- Viscount Nolan Loria -

Urgh!

What the hell happened?

I'm in a dark chamber surrounded by stone walls.

The last thing I remember was how I got pinned down in my bed and some disgusting fluid was forced down my throat.

After that, I passed out.

Buah!

What is that smell?!

I start to retch from the intensity, as it lingers everywhere around me.

Bringing my hands up, I check if I'm unharmed.

Just then I realize that the stench originates from my very own clothes.

Terrible!

They were expensive and now I won't be able to wear them ever again.

"Ah, it seems you've awakened, Viscount Loria."

A woman's voice echoes through the room, in a way that it's difficult to pinpoint its origin.

I'm still overwhelmed by the situation, but even like this, I can recognize the person I'm hearing.

"Y-your highness? Uh. What is the meaning of this?! I demand to be freed this instant! This is going to have consequences!" (Loria)

"My dear viscount, you seem to misinterpret the situation. You are in no position to make any demands. Rather you should do everything you can to please me since your survival depends on how I feel about you." (Serenia)

The queen always had a reputation for showing disdain for some members of the nobility.

It's even rumored she's responsible for the downfall of some of the more "eccentric" houses.

I'm very sure she doesn't hold any sympathy for me.

"My people will find me! They will come and then not even your husband will be able to protect you anymore after such an act!" (Loria)

"How nice of you to be so concerned about my fate. But you don't need to worry. There's not a single trace leading to this place. This cell is perfectly hidden and only my most trusted attendees know of its location. You might not believe it but we still have sufficient power in our own palace to restrict access. I know this comes as a surprise to the likes of you, but it is indeed the case. Nobody will be able to find you down here, dear viscount." (Serenia)

This jovial expression is most unnerving.

It might just be an act to distress me, but it's not too farfetched that this woman at least took measures to avoid detection.

However, she made one mistake.

I'm not chained up and she's close enough.

If I can take her hostage I might force my way out here.

I gather every bit of strength in my body and sprint in her direction with all I've got.

"Wham"

"Argh!" (Loria)

But before I reach her an iron gauntlet hits me in the face and drives me to the ground.

"Don't you dare to touch her highness, dirty pig!" (Soma)

"You can't treat me like this! Such an act of tyranny won't go unnoticed! The other nobles will start to ask questions! You won't be able to cover this up!" (Loria)

"Tyranny? I call it survival. Self-defense against the attempts of ever-bolder-acting nobles to overthrow this country and sell it out to Koreso with no concern for the future of the people! Did you believe your last act would go unnoticed? The troops marching through the middle of the city? All the equipment provided? The men who have gone missing? Family members asking about their whereabouts? You left so many traces, it would almost be an insult to the principle of common sense to think you wouldn't be exposed." (Serenia)

So I was found out.

It was actually a long time ago when I was invited into the circle.

It started as a group of nobles looking out for each other to assure our interests would be met.

Men and women of high status supporting each other.

The benefits were certainly worth it.

In exchange for lending my troops as security for various enterprises, I got a direct share of the profits.

However, this changed when our leader decided on a new course.

Due to the nature of our society, we were always at odds with the rule-abiding parts of the administration.

Clashes were inevitable but could usually be settled with sufficient bribes.

Yet still, we were constantly at risk of getting pitted against our very rulers.

So when Koreso offered to support us if we would fight against the crown, our leader decided that it might be better to be the first to act.

In theory, a victory would mean that every one of us would gain.

I might become a count or even a marquis for my role in this endeavor.

Unfortunately, after the first assassination attempts on the royal family, we realized that security was too tight.

The royals surround themselves only with the most loyal subjects and pay almost paranoid attention not to be open for an assault.

So there was no way to reach them aside from forcing our way with sufficient manpower.

But we all knew that open warfare was risky at best.

Many of us could be crushed if the crown knew who they had to target and we had to avoid that the great army of Akaras, still dutiful to their rulers, would be deployed against us.

Not only would such a battle be a great disfavor for our cause, but we can't leave the border open for the orcs to try to enter.

So we engaged in several small-scale skirmishes, sabotaged the crown's assets, bribed who we could, and eliminated others.

Until now it has worked out in our favor.

The many local lords in our ranks grant us quite some space to act.

Yet now it brought me into this situation.

The queen is absolutely convinced of my guilt, so playing dumb won't benefit me but may instead raise her ire.

And even if the others find out about my whereabouts, I doubt they would arrive before my fate is sealed.

At most, they would use it as a pretext to press their political interest.

In any case, I should buy time for now.

To assess my situation and hopefully live a little longer.

"What do you even hope to gain from this?!" (Loria)

"Hm, why would someone throw anyone into the dungeon, I wonder? Oh, wait! How about learning all the dirty little secrets you and the other traitor scum keep? Comply and we might be able to talk about increasing the level of comfort of your current lodgings. Why don't we start with something pleasant like a fresh set of clothes? This would certainly be for all our benefit." (Serenia)

She's holding her nose while saying this.

It's clear that she's mocking me, referring to the dire state of my clothing, that's soaked in the stench of the sewer.

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Yet now I know that they want information.

This is certainly a dangerous balancing act.

If I say too much the others will seek revenge and I'll be a dead man.

On the other side, who knows what they're willing to do to make me talk?

If it saves my life there's no reason why I wouldn't do so.

However, I don't wish to die and I'm rather sure that apart from the information I hold, the queen doesn't see much of a reason to keep me alive.

I should... Yes, I should stall as much as possible.

If I only ever provide small bits and pieces then I'm too valuable to be killed and I can control the kind of information they receive.

In the best case, they'll find me and then I can claim that I didn't tell a thing, as long as I'm not disclosing something of importance that they wouldn't have been able to discover on their own.

"My queen, I'm sure we can come to an agreement. There's no reason to do anything unreasonable." (Loria)

"Oh, you have no idea how pleased I am to hear this. I already worried I'd have to resort to 'extreme' measures." (Serenia)

I am all too sure that she has no qualms about torturing me.

But if I can endure whatever she has in store, I'm sure my captors would become open to my proposal.

"Oh please. We all know that no such bond as mutual loyalty binds us." (Loria)

"I see. So I assume that you're willing to disclose everything about the conspiracy?" (Serenia)

"How about this? I tell you a name, every other day. Or alternatively, I could point you to positions or simple intel that might be of interest to you. And in return, you'll grant me better accommodations than these, a satisfying meal, and for god's sake, new clothes. If this is provided I might be willing to talk." (Loria)

"A fascinating suggestion. It already helps a great deal that there's no general refusal to disclose anything at all. But I have a counteroffer. How about you answer all of my questions truthfully, down to the smallest detail, and in return, you won't die the most gruesome death you can imagine?" (Serenia)

Is she for real?

I don't believe for a moment that she would just kill me off and let all my knowledge die with me.

"Y-you won't do this! Not with what is at stake!" (Loria)

"You may not know this, since you never were the kind of person I would allow to even exist in my vicinity, but I'm quite the impatient person. I simply am unable to wait till you'd be willing to tell me what I want to know. Also, as you just mentioned, too much is at stake. The country itself can't wait till you feel like talking to me. But all of this pales in comparison to one little fact. You endangered my daughter, viscount! And for this, you've already lost every bit of leeway I'd be willing to grant you. So I'd advise you: Tell me everything I want to know now or scream the answers later." (Serenia)

Her glare makes me inclined to believe that she's dead serious.

Nevertheless, I have to stay strong or my life will be forfeit.

"Viscount, I want to know where the location of the collar production facility is. I'm sure that your men were applied as security staff, so please don't try to tell me you wouldn't know." (Serenia)

Oh, I know it perfectly, which is why I'll be the first suspected to have talked in case it gets exposed.

"I, I might begin with something else. You know, so we can see if we can trust each other." (Loria)

"I think you misunderstood something. This isn't the kind of relationship based on trust and cooperation but on power and the will to force it. So I'd advise you to answer my question now or... well, you won't exactly 'live' with the consequences." (Serenia)

"Listen, before I tell you anything at all I want guarantees for my treatment! Otherwise, you won't get anything out of me!" (Loria)

"Oh, your treatment has already been decided quite some time ago, viscount." (Serenia)

"You can't treat me like this! I'm a noble! I have rights! Locking me up here in this sorry state. Don't you know any honor?! Your behavior only proves how right the others are to rebel!" (Loria)

"You know, you're completely right. I as well feel unable to ignore your stench anymore. It's about time to get rid of all this filth. Let me do something about this. You can enter!" (Serenia)

She turns around and calls for someone.

I don't understand.

Considering her attitude as a whole I doubted she would grant me the slightest kindness.

And now she wants to allow me to change?

This sounds quite unbelievable.

And I suppose it is.

A moment later I hear something at the entrance of this cell.

And stare in shock.

A giant unformed mass squeezes through the doorway.

A slime.

The largest I’ve ever seen, that I’ve ever heard of!

The queen merely steps aside, completely unfazed by that creature, she doesn't seem to consider it a threat.

And truly, it shows not the slightest interest in her but only focuses on me.

I've heard rumors about this, but could the crown truly have managed to control these creatures?

If this is the case we have to completely re-evaluate our chances in this conflict.

But this all doesn't matter to me since this thing is progressively advancing in my direction.

The queen barely seems to mind what is going to happen.

I can already see how several strands emerge from the mass and reach in my direction.

"Please! You can't let this happen! You said..." (Loria)

"I said I would get rid of the useless filth in front of me, and as you still fail to provide anything of substance I doubt you can claim to be anything else." (Serenia)

The first strands already contact my clothes and the most fear-inducing sound known to mankind resounds.

"Zsch"

I can't squeeze any further against the wall.

My bones might break any moment from all the pressure I'm applying, but if I don't, my stomach will disintegrate any moment and my guts spill out.

"No, no, no! Please! I beg of you! Not like this!" (Loria)

"Not so quick, Liqu. Take your time. We want to properly savor this." (Serenia)

She can talk to it?

Control it?

The slime wraps around me, and my clothes start to disintegrate the instant they come into contact with the slime. But far worse is that I already feel the foreboding sensation of the reaction that is going to end me.

"Did you know that this kind of torture has a history in this country? Back when slimes were still controlled and not a continental plague? Well, not as much torture but more like a way to get rid of unwanted individuals. Oh, all the people who were fed to their ever-increasing numbers. I imagine it must've been quite messy, even if I suppose there wasn't much to clean up afterward. I even heard one can use the results very well to improve the growth of plants. We'll see later. No offense meant." (Serenia)

This wink wasn't directed at me but more at the creature.

The very same which is killing me in front of her eyes!

Oh my god, I don't want to die!

Not dissolved by a slime, turned into a worthless pulp of fertilizer.

I can't end like this!

"Please! I'll talk! Just call it back! Please, I'll speak!" (Loria)

"Then I would suggest speaking quick, viscount, for any second you waste will be paid in flesh. Where, is, the, facility!" (Serenia)

The others will kill me for talking, but this, this is so much worse.

The slime completely encompasses me except for my face.

There's no escape left.

I'll die in seconds if I don't talk.

"Zsch"

I FEEL IT!

EVERYWHERE IT'S TOUCHING MY SKIN IS TINGLING!

I'M GOING TO DISSOLVE!

"The west!!! The facility is in the southwest! Close to the river! I'll tell you the exact location just call it back, I beg of you! I can't talk if I'm dead!" (Loria)

At this, she raises her hand and the words of my salvation are heard.

"Liqu, stop. The piece of filth is willing to talk." (Serenia)

The sensation stops and slowly the slime retreats from my body.

My distress is still great but I'm able to assess myself and gratefully find that I'm not bleeding and my innards won't leave my body.

And then something unbelievable happens.

The unformed mass of slime shifts and raises.

It lifts its body upwards, squeezes together at several places, and takes the shape of a young, well-endowed beauty.

"Can't I just take a little? There's so much of him, does he really need all of it? I can easily make it so he won't die." (Liqu)

"We will see. It depends on what he is going to tell us now. And naturally if it proves to be true. If not, please make sure to savor every moment as long as you can." (Serenia)

"Yes, yes." (Liqu)

I'm done for.

This... thing is a looming threat.

No matter how much time passes it will still be ready to erase my whole existence.

"Yes... I will tell you everything you want to know." (Loria)

"Splendid. Then begin. You said the facility is in the west? How strange, I was sure it would be within the capital." (Serenia)

"N-no. They, they built a greater complex in the south of the main road leading to Siras. It was safer to avoid the controls at the city gates and produce the goods out of sight. Material is mostly brought from Siras. Certain special products and personnel over secret channels from the capital. The convoys often even leave through the south or north gate and put up with the longer way to lay false traces." (Loria)

"How ingenious. Don't stop here. You're not safe yet, Sir Loria." (Serenia)

I spill everything, not holding anything back.

The layout of the complex, presumed number of personnel, ration of military and civils, the names of important individuals, anything that will make that woman hold back that abomination that stares at me the whole time with its hungry contrast-less eyes.

When I finish, the queen lets someone hand her the notes a servant made of my testimony and looks over it.

"Mhm, this sounds about right. One last thing. Am I right with the assumption that the current leader of your organization is Marquis Leronne Eras of Siras?" (Serenia)

This is it.

The last nail to seal my fate.

But at this point, it doesn't really matter anymore.

"Yes... Yes you're right." (Loria)

"This was all I wanted to know, for now. So I'll take my leave. However, I'm sure Captain Soma has many more questions to you. I would suggest you answer them truthfully. If not... well, you know." (Serenia)

She smiles at me, hinting at what will happen otherwise, and with this I am certain;

I don't have a choice.