Besides, it is just nice to talk about what we experienced while we were separated. Once we are done eating I open up a soulscape and invite everyone, like normal. After missing a couple of days, the kids are excited to see me and want my attention.

I make sure to spend time with each of them and give them lots of affection. Meanwhile, Lin, Myria, and Brightfire are watching movies like usual. To make up a little for lost time, I keep the soulscape open for hours longer than usual.

Once the soulscape is closed, I pick up Lin, carry her to bed, and show her how much I missed her. In the morning, I intentionally sleep in until Lin wakes me up. Eventually, we get out of bed, head downstairs for breakfast, and eat together.

Lin says "What's first on the agenda?"

"I will go deal with the wall. Once that is done, we have no more obligations to the city. After that I will go talk with Zachariah and see if he needs anything before we leave."

Lin says "Alright. I guess that this will be my last day in the library?"

"More than likely. Oh, do you have enough wood for copying?"

Lin says "Yes, I still have plenty. I have to say that after this I hope I never have to skim through another book."

"I know that it has been hard on you and I am sorry. I will do my best to avoid this kind of thing in the future."

Lin says "It's okay, I understand the need. I am just really looking forward to having the time to actually read some of these books."

"After I evolve, my next priority will be to finish enchanting the castle to give us extra time."

Lin says "I am looking forward to that. There are so many books that I want to read!"

"Understandable. Anyway, if there is anything that you want to do or buy in the city, today is the day."

Lin says "Nope. I've already done everything that I wanted. It was nice to take a break here, but I am looking forward to seeing the peninsula."

"Alright then. Let's go get things taken care of."

Having finished breakfast, we leave and walk over to the association building. Once there we split up, Lin heads for the library and I go find Almort. I find him in his office, but he looks a lot more haggard than the last time I saw him.

Almort says "Ash, welcome back! I am really glad to see you!"

"Almort, you look like crap."

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

Almort says "That's about how I feel. For the life of me, I can't think why I ever wanted to join the council."

"Surely, being on the council would be easier than working for them?"

Almort says "Maybe, but after watching them argue for days on end, I no longer see the appeal. In fact, I am now thinking about retiring after all this mess is over with."

"Well, that's why I am here. I am going to destroy the wall today, because I am leaving tomorrow."

Almort says "Ah? Oh, alright. I wasn't expecting you to leave so soon, but I will figure things out. Preparations for the wall to come down have already been made. Most of our adventurers are already patrolling beyond the wall to intercept any beasts that come."

"Then let's go deal with it. Lin made you the scanners right? After the wall there shouldn't be anything else I need to do before I leave, right?"

Almort says "Yes, she did. No, there is nothing else, other than collecting your reward. After talking with Zachariah, on behalf of the council I have collected materials for you. This will be your reward for the scanners and dealing with the wall. Oh, I also have some information for you."

"That works for me. What information?"

Almort says "Remember the group that got chased back to the city by a mix of beasts? Well, we sent a strong force to investigate and they just returned. Well, the survivors did anyway."

"That sounds ominous. What did they find?"

Almort says "The ruins of a vast and ancient city. Unfortunately, they weren't even able to reach the city itself. The area was completely overrun by demonic beasts. If the survivors are to be believed, the beasts numbered in the millions."

"Oh? That sounds quite interesting. Where are these ruins?"

Almort says "We don't have an exact location because the survivors all had a different answer. But, it should be somewhere in this area."

"I can't be sure, but from what I know that should have been the capital of the empire that fell. I might just check it out on my way home."

Almort says "I thought that would interest you. Unfortunately, if the reports are accurate, it is not something we can handle. It would take both empires working together to handle those kinds of numbers."

"Yes, that many demonic beasts would be problematic. It is surprising that they have those kinds of numbers."

Almort says "No kidding. If that kind of force attacked, the city would be destroyed easily. Especially if we didn't know about the weakness of the wall. Maybe that was the demon's plan."

"Could be. Let's go deal with the wall. Before something else comes up."

Almort says "Good idea."

Almort leads the way as we leave the association and head over to the wall. Before we reach the wall I see many piles of construction materials. Beyond the wall I can see trenches and other temporary defenses.

It looks like the council decided to rebuild the wall using other materials. The temporary defenses are probably to protect the construction crews. It would have been better to build a new wall inside the old one, but the council probably didn't want to tear down the buildings.

They had better hope that they can build a new wall before a major attack comes. Otherwise, their desire to save money will be the end of the city. I wonder if they would have made the same decision if they knew that I was leaving?

It wouldn't surprise me if they were counting on me being here to deal with the problem. I should probably warn Zachariah, because I can't stay to protect the city. If they are going to build the wall properly, it will probably take at least a month.

"Almort, how soon do they expect to have the new wall built?"

Almort says "The council wants it complete in two weeks."

"That seems too fast. Are they taking short cuts?"

Almort says "Yes, but only those that can be accomplished with magic. The plan is actually to build a second wall further out once this one is done. That second wall will be built better and after it is done this one will be rebuilt."