Once they have gone through I close the gate and then chat with Sarah for a minute. After that, I return to the castle and spend some time crafting obelisks while my mana recovers. Then I gate back to where the ogre tribe was originally camped and make my way towards the land bridge.

  I can’t travel at full speed because I keep stopping to place down small obelisks. I finally make my way onto the land bridge and turn to head towards Myria’s camp. When I come across a decent sized hill, I stop to create another hidden room with a gate platform.

  Not long after that, when I stop to place another obelisk, I find that I have run out. So, I stop there for a while to craft and enchant some more before moving on. I continue placing obelisks until I reach the camp and when I land outside the camp I am greeted by Lizzy.

  Lizzy says “It’s about time you showed up!”

  “Building a government isn’t easy. I have had a lot of things to take care of! How have things been here?”

  Lizzy says “Not bad. I have found some things to hunt that put up a decent fight.”

  “Have you run into any demons?”

  Lizzy says “Not a single one, just some demonic beasts here and there.”

  “Well, at least it isn’t as boring as sitting around in the city.”

  Lizzy says “That’s true. How long are you going to let us stay out here?”

  “Well, Myria has to be back in time for the wedding, but you don’t have to go with her if you don’t want to. This is where I want the war to happen, so there is a lot that needs to be done.”

  Lizzy says “So, you want me to stay here and guard the survey team?”

  “No. Actually, I was thinking of having you be the survey team. I can give you access to the system and you can use it to map the land bridge. Only if you want to though, I won’t force you.”

  Lizzy says “That sounds like it might be interesting. I will think about it. For now, you should go greet Myria. She has been really excited about you showing up.”

  “Yeah, I missed her too. Alright, I will talk with you later then.”

  Before walking towards the camp, I give Lizzy a hug and scratch behind her ears. She looks surprised, but she obviously enjoys the attention and doesn’t try to stop me. As soon as I set foot in the camp I get hit by a flying bunny girl who tries to squeeze the life out of me.

  I shapeshift into beastman form so that I can hug her back and give her a long kiss. The soldiers that are in the camp pretend not to see anything and focus on other things. I feel a little uncomfortable making out with Myria in front of the soldiers, but not enough to push her away.

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  Myria ends the kiss and says “It’s about time you got here!”

  “Sorry. Things kept coming up, but we got three more tribes out of it. The monkey, ape, and ogre tribes have now joined the nation.”

  Myria says “That’s great! Especially the ogre tribe! Having them will make recruiting the other tribes much easier!”

  “That’s what Muyaun told me. I just hope it proves to be true.”

  Myria says “It is! All of the tribes respect the strength of the ogre tribe. They are the strongest tribe after all. Just what did you have to do to convince them to join us?”

  “I fought their five strongest warriors and won. It wasn’t even a challenge for me, but it really impressed them.”

  Myria says “You are more impressive than you realize. Not to mention that they have never been defeated before!”

  “Never? Really?”

  Myria says “Not in one on one combat at least. They have won every single challenge they have faced. That’s how they have stayed the number one tribe. To have lost even when they outnumbered you must have been a huge blow to their pride.”

  “Well, that would explain why they submitted so easily. Whatever the reason, they are with us now. In fact, the entire tribe is joining the military.”

  Myria says “That’s no surprise. They are also the most warlike tribe. The rest of the tribes are just lucky that the ogres have always been focused on the land bridge.”

  “Do you know if there is a particular reason for that?”

  Myria says “Only that there are much stronger beasts to hunt and fight on the land bridge. As far as I know, no one ever asked them.”

  “Have you run into problems here?”

  Myria says “A few. It would have been a lot worse if Lizzy wasn’t with us. She is really strong!”

  “Yes, she is. She said you haven’t run into any demons though. Are you wanting to stay until you do? Or do you want to head back?”

  Myria says “Don’t we need to stay and finish surveying the land bridge?”

  “Actually, I am going to ask Lizzy if she wants to stay and take care of the survey on her own.”

  Myria says “That would probably work better. Lizzy could move around much faster without us slowing her down. If she agrees, then I would prefer to head back. I have already seen enough to realize how much I was underestimating our enemies.”

  “I am pretty sure she will. Lizzy gets bored easily. At least here she has room to run around and things to hunt. If anything, I will see if any of the kids want to help her down here.”

  Myria says “That will probably have to wait. I doubt any of the kids will be willing to miss the wedding.”

  “True.”

  Myria says “So, how long can you stay?”

  “I was planning to spend the day with you and then leave tomorrow. I do want to spend more time with you, but I need to get my hunting done before anything else comes up.”

  Myria says “It’s okay. I understand. Well, in that case we shouldn’t waste what little time we have.”

  After saying that, Myria grabs my hand and drags me over into the carriage. We spend the rest of the day having fun in the carriage and only come out when it is dinner time. We eat with the soldiers and Lizzy and after everyone is done I ask Lizzy what she decided.

  Lizzy says “I am willing to stay here on my own and continue the survey.”

  “Alright. I will make you some items and give them to you in the morning.”

  I tell the soldiers that they will be returning to the city in the morning so that they can be ready. Then Myria and I return to the carriage, but I have some crafting to do before we can have some fun. I need to make Lizzy something that will give her access to the system and its mapping function.

  I also need to make her a bag that can hold obelisks so that she can place them around the land bridge. Of course, that means I also need to craft more obelisks to give to her. Myria just curls up against me and watches me work without getting in the way.