Mercy says "Now, how about you tell us what you have been up to?"

Starting my story with my first visit to Illium, I begin trying to fill them in on everything that has happened. There is a lot of information for me to give them and there are a lot of interruptions. Mostly people asking if I really did something or asking how I survived something.

Mercy in particular interrupts quite a few times asking just how stupid I am. Considering she is echoing what the girls said after those events I find myself fighting not to laugh. Zamart is the only one who stays quiet, that is until I get to my trip to the tower.

Zamart says "The spirit of the tower can speak? Amazing!"

"Yes, I named her Yui. She has been a great help ever since I found the tower."

Mercy says "Zamart, hush. Ash, keep going!"

Returning to the story I tell them about the tower and the tests. Dinner is served and eaten as I continue telling the story, although I don't get to eat much. Every time I stop to take a bite someone complains and urges me to continue.

Zamart says "So, Roddick has a teleporter and didn't tell me about it?!"

"I guess so. You need to finish things here before you go to the tower. Once you are there you won't want to leave anytime soon."

Zamart says "Good point."

Mercy says "Once we take the capital you can take a vacation for several months, Zamart. You have more than earned it!"

Zamart says "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Emelia says "I would like to go and meet Kechara and Asuna!"

Silveria 'Me too! Me too!'

"Once the war is over I'm sure I can arrange that."

Mercy says "Speaking of, how should we proceed?"

"First, I will do some scouting. Then as I promised you, I will help you end this. The king is mine though!"

Mercy says "That's fine. We just need to end this quickly before I lose half my kingdom to the empire!"

"No worries. It shouldn't take more than a few days."

Zamart says "What about the rank seven demon?"

"He won't be a problem."

Alexa says "Didn't you warn us that he would be a major problem?"

"That was before. I am now also rank seven as well as being a Sacred Crusader."

Mercy says "A what?"

"Think of it as an upgraded paladin. Demons can't even come near me without taking damage. I also have a lot of spells that will hurt them greatly."

Justin says "A sacred crusader? How did you manage that?"

"It happened when I received the blessing of both goddesses. By that time I was already a sacred creature."

Silveria 'Like me and mom?'

"Yes, I am like you and your mother now."

Silveria 'That's probably why she wants to talk to you!'

"Yeah, that's my guess too."

Justin says "If it worked for you, then the goddesses might just be the answer to our problems."

"Later tonight I will introduce the two of you to them. For now my first priority is to scout the city and see what we are up against."

Mercy says "Alright, we will meet after to discuss our strategy."

As the meeting breaks up I motion to Zamart to step aside for a quiet chat. Then I ask him to search through the camp and see if he can find me a maid who worked in the palace before I was summoned. After he promises to do so I step out of the tent and launch myself into the air.

The sun still hasn't quite set so I will have enough light to see into the city without flying too low. As I fly over the city I can see and sense several disturbing facts. Such as there being at most ten people still living in the city and that there are some strange changes to the city itself.

"Krenocia, if you have a moment can you tell me what I am seeing?"

Krenocia says "The city has been turned into a giant magic ritual. See the outer walls form the circle, and all those collapsed buildings form the lines."

"Is that why the rubble looks so strange?"

Krenocia says "Yes, they are using the rubble to form the core of the spell."

"Can you tell what the spell is for? Or how long till it activates?"

Krenocia says "The spell, if completed will merge this area with the shadow realm. As to when, it's not a matter of time but of sacrifice. The spell will require the life force of thousands to activate."

"Like an invading army?"

Krenocia says "Yes, that would work."

"So, what does merging with the shadow realm mean?"

Krenocia says "This area would become a mix of the two realms. Shadow demons and beasts could pass back and forth at will. They also wouldn't need bodies to inhabit while in this area."

"So, this would be even worse than a demon gate?"

Krenocia says "Yes. Once merged it would be fairly easy to expand the area that is affected."

"Meaning they could, over time convert the entire peninsula?"

Krenocia says "Exactly. That is probably their plan."

"Well, guess I will just have to ruin their plan."

Krenocia says "It's a good thing you are here to stop it. Trying to change it back after the merger would be extremely difficult."

"Alright, thanks for the information. I will take care of it."

Krenocia says "Okay! Contact me if you need anything else!"

After talking with Krenocia, I make one more pass over the city before returning to Mercy's camp. When I arrive at the main tent I find Mercy, Alexa, and Zamart waiting for me. I am not looking forward to what I have to tell them, it is going to hurt Mercy the worst.

Mercy says "Any problems?"

"Not with the scouting, but we have several things to discuss."

Mercy says "Alright, come in and sit down."

"First, the worst news. There are at most ten people still alive inside the capital. Everyone else is dead and possessed by a shadow demon."

Mercy yells "What?! That's impossible!!"

Alexa says "Ash, are you sure? That's over twenty thousand people you are talking about!"

"I'm afraid that there is no doubt."

Mercy yells "We will destroy them all!!"

"That's the second problem. You can't. If you invade the city all your men will be used as a sacrifice to turn the city into part of the shadow realm."

Zamart says "Are you saying they plan to merge the capital with the shadow realm?"

"That is exactly what they are planning. Krenocia verified the spell."

Mercy says "We can't just do nothing!"

Zamart says "Mercy, calm down and think!"

Alexa says "I won't lead my men into certain death."

Mercy says "Sorry, give me a minute."

Zamart says "Any other problems, Ash?"

"A couple of smaller ones. The leader is now rank eight, and several of the living beings I detected are summoned heroes."

Zamart says "If he is rank eight now are you still confident you can handle him?"

"Yeah, it will be more difficult but I should be able to."

Mercy says "Alright, what should we do then?"

"Leave things to me. Other than a token force to keep them surrounded, send everyone else to the border."

Alexa says "Are you saying you will fight the shadow demons all by yourself?!"

"Yes."