Koyuki, the Necromancing Foxkin

CHAPTER 352: Planning for the Break

The final exams for the year were almost here and sadly they involved more than necromancy. So I had to work on other things as well.

"Military formations are not that interesting but at least I can use that information for my undead." I mused, as I decided to take a break. I was studying in our room with Helena sitting on the other bed.

"How is your plan to use commands for your troops coming along?" Helena asked, after closing her book.

"I have talked to Valeria and she seemed interested in supplying me with wood for spears and shields. She invited us to visit her during the break." I replied.

I was interrupted by knock.

"Come in." Helena said.

Cassie, Skadi and all of my tier three who were not yet in the room entered.

"What is this about?" I asked, as I got up and joined Helena on her bed. It made some room for Skadi and Cassie to sit down.

"We need to plan for the break." Skadi said.

"We were just talking about that." Helena replied.

"Yeah, I just mentioned that Valeria has invited us to her home." I added.

"Did she specify a date?" Skadi asked.

I shook my head.

"Good, maybe we can go there on the way back. My mother has sent me a letter that she will visit Helena's father." Cassie said.

"My parents will be there as well." Skadi added.

Helena grinned. "Awesome!"

"So we all go to your family's home, spend some time there and then visit Valeria on the way back." I reasoned. "I wonder if we could hunt in the Korrah Forest?"

"You don't want to go for a hunt in the mountains again?" Helena asked. "We could meet the Devourer again!"

"We still don't speak their language." I pointed out.

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"But we have four cats now!" Helena stated, while grabbing Yoru and placing him on her lap.

"Do you believe that makes them four times as convincing?" Garm asked.

"It would be interesting to meet a great natural undead." Kaito mused. "However, the language barrier would be a hindrance. Perhaps we can spend some time researching the language? Hopefully we will hear from Lady Nanami again next year. She, or Kotara, might be able to help us find a translation."

I scratched my head. "I am not sure, what do you think about the Devourer, Nyx?" I picked up the skeletal cat and stared into her eyes.

"Meow."

"Was that a shrug?" I asked.

"I believe Nyx is pondering which way holds the most snacks." Hatsumi suggested.

"Meow."

"That did sound like a yes…" I muttered and placed the feline in my lap. "Anyway, I thought we would have an easier time finding monsters in the forest."

"It depends." Helena said. "Sometimes there are monster waves coming form the mountains, sometimes things are more quiet. We will have to see how the vampiric nightshade situation is going and if there is any other shady activity in the area."

"Maybe we can hunt goblins? You already have a lot of goblin zombies." Skadi suggested.

"If we can find a camp that could work. I guess we can talk to your Father and see if there is anything we can help with. We are certainly strong enough to help the local soldiers." I suggested.

"Good thinking, are you going to bring your goblins?" Helena asked.

"They are too slow, we would need to organise wagons for them." I said.

"They are tier two undead so you can pack them tightly. Maybe we could bring one wagon?" Cassie wondered.

"I can see if we can rent one. With our newest additions we might need more than the carriage anyway." Skadi said.

"I still need to raise a mount for Derrick but I could do that after the exams. How soon do we have to leave?" I asked.

"It's fine if we wait a few days." Helena said.

"Hey, if we visit Valeria, maybe I can get a deal for barley? Her family has some, I believe. Currently my plan is to buy locally but the Barkworth Duchy is not that far." Cassie said.

"The Barkworths have less farmland than the Coltons but we don't have any connection to the Coltons." Skadi said.

"Ok, so we head north to Helena's family, then we make a slight detour to Valeria's home on the way back. And we either hunt in the forest, or the mountains, or join the soldiers in their monster suppression duties, if it is possible." I summarised. "Also, I will make my case in front of Hans and see if he wants to help me to outfit my undead."

"I am sure Dad will agree." Helena said.

"You will get a cut from the brewery for the protection your skeletons provide." Cassie offered. "Besides that, my Mother might offer you money as well but she would expect something in return."

"We are all working together now so I would not mind, if it is reasonable." I said, then something occurred to me. "Skadi, you are familiar with caravans and their protection, right?"

"Yes, why?" Skadi replied.

"Do you think we could make a bit of money by offering protection? Are there any caravans from here to Frost County?" I asked.

Skadi pondered that. "It's not a bad plan but it would slow us down. There is still a bit of time left so I will see if there are any caravans going that way. If we only lose a day or two it could be worth it. Maybe we can even get an old wagon out of it for your goblins, or some of them."

"Wouldn't there be an increased risk of an ambush if we are with them? Koyuki has enemies." Rose pointed out.

Skadi nodded. "Definitely. We would have to make it clear that Ilestria could attack us, but we are not an easy force to take down. And we would be a lot stronger than a regular escort. With the roads becoming more dangerous in the last year some might be willing to to roll the dice on the zealots."

"Hey, maybe you will get some good light affinity undead as well! It would be cheaper than what the adventurer's guild wants you to pay." Helena suggested.

"The light affinity undead would be nice before an ambush…" I said.

Helena patted me on the head.

"Ok, I guess we got the important things settled. It's time to go back to studying." Skadi suggested. Cassie groaned but did not object. They both returned to their own room.

I debated going back to my book but instead I leaned my head on Helena's shoulder. "Do you think Ilestria will give up at some point?"

"No, we just need to be strong enough to stop them." Helena replied.

I really needed to grow my army and organise a way to transport them. Hopefully I could make some progress on that during the break.