With a thought my wings appear and with a flap I rise out of the crater and look around. As Krenocia said, most of the city is leveled, the center of the city basically doesn't exist anymore. It is going to take a lot of time and money to repair the city, Mercy has the right to be pissed at me.

Then again, it is better than the capital becoming part of the shadow plane. Once I explain everything she shouldn't be too mad at me, especially once I kill the king. However, before I can do that, I seriously need some real rest, I've pushed myself a bit too hard.

"Krenocia, if you are done petting the baby I am going to head out."

Krenocia sighs and says "I guess so."

After giving the baby one last pat she disappears, so I take the baby in my arms and mount Lizzy. As we ride out of the city I get to see just how far the damage extends, only a few buildings right next to the city wall are undamaged. There are others that are repairable but I would say at least eighty percent of the city needs to be rebuilt.

I really hope Mercy doesn't ask me to pay for the damages, it would mean delaying the new city. Then again maybe I can get Roddick to send some mages to help and take it out of what he owes me. That would solve both problems and maybe make Mercy forgive me for the explosion.

We leave the city without seeing any shadow demons and as we approach the woods several beastmen step out. As soon as they recognize me they salute me and get out of my way. I return the salute as I ride past and then guide Lizzy to Mercy's camp.

As soon as I am spotted by the camp guards one goes running off while the others just salute. Returning the salute I ride into the camp and by the time we reach my tent Mercy, Mericel, and Zamart are waiting. When I dismount Mercy walks up to me and punches me as hard as she can, but all she does is hurt her hand.

"Look, I'm sorry about the damage to the capital but I couldn't let the ritual finish."

Mercy says "Idiot! I'm not mad about the city, I'm mad because we all thought you died in the blast!"

Zamart says "This is a war, no matter how the capital was taken there would have been damage. Maybe not this much, but it still would have been damaged. At least this way the city walls and the palace are still intact."

Mericel doesn't say anything, she just pushes past her sister and hugs me. Mercy is just glaring at me now as she cradles her injured hand, which heals quickly thanks to my aura. From the look in Mercy's eyes the only thing keeping her from crying is her anger.

"I'm sorry that I worried you. I had no idea the explosion would send me to the shadow plane."

Mercy says "Then how did you plan to survive?"

"By being in the very center of the explosion and trusting in my toughness."

Mericel says "Ash, you are an idiot!"

The baby, who was hiding in the shadow pocket, comes out and after looking around gives out a little chirping sound. Mercy and Mericel look at him like the most adorable thing they have ever seen. Zamart, on the other hand, looks horrified and immediately starts checking the sky.

"Zamart, relax, he isn't stolen."

Zamart sighs and says "That is a relief!"

Mercy says "How adorable!"

Mericel says "He's cute! Can I pet him?"

I kneel down and say "Little guy, this is Mericel, that's Mercy, and that's Zamart. They are all friends, so don't be scared."

Baby says "Hello?"

Mericel says "Aw! So cute!" and starts petting him.

Mercy says "What is his name?"

"I haven't thought of a good name yet."

Zamart says "I recognize him as a drake, but not any kind I have ever read about."

"He is a shadow drake."

Mercy says "How did you get him? You were only gone for a day!"

Mericel says "If I go to the shadow plane, do you think I can get one too?"

"I killed a high rank shadow beast and got him as an egg. So no, Mericel, I doubt it."

Zamart says "Did you actually kill a shadow drake?!"

"No, it was a shadow panther that had stolen and eaten the egg. I killed it before it could finish digesting the egg. At least that is my best guess as to what happened."

Mericel says "Then, can I have him?"

"He is not mine to give away, he chose me."

Baby says "Mama! Mine!"

While Mericel pouts, Mercy and Zamart can't help but laugh at hearing me called mama. As I am trying to figure out how to end the conversation without being rude a large group of soldiers approach. They are carrying a table and chairs and behind them are cooks carrying food.

Sleep sounds really good, but so does food, so I decide to eat with them before going to sleep. It seems Mercy learned her lesson, the food that is brought out is all large portions. The meal ends up being pleasant and there is no serious conversation, only small talk.

Despite what Krenocia said, the baby happily eats his own weight worth of food before falling asleep in the middle of the table. I don't eat my own body weight, but I do eat more than the other three combined. The only one who eats more than me is Lizzy, who is served next to the table.

Mercy says "What are your plans now?"

"Once I wake up I plan to finish the list of nobles, then I will enter the city and finish things."

Mericel says "Then you will head back to Illium?"

"No, once I verify the city is clear of demons I will be going down into the pit."

Zamart says "What could you possibly need to go down there for?"

"To keep some promises. I won't be coming back here, I will use the underground to reach the temple of earth. At least that is my plan."

Mercy says "I won't try to talk you out of it, but please come back afterwards to let us know you are okay."

"Alright, I can do that. Besides, you may need me and my beastmen if Duke Sevaris doesn't back off."

Zamart says "That may not be a good idea."

"Why is that?"

Zamart says "According to my spies Sevaris has a large number of beastmen slaves."

"Well, in that case I will definitely be going with you!"

Mercy says "Now, Ash, calm down. Slavery is legal in the empire. There isn't anything we can do about it."

"There may not be anything you can do, but there is plenty I can do."

Mercy says "I don't want to start a war with the entire empire!"

"I don't plan to, at least not yet. Taking some slaves from Sevaris won't start a war. If anything it will make the rest of the empire laugh at him."

Mercy says "I'm not going to be able to talk you out of this am I?"

"Nope."