It isn't long after I spot the human kids that I am found and attacked by my kids. Being jumped on by nine miniature beasts is absolutely hilarious and cute. It is nine because Lizzy is with them in her shrunken form and joined in on the attack.

She looks like she has been having a lot of fun playing with them and I'm sure they have enjoyed it as well. After feeding all of them some snacks I convince them to spread out and look for Core. With their help, it doesn't take me long to find her, she is wandering in the orchard.

When I catch up to her, I find her wandering around looking at everything. She has a huge smile on her face and is pretty much radiating happiness. It is to the point that I almost feel bad for tracking her down and interrupting her.

Core says "Ash! This place is amazing! I have only ever seen it from above and the colors were never this bright!"

"That probably has to do with your mood, but I am glad you are having fun. Have you had a chance to think of what name you want?"

Core says "Yes, I have. I talked with some of the elves about it and have decided that I want an elven name, but I will still go by Core."

"Alright, that's fine. What is the elven name that you have chosen?"

Core says "Normally elven names are based on some kind of natural event at the time of birth, but that isn't possible in my case. Instead, I have decided to take the name Goldenheart."

"Alright. Is it okay if I ask where you came up with that name?"

Core says "Actually, from you. Your sacred power was golden and it flowing into the heart of the barrier is what allowed me to awaken."

"That makes sense. Are you sure? If so, then I will name you now."

Core says "Yes, I am sure."

"In that case, I name you Goldenheart!"

MP: 2,816/17,816

There is the usual deafening crack of thunder, but this time there is a visible bolt of lightning. It comes down and hits Core, but it doesn't seem to have done any damage. Although, since she is covered in a golden aura, I can't be sure just yet.

It takes about five minutes before the aura is absorbed into her body. Once the aura is gone, Core is standing there with her eyes closed, but she doesn't look hurt. In fact, she has a smile on her face and a few minutes later she opens her eyes.

"How do you feel?"

Core says "Great! Amazing! I feel like I have been reborn! Between my new freedom and this, this is the best day of my life so far!"

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"Good, I'm happy for you!"

Core says "What do you plan to do next?"

"I will head to the new city to meet with some of my people and then go on to Illium."

Core says "Alright. What do you want me to do?"

"Focus on settling the elves and them getting along with the beasts."

Core says "I will do my best."

I give Core a hug and then I head back to the library to let Lin know I am leaving. We have some fun and eat a meal together, then I go looking for Lizzy and the kids. Once I have gathered them, I let them know where I am going and what I will be doing.

Considering mostly what I will be doing involves politics, none of the kids want to go with me. They would rather stay here to explore and play, especially since the gate to the shadow plane is here. That is fine by me and is one of the reasons that I plan to leave the castle here.

Lizzy plans to take me to the city and then come back here to play until I need her. I can't say that I blame her, I would rather stay here and play around rather than deal with politics. However, I have avoided it for as long as I can, it is time to do what I have to do.

I make sure everyone knows that I am leaving and how to contact me before I leave. Then, once Lizzy is normal size and has her saddle on, I mount up and we leave. Lizzy is even faster than I remember, although I think I can match her when flying.

The road to the new city is already complete, which helps her quite a bit. However, with her powers, she would still be almost as fast without the road. Although, I have to say that it is nice to just sit and relax while someone else worries about where we are going.

The ride is smooth enough that I could even take a nap if I was feeling brave. Then again, while a fall at this speed would hurt, it isn't like it could kill me. I am pretty sure that my regen would be able to handle it even if I were to break my neck.

Of course, I am not about to test that out, people would get mad at me for doing something stupid like that. Although, it is tempting to see just how much my regen and spells can actually heal now. As long as something didn't kill me instantly, I am pretty sure I could heal just about anything.

If I didn't have the Pain Resist skill I wouldn't even think about trying something like that. Then again, doing those kinds of tests might just get the skill to hit max level. That still wouldn't be enough of an excuse to keep me out of trouble, so I put it out of my mind.

Instead I start thinking about the plans that I still need to set in motion. As soon as I get things sorted in the new city and then Illium, I need to work on the tribes. Unifying the beastmen is a necessary step before I can do a lot of other things.

As I am thinking about what needs to be done next, I start seeing signs of civilization. The city isn't in sight yet, but we soon start passing farms on either side of the road. At that point I ask Lizzy to slow down a bit so that the beastmen on the farms can see me.

I am not sure if word of my return has spread yet, but it should once I am seen. I don't have to worry about being recognized, even my beastman form is unique. Besides, I want to get a good look at the farms and I can't do that if Lizzy goes full speed.

I don't know much about farms, but from what I can see these are well organized. The beastmen working on them are mostly from the rat and lizard tribes. As I am passing I make sure to wave back anytime one of the farmers wave at me.

Another hour passes by the time the city comes into sight, there are a lot of farms. I can't be sure, but I think that amount of farms would produce more food than the beastmen need. It makes me wonder if Pol set it up so that food can become one of our exports.

If so, then I am totally okay with that decision, more exports will be a good thing. That reminds me, I think I promised someone to make herbs more available in Illium. It was something about how expensive healing items were, but I can't remember the specifics.