*Growl*

Huh.

Odd.

*Groowwwllll*

Strange.

Very strange…

*Shiver*

While patting my tummy to make sure that Monday mystery lunch wasn’t going to revolt, a sudden chill ran down my spine, as if warning me of an imminent danger.

With a shake of the head, I stomped down whatever random impulse that was threatening to form inside my mind.

Calm down now. There is no danger here.

“Yet.”

September’s slaughter is far from happening.

“Irrelevant.”

The imaginary bunny is just being unfunny again…

“Hey! Screw you, I’m a riot!”

With a deep breath, I closed my eyes and took in the surroundings. Screams and shouts were brought to the forefront, followed closely by the smell of sweat and saliva. In other words, the nest was just how it always was - messy and crazy, as it should be.

See? This is the safest place in the entire land! Bet you feel pretty silly now, huh?

Yet, despite the reassurance, I still couldn’t shake off such an uneasy feeling. A glance at my right foot revealed that, yes, it had been stomping the poor floor since who-knew-when, much to my irritation.

Quit it, you! Isn’t bὕnny’s foot supposed to bring good luck?

Shaking myself out of the stupor, I took another deep breath and diverted my attention towards something, anything, just to regain some peace of mind.

“Hedge knights, now is the chance to truly earn your title, to prove those pompous asses wrong! Magicians, let’s show everyone the might of magic! Together, we’ll see whether our petty tricks or the peacocks’ fancy trinkets can save the day!”

A telling of Captain Jack’s tale? Perfect! This should keep me occupied.

With a few silent steps, I easily made my way to the back of the group. None of the kits seemed to have even realized that a towering bὕnny was now among them, though I wasn’t sure if it was because of my masterful stealth or the storyteller’s enchanting will.

“Who even wants to live forever!? Tonight, we dine in... We dine in…? Uh, uhm, we dine on shells?”

Welp, nevermind then…

The teller continued to spin whatever yarn he could think of, desperate to keep the story on track. Fortunately for him, his audience seemed to be the forgiving type, for they still regaled such a cart wreck with rapt attention. After all, who even cared about the tiny little details that could make or break a tale anyway?

Oh, right.

Me.

Shaking my head slightly, I decided to spend my time on a nearby newspaper instead.

[ ROYAL PALACE IN FLAMES!!! DARKNESS OVER BRIGHT LAND!!! ] - As the good folks celebrated July festivities, an evil reemerged. Earlier this morning, the transmission from every household’s magic box was intercepted. To the horror of everyone, the face of Bogeyman, leader of the Dreamcatcher Cult, soon appeared on screen.

I paused a bit and took some sips of water. Here came the juicy part.

The vile criminal declared war on our beautiful homeland before switching the view to the royal palace, where his dreaded steed was looming from above. The monstrosity then summoned the head of our late king for its wicked ritual, resulting in the devastation of Eagle’s Perch. Despite the best effort of the imperial wizards as well as the royal guards…

[ CURBS ON CONVENIENCE! NOBLE DEMANDS! ] - Bright inventions such as the magic box will be confiscated until further notice. Due to their potential danger, only aristocrats can retain access to these tools. However, is it truly for our safety or…

[ THE SYMBOL OF HOPE ON FIRE! A SIGN OF THE NEW BLOODY DAWN? ] - As the unending inferno consumes the highest perch of holy lands, many begin to cast doubt on the nobility’s competence. Can the citizens truly find protection from…

[ ANOTHER ROYAL FAILURE! THE PRINCE STEPPING DOWN? ] - While there has been no confirmation, it is not difficult to imagine that…

[ NO SIGN OF A NEW CHOSEN! NO COMMENT FROM THE CHURCH! ] - The saintess has not returned from her overseas pilgrimage…

[ WHERE IS OUR HERO WHEN WE NEED HER? WHERE IS CRIMSON ROSE? ] - No one knows why the vigilante called…

*Yawnnn*

“Readbaits, readbaits and even more readbaits. Bright New Day really has gone down the hill…”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Having unceremoniously thrown the newspaper in a pile, I decided to get up and do something more productive… before immediately sitting down with its following issues in paws.

What? Those readbaits were just really darn good!

Plus, back when I was summoned and got briefed of the situation in Bright Land, the need to inform Hiro ASAP had prevented me from reading the newspapers in earnest. So, now was as good a time as any.

Without further ado, I proceeded to enrich myself with new manners of lures and half-lies.

[ PROTESTS GONE WRONG, GONE CONSPIRATORIAL!!! ] - After a few weeks with no attacks following the Dreamcatcher Cult’s declaration of war, several protests rose up in various areas across Bright Land, demanding an end to the imposed martial law. Last night, as citizens of Eagle’s Landing celebrated August’s coming as well as the first chosen’s descent, disaster struck.

“Oh deer…”

Despite their best effort, the city guards could not stop the citizens from leaving their house to join the festivities. By midnight, a drunken brawl led to some disputes between a noble and several commoners. This quickly grew out of control and drove the crowd into an agitated state. Worse still, an unknown party decided to throw a fire into the oil and set the noble ablaze. Before the guards could interfere, violence had already overtaken the city.

“...”

Amidst the chaos, a group of individuals specifically targeted many archknights of the Guardian Academy, who took part in patrolling the streets as ordered by the martial law. Using the crowd as a cover, these criminals managed to get close to the archknights and assassinated them simultaneously, causing panic and mayhem to break loose. By the time order could be restored, the perpetrators had already escaped, leaving behind untold casualties.

As healers from the temples arrived to give the fallen another chance at life, it was discovered that only citizens and city guards could be resurrected. The arrows and daggers used to attack the archknights were soon identified to be those of the cult, much to everyone’s horror.

This morning, the royal family has declared a state of emergency…

[ CONSPIRACY TARGETING COMMONERS? SMOKESCREEN AGAINST NOBLES? ] - Despite a ban on protests…

[ USELESS SECURITY WARDS? EAGLE’S FLIGHT AT FAULT? ] - How else…

[ NOBLE OUTRAGE! COUNTLESS ACADEMY DROPOUTS! ] - Horrifying…

[ SABOTAGED DOCKS! BURNING AIRSHIPS! ] - All of…

[ THE PRINCE’S PLEA FOR PEACE! ] - This…

[ CRIMSON ROSE, STILL ABSENT! ] - Is…

…

I continued to skim over headlines after headlines, anxious to see what would transpire. Unfortunately, even at the last issue, a conclusion was still nowhere in sight.

“...”

When the watchers returned from Humming Hill, they could only bring back the tidings of early August. Now, it was already September, with the blood moon being at its cruelest. With any luck, it would take months before news of further development could reach this part of Wyld Land.

Sighing slightly, I returned the papers to their shelf and left the reading corner. That was enough news for a day.

•ㅅ•

“So, I was thinking…”

“Uh huh.”

“Since I will need to follow a runner for at least a year before being recognized as a full-fledged fetcher…”

“Uh huh~”

“...”

Having brought a paw up to disguise my chuckle as a cough, I proceeded to help myself with another juicy piece of meat. Out of the corner of my eye, Hiro was fidgeting in his seat, and it took all my effort to not break character then and there.

Yup, this is definitely making dinner more delicious!

After another minute of silent teasing, I decided that the poor boy had had enough, for now.

“Hm~ So, have you found a runner worth following yet? You should know that joining someone’s flock is no simple matter.” I put my fork down and looked straight at him. “After all, a lot of runners would much prefer running their pawns ragged instead of actually teaching them anything, and those are the nicer ones.”

An audible gulp could be heard in response to the seriousness in my words.

“Some, especially those from one of the old clans, somehow still believe that “natural selection” is the way to go.” I mimicked the heirs’ quotes with my fingers. “Their “education” is best described as brutal and instinctual, similar to kicking a newborn bird out of its nest.”

“I… I see…”

“Um hum. Well then, I believe that you already have the perfect candidate in mind~?”

While the fetcher-in-training collected his thoughts, I picked up my cup of juice and enjoyed its richness-

“Oh yeah, I thought that friend of yours would be ideal. I believe that her name is Bun`Imun? Can you tell her this later?”

-before spurting out whatever sourness that just invaded my mouth…

“WHAT!?” I could not help but exclaim. “Are you crazy!? Can’t you see the perfect runner sitting right in front of you!? And, and Imun will get transferred to a gathering by the end of this month! Most of her flock would have disbanded by then, while she goes on to live in that boring boonie for the rest of her life! Do you really want to follow someone to… that kind of… place…”

I paused.

Sounds of barely concealed chuckles entered my ears…

THIS JERK!!!

“You tricked me!”

“What can I say? I get to learn from the best. That is, if she would still let me?”

“Gahhh!!!”

•ㅅ•

*Screech*Screech*

“So, what did we learn today?”

“Playing pranks on your superior is bad.”

“And?”

“... Bὕnnies are the most merciful species and would never hold a grudge?” Seeing my flat stare, Hiro quickly switched tactics. “You know, I didn’t expect that chalkboard punishment would be my just desserts. Given everything I have seen in the nests and the stomping grounds, my expectations were a bit… “wylder”, so to speak.”

“Most usually get kicked off a cliff or have to undergo latrine duty for a month. The only reason you got off lightly is because you’re a guest of the Horde.” I smirked. “Unless, you would want to-”

“This is a very fitting punishment! I will be good, ma’am!”

“That’s what I thought~”

*Screech*Screech*Screech*

“By the way, it was good timing on your part. Once I get my flock back in order next week, we will be making plans for an expedition up north soon.” Before my ward could ask, I showed him the August issue of Bright New Day. “I was already planning to apply as an escort for the caravan heading towards Bright Land next month. Goddess knows that they need all the help they can get…”

Instantly, the sound of chalk on board slowed to a crawl.

“C’mon, cheer up! You can join us on this trip as well. It’s safe enough for your first expedition, and it’s still honest help. Besides, not like any of this was your fault in the first place, amirite?”

*Screeeeech*

“... Right.”

“Plus, even if you return to Bright Land now, your strength would not be enough to change anything.” I proceeded to pat him on the back. “It’s easy to sacrifice yourself in a zealous fervor, but to endure unfairness ‘til one could finally strike at its heart, that’s the hard part!”

“... Yeah, right.”

“Plus, we will be stopping by Resting Branch on the way. That place is one of the melting pots for adventurers everywhere! The adventurers’ guild definitely has extensive information about the Crimson Dragon from past subjugation quests. Plus, you might even learn to unlock your will… eh, aura, from some veterans at the place. It’s foolproof!”

“Yeah… yeah, you’re right! In fact, that would be the perfect step for me!” The fetcher-in-training looked over and gave me a bright smile. “Thanks, Isa. I needed to hear that.”

“Glad to help!”

And so, each of us busied ourselves with our own plan, eager for the challenges ahead.

Despite my increasingly grumbly stomach and the bloody moonlight from above, I could not help but end the night with a smile on my lips.

After all, tomorrow would definitely be a wonderful new day!