“Should we wake her?” a hushed voice whispered, barely audible over the gentle rustle of leaves.
“No, you idiot! She’s clearly resting,” ca another, sharper voice. “What kind of lunatic disturbs soone who just saved their life?”
Kaede’s brow furrowed, her eyes cracking open slightly. Her vision blurred as she tried to make out the figures standing a short distance away.
Kaede shifted, the bark of the tree digging into her back as she tried to sit up. Her voice ca out groggy but laced with irritation. “Huh? Who…”
A sharp gasp. “Crap, she’s awake!”
“Nice going, genius,” the sharp-voiced one hissed.
Kaede blinked, her vision sharpening as three figures ca into focus—a brown haired swordsman, a petite mage clutching a staff too big for her fra, and a large man with a rectangular head who looked like he hadn’t slept in days. They were huddled awkwardly near her makeshift defenses, their expressions a mix of gratitude and guilt.
“Uh, hi!” the swordsman blurted, offering an overly enthusiastic wave. “Sorry to wake you! We just, uh… wanted to say thanks?”
“We didn’t wake her,” the mage grumbled, elbowing him sharply. “That was all you.”
“Was not!”
Kaede sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Alright, before this turns into a full-blown argunt, mind telling who you are and why you’re here?”
The swordsman stepped forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. “Sorry about them. I’m Caban, that’s Ellen,” he said, nodding toward the mage, “and the silent one is Gido. We’re just a group of adventurers who, uh... we owe you our lives.”
Ellen nodded, her expression softening. "Yesterday, If you hadn’t intervened, we’d have been toast. I almost blew my head off.”
Caban grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. “Yeah, so, uh… thanks for that.”
Kaede waved a dismissive hand, her exhaustion making her blunt. “Don’t ntion it. Literally." She paused, still feeling so phantom pains. "It wasn't pretty."
“Oh, uh… that,” Caban said, looking guilty. “It must have been awful. Ow!!” He jerked as Ellen elbowed him. "Stop being insensitive."
"Oi!! I'm the leader here, stop treating like this."
Watching the two adventurers devolve into an argunt, Kaede raised an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity cutting through her fatigue. 'Hey Artificia, why didn't you warn soone was approaching. Isn't that what the drone was for.'
Artificia’s voice echoed in her mind.
"So uhm..." Ellen's voice grabbed her attention as she started pulling Caban by the ear. "We're gonna leave. Thanks again." Gido followed after them silently, but not before giving her an appreciative bow.
Kaede watched the odd trio retreat, their voices still carrying faintly through the trees as Caban protested Ellen’s relentless tugging on his ear.
“Unbelievable. I am the leader, you know!”
“Sure you are, fearless leader,” Ellen shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “You're the reason we even ca here in the first place.”
Gido’s low grunt of agreent barely registered, but it was enough to make Caban groan loudly.
Kaede exhaled, shaking her head with a faint smirk. “What a bunch of characters.”
Her amusent faded as she turned her gaze back to the horizon. The sun was beginning its slow descent, casting long shadows through the dense forest.
“Alright,” she muttered, stretching her arms. “Let’s get moving. Wonder what Kirara is up to."
"No can do." She stood up, staggering lightly before balancing her steps. She made her way to the middle of the camp, gazes and stares directed her way the entire ti.
Entering the largest tent, she saw general ordric, and two others standing around an earthen table, with Kirara seated on a stool in the corner.
Kaede stepped into the tent, her presence imdiately drawing the attention of everyone inside. General Ordric, looked up from the earthen table, his piercing gaze softening slightly when he saw her. Beside him stood a lanky woman with twin blades strapped to her back and a stocky man whose armor seed to creak with every movent.
Kirara, lounging on a stool in the corner with her legs crossed, perked up as Kaede entered. “You're awake.” she said with a grin.
Kaede ignored the comnt, focusing on Ordric. “What’s the status?”
If it was a day ago, Ordric would have ignored her, even going as far as berating her over knowing her place, as he saw the otherworlders as reckless children with power undeserved.
However, a few hours ago, he had witnessed her save the lives of several adventurers at the cost of her wellbeing, including his own. Yes, Kirara's command was incredibly vague. Ordric was a general and technically not a lowly soldier. He could still feel the cold edge of his blade.
Ordric gestured to the crude map etched into the table’s surface. “The first camp has been completely neutralized. Thanks to your efforts, no casualties... on both sides. We've received word from Rhalin's group, they’ve already wrapped up their raid and are holding position here.” He pointed to a mark on the map about ten miles east.
“Any complications?” Kaede asked, leaning closer to study the map. Instinctively, without realising it, Kaede channelled her inner guild master.
“None so far,” Ordric replied, though his tone carried a hint of doubt. “But we’ve yet to reestablish communication with their scout. Might just be interference in the forest, but I don’t like it.”
Kaede frowned, tapping the table lightly with her knuckles. “Is there sothing special about that forest?”
Ordric nodded grimly. “It's called the great forest of Jura, and is quite possibly, the most dangerous forest in the world.”
Kaede’s gaze flicked to Ordric. “And they decided to plant a base there? I an, it makes sense in theory, but still, it's a double edged sword.”
The lanky woman disagreed. "It's not quite as cutthroat as it may seem. While the forest of Jura may be dangerous, it's only because of the storm dragon's influence. The bandits most likely settled down at the edge bordering the forest. This way they can make a quick escape into the forest when the ti cos."
Ordric nodded in agreent. “Which is why we need to regroup with the second team imdiately. From there, we’ll coordinate the assault on the third camp. Before they can escape."
Kaede straightened, her exhaustion temporarily forgotten. “What’s the estimated ti on moving out?”
“Two hours,” Ordric replied. “Enough ti to resupply. After that, we march.”
“Good,” Kaede said, her tone brisk. She looked at the stocky man. “Perhaps a quick periter check before we leave.” He nodded, leaving the tent.
"I'll ready the troops." Ordric spoke, lifting his helm as he left, the lanky woman simply nodded, a half step behind him.
As Kaede turned to leave, Kirara fell into step beside her. “So,” Kirara began, her tone teasing, “you’re the big leader now, how in the world are you bossing them around so easily?”
Kaede shot her a sidelong glance. “It's not bossing, it's leading. I guess I got carried away for a mont. I miss my guild so much.”
Kirara shrugged, her grin widening. “Not sure what I can say to that. Like, I've got your back, just no suicidal acts of heroism. You don't owe these people anything.”
“Of course not,” Kaede replied, though her voice carried a hint of sarcasm. "But I don't need a reason to do the right thing. You shouldn't either.”
Kirara’s grin faded, replaced by a serious face. If Kaede noticed she didn't show it, simply walking onwards.
The two won parted ways, each preparing for the battle ahead in their own way. As Kaede made her way back to her lodge (tent), Kirara stood in the middle of the camp, her thoughts a ss.
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