For now I need to head to the magic kingdom, otherwise I am going to run out of time. All these little side trips are using up my limited adventure time. However, for whatever reason they keep happening to me even when I try to avoid them.

At this rate I am going to get called back to the ship before I even reach the magic kingdom. Although, I guess the elves will sit and wait if I ask them to, but I don't really want to do that. Then again, they are probably pretty busy trying to tend to the elves I rescued.

As long as I keep rescuing elves it shouldn't really matter to the elves if they have to wait a bit. Well, most of the elves, Brightfire would probably want to come join me. She has the hardest time sitting still, not that I am any better than her.

After all, I am out here adventuring because I couldn't stand sitting around on the ship. Once I am out of the ruins I find a place to camp for the night, then I create a soulscape. The kids show up and start playing as soon as I invite them as usual.

All except Ekard, he immediately comes over to me to get some affection from me. As I am petting him I tell him everything I have been up to, this helps him to not worry as much. Once he is comforted he runs off to play with the others and out of habit I invite Myria, but this time she appears.

"Myria! You completed the captain's trial?"

Myria says "Yes, I did! Why are you still a beast? I was sure you would have done something stupid by now!"

"I may have done a few stupid things, but nothing serious enough to alter my race."

Myria says "Somehow I doubt that! Tell me everything you have done while I was in the test!"

Since I actually can't remember what was going on when Myria went into the test I just tell her everything. Starting from going through the portal and finding myself trapped on the island. I don't leave anything out or try to hide anything, but I can only tell her what I remember.

It is a good thing that time passes differently in the soulscape because it takes me hours to tell her everything. The kids have long since gotten tired of playing and gathered around to listen to me talk. As I am talking, they keep edging closer and closer until Myria and I are completely surrounded.

Of course, it doesn't stop there, once they are close enough they start fighting for position. The goal of the fighting is who can get their head close enough to get petted. Since I don't want the fighting to interrupt the story, I cheat and grow enough arms to pet all of them.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

As soon as I start petting them they all calm down, but Myria starts laughing at me. With all the extra arms I probably look pretty ridiculous, but I have too many kids. Besides, since it is inside the soulscape, I can cheat as much as I want.

With the kids distracted I am able to finish catching Myria up to the present. I also tell her I am heading for the magic kingdom to satisfy my curiosity. Other than laughing at the kids' antics, Myria manages to not interrupt at all during my story.

Myria says "I guess it could be worse! At least you didn't end up turning yourself into an undead! Though, what is with you and princesses?"

"I am pretty sure that, thanks to Krenocia, I can't be turned into an undead. I don't have a thing for princesses! These things just kind of happen!"

Myria says "They seem to happen to you an awful lot!"

"Relax, it's not like I will ever see her again! Now, can you calm down and tell me what's going on back on the peninsula?"

Myria says "Things have been going well as far as I know. I only came out of the captain's test yesterday, so I am not caught up on everything. Oh, Ambrose did want us to relay a request to you."

"What request?"

Myria says "Apparently he received a request from the president of the Free Union. The request is to borrow Lizzy."

"The Free Union wants to borrow Lizzy??"

Myria says "Yes. According to what Ambrose said, he thinks they are having a lot of problems with the demons."

"That would explain why they would ask for Lizzy. I don't have any problem with it, but ask Lizzy if she wants to."

Myria says "She will probably want to. Yui said Lizzy was complaining about being bored a lot while I was in the test."

"Just make sure Lizzy knows that she is only hunting demons and she shouldn't kill humans unless necessary."

Myria says "I will remind her. So, when do you think you will be back?"

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, maybe two months."

Myria says "Can't you just gate back?"

"No, it is too far. It would take at least ten gates at my maximum range. Especially to move the ship, that would shorten my range a lot."

Myria says "I can understand bringing the elves back, but do you have to bring the ship?"

"Yes! There is no way I am leaving the ship behind after all the work I've put into it!"

Myria says "What's the use of bringing it back with you? Once you are back it will become useless!"

"You are saying a ship is useless? You do realize that the peninsula you live on is surrounded by water on three sides, right?"

Myria looks at me for a few seconds and then she blushes and looks away. It is obvious that she is embarrassed, so I turn my attention to the kids while she recovers. However, when I do I find that half of the kids have already fallen asleep.

With a laugh I send the kids out one by one so that they can get some rest. By the time it is down to just me and Myria, she is back to her normal self. It feels like it has been ages since I have seen Myria, but now that it is just her I don't know what to say.

Myria says "So, what is so important about this magic kingdom you mentioned?"

"Mainly, I want to try and get my hands on more magical resources and knowledge. Also, I want to satisfy my curiosity and see what a kingdom run by mages is like."

Myria says "You will be careful and try not to cause a commotion, right?"

"I am going in disguise, so even if I make a commotion it won't matter. Don't worry so much. There are very few things that can threaten me!"

Myria says "You acting overconfident is just going to make me worry more!"