The sun is just barely coming up when I wake up in the morning, but even this early I can smell breakfast cooking three floors down. I get up and quickly do my morning exercises after sending word down that I am awake. When my breakfast arrives an unfamiliar woman comes with it with the explanation that Roddick sent her.

Belliza says "Greetings, Lord Ash, my name is Belliza, I am Roddick's second in command."

"Pleased to meet you, please join me."

Belliza says "Normally I wouldn't, but I have heard amazing things about the food here, so thank you I will."

"Also, sorry for any extra work I have caused you."

Belliza says "It hasn't been that bad, don't worry about it."

"So, what did Roddick send you here for?"

Belliza says "We got the reports back from the two villages close to the mines. There have been disappearances of both livestock and a few people at both villages."

"So the bird-things have been coming out of the mine at night to hunt."

Belliza says "Does that change anything?"

"It just means I need to prevent them from getting out again tonight.

Belliza says "Right, anything else the mages can do for you?"

"No, thank you. I'll be leaving as soon as I finish my breakfast."

Belliza says "Alright, good luck!"

"You don't have to leave, finish eating at least."

Belliza says "I would, it is delicious, but I have a ton of other things to do. Starting with talking to Sarah about what kind of device we need to make for her."

"Ah, right, so everyone can order delivery."

Belliza says "That's what I've been told, apparently Ambrose insisted we make it a priority. After tasting the food here I now understand why."

"Alright, I will let you go do your work."

Belliza says "It was a pleasure to meet you, and good luck in the mines."

"Thank you!"

After she leaves I quickly finish all the food that's left and then put on my armor and grab Blitz. Once I grab the pouch and attach it to my belt I am ready to go, but I have one stop to make before I can leave. So I head downstairs and wave to Sarah before going down the street to Mitch's shop.

Mitch says "Morning, boss! It's done!"

"Thank you, Mitch. Sorry for the trouble!"

Mitch says "No need to apologize, it wasn't that hard. Here you go!"

"Wow! It's perfect! Thanks, Mitch!"

Mitch says "No problem, boss. Glad you like it!"

After saying goodbye and stowing the pickaxe in my pouch I head back to the inn because I realize I forgot something. When I get back upstairs I end up having to search all of the rooms because he is hiding. I finally find him curled up under the desk in the office pretending to be asleep.

"Drog, come on, it's time to go."

Drog says "No! I am staying here to wait for Isabella to get back!"

"Alright, enough is enough, I am done arguing with you! I revoke your permission to materialize!"

Drog looks shocked right before his body disappears and he returns to Blitz. He immediately starts whining in my head so I just tune him out, maybe if I leave him in the sword for a while he will stop acting like a child. When Ruby is finally back, maybe she can help me with him, he was always scared of her.

If that doesn't work then I am going to have to get rid of him, he makes all the girls uncomfortable. That and now that I am interacting with so many people I can't afford to have him misbehaving. If Pine knew I had a demon with me I'm sure he would use it against me, so would a lot of other people I am sure.

My plans are going to improve things for a lot of people, but they are also going to make me a decent number of enemies. I need to be careful about certain information, I don't want a mob showing up and trying to burn down the inn! Although, now that there is a visible guard force on the street I don't really expect anyone to try and cause trouble here, but you never know.

"Alright, Sarah, I'm off. I should be back in a couple of days at most."

Sarah says "Okay, I will handle things here. You just make sure you come back safe!"

"Don't worry, I will be careful."

Sarah says "Somehow, I doubt that!"

"You shouldn't listen to stories, I am very careful!"

Sarah says "They were your stories!"

"Um, well, maybe. Alright, I am as careful as I can be in a given situation."

Saraj says "Well, try not to get eaten!"

"That I can do!"

Sarah laughs and gives me a hug, then I head out to the stables where an excited Lizzy is waiting for me. She runs over and headbutts my chest then rubs her face against mine, her way of showing affection. When I go to grab her saddle I get a pleasant surprise, someone has upgraded her saddle.

The underside is now lined with behemoth fur so it won't damage her scales, and the back of the saddle now has two flags on poles. One is my new symbol and the other is the symbol of the twins, with the length of the poles the flags will be just above my head when I'm mounted. I'm not sure who thought of this or who did the work but I am touched and grateful.

As I put the saddle on her, Lizzy seems to like the changes to the saddle, at least she doesn't protest it as much as she normally does. If she is happier with it then that is all the more reason to find out who did this and thank them. Walter probably did the work on the saddle but it definitely wasn't his idea, but he will at least know who asked him to do the work.

When I get back I will ask Walter about it, but for now I put it out of my mind and mount up. The ride out to the mine would take about three hours by horse, Lizzy gets me there in just under an hour. The main entrance of the mine is large enough that I am able to just ride Lizzy inside.