"I see it. The light, I see it!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXY1fZiMhC
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPiZRqj0lH
Victoria rushed ahead of the group, and ahead of our guide, Ng. She was right; a couple of dozen meters away was a field where the sun freely shined. I could hardly believe it myself, but Victoria was in it, basking in the light like a reptile. I made it out.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2QWyXBrMa
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfzfw0dHeX
"We did it, Flinty."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM34JvsSJR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmActObpofR
"Yeah."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUM0CjmmtG
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPehTvnL8N
She looked awfully happy. I was too, but likely for a different reason. I looked at the rest of the group. Skylark was being himself, Ng had a look of wonder, and Victoria's mental age regressed by twelve years.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zBjBb1yMr
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyxR48zXbl
This operation should not have made me feel as grateful as I was to be alive.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGxqsO2qX7
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61MneawIHH
After Victoria finished, we walked around the crops and stood before the farmhouse. Linda was rocking in a chair. She perked up when she noticed us.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XAmSROAkQ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7UT3XfmsC
"Ah, you made it!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMlKO5YKWT
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirmvIMXgEU
Linda ran up to us. She exchanged hugs with Victoria. I couldn't help but think of what Victoria said about her, but still, the scene was... it was soothing to the soul. I felt a type of satisfaction I couldn't describe. It was borderline euphoric, watching daughter and mother reunite like this.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSLfJvf83z
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEMEnNKoOv
"Kenny? You have a weird smile on your face."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfkofPOXpp
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfgDXQPgcQ
"I'm just happy for them, Flinty."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHtHkacNXe
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPdLC74jCf
"Ah, alright."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVhdf5iIkm
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHbbQuiPnE
Linda greeted all of us afterward, thanking Skylark in particular for the help and shaking hands with Ng.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Dev1a0nPU
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ62AmTQJXB
"Ah, you. I recognize you," she said.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQh3GANJUb
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfJ0NhPWGg
"Really? I'm quite surprised. I thought I was inconspicuous, even for an ordinary villager."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq6cqkfjXW
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QKqBYlxQ8
"You're the one who lives in house 32D."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kCXgHjELz
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09iPWpwvGN
"...It is concerning that you know that. But, I'm glad that I was able to properly meet you, head farmer Linda."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vQ55wIsfs
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjkdndaJ2f
There was no first order of business to returning from such a mission. It was awkward, admittedly, because while Victoria had her clothes changed, Ng made conversation with Linda, and while Skylark intently watched the sleeping Kim, I didn't have anything to do.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIKUYRc0Nb
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcT3LJHzjZ
"Hey Kenny, aren't you going to wash your shirt?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l9Q5dg7Zi
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsARblZh3SX
"Wash my– you know what, that's a great idea. I don't know if I can, though. It's pure white."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nMYv8PwLi
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuPU3tn6V4
"I know a trick to wash off any stain! Mom taught me it a while ago."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMmxuU2nKg
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxJ9661k90
"Really? I'd appreciate you teaching me."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BQ3JekyUd
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC0T9kAsqK
"Of course! Let's go."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX29YYPw88
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPbxyzlC1q
Flinty and I exited the living quarters and ran to the front of the farmhouse. There was a basket of dirty laundry with a washboard inside beside a barrel of water. Flinty took a bucket and scooped up some water.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnR48d6r0a
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzrKaaEbQD
"First, you need to turn your shirt inside out."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYh0WcDUFf
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV5A7oH2Fn
Suddenly, I felt my body grow a little hotter.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoMyWcZCdm
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu1qECcBeM
"Uh, do I have to?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TTP90v4JK
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSF3aFy7XS
"Well, you'll need to take it off either way."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7y5RmmBJj
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdHSI6fa3U
Darn it, she was too convincing, but the idea of showing my bare chest to Flinty was too embarrassing.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ555g5ghm11
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVzKNDOkmQ
"Kenny?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1Jp8wsXvc
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotmkfib0RG
"Yeah yeah..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CM7PwFEZm
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz59vS2qIB
I took off my shirt.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D5yoOUVLD
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6K74DUXbb
"Alright, now come here."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRrz1ZefVF
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRryQFI3L3
She was kneeling beside the bucket. I slowly walked over to her and sat down. Thus began the cleaning of my shirt. I quickly realized that Flinty, what with her frequent pauses and occasional dopey look, knew about as much as I did. But, I didn't say anything. Something about this, even though it made me feel awkward, was nice.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe49YSJZxi6
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvKBmtKKtq
"Ugh, try scrubbing it with your elbow? Maybe you just need a sharper surface."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Qf848rqI
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0ThNDulFD
"Right."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQN7RNeI31
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2KYTTY2wL
I tried that, but it didn't work.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNX4mUolSk
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyMO5UNif4
"Gah! What is this stain even made of!?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I6CFPngSW
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cbDCJW4Kv
"Beats me."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5yQ8RERiL
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho3o4Ovn1Q
"But it came from you, didn't it?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T7KY5L3tn
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1AR6yMd4Y
"I don't know what it is, though. If I had to guess, then..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpNmJqytvo
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbncB09R1V3
My mind raced to a picture of a syringe. I immediately began to jitter.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfF9XJSh45
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAFQHNk173
"Hold on, give me that shirt, let me try!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTTUx1GNBA
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcqvddLC6p
She snatched it from my hands and rubbed it against the waterboard. Her eyebrows were furrowed. She scrubbed it for a good three minutes before growing tired.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSZOudz4Go
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayVkhz6sWN
"It's no use. It isn't possible."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrKRp9zyHt
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKxOk51XfE
"That's fine. I can always just get a new shirt."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9b6OWtR88
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAJkc9F6h3
"But didn't Anabelle make it for you?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFznAE3tr8
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtzVsMJlva
"Huh? She only made the jacket, Flinty."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQOCn3N4Hk
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAufJSQ3M3K
"A-Ah, w-well then..."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRbLApfVqD
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdEPyDGr4H
Her brows were still furrowed but her face was a pretty shade of red.
I grabbed the shirt back and hung it to dry. To be honest, the stain looked even worse, but that was neither here nor there. It was a little chilly being bare-chested though so I put my coat back on.
"..."
Dang. I already began to miss the shirt. I sighed. It would be fine, it wasn't a particularly rare shirt anyway. I walked back to Flinty. Frustration still lingered on her face.
"Stop looking so grumpy."
"Hmph. Fine."
She sighed and got up. I looked at her quizzically, and she tilted her head in return. I didn't know what came over me at that moment, but I wrapped my arms around her.
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aNhIgPUYL
"K-Kenny?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloF6kiujSN
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhfxHcw9Zj
She fidgeted a little, I didn't let go. Eventually, she returned the hug. I couldn't tell how long I was hugging her, I was too caught up in the moment. I let go of her and put my hands on her shoulders.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QkZklzcfB
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPVnBgq1Bw
"I'm glad you're okay too, Kenny."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa1DFZH1r4
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo9GCBEGH1
"Y-Yeah."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoraoJyzCKJ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfGYhhBoa3
It wasn't just that she was okay. But, I didn't utter it.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHTPHjEEwN
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uQVxKesD5
"Let's go back to the farmhouse. I'm starting to get hungry."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7GZaIrl2l
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh5Jgpk9Fq
I nodded. We traveled back to the farmhouse. Flinty split up with me to go wash herself, mentioning how her effort made her all sweaty. I simply entered the living quarters. I was expecting to kill time staring at the ceiling as I waited for a meal to come, but the presence of the two people in the room destroyed that expectation.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RZm2CZE7K
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIzKr7KvTB
It wasn't just Skylark, of course.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CpN4CRK23
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTE5wVGtQO
"Ah, Kim, you're finally awake!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1UdKoEnoG
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWZsvxWvcE
I darted to her. She was rubbing her head under her cloak and had one of her hands held by Skylark. She looked at me, and I caught her smiling.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHhUGHzfal
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZmJmE50Bf
"Kenny. I see, so we succeeded."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuk4YEVh4l
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNNpiISjKI
"Yes. Panz is still knocked out, but Ng is around. He'll probably join us for lunch."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7qaG2vxXE
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEAJVptNQj
"That's good. That's great. I'm glad."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXPU9QcMJ7
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFiKQzWxlm
She looked over at Skylark.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WA0nZW7qr
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEomG1Plcvk
"And, again, thank you for helping."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6NsuTvv7c
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bxOmM5Uka
"But of course, it is my duty."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1OemzUrvq
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxXkUS90YR
"You could have at least told me you were tailing me."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlM71Srpp2
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBwsUjjO8B
"If you knew, it might've interfered with your operation."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQOcAVIjpY
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cWRo6gIcD
"That's stupid."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhgnRLiMMP
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISQVt59BsY
I felt out of place as they quarreled.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TT70RVoVN
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAfhHedJ1n
"Kenny, you're alone, right?" Kim asked.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkTaHL6ISN
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTsbI7JZSy
"...Yes?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ898ExuKvlk
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe1Nmwvj4v
"Excellent. Skylark, could you please guard the room?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVqj2tgv2I
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhBjLQ0tcr
"Yes, my lady."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH0uJwz6X1
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgabwpzXKgX
Huh? What was happening? I stood with a blank expression as Skylark exited the room. The thought of stopping him didn't even cross my mind.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOsvZ22sgn
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFxQjWNi0W
"Before I start, I want to say a few things. Please take a seat."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZOMp7jLrr
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCajYoX8kCd
I sat on the adjacent bed. My hands were fidgeting a little. She wasn't going to say what I thought she was, was she? How could she even have found out?408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUReALv15sX
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvieGOWvtV
"I'd like to firstly apologize for deceiving you."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycxsEMIWCQ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLRfamLHqd
She put her hands on her hood and pulled it back. In front of me stood a woman with short hair and giant curls resembling coils. She had eyes a shade of green that could blend in with the leaves. I was shocked by the sudden revealing of her face, but I was hounded more by the colors of her features. I recognized it.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQijFNPj8I
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLagYYgFT5F
"My name is Phoebe Zariel. I am the sole daughter of King and Queen Zariel, and I am the older brother of Orice Zariel. You've run into him yourself a few times, haven't you?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVUb6LgZ4s
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjJlbcR8o7
"W-W-W-Wha? Huh?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtD8IbIytl
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE7yX6fBkA
"I know you aren't fond of royalty, but please hear me out."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIJJipJNZq
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCnWppTtFm
I was stupefied. I couldn't answer her, but she took it as a sign to continue.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7g5BY5PHu
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZecvDepSw
"Many things have been occurring against the Zariel kingdom. From what we know, the East country wants to use land the kingdom controls– the Exotica Mines, specifically– and offer us their exclusive goods in exchange. We refused dealing with them many years ago, and have suddenly seen a spike in criminal and alarming activity, whether it be in the city itself or villages. You are a resident of Buffalo Village, correct?"
"...Wha? What– huh?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCS2Co4WP5
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FfIQRu52l
"My apologies, I must be overwhelming you.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExsWwe66qG
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmPPCE9y3v
"Y-Yes. Can you– so, you're the dumb prince's sister?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLlYhyNHtL
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNCFnSaVra
She scowled at me. Oops.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1uHe3rJQR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ejoaOePqv
"He is not dumb! He has the kindest heart out of anyone in our family! So what if he escapes from time to time? He's only ever done good for the citizens!"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2bqSlUije
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLh5GUIeK7
"He had two of his lackeys chase me around the town for no reason."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTGFzCCm9r
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZiAsezTia
"That... well, it's convenient that you mention that. There was a reason for it."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSeVLM21GB
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXteSWDvQz
I was suddenly invested.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWp3H0ngeB
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA1NWPVit8
"He wanted you to meet with the royal magicians, most likely, after seeing what you did to the two rogue knights. He might've been too blunt, however, please forgive him."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ9xHXP01t
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSUfV6xOyT
"Uh-huh."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTklVcmyQH
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeR1MQdleI
"I mean it. Forgive him."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtihXNPy2sB
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HkVn2eUuh
"O-Okay, I will."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjHZnJlzvn
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQS8Ri7ni4
"Excellent. Moving on, my mission today was similar. I ventured out specifically to find you and see if all the fuss Orice was making was warranted. I came out believing it was."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBGKdsnklI
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvGYgwaU3h
The princess stood up and looked at me imposingly.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhfgjaYNOP
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z0ARE3tf2
"Kenny, there may be a time when you need to fight for your kingdom. Not in a war, that isn't a citizen's duty, but at the very least, to protect the sovereignty and pride of it."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6tnUQCy4b
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFWepTQ6EQ
I was even more stupefied. All of a sudden, the princess bowed to me.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhnCvtxGXD
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJzbDtMRqA
"Please, become a royal mage. You will be paid greatly, be given training and a plethora of privileges–"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKteIIeXOd
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qcc0wbb5V
"I refuse."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1ylOZxiJZ
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEn5EcB2U8
The utterance of the word royal made my answer obvious.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo4P9IAmsR
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2jLorvKfe
"...I had a feeling you would say that. Then, I have another proposal."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9Xzo7qlvK
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5Oeuh9Bbz
She sat down and crossed her legs.
"Enter the combatant's guild, gain combat experience, and take jobs relating to us. You'll avoid any affiliation and still gain the same rewards."
"Rewards?"
"Well, for starters, money."
I listened a little more intently.
"Additionally, you'll garner clout in the realm of combatants and form beneficial connections. If you need it, I can make sure your family will gain immunity and financial assistance."
"That's..."
The words she was speaking almost seemed fake. All of that, and all I had to do was join the guild and take some jobs? I had suspicions.
"And finally, you'll gain access to all organic Exotica in the palace."
"W-Wait, you don't mean–"
"Correct. All the magical plants in our possession; you won't own them, but we'll allow you to study them."
"..."
At this point, it would be foolish not to accept. But I still had difficulty believing her words.
"...If you see my name in the guild registry, which you probably will, then that means I accepted your deal. But, you don't have to do everything you said. I think just some money and the plants would be fine."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6zFX0dVHx
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNKRHLkT1M
She smiled and firmly nodded. I almost felt like I was taking advantage of her. For her to make all of those offers, she must have been desperate. I didn't know quite what yet, but I had confidence that I would find out.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokCWdja18q
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqFnXzIJ4j
"Thank you. I'm glad that you decided to become an ally."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NqmEL9DqU
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VbG9Yx2dz
"R-Right. But, if you want a mage, why don't you just ask the Tea Mage?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEvQxnHOk0
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQt7XH3ATi
"Tea Mage...?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCh4SQfGXl
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLnjDp2grg
"I think his name is Freed."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju9jndvQsH
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaLhEnkZNG
"Oh, Freed."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pc870Pwyd
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNyEbm94ze
Her face twisted into a moue.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNQAIJvGMd
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx6Ol6fkJ4
"I see. He must've refused, then."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez5ZVXk9a3
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2bmU0HH2y
"He did much more than just refuse. Ugh, I hate even thinking about it."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQz1ny2ZLK
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwR7LUCbGN
I nervously laughed. I was also a little worried. The princess made him out to be a delinquent, and I didn't want to be studying under a delinquent.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTUyc6dgFf
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf3NW3vMyc
She stuck out her hand. I grabbed it and shook it. After the matter, the princess put the hood back on. I tried looking under it and I still couldn't make out any of her identifying features.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd15K1DkN0N
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6YSUZ4mUT
"Is that thing also Exotica?"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFZCW3TEGb
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KplAqj9eT
"It's made of it. Also, please don't forget to refer to me as 'Kim.'"408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6CLFap3iF
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAABXMvK8gN
"Right."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuLat1atst
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RbNsnWXhm
The princess laid down on the bed. Looking at her now, it suddenly hit me, the severity of the conversation we just had and the thing I just agreed to do. I lost my breath for a second.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUuwhpLoAv
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23WtExmF4A
"...It'll probably be fine."408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOXp9ER593
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EzEkO5lWG
With that affirmative thought, I waited along with the princess. Skylark joined us shortly, and not too long after, the rest of the group came. Flinty was first, and Ng, Linda, and Victoria all came at the same time. The three of them were carrying plates of food and drinks the likes of which I'd never seen. The table usually stationed in the living quarters was too small, so Victoria left momentarily to bring a new one. I didn't understand why we didn't move rooms but I didn't question it.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2O5jGLg68
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiOF2Ssm27
It was a large event. Not particularly noisy, but it was large. Words flew, laughs rumbled, and stories were told. It was nice, a scene that accorded with our victory. It made me feel happy. It made me feel like I was a part of something more.408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeNFxVuCdn
408Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiW1OcbEJ4
It made me look forward to the future.
and then Add to home screen.