Sarah says "Why me?"

"Because he listens to you. If I try to fetch him I will have to resort to violence."

Sarah says "I guess that's true. Okay, I will try."

Sarah leaves after giving me a dirty look and I start telling Lizzy the plan for the journey. While I am talking with Lizzy, Myria is playing with her control over the carriage. I end up hearing Walter before I can see him, and he is complaining loudly.

When they come into sight I can't help but laugh, Sarah is dragging Walter by his ear. From the look on Sarah's face she is not happy, hopefully that is because of Walter and not me. Sarah isn't physically intimidating, but when she is mad it is a whole other story.

Walter says "What is so important you had to send this ogre after me?!"

Sarah says "Just who are you calling an ogre?!

Walter says "You! Wasn't that obvious!?"

Sarah says "That's it! You get nothing but bread and water for a week!"

Walter says "That may have worked before, but I can afford my own food now!"

"Walter, you should quit before you get in over your head."

Walter says "Why am I here?"

"I need a saddle that will attach to these traces so that Lizzy can pull the carriage. The traces are part of the carriage's enchantments and can't be modified."

Walter says "Yeah, I can do that."

"One more thing, can you make it so Lizzy can get out of it quickly if she needs to fight?"

Walter looks and says "No, not through leatherworking. Something like that would be better done through enchanting."

"Alright, how long will it take to make the new saddle?"

Walter says "If it's a rush job, tomorrow afternoon?"

"Do it."

Walter nods, takes a few measurements, and then runs off without even looking at Sarah. As soon as he is out of sight Sarah starts laughing, it seems like it was all an act. She completely fooled me, Sarah is more terrifying than I thought.

"Was that really all an act?"

Sarah says "Yes, it's how I keep him in line."

"Are you really going to only send him bread and water?"

Sarah says "He called me an ogre! Of course I'm going to punish him!"

Myria laughs and says "Now what?"

"Now we go back and continue your training."

Myria says "What about the carriage?"

"Leave it here. Just in case Walter needs another look at it."

Myria says "Okay."

Sarah says "Need anything else from me?"

"Actually, yes. Did you get to meet the Free Union ambassador?"

Sarah says "Yes. Why?"

"Can you go see him for me? Tell him I need documents allowing what we discussed. After dealing with things in the beast lands I will swing over and come back through the Free Union."

Sarah says "Sure. Anything else?"

"Not that I can think of."

Sarah says "Okay."

Sarah heads back into the inn and I send Myria back first to resume her exercises. Then I take Lizzy into the stable and give her a good grooming while I talk about the plan in more detail. After that I return to the tower, have lunch with the kids, and then go back to training the guards.

Considering this might be my last time training them I go a bit harder on them. Just to make sure they haven't made any mistakes on their foundations. Then during dinner I continue teaching Kitara more advanced techniques.

If she is further ahead than the others she should be able to help them out if they run into problems. Otherwise they will just have to figure it out on their own, I probably won't be back for a while. Being out of touch is fairly annoying, but I can't do everything from Illium.

Besides, I am looking forward to this trip, it might be the last of my freedom. That is why I plan to take Kechara and Asuna with me, so it is something of a family trip. Who knows if I will get the chance again once I become the Beast King.

The future is becoming more uncertain, so I plan to enjoy things as much as I can. For this trip I plan to take things slow and enjoy it for as long as I can. However, there are still a lot of things that I plan to accomplish on this trip.

If things go well, then by the end of this trip I will have over half the tribes on my side. At that point the other tribes should surrender without fighting too much. Especially if the strongest tribe is on my side, Muyaun is right about that, even if it is a setup.

I am not too worried about the ogre champion being stronger than me, my strength is beyond mortal levels. The four arms might make it difficult but I am fairly confident that I can handle it. However, it will take a while before we reach the ogre tribe, anything could happen by then.

In the morning, after breakfast, I get the information and spell from Yui and Core. Then I head back to Illium and after saying hello to Sarah head over to the mage guild. As usual I am taken straight up to Roddick's office and Belliza and Rat are with him.

Roddick says "Welcome, Ash. What brings you by today?"

Rat says "Uncle Ash!" and runs over for a hug.

Belliza says "Morning, Ash."

"Morning! Hello, Rat. Got a couple of things for you guys and I need a favor."

First I hand over the information about illusion breaking spells and the demon detecting spell. From the way Roddick's eyes light up I am guessing their research isn't going so well. That isn't too surprising considering how much magic knowledge has fallen.

Roddick says "Thank you for these! So what's the favor?"

"Walter is currently crafting a special saddle for Lizzy and I need it enchanted. As fast as possible."

Belliza says "That shouldn't be a problem. What enchantments do you want on it?"

"I want it enchanted to be comfortable for her and for her to be able to get out of it quickly. It is meant to allow her to pull a carriage, but I want her to be able to fight if needed."

Belliza says "No problem. When will it be done? I will enchant it myself."

"Walter said it would be ready this afternoon."

Belliza says "In that case, Roddick can learn the spell first and I will come with you."

Roddick says "Does this mean you are leaving again?"

"Yeah, I am going to go recruit more tribes."

Belliza says "Does that mean we will have to call you Your Majesty when you get back?"

"Even if I am a king when I come back, I expect all of you to keep calling me Ash."

Rat says "Uncle Ash?"

"Of course, you can always call me that!"

Belliza says "Are you staying here or coming with us?"

Rat says "I'll come!"