Alexa says "What should we expect when fighting against them?"

"The low ranked ones I have faced had a very low grasp of tactics. However the controlled troops know no fear and don't feel pain. They just keep attacking until they are killed."

Mercy says "That sounds difficult to deal with."

"Also they will march until they die, so the army may move faster than you expect."

Alexa says "We are currently expecting them in about a week, but I will have the scouts double check that."

'Drog, can you manafest yet?'

Drog 'I think I should be able to now.'

'Good, do it. I have a task for you.'

"Hawk claimed to be your best scout, is that true?"

Mercy and Alexa say "Yes."

"Can you summon him please?"

Hawk arrives while Drog is still manifesting. Everyone at the table is watching but only Zamart seems to realize what is going on. He looks to be preparing a spell.

Mercy says "What is that?"

"That is Drog, the rank five demon I defeated. Don't worry Zamart I put him under a slave contract."

Drog says "Ah, it feels good to be solid again! What is my task, master?"

"You are going to accompany Hawk here to take a look at the enemy army. Hawk, Drog will be able to identify the shadow demons in the army, he also should be able to tell if the humans are being controlled. Your job is to get him close enough and then away without being detected."

Hawk says "As you command!"

Drog says "Aw, can't you send Isabella with me instead?"

Isabella says "What? Why me? I am not a scout! I am not even a little bit sneaky!"

"He wants you to go because he is an absolute pervert! Don't ever trust anything he says to you or do anything he asks!"

Drog says "Master, you are such a spoilsport!"

"Just go, do as you are told!"

Zamart says "Why would you keep a demon around? Even under a slave contract that is a dangerous idea."

"When I defeated him I needed information he had. Besides, the first order I gave him covers any loopholes in the contract."

Zamart says "A mage with a decent understanding of it could break the contract."

"True, but I can defeat Drog again easily and he knows it."

Isabella says "I will make sure to be careful around him!"

"As a summoner do you have a banish spell?"

Zamart says "A summoner?!?"

Mercy says "Wait, is she one of the heroes?"

Isabella says "Yes, I have a banish spell. Yes, I am a summoner, and yes I am one of the heroes."

"If Drog bothers you just banish him, he will return to my sword."

Mercy says "If you are one of the heroes, why are you here with Ash instead of serving the king?"

With a sigh Isabella begins explaining, she tells her story from the beginning. Mercy and Alexa ask several questions about her training while Zamart is asking about the other heroes. Apparently, the rebels have collected quite a bit of information on the heroes including the four I have killed.

Mercy says "So, counting the four you killed and Isabella here, that means the king is down to eighteen heroes."

"Wait, eighteen, shouldn't there be twenty-three?"

Mercy says "We got word that five heroes turned against the king and disappeared into the northern forest."

Isabella says "Do you know who it was?"

Zamart says "The five who left were Justin, Koko, Giles, Rachel, and Emelia."

Isabella says "Good, I am glad they escaped!"

"Justin, why does that name sound familiar?"

Mericel says "Justin was that paladin you spared and told the truth back in the forest."

"Oh, right, now I remember him."

Mericel says "I guess you sparing him was a good thing."

Isabella says "Justin is a good guy, if you told him what you told me he will definitely be looking for a way to fight against the king."

"You said they disappeared in the northern forest?"

Mercy says "Yes, they killed some troops sent after them and there has been no word of them since."

Alexa says "We have tried to find them to try and get them to join us, but we haven't been able to."

"While it would be interesting to meet him again we should return our focus to the upcoming battle."

Mercy says "I agree. What role do you plan to take in the battle?"

"I plan to hunt the shadow demons that are with the army. Other than that I will also hunt any heroes that are with the army."

Alexa says "So you don't plan to command the troops that have sworn loyalty to you?"

"No, I have no intention of leading troops into battle. I do not want to be a commander or a noble. I want to be an adventurer and complete the quests the goddesses have given me."

Mercy says "You know the more the story spreads the worse it is going to get."

"I know but the only way to stop it spreading would have been to kill them all. I didn't think you would appreciate that."

Alexa says "You are right there, we would have killed you."

"You would have tried."

Alexa says "Are you saying an army of five thousand can't kill you?"

"If I was alone they might be able to, but I am not alone."

Alexa says "I know you are strong, but aren't you being a bit too cocky?"

'Summon Bones!'

When Bones suddenly appears everyone on their side except Ricken jumps to their feet. Zamart seems the most shocked, but then again he can probably see more about Bones. Mercy looks curious but Alexa looks ready to fight, Bones on the other hand is just looking around innocently.

Zamart says "You are a necromancer?"

"No, I can only summon him, it was a reward for a quest."

Mercy says "What is the point of this?"

"Just to show I am never alone, Bones can hold his own against hundreds of soldiers. Just the two of us killed two thousand of the king's soldiers, so don't go trying to threaten me!"