Mercy says "However, I do have a request."

"What would that be?"

Mercy says "I want the priest of the chapel to be the highest authority for the church within the kingdom. I also want them to always be chosen directly by the goddesses. I don't want my kingdom to become a place where church and state fight for political power."

"That is reasonable, and completely acceptable. You already know the high priestess that has been chosen."

Mercy says "Oh? I do? Who is it?"

"Leyla."

Mercy says "Really? Don't get me wrong, I love Leyla, but isn't she too young?"

Zamart says "While young, I would have to say Leyla has a very good head on her shoulders. I think she will be an excellent high priestess."

"Not to mention, she and Mericel are good friends. I believe she will be able to help Mericel a lot."

Mercy says "If you say so."

"There is another thing to consider, Leyla is absolutely devout. I know there have been issues with fake priests before. Leyla is a true believer, meaning she will be able to control the holy power."

Mercy says "What will controlling the holy power mean?"

"She will be able to create miracles, such as healings and blessings that normal priests cannot accomplish."

Mercy says "Well, if true that will be impressive. Maybe her youth won't be a problem."

"Mercy, you do realize she is only a few years younger than you, right?"

Zamart laughs and says "He is right, Mercy!"

Mercy coughs and says "Fine, I will accept her!"

"Excellent. Leyla should still be with my beastmen, or at their camp. If Seronia hasn't already informed her she will soon. She might need a little help getting over the shock."

Mercy says "I will send Mericel to find her. Maybe they can help each other."

"That sounds perfect."

Zamart says "So, what now?"

"Now, I go back down and see if I can find the temple of earth."

Mercy says "Good luck and stay safe!"

"I will try."

I give both of them a wave and then I once again jump down the well. When I reach the bottom I go looking for the tunnel I dug last time that will take me to the sewers. Luckily, I already reviewed my memories so I basically have the map of this place in my head.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Although, if I need to I can always go back to my secret room and look at the map I drew on the wall. That doesn't end up being necessary because I instantly recognize the spider room as I pass it. After that at the end of the hall it isn't hard to spot the primitive door I tried to cover the tunnel with.

The door ends up being stuck in place, but it isn't hard for me to rip it out of the wall. Then after squeezing through the tunnel I again find myself in the sewers. On my way to the mushroom cavern where my camp was I stop by the small cavern where I first met Ruby.

It is empty now, but it still brings back a lot of memories, maybe when I get back I should talk to Ruby. By then she should have given up on the silent treatment, at least I hope so. I do care for her, but not in the way she wants me to, and she doesn't love me.

At least I am pretty sure she doesn't, she is just obsessed with me because I saved her. As I think about what to say to her my feet carry me to the mushroom cavern. I stop at the edge of the river and take a look around, even though there is really nothing here.

I was pretty thorough when I cleaned up the camp I had here, mainly because I planned to never come back. Yet here I am, despite my wishes I have to go through all this again. As I am standing there looking around, the baby suddenly pops onto my shoulder.

Baby says "Mama!"

"Finished your nap I see, was it good?"

Baby says "Yea!"

With a laugh I reach up and affectionately rub his head and scratch around his ears. Then I explain to him that I am going swimming in the cold water and he should probably hide. He doesn't seem to believe me so I jump into the river, but I keep my head and shoulders above the water.

This allows the baby to test the water with the tip of his tail and as soon as he does he vanishes into the shadow pocket. After chuckling at his actions I dive under the water and let the current carry me. The cold isn't as bad as I remember, but then again my cold resist is much better now.

It is hard to tell distances underwater so I stop and check every area where there is air above the water. By doing so I realize that I missed a decent number of areas the first time I came this way. The idea of exploring all of them doesn't appeal to me, I just want to focus on my mission.

After about an hour I finally find the cave with the dwarven ruins and climb out of the river. As I climb out of the water I hear a hiss and when I look up I see one of the bird-things. A simple growl from me sends it fleeing in terror and I start searching for the secret door.

Even though I know where the door is I am still unable to find it, that is until I finally remember the monocle. Once I take it out and use it I have no problem opening the door to reveal the stairs. Again when I open the door hot air rushes up and blows my fur around.

Based on that, just to be safe, I prop the door open so that it doesn't close behind me. Then I start down the stairs, as I do I let the baby know that he can come out. He instantly returns to my shoulder and starts looking around curiously.

When we reach the bottom of the stairs I find myself in a huge cavern with several rivers of lava flowing through it. While it is hot in the cavern, to me it only feels a little bit warm. At the farm end of the cavern is a huge building which I am guessing is the temple of earth.

Between me and the temple the rest of the cavern is covered in ruins. It looks like it used to be a large city, but there is hardly anything left standing. Just like the ruins above, everything is made of stone but not a single wall is left intact.

'Summon Mount!'

Lizzy appears and looks around 'Where have you summoned me to now?'

'That building over there should be the temple of earth.'

Lizzy 'I've never actually been this deep before, do you realize how much rock is above us?'

'Yes, don't remind me!'

Lizzy snorts at me 'How is it after all this time you are not used to being underground?'

'I am not afraid of it anymore, it just makes me nervous. Besides, I don't like the memories it brings up.'

Lizzy 'Okay, what's the plan?'

'We need to search the ruins for anything useful, then we will go into the temple.'

Lizzy 'Okay!'

Lizzy goes one way and I go the other as we start searching the ruins methodically. Since I have yet to see anything dangerous I let the baby wander around and explore. However, I always keep one eye on him just to be safe.