Interlude – The Pets of Innworld

Interlude – The Pets of Innworld is the 37th chapter of Volume 8.

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In Rhir, commanders from Izril, Baleros and Terandria bond over Nutball the Goldflake Pig.
Laken deals with Riverfarm's Sariant Lamb problem.
The fortress beavers protect Selys from [Thieves] and Apista gets an upgrade to her stinger.

This section follows the arrival of international reinforcements to the Blighted Kingdom of Rhir to fight the Demon King's armies.

The Test: Three leaders from different continents are forced to wait in a shabby room together as a test by Rhir's High Command to ensure they can cooperate without killing each other.
- General Vors: A Drake Magic General from Fissival.
- Battlemage Commander Tusxe: A Lamia mercenary from Baleros.
- Lord Solvet: A Human Lord and archer from Avel (Terandria).
The Mascot: The three bond over their shared miserable conditions and a Goldflake Pig (a rare pig that eats minerals and grows fake gold scales) that wanders into their room. They name it "Nutball".
The Reveal: It turns out the pig is a decorated war hero with two confirmed Demon kills. The "wait" was a psychological test, and Nutball becomes the mascot for their new mixed army.

The second half focuses on Emperor Laken Godart in Riverfarm, facing a unique "plague": a herd of 70 Sariant Lambs.

The Parasites: Sariant Lambs are described as the world's cutest animals, but the local [Witches] (Wiskeria, Hedag, Eloise) warn Laken that they are intelligent "parasites" who use their cuteness to manipulate people into waiting on them hand and foot.
The Conflict: The lambs quickly take over Riverfarm, stealing food from other animals (like dogs and horses) and demanding gourmet meals. They are smart enough to unlock doors and emotionally manipulate the villagers.
The Solution: Laken realizes he cannot just kill them (the villagers love them too much) but cannot let them rule the empire.
- He consults Lord Gralton (the Dog Lord) and Pebblesnatch (the Goblin Cook), who is immune to their cuteness because she just sees them as "good meat".
- Laken sends the lambs away for a week of "shock therapy" (hardship in the wild) to break their entitlement.
The Pact: When the ragged lambs return, Laken strikes a deal: they can stay and be safe, but they must work and not steal. Laken gains the Skill [Natural Allies: Sariant Lamb obtained!].

( * = First Appearance)

Wand of Fire Bolts - Rechargeable and has a magical lens built into it such that it showed what you’d hit.
Naq-Alrama needle

Skills = [Natural Allies: Sariant Lamb] + [Pact: The Hard-Working Lamb (Sariant)]
Classes/Levels = [Emperor] Lv. 25 (+?)
Skills = [Empire: Will of the Beasts]