"Uh, do I have to?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpnjQDLxiH
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"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGFdM3dJSj
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R7qe4fBZW
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmmq74ekPd
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevbFuICnF6
"Kenny?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVf9mt3aOD
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa25pmEzKY
"Yeah yeah..."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJEn2w30Ae
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I took off my shirt.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxAE1UFdND
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84sTt9NYTg
"Alright, now come here."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSmAXmusgM
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO044WGlX5
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcXseRfskk
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo83Jfvr8Ud
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDhyrIurC8
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNimJPKt6Ky
"Right."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxOBUQeVhM
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I tried that, but it didn't work.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkb0afpnrh
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"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGKnJjlIdn
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIhiIMsgNb
"Beats me."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCN0lj54ww
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"But it came from you, didn't it?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XoEngm5j7
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4MotlVUiY
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahtdga2sEt
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhwEYNSBE6
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVlrZUa1Aq
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWcgGK9of2
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLuetvfz7J
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrhZuu35Ga
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUik4biVVPj
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"It's no use. It isn't possible."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBgXbIPzXs
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTCqSIQhLx
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpEQCAIFxY
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VJhOylvBJ
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNXGRfdKiD
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhmEsABq9p
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJSVu65keQ
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"A-Ah, w-well then..."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xEbsDFayQ
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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.
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPVKiVbfvW
"K-Kenny?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJFkFCowxE
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxdyc7JtsR
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoEaF8Lxea
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vLLjLYNPN
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkugUGk2o0F
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4v65zobzS
"Y-Yeah."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT7BNT1bgM
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGeMAGPiQQ
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu7dRdG3bc
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"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzq4hfN7Fv
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxwdyT7lv2
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNt8H7CItF
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It wasn't just Skylark, of course.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4ZCzYdSA6
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"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YYH8dPqOE
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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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYhYu7i2km
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"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PNfje61Ab
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAdPvHcYnM
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5iWKl6Cvs
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBPJ51Bx5q
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlblYrloTO
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She looked over at Skylark.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVZXsmikHF
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"And, again, thank you for helping."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgJbNkd6t2
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iYnucudHV
"But of course, it is my duty."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p7Q475745
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"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI3x5iu9cR
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yzpgbWrxW
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUgTbs7EGQ
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYenyQeLuVo
"That's stupid."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjGn6nMcqy
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I felt out of place as they quarreled.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCirgsOFkML
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"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTD6A2bQO9
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"...Yes?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaWu0qBL73
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"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4R0EwPQQy
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"Yes, my lady."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5EnEAepi5
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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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LK6NlrUyw
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"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2uQ2Hpe72
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflbHJmaFrN
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?51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrK7yyIYYB
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWDDGt2gli
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8d5a8XpsZ
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9R6lDreRY
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHRpSNoYlj
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr7vgrQXry
"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?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K00N3HF5l
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzGd8krhDt
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZPyAXQjQh
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOIpxDhACH
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsj9nELbN8
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw5g3ftE73
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uu6xrdduE
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYC0hFUMrH
"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?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnujHHOw6nj
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKvY8IxXRi
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTaH0IiOwp
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlDX4oQScw
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydi1dPH0rd
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC24dAVWN1p
She scowled at me. Oops.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDRVLD0k5h
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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!"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEOGCo6LhJ
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hWdVLIta1
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSHjw1nkRM
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"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP1Q7SYfy4
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I was suddenly invested.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMWrAteC5W
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"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."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIElCOXl9X
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wXahMZn5t
"Uh-huh."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAHVM5VSaC
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumOt3Z5AO7
"I mean it. Forgive him."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygjK0I75LU
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7L06IFRpb
"O-Okay, I will."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsulLFqJcdi
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIjhGlW9Cc
"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."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga6jKIgqNM
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUWAh6ThKy
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslwNyKpMmT
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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."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU6FhtYGJ7
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I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPbQfmEIrB
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WhkVOyEnk
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5PgZs5t9d
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNIoqEQ4PV
"I refuse."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwXZl8dtEb
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The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5eU1hkdER
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjryhtaHWL9
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6197S4vE1
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxWsGMe1ju
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."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QPTMFjRb7
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZRj8TMNk8
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkAsTyeiGY
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"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuMJDNjgXW
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ959b4mUfy3
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mgud4uSCR
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex4uyOkzQF
"Tea Mage...?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubqUmEduSe
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"I think his name is Freed."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmmtYzayv7
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOm5HBOR3Q
"Oh, Freed."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmylceW8aVY
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv37R6ZXgo
Her face twisted into a moue.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnoCvElLpc
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"I see. He must've refused, then."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ov8u2FdUC
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MWmXYPuh8
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzhrCiKTk6
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD7QzKcid6
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUMyvynAww
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCrPrbzJbA
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotHOts3sck
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNVQhyocPE
"Is that thing also Exotica?"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o5SOhCqzK
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhobvCHT12o
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGy3HSDTd0
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlq41XU4Wb2
"Right."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV04N8OGl1d
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSOfapVxkJ
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk75fTRrKdk
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4NRT7Jp54
"...It'll probably be fine."51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pYSN48u6P
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiVmsIKGY6
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY5AFMiJE4
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ydcVWo5yb
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.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5wdKoAiDO
51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6Ir5qh63j
It made me look forward to the future.
