- Shari -

So eventually night falls.

I'd like to take a rest or browse my book, but unfortunately, I agreed to do some business tonight.

Therefore, I have no choice but to head out into the city with Liqu.

Of course, we arm up first, during which I pay special attention to look presentable.

The convenient part is that Gareth is again going to keep patrols out of our way.

We need to make some visits, so it's very appreciated that we won't have to worry about a bunch of guards being on our slime trails on the way back.

So we reach the address I was given and I simply knock, of course, with my glove and some conveniently placed large copper.

At this point, I concentrate very hard on all the vibrations I can perceive.

This tells me that the steps I'm expecting are heading in my direction.

They move right to the door, a lock clicks out of place, and the door creaks as it begins to open.

This is exactly the moment I've been waiting for.

A, tuned down, Impact sends the door back to the owner, which throws him back without causing too much destruction, and one of my blades nestles right before his throat.

"Good day, Rodin. I hope I'm not inconveniencing you too much with my visit." (Shari)

"Wh-what!?" (R)

Not like it matters all that much, but different from other names on the list I was given, this one is slightly personal.

If I'm right, this guy, who is usually stationed at the western gate, was the one to snitch on me to Baron Moreau because of my voidstone mining.

I lost a lot of money that day.

However, I'm altering my voice a tiny bit, so as to not point him too much at our identities.

Might be counterproductive.

"Sh-shhhh! Why don't we move further inside and talk a bit?" (Shari)

While pushing him a bit more back into the house, I concentrate really hard on the slime that I control inside the blade.

I let the tiniest drop emerge at the open tip, activate a completely localized dissolving only there, and make it fall off.

"Zsch"

This took a lot of detailed control, but I managed to pull it off without affecting my blade.

The effect on Rodin, on the other hand, is immediate.

Don't know why that exactly is so, but apparently, the idea of getting stabbed with a blade that can pour some kind of acid into you is more frightening than just having the metal piercing your flesh.

I'd argue that both can be equally deadly.

Though, I'm not really in a position to relate, with this body of mine that is neither affected by one nor the other.

Anyway, I drive him further into the living room, while Liqu makes for my scary backup.

"Sit down!" (Shari)

"Y-you!" (Rodin)

"No shouting. Better yet, I'd advise you not to speak too much and just listen. You are sadly in trouble, my friend." (Shari)

"What do you want? The guard..." (Rodin)

"Careful, you don't want to involve the guard in this. Otherwise, all your little misdeeds may come to light. You wouldn't want to face the consequences, right? If you'd even make it that far." (Shari)

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

I speak intentionally of this as a matter of fact.

While I can't say that I'm all that comfortable in the role of interrogator, I am still able to act according to how I planned this out.

I don't really intend to harm him, but if I can terrify him enough to stop any criminal deeds for the time being, that's a win.

"What do you mean? I did nothing wrong?!" (Rodin)

"Please, Rodin. Spare me this rubbish. We know very well what you did. Informing third parties about goods brought into town, giving names and locations... looking away when certain 'goods' were moving past you. All of that for two measly silver each month. It doesn't look good." (Shari)

"H-how do you..." (Rodin)

I really don't feel like letting him finish sentences today.

"We have our methods. Suffice to say, we know everything you did and will know everything you're doing from here on out." (Shari)

He's looking towards the door.

Probably thinking about escape.

"I wouldn't advise you to pursue that plan. We can easily keep up with you. Also, I fear no guard will come for you. Nobody will arrive to save you. There's no one who cares. This is the world you're so eager to bring into existence. A world without any order. Quite unfortunate when you're the victim, isn't it?" (Shari)

"Huh?" (Rodin)

"But even if you could make a pledge to the guard, we're royal agents on an official mission while you are a criminal guardsman. It's not like your position allows you to go against us. I fear you are in a very bad spot and your fate depends now on my decision. Let me ask you, do you think someone like you can be redeemed?" (Shari)

"I, I, I..." (Rodin)

Seems like he isn't too much into finishing his sentences either.

"Fortunately, for you, there is a chance presenting itself to you. As I see it, you may either go tomorrow to the scum that bought your dignity, which we certainly will learn about, or you will from now on do exactly as you're told. By us that is. Not any of your other... contacts." (Shari)

"But if I do this..." (Rodin)

"Yes, consequences. The decision should be rather easy in that regard. If you'll be a good guard from now on, you may have to deal with the unpleasant or dangerous parts that duty entails, involving getting rid of those who threaten your livelihood. Such a stable life should still be worth it. On the other hand, if you don't, you'll actively be working towards this town's downfall. Once that happens, your nice little job will be gone, there won't be any food, people will die on the streets, riots, thugs, and monsters lay it to waste. Not to forget, there'll be nothing protecting you from us. Therefore, I would heavily advise you not to act stupid." (Shari)

Personally, I prefer a sense of order in contrast to total anarchy.

Seriously, a man like this, who benefits from it, should do the same.

Not sure how Ekoras will fare in the long run, but if Gareth's big purge is supposed to have any chance of success, we need to convince as many corrupt guards as possible to do their fucking job.

Therefore, it's just in Rodin's best interest to get his act together.

Or at least contain his tendencies till the worst is over.

"You, you said you want me to do something? What do you want?" (Rodin)

By now, this man is close to tears.

I would maybe be more empathetic if I wouldn't think about all the money I lost back then.

"Simple. Tomorrow, you'll go to your captain. You'll tell him about all your misdeeds and that you intend to clear them up again. You'll find him to be very understanding, and you'll receive your chance. Yet I'm not so forgiving. If I find you go anywhere else and talk to anyone without explicit order, you'll beg me to let you die, are we clear?" (Shari)

Another shaky nod.

The fact that I can do all the talking at least allows me to stick to the plan I made for myself.

"Good. It seems we cleared everything. Then we'll be on our way. Behave yourself, Rodin." (Shari)

So we leave, to give him space to think about his wrongdoings.

"You are really good at talking, Shari!" (Liqu)

"Thanks. Though, I can't tell how well it worked on him. The following days will show, I guess." (Shari)

"Oh! If he does wrong, can I take care of him!?" (Liqu)

"You know what? Yes, why not?" (Shari)

“Really!? Yay!” (Liqu)

I don't really have the nerve to argue here.

We have twenty more addresses to visit, and I won't have this talk every single time.

Therefore, we head out and I repeat the intimidation with a bunch of other guards.

They're all either officers or in other crucial positions, which means they'll have influence over the lower ranks.

Basically, convincing one of them counts for ten.

Now one might argue that Liqu and I are, by ourselves, worth many more of these, considering combat potential.

However, first, I don't intend to go all out and reveal myself on the fated day, and second, even minor improvements count in a confrontation.

Everyone who listens now will be an asset for our side and not the other.

This is the essence of preparation.

And they do listen.

As one usually should if some assassin-like character has to tell you something in the depth of night.

It's a rather convincing argument not to provoke a second meeting.

Nonetheless, being the monster to push someone's arguments doesn't sit very well with me.

That one man I had to intimidate in front of his family didn't feel great.

It was all the more effective that way, but certainly not my greatest moment.

Especially, with Liqu ecstatically waving at the terrified wife and children.

Sigh!

So much for my night.