90 This Hero Makes a Plan! (1/2)
”So… Styles, huh? Well, I'll need to test it out more when I have the chance.” I gave a slight smile. Perhaps this will be my gateway to punching above my weight class. I can't imagine what this type of method would have done when I was fighting Mully, or what it could do for me in the future.
Kany and Erana ran up to me while Tael dusted off his robe… or was he knocking crumbs off of it? Actually, just how many of those tart things did he eat, anyway?
”Kenji-san, are you alright? We heard about how you fought with hobgoblins! You're not hurt anywhere are you?” Erana was examining my body incredibly quickly, like a parent that just saw their child fall.
”N-No I'm fine. Listen I-”
”Jeez Onii-san. Why is it always you that gets sent off random places? Can't you just stick with us for once?”
”It's not like I meant to-”
”Mphh! Mphh mphh mphh!” Tael interjected.
”Swallow your food then talk.”
Tael took a cartoonishly large swallow as he metaphorically inhaled the tart treat. After he smacked his stomach to ensure it was in there, he wiped his face and gave a smug smile.
”It's good to see you could survive without me for once! Honestly, I was so worried for our poor little Kenji that I could do nothing but eat to reduce my stress!”
”Weren't you the one that suggested that we share a snack to build our camaraderie, Tael-san?”
”Yep. That's exactly what he did.”
”Did it not work? Now I know everybody's names!”
”Well so do I and I only ate one. You ate 4.”
”The number does not matter! What matters is Kenji is safe and sound! Now we can get on with the plan!”
”Ah! Before that…” Erana reached into a small pocket and pulled out one of the tarts that everyone else had been eating. ”I saved you one!” She smiled brightly.
Ah... mom, dad, a pretty girl just gave me food without me paying for it and she smiled while she did it… I hope you're proud of me.
I took the tart happily and bit into it with gusto. My mouth exploded with flavor. I could taste strawberry jelly and could feel the soft crumble as it shifted around in my mouth. I can entirely understand why Tael ate 4 of these now.
”Why didn't you eat more of these, Kany?”
”Huh? You expect me to just cling to the charity of others like that?”
”Aren't we here because of you pipsqueak?” Tael put his hands on his hips and leaned down
Kany went silent. In an effort to avoid the awkwardness that had just been delivered I looked towards Jaq and his group. They seemed to be discussing something just like we were.
A woman shifted to look towards me when I said this. Her gaze pierced me like an arrow as I felt a chill up my spine. Before I could shake this eerie feeling, the woman had already approached me and placed a hand upon my shoulder.
”I apologize for our leaders actions. It was his fault that any of this happened in the first place. I hope you will forgive him.” She gave a deep bow when she said this. Her short brown hair fluttered in the wind as she moved her head.
”N-Nah it's fine. He actually taught me something useful… I'm Kenji by the way.”
”Kenji-san, I am Yuna. I hope we can work together from now on.” She gave a light, business-like smile. Her face, while mature, contained an air of childishness that I can't ignore.
”Come on Kenji-san, let's talk to the others and find out a plan. I'm sure we'll need you here.” Erana began to walk towards the pseudo camp as everyone else followed. I followed closely afterwards as everyone got into a circle to discuss. Jaq's party and mine stood in their own clique's, but we were all focused on the ground in front of us.
”Okay… so first of all, the camp is a circle.” Jaq began. He pulled out his sword and traced an oval on the ground. ”I saw it when I jumped. It's not enormous, but I'd wager a solid 1000 soldiers are stationed there.”
”1000? What type?” Ron seemed relaxed as he asked this. Numbers like these must be typical fare for someone of his experience.
”No idea. Kenji and I fought a few hobgoblins earlier so we can assume the main force is made up of them, but I have no idea if that's true or not.”
”Any idea where the monster we need to take down is?” Yuna was drawing little tents inside of the oval Jaq had made with her finger.
”Though I didn't see 'em, I would bet that they're in the largest tent in the center. I'd also wager that the letter we need to grab is over there as well.”
”What about the rock we need so we can get out of here?” Kany interjected. Leave it to the rogue to think of an escape plan first.
”Oh, I didn't see it but I'm sure Ron can find it. He has locate object so we'll be fine.”
As if on cue, Ron held his necklace as his body was encapsulated by a golden light for a moment. After the glistening had stopped, he looked at the drawing on the floor and marked an X right next to the center.
”Huh…” Jaq let out.
”Okay. What's the plan?” I quickly asked. I'll leave it to my senpai's to show me how it's done when it comes to raiding an enemy camp.
”Well… We're probably screwed if I'll be entirely honest.” Jaq sat down on the dirt floor and cupped his head with his hand.