**Sigh**
Seriously nya, what am I going to do abmeowt those two meown? I know I gave them meow approval to register for the Solara tournameowt, but to even forget to finish their fried tofu nyan?
...
Though, cradling meow head between meown hands, I couldn’t help but smile as my prized students quickly scrambled out the door of my tavern in quick purrrsuit towards the city to registuuurr for the upcoming tournameowt. I meow they could easily win the competitmeown, espesmeowly since Ko nayn was a summeowned hero, and Inari nayn held a god’s blessing, but...
...
Nya, I almeowdy decided to trust my Ko nayn, even after learning they held the harbinger of destructmeown title... I meow the right ansmeower was to kill them when meown first found meownt, but my heart wanted me to trust him nayn. They wanted to prove absolmeowt appraismeow wrong, and, after purrrsonally guiding and meowntering them, I was glad nya decided to humor him. Ko nayn promised me he would do evemeowthing to prove meown decision right, and, when meow looked into his eyes... I was pawsitive he would make the meowst of this oppurtunity.
...
Regardless, maybe, Griffmeown will finally promeowt them like I’ve asked to him to once he’s finally seen them in action nayn! Ko nayn and Inari nayn, I’m sure they will do everything they can to make meown proud as their meowtor nya!
“Wha— What’s bothering you... Felice *meow*, you... You look like you’re deep in thought again meown... Are you worried about...?”
“Yarn nyan.” I calmeowly responded to meown sister’s words of concern. “Of course I’m worried nya, but for the other attendees nyan. Ko nayn and Inari nayn will easily win, but...”
Meow gaze drifted slightly at Yarn’s words, before lightly landing on her in contemplatmeown. Yarn was tightly clutching her dress from my comments, while her red ribbon sharply flicked abmeowt along her tail. It was obvimeows something was still bothering her, so I simply waited for her next set of words while tapping my fingers ameownst the wooden counter of the bar.
“But... But what about the horrible king, meown? Won’t King Solar take issue with Inari nayn...?”
Smiling towards Yarn, nya knew she was right. As Inari’s meowtor, I had done ameowt in sheltering her from the harsh remeowlaties of this kingdom. She mew abmeowt the discrimination against beastkin and demi-humeowns, but still hasmeownt purrrsonally experienced it in full meown...
“Meow right Yarn, but I’m sure Griffmeown will assist them after they win nyan. We know he’s on nya beastkin and demi-humeowns side, so he’ll probmeowly write them a meowter or something nayn. The king will be furrrious, but he isn’t unreasonabmeow.”
But, despite the brave smile I was putting on for both of meows, it didn’t seem to help. Things wouldn’t be easy for them after they win the tournameownt nyan. Meowt said, nyan ears did twitch slightly after listenmeowning to the tofu. It sounded like some type meown cryptic message, and, after analysing and solving it with absolmeowt appraismeow, I couldn’t help but sigh at the disappointing words the crispy dish was uttering on the counter. “Tofu talking nyan...” I sighed meowth a heavy breath. Purrrhaps Yarn simply infused too many mana particles into the dish nya, giving the food a fleeting sense of sentimeowance, before vanishmeowning into nya void furrever meown.
Still aimlessly looking ameownd, I noticed the clock above the tavern’s door signaling I should eventually get back to meown duties nyan. Meow letters had surely arrived from meown contacts, and I had almeowdy delayed responding to some of them nya...
**Sigh**
Turning towards Yarn, I flicked meown wrists to store Ko and Inari nayn’s sentimeownt dishes in my spameow storage to dispose of later, before letting her know my break was over. “Alright nyan! Yarn nyan, I’m going to go back to meown headmeowster duties nya. Will you be abmeow to watch the counter for a bit nya?”
“Of course Felice nyan!” Yarn quickly replied with a smimeow and squeak. “I... I can easily watch meow counter while meow answer some meowters *meow!*”
“Purrfect nyan!” I said with a jump and a twirl, complete with meown sigmeowture nyan pose. “It won’t take meown too long to reply to the meowters nayn, then, I’ll help with the cleaning nyan!”
Prancing away, meow mind was quick to wonder as I closed the door to meown chambers, while actimeowting a sound nullification spell. Some mew letters had already arrived through my dimeownsional connection, with some others through traditimeow courier. Flicking meow wrist, I began instructmeown my quill to transcribe my thoughts to headmeowster Griffon in the Solara branch. I needed my letter to arrive early tomorrow nyan, bragging abmeowt my students who were guaranteed to win meown! Hehe! I can almeowdy see the look on his face meown once he meets them nya!
Finishing meown thoughts to the quill, I made sure to draw my sigmeowture smug Felice doodle across the bottom of the parchmeowt purrrsonally, before sealing it with meow mana wax stamp. Then, floating meow letter over, I calmeowly turned the paper around in meow hands, before weaving my time delayed delivery spell to actmeowvate in the morning. Then, I began sorting through all of the remaining correspondence on my tabmeow.
“Geez meown... I sometimes wish being a headmeowster wasn’t filled with all this intelligence gathering nayn...” I grumeowed in annoyance at the seemingly endless pile of letters I still meowded to sort mew... Meowst of the annoying parchmeowt was filled with old infurmation, due to the delay in tradimeow delivmeowrys, but a few did contain interesting tidbits from meown more trusted contacts.
It seems meown father was abmeown to confurrm demons in his area of Thalassia after I described Ko and Inari nayn’s encounter with an empowmeowed ogre in Eldermeowst nyan. But why meow of all times? I was sure the Demeowns had gone extinct after all meow efforts with the others meown... Yet my father purrsonally eliminated some of them himself...
...
“Hermeown summoning nyan... Are meow gods really going to become meow active again meown...?”
...
Well, at least he’s aware abmeowt the summoned heroes now meown, and that I’m purrsonally guiding one of them nyaself meow! But still, I was troubled by the unsettling comformeowtion in Thalassia abmeowt demons...
“Meown? What’s this nyan?” I softly uttered as my eyes then caught an interesting piece of parchmeownt I appeared to have missed amongst the meowning deliveries. “Lucian Claw nayn...” I grumbled while turning the meowter around to confirm the legitimacy of the sender. “Meown that’s a name I haven’t seen in awhile nya. What’s Lucian nayn sending me a meowter furr meow?”
Lucian’s name triggered some depressing memeowries as I continmeowed to rotate the parchment around, as both he and the Lockhart family left the kingdom on rather sour terms meowny years ago... So why would he send a letter meown? Did something happen to them nya?
Opening the magically sealed meowter, I quickly began scanning the contents to see why meow furriend had seemingly contacted nya after so meowny years. As meown eyes snapped from line to line, I noticed some water had already begun gathering around them, as I continued to reread and absorb the message again in meow mind.
My Dearest Felice,
I hope this letter finds you well, as I’m sure you are undoubtably confused as to why it has seemingly found itself in your hands after so many years of silence between us. Truthfully, I was hesitant to write you, but didn’t know who else I could turn to in regards to my lord’s situation.
After many years of trying to convince Victor to mend relations with his daughter, he finally worked up the courage to send her a letter one month ago to the day, explaining his abhorrent behaviour in full during the dreadful tournament amongst the nobility, where he was unjustly banished by the king for his “unnoble actions”. While I am thrilled my lord finally took the first steps in reconciling with his beloved daughter, we have still yet to receive word of Raya’s correspondence, despite my courier confirming prompt delivery of Victor Lockhart’s message at the palace.
Speaking of, my contacts have dutifully confirmed as much she is now the head commander of the entire Solara Royal Army! While we are both proud to hear of Raya’s accomplishments, and understand her time is now nearly impossible to earn shouldering such responsibility, the palace has been surprisingly quiet as of late according to my informants, raising concerns amongst us.
Thus, I humbly ask if it is within your powers as headmeowster of the Paws & Beans Tavern, for any information you may have regarding my lord’s daughter and her achievements as the new commander of the Solara military. Seldom does a day pass by where Victor yearns to learn more about what his beloved little rose has accomplished during his banishment from the kingdom. And, in the tragic absence of such a reply from the commander, felt it was within my duties as his retainer, to try and find any answers in an effort to help ease his suffering heart, if just a little.
Yours truly,
Lucian Claw, retired A ranked adventurer of the Paws & Beans Tavern, and Kingdom of Solara.
Lucian nyan, you stupid cat... And afmeow I already told you not to be so formeow in your writing nya... Though that said, Raya’s silence was purrrobably related to handling the sumeowned heroes nayn. I... Should be able to tell Lucian at least this much meown. Especimeowly since the kingdom just announced their presence today nya. But... To not even reply to meown own father’s letter nya? Purrhaps I’ll do some digging into this on my own for Lucian nayn’s sake.
...
...
Thankfully, the rest of the letters wuur easily dealt with, leaving only sipmeow applications to approve meown! After completing my daily approvmeownts, I was finmeowly able to join Yarn nyan again, where the Tavern was just starting to get busy nyan! She was already dealing with some customeows, so I quickly called over a pair of demi-human wolves and beastkin waiting in line while listening in on their convosatmeown.
“Ugh... I can’t believe we lost so easily at the tournament.”
“I know right?? And after all of that training we did in Colosseum fighting in their arena. Like, seriously... An F(+) ranked duo beat ALL of us, even the higher ranked parties?!?! We were D(+) ranked for crying out loud, and for even the B ranks to lose so easily?!?”
“I’m sorry guys... It just means I needed to push us harder as leader of the Triple Fang & Staff party.”
“No, it’s not your fault Grim. The guild was probably lying about their capabilities or something. There’s no way F(+) ranks could be that powerful!”
As they were walking over, I couldn’t help but smile with my chest puffed out, meowing exactly who they were talking abmeowt. Clearly Ko nayn and Inari nayn were the tournament victors nyan, but I should at least try to act surprised meown at their disappointment.
“Meown? The tournameownts already over nya? But didn’t it only just start this meowning nyan?” I said while making sure to tilt my head and flick my tail towards them. “Ya, it was crazy! A human and a fox beastkin completely annihilated the whole arena! It wasn’t even a contest. Heck, Grim Fang over there was even knocked out by some weird firebolt incantation we’ve never heard of before!”
“Ho ho!” I said meow offering them a grin while scratching meown chin. “Nya guess those two were really powerful then meown!”
“That’s an understatement!” Scoffed the wolf beastkin, as he clicked his tongue meow lightly kicking the counter. “Anyways... Do you have any available rooms? The city is fully booked, and we would like a night’s rest before heading back to Colosseum.”
“Sure thing meown!” Nya happily replied with a sparkle in meown eyes. “I’m all meowt of rooms for 4 nya, but I do meown some lodging with 2 doubles, if that’s alright nyan.”
“Ya, that’ll do.” The wolf demi-humeown replied after sharing some glances ameowgst his party, to which most of them simpurrly shrugged. “Purrfect nya!” I responmeowed with a jump and a twirl. “That will be 1 bronze Solara for the night. Your stay meowso includes 1 round of drinks and a meal nyan!”
“Seriously!?!” The wolf demi-human exclaimed, meown ears twitching slightly after hearing the costs of their stay. “All of that for only 1 bronze Solara?!? That’s incredible!”
“Hm hmm!” I hummed, meow offering them a shrewd glance. “Let’s just say I’m in an exceptionameowly good mood today nya!”
Then, meowfter taking their payment, I grabbed the key for the room numeowed 2-401 from below the bar, before sliding it towards the wolf’s paw still resting atop the aged woodmeown countertop. “2nd floor, 4th hall on the left meown! Thankmeow, and hope you enjoy your stay at the Paws & Beans Tavern nyan!!!”
After the group of 4 left, the rest of the day was filled with othermeow adventurers seeking lodgings and helping Yarn with meow cooking at night time. Meowst of the conversations were abmeowt the tournameownt, along with those looking to return to Colosseum for the end of spring arena games. Eventualmeowly, when things got quiet for the night, I also retired to get ready for ameowther busy day at the tavern!
---
---
The next meowning, I was unfortunmeowly stuck dealing with meow pesky letters nya. And, despite using magic, meow quill was already starting to get tired from all of the meowndane responses required to the other headmeowsters... Nyan... That’s probably just my enthusiasm at this point meown, noticing the clock was almeowdy indicating it was time for lunch. Howmeowver, Yarn did deliver a magically encrypted meowter to me when I was refilling my mana tea during my short break.
“Reinhardt Kitsune nya...” Meow said while flicking nya wrists to dispel and unseal the meowgic primed to burn the letter on external tampering. “I guess it is abmeowt time for my yearly report on Inari nayn’s progress meown.” Meowling over meown thoughts, I began orbiting nya quill around meow desk while scratching meown chin. Inari nayn has made incredameow progress since staying at the tavern nyan. And, while it’s almeowdy been 2 years since I agreed to meownter her, even I wasn’t expecting such incredible growth nyan.
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Smiling to myself, nya wondered if meow should tell Reinhardt nayn that his daughter actually managed to make a dependable friend during her stay her meown. Even I’ve noticed Inari nayn’s tail has been wagging more after working together in a party with Ko nayn. And, not to meowntion she’s already quickly approaching meown own level of complex meowgic formeowlation.
“Nya...” I quietly sighed while tapping the floating quill against meow head. “I’ll have to think abmeowt this some more meown.” I hummed, while snapping meow fingers to erase some of the already tentatively penned words about my student’s progress.
Suddenmeowly, I nearly jumped from meow seat as the door to my office slammed against the wall, causing my tail to stand up and my quill to fall off meow desk.
“FELICE NYAN!!!” Came the trembling voice from Yarn as she barged into meow office, her green eyes stained a puffy-red from nya tears dripping down her face. “It’s... *sniff* It’s... The !!!” she cried, tightly clutching her chest while gasping in-between breaths.
Realizing something was horribmeowly wrong, I quickly leapt from meow chair, dashing past Yarn and rushing towards the front counter of the tavern. During all meow years of running the Paws & Beans tavern with meow sister, she’s never once barged into meow office before in tears. I was sure we had left all meown problems behind in Thalassia... Did I miss something with absolmeowt appraismeow? No, that would be impossible...
Turning the corner, I had almeowdy gathered, primed, and concealed a mass of mana particles for any upcoming threat. Howmeowver, standing at the bar was simply a group of 4 soldiers from the kingdom, which nya identified to be 1 sergeant and 3 privates after examining them with apprasimeow.
“Aye, you dirty cat!” Scowled the group’s commander in a sharp tone towards me, while his metal gauntlets slammed a notice against the countertop, splintering the wood from the aggressive impact. “That other beast could barely talk, and we need to speak with headmaster Felice... Now!”
“Headmeowster Felice.” I coldly replied while approaching them, concealing the mana gathered around my eyes turning the bright green wavelengths blue. “And meow military has no jurisdiction over nya adventermeow’s branch. Entry without cause, in addition to harassing nya staff... Leave my tavern... Now!”
“Enough with the fucking beastkin.” The soldier replied with a hardened expression while shoving the clutched parchmeownt between his gauntlet into meown chest. “And, we’ve got plenty of cause. See here? Adventurers registered with your branch. We’ll be running a full investigation into you lot for conspiring with and aiding the murderers of King Solar!”
Tightness gripped meow chest, while my ears twitched at the sergeant’s words, prompting me to quickly absorb the contents of the flyer. Unable to believe meown eyes, they continued darting back and forth absorbing the contents of the cruel parchment’s claim and proclamation. “No...” I squeaked with widened pupils, refusing to believe the crude mugshots currently shaking within my tremeowling hands. Meow head began spinning, causing me to collapse onto my knees, as tears began pouring down my face, dripping onto the paper in question.
Plastered across the royal proclamation with red ink crossed through their images, were the pictures of Raya, Kotato, and Inari, which read: “Champions of the Solara Tournament, registered with the Paws & Beans Tavern, conspired with and aided the commander of the Solara Royal Military, Raya Lockhart, in murdering the glorious leader of our nation, King Solar. While we all greave with heavy hearts the loss of our nation’s leader, justice was swiftly enacted by our now Queen Emilia, who singlehandedly apprehended the perpetrators, where they were then summarily executed for their crimes by her hand.”
Still trying to comprehend the severity of the news I had just received, the sergeant then proceeded to toss a stack of the papers towards me before saying “You’ll be required to post these within your disgusting excuse for an establishment until further notice by the royal family. And, seeing as these two were registered with your specific branch, we—”
My mind began tuning out the soldier’s words, at a complete loss for how this situation could have possibly happened. Mana swelled within me, and I could no longer hide the blue colouring overtaking my eyes. How could I have been so stupid? Why did I choose to believe in that summoned hero?! Absolute appraisal told me they were a danger, and now, because of my inaction, Inari was...
Clenching my fists, I stood on my feet to meet the soldier’s gaze. Listening again, they were already beginning to rummage behind the counter for my logbook containing guests and their associated rooms, tossing aside papers and keys like trash in their search. This... This couldn’t be possible, not after all this time... Something had to be wrong, there was no way Inari would murder the king. While I couldn’t exclude Kotato, there had to be more to this sudden murder of royalty... And for Raya? The same knight that rose through the ranks, and was adored by Emilia?!?
Annoyed and, finally deciding to take matters into my own hands, I glared at the 4 soldiers while casting the horror spell without an incantation. 3 of them instantly clutched their faces, letting out blood curdling screams with fleeing out the tavern’s door, while the 4th soiled their armor, crawling across the ground before finally getting on his feet to flee as well. Horses neighed, and before long, their mana signatures quickly began disappearing back towards the city.
Turning towards my chambers, I quickly ran to check on Yarn who was now crying into the red pillows across my couch. She was uncontrollably shaking, clutching her bonnet with her tail tucked between her legs. “Yarn, I’m going to the city. I need to find answers.” I said, my words a cold, dark tone as I threw my cloak around my maid’s gown, ignoring the massive amount of mana I was gathering and radiating in the room. Next, I began applying a slew of buffs, making sure to prioritize my speed and endurance for the upcoming journey. I had only one objective, I needed to see Griffon, I needed to confirm for myself the evil deeds of my students.
“Felice... *sniff* You’re... You’re Scaring me *meow*. Your... Your eyes are... Blue... You said, that—”
“I’m sorry Yarn, but I need to be your brother again.” I coldly replied, before dashing out of the room and quickly making my way onto the road towards Solara. I could only imagine the painful memories my words and actions were causing her as the trees and hills flew by my vision in a frantic blur. I promised Yarn that I would never show her this side of me again, but because I chose to ignore absolute appraisal, to make the same mistake as back home... “Please forgive me, Yarn.” I called out while continue to run towards the city, my pace increasing as mana filled my muscles with endless, unbridled energy.
Before long, I had already caught up to the military officials still fleeing by horse. I could sense my horror spell was still in effect, but wasn’t satisfied they had suffered enough for the pain they caused my sister. Snapping my fingers, I activated illusion, covering myself in a shimmering vale of light, before flicking my wrist to command a gale of powerful wind to knock them from their steeds. Metal crudely collided with dirt, as their bodies tumbled and twisted to the uncomfortable sounds of the snapping and cracking bones. Their limbs became knotted as their bodies continued flailing around in an effort to still head towards some kind of safety at the city gates. I didn’t care these men could possibly die from their injuries. They threatened my family. I was wrong to think Solara could change, that I, could help it change.
Before long, the tree line quickly left my vision, now replaced with the expansive wheat fields surrounding the city. Dust kicked around my heels as I weaved between the endless carriages and couriers making their way towards the main gates. There was still a lengthy line to gain formal entry to Solara, but that didn’t concern me in the slightest. None of them knew I was here, and it would remain that way. Continuing to approach at lightning speed, I jumped while twisting my body to seamlessly soar over the guards before elegantly landing on the cobblestone bricks to continue towards the adventurer’s guild. However, I was surprised by the heavy presence of military officials blocking off access to the city’s central fountain, interfering with my intended path.
Scoffing at the plentiful military roadblocks, I quickly hopped onto the nearby roofs instead, gracefully hopping between buildings until I recognized the outline of the Solara Adventurer Branch. There was still a crowd of adventurers gathered around the building, but they wouldn’t be for much longer. Commanding winds again, I threw the humans near the door aside, before manipulating and directing my fury towards the front door itself.
The gales rocked and rattled the hinges, before ultimately causing the frail wooden barrier to shatter into countless splinters from the excessive force, but I didn’t care. Landing inside, I quickly scanned the lobby while ignoring the screams of the panicking patrons. Sensing the mana signatures within, I swiftly located Griffon’s signature surrounded by another group of 4 humans near the back of the guild. Dashing forth, I was now moments away from learning more about this horrible series of events.
Arriving at the headmaster’s room, I kicked the door in to the surprised faces of a group of royal military officials questioning Griffon. Startled by the unexpected noise and door suddenly thrown open, the knights quickly drew their swords to the invisible threat, to which I simply waved my hand to cast the sleep and memory alteration spells. The soldiers crumpled to the floor like ragdolls under my spell, their armor clanking as they piled up along the ground unconscious. Then, satisfied the room was clear, I closed the door, while activating an area deterrence and sound nullification spell, before finally canceling my illusion to reveal my presence to Griffon.
The headmaster’s gaze was hardened, and, didn’t appear surprised in the slightest as I removed my cloak to reveal an equally annoyed scowl to match his own. My ears twitched from their newfound freedom, as they swiveled around to showcase their feline mobility. “Speak, Griffon. Tell me what you know, now!” I said, my voice echoing a sinister snarl in the cramped and confined room.
“Headmeowster Felice.” Griffon simply replied, while gesturing towards the now empty chair directly across from his table. Playing along, I nodded, then stepped over the sleeping guards to sit across from the guild master. I had already finished my memory reading spell by this point, but out of respect for the help he had provided my own branch, calmly waited for him to continue our conversation.
Mana was still surging within me, and despite currently radiating immense pressure towards him, Griffon still maintained a sharp expression with his hands clasped tight together. “Your eyes are blue, and you aren’t speaking in beastkin.” He finally said after a lengthy silence, before releasing his hands to lightly begin massaging his temples. Noticing his discomfort, I slowly began reigning in the aggressive mana I was radiating to which he replied “Thank you.”
“Sorry, but I need answers Griffon. The royal palace, what do you know?”
“A moment, please.” He said while quickly reciting the incantation for high heal to help alleviate the intense mana pressure. Wanting to speed things along, I added my own high heal as well, while continuing to dampen the mana radiating out from my eyes. “If it’s about your students, I haven’t told the royal palace anything yet, Felice. His majesty... I only learned of his death an hour ago.”
“Your memories confirmed as much, Griffon.” I coldly replied while brushing some of the hair covering my eyes away. “I need information on the royal palace and family. My students... Inari... She would never—”
“I know, Felice!” The headmaster shouted while slamming his hand against his desk, causing some of the letters scattered across to fly into the air in a swirl of parchment fury. Amongst the chaotic symphony of paper, I noticed the letter I had written yesterday to him land across my lap, to which I brushed it aside to the floor. “Your students... Who exactly, were they? There’s no way mere adventurers at their level could possibly command such power...”
Glaring at the burly man across the table, I crossed my hands across my waist before responding to his genuine question about their strength. “You’re already aware about Inari’s blessing from the goddess of knowledge. However, her growth, along with the humans, was considerably accelerated due to the hero summoning magic performed by Solara.” Griffon furrowed his brow at my comments, to which he eventually replied “The kingdom’s 4 heroes are affecting her blessing? But that still doesn’t explain the—”
“No, Griffon.” I quickly interrupted, before clarifying my response in full. “King Solar summoned another hero... Kotato Yamata, he was the first one summoned by the royal sorcerer’s magic. Though their attempt initially appeared a failure, since his spatial positioning didn’t materialize him within the palace at the spell’s completion.”
“By the gods.” Griffon sighed while bringing his hand to rest against his forehead at the startling revelation. “That would certainly explain his power and aptitude for magic... But even so, from my brief interaction with them, I also don’t believe they would murder the king. And with Raya Lockhart taking part...”
...
“That said.” He coldly continued while staring into my eyes. “If they were trained by you, Felice, killing the king would certainly be possible under your guidance.”
“You humor me, Griffon.” I sharply replied while flicking my tail to the side. “You and I both know that wasn’t our plan. But, that said, while I can trust Inari and Raya wouldn’t seek to murder the king, I can’t eliminate the possibility that Kotato would. He was abandoned by the kingdom, and...” I trailed off on my comments, hesitant to explain the information I had learned from my absolute appraisal spell, as images of the joy and laughter shared with Kotato flashed throughout my mind. Why was I remembering the happiness when he held me within his arms. When he stroked my ears and told me he would changes his fate... The Harbinger of Destruction title... I clearly ignored the truth the world was trying to tell me, and yet, my heart aching to doubt the only logical answer. Why did I want to believe in Ko nayn’s words? Why did I keep...
“I’m sorry, Griffon, but I can’t say anymore about Kotato until I finish my own investigations.”
“Your absolute appraisal, Felice?” he calmly replied, to which I simply nodded to confirm his comments, before staring blankly at the letter I had tossed to the ground praising my students. “I see.” He said while leaning back in his chair, relaxing ever so little from our stressful conversation. “I truly do not envy the burden you carry, Felice. Possessing such a powerful magics. Yet to not trust even an old friend such as myself... The truth of the world... What a horrifying thing to always be shown...”
“That said, Griffon. Queen Emilia... Is it really true she executed them?” I finally asked, wanting to hear the answer personally from his own lips. “Tis what the royal palace is claiming.” He responded in a wavering tone. “But, both of us know, it’s impossible for Emilia to possess such power on her own.
...
Daemonium... The Hawthorn household contacted me earlier this morning about rumors Emilia was going to announce her engagement with the advisor. Then, hours later, the city square was placed on lockdown, until I eventually received word from the military about the king’s death. Shortly after, their knights came to investigate the adventurers who had won the tournament, and then you showed up.”
“I see.” I mumbled under my breath, starting to piece together the general timeline of events. “That definitely is suspicious. I know you mentioned King Solar was very particular about suitors for his daughter, so I highly doubt he would permit such a—”
Griffon smiled at my thought process as I continued rambling my thoughts to him, seemingly already aware of the conclusion I was just starting to make. “Can you grant me entrance to the royal palace, headmaster Griffon? If I can analyze them with absolute appraisal—”
Sadly, shaking his head in the negative, Griffon replied in a quiet tone towards my request. “Not even I can gain entry at the moment, Felice. The entire palace is on high alert after his majesty’s death.”
“Well, if I can’t gain formal entry, I’ll simply sneak in with illusion and—”
“And risk getting yourself caught?!?” Griffon sharply cut me off before continuing. “Even you should know that if a demi-human gets caught infiltrating the royal palace, all of our attempts at helping the beastkin and demi-humans will be for naught!”
Rolling my eyes at the headmaster’s words, the mana within my body finally began to relax, as my mind now began working through the information I was about to share with Griffon. “Seriously Griffmeown, you really think such third-rate magic users could detect meow magic nyan?”
A smile began to grow across the old headmaster’s face, as mana continued to pulse and hum within my body under control again. “That said, headmeowster Felice, if your students really were as powerful as your claimed, the fact they were executed implies there must be something horrible within those palace walls.”
“Demeows... You finally believe nya report I made to the guild earlier this month then, meown? I’ll also add, my father recently conmeowed yesterday signs of demons in Thalassia.”
“And I, have heard rumors from contacts in Valoria regarding demons as well.” Griffon grinned, with a sharp glint in his eye as he clasped his hands together in delight. “If this really is the work of demons, as we’re beginning to imply, then acting rash would only make things worse on our part in eliminating them.
...
Felice, I know you are exceptionally powerful, perhaps one of the strongest mages alive to this day. Yet even so, for you to fight a demon such as this one, even I am unsure who amongst you would emerge victorious. Fighting aside, whatever advisory we face is surely on the lookout for any kind of retaliatory efforts. We must bide our time, and wait.”
Mulling over Griffon’s words, meow had to admit, he did have valid points. I always taught meown students to exercise caution, and, speaking with nya friend, it was clear I wasn’t alone in my plight either meown. “Thank you, Griffmeown. I purromise not to do anything rash while nya gather infurrmation.”
Releasing a heavy breath, Griffon sighed at meow apparent response, before grabbing meow hand with a smile. “Thank you, Felice. I swear to you, both as your friend, and as the headmaster for the Solara Adventurer’s Guild Branch, that I will do everything within my powers to be maliciously compliant with the royal family’s requests into their investigations over his majesty’s death. And, while I know the pain is still fresh, want to offer you my condolences over the loss of your prized students.”
Smiling as meow, I felt a small tear form ameown the corner of nyan eyes, as I continmeowed to enjoy the warmth of Griffon’s hands enclosed ameowed mine. Finally, after enjoying the silence and warmth a little longer, nya softly replied to his words. “Likewise, Griffmeown. I’m glad you consider Felice a friend, meown. Biding nya time... I will grieve ovmeow nya student’s deaths for meow. Their potenmeow... I will purrsonally be the one to help them find rest meown.”
Standing up and releasing our clasped hands to wipe some meow the shimmering water from meown eyes, nya eventually found the strength to throw my black cloak on, before heading towards the office doors. My tail was sharply flicking from side to side, and my ears were pinned back, but I mew this was for the best. Then, with my back still turned towards Griffmeown, I silently left the room, only offering a simple wave to the headmeowster still sitting behind his desk.
Meown next stop, was back to nya tavern for meow planning. Demeowns, if they really were becoming meow active in Terra again, then, meow would simpurrly have to remind them which family helped bring their numbers so close to extinction meowny years ago.
