"I see it. The light, I see it!"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp5yO53B53
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P1H2xJKEA
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvEOhqJRic
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgCg4QaNA8
"We did it, Flinty."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMABA1qYUD
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUAVly6EUh
"Yeah."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdU9kaNfv8
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHIQ4WvGYi
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk3sRpPFSq
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BtB8ZjR5n
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9flap0Az8P
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNFt6x2Xxm
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMoczR9fQf
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhGEpK3S61
"Ah, you made it!"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX3satuw3Z
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lvrhaFNIQ
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4jK5yd8gu
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT4BUJf7Dp
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhnO0m7tzc
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOLRF2FE0t
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2y3j0CIyB
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ci6lQNo6c
"Ah, alright."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5p6dFNsFL
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7yiSIXNfV
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkzFwdNboe
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRTO9ckHJQ
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrar712Dng
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaBL8bduQ9
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6NTMj77yg
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2XZEaB2cF
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡComjxcIDYJ
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxxN9yMH3i
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OpYdF80BF
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRtXPfhR2B
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7MDHl0oJp
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJHbzswGlu
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡverlpVccQD
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPdtIasBZv
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXph7Wuwhr
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdtz62o0jv
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFStbGVZeVq
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd5UKdqg45
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhx2j3jSwk
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDoM8lfABw
"Of course! Let's go."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJrYFBpHwG
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBXEC0Tz43
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PcAn5CSME
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oxhsyZbGO
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajHh1AB5ct
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlGNeCg6eP
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVOhSG64NY
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUh3FkEHrG
"Uh, do I have to?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXOv0rMn2K
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5Axah7jba
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9RktQyEMX
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA7uNy8Zgt
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniNavY2Zws
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtREoHXrFM
"Kenny?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tBMKJPwC4
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiIoOsWLO9
"Yeah yeah..."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA1op8kRgu
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtthwe3CkL
I took off my shirt.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3wf9QhoSs
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J2TjPKi8E
"Alright, now come here."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSvweRD7Sf
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtALEifd3q
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy46z89t3R6
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdoVLqC8GZ
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF3Q6GWGet
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzYDfJSuP7
"Right."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCIdCKvpvh
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPPttoLHpm
I tried that, but it didn't work.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGWDQOXOT5
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6eRVdG5zV
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFYKZ5xxu7
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH9c8AB7JJ
"Beats me."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNFcV3vSCJ
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswwuu9opNr
"But it came from you, didn't it?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd84WwYZmLf
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqRlaX2JeX
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVDao6WULg
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YmbIYsVJO
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5bxOD5W30
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EzMHEkkqX
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWOve0Oe2m
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z0gaLnvka
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmK53xvrp9
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkF87znp3l
"It's no use. It isn't possible."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCqVUWp5Pw
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvrmcKC0H2
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN4oywujXn
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUUmplB1rA
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbsciMtK3j
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mnnJ9J9O1
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gHTi4BfvE
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupoPFRCgoJ
"A-Ah, w-well then..."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLiFUyee56
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3olDfaFxq
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.
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a809EEfoZ
"K-Kenny?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfmBN9FhQ6
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTBdAAMKrZ
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpaAbsFPzN
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBLEcmJUMl
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GPfHFFJHV
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeBf5lkVy7
"Y-Yeah."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRAXNiexPG
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cY9w6nO8N
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnD6eokNLh
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBDoZWoDUJ
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAacPFIsa0
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JMtXeItFM
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySgbqBEvrL
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7hMxOGgWk
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK3Z3j8Tsx
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBVcUAODqU
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGoiWYE3u0
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihxoWK3t2l
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzW36Tq3Tm
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSKQL22k4Q
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1RFiI44mg
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uIhSbTY88
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hJx6QPI48
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYC3lAbj7y
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z8MXzpUo3
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI2zqc1YA5
She looked over at Skylark.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaokdOU2QyL
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWkGSuZB4n
"And, again, thank you for helping."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgPL0g50Lz
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrDrohn4d2
"But of course, it is my duty."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqcF57TaoR
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRICavK4gd4
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ202o0G2A
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNLTECOqnq
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iiH0QhzOh
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQC2zTynUO
"That's stupid."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpkLTESP3B
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHiHWgjT5D
I felt out of place as they quarreled.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2AJUwxPQs
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLQD4x56lq
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy3h3wW5eq
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa8BMQN348
"...Yes?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpoIwfC6nX
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTnlFsU4ut
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqEVTdNQxB
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3MjFOG7Y4
"Yes, my lady."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPpLHzhYOL
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nlGI4r5y8
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAi52xk5eO
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w0E5Ju6JE
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP6BmkDEHT
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbe9kpupAd
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?92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz339NttxUU
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasHI5TvttA
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbUlTxmE0L
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0kTrBk18T
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH8Rfxe9jG
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NTBt677V9
"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?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVg6mIHXhz
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XEjXqumzB
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi3Vbn4XTS
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn81crAbfv
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtVhUyDWik
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSlyIkh0My
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFolvhB4a6
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArQQ8E7ee1
"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?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCBOFO6us1
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7sNAnDkKY
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAKadMK4rU
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rKwOgFXn0
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lRlupYEKh
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBCnUCJdXS
She scowled at me. Oops.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgoQKq4yMq
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjfUdWZouF
"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!"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEBEkkccZX
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD7oC1vDEx
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdYV4SGDg4
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVLhjqS65G
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEkzge8k57
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jdhYl6iw6
I was suddenly invested.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMWcsurdhs
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4lesh0rCm
"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."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaZOQda2Ge
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZCGHQcemq
"Uh-huh."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0J3Jce5rb
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0tL177zeE
"I mean it. Forgive him."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgzGeiBvtQ
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBgKyr6zjf
"O-Okay, I will."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm5Ie5yRED
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXmkKxobtr
"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."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdir3pZOfv5
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZcmMOh00K
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vcfDxNlcH
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGi1wFy14r
"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."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXby05AdZ6j
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AAArWjHq6
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon3T1IRDFD
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3Cp62flJi
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtt1KuAIpd
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yg3GjGPF3
"I refuse."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9eZf7RwVw
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3UYNNxkDs
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhqCmf12QS
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMWrx153NK
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfAtAG8FNe
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWvjXT49bh
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."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKzNHQVR84
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHx8yoAjYo
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VullCr5wB
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw9pa8Dvwy
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf3mcWsXTb
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwAIhTq7dl
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU46xlu4ecc
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTmqrlwhVh
"Tea Mage...?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoadoRq744k
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJMpM6ISgi
"I think his name is Freed."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64ryOw0vVi
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeVCrXAKJz
"Oh, Freed."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZD4ivnauK
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwJX2cXYTT
Her face twisted into a moue.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu1kkwiKTb
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncrRMTPGyo
"I see. He must've refused, then."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta2ebuFGhc
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r7pr63rUI
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOq0Lxjhag
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UOk1DZFZw
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9D7pHtigg
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8jF41KElI
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPcLkpPonh
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiicrz43InH
"Is that thing also Exotica?"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhAoKQ9TDf
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7Py9pNtKt
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0kOSDmBuH
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aVh6cXnBC
"Right."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjIJMvqOKH
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnID60yH2fy
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl5LDfJLi0
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaowTuaQ4k
"...It'll probably be fine."92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DdEDJz4AI
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGYhGr4Lfs
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa6XJ4WMJs
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXtEm7aQQc
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.92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaarbDacEA7
92Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5CJtXykzB
It made me look forward to the future.
