"Okay, so that is why you have been around the whole time. By the way, thank you for the warnings."

Mericel says "You are welcome. Although it was in my own interest, you die, I die remember."

"True, but I am sure it wasn't easy to reach me."

Mericel says "That is true, as a soul I have very limited options outside of a soulscape."

"Is there anything I can do to change that?"

Mericel says "I don't think so. While you have this soulscape I can come and talk to you easily, but that is about the extent of my ability to interact with you."

"Well, as I learn, maybe we can figure something out. As for learning, can you tell me about this world?"

Mericel says "Sure. What did you want to know?"

"I know nothing of this world and knowledge is power. I need to know about the kingdoms and politics, what races there are and how they interact."

Mericel says "So, basically everything. Well, I will tell you what I can."

Mericel focuses for a minute and then a map appears floating in the air beside her. She points to the north western kingdom.

Mericel says "This is the kingdom of Revalia, my home, and where you were summoned. This is the capital city here. So, you are somewhere under it as far as I know."

She then moves her hand to point to the kingdom to the east of Revalia.

Mericel says "This is the Empire of Gundar, they are the oldest kingdom and most likely the most powerful. They tend to treat the other kingdoms as lesser, they would probably conquer us all if they could."

Mericel says "Here, below the empire is the kingdom of the beastmen, although it isn't really a kingdom. It is made up of the tribes of beastmen but they have no central authority and tend to act independently. The only reason they haven't been conquered is how fearsome the beastmen are in battle."

Mericel says "To the west of the beastmen and to the south of Revalia is the Free Union. They are ruled by a merchant council and business is the most important thing to them. Although, they have the most freedom as far as laws are concerned."

Mericel says "And here in the middle where the four kingdoms meet is the neutral city state of Illium. They act as the trade and diplomatic hub for the four kingdoms. Illium is also the home base for those guilds who operate in more than one nation."

Mericel says "As for races, it is just humans and beastmen. There are different types of beastmen but I don't know them all. My father discouraged any interest in them, he even banned them from the castle."

"Yes, I am familiar with your father's view of beastmen."

Mericel says "Sorry."

"Not your fault."

Mericel says "This area above Revalia and the empire is wilderness ruled by the mana beasts. Same with this area below the Union and the Beastmen, it goes on beyond this map but no one knows how far or what's there."

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Mericel says "There are also two island nations but I don't know their names or anything about them. That is all I can think of, anything else you want to know?"

"What is life like inside Revalia? Is it safe? How are the peasants treated?"

Mericel says "Inside the kingdom is not totally safe, there are bandits sometimes and occasionally mana beasts or other monsters make it into the kingdom. Most villages and towns are fortified but the countryside can be dangerous."

"So there are a lot of military patrols and outposts across the country?"

Mericel says "Actually no, the larger towns have a platoon stationed at them. Most of the rest of the army is stationed at the borders."

"Is Revalia under attack from the other nations?"

Mericel says "No, we have had peace for fifty years or so. A little over five years ago when my mother, the queen, and my older sister Amercy died a lot of people fled the country. They feared what the rule of a king might be like."

Mericel says "To clarify let me tell you a bit of our history, Revalia was founded five hundred years ago by people fleeing the empire. The empire at the time was fairly corrupt and harsh for its people. One of the emperor's daughters led people here to found a new nation."

"That was Emberly right? The first queen?"

Mericel says "Yes, and since then we have had an unbroken line of queens, until now. Many believe my father murdered my mother and half-sister so he could take the throne. I didn't believe it at first but now I do since he was willing to sacrifice me."

"That reminds me, do you know why he would try to summon all the heroes early?"

Mericel says "He told me that it was to protect Revalia because the other nations were about to attack us. Now I think it is the opposite, he wants to attack them. So he summoned the heroes and will convince them that he is in the right and use them against the other nations."

"So he wants to conquer the other three kingdoms and rebuild the ancient empire with himself as emperor?"

Mericel says "Well, he wants to conquer the empire and the free union. I'm fairly sure he wants to wipe out or enslave the beastmen."

"Well, I don't plan to let that happen. Are the heroes that much of a factor when it comes to war?"

Mericel says "Yes, an average hero is worth a hundred men easy. A great hero would be worth a thousand or more men."

"So, without the heroes your father wouldn't have a chance right?"

Mericel says "That is true as far as I know."

"Well, then we just need to remove the heroes from his control."

Mericel says "How will you do that?"

"Either by convincing them, or by killing them."

Mericel says "So, you do plan to fight against my father?"

"More than that, I plan to kill him. I already promised to do that even before everything you told me."

Mericel says "While that is what I want since I am bound to you, I didn't want to force you into anything."

"Don't worry about it, this is my own choice. Now, what can you tell me about the terrain around the capital city, and how heavily patrolled it is?"

Mericel says "Well, the city itself is heavily patrolled of course, but as far as I know only the roads are patrolled outside the city. Why?"

"Because, as far as I can tell the only way out of the underground is going to be by going down the river. I want to know what to expect outside."

Mericel says "Well, the capital is surrounded by forested hills. The forests have a fairly bad reputation so not many people go into them. There are two roads out of the capital, one goes south east towards Illium, the other goes south west towards the port city of Durendall."

"Southwest, is there a river that flows that direction?"

Mericel says "Yes, I believe so. The road follows it for a while if I remember right. Why?"

"Because, if I'm right that is where the river down here goes. If so, that should be where I come out."

Mericel says "Just so you know, there are no free beastmen in Revalia, only slaves. Once you are outside you will probably run into problems. If father knows you are alive I am sure he has put a large bounty on your head."

"I'm sure he has, but I will deal with it once I am outside. For now I need to pack up my camp and some other things. Thank you for all the information but I am out of questions for now."

Mericel says "You are welcome, it was nice talking to someone again. I will be here anytime you need to talk to me."

"Thanks, I will definitely be back. I want to try training in here."

After saying goodbye to Mericel I will the soulscape to end. I wake myself from meditation and open my eyes to see Ruby sitting watching me about a foot away.

Ruby says "Welcome back, master!"