"I see it. The light, I see it!"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lMeogd9ZC
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtKWkcfXCe
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmRcaM5m2h
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwZ0ysF3Me
"We did it, Flinty."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVeD7knnNX
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OatsCeXuB
"Yeah."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cF5NeX5gw
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYZmowIwao
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXPM5sqeBW
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7EFUXYvLf
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LJ28G7z9m
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5QmpoUOhb
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ1hFSdbRb
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVLVq1lleZ
"Ah, you made it!"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnUqbiqjdT
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFGWzC7Dyr
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbm7peYki7
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAGHJKw6qh
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb46wpQdFQ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB27fErKJ2
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidziMQB65l
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtoMuhDfgj
"Ah, alright."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXPtimowTR
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdwQHBMhuH
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uQeb0paOn
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkR3RiAqKr
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjtmL9nNci
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV814MQ8vYe
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQCJi0QoBj
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2nN9qlcl6
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiBImXxOmt
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9lMehnmpI
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86fBGrOxTZ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvnPD2rw68
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMpIpSrN40
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WqyQGSBI7
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2MfVcOo6W
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIfqXMYAvC
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEUUohlxdJ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhQiUj6WHK
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwL2KVftJB
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUgmTSosMw
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3kKHx37Kg
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhgUr3Saz2
"Of course! Let's go."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QgM2LYuTZ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGNVn7tdz0
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToKhIxK8kE
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUWLSnmock
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCMqct9KnO
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PXk9SappV
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVS9YS2pil
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrE8dkQm29
"Uh, do I have to?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUZSDsNOga
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8oXmDcv3K
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xPyGMCTry
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl31VkulTXM
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21HlpnBR2b
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6whY3dfjHy
"Kenny?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7qqW6nKb2
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlepltG7KW5
"Yeah yeah..."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuYc6lx6NM
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6tj8GctoL
I took off my shirt.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltuIJxyJUX
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzKuAD1VhQ
"Alright, now come here."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwxUI65Pll
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQtof2Ppla
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje6efo5cqo
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTteFzG3Lww
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRgBydjpmc
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k9DQMOl3M
"Right."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1gCnxxfBK
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3swkboLML5
I tried that, but it didn't work.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OttYAPbeY
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H7woOlJGH
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lKM5J6HXY
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1ViXxdHyM
"Beats me."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7PVOgYltd
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ykMqA94c5
"But it came from you, didn't it?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXersJiv41
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEyfKC0kh5
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6aEzY0QRI
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfrwSyFoMb
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZxGjehlEi
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZwIyPCatj
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZukEo5JMCl
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSY3yA2YCT
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ccuYkL7Bb
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8KlNYMbcN
"It's no use. It isn't possible."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzhcqzqLsF
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwmjeZsrhL
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsY9MTNhZD
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaTLGFVW04
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmAA8gcRA9
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEf4dSiDjP
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCn0bfyj0k
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVakJq6hcq
"A-Ah, w-well then..."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3JO9YsW6R
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rd40jEuqF
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.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1S6FTktwp
"K-Kenny?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yDpIVn6bx
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydx0hgfoJN
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyLZGmaOMS
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nq0eWsymx
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeNiUiFR2u
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseMfN5iN3F
"Y-Yeah."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbIOR7FSay
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiPiBSqccQ
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYJVE63JvQ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFEqTMcMcn
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUvjdIS3dw
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE956YcyOb
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl0UXaRc17
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJgQdZGmqe
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMTx2LGXid
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tmQcQcUtM
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD6Eok1WWy
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhTDedTvRL
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7NdYVaC1Y
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xr8DdTUM8
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpW9n8DpPM
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH9jD9Q7LR
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FDK6ajZ4P
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9LQmSpbKF
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh7yRED6Dg
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P2iYgYBC6
She looked over at Skylark.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxQa7uR5un
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzRs0QGLRS
"And, again, thank you for helping."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrC2qBH3Vi
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJhnpQZGy9
"But of course, it is my duty."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojStSn2dap
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb9chzunVj
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Es6QNT3YU
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAVDPzFIFb
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFkqvZXaLK
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD2wiVovOj
"That's stupid."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY6BaAVGzE
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCST8la0TC
I felt out of place as they quarreled.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rVtsx6swQ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5WlgRvR8l
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBCZAWBvmX
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU6pWTfRoc
"...Yes?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2x4BGdZbQ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWnUVUfjRY
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN188gZOTHU
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7DqTXhB9r
"Yes, my lady."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiVBFwuae0
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yXL0ampnf
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZJdjE3pQZ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWqn1LJ2Gu
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uXmTWskLE
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J7bL1PIZM
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?72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa4gswmcjX
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRvY8Yqjkp
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z9E8yxOia
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFEKswh5wY
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpZ0Potrru
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0r5vPkMgk
"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?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRBrUN0UqY
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncAk8S9A1w
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr5dpeRVB6
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zZrLKtJ4e
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2aEbixWwz
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJcrBN51hr
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSLKX33ust
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw5T0jPn9C
"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?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSH8Rk3huq
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BIBIo5ZyP
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cSYOq3axz
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi222PrFD1
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j8CmhC7Uf
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIAbDmNh2k
She scowled at me. Oops.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWEp2B8a1r
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl6Omkag5g
"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!"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV6Gd2KtrG
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftsDjdNQXG
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51FtmB3sbH
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qf1MfStux
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzDbX220rf
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9egsDOUVz
I was suddenly invested.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgiuz9pwF2
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx05FeQI19n
"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."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxiquWg0VA
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDmHMQ69K8
"Uh-huh."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jI1ILXhRA
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN51DVWqMCb
"I mean it. Forgive him."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoxamxuHCr
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDzyyXDiKP
"O-Okay, I will."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbJ3uCG0sA
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNH2M13pvo
"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."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ3uwfMO7v
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy5CKXjdie
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPYAxo2iAi
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH06Xz4lP3s
"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."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx5OIiMNTs
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9ibg08tdU
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AGoO82V3y
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDit9V4GcA
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP0p2V7Q2v
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD8M8xIr1h
"I refuse."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw94thKwG1
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdFPHxGn2D
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01aX6WdaRx
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5974CrQBy5
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDy35ulytU
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVhCd6opPW
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."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtqjrIicwT
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsJD4MBTM8
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZw0mKVMiP
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvqPJpCLir
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWsomJ940Z
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xt82qwU6u
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYulqXHupQz
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB1QfmSUmP
"Tea Mage...?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUgULadFRm
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ7CM7xgH5
"I think his name is Freed."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UCr1bXKko
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBrlfFGTCc
"Oh, Freed."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZmyb1reFj
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXhhwi3pCp
Her face twisted into a moue.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCFVmcL53m
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoTB6KkwLj
"I see. He must've refused, then."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DFaWT2vjt
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhMmuG9Oiv
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DxTq53RQI
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eKYeslE4N
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZI4hFXIB8
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC32bRIGgf1
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcMhlQvnnZ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pI0cK87hW
"Is that thing also Exotica?"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYquVQGewP5
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBleqkJhC8
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJnLN8Etdo
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTSchLJ564
"Right."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrkMF6QnQh
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgfrLpKXQD
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eIOq738J5
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"...It'll probably be fine."72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Uz5xx6BF3
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8JUCbWuPF
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRSvgoF7wJ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5XYJsjlyN
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67vxUZN9l1
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZfB5Z2smB
It made me look forward to the future.
