Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)

"How're you settling in, Nemu?" Mira asked, her tone casual as she reached for a handful of fries. The midday break brought a welcome pause from the steady rhythm of the loom, and the warmth of freshly cooked food filled the small break room.

Across the table, Nemu sat with wide, starry eyes, clutching a hamburger like it was a priceless treasure. She took another bite, her wings fluttering slightly in delight. "So... good," she whispered, savoring the taste as though it were the first real meal she'd had in ages.

Mira chuckled, watching the young Harpy with amusement. "Hello?" she teased, waving a fry in front of her. "You with me, or did that burger steal your soul?"

Nemu blinked, snapping out of her food-induced trance. "What? Yeah, I'm settling in okay, thanks for asking," she said quickly, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips. "Everyone's so nice, and the work is... relaxing."

"Relaxing?" Mira raised a brow, a knowing smirk playing on her face. "That's because you kept falling asleep at your station. Honestly, I'm not sure how you finished your quota for the day."

Nemu wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, only for a streak of ketchup to smear across her jaw. "Nothing stands in the way of my sleeping time," she declared proudly. "I'll work twice as hard if I have to."

Mira laughed, leaning back in her chair. "Preach, sister. I feel the same way about our Lady, Lady Kaede. For her, I'd push my body beyond its limits. It's the least I could do after all she's done for us."

Nemu paused, tilting her head curiously. "Lady Kaede, huh?"

Mira nodded, her gaze softening slightly. "She's the reason most of us have work, homes, and a future. You won't find many here who aren’t loyal to her." She smiled faintly. "If they even exist at all. She protects us. And that's worth every bit of effort."

Nemu nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful as she glanced down at her burger. "Sounds like someone worth working for."

Mira's grin widened. 

The conversation faded into a comfortable silence, broken only by the quiet crunch of fries and the hum of distant looms.

Nemu was about to resume weaving new fabric when Mira called for her.

"What's up boss lady?" She smiled.

"I'll need you to deliver these sets of fabric directly to headquarters. Apparently, Lady Sylra personally requested for you." Mira said, handing a large package to Nemu.

Nemu’s wings twitched at the mention of her name. “Me? Personally?”

Mira smirked. “That’s what I said, isn’t it?” She slid the bundle of neatly folded fabric across the table. “You’re moving up in the world, featherweight.”

Nemu puffed out her cheeks. “I’ve been here, what, three weeks? What could Lady Sylra want with me?”

“Beats me, maybe she’s caught on to your little habit of dozing off and wants to discipline you personally.”

Nemu groaned, dramatically slumping against the back of her chair. “That’d be the worst. I’ve been trying so hard to stay awake!”

Mira snorted. “Trying is the key word.” She stood, stretching her arms over her head. “Anyway, you better get moving. You don’t want to keep Lady Sylra waiting.”

Nemu sighed but picked up the fabric bundle, adjusting her grip as she left.

---

"Ah. Please excuse me," Nemu said apologetically as she accidentally bumped into a brown-haired girl while stepping into the building.

The girl turned, her amber eyes meeting Nemu’s briefly. "Oh, sorry about that," she said, stepping aside to let Nemu pass.

As Nemu brushed past, a sudden chill ran down her spine. Instinct flared within her, a primal warning whispering at the edge of her senses. 'She's strong. Dangerous.'

If she had been even slightly drowsy before, she was wide awake now.

The soft sound of footsteps followed behind her, and she felt the girl matching her pace. Steeling herself, Nemu kept walking, but before she could say anything, the girl spoke first.

"Hi! My name is Maple. What's yours?"

Nemu glanced at her. Maple walked beside her with an easy stride, her bright, friendly smile almost too warm.

Nemu squinted internally. Oh no. She’s an extrovert.

"My name is Nemu," she replied, slowing down just enough to match Maple’s pace.

"I've never met a Harpy before," Maple continued, her tone light and curious. "What do you guys like to do for fun?"

Nemu’s feathers ruffled slightly. 'This girl is way too cheerful.'

"Sleeping," she answered bluntly.

A brief silence.

Maple blinked. "...Oh. Okay, I guess."

Her smile wavered for only a second before returning just as bright as before. "What about you? What do you like to do for fun?"

Nemu flicked her eyes toward Maple, then back ahead. "Sleeping," she repeated, deadpan.

Maple let out a small laugh. "Ooh, sleeping. That’s… that’s something, I guess." Her grin turned teasing. "Are all Harpies lazy bums who sleep all day?"

Nemu frowned slightly, her mind drifting back to the Harpies back home, particularly to her Lady, Lady Frey.

'Hmm. Claire and Lucia are always yelling at me for sleeping so much... but Lady Frey?'

She smirked faintly to herself. 'She doesn’t mind.'

They reached a set of double doors, the entrance to Sylra’s office. The lizardmen guards stationed outside gave her a quick once-over before one of them stepped forward, knocking twice before pushing the doors open.

"Enter," came a smooth, even voice from inside.

Nemu took a deep breath and stepped through, but when she glanced over, she realized Maple was following her in without hesitation.

"Uh, what are you doing?" Nemu whispered.

Maple just smiled. "I’m curious."

Before Nemu could protest, they were already inside.

Lady Sylra sat at her desk, pen gliding across parchment with practiced ease, until movement at the door caught her attention.

She glanced up, expecting the usual delivery, only for her breath to hitch slightly. Her sharp red eyes flickered between the two figures standing before her.

"Oh, Nemu and…" Her body tensed, recognition dawning instantly. She shot to her feet with a sense of urgency. "Lady Kaede!"

In an instant, she was striding forward, her composed demeanor shifting into something almost reverent.

Nemu raised an eyebrow. "Lady who now?"

Kaede cringed, raising a hand as if caught sneaking cookies before dinner. "How did you see past my perfect disguise?" She sighed dramatically before waving a hand. "And please, drop the Lady. Just call me Kaede."

Nemu blinked once. Then twice. Her mind connected the dots as her gaze flicked toward the girl beside her. "That Lady Kaede?" she muttered under her breath, realization settling in. 'This is the leader of the monster empire in the east?’

Kaede only smiled, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly.

Sylra, however, remained unfazed. She stepped aside, pulling out a chair for Kaede. "So," she said smoothly, folding her arms. "What brings you here?"

Kaede flopped into the chair without hesitation, her usual carefree air in full effect. "Can't I just visit one of my friends?" she replied with a bright, innocent smile.

For a brief moment, Sylra returned the expression, a rare flicker of warmth in her otherwise disciplined demeanor. But then, her brows furrowed slightly. "Aren't you a little too busy for friendly visits, my Lady?"

Kaede gasped, placing a dramatic hand over her chest. "Me? Too busy for my friends?" She shook her head. "Sylra, Sylra, Sylra. You wound me. I'm never too busy for a friend."

Sylra remained unimpressed.

"It's not like I have a mountain of paperwork waiting for me," Kaede continued, picking up the tea set Sylra had prepared for herself. She poured a cup, took a delicate sip, and sighed. "And it's definitely not like I'm using this visit as an excuse to skip work."

A deadpan silence filled the room.

Nemu watched the exchange before muttering under her breath, "Lazy bum."

Kaede choked on her tea. "Gah!" She slammed a hand to her chest, coughing. "Critical hit!"

Sylra pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling slowly. "Lady Kaede?"

Kaede only grinned, setting down her cup. "Lighten up, Sylra. You’ll get wrinkles."

Sylra's eye twitched.

Kaede turned to the Harpy beside her, her expression as casual as ever. "I'm actually here because of Nemu," she said, gesturing toward her with a tilt of her head.

Nemu blinked. "Me?"

Kaede nodded, resting her elbow on the table. "I'm planning to send an envoy to the Kingdom of Fulbrosia, and I was hoping she could help deliver a message announcing our arrival." She leaned back slightly. "I wouldn’t want to break any laws or accidentally disrespect the leader of the kingdom, Lady Frey."

The room fell silent for a moment as the weight of Kaede’s words settled.

Nemu turned her head toward her, feathers ruffling slightly as the gears in her mind slowly clicked into place.

Envoy. Message. Leader. Lady Kaede.

Her eyes widened in growing horror.

"Uwaah!" she suddenly yelled, hands gripping her head. "I messed up!"