Ria sat at her desk in her night gown.
It has been many days since Hikari left for the front.
The battle reports had been favourable.
It is expected as the combined territorial forces greatly outnumber the cultists.
She dug through the box of paper, looking for one very particular report.
"There it is… "
Battle logs of Knight Hikari
… Infiltrated cultists river line defenses … knocked out cannon positions … defeated cultists assassins … neutralized cultist golems … a flesh hound …
"Mmm…..!" She starts moaning. Reading paperwork is usually extremely dull. But not this one.
"Ahh…" She rested her hands on her skirt.
"Mmm…!" She clutched the edges, twitching in her seat.
"No." She slapped her cheeks. "I must focus."
"My lady … " A voice came from outside her room. She flinched.
"Yes? Come in"
The maid walked in carrying a chest.
"I brought you the shoe polish you asked for."
"Yes, thank you, put it over there."
"My lady."
"Yes?"
"May I ask why you are in need of these?"
"Oh. Um. I'll be attending the spire academy soon. I can't have all of you always tending to me there don't I."
"Ah, yes my lady."
…
Hikari woke up.
She could hear the sound of rain hitting against the surface of her tent.
She felt a warm furry body on her stomach.
"Lady Camilia."
The beast kin uncurled herself, her claws coming out of her paws as she stretched.
"Morning Hikari! How ya doing! Did ya sleep well?"
Hikari's outfit that she had been wearing for almost a week was starting to feel slimy and itchy.
"I smell."
"Ya, ya. Me too. Brrr. But it's really warm here."
Hikari laid back down and closed her eyes. Her stomach growled.
The supplies hadn't arrived.
"Meow is hungry. The supply columns were attacked by wyverns."
Hikari continued her meditation.
The rain stopped.
She pinched Camilia's scruff and lifted her off of her, receiving a growl in return.
She assembled her boots and left her tent.
Mud everywhere. The soaked greyish surface of tents, stones around doused campfires.
The soldiers came out of their tents, standing around idly.
Their uniforms muddy and soaked.
"Meow… food cart still not here."
Hikari's stomach growled.
"Let's eat that."
"again?"
"Hehehehe…..! " A creepy laugh came from behind Hikari's boot.
"Eeekk…! Zark! Since when were you standing there meow! I didn't even see you!"
"Hehehe! I'm glad Hikari loves my concoctions"
"Oh well. Meow. Zark is showing some energy."
Hikari drew her claymore and dusted it off with a telekinetic blast before placing it onto a pair of stone supports.
Rotbenmore men in their black robes and silver masks gathered around along with several wind ranger beastkin in their coats of fur and Razenheir scouts in their hooded coats.
They shoved piles of sticks and leaves stored in their tents which kept them dry from the rain.
Hikari ignited the foliage.
The men queued up with sacks of grey tentacles, spreading them out on the broad face of Hikari's sword.
"Hehehe… that's it… let it shimmer… "
"Get on with it meow…"
The robed men sprinkled a glowing green dust over the sizzling tentacles.
"Now Hikari… if you will… hehehe… "
Hikari grabbed the sword handle and channeled her mana. The claymore glowed with her flames, causing a reaction in the dust, creating a brief but brilliant green flame.
Zark leaned forward, examining the tentacles.
"Good… Good! Hehehe…"
"Ya, ya, we can see it's cooked. Add the mushrooms."
Camilia dragged the zombie boy to one side.
As the searing heat on the claymore dissipated, the beastkin and RazenHeir scouts emptied their harvest sacks of mushrooms onto the hot steel.
A sprinkle of salt and pepper.
The RazenHeir scouts used their swords to flip the grill.
It was done.
The knights of the houses queued to collect their breakfast and going back to their tents.
Hikari scrapped her claymore. The tentacles were quite chewy and had a strange off flavor. The crispy skin and seasoning somewhat made up for it.
Five mouthfuls. That was her meal.
"Good morning Hikari"
"Scout master"
The man removed his hood revealing his unshaven face.
"I must apologize that the caravan hasn't arrived. I have a mission for you. There's a golem blocking the supply route on our left wing."
"Really? A golem, meow! Where is it? Shall we go?"
Camilia popped out of Hikari's tent, prancing around her boots.
Hikari assembled her armour and leapt off.
"Eh! Wait! Lemme come with ya! Meow…"
"Don't be so disheartened. Lady Camilia. In fact, I have another mission for you."
Camilia's ears sprung up.
The scout master held up a piece of cloth to Camilia's nose which twitched at the smell.
"This is… Sniff* Sniff* It's Hikari's sock! Hey! Ya some kind of pervert or something!? "
The beastkin showed her claws. It looked like she was ready to scratch his face to bits.
"Well, I would say I have held out much better than most men. Track down the thieves and recover the socks."
"Okie bounty man. Meow." She pounced off.
...
Later, Hikari returned to the camp
There were several men gathered around her tent.
A fat man in a theater outfit stood by her tent.
"Ah! The maestro Hikari. The brightest rose in the territory and the lands beyond. An immovable shield like the obelisks at Igar. A sword dancer, flowing like the rivers of Herdial. Her ladyship Ria has good taste to commission me to do a poster. Oh and we were warned to take some Hortifern herbs so that we can focus."
A dozen painters started setting up their canvases around Hikari.
Another man in clothes too fine for the frontlines approached Hikari.
"Her ladyship Ria is much more concerned that her words reach the maestro. This humble scribe is honored to present a letter from her ladyship." \
He said in an annoyed tone as he opened a letter and held it up with both hands for Hikari to read. It was in invisible ink coated in RazenHeir mana.
To Hikari,
Word has reached me that the campaign is near its close. I hope you will be home soon. I understand the deprivations you face and have arranged additional shipments of provisions. Your feats were nothing short of legendary. I have already found good buyers for the golem cores. Look forward to a feast when you are back.
"Ria's handwriting. Meticulous to a fault. Hmm… but the next paragraph isn't as perfect."
I have been adhering to your training every single day in my room. I can feel my arms getting stronger. It's just rather unsightly to do this in the drill hall. When you're back I hope to receive more of your teachings. P.S I sent some painters to you. It's for recruitment posters. Please don't give them too much trouble.
Hikari turned her gaze at the scribe, causing him to flinch.
"Umm.. do think of a response in the meantime" The scribe folded the letter and stuffed it into the flames under the boiling cauldron.
Hikari places one finger on her lip. Several annoyed groans from the painters were heard.
"I'm fine. I'll be back soon."
"Few words as usual. Since there's enough space on the paper, I'll write it in bold face then. Helps to convey the force of your voice."
...
"Meow…"
The beastkin walked up to her with a bundle of cloth pieces strapped to her back.
There were several visible shot marks on her fur. She stopped and plucked out a musket ball from her fur.
"Meow! Can't believe they shot at me. Here ya go Hikari, I found ya missing sock pieces."
"Thanks."