The next part of our escape was shorter than I wanted. While our pursuers weren’t anywhere to be felt, it didn’t change that they managed to find us with portal magic.
But that brought the question: how?
I shared my worries with Mike, who suddenly made me stop.
-What?
-WHY DIDN’T YOU GET RID OF THIS THING?!
-Huh?
Before I even was able to process what was going on, he slapped me on my back and proceeded to zap me with lightning.
Or, rather he tried to.
It wasn’t easy due to two things. One: we were still processing our time differently, meaning the lightning was not able to hit me as fast as it should and I managed to counter it by slapping his hand away.
And two: even if he managed to do that, I am pretty sure I would’ve been able to absorb it no problem.
-The fuck are you doing?! - I asked, angrily, thinking that he was back to being hostile towards me. - There are more annoying matters to attend to now, not just…
-It’s not that! - he barked. - Look at yourself!
-Wha…
He was pointing towards my back.
While it wasn’t exactly possible to turn my head and check, I reached my hand and… felt something slimy?
-The hell is…
Oh.
Right. The slime.
Or whatever that thing was. I sort of forgot about that when we first started running. To be honest, I thought it was already gone during our escape before. But, this thing survived my hastened retreat. And it moved! It was firmly glued to my back and if not for him I wouldn’t have noticed, which was worrying by itself.
-I don’t think it worked - I said, scratching myself on the slime-back. - I tried that before, but…
-And we ran with this thing on us?!
-Er… yes? Doesn’t seem like it’s doing much…
-Not much? It’s probably the thing that they managed to track!
-Right… so?
-What do you mean “so?”?!
-Well, you can leave at any time. It’s not like I am forcing you to stay with me. You got rid of your piece, right?
-...
Ah.
So my hunch was correct.
He wants something from me.
-You still want to take me over? Or what?
-...
-Of course. Now you’re not answering. Well, not like it matters. I personally don’t care much, not like you can do anything to me.
While I was not completely sure he wouldn’t be able to defeat me, I believed that having him next to me was necessary. He definitely had some kind of a plan. Or at least some secrets that I wanted to uncover.
Plus…
Il…
-Whatever - shrugged Mike. - But if you really can’t destroy this thing… we can use it.
-What, you want to bait them? Why are they even after you, anyway?
-It’s MIRE.
-So?
-”So?” It’s kind of obvious why they would be after me.
-Yeah. And yet, you came to them first. If not for you, they would never even realize that you escaped.
-You really believe that? - he scoffed. - Sure, not yet, but the information would come out sooner or later and we’d be in the same situation.
-”We”? More like you.
-Ha! And why do you think they are after me? The Crystal! That means you too!
-I am pretty sure that they didn’t even know I existed.
-They would notice.
-Why are you so sure? I could just hide somewhere in the mountains and live as a hermit and be fine.
-Like anyone would believe that.
Well, true, I would definitely try to visit a city at least once.
-So, what do you want to do?
-I think we’re far enough away. Let’s check if they actually appear.
-And if they will, then what?
-Can’t you just wipe them out? - he asked.
-What, tossing your problems at me?
-I remind you that this is also your problem.
-Eh… Whatever you say… But what about you? It’s not like I will protect you.
-What, you think I can’t survive myself?
-Do I have to remind you that last time I had to gather your sorry ass from the floor?
-I would’ve been fine.
-Would you? I believe being on fire…
-I would’ve been fine - he said sternly.
I honestly was doubting that.
-But besides that… I have a precaution already.
-Hm?
-I just need you to buy some time.
-Er? How much?
-And how much can you muster?
-Hard to tell, not knowing how many people will be there. And on top of that their technology… is annoying.
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-They won’t be able to block your magic if that’s what you’re worried about.
-Not really…
-So, let’s try?
-Still don’t know what we’re supposed to attempt…
-Just give me some time and you’ll see.
-Can’t you at least give me an estimate? Come on…
-No. I mean, I don’t even know how much time has passed since our last fight, so how can I guess?
He had a point.
We were still in the weird state of acceleration, meaning the time meant nothing to us. While I was certain that not much time had passed, I couldn’t tell how much.
But, I was curious.
-Eh. Whatever. I’ll bite. So, what do you want me to do?
-Just make them busy. I’ll hide somewhere nearby and prepare.
-What, they won’t notice you?
-If I am correct, while they are mostly targeting me, they won’t be able to differentiate between the two of us. While we aren’t exactly the same, they don’t care, golem is a golem.
-Golem…
-It’s the term that…
-I figured - I cut him off. - But I mean, won’t they just be able to sense you.
-Not many people here are good at it. If I am to put my mind into it, I’ll be just fine. And since they are most likely teleporting via anchoring to this thing - he pointed to the slime - they’ll naturally target you.
-Eh. Okay. So where and when?
-Here and now.
-Eh?
That was surprising.
Maybe not his shift from running to standing your ground and dealing with the issue. It was more about him wanting to do it right now. Plus the fact that it seemed like he had some kind of plan in mind.
What was that about?
But, I agreed. Better to deal with them sooner than later. I myself didn’t have any ideas that went further than just a literal fight, so having someone thinking for me was nice.
-Let’s just hope that won’t bite me in the ass…
-What?
-Nothing. So here, huh? - I asked, looking at the spot he decided to make his stand. - Seems… unremarkable.
It was hard to say anything else about it. Besides the fact that we weren’t on the road any more, there was nothing different about the place. Hell, there was no free room even, it wasn’t even a clearing.
I guess he wanted to hide in the bushes or something? Like that would ever work…
But what do I know?
-Because it is - he replied, looking around.
-We’re dropping the speed or you want to prepare?
-You do it. I’ll hide in the meanwhile.
-Just don’t go trying to run away.
-Why would I do that? It’s not like they won’t find me.
-Aha…
-Don’t trust me?
-Would you be surprised if I said no?
-I’d be surprised if you said anything different.
-Ha. Okay…
I had a bad feeling about that. Oh well. It’s not like I had any better ideas anyway. And spending time in that weird state of speed was only annoying.
I just wondered how much time should I try and buy until I should start assuming that he just fucked of and ran away.
-Let’s get this over with…
The moment I returned to normal, I found myself alone.
Of course that doesn’t mean a thing, to Mike just a blink of an eye would be enough to run away a considerable amount.
Now, just to wait. Were they going to actually pursue us? Or rather me. I wonder…
I didn’t have to wonder for a long time.
After a couple of minutes, I felt a familiar signature of mana appearing in the air and a portal soon followed.
Out of the holes in reality emerged yet another group of enemies. I think it was about fifty people total.
Not all was bad though: none of them seemed like they were stronger than the last batch of people. And that was definitely a new group; their uniforms were pristine with no sign of wear and my spell surely would at least do some damage. Or at least dirty them a little bit.
I was not attacking. If I was going to play for time, there was no point in me trying to rush things. But, that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to attack as soon as I got a reason.
It seemed like the opposite force was also not in a hurry. From the moment when the first person left the portal until it closed, there were no attempts at even attacking me. Even after that, they were still just standing on guard, pointing their weapons towards me and waiting.
Weird.
I thought that they would be in a hurry, not just… whatever that was.
But I also was confused. Where was their superior?
I am sure that there had to be one. I mean, who in their right mind would send a bunch of troops without any superior.
However, no matter how hard I was looking at it, there was no one that had a larger mana signature. They were all about the same.
Very strange.
To be honest, my plan was to get rid of a “general” first and hopefully then make them at least a bit disorganized. I wasn’t that delusional to think as much as they would scatter the moment the leader was gone, but for there to be no one to target? That was more than unusual.
I was wondering if I should just start blasting them with spells, when someone stepped to the front, aiming a gun at me.
He was looking exactly the same as everyone else, that I was sure of.
Should I start blasting?
But, before I made up my mind, he started speaking.
-Boss…? That you?
Boss? Who was he talking to? Did Mike get to change his mind again?
-...
It didn’t seem that way, though. No one was replying, and he was staring right at me.
-I think that means “no” - I heard from some other soldier standing next to him.
Neither of them looked any different from another, but since they were the ones talking I should assume they had some kind of higher rank?
Now, when I think about it, none of those soldiers had any kind of indication of rank. Don’t soldiers usually have those? I mean, this was not really a regular military force, so I guess that’s not required of them…?
-Should we shoot?
-I… I can’t make the decision, you know that… What if it doesn’t survive? We’d be getting hell for that…
-You think we can even do it…? Just look at this thing…
They were having this conversation right in front of me. What kind of stupid are they?
-You know I can hear you? - I finally decided to speak, seeing them just stand there.
I did get a reaction, but not the one I expected.
I expected to get shot or something like that, but they just all flinched and went silent.
-It… talks…?! - I heard a rather loud whisper from one of them.
-If it talks… then it’s him?!
-I don’t know! Why didn’t he say anything before?!
-I still hear you - I said, sighing. - I don’t know what you’re looking for, but if you could at least tell me what you want, we might come to some kind of agreement?
They started exchanging looks with each other.
Clearly, whatever they were expecting with this confrontation, that was not it. What gives? Weren’t they sent to eliminate us? I mean, they were pretty obviously hostile before.
What the hell did Mike not tell me?
But, before I could say anything, I felt a thought probe my mind.
-Don’t ask me, I also have no idea.
It was Mike.
After they arrived, I noticed that he was hiding not so far away from me. I kind of was worried that they might spot him since his magic wasn’t really that hard to notice, but expecting a violent confrontation I thought that shouldn’t be an issue.
But, with this…?
Were they really that blind?
-Can you elaborate, so I…
But, before I finished my sentence, something changed.
I thought that was them changing their mind and attacking, because I felt something start irritating my skin. Some kind of spell or a weird gun of theirs?
But, that was not it. None of them looked like have had done anything and were just staring at me with anticipation.
-I told you to attack, not ask questions!
A voice?
Familiar one.
And to boot, it was coming from behind me?
I whipped my head, trying to see where it was coming from, but I only saw other people aiming their guns at me. The hell?
-You… but we’ll hit you!
-I don’t care! Before he regains his senses!
Regains senses? What…? I had my senses working perfectly, thank you…
I wanted to announce that to them, but I… I couldn’t.
Well shit, I guess I was wrong.
I couldn’t move my body, nor could I speak. But I could finally tell where the voice was coming from.
It was the slime.
Or, whatever the substance was. And who was talking? Of course, it was our dear janitor.