- Shari -

I think my training went quite well.

Elara was eventually done with cleaning and left.

After a while, the lingering heat inside my core increased to a rather disturbing sensation.

So I decided to call it a day and relax.

I was satisfied with my progress and don't see a reason to force anything.

After all, only idiots would get themselves killed in training.

A short time later Liqu finally returns.

"Where were you?" (Shari)

At least this I should ask.

As much as I enjoyed having some moments for myself it is always worrisome if she is out by herself.

Especially close to larger groups of humans.

"Just a stroll. I met some of the soldiers who belong to us." (Liqu)

"Nothing bad happened, right?" (Shari)

"Nope. Everything went according to my plan." (Liqu)

What's that supposed to mean?!

"Uhh. There is some meat for you in your room. You are hungry, right? Please say yes." (Shari)

Any different answer would mean she already somehow did something about this by herself, and I'm still concerned about the horses.

"Oh, yes! I can really need it. Great! I've expended a little much." (Liqu)

Uhh, I don't want to ask, but I know that I have to.

"How and where did you expend much of your energy?" (Shari)

"Huh? She was right." (Liqu)

"Excuse me?" (Shari)

"Someone told me that you are obsessed with me, the way you want always to know every little bit about me and what I've done. Oh, but don't worry. I like it." (Liqu)

I want to say something.

Actually, I want to say quite a lot.

But any coherent thought of mine which might help to form a proper answer is instead drowned in a cascade of internal screamings the likes of "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS SLIME!!!"

Instead, I just stare at her, completely perplexed.

This goes on until I hear movement coming from the stairs.

That forces me to shift my attention to the source.

The next moment Peras and Jaren enter my room.

"You!" (Peras)

Yes, it's me.

Anything to add?

"Ehm, hello?" (Shari)

"No! Not like this! What are you planning? What happened there?" (Peras)

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"Excuse me? It seems I lack context." (Shari)

However, whenever things get out of hand there is a certain individual I can with almost absolute certainty claim as the one being responsible.

I look intently at Liqu.

"Yes?" (Liqu)

"Don't play innocent after this action." (Peras)

"Sorry, but I was holed up here for the last few hours. Can someone please inform me what this intrusion into my quarter is about?" (Shari)

"That green slime attacked three soldiers!" (Peras)

"Attacked!?" (Shari)

Oh no.

Are they now going to fight us because Liqu messed up?

But then why did only the two of them come?

You don't send the commanders on their own into a combat situation.

"Vela, Galos, and Balion. She fought with them behind the soldier's barracks." (Jaren)

"What do you have to say?" (Peras)

"I still say that I was here the whole time and have no idea what happened. But the fact that you two came tells me that you don't think of us as your enemies. This means they should still be alive. So, how bad is it?" (Shari)

"While there are no obvious wounds on them, and Galos and Balion seem while quite shaken but mostly fine, Vela is another story. She refuses to talk with anyone." (Jaren)

What did this slime do?

With a tone that might hint at my annoyance, I call out,

"Liqu?" (Shari)

"I just had a talk with her. I didn't even have physical contact." (Liqu)

Who knows how many ways this slime knows to kill without contact?

"That doesn't mean much. I am rather certain whatever is wrong with her, you caused it. So, why?" (Shari)

"She had a difficult mindset. I just corrected that. After what happened in that mine I won't allow any threats close to you anymore." (Liqu)

The incident we had with Chris apparently still troubles her.

"We can't have you going around, doing whatever you did to her there! Show some restraint!" (Shari)

"But..." (Liqu)

"No buts! You can't go around and attack people! At least ask me before you're going all crazy like this! Do you really want to ruin everything for us?!" (Shari)

"... I'm sorry." (Liqu)

I become aware that the other two are still waiting.

"Right. Now that we found the cause, what do you want to happen? I can make her apologize, but I guess we all know that wouldn't be a sincere one. And I doubt any physical punishment would be effective... against a slime." (Shari)

I mean, if they insist I would settle with fifty strikes with the whip.

"It might be better to adjust our handling of their matters. Maybe a more official schedule where they're regularly accompanied would help to settle things down." (Jaren)

"We can't just let this slide!" (Peras)

"The only thing that might bother Liqu would be cutting her meals. But, just to be sure about this, no one here thinks that Liqu being hungry would be a good idea, right? Aside from that, I don't see much we can do about this." (Shari)

"Why would it bother me? I would just grab me something." (Liqu)

"See? That's exactly what I'm talking about." (Shari)

"Urgh. Get this thing under control!" (Peras)

Apparently being done, Peras storms out of the room.

I'm sure the Count will eventually learn about this.

I doubt it will directly lead to us getting fired, but it certainly doesn't improve our position.

For now, it's vital that nothing else adds to the list of recorded reasons speaking against our employment, which I'm all too sure the Count keeps.

"Fine. Do you think we can do something about this? I would recommend designating some appointments to gather and train as a group. There were some complaints that you come and go as you please. It might be better to let them know in advance." (Jaren)

"Uhh, I was planning to do my own private training. It's a little unpleasant if people stay." (Shari)

"It will be detrimental for the team if they don't get used to your presence." (Jaren)

"How about this? I tried to get Dion to prepare a secluded area for training. Maybe meeting up there?" (Shari)

"The others won't like a place without any possible witnesses. Especially after what happened today. But maybe I can convince them." (Jaren)

"Alright. I'll take you up on that." (Shari)

I know I said that I wouldn't want that others see how I train and let them gauge my abilities, but with my team that wouldn't be possible in the first place.

They are going to accompany me, and because of this will eventually have a very clear impression of what I'm capable of.

I say goodbye to Jaren, who is surprisingly positive and quite accepting of me.

And now I have to deal with the source of all my dismay.

"Liqu, you can't be serious! One time, one single time I'm not running after you, and the result is that you rampaged through the training grounds like the goddamn calamity you are!" (Shari)

"I only wanted to protect you!" (Liqu)

"From what?! Until now there were no issues, and to me, it looks like you started it. If you're pulling stunts like this the other humans here will eventually turn hostile. Please, at least try getting along with them. And with this, I mean not attacking our very own soldiers!" (Shari)

"Glrbsh. Fine. I don't think more will be necessary." (Liqu)

"Damn... Please leave. I am in no condition to deal with your antics right now. And woe upon you if I hear that you attacked someone else!" (Shari)

I am quite sure that she needs a more thorough scolding, but I really need a break now.

Heated arguments clearly don't help cool down my core.

So apparently I need a real rest.

The tub looks still appealing.

As long as no one wakes me up like last time.

Or this slime messes things up for me again.