30 Reine 1 (2/2)

Soon, troops streamed in and out of the treasury carting off the demon spider's hoard with raucous cheers as any one party exited the cave.

—

Back at the camp, as the various cooks busied around the cookfire, Edward and the officers were gathered in the officer tent discussing the spoils of this hunting trip. As per army law, all participants are entitled to a cut of the spoils with officers and enlisted having a different rate. Outstanding soldiers that performed well will be given more in recognition of their merits.

The officers were all in debate with regards to the last part by predictably stating how great their own troops performed. (Ahh, the usual I did better than everyone stretches across armies even from different worlds it seems) Edward thought as a wry smile crooked his face.

Edward coughed a few times and silence fell in the tent. Edward proceeded to query how well they have done on the front of eliminating demon beasts in the Rolger Forests and mentioned that prince Aureus gave an express order to thin out the demon beasts as best they could.

Several officers appeared to get the hint while the rest reported the extermination rate. Some officers followed up with suggestions of how outstanding performances in the field by soldiers should be gauged by the number of demon beasts one has slain on the field. As this suggestion sounded out, many officers eyes blinked and while some were slow on the uptake, many agreed that such an assessment was fair with little room for argument.

Edward had to suppress a smile as the officers than redid the calculations for meritorious achievements in the expedition and worked through their candidates with a new set of parameters.

As the list of loot was finally tallied and sent to the officers tent, Edward announced the final loot tally to the officers. The officers raised their cups in acknowledgment and toasted once more to prince Aureus's health.

—

The next day, the spirit beast tribe leaders approached the camp and requested a meeting with Edward. They wanted to go through details of traveling to the Mulberry forest near Everdawn and to coordinate logistics with the human party. In addition, Reine wanted more details on their duties and responsibilities should the tribes swear fealty to prince Aureus.

Edward had no issues clearing the matter with regards to logistics however he stated in a firm tone that the latter should and must be discussed with prince Aureus and his council. He can give his report and recommendations but the final decision will be made by prince Aureus.

Reine did not appear offended by what Edward's firm stance and instead gave an appreciative nod and expressed her interest in meeting a man like prince Aureus.

The tribe leaders then excused themselves stating that they had duties to oversee especially when they will be traveling across open lands soon.

Edward asked if they would be interested in a meal before leaving but the leaders all declined with a smile before leaving the camp.

—

As Edward's company of troops left the Rolger Forests, it was trailed by a horde of spirit beasts at its tail.

All the way back to Everdawn's territory, there were no demon beasts that disturbed their passage.

During the evenings when both parties would break camp, some spirit beast leaders and their elite guards would venture over to the human encampment and seek out Edward and dine with the officers.

When the company neared one day's ride from Everdawn, Edward sent out a rider with two escorts that carried a sound orb that contained his report on the hunting expedition as well as details regarding the pledging of fealty by the spirit beast tribes. Edward wanted to send out the report earlier to give Aureus a greater time period to frame his response, but he judged it too risky to allow three riders to report back to Everdawn by themselves from Rolger Forests.

As Edward watched the riders speeding off into the distance, he mused to himself that Aureus will handle it fine even though the entire matter may be abrupt.

(One does not rise in the battlefield by not being adaptable)