- Shari -

It was heartwarming to see how heartily Liqu and Anvenia said goodbye to each other.

They even played her usual pretend game, where Liqu creates shapes Anvenia has to guess.

This all would be far sweeter if I wouldn't have to think about the maid Liqu dissolved.

If that isn't an argument against having Liqu interacting with small children, I don't know what would be.

After that, we had to get ready.

The time of our departure would eventually arrive.

By now my luggage is starting to get full.

I appreciate the new equipment, yet with the new cloaks, the excess blades, the poison and slime bottles, provisions, change of clothes, and all the other stuff we need, our bags get too full to bring my old cloak with me.

Also, after everything it went through it isn't serving its purpose that well anymore.

In addition, it's time to say goodbye to the shortsword I took from one of our pursuers back then.

It simply can't keep up anymore with the rest of my equipment.

But my little knife goes down into the bag.

It, like my mirror, is a keepsake to remind me of home.

Even though the new sawblade works better for cutting things.

Liqu has not as much personal stuff, but it would be unfair to put my luggage on her.

The next day starts early for us.

We're informed by some servant to get to the courtyard, where we'll be sent off.

I ponder about the details of our journey, and more importantly the mission, but see that I don't have to when we arrive at our destination.

"Hey, you two! Looks like I'm your man! Ready to get driven to the edge... of the country?" (Michael)

Rather the edge of my sanity I need to say.

That guy sits on the backside of a carriage with a dark-grey sheet made of some hide enclosing it.

Doesn't look extremely expensive, but it ain't shabby either.

"Michael? What are you doing here?" (Shari)

"I'm going to accompany you. You could say I'm your liaison officer." (Michael)

"So you're our boss?" (Shari)

"You're my only boss, Shari!" (Liqu)

Good to know but not at all helpful right now.

"What? No! Please don't even start like this. I'm not your boss. I'm only going to tell you what exactly you two should do once we're in Ekoras." (Michael)

"That sounds extremely like what a boss does." (Shari)

"No, I'm only the one telling you about your orders." (Michael)

"So, boss?" (Shari)

"No! Seriously! I'm just telling you the parameters of your mission. What you can and cannot do to achieve your given purpose." (Michael)

"So, like a boss!" (Shari)

.

.

.

"And I'm telling you! I don't have any authority to force you to do something specific. All I'm doing is giving you advice on how you should go about your mission, providing insight you don't have, and acting as a connection to our superiors so we even know what they want from us. Someone has to be the one to travel back and forth to the capital and the operational area." (Michael)

"Sure. Then let's get going, boss. We shouldn't stand all day here, right?" (Shari)

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Groan" (Michael)

By now we are at a point where it's just about teasing him.

I climb up the backside of the carriage and look for a place to get comfortable inside.

Fortunately, it's a dedicated transport vehicle so there are benches on each side which provide more than enough space to sit down.

There should even be enough room for three people to sleep by making use of each bench and the boards between.

Not like I need real sleep, but lying down could be nice as long as the way to Ekoras is.

I'm mostly thinking about Michael here.

After me, Liqu enters the cart.

The planks groan a bit under our combined weight but ultimately seem to hold.

I suppose she recovered quite some mass.

Michael truly doesn't waste any time and flicks the reins the moment we're somewhat settled.

By the way, I should figure out what's his deal.

"Seriously, regarding what we are, you're by far the most indifferent person I ever met. Are you really completely fine with us sharing this rather cramped space?" (Shari)

"Now that you say it, he is very calm. But not as nice as Anvenia." (Liqu)

"Well, I guess that's what the job brings with it. I'm quite aware that you'd probably be able to kill me from any distance. So the space doesn't really matter, does it? Also, if you regularly deal with gangster bosses, treacherous nobles, foreign folks, or any other folks who are more than able to get you killed and might become hostile at a moment's notice, then you learn to stay calm no matter what. Since the alternative is gonna get you killed." (Michael)

He gives a hearty laugh and resumes concentrating on the path ahead.

As any driver should!

"But you're aware that you don't have to play nice with us? We're on the same side and I usually do my all to avoid killing." (Shari)

"I'm not playing a thing, I swear. It's far easier to maintain a persona if you really mean it. So this is my true character. People get suspicious so easily if the slightest thing doesn’t add up." (Michael)

I seriously can't figure this man out.

"But that you're so relaxed around literal monsters. Are you aware that Liqu just yesterday dissolved a maid?" (Shari)

"That one wasn't nice!" (Liqu)

And this is why I'm glad there was no trial for her.

"Seriously, Liqu! That's no reason at all!" (Shari)

"I heard about it. I understand the reason, but the queen is right that it was quite messy. One should aspire to stay in control and avoid being forced to react. After all, secrecy is essential for this occupation. To answer your question, you could say that I have a high tolerance for dangerous individuals. I mean, all my colleagues are killers. As are my targets and their associates. There's no reason to fret this kind of stuff." (Michael)

After this short talk, my impression of him is decent enough.

He might have an agenda, but I doubt it's of hostile nature toward us.

Our banter with Michael continues until we arrive at the gate out of the city.

"I hope it's not necessary to point this out, but we're not going to tell the guard that we are agents on a secret mission. It's for the best if you show your adventurer cards." (Michael)

Don't see an issue with this plan.

We come to a stop in close proximity to the guards.

I have my card at the ready and Liqu hers.

"Stop." (guard)

What!? Not the full sentence?

I'm almost disappointed.

Is he not part of the conspiracy or is it because this is a carriage?

"Here, sir. My license. I'm transporting these adventurers back to Ekoras." (Michael)

The man barely glances at it before focusing on us.

"Adventurers?" (guard)

"Here, our cards." (Shari)

He looks over them and returns them.

"Those look real. You can pass." (guard)

That was quite easy.

As soon as we are out of reach, Michael is confident enough to resume talking.

And probably, also to breathe again.

"Fortunately, the controls aren't too strict if you want to leave." (Michael)

"So, you're a driver?" (Shari)

"It's a great excuse for why I have to travel to all kinds of places." (Michael)

"If you say so. Are you going to drive us all the way to Ekoras?" (Shari)

"Oh, did I get demoted from your boss to a mere driver?" (Michael)

Should've seen that coming.

I basically invited it.

"Well, if there's no one else, I don't see you having much of a choice." (Shari)

"Well, I planned to do so. Though, I wouldn't mind one of you taking the reins once in a while." (Michael)

"Uh, I should mention that horses and us really don't go well together. Like, not in the slightest. It’d be for the best if those two on the front never become aware that we're in here." (Shari)

"But if they do, can I have one?" (Liqu)

"No, Liqu, you can't eat our means of transportation." (Shari)

"Oh, damn. Seems like you've got it complicated." (Michael)

"Oh really? I couldn’t tell." (Shari)

"Oh, oh! I know that one! You didn't mean this for real! You're saying he's right!" (Liqu)

I guess that's a huge step for her.

To start understanding sarcasm.

"But why? Isn't being a slime quite simple? What is complicated about it?" (Liqu)

"Let's say, getting it to align with the way I want to lead my life?" (Shari)

"I think it's still easier than being a human. They need so many different things to live and break so easily. A slime can just exist and is fine." (Liqu)

"Can we agree that we disagree on that topic?" (Shari)

"Well, of course. Because that's what we do. You clearly think differently about this than I do. Although, I'm right, of course." (Liqu)

Sigh!