As we head into the inn I completely ignore the way Myria is smiling at me. When we enter we find the common room is completely empty, I guess that lunch is over but it is too early for dinner. Sarah is behind the counter relaxing, probably for the first time today, I feel bad that we are interrupting her break.

Sarah says "Ash! Welcome back!"

"Thanks, Sarah."

Sarah says "How are you? Are you hungry?"

"I am doing good, and no not hungry yet. I can wait till dinner time."

Sarah says "Oh, alright. Well, then let me show you what we have done!"

Sarah leads me up to the new floor, we come up into the central room which is perfect for eating together or having a meeting. There is one large bedroom and three other smaller rooms, I notice the bed I brought back is in the bedroom. The other three rooms are set as an office, a work room, and a sitting room that looks like it is for the girls.

There is also a huge bathroom connected to the bedroom, which is fairly impressive since it is the fifth story. Seems like someone who was summoned has knowledge of architecture, and possibly indoor plumbing. The rooms are all furnished and decorated and it all looks quite amazing, they obviously put in a lot of work.

"It looks amazing! I can't believe you did all this!"

Sarah says "It isn't as big a deal as you might think. Magic makes a lot of things much easier."

"Still it can't have been easy, or cheap!"

Sarah says "The high priestesses helped out with the cost, and the mages guild didn't charge much, it seems everyone wants you to make Illium your home."

"So it seems. I am still grateful to you Sarah. After all this is your home."

Sarah says "No worries! I always loved harem anime and now I get to watch one in real life!"

I turn and stare at her, waiting and hoping she will say she was joking, but she just laughs and heads downstairs. After she leaves a harried looking Isabella comes out of the sitting room followed by Drog who is wagging his tail. I'm guessing he has been trying to look cute in hopes of tricking Isabella into cuddling him like she would a puppy.

Isabella says "Welcome home, Ash! It is so good to see you safe and sound!"

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"Hi Isabella, it is good to see you too!"

'Drog! Leave her alone before I banish you to the stables with Lizzy!'

Drog 'Aww, but master!'

'Do as I say!'

Drog 'Yes, master.'

Drog sulks off to a corner and Isabella immediately looks better, his attention surely is a strain on her. Then again who wouldn't be stressed out by having a perverted demon following them around. Maybe she could use a break, she might be willing to go on a mission for me.

"Isabella could you do me a favor and go fetch Pol, I want to start setting plans in motion."

Isabella says "Sure thing, give me a few minutes."

Before she leaves she comes over and hugs me and kisses me on the cheek. I guess she really did miss me, other than the puppy piles I don't remember her ever showing that much affection to me. It is a little worrisome, I have enough problems to worry about right now without trying to figure out women.

Vacker says "Not to be rude, but I can understand why Drog is obsessed. She is a fine figure of a woman!"

Myria says "Oh great, another pervert!"

Vacker says "I'm not a pervert, but I am male. You are very attractive as well, Myria."

Myria blushes and doesn't respond to his words, and the room falls silent while we wait for Isabella to return with Pol. Only a few minutes pass before Pol comes running up the stairs at full speed. As soon as he sees me he breaks into tears and throws himself to his knees before me.

Pol says "Lord Ash! I am so relieved to see you! I tried not to worry but everything hangs on you!"

"It's alright Pol, pull yourself together. I am back safe and sound!"

Pol says "I am sorry, my lord, I am ready to assist you in whatever way you require."

"First off, how many outcasts do you think there are in total?"

Pol says "I would estimate around a hundred thousand or so."

"That should be more than any one clan can muster right?"

Pol says "Far more, but the outcasts are scattered all over the beast lands. Also there are very few warriors amongst the outcasts compared to the clans."

"But there are those who want to be warriors that just never had the chance, like Myria?"

Myria says "Oh, yes. There are a lot who are like I was, both amongst the outcasts and the bunny clan."

"Good, that is what I had hoped. Now before we can begin Pol can you help Vacker bring up the bags from the stables."

Pol says "Of course, my lord!"

Once they have fetched the bags I empty the three bags of gold onto the table and use the cleaning stone on the pile. Luckily it works and cleans the whole pile so I don't have to do it coin by coin. This is a good start but I am going to need more gold to carry out all my plans.

"So the start of the plan is going to involve using this money to accomplish a few different tasks. Pol you are going to play merchant and travel to all the outcast villages. I need you to be known to them, take Annya with you, some of them will know her already and she will be a good introduction."

Pol says "Yes, Annya seems very competent and eager to pay you back."

"Stage two of the plan will involve building a city and moving all the outcasts into it."

Pol says "Wow! That is an ambitious plan!"

"It is only a stepping stone, but an important one. I can trust you to accomplish this for me right Pol?"

Pol says "Of course, my lord!"

"Myria, who is in charge of the buildings on the street that are empty?"

Myria says "Sarah is."

"I will need to speak with her as well then, we need a building for Vacker to set up a school in."

Vacker says "Not wasting any time are you?"

"Nope, I lost a lot of time with the kidnapping. My plan bought us a limited window of time and I have a lot to accomplish during that window."