Azrael Pondered, "Give me the short story but sprinkle some details in it."

Taking a deep breath, Sam began his retelling. "The land was once ruled by ruthless orc king named Dargul. He oppressed us, treated us as mindless beasts that can only toil away the days until we eventually die. We endured servitude and discrimination of all facets. However, a young slime warrior named Dederin rose to challenge the regime. With unwavering conviction, he gathered the slimes that were willing to fight and trained them.

At first, it seemed almost hopeless. But as Dederin freed more slaves, collapsed important mines, burned down farms, he united us. Promoting compassion and respect for all beings. With his ever-growing army, they overthrew the vicious Dargul and established a kingdom where we slimes thrived. Under the rulership of King Dederin, Slime Valley blossomed, with slimes contributing their unique abilities to the kingdom's prosperity."

"What a riveting story. Anyone tell you that you are a great reteller?"

"Oh please, I'm simply repeating what my father has told me about every night since childhood."

Azrael took out his canteen and drank from it. "Dargul was overthrown not killed right? Where is he now?"

"Why do you think the other border is completely blocked off? Once you gain passage you should be fine. Though he is still a raging Speciesist, he is more tolerable to other humanoids. Especially elves… be glad you aren't female."

"Noted." Azrael nodded. A comfortable silence filled the air. pulling the toy back out, Sam began to fiddle with it once more, hoping that it would relive his boredom.

From daybreak to nightfall, it took hours for the duo to arrive before the city gate of Yahvet. Encompassed by formidable walls that provide a sense of security and grandeur. These walls, constructed with meticulous care, are known for their remarkable strength and resilience. No doubt made before the rise of Dederin. These walls are built to withstand the test of time, their foundation rooted deep within the earth. Made from a combination of solid stone and fortified materials, they exude an aura of invincibility. The stones are carefully hewn, their surfaces weathered by the passage of time, bearing the marks of war.

Two slime sentinels, donning complete body helmets, stand as guardians at the front gate—a pair of yellow slimes watchful and resolute in their duty. Slimes of all different shapes and sizes have lined up in front of the knights. Before entering the city each slime hands one of the knights a diamond shaped crystal. Azrael sees this and asks Sam, "Do you have money for the both of us?" Taking out two crystals, Sam tosses one to Azrael and says, "It won't take long, the line is quite short this time." Just like that, ten minutes pass in silence.

Finally arriving at the front of the line the two pay the toll and stroll past the gate. As the two walk the bustling streets of Yahvet, most slimes couldn't help but gawk at the human that's passing by.

Growing increasingly agitated by the stares, he turns and asks Sam, "Where are we going?"

"It's far too late for us to go meet the king and you seem grouchy for some reason, so let's stay at an inn for the night." Sam thoughtfully reasoned.

"Fine by me, let's just get out of here." Agitation laced with each word Azrael follows.

Sam turns a corner and leads Azrael towards a sizable inn nearby. "By the way, Azrael, what do you think of the capital?"

Being honest with himself, besides the gawking slimes that stared at him, Azrael was surprised. The structures that grace the cityscape deviate from conventional materials like brick or stone, instead crafted from a peculiar substance resembling a hard gelatin. This distinctive choice gives the buildings an intriguing quality, as they seem to possess a subtle, almost organic movement, gently swaying back and forth in harmony with the surroundings. The gelatinous structures breathe life into Yahvet, emanating an aura of vitality and fluidity. As one traverses the city's streets, they may observe the buildings shifting slightly, as if in a graceful dance.

The pavement that adorns Yahvet's streets further contributes to the city's unique aesthetic. Rather than a uniform and rigid surface, the pavement exhibits an assortment of vibrant colors, forming a mosaic of hues that seemingly blend effortlessly with the rest of the surroundings. Each step upon this kaleidoscopic path feels like traversing an ever-changing canvas, where the vibrant colors create a vivid tapestry beneath one's feet.

"It's pretty impressive." Azrael calmly stated.

Announcing to Azrael with oozing pride dripping from every word. "Great architects from all over the kingdom came together and designed the capital, so of course it's impressive. When I first arrived here, I visited every nook and cranny of this great city."

Azrael apathetically nodded his head, agreeing. Sam finally stopped at an inn that was about two stories tall. Entering, Sam paid for himself and Azrael's stay for the night. They both fell fast asleep preparing for the eventful day tomorrow.

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With the sun slowly rising higher into the sky and a sweet gentle breeze accompanying it, thin bursts of light cascade into the room Azrael were sleeping in. When the sunlight struck his face, he awoke. Getting up, he changed and left his room.

Knocking on the adjacent room he said, "wake up Sam, I don't want to waste any more time." There was no response.

Knocking four more times, Sam finally opened the door in a onesie. "But it's so early!"

Azrael shakes his head, "I don't plan to stay in the Elm Forest for years on end. You're already awake, get dressed."

Groaning, Sam goes back into his room. A few minutes later he comes out refreshed and ready to go. Walking out of the inn they suddenly stop. In front of them are two rows of knights placed from the inn's entrance to a sparkling gold carriage.

One of the slimes with a helmet covering its body moved out of line and said to the two of them, "Human and apprentice knight Sam, please enter the carriage so we can escort you to our king."

"It seems that your king already knows we're here." Azrael remarked.

Sam was puzzled. "But how could he know already?"

Azrael looked at Sam secretly like a fool before walking towards the carriage, "It would be weird if they didn't, let's go meet the king."

Sam exclaimed, "Wait!" As he caught up with Azrael and entered the luxurious carriage.

A few minutes pass and soon the carriage begins moving towards the castle in the center of the city. Only when the carriage came to a full stop did the knight driving them tell the pair to exit the vehicle. First Sam then Azrael hopped off and were guided towards the castle gate. Once opened, they marched forward and were soon nearing the portcullis.

From a close distance, one can behold the awe-inspiring sight of the king's castle in Yahvet. Resonating with the architectural style of the city, the castle stands as a testament to the creative ingenuity that defines Slime Valley. Shaped like a pyramid, the castle's form evokes a sense of strength and majesty, rising proudly against the backdrop of the cityscape. However, what truly sets it apart is the captivating movement it exhibits. As the wind sweeps through Yahvet, the castle appears to sway and undulate, moving back and forth in a mesmerizing dance of discordance.

Entering the main hall, Azrael looks ahead and notices a couch. On that couch lies a ginormous purple slime. Wearing a crystal crown and numerous incandescent runes orbiting around its body. Azrael was almost too stunned to speak. Doubting whether it's the king or not.

Walking forward, Azrael began planning what to do if things don't go as planned. Sam on the other hand was getting more nervous the closer they approached.

As they neared the couch King Dederin slowly buzzed to life, slowly opening its eyes, and started to move around a bit. "Ah! You two startled me there. I had the most wonderful dream. Why are you two here again?"

In a supremely humble tone, Sam explained, "We are here to ask your majesty about granting this human passageway to the demilitarized zone."

Dederin narrowed his eyes slightly in contemplation, then fully opened them. "Of course, I can grant passageway, but I can do you one better. If you help me out on this tiny issue, I'm currently facing I shall grant you a reward."

Azrael, who is currently lacking in both supplies and a good weapon asked, "what's the problem?"

Dederin shrinks and jumps off the couch, leading Sam, and Azrael into the adjacent room. In that room is a circular conference table that Dederin hops on top of and moves to sit on the leading chair. Sam sits closer to Dederin while Azrael makes himself comfortable sitting right across from the king. When all three of them settled down Dederin spit out a clear rectangular crystal and placed it on the center of the table. Mana begins to leak out of Dederin as he activates the crystal. Almost immediately, a projector screen comes up from the crystal and stabilizes in the air.

"It's been countless years since I've driven back the orcs and unified my species. Over time there have been some who have started to become dissatisfied with my ruling to say the least. They call themselves Slimes Against Royalty or S.A.R for short. I never felt threatened by them simply because they could never shake my rule, until now." Dederin presents a series of reports detailing the alarming proliferation of minor rebel activities, swiftly spreading throughout the projector with an unsettling lack of control.

As the projector flickered, transitioning from the informational slides to a chilling presentation. The image projected on the screen revealed an abomination, a creature that seemed to embody malevolence itself. Its form was that of a peculiar slime, but one teeming with a palpable sense of malice.

The abomination's body, a deep and unsettling shade of pitch black, oozed with a foreboding aura. Its amorphous shape twisted and contorted, emanating an air of twisted malevolence. Its eyes, empty and devoid of any semblance of life, appeared as hollow voids within its gelatinous form. Yet, they held an intense and piercing gaze, seemingly capable of peering into the depths of one's soul.

A grotesque feature dominated its face: a mouth stretched unnaturally wide, extending from one side to the other in a grotesque display. Within that macabre maw, rows of jagged, razor-sharp teeth glistened menacingly, creating a fearsome visage. Both the eyes and mouth emitted an eerie crimson glow, casting an otherworldly light that seemed to fuel the creature's dark intentions.

"That is what we call an abomination. And that is what I want you to kill." Dederin spoke with utmost seriousness.

Azrael tackled the lack of information and looked towards the projection, "Strengths? Weaknesses? Any other important information I should know?"

Dederin spits out another crystal and it shoots towards Azrael; he catches it and looks at the king. "That crystal should tell you all you need to know about it. As well as its probable location currently."

Azrael nods while putting the crystal away, "I'm going to need a few things."

"And you shall get what you need. The quicker you complete this the faster I can reward you and send you off on your way."

Sam, feeling left out of the loop, dumbly query, "what about me?"

Standing up, Azrael looked at Sam, "You're coming with me. I need a local who knows their way around this valley. But it's up to you."

Sam leaped out of his chair, exuding pure joy as he gleefully bounded over to him. "Well, you're in luck! I have traveled to every city and town in this valley, and I can assure you I'm the best navigator around!"

Azrael apathetically nods his head and leaves the room. Before he followed Azrael, Sam pivoted, flattening himself in a show of respect for his king.

Rebounding up he quickly follows Azrael. "Sir Azrael, wait for me!"