Return to Qingrad

"My thanks, Talonmasters. This is a better start to an outpost than I could have hoped!"

Standing in front of us was a man in his mid twenties at the latest, his youthful features pairing with a dazzling smile that made a few of the soldiers look at one another with small smirks and raised brows.

Even as someone who knew they preferred only the fairer sex and Futanari, I could admit that the man in front of me was handsome and desirable.

Long black hair was pulled back into a ponytail that trailed down his slightly broad back, revealing his fair nape and keeping his hair out of his brilliant emerald eyes that were filled with certainty and knowledge.

His arms were muscular, though the black robe that he wore almost concealed how strong his physique was, but the broad, flared blade hanging on his silver chain belt made it clear that he was a strong man, while the small medallion that hung on his other hip pulsed with mana.

Taller than I was by a few inches, his lithe frame and gentle, yet defined features made him seem elegant despite the deadly weapon on his hip, while the long, tapered ears gave away his non human heritage.

Young Master Qin was a powerful young man, something I could feel even from behind Alessia and Trania; his mana was powerful, and the unique weapon made for him was evidence that he understood how to handle himself.

Perhaps not as strong as Alessia just yet, but he was getting there whilst also being a few years her junior, so...

"The raid shall commence in a weeks time, after we shore up this outpost and receive our reinforcements from Valrock City. I expect to see you then, Talonmasters. Soldiers. Until then, rest; you've earned it."

Giving the assembled soldiers a nod, Young Master Qin stared at me for a moment before looking away, not acknowledging the salutes as he began to walk beside the Talonmaster of the squad that came to replace us, talking to them quietly and gesturing to the outpost.

"You heard the Young Master! C'mon, let's get back to Qingrad!"

The soldiers let out a cheer as we grabbed our packs and loot, chatting amusedly with one another and discussing what we would be doing with the coin we had earned; some were setting it aside for the future, some where getting some better gear, and a few were talking about taking some time off to head to some other cities for the 'entertainment'.

Alessia pulled me onto her horse and smirked at me as she wrapped her arms around my waist, placing me in front of her and saying "Keep me some company, Kira~?"

The Dogkin ignored the snickers of the troops as I nodded, setting into yet another story of hers that was more polished and embellished than a Nobleman's 'treasured armor', though it helped pass the time as we made our way back to Qingrad, all of us feeling a tad exhausted and ready for a few days of rest.

With the city being all but a few hours away, we reached the safety of its walls just as the sun was beginning its descent from its zenith, giving us the rest of the day to settle back into the city before heading to dinner as a unit, celebrating the completion of this mission.

All of us headed towards the Supply Depot first, where Quartermaster Hu had to endure an hour of sorting through the various materials we brought back and fetching mountains of coins out of the vaults, handing them over with slight reluctance.

In my case, she clicked her tongue and tossed the pouch towards me without a care, but after opening it and counting the coin, I found the correct amount of Golds and Silvers inside, once more showing that despite her disdain for me, the Quartermaster took her job seriously.

All in all, we made our fair share of money, and I couldn't help but smile as I felt the weight of the pouch, knowing that it would find its way to a new owner soon enough when I bought myself some better armor, weapons, and took a gander at the various other things I could potentially end up needing.

Perhaps a wand of some kind to amplify my magic?

I do fight one handed with the falchion, so perhaps having something to off hand would prove worthwhile; either a dagger, a wand, or a buckler perhaps?

Then there was the issue of my armor; how light did I want to keep it, and just how much did I need to replace from my current set?

My boots were doing well, the pants were a bit tight but otherwise alright, the cuirass was a definite item getting replaced, I could use some bracers, maybe some pauldrons as well?

I also wanted some not so clunky helmet to protect my head, or at the very least a hood; maybe an enchanted one to turn the cloth into something similar to metal?

Though, that's incredibly expensive and hard to find since most people don't sell those types of items to just anyone, so I would certainly need to find something that wasn't going to be a 'detriment' to my senses whilst still being good enough to protect me.

"Kira~? You're spacing out again."

Feeling Alessia pinch my waist, I frowned as I looked towards the grinning Dogkin, who released me and gestured towards the three members of my team, saying "We're going to head over to the 'Jolly Smith' to place orders for your new weapons or armor, depending on what you get. Remember, one piece only for each of you. Trania and I are treating you, yes, but don't take advantage of that kindness now, alright?"

Victor and Inga nodded, while Paci just grinned back at her Talonmaster as she tilted her head, saying "Now would we ever~ do that, Talonmaster Alessia~?"

"Yes Paci, I know YOU would, you conniving mutt. You've tried before, after all."

"Do it again and I'll have you running laps around Qingrad."

Paci's smile faded and stiffened as both Talonmaster's gave her a serious look, only to pout as she looked at me and pleaded "Kira, they're being mean to me~! Reel in Alessia, please~?"

However, her pout only deepened as I gave the other Dogkin a soft smile, shaking my head before looking at Alessia as the Talonmaster gloated "If anything, I've reeled in Kira here~! Tough luck, Paci! Now, be on your best behavior, hmm~?"

Grumbling, the other Dogkin just turned and looked away, letting out a huff before following behind us with an excited gait as we made our way towards the 'Jolly Smith', where Alessia and Trania would provide us our reward.