"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY0FkVVm6J
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQJ9mdc9my
The coachman bowed before us. He was kind and polite, so I felt a little wrong about what I was about to say.
"Thank you. Can I make a report on the man who rode with us? He attacked me and my friend."
The coachman released an exhausted sigh. I lightly chuckled.
"I apologize, sir, but I'm currently unable to do anything about it."
"...I don't mean to be rude, but he attacked us. No, 'attacked' isn't right, he assaulted us. I can't just stand by and let someone like that walk away scott-free."
"As we are in the realm of His Majesty, we cannot reprimand him. However, after the ride back, we will gladly put him under arrest."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2euSeIxZI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNQXPDpnWd
I felt a vein bulge in my head.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp5Ai30t29
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsf4cd8Fsy
"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SPsPThWwI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Mssx739O
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBJNcjBjTB
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfti4yV9q2
"Listen, we're perfectly aware. But that man is a special person, and we are in very special times. I promise that you won't go unheard, okay? Just avoid making a scene."
"...Fine. Flinty, let's go."
Figuring that arguing wouldn't get me anywhere, I turned back to motion Flinty. She had her face pointed to the sky. After I called her, she awkwardly shrunk.
"R-Right. Sorry, it's just that this place looks way bigger up close."
"Wait until you see the inside."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb0BcJrrZf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweunMUi1ug
"I-Inside...?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn2ggWlZn8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznOQtTkXQ6
She repeated my last word with an astonished breath. When we made it to the guard, I handed him my card. After a short inspection of our bodies, he gently bowed to us and led us through one of the three doors. Flinty covered her face for a moment before taking in the view.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaWdxYOnqL
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeKZKR4p0N
"It's so... shiny."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZRy4YkFlZ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxH5fKQ3qH
The interior of the building was clad in marble and avant-garde designs scribbled throughout the floor and ceiling. No one column holding the interior had the same design; they each possessed an exaggerated illustration of an animal, some I didn't recognize.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsZoXYDAcq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs5tVfKn14
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco4oBhM3Kx
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnBXHiuuX1
"The Garden?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eRKwnLXj7
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jgtJyTACD
"That's where the plants are," I replied, "It's a lot smaller than you'd expect, and it's all indoors, but they have some wonderful specimens in there."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpXh49GcTm
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5wd0FOz6z
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0TvMKeG9f
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhsLp7fkgn
We traveled up a set of stairs. Even the steps were polished and spotless, which made me feel slightly guilty about stepping on them. Once we arrived at the second floor, we traveled down a lengthy hallway.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6S9zpRtAg
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO5W9BEsCA
"Hey, Kenny."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6au79xt2Gw
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnItBdcvGo
"What's the matter?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mo127bP6D
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSVq1KWNxa
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTWMYVYEpI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWy2PpNKpw
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTSzcCIM0h
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYRa7WkUDs
"The chandelier? What about it?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbpgZ7N8Tn
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ANTDtdmy9
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xoZemrA4n
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaOTWRkMR1
"It's pretty, but I can't help but think it's overkill. And just look at that lone little chain keeping it hanging; it looks like it's gonna break any second."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjnhJPg1Cy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA1LecrkD7
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWV8vFuNXG
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDVtyFVPC1
"Ah, that makes sense."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiZTtv6Asf
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMECPlUhGE
I wouldn't put it past royal mages to know mana suspension of that degree. It was likely an earth infusion, or maybe the mage just had dense mana. Either way, it made me wonder how many more appliances in this building had mana in them. I immediately thought of the doors, but considering how many we've passed in this hallway alone, that seemed unlikely.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0lZdBJeEY
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPUKwubfnn
"...Then again, this building is quite old, isn't it– oop!"
I broke out of ruminating when I ran into the back of the guard. He stopped moving. and I could tell by the side of his face that he was surprised. I peered around his body to see what it was that he was seeing.
"...Oh no."
White hair, green eyes, crossed arms; these features were exhibited by a young boy in an exquisite outfit. The boy had two guards behind him.
His eyes met mine. His smirk turned from childish to demonic. I took a few steps back and bumped into Flinty.
"Kenny? What's wrong? What are you two looking at?"
She peeked over the guard and saw him. Unlike me, however, her face lit up with an excited gasp.
"It's the prince!"
I already began turning, but before my legs could locomote, Flinty's fingers wrapped around my wrist.
"Kenny, it's the prince!"
"I know! Why do you think I'm trying to–"
"Mister Chambers!"
His squeaky screech echoed through the hallway, reverberating my name.
"I order you all to have dinner with me!"
I looked over my shoulder. Flinty's face was as bright as the sun.
Sighing, I resigned myself to the situation, following Prince Orice's unreasonable order.
–
–
–
Maybe I shouldn't have been so distraught upon meeting the prince. Thinking about it with a calmer mind, it was bound to happen eventually. I was frankly surprised it took over ten visits here for me to meet him.
"I finally had a chance to sneak out this time!"
That was his response when I inquired him, spoken as if he was shamelessly proud of himself. He was shamelessly proud of himself, actually. It only made my impression of him worse.
The two guards who were tailgating him were the same two goons I made total fools out of all those weeks ago. They were also inadvertently the reason why I got my decrepit nickname, but I knew better not to blame them.
If anything, it was me. Though I wanted to berate the prince, it was me.
"So, why have you called us to this room?"
"I already told you. It's so that we can eat together!"
Flinty and I were sitting by each other on different couches. The prince was sitting across from us on one of his own, but I could tell that his was much more comfortable than ours.
"You say it's so we can eat, but I'm not seeing any food on the table."
"Just be patient. It'll come in a jiffy."
"In a jiffy..."
I repeated his peculiar phrase under my breath. It looked like waiting was an inevitability.
"I just wanted to see the plants, man..."
"You'll see them after our dinner, I promise! I just need to discuss things with you. First, some important business, and then some other business."
"Important business? That's hard to believe."
"Then get ready to be surprised."
We sat in silence, intently gazing at each other.
"Aren't you going to tell me?"
"I'll do it over food. I read somewhere that talking over food helps build bonds the best."
"Fine. I'll wait. Yell at me when the food is here."
My body sank into the couch. I closed my eyes and leaned back. The couch put me in a tranquil state, and despite my intentions, I could feel myself lulled to sleep. My senses were being severed from the outside world.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEEm70oH9T
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZapBf8mpOO
"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCkNzENPVe
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkDuhLPgMS
"I-I think he did."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzQ1MUCDFV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL8e9SzR3j
The prince's and Flinty's voices dragged me back to consciousness. However, noting that they thought I was unconscious, I decided to play the part and see what would happen. I had a bubbly feeling in my chest. I was becoming giddy. I was convinced I had devised the most meticulous scheme ever.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HlVEYaXoi
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"That's rude of him."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ItDnwVEBv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Q9obRDjz
"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOOi19Sb2t
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox6MJt2lc9
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEpkOuboqV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehHibxUE9K
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmVStzLD6D
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh7gaLkbPk
"Of course I do, I'm just pulling your leg! You're the girl who was kidnapped by those two corrupt knights. What was your name again?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pDUaDyBai
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLprquQCS9
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HGw8SimTO
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhdKkmbNKs
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhJLmkfCFX
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXfWdGL4zP
Flinty let out a weird noise.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuMUP6aST0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy1TO2XM9g
"Mhm!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gqoKAF4NQ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FAPSRP4H0
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpZ3MRpYTA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vGLkPuVZD
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6kRToWNF8
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwEbIOLoIu
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fmVn9x9n1
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpA3hRioWL
The prince was bemoaning over something.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0FlD1pvvq
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59dIJaWSVn
"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFwwuEehck
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlATurJNejA
"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0MC6rGo3l
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He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXzghHO3xR
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjyC0Sf8JD
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3QMBWPG6t
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC36eDJnQsd
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv6gkxgFix
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpXh0pagJD
"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEN3EvvXdC
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCVN3H5LfU
"I've never seen anyone as brave as him; just think about it, he saw two adults ganging up on one kid, and he beat them up! He was much smaller and younger. By all means, he should've turned his tail and ran, but he didn't! I've only ever seen Skylark act like that. Everyone else is too big of a wuss, but not Mister Chambers– and even better, he's just a little older than me! He's not some adult who scolds me for everything I do or watches me like a hawk. He's a little boy, just like me!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe3rqUTDhy
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByPlZs1UeJ
"That's... surprisingly sweet."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhSXsOP8jW
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mTMHAeXbf
"I'm trying to get in his good graces, but for some reason, nothing I do seems to work. I'm starting to think that he just doesn't like me."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTYD29cM32
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXLywpVjXa
"O-Oh, I'm sure it's not that. It's just, well, from what I've heard of him, you always seem to meet him at the wrong times."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC23B6RoAW4
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv4zGWYSfM
"...Really?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYnej04Fvv
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHCBxTKYCT
"You're also incredibly obnoxious."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9BtxshiNE
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhksExfqXU
"GAH!?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB3y1nQ8P0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1YwgAB041
"Huh!?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKygGbwye0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfjKKIZfCa
I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVVnHIvcC9
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC56oUSJru7
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QbjAa31WH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdUYK7DfaJ
"Nevermind that. What Flinty said was right, but what you said was even more right. I don't like you very much, I'm sorry– ack!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKqI2CWZ51
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFV5dLsmDw
I felt something blunt hit my shoulder. Flinty was looking at me with beady eyes with her fist against me. I looked back at the prince, who had a perturbed expression. He quickly looked down at the table and pinched his chin, whispering something to himself.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWBm3mxluH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3SWmAGmbz
"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0q5BseIXA
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGJaDtjHPM
"I-Is he really being so nice? He barged in and forced us to eat with him, and he still hasn't apologized for chasing me last time!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzlEV6GvNS
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3YiFXGOr9
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVF2oLrNe0
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdhhuy624n
"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmipjtRC42s
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42KC8mLvHl
"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMeV1y4OHh
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYXf4g6XXM
The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoVZSGyFKo
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUuasMID8f
"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3Kb1RwqF3
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYFZhhPYjS
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkm5geiYFH
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzn5GT0HoN
Flinty stuck her tongue out. Something about this felt strange; why was I being painted as the enemy here? I looked at the prince, who was still bowing. He kept lowering his body. His hands were balled into fists. They were quaking.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAZ6OdJeRV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡex9KhoMbyP
"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5RjtMhP5i
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5imizVi75
If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxQYBhQe0h
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDut3iT2fd
"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTNFiLQmqI
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8rDY5BkCQ
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22Nk7tQsk6
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzA2gqV6X6
"No."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yz1pVCJ4r
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhQsztkOwg
He sank into his couch with a deep frown. I looked at Flinty to gauge her thoughts and she just lightly shrugged at me with a sigh. The situation was satisfactory, then.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9NmAZ8A4N
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"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkTEFCHHxd
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5jyGevMlD
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE2j4XqPu5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsiMuDRL9j
He looked at me. I was expecting him to stick his tongue out at me as well, but he just looked deeply sad. Somehow his frown grew even more profound, it almost looked inhuman.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5Y7yMEjxV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZEAIrxiHg
"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftpkIkED9i
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRfkirPSIC
"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCR5XNveaT
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrxT58VC7E
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG7thpms9T
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYX5hI5VyJ
"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd7qwX5EZZ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX8QhhrBj9
The prince shook his head in a satisfied manner, the frown entirely departed from his face. I was beginning to wonder why he was acting the way he was, but recalling what he said earlier, I had a clue as to why.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81EQtywiV5
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KBoEpAthZ
"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqQV6wYaAz
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTumByAKjc7
"--Hrk!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XGZG09DyE
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72Oi5NvAiS
I hit a sour spot. I nodded while making an 'ahhh' sound. Of course, it was the only explanation. I was also insufferable when I stopped talking to people, after all.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76cz4Db6Zl
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4kkSrAn50
The prince looked down at the table again. I didn't have a chance to press him further, however, because a group of people carrying plates and glasses barged into the room.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33Stj5J4OU
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33z3PRYgZH
"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD1eVaCDYJ
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQpfdxNNuK
–
–
–
I struggled to comprehend the thing that was before me. Calling it food felt disingenuous because what I was looking at was more like gold painted as if it was food. I was convinced the moment that I took a bite out of the piece of meat before me, my teeth would shatter like glass. My fork would likely bend and bust before that, though. But these were just expectations; I had to confirm them. Therefore, I poked the meat. It wasn't hard, it wasn't heavy; the surface recessed inward as my finger pushed against it. It wasn't a precious metal in the shape of a meal. It was a meal.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhnM9KdR7e
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjO4sW7jHL
"I can't eat this."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPsgoyJDVF
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAh1Z0Q2yk
"I can't eat this."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL0qNQCLUV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYfxwoMnIr
The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgqJ3uUlpU
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEQpNuLthI
"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSIiKFjqP3
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Flinty nodded and motioned for her fork but I didn't move. I was comfortable calling myself starstruck. Time seemed to slow down the longer I gazed at the meat. Before I knew it–77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtyIoWV4gi
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"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLKkRCVUTm
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5Ynw60axc
Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTPq6EAcUi
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"Mister Chambers?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MlUzVAvhV
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY97gwaeRgh
"What?"
"Let's talk about the business I mentioned earlier. But first, at least try what was cooked for you. I promise it won't disappoint."
"I feel bad even thinking about eating it, but if you insist."
I grabbed a fork and stuck it in the meat. The chunk came off with little resistance. Blood trickled from the inside onto the plate. I put it in my mouth and slowly began chewing.
"Well?"
"...It's incredible, but, what type of meat is this?"
"Aviartidae. They're quite common in the badlands. They're like vultures, but–"
"But they're monsters, yes. So, what's this business about?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprHfwZpX7j
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"Right..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTt1asPRbW
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoNhkZ5ayC
The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF2hdbk2Cv
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"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMyLrhCzya
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"I see. And what are the details?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSMcWwCVBF
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"I was just getting to that! Well, never mind, it's more or less an escort mission, except you aren't escorting anybody in particular, you're escorting a letter to be sent."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mFQCstsUv
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"A letter?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Fz2RAHUl
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"Yep. There's a town a few days away on horseback called Kommunikatsiya. It's one of the central hubs for communication here in the Southern Country, overseen by The Zariel Kingdom. Your goal is to deliver a letter to the foreign communications center, and that's about it. All the other details will be covered by the letter itself."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk1BiE1eV4
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"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTouJSfufGL
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"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHVNv8LbBY
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I widened my eyes a little.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnvdsNasqr
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"Really? Who's working with me?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcYncxSFyv
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The prince gave me a stern shrug.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkXByOsDd4
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"I dunno. My mom and sister are the ones operating this whole ordeal. Whoever they'll be though, they'll be on your strength level."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hLmJe2bBe
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"That's relieving."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraKD5jDmkE
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I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHsUy7SelG
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I didn't have any plans for the next week, but I already knew the Tea Mage was going to be angry hearing this news. It was likely to take well over a week, maybe even two or three if we ran into problems.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrdugmPHVr
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"How far did you say the village was again?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWnDTJVGfW
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"It'll take five days on carriage if everything goes smoothly. Don't worry about travel expenses, by the way, we've got that covered."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxqrpqssK8
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"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe34L8d3r6a
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I picked my fork back up but paused before I stuck it into the meat. I had a sudden epiphany about what the prince was saying.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYlAcJ4EpV
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"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZH73Hs0Bk
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"..."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iyq1H0GZ9
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The prince's expression turned pensive. It was clear to me that he wasn't well informed about this information. If I had to guess, the princess was the one who was supposed to relay this to me.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW1vBk84ik
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"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsokx3uSIhg
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"I see."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTOq2T1lcz
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Recalling what the princess told me a few months ago, it suddenly put the operation into perspective. I already began making guesses as to what the letter was about. It could've been a call to arms of some sort, or maybe a letter to get a negotiation with the Eastern Country started.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvgSH8Pk97
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"Since the Eastern Country is an empire, they're a pretty aggressive nation. This whole mission is vital, but it's also imperative that it's concealed."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK9hPCIOzl
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I nodded along to his words, taking another bite from the ambrosia before me. I didn't have any strong feelings about the situation, to my surprise. Something like this coming up was always in the back of my mind; I was frankly confused as to why it took this long to happen.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFqSuReinJ
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"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SNZ2K57OZ
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"Yes," the prince answered, and then his face suddenly turned pale as he covered his mouth with both hands, "You, Flinty, you weren't supposed to hear any of this! Crap!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X9GyPdCeq
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Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFy0L6OPFX
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"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtWfkWAcjD
77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeluX79iny2
"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSMzdTVYMQ
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The prince looked a little swayed, but what worried me wasn't him, but the two goons who were behind him. They were giving each other quizzical looks, and I could already guess what they were thinking.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKduT9zIXm
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"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ7gq25u2n
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"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D7690y56G
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"What is it?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRDGasuOiL
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"Can I... maybe join the operation–"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH25luMHDZ
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"Absolutely not," I declared. It wasn't because I feared for her safety, though I did, it was because I already ascertained that this mission was way out of her league.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO2DslXBau
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"Yeah, no shot, Flinty," the prince said "Nothing against you, but if we have two kids on this operation, not only will it be embarrassing, but it will also call our morality as a kingdom into question."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6h9khk3sA
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"...I see."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaQJTqqOkt
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She let out a dejected response, but from the tone of her voice, it was obvious that she expected such an answer. She quickly shook off her disappointment with a shrug and kept eating her food.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSH9sCYjmf
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"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ01xKWHySM
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I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75RYvgjUcQ
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"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF0c7k0lW3
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"...Yes?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDuhzYqj13
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"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiSKAiOe0R
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"No."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKcV6a35D1
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"Oh."77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjQORUMbEz
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–
–
–
"...Ah, here we are."
I finally arrived at my intended destination. Closing the door behind me, I entered a room where the floor itself was dirt and grass. Calling it a room almost felt insulting, because it felt as if I had stepped into a secret facet of nature.
This was the royal palace's garden. I took a deep breath through my nostrils.
I was entirely alone here. Flinty, for whatever reason, insisted on staying with the prince in the dining room. She seemed to be trying to get in his good graces, which I would've called an intelligent and strategic maneuver were it not for Flinty's amiable nature, which made the real reason obvious.
Admittedly, in the back of my mind, I had a suspicion that she just didn't want to see the plants. To an extent, I was probably right.
Anyway–
"Now, which one do I choose?"
I wasn't just here to marvel and study the magical plants. Since it was the second Wednesday of the month, I was permitted to intake one magical plant of my choosing into the tendril. If I didn't have such a restriction, I would've absorbed them all in one week and have no reason to visit again, effectively crumbling the agreement the princess and I made.
At least, those were the words my supervisor said, who just so happened to be–
"...Roy, I understand you're only 'fulfilling your duty', but you're far, far too close."
Looming behind me like a demon in my sleep was a gray-haired man in a robe. He was holding a wand about two heads taller than me while the magic stone was nearly the size of my head. It was an exceedingly rare feature for Exotica, but that was becoming of someone like him.
"If I let you become too greedy now, then my status as Royal Mage would be meaningless."
"I'm not asking for much. Just, please take a few steps back?"
Surprisingly, he did, but calling them 'steps' was generous. I sighed and ceased making an appeal. It was obvious I'd be getting nowhere doing that.
So instead, I ventured through the garden and scouted the catalog of magical plants. Most of the garden was composed of common vegetation, but the magical plants were placed in blatant places, almost as if they were begging you to come and tear them off their stems.
Unfortunately, though the garden had a plethora of magical plants, it only had a handful of unique species. I was able to identify them thanks to my tome, and by that, I made a pecking order on which plants I should absorb the soonest. However, as I scanned all these precious Exotica, I began to think about the definitive pecking order I've created.
Ordinarily, I would've gone for the Silk-Bloom, which excretes exactly what the name implies. But in light of the recent mission I've been tasked with, my consideration juggled between the Silk-Bloom and two other ones.
"What's taking you so long? You usually pick one and leave by this time."
"Shut up! Simply admiring the plants is part of my promised time here too!"
Telling Roy a half-truth, I continued pondering the situation. Aside from the Silk-Boom, I had considered intaking the Blover and the Spit-Blossom. I had no doubts that, when pushed to the limits, these plants could perform extraordinary feats, much like the Freeze-Dry. But choosing between the two was possible. They both had their benefits, after all.
"I implore you to hurry up before I grow suspicious and do something by accident."
"Threatening me is just gonna make me nervous. Who do you think I am anyway?"
Blover, or Spit-Blossom? The former could produce harsh winds, while the latter expelled sturdy projectiles.
"...Wait."
When I thought about it that way, and when I considered the plants I already possessed in my arsenal, the choice became clear as day. Therefore, I walked up to the plant in the shape of a gallant clover and kneeled beside it.
"Finally. You were very close to suspiciously and mysteriously bursting into flames."
"Uh-huh."
After I finished intaking the plant, I stood up and walked to the exit. Roy stopped before me and bowed slightly.
"Safe travels. I sincerely hope you found your time at the palace pleasant and useful."
"I certainly did. For the most part, at least. Thank you for your service."
I bowed back at him, and we exchanged nods. I walked through the door and found myself back in the hallway. To my surprise, Flinty was outside waiting for me, but she wasn't with the prince.
"Hi! Did you enjoy your time with the plants?"
"Yeah, my tendril has a new one, too. Anyway, Flinty, where's the prince?"
She scratched her cheek and nervously laughed.
"Commander Skylark found us in the dining room and, well..."
"I can imagine. He must've thrown quite a tantrum."
"Not really? He was putting up a good fight, though."
I snorted.
"Yeah, I can imagine."
Flinty and I traversed the hallway. We met up with the guard from earlier by the staircase. He looked relieved for some reason. We made it down the stairs and traversed the halls quietly. But, before we left, an unfortunately familiar face was standing by the palace doors.
Except, he wasn't alone.
"Mm, yes, Kenneth, girl, I see you two have finished your business."
The man from the carriage was standing there, surrounded by guards who had their spears pointed at him. Except, from their apparel, I could tell they weren't ordinary guards. They were likely elites of some kind. He seemed completely unbothered by it though, wearing the same grin he's always had.
"What... happened to you?" I asked.
"I proposed, but the queen selfishly rejected it. I've calmed down since then, yet these dregs insist that they keep watch over me."
"Really. Color me surprised."
I sighed, somehow unsurprised that things turned out this way. But I suddenly had a new concern appear in my mind.
"W-Wait, how are we going to get back?"
"Mm, well, I'm forced to stay here for the time being, so you two may take the carriage back without me."
"Huh!?"
His face hadn't changed one bit, so his words were entirely serious, but I still couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't get a chance to ask any further questions because the guards pushed the man to move.
"Ah, careful, fools, I have no interest in getting my clothes dirty."
"Just move it along," one of the guards responded. The group walked by Flinty and me. I let out a sigh, relieved that–
"Kenneth, before I leave, I must grant you my name!"
I turned my head back. The man was walking backward.
"My name is Kostik Coyote. You'd do well to remember it!"
His voice reverberated throughout the building. The man, Kostik, disappeared into the hallway.
"What a nutcase."
Flinty of all people muttered that comment. I couldn't have agreed more.
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