Since everything is already being taken care of, I keep myself and Asuna out of the way. It is as I am standing to the side watching everyone helping the slaves that I realize I forgot something. I tell Asuna to take the cage up to the suite and then I open a normal sized gate and return to the island.

I make sure to message Lin and Mercy so that they will know what I am doing and won’t get mad. I am fairly disappointed that no one sent any angels or avatars this time. However, the fact that I am going to get a reward for doing something I would have done anyway is kind of nice.

“Melomarc! The task is done!”

The pillar of light appears, but I know that it is going to take a while for her to appear. So, while I am waiting, I poke around in the buildings near the square looking for anything interesting. I find more gold and gems, but nothing else all that interesting in the time it takes for Melomarc to appear.

Melomarc says “You sure did a thorough job and it took less time than I was expecting! It’s a real shame that you are already claimed by someone. I could really use a champion like you!”

“Sorry, I am loyal to my goddesses.”

Melomarc says “That’s too bad, I think you would be a lot of fun! Anyway, a deal is a deal, here is your reward. It is a goblet that creates an unlimited amount of wine, but it is not ordinary wine. It is my personal wine, you won’t find anything more delicious anywhere! Not only that, it is potent enough to get gods drunk!”

“That is both an intriguing and terrifying thought!”

Melomarc says “Thinking about getting your goddesses drunk? I would love to see that! If it works, make sure to tell me how it goes!”

“Yeah, that won’t be happening. They would be more pissed at me for telling than for getting them drunk!”

Melomarc says “Aw! That’s no fun!”

“Fun or not, that’s the way it is. Now, I have other things to do, are we done here?”

Melomarc says “We are done. You completed my quest perfectly. Unless you want me to give you another quest?”

“No, thank you. My goddesses would get jealous if I accepted any more quests from you.”

Melomarc says “Fair enough. I would certainly get jealous in their place. I hope you enjoy your reward and continue freeing slaves when you encounter them.”

“That I will absolutely do. I hate slavers and slavery in general.”

Melomarc says “Then I wish you well and hope you encounter many slavers.”

Before I can figure out how to answer that, Melomarc’s avatar disappears and I lose my chance. I can’t help my curiosity, the goblet that she handed me appears to be empty. However, when I raise it towards my lips it fills itself with a golden liquid that smells amazing.

At that point, there is no way that I am going to just put it down without taking a sip. I have never liked wine very much, but that single mouthful changes my mind. It is not like anything I have ever tasted before, it is fruity and sweet without being cloying.

It is nice and smooth, but it has a definite kick to it, enough that I can feel it with a single mouthful. I could very easily get drunk off of this stuff, if I chose to do so, but I can’t do that right now. This is certainly not the place to get drunk and I wouldn’t want to get drunk alone anyway.

Although, with as potent as this stuff is, I am not about to let any of my wives drink it. One sip would have them completely drunk and it might be dangerous for them. They can still get drunk from normal alcohol, so there is no need for them to risk it.

I am thinking that since tonight is Mercy’s last night, maybe we should have a few drinks. I will wait and see what she and Lin think of the idea, for now I gate back to the palace. The courtyard that I gate to is completely empty when I return, but that isn’t too surprising.

What is surprising is that they had enough available rooms to house everyone I brought back. I doubt that everyone got their own rooms, but it is still impressive all the same. It probably helps that the servants had advanced notice and time to prepare things.

I head up to my suite, but the only one there is Asuna and she is still clutching the cage. I am guessing that Lin and Mercy are still dealing with the freed slaves and the rulers. So, I take the cage from Asuna and take another look at the puppy inside of it.

Unfortunately, with the cage active I can’t tell anything more, the puppy can’t move. With the way it is currently laying, I can’t even tell if it is a male or female puppy. Of course, the easy solution would be to just open the cage, but I don’t want to be rash.

“Krenocia, got a second?”

Krenocia says “Of course. What’s up?”

“Can you tell me what’s in this cage?”

Krenocia says “It appears to be a baby beast. Why?”

“Well, I was hoping for a little more information. Can you tell what type of beast it is? Is it dangerous?”

Krenocia says “No, I can’t. The enchantments on the cage make it hard to see inside. I would have to descend to see into it and I can’t spare the power right now. Why not just open it and see for yourself?”

“Because, every time I do something like that I get yelled at. So I thought I would try something new and ask first.”

Krenocia says “Smartass! Just go ahead and open it, what’s the worst that can happen? Knowing you, even if it is dangerous, you will tame it and make it one of your kids.”

“Well, that was basically the plan, but now I have permission. Now, when Seronia starts yelling at me, I can tell her you said it was okay.”

Krenocia says “You tricked me!”

“Maybe, but it isn’t a big deal. She won’t stay mad at you for long. She will forgive you far faster than she would forgive me.”

Krenocia says “That’s what you think! She is still holding things against me that happened a thousand years ago! She never forgets anything!”

“Well, I’m sure you will figure something out. Besides, she might not get mad about it if it becomes one of my kids.”

Krenocia says “Yeah, right.”

“Actually, she hasn’t said anything about me raiding another town and stealing a bunch of souls for you. Last time she flipped out big time.”

Krenocia says “Well, I may not have told her about the souls and it was my turn to keep an eye on you.”

“So, the only reason she didn’t get mad is because she didn’t know?”

Krenocia says “Yeah, pretty much.”