I couldn't even grant the thing the credit for being inconspicuous. At the very least, one of the dozen kindred houses lining the city streets would deter suspicion. But a flower shop?71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolthPwnzRu
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQYFsIBOtV
"It may look silly," Dave started, "But don't let its exterior deceive you. This is likely the safest building in the city."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj3Xd0PjX0
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7mMNHWDkG
"How?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW61XDJCH1q
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqRne1aN3h
I asked the natural question. Dave didn't turn to reply, nor did he reply at all. He lowered his stance and scanned the street before bolting with Pars to the shop's doors. They made it halfway across before I even thought to follow them.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwGTkeKwG7
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59LjR15voK
I did a quick inspection of my own, and when I found the streets to be clear I ran across the road as well. The two entered the shop immediately. Pars motioned Juke and I to hurry on in, and so we did.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKPv3w89ya
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObLj4ti5cX
"Are ya sure we ain't gonna get caught in here?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLgNSAl21u
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt6f1pM33J
Pars turned to answer Juke.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmEmbfg7DZ
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGSJ221vxl
"Honestly, with how little numbers Hard-Bringer seems to have brought here, we could be in broad daylight without being found out. But we aren't so stupid, of course. There's a reason why we picked this shop in particular."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pGntolqh8
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgKTBAuVlt
"That so, eh?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahEEXwAgjM
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZggA8rPtkt
Pars nodded with a strangely satisfied smile before shutting the door and venturing deeper into the shop. I followed him, watching my steps and arms to not topple any products over, quietly observing the shop.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAj2Dd4uy9
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrwyRZ2Ywi
The nature of the store reminded me of myself. It was a flower shop, so of course, there were several flowers, potted and not, set for display on shelves, tables, and vases. I could tell that none of the plants were magical, but it wasn't too disappointing. The colors of the flowers made me uneasy. They were darkened shades of blue, green, and red, and a few of them were flecked shades of brown. It seemed like even the flora in this city was despondent.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7WEyOfICq
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CLngwfTAl
My browsing was cut short by our lead coming to a stop. Pars stood before the register, and I peeked around him to see a creature with a scowl so foul I could smell it. I nearly flinched in surprise but collected myself when I realized that I was looking at a human being. Pars leaned on the countertop and began to speak.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdLGsNubkM
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXGMGO00oq
"Hey Becker, how's the–"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigBdtOqAYP
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuGWy8HenA
"Go and hole up with all the other pissy prairie dogs."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GkjsTrQCA
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrOsBxyvvi
Pars remained silent for a moment before straightening himself and simply nodding. Perplexed, I didn't follow him, and my fixed gaze gave way to direct eye contact with the grouchy man. My attention shifted to the dozens of protruding blackheads on his face. His scowl became more scrunched, yet I didn't have the will to look away.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb13R0f3IB
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIduv4kloJ
"Are you a kid?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsZoojgWfA
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCQmvai5s7
"H-Huh!?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CF6BjsI6k
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSuSBhtnhu
An innocent question like that was the last thing I expected to leave from his mouth.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUtJaVV60G
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsAfs2geky
"I said, are you a kid?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd8T8Fpql5
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaULag1fYw0
"I-I, yes, I am."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcR8UuEZRJ
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS74VThXZt
He scoffed and scratched his chubby chin.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzOwfd7Cw4
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3qaFrWn7X
"But you're standing here with all these adults. You're pretending like you're not a kid."
He turned his eyes away from me and narrowed them. I didn't say anything. I couldn't begin thinking of a response.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwc6IUrpAx
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeTtN5AbyN
"Go on, follow that idiot, he'll lead you to the others."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQcgFBSA4m
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjB8fXxllT
The man raised his hand to brush me away, then returned to reading a paper. Though I was still shell-shocked, I followed his orders as if it was the only thing I knew how to do. When I arrived by Pars, Juke was already with him, and Pars gave me a concerned look.
"Did he give you a hard time?"
"I'm, not sure. He said something that stumped me."
Pars' eyes widened a little.
"I'm surprised he didn't chew you out. It's that rotten attitude of his that makes him such a good deterrent for unwelcome visitors."
"Is that so?"
He nodded and put his hand on the door.
"Down here, you'll find the basement. That's where everyone else is."
Pars went downstairs, and Juke followed him down. He looked at me before he committed to descending.
"The hell did that old fart tell ya?"
I blankly stared at him and pondered. It hurt to think about his words. I decided to set it aside and worry about it later.
I've been doing that a lot as of late.
"It was nothing. Just drivel."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHIT82uaZB
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekwSdfLMIV
He took my answer at face value and walked down the steps. I followed. The lighting was poor; dim, arranged lanterns were keeping the place illuminated. The basement walls were coated in a dark beige color. They looked intimidating from my peripheral vision.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR7HRCa8HB
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB38QiCF6w9
"This is the entrance room," Pars started, "The basement here is confusing since all the rooms are identical in their features, but the important ones have more lighting than others."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1KoPQO8NU
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLv8BlFgDE
"Where's the place to sleep?" Juke asked.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkWZr9Edyz
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcTtCexbwV
"You get right to the point. The living quarters are through this door and in the room to the right."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOmyLGaEnj
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FUvV0VPac
Pars pointed at the door in question. Juke wasted no time waltzing through the door. From what I heard through the wall, he went into the living quarters right after, but I didn't have to hear it to know what would happen.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfrL5msHoH
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74pXhrD5Xi
"These walls are remarkably thin," I commented.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSuNtXVmNp
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGOrzHD7dZ
"That they are. Well, if you want to go and meet everyone, I'm sure they're in the living quarters."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfdZevJBSS
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjwsk9ZZfZ
"They're in the living quarters... so Rover is there?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5KjiQ4NxD
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdpqMKTPNO
"She likely is. Well, will you go say hi?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjN1wEBTtu
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMepw3ZS0v
A spark of utter contempt for Pars rose for a moment. Simultaneously, I felt my chest grow heavy, like a bucket of gravel was being dumped into my soul.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rcmQVWpks
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpebXwt3JY
"I need more time. I'll spend my time elsewhere. What other rooms does this place have?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzJoqtt6sK
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwll7hW2a0
I looked at him inquisitively, but all I received was a grumpy frown.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrd5eMQp20
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHojRo7zcRV
"W-What?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLXl6NysRB
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpReNJgfaC
"Come on, head over to the living quarters. There's no use in–"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1RYYK218f
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXipJ5hoq8
"I am absolutely not doing that. It's unnegotiable"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTttYHqmoo4
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwta5jMiTk
Pars' shoulders drooped but he quickly shrugged them and turned the other way.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYOzBfTyRA
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0AM8muzzG
"Suit yourself. But I'll tell her that you're here."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhM8o7x21A
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yeKCbwNAT
For a second, I was about to reproach him, but considering how brazenly Juke entered the room, all I had to say way–71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9Xw16ZIO2
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXfRto0ZHc
"That's fine. Just don't tell her any lies about me. You know the kind."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXPHDllgP1
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9RCtjjchn
"I'd never."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUnrE7cbPB
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUpYVRin23
He walked through the door, leaving me to my own devices. Whether he was honest about never telling her was entirely up to his whims, and I was too agitated to confront him. With nothing else to do, I walked through the door and found myself in a much more bright room, lit up by a ceiling lamp. The lights made the homogenous design of the basement swell. I grew sick of it quickly, so I wanted to leave the area immediately. I had the choice between going forward or left. I didn't think much before choosing to go left.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFgzxZfwRH
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61FxMH1kRW
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yPch34UpW
I opened the door to a dusty room as poorly lit as the first one. There was a table in the center with a plethora of lanterns beside what looked like a map, but most of them weren't lit. I stepped forward but struggled to see the contents of the map. It wasn't just because the room was dark, but because the table was abnormally tall.
"Is there a stool here?"
I asked the question to nobody in particular before scanning the room. My surprise when I heard a response almost burst my heart.
"Who's there?"
I felt like I had just been caught committing a heinous crime. It was silly, and I realized that, but my body froze all the same. I struggled to collect myself, and I only fared worse once I heard them speak again.
"Seriously, who's there?"
It was the voice of a woman. No, a woman wasn't right, more like a girl who sounded particularly mature. Her second question had a harsher tone, and yet, I felt no pressure to answer. At that moment, I wanted nothing more but to leave the room. I had to act quickly.
"Don't mind me," I answered in an embarrassingly deep voice, "I was only idly walking by. I'll leave you alone for now–"
"I don't recognize that voice. Who are you?"
I heard footsteps from the shadows. I quickly stepped away from the lantern and hugged the wall as Rover's visage came into view. Her hand was on the hilt of her rapier. That was the extent to which I could see her.
"I can see you. You're freaking tiny! There's no way you're a Bringer. Did Pars and David bring in a midget or something?"
"..."
At the very least, Rover was unabashedly herself. That was terrible news for me. I kept hugging the wall, stock still as I thought of what actions to take.
"Heh, did I scare ya? Well, I may be strong, but we're on the same side here. My name's Rover! I'm trying to get along with everyone, so let's be friendly!"
I considered taking my tendril and producing a spore-bloom, but Rover would instantly recognize me if I did that. I had to think outside the box– produce an unorthodox solution. Running to the door would do me no good.
And so, I ran my mouth, leaving it to my improvisational skills.
"I apologize, but I can't... I can't give you my name."
"Eh? Why not?"
"It is because I am terribly afraid of women. If you would excuse me, then– what's that look for?"
Even through the darkness, I could see Rover's expression alter. Whatever face she was making, I knew I was worse off than before.
"Hold on, I recognize that way of talking..."
It was do or die. I sighed and brandished my right arm. But for the minute that it lingered there, the tendril never came.
"K-Kenny!?"
My arm was shaking. It wasn't out of fear, but restraint. Restraint I didn't even know I had, but now that it showed itself, it was obviously always there.
I couldn't release my tendril on her. I simply couldn't. But I couldn't answer her question, nor could I speak, nor could I do anything that I wanted to at the moment. I had to leave; it wasn't a desire at that point, I simply had to. I had to.
And so, I turned tail and bolted to the door, nearly breaking the knob as I opened it and fell to the other side. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, but to my surprise, I didn't hear any banging. To my surprise, I didn't even hear a word from her.
To my surprise, I didn't see her even reach for me as I ran away.
I had no idea what to make of it, nor were these matters particularly important to me. All that mattered was that she'd stay on that side of the door, that I wouldn't have to speak to her. Because if I did, I'd be–
"..."
I was shaking. I was reminded of the woods. This old feeling that I was battling with not even a day ago.
I couldn't see her. It wasn't because I didn't want to, I just couldn't. I couldn't. I couldn't.
It was frightening.
–
–
–
I didn't know how much time had passed since I sat by the door, but I knew it couldn't have been for long. I grew tired of having my legs sandwiched between my knees quickly. I raised my head and faced the mono-colored walls of the room. The lamp's buzzing was cacophonous. I didn't jive with this place, so I stood up and stretched a little. Somehow, I was unbothered by leaving the door unattended. I just knew Rover wouldn't try to open it.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys5W8Nw5X7
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiktTFqJPgh
"..."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHKE5GWQNC
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQY4D03bFo
That sucked, I wanted to say, but if I let out a thought right now I'd have people unintentionally hearing me. I was still jittery from my encounter; I didn't want to be bothered at the moment. Though, that did raise an obvious question: where would I go from here?71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W7g8Tu370
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtOpbckHCM
My memory stated the room across from me was the living quarters. I didn't want to go there at the moment, so the only way I could go was to my left. I walked to the door and opened it.
The room on the other side had a jarring shift of architecture. The walls were no longer colored beige– there weren't any walls at all. Wood engulfed everything in my view. Seeing the framework of the basement made me hesitant to step in, but as I saw two people in the room already, I crossed the threshold. Funnily enough, one of the people was Dave, while the other was a woman in a uniform of sorts. I didn't recognize her until I noticed her distinct silver hair.
"Kenny. How are you faring?"
"I'm... fine. What about her?"
I walked closer to Lola. She was in a chair and leaning on the table. If it weren't for her bilious groans, I would've assumed that she was asleep.
"She's drunk," Dave replied while holding up a bottle, "It's a shame. I wanted to break the news to her, but she can hardly keep her head up."
"The news? Do you mean what I told Pars about the raptors?"
Dave nodded in reply. I brought my finger to my mouth and chomped on it. We stared at her intoxicated self for a while, and I was starting to get sheepish. I decided to start a conversation.
"What should we do?"
"Don't use language like that, my business with her isn't any of your concern. But, unless you know External Mana Spinning, we'll just wait until she detoxes herself."
"External Mana Spinning... well, maybe if she was a plant..."
I spoke under my breath then let out a sigh. If I knew I'd be dealing with a drunkard, then I would've brought a potion for the occasion. Alas, hindsight is prime sight. With nothing else to do, I moseyed to the table and took a seat, fiddling with my fingers.
And then, something terrifying happened.
"--hurr?"
A noise, far louder and less gravely than the perpetual groans, erupted from Lola. She suddenly jerked her head up. One of her eyes was drooping, while the other was struggling to focus. I exchanged mock eye contact with her. She rubbed her eyes; it achieved nothing but she looked over at Dave and then at me.
"D-Dave... that short guy... Kenny?"
"Yes, madam."
Her eyes widened profusely. The moment Dave uttered his confirmation, she scrambled to collect herself, placing a hand on her chest to start mana spinning and throwing the bottle she wasn't holding at a nearby trash can. Dave walked to the trashcan and gently disposed of it in her stead. A few minutes passed by until Lola finished mana spinning. She gave me a gentle smile, a far cry from the mumbling, bumbling mess I saw a moment ago.
"H-Hi, Kenny! You came at a bad time, I'm sorry you had to see me that way. So, what brings you–"
Her speech was interrupted by a sudden gag. She held her hand to her mouth and then jolted to her feet.
"Excuse me for a moment–!"
She stormed out of the room. I stared at the door for a good minute after she left. I was bemused, but not because of the sequence of events. Rather–
"Where is she going?"
"To the restroom."
"Where's that?"
"Upstairs. Where else?"
A slight shiver went down my spine. Not only would I be dirty, but I'd be gambling every time I needed to release waste.
"This place is unbelievable," I muttered as I sunk my face into my hands.
–
–
–
The door opened to Lola with her hand on her head. Her trip to the bathroom and back lasted no longer than five minutes, but from her face, I knew it felt like an eternity to her.
"Hi hi... sorry about that."
"It's fine," Dave said, "let's get straight to business."
"Can it wait a minute?"
"Huh? Why?"
Lola nudged her head in my direction. Dave rolled his eyes in response.
"It's fine. The information I'm relaying is what he told me anyway."
"Wow. Let me hear it from him, then."
Dave rolled his eyes again but didn't insist past that. Lola took a seat aside from me with her usual smile.
"Hello, Kenny. I assume you heard the news about the towers."
I nodded.
"Yes. That is why I'm still in this city."
Telling her a half-truth, Lola nodded with a solemn look on her face. She released a sigh and rubbed her temples.
"The news you have must be terrible. I changed my mind. Dave, let me hear it. It'd break me to hear a child's voice speak it."
Dave stopped tapping his foot on the ground and cleared his throat. I made no mention of my slight irritation at her wording.
"To put it bluntly, we have reason to believe Hard-Bringer killed all the Raptors in the city. Kenny and an ally of his came across the northern stables and found all of them dead. The rest of the stables likely shared a similar fate."
"I see, I see."
Though Lola said that, she looked to be troubling the information. Whether it was because of the information itself or something else, I couldn't tell.
"Oh, that is terrible, isn't it?"
Dave nodded. I felt compelled to do so as well. Lola grabbed her head with her hands and sighed again.
"I expected this, but... it's disheartening anyway."
"What do you propose we do," Dave asked. Lola stayed still, likely lost in thought.
"The immediate thing to do would be to call a meeting. As for what to do in light of this, would you mind letting me think?"
"Of course," Dave answered, "I'll leave you to it, then. Kenny, let's–"
"No, stay here for a minute, Kenny. There's something I want to say to you in private."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq65rbXL7C
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCNSeXDrXk
I felt a sudden weight form in my chest, but I didn't rebuke her request, simply replied with a nod. Dave had a bemused look but didn't protest. I was left alone with Lola a moment later. Sweat beads began to form on my body. I felt nervous. Lola didn't have a contrastingly calm demeanor either, so I felt even more nervous. Somehow, I felt like I did something I shouldn't.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTAqRh3Em7
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vMol1Vz8i
She didn't do anything that warranted my anxiety, though. Instead, she balled her hands together and rested her chin on them, fiddling her fingers as she gazed at the table.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkKudvQp4y
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2w02lUM7r
The silence was unbearable. I had to say something.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDmZHthelr
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlQpeBNx9j
"What did you want to tell me?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHISZ3ykLW
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUXEyT5274
"...You'll have to forgive me, I'm about to sound ridiculous."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OUMq74ufH
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XG7VsOnsK
I tilted my head. She feebly shook hers.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVBm5dVAA0
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8avqrgDjcJ
"Can I ask you something, Kenny?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAvkHKDLRw
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZTefErZL4
"S-Sure. What is it?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG13OMJHZL8
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk96LIklFJd
"Do you like fighting?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0LcrVKEsA
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU85Axcy0Z
I gave her a series of mindless blinks before speaking again.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZHz6AbCsR
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWMlv9xDy2
"Do I like fighting? Well, not particularly... no, scratch that, I don't like fighting at all."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbXnFpyxD5
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6BkZHBGno
"Then, why do you do it?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uB63cIRVn
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgD7G2mbJy
"..."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGssgzzaKAH
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlU6sKJ358
Despite seeming like an interrogation, I treated her questions with tact. I pinched my chin and pondered my answer.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cvyTLHNdE
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqp4kOUIMYk
"I suppose it's out of necessity. A means to an end."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKmyaQZDYm
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T5UxsNG8I
"...In that regard, I'm very like you."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUoRhV7rPl
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvR8waKPBZ
Her tone was sinking. She sounded like a heavy smoker for a moment.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi8P18iFKH
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6bVoUYNiJ
"I hate fighting. I loathe it. Every fiber of my being is repulsed by it. And yet– and yet, I have to fight."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRXLZoazl7
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY8Krqz42R
"..."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ejxJusNOH
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQJEJFs68d
I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say, or if I should say anything.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcq5r81B1E
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRnfQQEj9Q
"I know it's silly of me to say this to you, but I find solace and hope in you, Kenny. In some ways, I envy you. So young, so gifted, yet I'm here to steer you away from the wrong path."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3LuDn1vqJ
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8upK5MAtvk
"...W-Whaa?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxzW4IjjEH
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOfgjNVywU
I uttered my words in sheer confusion. Lola's eyebrows twitched, and she rubbed them.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdQNMhyEEk
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkot1VlQcv
"No, that's poor of me, I apologize. I think some of the alcohol is still in my system."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkykhnx1th
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHokMlO8xsf
"It's... it's okay."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSjDL6nDnp
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ3jxqE7cF
"You are powerful, but despite that, you don't have to fight. It isn't your duty. So why, why are you here? Is it truly because of necessity?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA99qOKRUY
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VxQv5mGcx
"..."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjCC4Fef1o
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw9g3wgrPc
I couldn't answer her question, but I saw an opportunity to redirect it.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDQL1iimtM
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S9kejirs5
"It is my duty. It's my job to see this letter delivered."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7zWljPjqa
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoixfYSmWx
"Is that... is that so? Even with Hard-Bringer here?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UWFuQnw8R
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgWOXmRtUA
"...Y-Yes."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j4PvzbJjd
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhboBpBSiV
I bit my lip when answering. It was difficult to continue speaking while hiding so much from her. Fortunately, she accepted my answer.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCpZb8BepG
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzylIVmpnX
"I see. I see now."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KggG6mCtD
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7fLth4YIm
She opened up her hands and let her chin rest on her palms. I was going to ask her if that was all, but she kept speaking.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooTElU7uqD
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tgLc7dmrH
"I don't loathe fighting because of fighting itself. If I was doing it for sport, then yes, gladly, I'd battle. It's the consequences that I can't stand."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNr7SlgLOv
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjyy2iO0LK
"Like, um, like what?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSqDC1zR1X
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq8BVXgjFz
"...Bloodshed, tears, cries. Death. Though the last one is rare, it happens."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp4iiAcPyp
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyq2zd6MiF
The air in the room suddenly grew thicker.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUqY3O7qe4
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknuC8Jp1cP
"I desire peace, yet I'm a combatant. I want to help people, yet all I do is hurt and bring tears. It's all I can be. I despise it."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMteuHCV30F
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH14WFZ280
She paused to scratch her head.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccGd01Nvix
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecZYXD3Xgt
"This situation just makes it worse. It's cruel of this life, don't you think?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D3OhLXOX9
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6py6ZkCPAf
"I... I, I'm not–"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VGEE2BGV6
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYCxEFoXEF
"Oh, I'm sorry. Why am I telling you this? This is so embarrassing of me. I apologize, sincerely, I do."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9LbKMc5zO
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxmlSW3NT6
She placed her hands on the table and got out of her chair.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRydlf8TTqY
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUyOOaqMrU
"I'll start the meeting soon. Get ready, it'll be in the room on the right."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLTJVUINwX
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaem7GGLNxr
"On the right?"71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3RPTGaYMe
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3CF5gleYY
If I remembered correctly, then that was the room Rover was in. I postponed being bothered by that, there was something more urgent on my mind. I spoke it as Lola went to leave the room.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4etEgXws59
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ054LZUsIkU
"You say that it's all you can do, but I don't know if that's true."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WnX2LL6Lr
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDaBNHF4YF
"..."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJqQ0H59yU
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINV4B5WvKJ
She didn't turn around, only raised her head to let me know she was listening.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdI0LHx09k
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTi0Wk83Gv
"I'm sure there's something you can do to get out of being a combatant. I mean, look at me, I'll be studying plants when I'm older."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0krsJ7fqE
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQZYoFAbOu
"Yes, when you're older. You're young, and I'm pushing my thirties."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeYLJhLElp
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTmRBlEYjx
She placed her hand on the knob and began to turn it. I blurted one last thing before she left.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACok2klSkZ
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IHSMsWFTg
"You're way better at mana manipulation than I am. There's definitely something you can do."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rgb7iWiNE
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHWF8Prw2o
"...Maybe."71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppZZ124B7d
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhT8PfHAoy
With those final words, she parted from the room. I sat there for a minute, thinking about what just happened, and then sighed. If I was honest with myself, I didn't understand what had just transpired at all. What I did know was that I botched it. What 'it' was, I didn't know, but that was irrelevant.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr5hCd2EYx
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyiaKDIh6U
Dejected, I stood up from my seat and walked to the door. The meeting was starting soon. I figured I should attend it.
