"I see it. The light, I see it!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IcbN7mYhR
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6mLIWgNPf
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiSrrDbuui
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"We did it, Flinty."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbkfBAe4bR
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"Yeah."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpNjw9S4PR
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6VsTXVWcD
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This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsDlaFYzHc
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZfu9DeQtm
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyUDarhAWh
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"Ah, you made it!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOSdhZDbxW
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9dk0adq0I
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhthdNagNYj
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdszZ82yEsg
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncmBNmhFM3
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzabwAs0vnl
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"Ah, alright."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0oi8kHHwC
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Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgVQY0mhER
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd648pxShh
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsASWT4LR5g
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwM9jCW1Ej
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxClXL3Y674
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpiLB12rhm
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciQkeZtg5g
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYTf0S74UT
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoXQRV2Crl
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2CpEz2dhQ
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lkSPMbv0C
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb0XnYe0DO
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWy9VJ1GQT
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ9mjIX0lY
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lyo2EDRSX
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch1rL0Rr5h
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuLXwXDnl5
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvnM2H48Ha
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG03hzj4cy8
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"Of course! Let's go."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AZG658CGf
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63pUzK1ISy
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgIQXd90ad
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"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6XGG7zzut
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Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LCa9gmj0C
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"Uh, do I have to?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uKw0ObwB3
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftpX9d7Uzt
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7TKMMceMp
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IGABfPA7S
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XLgZoCstv
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIWwh5W1tP
"Kenny?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MgE8JOqjH
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt12t3P4BY
"Yeah yeah..."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1pl0MMUA7
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALrdRBMqCx
I took off my shirt.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZAlkRbmoR
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"Alright, now come here."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHHZ7d2I41
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkM5cx9Lz5
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ4WZKRYQh
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTCHnoMx4t
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5awRoIQesC
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"Right."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCJ2cQxnKo
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I tried that, but it didn't work.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q8E5wjxfJ
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"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcEm8SBR0q
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"Beats me."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3ZBc6aAGS
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIuGT1uOqv
"But it came from you, didn't it?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh2jgfRnYt
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWcIUtAqUY
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3wOLPKcgQ
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18vdnm67uO
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa2BG0qciY
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMx2FPs0wJ
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG0jwt7Tki
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ii35GRoSS
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz6m6Awnkj
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEIpSfquDY
"It's no use. It isn't possible."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWG3Ef6fcx
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrLYX27eeA
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1ezEHTTlD
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZtEBuMjsT
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUX7svaoCW
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigrIK1A1Ue
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToL3kEEscf
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxeBLzJeFN
"A-Ah, w-well then..."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnaz8zdAOx
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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.
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"K-Kenny?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzjhoG6jNA
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSzlpLTiz4
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl6k3361Xv
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw8ZQNpsSD
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4MD6GGTpa
"Y-Yeah."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFzeheXzrw
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It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasx0xtTtst
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIht6PJlUrE
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUwOvdm2ro
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWie8k5Ait
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXGzPB449q
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgWijMw6sU
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChkfIV4bV0
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"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFqgQuv7R0
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZDKAmNAo9
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ola7DaT7h
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVTKCRPgPo
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwByes03Vj
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuJGlT1mjC
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDmdqATIma
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJyW26OpqU
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHkCSEeQjN
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5KSulru6p
She looked over at Skylark.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbyokVUaWm
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"And, again, thank you for helping."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNOmGJ6j0C
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglJlMwbGW2
"But of course, it is my duty."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWafKTzTUN
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmduIDUxnW
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QiRgV8lnc
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs7Ib3NceJ
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUaVw3Taki
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"That's stupid."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5OatuQor7
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I felt out of place as they quarreled.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ud2uulFTj
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"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVnBAICFeU
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"...Yes?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLMzVptub6
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31Q554u1hL
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHUb2cxuZU
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ox2E5lTCh
"Yes, my lady."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5CKit0a6w
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4XiQaKE4d
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6ehzx7QJM
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LT0dp7SYV
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4QHO6HSR9
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVr3r3dDE1
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?109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM54n8gF0Sr
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtezFQ4C8y
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbZaaauTor
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ts42ZMzAH
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65WyogOXQA
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpuKRO1xY9
"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?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsluPaMk3s
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStbN2frlQA
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTfDiZEabc
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNchVX4VkfV
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXD5LAFXyj
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCVCUpu4GV
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGXCQ14tKv
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2oTwUOEO6
"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?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYTY4MmEB9
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSpnjWSaYM
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdZYQti0M9
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"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2226Ibq602
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjs05WWCzG
She scowled at me. Oops.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41LsB8ydw1
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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!"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN2YlI7Xdj
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknPqrQXofe
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG0i8Eyvwf
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mQDU3jk43
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK2kSONAcK
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I was suddenly invested.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA03AsBdjK
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgmMCF59ME
"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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGfc1NCEXc
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPZrF3mA1I
"Uh-huh."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U5jL3fMMs
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4S5iLzXqY
"I mean it. Forgive him."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ypQq3NQzT
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"O-Okay, I will."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7l7GlaWel
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"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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpf7EXWQE3
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Por0mcqdv
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo7XUhr2Pz
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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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaYDtwb6zk
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpYkOorPWR
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5oqn7tdyt
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"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtS4Bkk7Uj
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRcs9IqTKT
"I refuse."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWQoaeF1HZ
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The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IgHp2PAWp
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx9wT5ELH4
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zeUOkJhKs
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEoesseonb
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."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdnF5ygY0Y
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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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2brUw2qUK
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"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERgywWPmdH
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRX7qtuizb
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nMwTiGv3U
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1cfFekWdi
"Tea Mage...?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcDUmA6gfR
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp83EjCltGs
"I think his name is Freed."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWckyXzB5m
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9FyYMbqaM
"Oh, Freed."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ2VHWifQb
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn56ij2ddy
Her face twisted into a moue.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGQUftuvW2
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8j0J4nVSF
"I see. He must've refused, then."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzF3rgVhQc
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjTRdaGp5O
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZF2DBzwmN
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQkdzI0c66
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvCcdWfmjL
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOfmJzdeXv
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiupMwcQwb
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnC9kjn76z
"Is that thing also Exotica?"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsh8P5e6Yp
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlME7CP1wYk
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoOVKwHSL8
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoT8FKWP8T
"Right."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mpEJAkqP2
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMk3J5PaxN
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2Cls9oGnT
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mbjkvfw3j
"...It'll probably be fine."109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jq5fwHTrZ
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIOqD9iflZ
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQOLehUVHN
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmEh18wtnu
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.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNnY8s8BoA
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX09hmgf33
It made me look forward to the future.
