"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKatOfecUk
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqXNjTF7MR
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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZGMHdn6Wf
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXlWEMzOvm
I felt a vein bulge in my head.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDUzzbL6ox
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"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFIdQxKkKs
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5VHBPwORc
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSsY73lBjj
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0DWMtrj0c
"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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWgowtKId1
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DuA9sT50L
"I-Inside...?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISexYPYvuF
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcUjzxKzQA
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFQpCT4jiP
"It's so... shiny."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSugW8uXi6
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8VFedQaBt
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5McvizJ55
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0WdoZstVw
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrTJeBIxQs
"The Garden?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9tciMxypk
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"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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoVitIkosQ
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Uh9FeFCVH
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpGTSyj5Un
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDq8haDStx
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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi6FlP4Zil
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqNML9H6xG
"Hey, Kenny."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejxQkI7OsI
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHgfO12GoE
"What's the matter?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKodokiKEZr
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiMMJIgyd7
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycSA4jBgGx
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL921T7ZfH1
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjMgGpYMdX
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKmNgX7p1W
"The chandelier? What about it?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCAkRTi2IH
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCohj0VT861
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4xPt3xr6r
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAPnZQOuwz
"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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeqX8PR4Zk
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUawqROw2dg
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL8xxOQD2z
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB740tbMJZD
"Ah, that makes sense."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTOZVz1hzX
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2wPdpqOxB
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFkHIPul6K
"...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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMJXbrcQ9l
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"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp6ZEtL2Vz
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweDuzoSW9S
"I-I think he did."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRC2OveZBj
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYT594d4RJ
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"That's rude of him."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknc0jDWn3B
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"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp1h4rmnX7
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"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOFXRSWlHN
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttwWj20hXJ
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU8skdlp7c
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"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?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjVtEj0jfk
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuud3a1Fizj
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnD5BDWX2q
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2cOAaMhpK
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnCQfbtGyl
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Flinty let out a weird noise.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nT6HJd7y7
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"Mhm!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJur8yuF5CN
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupcZ7OL0Fw
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkka35iNdoA
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHqAHNJH7l
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKudAYSMged
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"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFAgV5dJg1
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The prince was bemoaning over something.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmldh5bLV7
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"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1uHNRauWC
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"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuHsFANtjv
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He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIszj9EWldc
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tdLB4NDGy
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvkdej0p1a
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I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtSany87fv
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"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks6Q5AQaCm
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"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!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q0n3oZBw9
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"That's... surprisingly sweet."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nZHE6nMBM
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"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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN5d49nYtC
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1CDamEb72
"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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtjSHV667F
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGlutflmA1
"...Really?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kQZDfGuvF
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"You're also incredibly obnoxious."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCzHoiwEdq
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"GAH!?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn14ty6M0oF
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"Huh!?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XVc6urOfx
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I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymRU6XmuK1
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO3AHOGWAB
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX8FYFFdd7
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHndgA8ASVN
"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!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl9vEl1Sel
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6AezPJ9Dj
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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP75gz7EvCE
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"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTQMxU1in7
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfMgK8XYQu
"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!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OmDoAks5N
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"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCuc5g0H5C
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeGZpfvB81
"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04H637Dcxb
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"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkyMce8QYX
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The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p6RqE07IC
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"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjogw3sY9sw
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKY21dhzd2
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6ISpBUmNZ
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCI1t5FB7N
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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDhUXU87ok
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"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cMnDlcyGj
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrL0HRU5DS
If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxmqymZmej
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosWVnIXniG
"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSWvHehZPu
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"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4WRNhbRC0
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"No."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1g6tr3P1E
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEMmPycipG
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIyccvKSvI
"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNvn0Spc6X
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lvLbYb3Up
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ukw7epa4O
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGH6hxs6ri
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"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1NSkZN0Ns
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"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyPZRieMFo
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkKDqavvh2
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBRViaxqXg
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"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyHkJ5bN7T
99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFimgy902F
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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwRCBsYw5O
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"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSy3HN7D95
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"--Hrk!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoenq3zVpj
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbhOw66dqG
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wG97YSK9a
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"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3HeaR0ioh
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–
–
–
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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8kL5kEyYG
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"I can't eat this."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoQjdmwuLx
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"I can't eat this."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9GvygTWWo
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The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpbY7qnGk3
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"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndkerMzEsC
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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–99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQnuSW4ofQ
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"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviPJoLJodD
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Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt9ZnTJNwn
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"Mister Chambers?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaA0zVEekf
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"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?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXy3rtHE3w
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"Right..."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGo4D1wGW3
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The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8MUBUMczR
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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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqLGLoYPsX
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"I see. And what are the details?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3hvtQYcr0
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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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUmVrnhUlN
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"A letter?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqWpzsOxe3
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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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4T6ri6msV
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"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhHwJNTsUX
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"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyOqJwst5d
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I widened my eyes a little.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps8CvXVHRD
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"Really? Who's working with me?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqGMbA3oFH
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The prince gave me a stern shrug.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxopJH7NKd
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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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCHY0ujbYu
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"That's relieving."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AiFKXXGzs
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I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS01BDHU3I
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQguPJ1XtF
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"How far did you say the village was again?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVl465EXQb
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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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUFmZ4XO8N
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"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5z5Hb3juW
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IHxUDS4s3
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"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8zb3OF6y5
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"..."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVJhWtAPAm
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBsDWnS1HT
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"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX0J11cKbs
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"I see."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus1Yw4kBst
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSQNtGwBfr
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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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM4ZMZIF7w
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHxizXbl25
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"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxn4tKr5L4
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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!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC4sNd548S
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7S86UK6cY
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"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbALGKnYjd
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"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWOeA5ovpZ
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsZTMNxLJW
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"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5GPrd2eWy
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"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlT13ItBQU
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"What is it?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMXk4f2cPU
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"Can I... maybe join the operation–"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMt6x7VDUF
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfpvKvLEBX
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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."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrb0XstOip
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"...I see."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSFZ3Pq2xS
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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.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GXxlVIGrE
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"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGYfcJRuUM
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I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB1tXv35yw
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"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JBYtxBomK
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"...Yes?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomse4DEDn3
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"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUehRKBecPU
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"No."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcw2TTmGbI
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"Oh."99Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFqGd0qU7n
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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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