After Artoria had left, Luminous and Hinata were the only ones left. Hinata was taking notes. Not about what was being said, but by how Artoria was able to tend off Luminous's advances and attempts at flirting. If she didn't know better, she would've thought she was completely clueless in love and romance.
"Hinata, what was that? Is she dumb or something?" Luminous, who was still seated on her bed, asked Hinata. Normally, Hinata would tell the truth, but she would keep this to herself and employ new tactics she's learned.
"You should be specific, Lady Luminous. A lot of important things were said."
"Is she dumb? She didn't understand or even got a slight hint that I was going after her."
Hinata realized quickly that Luminous's priorities may have been focused on the wrong things. No they definitely were.
"Lady Luminous, perhaps that's not the best thing to think about. We should be addressing the Luminaries and the aftermath of what's going to happen.", Hinata tried to steer the conversation somewhere somewhat productive.
"Come on, Hinata, we both know what's going to happen. There won't even be much of an aftermath. You heard what she said. Barely anyone knows about the Luminaries and their existence. We can easily replace them. Actually, we don't even need to replace them. We can just say we have them and they'll believe us. We also don't have to worry about too many people opening their mouths."
Hinata knew that she was right, at least for that part. "What about her empire then? We'll need to come up with some kind of plan to at least make sure our nations are at peace. Especially our side since it'll be the most aggressive."
"There might not be much of a problem with that."
"Why?"
'You see, Hinata, I've been hearing talks about a Walpurgis. And it just so happens to be that the main topic is about that slime and her. They already control most of the forest, have taken over Clayman's domain, and some things are happening in Falmuth, or what will have been Falmuth."
"Shouldn't she be in attendance then?"
"No. It's fine. I expect them to grant them the territory of the forest. Everything else is just conquest. Strength rules and all that stuff."
"So what do you want me to do?"
"Go help her."
Hinata nodded at her orders and started leaving, but she was stopped as Luminous gave her a reminder. "And, Hinata, when I say to 'help' her, I mean to make sure your saints don't find out what she's going to do and to make sure they never find out. She won't need help in terms of combat, but I want you to observe her and see what she can do."
"Are you trying to come up with some plan to stop her?"
"What? No. I want to get to know her better and actions speak louder than words. I'm not giving up, Hinata. I will get her."
"Lady Luminous, I don't think that's a good idea."
"You don't? Then maybe you want to take her place and step up?" Luminous smiled at her and had a playful look in her eyes.
Hinata tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean? You told me not to help her in combat and to just observe. Why would I step in her position to fight against the luminaries?"
"Huh? No. That's not what I meant.", Once again, Luminous was confused at the misunderstanding.
"Oh, ok. If that's the case, then I'll head out and do what you told me to do." Hinata left the door, not giving a chance for Luminous to say anything.
/\\//\\//\
"Let's see, where are those luminaries?" I said to myself. I was back at my temporary house, out on the field. Dun Stallion was grazing and just lounging around. I was trying to find these luminaries, which shouldn't be hard. All I have to do is look for some people that have high levels of holy magic and stuff. Which shouldn't be hard once again, because they're all probably grouped up, discussing things that have happened. Maybe about a luminary that has "mysteriously disappeared".
Anyway, I was spreading my senses trying to find them and I noticed Hinata coming towards me. "What is she doing?" I asked myself. I stopped my senses and waited for her to arrive. It wasn't too long before she made her way to me.
"Hello, Hinata, what brings you here?"
"I've come to 'help' you.", her answer was short and simple, and I would have laughed at that, but I immediately understood what she was trying to say. If I had to guess she'd help me by taking care of the aftermath, or maybe she's here to observe me, or maybe both. I'll just assume both.
"Well, your 'help' will prove useful soon, but why have you come so soon? I thought you'd come tomorrow or something."
"I thought that I might as well come as soon as I could. There's not much for me to do."
"Really? What about your job as leader of the saints?"
"I've been ordered by Lady Luminous for this. I'm sure they can take care of themselves for at least three days." I raised my eyebrow at that. I would be skeptical, but three days is manageable. I can do this all in three days. I can do it in one day. It won't be much of a fight at all. It's just going to be an opportunity for me to flex on everyone.
"If you say so, Hinata. So, is there any kind of news that I should be aware of? Something that could possibly put a wrench in my plan?"
"Well, it's possible that a Walpurgis is going to be held soon. Lady Luminous, said that there's been talks about it, but I think it's safe to assume that one will be held soon."
Now this was bad news. Very bad news. I don't know when "soon" is and even then, I'd need to head home to participate in it. I am in no way going to the Walpurgis from Luminous' side. That would cause unnecessary drama. But that's not the worst part. The worst is what I would miss out on. I stared up at the sky, resigning myself to fate.
"What's wrong?" I heard Hinata ask in a concerned tone, most likely noticing my shift in mood.
I sighed before I answered her. "I guess it is true what they say. There is no victory without sacrifice."
"What do you mean? What sacrifice are you making?"
"You wouldn't understand, Hinata." And she wouldn't. She wouldn't know the feeling of missing out on a feast and free food. I have learned a big lesson today.
Maybe if I'm lucky, I just might make it in time.