- Shari -

After we successfully concluded this whole kidnapping ordeal, we're led through secret and/or heavily guarded passages back to the inner palace of the royal family.

It seems at this point Liqu and I are something like state secrets to be kept hidden.

The special weapon to fight their opposition.

While it's not the most flattering label, I don’t see a reason why they wouldn't pay us out in the end.

For one thing, if Count Kahan gets involved as a witness, and with the copy of the contract we've got, they'd have difficulty keeping their involvement under wraps if they're planning to get rid of us.

And also, it would simply be an unnecessary risk.

As I said, we're their secret weapon.

This is a position of power.

Not just because they'd be screwed if they gain our ire and we turn against them, but also because we’ll be useful even after this whole situation is eventually concluded.

They simply have no reason to intentionally throw valuable assets away.

Oh, and not to forget, the princess likes Liqu which might help a little bit.

Although I doubt it's having an all too great influence on the final decision.

Because this is our current situation I don't feel too much at risk in this place.

"You did great work tonight. For now you can rest. We may speak tomorrow about our next steps." (Serenia)

Well, we were quite busy so it's nice to get a break once in a while.

And I can't complain about our accommodations.

We've got a good room on the upper level.

I didn't really dare to ask for separate ones.

Liqu is currently a little needy and it usually doesn't work out to put her through withdrawals for extended periods.

Though, naturally I'm going to set up some rules.

This brings me to the next point.

While I believe my needs to be rather frugal, there is one feature in this room I ascertained my quarters had and that I'll consider as just mine.

Since I noticed that she reacts better if I convey things like this I shallowly brush Liqu's matter with my hand while passing her.

* "Liqu, stay away from my tub!" (Shari)

While I have my aversions with linking, she should at least now be aware of my determination and that all hell will break loose if she decides to disturb me in there.

Though for now, she has to get out of the state of bliss I put her in.

"You're linking with me, just like this!" (Liqu)

Not "just like this".

I had a pretty damn good reason.

It's that she can't be completely trusted to keep her distance while I'm in standby mode.

"This is important to me. I want to know I'm safe when I lower my guard. And that also includes from your advances!" (Shari)

"Oh." (Liqu)

Just then I notice two round lids on the table in the center of the room.

I'm not a total savage and know that, although I have no idea what they're called, they're used to keep food below them warm and the critters away.

As pointless both of these things are for slimes.

But I appreciate the gesture.

It speaks for a bit of somewhat dignified treatment.

Not necessarily something as grand as a noble, but of recognition as a person.

And because of this I, for once, am going to eat at the table.

"Instead, we are going to take a meal now, Liqu. I mean, you had two guards and... other stuff, but it was a strenuous day and you deserve it. Maybe you can fill our potion bottles with some excess. They can be useful in a pickle." (Shari)

I'm rather sure she barely heard the latter part.

Just the invitation to eat together makes her happy.

But if I think about it, refilling our supplies can only be good.

So I slip out of my clothes, line up the flasks on the table and sit down.

As expected, I find a great slice of flesh beneath the lid once I remove it.

And when I start dissolving it, I realize that it's no animal.

No, this must be monster flesh.

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The denser concentration of energy I receive is a telltale sign of its former magical nature.

This is working out nicely for us.

Yet it's only enough to partly fill two flasks.

One by Liqu, one by me.

And I barely filled mine at all, but I’m certainly not going to mix them.

After that, I deem that I did everything I could for today in terms of preparation.

Finally, I can slide into my tub and relax.

The next day comes quickly, due to the effects of the standby mode.

We find a small breakfast in front of the door, but it's barely enough to get the two flasks from yesterday completely full.

After a tour to the toilet to let go of dead matter, where I got a terribly embarrassing meeting with a lady as well as experiencing difficult emotions while looking down the hole, I consider myself to be ready for the day.

And it doesn't take too long till we're called.

We're led to the meeting room from last time.

In there, I find all the big shots I came to know by now.

Naturally, the queen, who has the same indifferent look as usual.

Next to her is Captain Soma.

By now I think I've figured out that he is the leader of a special unit.

I'm just not sure if his duty lies with the crown or if he only answers to the queen.

Not like it's too important at the moment but it could become of interest when the interests of the queen and the king stop aligning as they do.

Speaking of the latter, I'm slightly surprised to see him for once present and tending to the important affairs of his country.

Oh, and there is Elin.

She tries to maintain her usual badass cloaked figure image, but her nervous shuffling of her feet betrays her facade.

I guess for a minor this might be a bit oppressive of a situation.

Not like I'm much better.

My slime simply can't tremble if I avoid thinking about it.

.

.

.

Damn!

At least now I have their attention.

"Your majesty, we are all present and can begin now!" (Serenia)

"Please, see it as a token of trust that I'm directly including you in briefings that might very well decide the future of this country." (Parcian)

Hey, without us you wouldn't even have the information this discussion is based upon!

Yet this man is my king so I should rather keep my mouth shut.

For now.

"Ahem, if I may have your attention. Due to the efforts of our subjects, our situation has greatly changed. With the information we gathered from Viscount Loria, we now know of many bases and, just as importantly, the identity of many members of our opposition, and through this can plan our next steps." (Serenia)

"What are you suggesting, my dear? Should we gather our troops and get rid of this traitor scum?" (Parcian)

"While an all-out attack sounds tempting, I need to say that we're lacking the troops to simultaneously attack all of the sites. Instead, I'd suggest a different approach. In particular, I have two actions in mind we should implement next." (Serenia)

"You seem to have put some thought into it. So tell and don't make a secret out of them." (Parcian)

"First, we should send a messenger to Akaras. Given the information we received and the reports of our own agents, the majority of the army is still free of the conspirators' influence. This includes the marshall and the higher officers. While deploying our troops so they couldn't pose as a barrier anymore would bring great difficulties, this wouldn't matter anymore when civil war breaks out. For now, we should simply inform him about our findings, hence, the marshall will have targets he can focus his forces on when things get dire. Those will prove to be invaluable at that time." (Serenia)

Makes sense.

Knowing who is the enemy and who is not surely makes a difference.

"You are aware that such a message has importance for the whole kingdom? We need a trustworthy messenger. Not to speak of the likelihood of getting targeted." (Parcian)

"Well, fortunately, we have a trustworthy and completely inconspicuous subject to make use of. After all, who would suspect a young girl?" (Serenia)

And at this, she looks at Elin.

Who on her side clearly didn't expect to be called out, now pointing with her finger at herself and an expression that says "What the heck".

"This is an interesting idea. It's unlikely that the conspirators search for normal girls. But is she trustworthy?" (Parcian)

"Personally motivated, and as far as I know, not yet in their direct sight." (Serenia)

"How do you..." (Elin)

"Do you truly believe you would be here now without a background check? And now please be quiet so I can elaborate on the details of your mission." (Serenia)

So they know about her dead family?

Wow, that's rough.

Then what about me?

Can they trace me back to my village?

Seems unlikely to me since I'm considered dead.

However, it wouldn't be great if they had leverage against me.

So I can understand Elin being grumpy about this.

And being unable to retort in this situation isn't great.

"We'll equip her with a royal symbol. Although access to Akaras is restricted this should get her past the guards. There should be no reason for concern once she's past those." (Serenia)

"Alright. So much on that matter. But you said there's another immediate action we should undertake?" (Parcian)

"Well, we finally have the location of their collar production, so I suggest a concentrated attack there. If we can stop further deliveries to Koreso they might lose their support. And if not that, then at least a good deal of the supplies they're receiving in return." (Serenia)

"It should be a given that we target them where it hurts." (Parcian)

"Good that we understand each other. Since none of the nobles claim to be responsible for the deliveries, it should be unlikely that this will lead to retaliation if we declare it as an operation against illegal goods." (Serenia)

This sounds quite smart.

Make it a mere act against criminals and nobody can say a word.

"If I may add, if we deploy a greater force, this might alarm them and enable them to destroy evidence or get important material out of the way." (Soma)

"And for that reason, we'll only send the minimal troops we can move without raising too much attention on them." (Serenia)

"Ahem, is this wise? We have to expect considerable forces." (Soma)

Oh no, I can see where this is going.

"Yes, but if my plan works, they'll stumble right into your arms and you’ll just have to wrap this up. And believe me, none of them will think about taking something with them. After all, we have new allies." (Serenia)

And now her gaze goes directly to us.

Sigh, I should've seen that coming.