Make preparations to leave.

You spend the next couple days cleaning up your kingly duties, from mailing letters to managing construction within the city walls and trade routes out. Your coffers are stable. In terms of a ruler, you could do with more gold, though you have more than enough for what you're doing, and with newly established imports and exports, the treasury is bound to grow. Stax seems content, and incredibly talented, in regards to tracking most of this herself. You make the big decisions, though you leave the rest in her capable hands.

Though you're running low on extras until Fava can make more, you fill out your list of FONE contacts a little bit more as well, just in case.

Contact List
Captain Silver
Xiaoqing
Queen Catherine II
Rose
Nyllia Tesgella
Yin

Additionally, you've received an updated map of the region directly from the queen herself, with additions by you and the others.

[Link to image]

It seems that Catherine has begun numerous projects to expand the Empire of Tivera, such as planned settlements in locations like between Avana and Brumberg for easy passage to Morniwo within Silverleaf, and at the northern edge of the Eastern Pecho Peaks on your way from the capitol of Tolis to Avana. There's even something in the works east of Nichonia. Apparently the beach there is gorgeous. The letter that came along with the map explains that monster activity has greatly decreased after all that's occurred, especially around the mountain range where Castle Phoenix stands. That means people can more easily travel to places like those.

North is the Kingdom of Varat, which you hear little from, though you've met a couple people from there in the past. Their culture is entirely controlled by the Church of Lasis, and from what you've seen, they're a very reserved people who see sexualization of any kind as a great sin. Tivera has fought with them in the distant past, though they've held a peace agreement for generations. You don't know much of what lies north of the capitol, Lartu. You've heard there's a Demon King in the Endless Wilds west of the kingdom, but you don't know anything more.

To the west, a series of independently controlled towns and cities are ruled by Trade-Lords and Trade-Ladies. They hold mutual agreements with one another, and while cultures can vary between them, a consistent theme of contracts and trade continue throughout. There were once disagreements between them and Tivera, as the latter wished to expand at the time, though they've since maintained peaceful coexistence. The Demon King of the region is William Cresswell--overseeing the land from a castle in the sky, though not outright attacking any towns. It seems he threatens it mostly by his ever-watching presence.

Sandwiched between is, of course, the Empire of Tivera, your closest ally. You were once called the Demon King of this land, and perhaps some still do.

A few other things you did decide to label on your new map, from Dajy's cave in the Cackling Woods, to the hut where Vivi used to live within the Deeproot Forest, to the tower of Lord Barkis, to the abandoned castle Catherine the vampiress used to rule.

Far to the west, past the Western Pecho Peaks, is the Oraang Desert, which you've seen little of so far. Althudiyu is where Niki grew up, but it isn't the largest city there. From what you know, all cities within the desert don't fall under a single banner, but you could do to learn more. Lady Vex is the Demon King of that domain. Though you don't know the details of what she does, it seems that she just desires complete freedom, not domination, much like yourself.

But it's time for a trip!

Your plan right now is to Bunny Hop to Avana, rest some mounts, and ride to Tanver's Crossing. It's apparently a prosperous city due to its location--mines in the hills, fishing and travel by proximity to the Willoway River, and just enough fertile land for fields of various crops. Though on top of all that, it's directly in the center of travel. There's even trade from the elves of Silverleaf, whether it's up the road or river--something Queen Catherine II likely wants to compete against with her new settlement being built on the opposite side.

Though you'll be gone for awhile, they have easy ways to contact you. Two different people staying behind have connection to your FONE.

You. Eva Beela. Niki of clan Vakila. Amara Tedrilui. Snow. Xiaoqing.

You say your goodbyes, you're wished a safe journey, and then you take hold of the five girls coming with you. They hold themselves close as you prepare for liftoff. You count down in your head: Three... Two... One...

Bunny Hop!