- Shari -

The feast was more than welcome.

I wouldn't exactly say that it was a party to celebrate our success, but the mood wasn't too shabby.

Though, afterward I really had to go a bit into standby mode.

While I could've just continued with the new day, the fact that we were up and going all night left me quite strained.

So to say, I felt mentally a little tense and had to alleviate this issue.

Once I end my standby mode again, I feel refreshed and spend my time preparing the next batch of potions and refilling my equipment.

The reserves of umbradow are starting to dwindle after my liberal appliance on this mission, but it should be enough to refill my pins if it becomes necessary.

Eventually, I've finished with my personal preparations.

Those mainly served to assure me that I'll be ready to deal with any troublesome situation I might find myself in.

I mean, who wouldn't feel more secure with a full arsenal of blades, poison, application pins, and a generous amount of energetic mass at one's disposal?

So with this being dealt with, I am now free to go over the documents we acquired.

Okay, we stole them.

There's not much to sugarcoat here.

Back then Liqu took care of finding most of them.

However, we both were only concentrating on keywords.

Mostly if money was paid by the baron or one of his goons to the person in question.

What I now find is drawing a very dark picture.

Payments for internal reports, looking the other way, and in some cases, even outright crimes.

I can't tell if all the names represent guards, as they might just as well be officials or involved civilians, but Gareth will surely be able to make something out of this.

It begs the question if he can even afford to dismiss all those people for the upcoming raid.

Yet even for those who are only lightly involved, it's questionable if they can be trusted.

I'm nonetheless convinced that our dear Captain has something like a tier system.

Interestingly, I don't find his name in there.

For example, it's almost understandable that some took the "look away" deal in this town, as the alternative means a sudden drop in one's livelihood as well as dramatically narrowed life expectancy.

Then once they were given the money this makes them accomplices and another guard is too compromised to actually do their job.

Now that I look closer, these cases even seem to make up the majority.

Speaking of this, I probably should instruct the children not to say anything wrong.

Well, the boy that is, as if someone should even discover the girl, I'd already be screwed.

While I'm pretty sure that aside from the problematic implications there's no law against transforming someone into a slime, it doesn't sound too farfetched that someone would make one and apply it for the past just for me.

Unsurprisingly, I find the two of them still in the cellar.

Given how close they are, I start to worry about the health of the boy.

"Isn't it cold being down here all the time?" (Shari)

While Nia's new body shouldn't have any trouble with it, this constant humid chill can't be good for a human.

"How would I make him stop? I just can't convince him to leave my side. It's already difficult enough to avoid any contact." (Nia)

Not like a hug from her would warm him up, but I'm glad she isn't stupid enough to ignore my warnings.

"I can't just leave you alone!" (Okin)

"What other choice do we have? You know I can't come out looking like this!" (Nia)

We should probably start a training regarding blending in.

Yet it's a bit of a problem that she seems to be in many regards underdeveloped as a slime.

For some reason, the necessary skills don't come as easily to her.

Could this be because it was a bit of a rushed job?

In any case, this means I can't afford to just put a cloak on her and send her out.

She needs far more body or rather slime control to have any chance of success.

I'm surely not sending her to her death.

That her demise would also badly backfire on me only playing a minor role in that thought process.

"Uh, I see you two got something going here. Don't want to intrude. Just had a little something to tell your brother." (Shari)

"Yeah, it's not like I matter." (Nia)

Oh please!

"What is it?" (Okin)

"Well, if anyone asks today about an attack on Baron Moreaus mansion, you don't know anything about it." (Shari)

"Wait! You raided a noble's house and got away with it? God, I need to learn to control these abilities if they allow one to do that!" (Nia)

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

There's a bit more to it than that.

Though, if she's motivated.

"Yes, we did. And neither of you know anything about it, okay? Primarily you, Okin, as Nia is… occupied. If anyone asks, you have no clue. If you aren't asked, you don't mention the topic. And by god, at no point will you mention any details about it. Especially, not in a way that the other party might draw conclusions about you knowing more than you seem. Is that clear?" (Shari)

I can already hear Okin saying "I don't know anything about the attack on Baron Moreau's Mansion" only to get back "I didn't say that it was 'Moreau's' mansion".

Nope, that would be good.

"Alright, it's understood." (Okin)

"Good, then get up, clean yourself, and get ready. After all, you're working here and today is threatening to be busy. It's not like I'm keeping you here for pure charity." (Shari)

"Ah, but... Okay." (Okin)

This should hopefully get him out of this cellar for a while.

Once he's gone, Nia and I can exchange some words we couldn't in his presence.

"Thank you. Okin, he's... I think he feels like he has to take care of me. As if I'm sickly or something." (Nia)

"Yeah, you probably don't make the most steadfast impression on him." (Shari)

"Ouch... Sigh. I'll have to get used to puns like this, won't I? But that's about right, isn't it? For days I couldn't do anything else but dwell in this hole. I feel so useless. Or rather... Will I ever be alright again?" (Nia)

How did this talk devolve to this so quickly?

I really need to reassure her.

"Sure. I mean, I guess so. Well, not in the being human sense, but if you look at me you can see that I'm doing somewhat fine. It might take you a while till you get on that level though." (Shari)

"But even if I somehow improve, what can I even do? You seem to have figured things out for yourself, but I have no idea how to even make a living. I can't rely on you forever. You just said it, this is no charity." (Nia)

I'd like to tell her that I didn't mean it like that, but no matter what kind of responsibility I feel, I don't think I'll remain in Ekoras forever.

I could take them with me but am not sure if this would really improve their lot in life, considering how many conspiracies I tend to get caught up in on the regular.

Truly, that wouldn't be healthy for them in the long run.

The best would probably be to set them up so they could be somewhat self-sufficient.

"I wouldn't see this so dire. You know, it's not hopeless. Once you're better, I'm sure you’ll be able to find something for yourself. Slimes are very flexible after all. As I said, look at me." (Shari)

"Was that a pun? I'm not all that sure if I want to become a fighter." (Nia)

"Doesn't have to be about fighting. You know, slimes can stay unbothered by monsters in the Evergrove. You could rather safely venture out for gathering materials to make a living." (Shari)

"Don't get me wrong on this, but I'm not too eager about the idea of visiting the guild hall looking as I am." (Nia)

Yeah, guess not everyone is as suicidal as I am.

"Alright, I'll try to look for something for you, okay?" (Shari)

"If you say so." (Nia)

Lacking a better answer, I leave a somewhat sullen infant slime in my cellar.

While I'm contemplating how well a slime-based cleaning agency would work out, Liqu already intercepts me on my way out.

"Shari, there are humans asking for you!" (Liqu)

A tint of alarm in her voice, but nothing too serious.

Hopefully.

As instructed, I move to the front room.

And there are two guards, waiting in my shop.

I guess I don't have to ponder who sent them.

The news of that night should've reached him by now.

"Ahem, can I help you, sirs?" (Shari)

"The captain is asking for your presence at the guardhouse." (guard)

Yep, just as expected.

They don't seem to want to arrest me, which is slightly assuring of the more positive outcomes I thought up, but this doesn't change that I'm a bit wary because they're here for me. Maybe I should first affirm my suspicions.

"Do you have any reason to state that would justify imposing on me? Is there a crime you're suspecting me for?" (Shari)

The list is probably stupidly long, but they don't seem like they were informed about my more outrageous misdeeds.

"No, this isn't the case. But the Captain was saying that it would be in your own best interest to come. He has something to discuss that is of severe importance to your matters." (guard)

Seems like I can't ignore this.

Truth be told, I'd rather stay here and ignore all the troublesome stuff, but we already came so far.

I'll apparently have to head out here.

Especially, as not doing so might be considered me not doing my job and therefore a pay cut.

"Alright, I'm coming. But you better not screw me on this." (Shari)

"Y-yes, lady knight." (guard)

Seems like they were at least informed not to mess with me.

This explains their weirdly subservient attitude towards me.

"Did something come up, Shari?" (Liqu)

"Yes. I'll be on my way, Liqu. You'll tend to the shop while I'm gone, okay?" (Shari)

I think this is for the better.

If the captain wants to negotiate something or simply discuss the current situation, I would want to solve this without complications.

Liqu can be a bit... undiplomatic at times.

So to say, I think we threatened him sufficiently with citywide annihilation last time.

This doesn't mean I'm not aware that this could be a trap.

In this case, I would like as well to avoid a ground-zero event with Liqu.

I know the layout of the barracks and am confident in my ability to escape.

If push comes to shove, I could just dig myself through the ground.

Good luck with following me there.

So yes, Liqu will stay here for now.

Someone has to keep the business running after all.

"What!? Nooo!!!" (Liqu)

As much as this individual might be against it.

"Liqu, I am confident that you can do this. You're far more capable than it seems. So I'd really like you to succeed with this. Could you prove this to me?" (Shari)

This might be a bit unfair from me.

While it's not a complete lie that I find her recent improvement in social matters to be a huge step for her, I'm aware that I'm taking advantage of the fact that Liqu draws great joy out of being trusted.

If she feels that way she's not going to step down from a task.

"Oh, well... If you say it like this. But is this really okay?" (Liqu)

"I promise I'll be careful. You can be assured that I won't take unnecessary risks. So, please be so dear and show me how professional you can be." (Shari)

"Pro-fess-ional?" (Liqu)

"It means doing a job well and without causing unnecessary issues." (Shari)

"Okay. Fine. But you'll come back, right?" (Liqu)

"Sure. It's just a simple assignment." (Shari)

I quickly make sure that I have all my usual equipment with me and the documents stashed well away.

I'll bring them with me, as they won't help me all that much anyway if the guard captain is on the other side.

Then I move to the door and address the two guards.

"What are we waiting for? Guide me over there. I don't want to leave my shop for too long." (Shari)

"Y-yes, right away!" (guard)

Seems like things are beginning to move.

I just hope in the right direction.