- Shari –

I guess it can be considered positive that we weren't ambushed in the night.

I think this is as good as it can be.

Well, I'm still in an unfavorable position, involved in a country-spanning conspiracy, which always manages to put me in a tight place.

But who knows, I might simply get sent back to the count, where I'll receive a commendation for a job well done and hopefully a greater payroll, and by the time the communications with the estate are reestablished, whatever is going on will be over.

"Knock, knock"

"You... her majesty expects you in her office. She wants to talk... in private." (Soma)

I'm allowed to dream, right?

Talking in private was never a good setting for discussing inconspicuous stuff that won't have any relevance later on.

Yet I don't have much of a choice if I don't want to anger royalty.

And I also still have her clothes on.

When I step out I notice that the security drastically increased compared to last night, but as no one tries to attack us I'll, for now, hope for the best.

So we reach our destination, the queen's chambers.

It's not the same location as last night.

But I guess "chamber" in this context refers to some kind of hobby room.

I probably shouldn't wonder about royals having more than one room at their disposal.

Today, the queen changed into a form-fitting black dress, with violet-silver embroidery, which makes her look even more regal than she was already yesterday in her nightgown.

Yet I'm not completely sure which of those was more expensive.

When we enter, she dismisses the accompanying guards.

Captain Soma doesn't look fine with this but can't go against one of the highest authorities in this country and leaves disgruntled.

But I need to say as well that she seems a bit too trusting about the all-devouring creatures.

"There you are. I still can barely get used to the idea. Sapient slimes. It appears completely ridiculous." (Serenia)

I should speak for us.

No matter how much she improved in social interaction, it can't be a good idea to leave anything like this to her.

"Well, but here we are. I'm sorry for last night's uproar. We were a bit out of options at that time." (Shari)

"And so you couldn't find any other way but to storm the palace?" (Serenia)

"As I said, out of options. The killers sent after us didn't help on that matter." (Shari)

"You seem to already know about the conspiracy which is riddling this country. Let me explain: It is true that several lords and ladies joined ranks to conspire against the crown. Their influence is reaching into the deepest depths of the palace. While some are known most of them covered up their deeds. While it might be possible to engage some of them, the moment we do so it will call the others to action." (Serenia)

"But isn't it much worse to leave them be?" (Shari)

The longer they have to establish their faction the worse it will become.

"If something annoys me, I dissolve it." (Liqu)

Thanks for your input Liqu.

You make such things look so simple.

The queen looks slightly defeated at this comment.

And a bit frazzled in a way that translates to something along the lines of "of course, slimes".

"We can’t fight a civil war against the opposition. Not on these terms." (Serenia)

I try to think about a reason why they'd stall solving their problems and can only come up with a bigger threat looming on the horizon.

"Is it because Koreso would take advantage of this?" (Shari)

For a moment she looks genuinely surprised.

I guess she didn't expect the monsters without brains to have confidential information.

But as I expected from her, she quickly regains her composure.

"You're right. The reason for the recent attacks on the royal family and the strengthening of the opposition is the current policy of our neighbor Koreso. Sigh, are you familiar with the history of this country?" (Serenia)

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"Roughly." (Shari)

It's not like we had a grand library in our village of less than forty souls.

I know that slimes were released around two hundred years ago and around the same time there was a huge orc invasion that made containing them kinda impossible.

Though, the invasion was apparently more pressing at that time.

In fact, they laid waste to the whole of Rakis and it had to be rebuilt from scratch.

The most important part, which I think she's referring to was that the horde was in the end driven back by a joint military effort of the other countries who simply didn't want to have orcs in their gardens.

"I hope this includes the great invasion and the following dark days. So, do you know how I'm to be addressed in full?" (Serenia)

"Well, Anvenia has the by-name Nox Demi Aurealis. So the same should apply to your highness, is that right?" (Shari)

"Precisely. In common words it would translate into 'The humble rulers in the shadow'. So what are your thoughts on such a name?" (Serenia)

"I don't know?" (Shari)

"Well, it's no name any royal family would apply to themselves and this is because it's purely artificial. The point is, Rakis' royal family was established by the very nations who sent their armies back then. They were apprehensive of each other and didn't want that any of them would swallow this land. At the same time, they had to make sure that a sufficiently solid power would exist here so they wouldn't have to deal again with the issue. In terms, they raised one of the local leading families to the formal rulers under the name of 'Nox Demi Aurealis' so they would lead the people of this country as a barrier against the orcs but never forget their place beneath those they owe their position to. And this never changed in the following centuries. However, it seems this changed now. While Koreso as one of the allied nations at that time was fine with establishing Rakis as an independent country, the recent nationalistic tendencies are keen to review this agreement. As it is, they want to turn Rakis at best into a vassal state. The nobles they support will rise in power, even if the country would in fact belong to Koreso, at least that's what they promise them." (Serenia)

Wait, Koreso established us?

And if they're so keen to conquer us, why don't they make their move already?

If they ally with the rebels it should be an easy task to overrun our country.

How does this add up?

"What's keeping Koreso? As far as I know they have the stronger army and are far bigger than us." (Shari)

"You're truly far better informed than I gave you credit for. Yet the main reason is that they already gave in to their expansionist urges and started a war against their neighbor Tarsona. Currently, it's more or less a stalemate, but it prevents them from officially declaring war against us and sending troops our way." (Serenia)

"So you're waiting in the hope that they lose against this Tarsona country and all your troubles are gone without having to lift a finger?" (Shari)

"It's not that easy. There are still the nobles who pose a considerable force and to make this even more complicated, the orc tribes to the east grow restless so we can’t deploy the army elsewhere and expose our border. Instead, we're currently fighting a secret war of politics, spycraft, and assassination." (Serenia)

Makes sense.

One of the reasons nobody wants a real drawn-out war is that this might trigger an invasion of thousands of ruthless monsters which will ruin things for the winner.

"And how is this secret war going?" (Shari)

"Slowly. We have intel that Koreso, while not openly, currently supports the nobles with money, personnel, and wares. In exchange, those send them materials and slaves as workers in their wartime economy, like their mines, or as expendable front fighters."

Something irks me about this.

"Isn't slavery abolished in Rakis?" (Shari)

"Question! What is slavery?" (Liqu)

That shouldn't surprise me anymore.

"Slavery is when you own a person like a thing." (Shari)

"Oh, as something to dissolve on the way!" (Liqu)

"Uh, no... Well, in fact, yes. It means that this person has no rights and can be treated by their owners as they please. They're not even allowed to fight back. Which is a bad thing." (Shari)

"I understand. You're right. Hunting is not fair if the other can't do anything." (Liqu)

That wasn't exactly what I was trying to say.

"Ahem, while common slavery isn't a thing here, Rakis has debt slavery and criminal slavery. However, naturally, children born from slaves are not included and the existing ones have to be meticulously documented about their status. Usually, their earnings will even be used to pay for their eventual freedom. I should mention here that they're not as rightless that you could... eat them." (Serenia)

Great, now I've got this reputation.

"Sure. I'm certain the Koresoans will send regular reports about the slaves they got." (Shari)

"In this case, it naturally happens without our permission. The people are sent to the front, which is directly imposed by the regulations. Also, the nobles who sent them to Koreso are quite creative about their acquisition to satiate the hunger of Koreso. I'd stop it this instant if I could." (Serenia)

Hmm, this sounded genuine.

"So those people are sent against their will to Koreso to die for them in a war we want them to lose. Is it just me or should we do something about this before it's going to royally backfire on us? ...Pardon." (Shari)

This might've been slightly offensive.

"As mentioned before, we can only do so much before it triggers an open conflict. At best we can stop some of the deliveries. But the real issue isn't the slaves. It's the fact that they can be used as front fighters as they are. Now you may ask why the slaves would fight for them and not run away at the first chance they get or even better, switch sides. Well, the reason is a certain new invention. And I'm sad to say it comes from Rakis. More so, from our prestigious magical academy. It might even be the spark of the conflict, the reason why the Koresoans became so bold." (Serenia)

"And what is it?" (Shari)

"A collar. Our mages were able to produce a simple neck chain and infuse it with lightning magic. At a lower setting, it triggers severe pain for the wearer, at a higher it can cause death. Naturally, we stopped production as soon as we learned about this tool. Such a thing has only the purpose of tormenting people and there's no reason to make such a thing easier for anyone out there. Yet it seems that our opposition got it into their hands and still produces in hidden facilities. Those very collars enable Koreso to use slaves in their war without having to check every single one of them. If one tries to escape they simply have to trigger the highest setting. It allows for a disturbing free usage of human resources." (Serenia)

So Koreso in truth wants those collars.

If they can conquer Rakis and get the people under control with them it's their win.

"It seems like they can't produce them themselves? Or what they're waiting for?" (Shari)

"No. The collars are still advanced technology and Rakis's magical prowess is still second to none in the world. Whoever produces them knows that and I wouldn't wonder if they have a leading position among the traitors. If we could find them it would be a heavy blow to our enemies. Without the deliveries, their relationship with Koreso would be shaken and lose its support. A good start would be to find their production facilities and put it to an end." (Serenia)

Damn, I can see where this is going.

"And so I would like to enlist your help." (Serenia)

What did I say?

At this moment the door opens and the king as well as several other folks in fancy clothing enter the room.