Murmurin had grown bigger.A month after Maure’s army and Sen’s guests devastated it, leaving no stone unturned, the village had grown unrecognizable.Murmurin had not only risen from its ashes but grown into a decent, if chaotic city. With tribes of monsters moving in for the promise of steady food, overplanar visitors setting shop, and undead looking for a place where they could 'live' undisturbed, the population had reached eight thousand. The fields and sheep pens, originally created to accommodate Sen’s guests, could now sustain a large population; and Maure’s fall had only encouraged locals to get closer to the new ruler of Ishfania.As he flew over the city with his great wings, Kyle could only marvel at the difficulties this population boom caused. Everywhere he could see new buildings and houses under construction, with kobolds, gnolls, goblins, and other creatures cooperating to build them. Angels and fiends had each claimed a district next to the other, and he caught sight

Kyle saw where this led before Charlene made her case. “Nobody leaves the Nightblades,” the guild manager said, Savoureuse nodding. “Since Kyle was part of the syndicate, he could be made the head of the local chapter.”“Yes,” Savoureuse agreeing. “I was going to suggest it. As the Crime Lord of the local chapter, Kyle, you will have a finger in every pie, and you will be the one to approve the hits or not. The perfect union of crime and government.”Was Kyle the only one seeing a problem with this? “So, you will want me to legalize an assassin guild, by making me its head?”“Kyle, what kind of empire does not have a shadowy assassin arm to complement its monstrous army?”When she put it this way… Kyle decided to stall for time. “I will consider it, but I’m not making a decision today.”“That isn’t a no,” Savoureuse rejoiced. “I cannot wait to show you the tricks of the trade. It will be just like old times.”Kyle sighed and sent her out of the room. “Charlene, how many jobs do I have

"But... Uncle, that is a backward mentality!” Jolie replied. “Allowing a minion to sit on your back is the true progressive attitude!”“No, the proper way to socialize with a manling is to constantly remind them of their place; this ensures that they grow into responsible minions. Look at Manling Kyle! Thanks to my proper guidance, he went from a purposeless thief to a half-dragon!”“Oh, Kia can become half-dragon too?” This only encouraged Jolie. “A dragon riding a dragon would be awesome!”“I… I am tempted but…” Knight Kia shivered at both her mount and Sen’s glare, but her species shameful obsession with dragon riding prevailed. “Under one condition.”“Yes!” Jolie answered.“NO!” Sen roared.“I do not want to be subservient to someone else, so… I will become your chief of staff if you become my squire… and let me ride on your back.” Knight Kia’s griffon let out an angry roar at the betrayal. “I’m not abandoning you, Twilight! I will still ride you, I swear!”Squire? Sen remembered

Kyle found himself in an underground maze of stone stairs and corridors, kept in much better shape than the levels above. His will o wisp familiar provided him with much-needed light, guiding him around.Rusted, steel golems dusted off the various rooms like workers, while undead warriors patrolled the area. Kyle guessed that no sentient creature would stick around keeping a silent tomb after the first century, leaving only mindless automatons to defend it.Unfortunately for the owner, time hadn’t been kind to the guards. Most of the golems had fallen into a state of disrepair, enough that some had collapsed and now crawled with their arms. Their design reminded the visitor of Rolo, and he figured the golem may have come from this stock.While the defenses could have easily taken down any invader in their early days, Kyle's group could probably force their way through.“Hey, can you point me towards the exit?” Kyle asked one of the undead guardians, which ignored him. “Furibon, is the