"I'm thinking of using them to carry supplies for the army, so I need a lot. It's okay, I will ask Yui, she might have some."

Roddick says "Alright, sorry. Next question?"

"I've been told that mages have a preservation spell they use for trophies?"

Roddick says "That's right. You got a trophy you need preserved?"

"Yeah, the drake's head. I thought it might make a nice decoration for the inn."

Roddick says "We can take care of that easily enough. Anything else?"

"Did you get my message about sending mages to help Mercy rebuild?"

Roddick says "Yes, we sent a squad of mages to help out."

"Do you have another such squad available?"

Roddick says "Yes, that can be arranged. What do you need them for?"

"I want them to help build a military base and help with the construction of our new city."

Roddick says "Alright, we can do that."

"The cost?"

Belliza says "After what you have done don't even ask! You will never pay for any guild services ever again!"

Roddick says "I agree. Besides, we still owe you millions!"

"Alright, I won't argue with you about it."

Roddick says "Good! Now, is there anything else we can help with?"

"No, that's everything at the moment."

Roddick says "Alright, Belliza will take you to get your trophy preserved."

When I say a polite goodbye to Roddick, Rat gets up and comes over to me. She then stands there and holds her arms up until I bend down so that she can hug my neck. As she is hugging my neck she softly whispers thank you into my ear then she lets go and returns to her toys.

After Rat returns to her play I follow Belliza out of the room and down the stairs. The area we are heading for is apparently on the lower levels of the tower. It turns out to be not far from the entrance, which isn't too surprising when I think about it.

Belliza says "Just place the trophy on the counter and we will take care of it. It should only take a day, two at most."

"Once it is ready, can you have it delivered to the inn?"

Belliza says "Of course!"

"Thank you."

Belliza says "Nonsense! This is nothing! You not only saved Roddick's life but you also gave us time to raise Rat together. This is something we can never repay."

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"I've already said that it is a matter between friends. Please stop thanking me, it makes me uncomfortable."

Belliza says "I'm sorry."

"Nevermind. Oh, that reminds me, this tower is the tallest building in Illium, right?"

Belliza says "That is correct."

"When storms hit, does the roof get hit by lightning?"

Belliza says "Yes, constantly. Why?"

"Next time there is a storm and I am in town I want to go up on the roof. Is that possible?"

Belliza says "Of course! But why?"

"When I was fighting the lightning drake I had improvements to my core when I was hit by lightning. I want to try meditating during a storm and see if normal lighting can help me as well."

Belliza says "Interesting! I have never heard of anything like that! You are always full of surprises! Of course, you can access the roof anytime you want. If it does work I would be curious to know and I'm sure Roddick would as well."

"Sure, I will let you both know how it goes."

Belliza says "Alright, anything else I can help you with?"

"Nope, that should be it for now."

Belliza says "Okay, allow me to escort you out."

Not that I really need an escort, but I allow Belliza to lead the way to the entrance. When I exit the tower I am surprised by how much time has passed, it is already getting dark. Dealing with Roddick's cancer took far longer than I thought, it is already dinner time.

So I head for the inn, my visits to Borrik and Ambrose can wait until tomorrow. As long as I speak with them before the party it should be fine, so tomorrow morning should work. When I enter the inn and head upstairs I am surprised to find Isabella and Ruby have returned.

Ruby says "Welcome back, Ash."

"Thank you. How was your trip?"

Isabella says "It went well. We found Justin and the others."

"How are they doing?"

Isabella says "They are good, but they will be staying in the kingdom."

"How come?"

Isabella says "They have decided to stay and help rebuild. Justin is planning to start an order of paladins. Giles is going to form the Queen's Lancers and be its captain. Rachel plans to head the new adventurers guild. Emelia and Koko haven't decided what they are going to do yet."

"You sound as if you want to join them?"

Isabella says "I thought about it, but in the end decided not to."

"Oh? Why not?"

Isabella says "Because the kingdom is not going to be where the action is. I will be able to do a lot more good fighting by your side against the demons. Besides, Ruby would just end up getting bored and burning the capital down, again."

Ruby says "I would not! And what do you mean again? It was Ash who destroyed the capital, not me!"

"That was an accident! It was the shadow demon's spell that destroyed everything!"

Myria says "I thought it was your divine magic mixing with the spell that destroyed everything?"

"Well, yes. But it was the only way to stop the capital from becoming a part of the shadow realm!"

Isabella says "Relax, Ash. They are just pulling your chain!"

"I know, but I still feel guilty about the capital being destroyed."

Isabella says "Well, Mercy doesn't blame you so you should probably stop blaming yourself."

Ruby says "What I want to know is how you created a holy area right outside the throne room!?"

So I tell them about it as we eat dinner, including the origin of the five girls and what I did to the nobles. It is no surprise that the women all agree with my taking revenge on the nobles. However, I wasn't expecting them to all be on Seronia's side about the mixing of powers.

Myria says "That was stupid! Especially after you had already been warned about mixing powers!"

Isabella says "How come you left this out when you were telling us about your trip??"

Ruby says "He tends to leave out his stupid mistakes if he can get away with it!"

"I do not!"

Myria says "You totally do! I bet there are plenty of stupid things you have done that you haven't told us about!"

"No way! I don't do stupid things that often!"

Ruby says "Oh really? Should I tell them the things you did before you met them?"

"No! There is no need for that!"

Isabella says "Tell us! Tell us!"

Myria says "I certainly would like to hear about them!"

Despite my protests, Ruby tells stories about our early adventures during the rest of dinner. Ruby somehow manages to make even my good ideas sound like insane undertakings. What was perfectly logical at the time is twisted to sound like I don't care about my life at all.