Leo wiped away his drool, protecting the precious steaks. Colonel Hamon and two other majors took it upon themselves to slay the owner of these steaks a couple days ago.
It was the first B-rank monster to arrive at their doors and one they couldn't allow to run rampant. Stegadons had a well known nickname amongst the kingdoms. Wall breakers.
Their reinforced hides allowed them to weather all manner of attacks without losing the slightest bit of momentum as they charged forth. Armed with mighty horns that made steel look like scrap metal they would smash head first into any obstacle, turning walls into mere fragments of rock and plumes of dust.
Hamon really couldn't allow such a thing to get a running start so with his two majors who were adept in dealing with such foes they descended before it and used their full power to swiftly put an end to this dreaded foe before its powerful allies arrived.
Thankfully they were quick enough, culling the beast before it could reach the mighty northern wall and before the rindars and other B-rank monsters showed themselves.
Hamon himself lifted and carried the giant corpse over the northern wall, personally delivering it to the highly trained chefs such as Burusaa and generating a positive boost in moral as he did.
Now Leo and Frost were lucky enough to partake in such a delicacy, Leo didn't even care about the multiple gold coins he was deprived of.
"This'll probably be one of the best dishes I've ever had the chance to eat. Chef Burusaa is one of the greatest chefs in the territory equal to uncle Vaccos perhaps even slightly better." Leo wiped another dollop of drool from his lips as the tantalising smell assailed his nostrils.
Frost's eyes lit up as he looked at the generous helping of prime steak lying before him, anticipation thumping away in his heart. He had only tasted one other B-ranked dish, the azure spark quail prepared by Maya, so he held a lot of expectations for this dish.
Ryuu and Jessie looked on in silence, adding to grandeur of the dishes, smiling gently before focusing on their own meals that were also high ranked and delicious.
Frost cut into his steak and found that it parted easily, tender being an understatement. Succulent pink flesh and a strong aroma of meat flowed out from the cut causing Frost to drool in anticipation.
With grace he placed a small cube of steak in his mouth and began chewing. Bursts of flavour assaulted his tongue with every decent of his teeth, the thick steak almost melted after a few chews, saturating his tastebuds with umami before a powerful explosion of hidden mana burst forth granting a second kick of flavour and a resurgence in his stamina.
Gulp
Frost swallowed the former cube of steak, feeling it slowly pass down his throat and into his stomach, releasing bursts of flavour and mana as it did. Water accumulated at the edges of his eyes and wide smile stretching from ear to ear adorned his face, as he wore an expression of bliss.
This meal was certainly comparable to the azure spark quail he delighted in even surpassing it in some ways. Burusaa was definitely a very skilled chef.
If Leo didn't tell his mother she'd likely hear from the whispers that her husband who had recently recovered from serious illness was struck down and placed in critical condition with no news of how he was faring. Though his mother didn't show it she was a very emotional person who cared deeply about her loved ones.
She'd gone through enough pain over the past two years, he couldn't allow her to suffer another blow to her heart regardless of how difficult a conversation it may be.
"Haaaaaa true Cass would likely not react well if she heard such news on the wind. Go and tell her everything, don't let her worry more than she already is." Ryuu sighed before replying, he then looked towards Frost.
'Having him there should make it easier on Cass.' Frost had a natural calming atmosphere and could easily distract her by talking about the two kids under his care.
"Once you're done talking to Cass quickly return to the command centre, you're the only B-rank here in peak condition, Hamon will surely use that in earnest. You're going to have to fight for longer, harder and in more sectors than any of us, that's why Burusaa gave you the stegadon steak. You're going to need the energy it provides." Ryuu smiled mischievously glad that he was actually old for once.
The hard labour would be left to the young who could bounce back into shape after a couple hours rest.
"Understood corps leader." Frost performed a military salute to Ryuu and showed a maddened smile, fully eager to be put to work.
He and Leo then left the food court and made their way to the government buildings in the central zone. Cassandra had set up shop here since it was closer to all sectors including the battlefront, precious time would be lost if everyone had to travel to the manor after all.
This place seemed even more boisterous and busy than the northern wall. Civilians in all manner of trades as well as soldiers could be seen bustling to and fro working at 110% to manage the background facilities happening out with the battlefield.
Managing the grand populace of Furano, handling the material transitions between the differing trades i.e. smiths, weavers, leatherworkers, chefs etc, taking stock of their rapidly dwindling supplies and of course serving as a contact point for heads of each sectors and their lifeline to the capital city of Arkheart.
Cassandra sat at the head of a large table covered in thick stacks of documents that threatened to completely obscure her from view. Rapidly developing wrinkles could be seen forming on her fair brow and around her exhausted eyes as she listened to oral reports from those in the room.
She was under no less workload than her husband and Colonel Hamon, perhaps even more so given the complexity and wide spanning of her duties.
Thankfully she had able aides at her side, Calder the heir to the merchant guild and Luna were there assisting her in her endeavours.
Frost and Leo quickly found themselves ushered into the room that was filled with a deep sense of foreboding pressure. Leo felt a headache starting the moment he saw all the paperwork.
Cassandra moved a couple stacks of documents so she could get a good look at her only son, a bright glint revealed in her eyes as she took in his visage.
"Haaaaa you're practically skin and bones Leo dear, are you remembering to eat?"