After the meal and some idle conversation with Giller I head back to the inn. There were several dishes at dinner that I would like to be able to add to the food pouch. I am tempted to leave the city for a bit to talk to Seronia about it, but I decide to wait.

When I get back to the inn I wake Grimgar from his meditation and give him some dinner. While he is eating we talk about his progress, so far he is still just practicing meditation. I haven't even taught him how to sense his core yet, I want him to master meditation first.

If it wasn't for him wanting to be able to teach others I could probably have him working on his core by now. I am really curious as to what is going to happen once he increases the rank of his core. Mainly I want to see if it is going to be the same as when I first worked on my core.

My situation was completely unique, so depending on how it goes for him I may need to help him. After he is done eating I give him a few more pointers and let him go back to practicing. Then I take out one of the stones Giller gave me and start making a storage ring.

Making the ring itself is easy and so is adding the spacial enchantment. Filling it with mana takes a while since I have to stop and meditate in the middle. Then comes the real problem, using all of the mana for enchantments.

The problem is that I don't want to make the ring too powerful, but I need to use all the mana. As I am trying to figure it out I get a somewhat crazy idea and try adding a second spacial enchant. To my surprise it actually works and doubles the storage space of the ring.

Even more surprising is that once the enchantment is set, it is perfectly stable. I wish I had thought of this when I was making my ring, but it is too late now. Besides, I really wouldn't want to give up any of the other enchantments that I put into my ring.

For what's left of the available mana I decide to add defensive enchantments to the ring. After all, if word gets out about the rings then their wearers are likely to be targeted by thieves at the least. Not to mention, they will likely be targeted by rival merchant groups.

So, I use the rest of the mana in the ring and stack up defensive enchantments. Once the ring is completed I put it aside, open up a soulscape, and invite the kids. First, I spend some time giving all the kids some affection, then I send them to play and invite Myria.

Myria says "Hi! Leonarr wanted me to talk to you. So far, they have been obeying your order not to cross into the empire. However, Leonarr wants you to retract that order. He said to tell you that the enemy completely relaxes as soon as they cross the border."

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"You said before that official imperial army troops have been sent against us, right?"

Myria says "Yes. Not many, mind you. Only a few hundred, but we have killed the majority of them."

"In that case, since we are already in conflict with the empire, then tell Leonarr he can cross the border. Tell him I said he will only get them by surprise once so he should go all out and make them pay! Also tell him to be wary of demons as I expect they have infiltrated the empire."

Myria says "Alright, I will tell him! Do you have any other instructions for me?"

"No, not really. You know the situation better than me, so you can do what you think is best."

Myria says "Is it alright if I lead the knights into battle?"

"Of course it is, you passed the trial, so you are a captain just like me!"

Myria says "I thought for sure you were going to tell me it is too dangerous for me!"

"Going through dangers is the only way for you to become stronger! Even the captain's trial is dangerous!"

Myria says "Are you being serious? Or are you just trying to make excuses for all the risks you have taken?"

"Um, both?"

Myria growls at me and then tries to hit me, but I just dodge and laugh at her. She then cheats and gets the kids involved, with all of them ganging up on me. While I could probably win if I went all out, it is better to let them win, but I make them work for it.

By the time the battle is over they are all completely exhausted and leave the soulscape. Once the soulscape is closed I take another stone out and start making the second ring. By the time I finish enchanting the second ring it is morning, so I have breakfast with Grimgar.

While we are eating I quiz him about meditation to make sure he has understood everything so far. Once I am convinced he has mastered meditation, I start teaching him how to sense his core. Before I can start working on the last ring there is a knock at the door, so I get up to answer it.

When I open the door I see an elegantly dressed human man who looks to be in his fifties. His clothing looks very expensive, so I am guessing he doesn't work for the inn. He is holding a box, which is about the right size to hold a sword, so hopefully this is my delivery.

Harry says "Greetings, I am Count Harry Henderson. Are you Lord Ash?"

"Yes, I am Ash."

Harry says "Excellent! May I come in? My mission requires discretion!"

"Sure, come on in!"

Harry says "Thank you! Princess Seraph entrusted me to bring this to you!"

"Thank you for returning it!"

Harry says "I don't know the situation and I was told not to ask. My task was to deliver this box and to give you this token."

"Token? What is this for?"

Harry says "This token represents the king's authority! You can use it to command anyone in the kingdom below the rank of Duke!"

"Why would the king give me this?!"

Harry says "I wasn't told. All I know is that it is a reward for something! I am not supposed to even ask, but if you want to tell me I will listen!"

"Sorry, it isn't a good idea to talk about it without the king's permission!"

Harry says "Alright, I understand. Now that my mission is complete I will head back. Unless you have other orders for me?"

"Nope. You can return. Thank you for your hard work!"

Harry says "It was my duty! Farewell!"

After Harry leaves I take the fire sword out of the box and put it in my pouch. That was all I was waiting for, now I can finally leave this city and head for the Magic Kingdom. Well, after I deliver the three rings that is, so I start working on the third ring.