FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 21: The Military Quarter

---

He does?!

De Pong almost choked on his own tongue.

He'd been merely joking just now, but who could've thought that the Third Young Master would actually agree just like that.

Actually, from what he'd got from his Master, Third Young Master Kyu Cao seemed to have no interest in matters related to the military, or more like he tended keep a distance.

So he never thought the Young Master would actually wish to go with them.

"Good, good! It will be our honor to have Third Young Master supervise the delivery!" Quick witted, De Pong quickly recovered and spoke both respectfully and lively. Plus, now that he thought it over, there was actually nothing wrong with the Young Master going to the military quarter, so he was quickly more at ease.

"No, I do not plan to go as an overseer. I want to only take a look."

"Is that right? Then we will be happy to have Young Master as our guest."

Kyu Cao nodded at the short dog.

Then, he seemed to consider something, before speaking. "Maybe I should give a paw?"

"Eh," De Pong took a moment to comprehend the cat's words, then, he scrambled to respond. "N-, it's, Young Master doesn't need to bother himself with such matters! Young Master can leave the menial tasks to the apprentices and servants; it's their work after all! Why doesn't Young Master accompany me to drink a cup of tea while they finish preparing things here?"

"All right." Seeing the dog's response, Kyu Cao tactfully agreed.

De Pong internally gave a big sigh of relief.

If his Master knew that he allowed the Third Young Master to do such manual work, he would be beaten so badly that he would swell like a ball, and his charming creases would disappear.

A long row of carriages followed a path through the military quarter, each one pulled by a stout, long-furred boar.

These Wildland Armorcoat Boars were the main mount used in the Wave Breaking Empire, both strong and sturdy; their long fur was quite resilient and though like armor, and they had good speed compared to their build.

From the front of one of these carriages, Kyu Cao observed the military quarter curiously.

Though called the military quarter, unsurprisingly, the state's area designed for military affairs was actually much bigger than any of the other quarters, such that even the three combined did not match up to it.

This was actually because most of the military quarter was occupied by residences for the soldiers that literally lived here, together with their families.

Comparatively, the actual surface dedicated for the more expected military facilities like drill fields, training grounds, armory and offices, was much smaller.

So rather than the rough environment of training soldiers and barking instructors that he'd expected, Kyu Cao felt more like he had come to a big village.

Wives chatted and gossiped on the streets, while they bought ingredients for today's meal from the merchants lined up the path. Kids from all the theriope races ran around and played merrily, involuntarily bringing a smile to one's muzzle.

Whenever the carriages passed, these kids would stop and turn with sparkling eyes and gaping maws, pointing their little fingers toward the shaggy boars. Of course, some ended being chided by their mothers, who after that would take their paws and take them for a closer look, much to the little critters' delight.

"It sure is lively, isn't it, Young Master?" Also seated on the carriage, De Pong commented next to Kyu Cao, personally guiding the reins.

"Yes, it is."

"Once we get past the residences we will arrive to the barracks' door. We'll be delivering the consignment there."

"We are not... entering?" Kyu Cao wasn't really aware of how the military quarter was laid out, so he didn't know what exactly the dog meant. He could only imagine that the actual barracks where the soldiers trained were separated from the rest of the quarter by some kind of division.

"That is not necessary. We are only required to deliver them at the door. Then it will up to the army's medics to take the cargo in."

"I see."

With the speed of the boars, it only took around a sixth of hour to cross the military residences, upon which the carriages arrived at a tall, sturdy looking wall.

This wall was red in color, with the height of at least five floors. It emitted a heavy pressure, one which made nobody think that it wasn't a truly thick wall, though how thick was hard to say.

Contrastingly, on the wall was a somewhat small door, just slightly bigger than a carriage's height. It was red too, framed by green carvings, and a pair of guard soldiers stood on each side.

Why was such a thing required in the middle of the quarter, Kyu Cao didn't even try to guess. He was more interested on what could be behind that wall.

When the guards sighted them, one of them ran inside the door, coming back some time later with a rooster dressed in subdued gray clothes.

Noticing this rooster, De Pong's wrinkled face acquired some more creases with a scowl of disgust. "Curses! It had to be that pedant cock!... Ah, pardon, Young Master, I have spoken rather unbecomingly."

"Is he a disagreeable individual?" Kyu Cao took a look at this theriope, noticing that this one's posture indeed exhibited the traits of a flaunting personality.

"Just a snob who thinks himself better because he is an army medic... Ah, but Young Master shouldn't pay attention to such characters. Young Master should just ignore him, and... cough, observe."

De Pong was already ready to complain, but remembering who was seated next to him he stopped himself. Still, he continued to curse the rooster inside, now a feeling of trepidation weighting his heart.

If the cock were to look for troubles with him, that would actually be fine in this occasion.

But if the snobish prick were to disrespect the Young Master, he was afraid of the consequences.

Not of the ones that would befall the rooster though, but him!

If his Master were to know that this treasured child went through something unpleasant under his care, his Master would turn him into a marvelous rug!

Before long, they arrived in front of the door.

De Pong excused himself and got down from the carriage, then went toward where the guard and the rooster stood waiting. The youths on the other carriages immediately went about unloading and moving the goods.

As for Kyu Cao, he too came down quickly after.

He waited for a moment, before deciding to move close to where they seemed to be piling up the crates. He could not exactly begin to wander around here on his own after all.

Taking a glance around, it was impossible to not notice the wide, empty space that existed between the wall and where the residences began.

Together with the wall, all these things were simply peculiar.

Now that Kyu Cao took a moment to consider it, it didn't really make much sense for such heavy measures to be used only to separate the barracks from the residences, so these must have another function.

Maybe they were defensive measures?

Well, Kyu Cao was still not really interested in warfare, so he didn't linger on these thoughts too much and began to imagine how it would be at the other side of the wall.

Before long, young theriopes that looked like trainee soldiers came out from the door to stand next to the piling up crates. One of them held on some papers, so it seemed they were here to confirm the order.

It was while he was observing these coming trainees, that Kyu Cao surprisingly saw a familiar face.

This one soon also noticed him, and when their eyes crossed, he considered it was only proper to go and exchange greetings.

He only walked a few steps, when the other party hurried his way.

With sinuous and smooth movements that left a trail on the ground like the sea waves on the sand, she quickly arrived in front of him and greeted him with a bow. "Senior Cao, what a happy coincidence to meet Senior here."

"Un."

Li Ling was as pretty and graceful as always, with a hint of heroic air around her.

Though compared to when they were at the Backdoor, she was acting even more refined, a lovely bearing blooming on her. Several of the present young males couldn't help but turn their heads with dazed expressions.

Females of the snake race were more often than not naturally beautiful, and the most sensual. And although still slightly immature, Li Ling was not the exception.

"Not that I'm not glad to see Senior Cao again but, may I ask, why is Senior here?" she asked softly.

After their meeting and return, Li Ling and the others had decided to not pursue the matter of the cat's identity. This was not only out of respect for his privacy, but also friendship.

Not that they didn't perk their ears for any spontaneous clues, but from the beginning, it was pretty obvious that the cat wasn't someone who resided in the trainee's barracks like them, or even the military quarter.

Heck, he was not even a trainee.

Thus, to find him here, Li Ling was honestly surprised.

"I came to take a stroll," Kyu Cao said neutrally, with that impassive face of his.

"I see." Li Ling let out a soft giggle, thinking that this Senior Cao was truly the same everywhere.

Their conversation naturally attracted the attention of many present, and led the eyes of the young military trainees to Kyu Cao.

Because he'd obviously come with the carriages, they immediately thought he was someone from the infirmary.

But seeing as how he let the others do all the work, added to his evidently extraordinary garments, they also concluded that this must be a rich heir from a powerful family.

Being an Apothecary was not that stemmed of a profession.

Compared to being an Alchemist, it was simply as different as Heaven and Earth.

Not few thought these people were wishful day-dreamers, who aspired to become Alchemists, but couldn't. At least, this was the case when that theriope came from a good family.

It might be fine if it was treated as a hobby by the elderly. But for a noble youth to seriously consider a career as an Apothecary, it could only mean this theriope's position was not very good.

Thus, the eyes of these soldier trainees didn't contain any respect.

But they were not disrespectful either. No one was dumb enough to look for trouble with a noble, since these people tended to be really prideful.

Even the trainee at charge decided to give the pair some time, since they had yet to begin with the carrying anyways.

"Did Senior Cao come with the Infirmary's carriages?"

"Yes."

"Then, does that mean, that Senior Cao knows some Aphotecy?" Li Ling asked with a glint in her eyes.

"Un," the cat nodded, and Li Ling silently sighed in admiration.

Many thought those noble sons who studied Aphotecy were those of comparatively lower status, bad talent in cultivation, and at dead ends.

But she had seen herself the abilities and the strength of the cat in front of her, so she couldn0t believe this to be the case.

With his stubborn personality, she wouldn't be surprised if he said it was only a hobby... where he already attained some accomplishments in it.

However, she still wouldn't dare to think the cat had reached a level such as that of a Personage Apothecary, which was the case. And if she were to know, she would have no other option but be helplessly shocked again.

"How have you fared?" he asked, and she put those thoughts aside.

"We have been... fine. Bi Gong seems to be a bit wary of flowers now though," she said with a chuckle.

Kyu Cao quickly deducted that it had to do with the Devilish Catnip they'd discovered before. And after personally seeing its effects, he actually couldn't find the bull's actions exaggerated.

But there was something that picked the cat's interest.

"Hoh, and who would this little friend be?" Suddenly, another voice interjected from the side.