The next day

Jon felt ready to leave. He was used to his new body, he had gotten to know his partner in this, and he gained a new friend that was a magical sword. Jon thanked the monks for his training and setting him up with provisions for starting his journey. Being seen off by Summer, the trio of Jon, Fuji, and Sakura were off to determine which of the kingdoms to get rid of. Their first country was that of the Phoenix Empress, only due to it being where the monastery was located. Jonathan gave the feel of a ronin, looking for a master, as the group traveled to the capital. As they traveled, the group noticed that the regular villagers enjoyed a peaceful life.

A few days out from the city of Flame's Rebirth, the capital, a figure approached the trio as they got settled for the night. Covered from head to foot minus their eyes, the figure demanded their valuables. As soon as the words left the shadow's veil, Jon slashed the person's location. He hit nothing but air, but felt something hit his back. As he turned around, the thunk of a blade hitting the ground filled the night. Before more could happen, Sakura cut the figure down. Jonathan used extra wood to build a pyre a good distance from their camp and cremated the body. Sakura and Fuji asked to spend the night in his pocket dimension. Jon agreed and slept alone that night. When he awoke the next morning, Jon was surrounded by people wearing clothing of white, gold and crimson. All had weapons pointed at him. "Exactly as our Empress saw. We mean you no harm, but are not afraid to defend ourselves if we must. You are being offered escort to the palace by the best warriors of the Seven Generals of the Phoenix Empress."

Jon was intrigued by this. He had wanted to observe the capital from a commoner's perspective before meeting nobility. Since this wasn't going to happen, Jonathan sighed. "Very well," he responded, "Let me retrieve my companions and we shall be on our way." Putting his hands on the ground slowly, he summoned his mana, and called forth the gate. When enough of the gate had appeared, he called out for Sakura and Fuji to come out. When they did, he told them, "We shouldn't have a repeat of last night, as now we have warriors who are responsible for me arriving at Flame's Rebirth unharmed." They nodded, feeling that while Jon might have been able to kill this squad, he wasn’t going to start conflict without cause. The journey was interesting, as the trio were offered horses to ride and reduced the travel time to just the rest of the day.

Jon received an immediate audience with the empress. She welcomed him officially to her kingdom, and gave room and board for him and his companions for as long as they wish. When Jon thanked her for her hospitality and asked why, she shook her head. "The time of the 3 kingdoms is winding down. With the Ur-dragon bringing in a new dragon, Non-mortal forces would be on the move, especially those of order and chaos. The Spirit king doesn't like the chaos introduced by spirits mixing with mortals, and must feel our uneasy peace must be why. I am simply trying to save my kingdom."

Jon nodded and replied, "I am on a journey to see the kingdoms. I think you are worried about the wrong thing at the moment. The Spirit king did ask me to reduce the number of kingdoms, but is leaving it up to me which one and why. I am tired and would like to rest. By your leave?" The empress nodded and a young woman with light skin and black hair wearing a mostly white outfit came forth and leads Jon's group to their room. As they put their gear down, their guide speaks, "I am Meili, a gift from the empress to you, mighty dragon. I am trained in many arts. If you do not wish for my companionship, I am to be given to an old general."