When I pulled up to the Wat manates, it didn’t take long before the gates opehe guards didn’t evehe inside of Overdrive. Perhaps they should be more careful iure.

  “You should probably educate yuards to at least check the people in a carriage before letting them in.” I told Christina.

  “Isn’t this fine? Only you have one of these golem carriages.” She said.

  “Well at the moment. But someone might attempt to recreate it and use it to sneak into the manrounds.” I told her.

  “I see. Then I’ll be sure to tell them to always check the inside of your carriage.” Christina said.

  “Thanks. I appreciate that you take safety at least somewhat seriously.”

  As we got out of Overdrive, some of the staff was waiting for us. Not everyone resent like they were for Brandon, but most of them were still here.

  “Wele home, Madam.” They weled Christina home.

  “Yes. I’m home.” She responded.

  I then heard some quick footsteps and Alice burst out from the front door.

  “Mom. You are back.” She came and hugged her mother. “Brian. You came back as well. It's so good to see you again.”

  “We were only away for two days.” I responded.

  “Is that any way to respond to your fiancé?” Alice asked.

  “We are not engaged.” I ented.

  “But we could be. Just give me the bracelet.” She said back.

  “... I’ll think about it.” I told her.

  I ever really figure out Alice. Does she actually love me? Or is this just her being sheltered and attag herself to the first male of appropriate age? Or perhaps something to do with the card I installed into her?

  It might be all of those reasons bined.

  I’m just afraid I won’t be able to truly respond to her feelings. I know she is cute and hard w, but I really don’t feel the same kind of love towards her as I did towards Laura before our breakup.

  Well, then again, going on a date with her was nice. ….

  Yeah. I’ll think about it.

  “Aren’t you going to tell me about everything you did in the dungeon?” Alice looked at me with anticipation.

  “Well it’s not that special. Just general ma things.” I told her.

  “And fighting an A-rank monster.” Christina added.

  “What?!” Alice yelled out. “You fought an A-rank monster?”

  “Oh yeah. That happened. And Christina fought a va golem.” I recalled the two big fights we had.

  “A va golem? Aren’t they like super dangerous?” Alice asked.

  “Well pared to the sword-horn bull Brian fought, a va golem isn’t that bad.” Christina said.

  “Sword-horn bull? I don’t even know what that is.” Alice said.

  “It’s just a big quadrupedal monster with two massive horns.” I told her.

  “He was it?” She asked.

  “Something like seveers tall.” I told her.

  “... I’m not sure he that would be. I’ve never seen a beast that rge, so it’s difficult to imagine.” She said.

  “It’s a little bit bigger than my Trojan Horse. Oh, you didn’t actually see it, so that doesn’t solve the problem.” I tried to make a parison to one of my monsters, but Alice wasn’t there when I summohe Trojan Horse. “All you o know is that it was rge.”

  “You’d better show me this horse at some point.” Alice demanded.

  “Sure. I do that. But not while we are in town.” I answered.

  “Yes. Let’s head ht now.” Alice decided.

  “No you won’t.” Christina interrupted. “We just got bae. You’ll have time for that ter.”

  “... fine. Later it is then.” Alice agreed with not much backtalk.

  I dropped my personal stuff in my room, well in the room I was staying in, and after rexing for a bit, I was called for dinner.

  “Brian.” Alice called to me as I ehe dining room. She was the first ohere.

  “Hey Alice.” I responded.

  “Before dinner, I want to tell you about something amazing that happened.” Alice said.

  “Oh, did you learn a new spell or something?” I asked.

  “No. Somethier.” She said.

  Somethier than a new spell? Could she have learelekinesis already? Or perhaps she learned how to fly like Mana and Mahad.

  “Then, did you perhaps get a new skill?” I asked.

  “No. It’s not that amazing.” She admitted.

  “... then I have no idea.” I admitted.

  “Father took me to the adventurer’s guild and I registered as an adventurer!” She told me iement.

  … her father did that? Brandon? What happeo you? Are you feeling alright? What about your prophecy obsession?

  “That’s great. But what are you pnning on doing now that you are an adventurer?” I asked.

  “I want to make a party with you.” She responded.

  A party. I guess that would work. I did think about it myself, but I thought I would have to kidnap her first. Holy, what is wrong with Brandon?

  “You know I’m pnning on leaving the town soon. Are you sure you be in a party with me?” I asked.

  “Yes. Father gave me permission. I still o ask Mother, but I’m sure she will agree.” Alice said.

  “Then we have to wait for her response.” I told Alice.

  For dinner, we had some high quality meat. It wasn’t the usual boar, but something else. Wonder what it is?

  “Father, is this meat of that monster from yesterday?” Alice asked.

  “Yes it is. I’m surprised you noticed.” Brandon responded.

  “Monster? Was there a motack yesterday?” Christina asked.

  “Yes. A gia showed up and was taken down.” Brandon said.

  Gia, huh. So a fluff monster.

  (Gias aren’t soft. Their fur is hardened by magic, so I wouldn’t reend fluffing one.) Laura warned me.

  (Oh, I see.)

  “Yes. And I art of the group that fought against the ferret.” Alinounced.

  She fought against a monster? How did that happen?

  “Oh, you did? Are you alright? You have no injuries, right?” Christina got up and looked Alice up and down. She almost went under Alice’s shirt until Alice cried out and poi me.

  “Did you think I wouldn’t have her checked out by doctor Josh afterwards?” Brandon asked his wife.

  “... well I suppose you would, but I want to see for myself. Alice, we are taking a bath together after dinner.” Christina said.

  After dinner, Alid Christiogether, presumably to take their bath.

  I was about to head bay room before Brandon called me.

  “Brian, I have something I would like to discuss. Could you spare me some time?” He asked.

  “Sure. What is it?” I responded.

  “Not here. Let’s move to a more private space.” He said before leading the way.

  I followed him.

  He led me to a room I haven’t been in previously. It looked like a mix between a library and a study. Well then again, a study often has some books in it, so I guess this is just a study.

  I looked at some of the books on the shelves and they seem to be financial records, tax reports and other suents.

  At the end of the room, there was a rge wooden desk. So that is where Brandon works.

  … actually, isn’t this just a scaled up version of the guild master’s room?

  Well, I guess both of them do simir ma jobs, so having a simir offiake some level of sense.

  Brandon took a seat on the chair behind the desk, before he said: “Take a seat,” as he poi one of the chairs in front of the desk.

  I did as instructed and took a seat.

  “Firstly, I would like to firm some details about the dungeon. Is that fine?” He asked.

  “Sure, that’s fine. But didn’t you hear everything from Christina already?” I asked.

  “Yes, but as I said, I want to firm. And make sure everything is corre your opinion. You are the founder after all.” He said.

  “Well, ask away.” I gave permission.

  “I will give you o warning. All of the information in this report will go to the higher-ups, including the king. If there is something you really want to keep a secret, this is the st ce to keep it from spreading.” He warned.

  “Well if something like that es up, I’ll ask you to keep it a secret. The main thing I want to keep secret is my ability to resurrect people. That will just cause way too many difficulties if it spreads.” I told him.

  My unique skill is already too known, so keeping it a full secret is probably not possible. And even if people know about it, they ’t really do much with the knowledge. I guess they could ask for cards of their own, but without Card Summohey should only be able to use the single-use cards. And perhaps I could even sell some of the useless cards for money.

  I guess something like the fusioween Jenna and Fire Sorcerer might be something to keep a secret as well. That could have actual repercussions.

  “And the fusion thing should be kept a secret as well.” I added.

  “Fusion thing? What would that be referring to?” Brandon asked.

  “Remember that time I fused Jenna with a monster I summoned?” I asked.

  “... did you do something like that?” He asked.

  “Yeah. It was a few days ago. A day before I left for the dungeon with Christina.” I reminded him.

  “Hmm. I think Christina might have mentioned something like that. Is that really something on the level of resurre? Is it something you really think has to be hidden?” He asked.

  “Well depending on how it is used, fusion is more powerful than resurre. When I did it with Jenna, her status value in magic multiplied by about 4. And I didn’t evehe most powerful monster for it or anything.” I told him.

  …

  …

  “And why didn’t you tell me about this before? If I knew you could do something like that, I would have sold my soul to you, so you would do it to Alice.” Brandon asked.

  …

  “Yeah, I’m not a demon. I don’t want your soul. And I’m not messing up someohout their permission.” I responded.

  “Then if I give you permission, would you do it to me?” He asked.

  I thought about it for a sed, but when I remembered how Fire Sorcerer acted afterwards, I knew I couldn’t do it. Unless…

  “I don’t really think that it is a good idea. When I fuse someoh a mohe monster’s loyalty towards me affects the person they fuse with. And if the perso have loyalty towards me, the monster won’t like it. And that could lead to all kinds of problems in the long run.” I told him. “So I guess if you swear absolute loyalty to me, I do it.”

  “Hmm. Well I did say I would sell you my soul. But at the same time I would like to keep my body for myself, so I’ll have to refuse for now.” Brandon said.

  “Well just tact me if you ge your mind. But we get ba track for now?” I asked.

  “Yes. We did get a bit sidetracked. Now then, I will question you about some of the dungeoails.” Brandon got serious again. “Firstly. The dungeon produce mithril swords. Yes or no?”

  “Yes. As well as axes.” I responded. I think the only mithril ons that could be made are axes and swords. No spear at the moment.

  “I see.” He responded as he wrote something down. “And the dungeon also make magic bags. Correct?”

  “Yes. A small one called a fanny pad two different size backpacks.” I told him.

  Again, he wrote something down.

  “Oh yeah, it also make magic fsks.” I added.

  “Yes. Thank you for firming that.” Brandon said as he wrote things down.

  We went through more of the dungeon items one by ohe three different fabrics, cardboard, jewelry and the house items I analyzed. I didn’t mention the sleeves as they really have no use for aher than me and they only be made by me or Christina. There is no trade point for the sleeves.

  “Thank you. That is all for the report.” Brandon said as he moved the paper he was writing on to the side. … yeah. They have paper, but not cardboard. The insistencies.

  “So that was everything? I go now?” I asked.

  “Sorry, but there is one more thing.” Brandon said as I was about to leave. “Now this isn’t something for a report or anything and is just a personal request from me. Would you take Alice with you and make her strong?”

  …

  …

  Who are you and what have you doo Brandon?

  “Are you feeling alright?” I asked him.

  “Are you insulting me?” He responded.

  “No. I just have no idea what you are doing. Why are you ag like this? Why would You entrust Alie?” I asked, putting emphasis on some words. “You never let her do anything. You barely eve her go outside the house, right. And now you want to let her go on an adventure. So, what happened? Why now? And why with me?” I asked.

  …

  …

  “I know you are strong. I knew you were. Ever since you took down the wyverns, I knew. But I also know with power like that es trouble. But then what you did after the sprites came into sideration. With that, I know you will keep Alice safe, no matter what. And that is why I would like you to take her with you on your travels.” Brandon reasoned.

  “I see. So that was the tipping point. I’ll accept that. But what about Christina?” I asked.

  “She has always wanted her children to be free to do what they want to do. And if you are worried about Alice, you should have realized that she loves you. She wants to e with you. I won’t force you to love her, but I would like it if you could at least sider it.” Brandon said.

  “... love is plicated.” I said. “I know I like her. On some level.” But I don’t love her like I loved Laura.

  “Then you should give it time. her of you is under any rush to get married. But I trust you will keep her safe in that way as well. Until you either it to her or she finds someone else.” Brandon said.

  “If that is what you want, I do that. I’ll take her with me and keep her safe.” I agreed. I might sacrifie of my own freedom, but if that is the price I pay for Alice’s freedom, I think it’s worth it.

  “Good. Thank you.” Brandon said.

  …

  …

  After a few more seds of silence, I realized we were done and I got up to leave.

  “Oh, and Brian.” Brandon called.

  I turned around to face him. “What is it?”

  “Good night.” He said.

  “... Good night.” I responded ahe room.

  After I returo my room, I had a quick bath ao bed.