By the time I have figured out what I want to do the last three nobles have gotten what they deserved and I am flying back to camp. None of the nobles managed to put up much of a fight making me feel like a bully. On the other hand, successfully completing my promise does make me feel good.

It also makes me feel better knowing that they are all getting exactly what they deserve. I am absolutely sure that Krenocia will make them suffer for everything they did to their victims. That is good enough for me, I don't need to know any of the details about it.

When I return to the camp it only takes a few minutes before Leyla arrives to play with the baby. I also get a guard showing up to invite me to join Mercy for dinner, which I accept. To my surprise I am led to her private tent and no one else is there.

Mercy says "Come in, Ash. Was your hunt successful?"

"Yes, all the nobles on the list are dead."

Mercy says "That's good. My new kingdom doesn't need trash like them! So, what's next?"

"After dinner I need to go visit Great Mother Wolf, then after that I will go kill the king. I will also deal with whatever shadow demons remain. Tomorrow the civil war will be over and you can start rebuilding."

Mercy says "That is good news, but I still need to deal with the empire."

"True, but you can at least have your coronation and get things started. I plan to ask the mage's guild in Illium to give you a hand. After all, I am the one who destroyed most of the city."

Mercy says "No, you prevented the city from being sucked into the shadow plane. The demons who built the ritual are to blame. Krenocia told me everything through Leyla."

"Still, I was partly responsible, so let me help?"

Mercy says "You can make the arrangements but I will pay for their work."

"No need for that, they can take it out of what they owe me. Besides, do you even know what condition the royal treasury is in?"

Mercy says "No, but I am hoping demons don't bother with gold."

"I was thinking more of the secret army the king raised. That can't have been cheap."

Mercy says "Oh, no! I didn't think of that!"

"I hate to say it, but you should make plans as if you are broke."

Mercy says "Well, I do have some personal funds, and the rebellion did collect some funds. But after paying my soldiers and your beastmen most of that will be gone."

"I can pay my beastmen. After all, they are working for me. I let you borrow them in exchange for training them."

Mercy says "No! Will you stop? I will pay the beastmen! I already owe you more than I can ever repay, stop making it worse!"

"Relax! You don't owe me anything. You will pay everything back when you lead your kingdom to fight against the demon invasion. Other than that all I am doing is keeping some promises."

Mercy says "I can't tell if you are just being humble or trying to make me feel even more guilty!"

"I am just saying how things are from my point of view. I fully expect to need your political influence to help me convince the Free Union and the Empire to fight against the invasion with us."

Mercy says "If you become the beast king I expect the Free Union will support you easily. They share a lot of border with the beast lands, out of fear they will want to stay on your good side. The Empire is another story, you not only have to convince the Emperor but the three dukes as well. That will be hard if we make an enemy of Duke Sevaris during this current situation."

"Actually, if I kill him, most likely his heir will thank me for it."

Mercy says "While that is possible, it isn't something to bet on. You either need to hide who you are, or make sure no one who sees you lives. Otherwise it will only complicate things with the empire later."

"I will keep that in mind. Thank you for dinner, but it is getting dark, I should get moving."

"Alright, I will see you when you get back."

When I return to my tent I find Lizzy, Leyla and the baby all sleeping in a pile. Leaving Lizzy and Leyla to sleep, I pick up the baby and put him in the shadow pocket. On second thought, I wake up Lizzy and tell her, just so they don't think the baby ran off.

Then I leave the camp and fly out over the forest, scanning with my senses until I find Great Mother Wolf. She is fairly easy to find since she is the only being in this entire forest who could be a threat to me. Yet when I land in her clearing I find she is not alone, Emmy and Silveria are with her.

Great Mother Wolf says "Welcome, Ash. You have grown a lot since we last met."

"Hello again, Great Mother Wolf. Hi, Emmy, Silveria. Silveria told me you wanted to see me?"

Great Mother Wolf says "Yes, I have been sensing new sacred beings popping up a lot more frequently than usual. Do you know anything about that?"

"Um, that depends on how frequently you are talking about."

Great Mother Wolf says "Normally a new sacred beast only pops up every few years. Yet already this year three have appeared."

"Oh, yeah that is my fault."

Great Mother Wolf says "Your fault? How exactly?"

So I tell her about how I met Kechara and then Asuna and raised them. Then I tell her about Lizzy and helping remove the block the mages put on her. I have no idea how she knew about them, the mountain is a long way away from here.

Great Mother Wolf says "You can help beasts evolve? Really?"

"Yeah, if they are maxed out it is just simply a surge of sacred power. If not then I can put my power into their core to speed up their rank increase."

Great Mother Wolf says "Impressive. I have tried that method but I do not possess enough sacred power. Would you be willing to do me a favor?"

"That depends on the favor?"

Great Mother Wolf says "I believe sacred beasts are necessary to keep the humans in check. Would you be willing to travel around and create more sacred beasts?"

"Well, I'm busy right now, but I can do it later."

Great Mother Wolf says "That's fine, there is no rush."

Emmy says "Here, Ash." and hands me a map and a book.

"What's this?"

Great Mother Wolf says "All the beasts I know of that are maxed out are marked on the map. Whenever you find yourself near one just pay them a visit."

"Won't they attack me?"

Great Mother Wolf says "No, your smell is that of a sacred beast. No normal beast will attack you."

"Alright, then what's the book for?"

Great Mother Wolf says "Consider it your payment. It was given to me a long time ago but I never had the power or the skill to use it. Maybe you will have more luck with it."

"Payment isn't necessary, but thank you. Wait, the map shows something in this forest?"

Great Mother Wolf says "Yes, one of the bears is maxed out."

"Isn't this forest your territory?"

Great Mother Wolf says "Sacred beasts don't care as much about territory. Me and the bear will share, and I could use the help keeping the humans in check."

"Alright, I will find the bear before I leave the area."

Great Mother Wolf says "Thank you."

"Anything else I can help you with?"

Great Mother Wolf says "Not me, no."