This gives the girls a chance to relax for a bit after breakfast instead of chasing the kids. Windy even has time to practice her magic while I wrestle with the kids. It also helps to lessen my guilt since I haven't been able to spend much time with them in the past few days.

Although, with all the excitement of exploring a city for the first time I don't think they have even noticed. This point is proven when Windy mentions exploring and the kids abandon me to run over to her. Shortly after Myria and Windy leave with the kids, leaving me with Isabella and Ruby.

Isabella says "What are you going to do now that the kids aren't here to play with you?"

"Not sure. I was trying to waste time until the meeting was over. What are you going to do?"

Isabella says "We are going to head over to the adventurer's guild and see what quests are available."

"Oh, well, have fun!"

Ruby says "You aren't going to tell us to be careful?"

"I didn't think I needed to. I doubt there is anything near Illium that can defeat the two of you."

Isabella says "Thank you for your vote of confidence!"

Ruby says "He is right, we won't find much of a challenge around here."

Isabella says "Then should we go elsewhere?"

"Currently, there isn't really any place to go. Well, I suppose you could go to one of the cities in the Free Union. If you do, just be careful of the humans."

Ruby says "You are more worried about the humans than the monsters we might face?"

"Yes, especially with your looks."

Isabella says "I get what he means!"

Ruby says "Anyone who tries that kind of thing will get turned into ashes!"

"Sure, if they come at you head on, but what if they use underhanded tricks? Like drugging your food, or ambushing you?"

Ruby says "Um, I didn't think of that!"

Isabella says "Those are common tricks of slavers. They very rarely come at you head on."

"Maybe Yui has something that might help. Like disguise rings or something?"

Isabella says "That's a good idea! Ruby, let's go to the tower and ask!"

Ruby says "Alright, see you later, Ash!"

"Have fun you two!"

Once they leave I head downstairs and have a couple more plates of food in the common room. As I eat I listen to the conversations of the people in the room out of curiosity. From what I overhear I can tell that the people are in pretty good spirits, just like Sarah said.

Sarah says "Ash? Did I not send up enough food?"

"No, I just had some time to kill."

Sarah says "Is that why you are on your third plate since you came down?"

"Oh, am I? I didn't notice!"

Sarah laughs and says "So, you are eating plate after plate of food because you can't resist our food even when already full?"

"Something like that I guess."

Sarah says "So, what are you waiting for?"

"I'm waiting for the guildmasters to finish there meeting so I can go talk to Borrik."

Sarah says "We are still going to the party, right?"

"Yes, there is no way to avoid it."

Sarah says "Good, I'm looking forward to it!"

"Really?"

Sarah says "Yes! I can't wait to have the authority of a duke to play with!"

"From the look on your face I'm guessing there are people you want revenge on?"

Sarah says "Yes, but only in small ways. It is mainly people who have been rude to me."

"By all means, torture them to your heart's content."

Sarah says "Don't worry, I won't get too carried away."

"As long as it isn't anything that will affect my reputation, I don't care what you do to them."

Sarah says "I will keep that in mind!"

"Alright, I will see you later."

As I leave I can't help but pity whoever pissed off Sarah, the look in her eyes is one I wouldn't want aimed at me. She is probably the only one happy about my promotion, the nobles certainly won't be. In fact they would be even more upset if they knew I didn't care about the title.

Not that I care what they think, it isn't like any of them are a threat to me. At most they can cause some minor inconveniences, which I am sure Sarah will take care of. She will probably enjoy doing so, Sarah seems to enjoy this kind of thing.

Maybe once I am the Beast King I should try and convince Sarah to come work for me. Although, I am not sure if she is going to be willing to leave the inn, maybe if I build her a new inn. There would certainly be room for an inn in the new city, that might just work.

As I arrive at the mercenary's guild I make a mental note to think more about it later. Just as I am about to enter the guild I hear a scream and stop to look in the direction it came from. What I see is a young girl lying in the street with a man standing over her.

The girl looks to be about nine or so and even from here I can see she is covered in bruises. As I watch the man moves to kick her, but before he can I have moved and am standing over the girl. He doesn't stop his kick in time and his foot hits my leg, which breaks his foot.

He instantly collapses to the ground, screaming in pain as he clutches at his foot. Ignoring him I lean down to check on the girl, she looks terrified of me. She is covered in bruises, and what's worse is under them I can see older bruises that haven't healed yet.

"Don't be scared, I won't hurt you. Can you tell me your name?"

Mercenary says "Who cares about the brats name! You broke my foot!"

Tina says "My name is Tina."

"Alright, Tina. Can you tell me who gave you all these bruises?"

Mercenary says "You dare to ignore me?!"

The man pulls a dagger from his boot but before he can try anything I backhand the dagger out of his hand. Unfortunately, for him, my control of my strength isn't very good and I shatter his hand. It is only then that I realize that I have forgotten to put the manacles back on again.

Of course, I could easily heal him, but I feel that he deserves the pain he is feeling. Unfortunately, Tina is now even more terrified and refuses to make a single sound. The screams have also attracted a crowd, both from the street and from the bar, including the bartender.

Bartender says "What are you doing with my employee, beastman?"

At the sound of the bartender's voice, Tina curls into a ball and starts trembling. Just as I am thinking about ripping the bartender into little pieces the crowd moves. As the crowd moves aside a number of human guardsmen come rushing through but they stop when they spot me.

Bartender yells "Guards, that beastman assaulted one of my customers and is harassing my employee!"

The bartender looks excited to see the guards arrest me, but the guards don't move. After staring at me for a few seconds the guards all snap to attention and salute me. This makes the bartender's face pale and his eyes almost pop out of his head.

Guard says "Lord Ash, how may we assist you?"