Slime Girl

- Shari -

I had to scold Liqu till the late hours.

Apparently, now the whole town knows that we're slimes.

As Ekoras is by no means small and traffic was only restricted in the direction of Siras as of yet, for obvious security reasons, it's only a question of time till all of the country will know.

I kinda hoped we could stretch the period where the story stays at rumor state for just a bit longer, so I was staying ambiguous, to neither give too much detail nor be caught lying, as both wouldn't be good for how people would see me.

But now Liqu apparently went ahead and got us outed.

The only positive part about her story is that nobody was injured, and we don't seem to have to fear direct repercussions.

So it seems like my work on establishing ourselves as individuals with actual rights bears fruit.

Without any greater events, the day comes to an end, and after another night, in which I tried to give Nia pointers to everything she might need, it's time.

We pack up everything we can.

The fighting equipment, my poison, as much of the alchemy equipment as I can carry, which leaves out most of the complex stuff, and my money.

Well, aside from five silver to keep the kiddos afloat.

Yeah, I may have become attached.

"Okay, Nia. What are the things you should do?" (Shari)

"Ugh... First, ask Tamarah for a supplier job or even an apprenticeship. Second, meet up with those adventurers to get started with gathering quests, hunting monsters for meat, and making valuable acquaintances. Third, try to get my sales up, but stay frugal to ensure that my energy consumption is secured." (Nia)

"Aaand?" (Shari)

"And train my slime control whenever I have time, as this will keep me alive and is a matter of convenience in daily life. Seriously, you made me repeat this so often that I don't even seem to be able not to keep it in my mind anymore." (Nia)

"Yes, yes. That means it’s in your core. That's gonna stick." (Liqu)

"Great. Clutter in my mind stays where it is. Just wonderful." (Nia)

Don't think she should call it clutter.

In my opinion, it was pretty good advice.

With this much, she should have no issues making it.

"If everything else fails, you might contact Captain Gareth. Or Lord Gareth now? Whatever. He won't be pleased, but if you say that I sent you, he'll figure out a way to contact me and keep you out of harm's way. It's only a last resort, but better to have one than not." (Shari)

"Yes. I guess that's true..." (Nia)

"So, I guess this means goodbye." (Shari)

"Bye!" (Liqu)

You shouldn't be so clearly positive about leaving, Liqu.

"Uh, thank you. You were very nice to us." (Okin)

"Yeah, just leave the house standing. It was expensive. I’m trusting you here." (Shari)

I turn around to get on my way to the northern gate, where our travel group should be prepared, but I’ve scarcely exited my shop when, suddenly, there's a shout.

"Wait!" (Nia)

"Blobsh"

Nia just jumped against my side.

Against the hard armor of mine even.

If she weren't a slime, that would've hurt.

"Thank you! Thank you for everything!" (Nia)

"Uh, Nia. You, you aren't covered up there. People are going to see you." (Shari)

"That doesn't matter! Thank you! You did so much for us! I can never repay that, but thank you!" (Nia)

Uh...

Ah, whatever!

I decide to squeeze her back, which causes a very squishy feeling.

Just good that our travel clothes are slime repellent to a degree, thanks to the queen.

Otherwise, I'm sure there would be a lot of Nia stuck to me by now.

"Give it your all, you hear me? I'm sure you can do it. You've got what it takes to not only survive, but to prosper." (Shari)

"...I will." (Nia)

I don't hurry her to let go, but at one point, there's no other choice, and the real farewell has to commence.

With mixed feelings, I get on my way.

Yet this only sticks till we arrive at the gate, where new stuff comes up to occupy my mind.

The gate was heavily fortified and guarded, as further attacks could be expected to come from the direction of Siras.

Therefore, the checkpoint is rather tight, even though, usually, few use the rural offshoot that winds its way to that city.

Once we get to the junction that turns towards Siras, it's probably one of the most dangerous routes in the country, given how it leads right along the Evergrove.

Not to forget that most goods are first brought to the capital.

It's simply the best place to sell, and the whole transportation system is built right around Aurea.

For this reason, we get into quite a checkpoint once we arrive.

While the mask was probably unnecessary, as I doubt there are any soldiers left who don't know about us, I don't want to cause another commotion in town like what Liqu did yesterday.

Though, it doesn't help all that much, as by now my mask might be just as infamous as me.

Some even call it eerie.

The nerve!

The style is neat, with the white, even surface that doesn't protrude too much from my head.

Which might be because I actually give in with what would be my skull if I had any bones there, so the mask aligns even more with my face.

Nonetheless, the assigned people at the checkpoint still show clear signs of trepidation.

The commanding officer seems to keep it together, but I feel nonetheless offended.

But then someone else walks right through the group, apparently from outside the gate.

I stand slightly surprised.

"There you are! Did you want to leave us waiting any longer? I wanted to depart before midday!" (Vela)

Vela!?

"Good that you made it." (Zeon)

The whole troop is here?

"Ehm, what are you doing here?" (Shari)

"For real?! Do you pay any attention when you're instructed? As far as I know, you were told you'd get a troop sent with you. So who do you think they would push that duty onto?" (Vela)

Vela says this with proclaimed disdain, but if I compare it to back when I met them, it's rather evident that she's mostly playing an act here.

Maybe solely to make sure that this is going to land on the list of things she might exchange for an easier time.

Like surviving a difficult mission, so you can more easily ask for a vacation afterwards.

Just that it's in this version, having to tour with the two murder slimes.

Actually, I'm rather sure a lot of soldiers are going to pull that one with their commanders.

Though, it makes sense they would call her.

She, Balion, and Zeon are among the most proficient troops to choose, and additionally proved to be capable of working together with us.

"Still can't believe we agreed to this." (Balion)

"Come on. There are worse jobs than a tour with those two. Also, if I remember it right, you yourself volunteered for the active troops. I'm sure you could've stayed at the manor if you kept your head low." (Zeon)

"And waste the chance to get back at those assholes? I'll never forgive them for what they did to Galos." (Balion)

Yeah, there was that.

"So you're going to accompany us? That's so nice of you!" (Liqu)

"Yeah, sure. Now, if you may get ready, I'd like not to dally any longer." (Vela)

Before Vela gets any madder than she already is, I do as she says.

Expectedly, none of the guards or officers are inclined to even interact with me.

Though, I can actually live with that.

After all, they are at least informed about me and Liqu.

So I'll take up Liqu on her positive view on things and find solace in the thought that by now most of the executive forces who would, under other circumstances, be sent right after me, instead are formally on my side and choose not to engage.

Yep, if it stays at never having to bother with soldiers against me, this is definitely a win.

Once I'm through the gate, I see they've prepared a small, open carriage.

Nothing fancy, but it means we won't have to walk by ourselves.

Oh, and I probably should mention the good dozen of further soldiers, who are apparently ready to depart as well.

In the same direction.

With us.

"Ahem. We'll take the hind seats. You remember our issues with horses, right?" (Shari)

"I like them!" (Liqu)

Sure you do.

And we all know in what way.

Judging from Vela's face, she remembers right now this particular event as well.

"Yes, okay. Just board it now. I already told you, I don't plan on taking all day." (Vela)

Then she turns to the soldiers.

"Soldiers! We're heading out! We march north, and then onward to Siras! The traitors may be waiting to welcome us. I expect every one of you to be prepared!" (Vela)

True to her word, Vela finishes up our departure as soon as we are on the platform, and the heavy creaking settled down a bit.

Once there's a chance, I turn to Zeon.

"Is there a reason why she's so pushy?" (Shari)

"It might be that Captain Peras put the chance of further promotion into view if this mission turns out to be a success." (Zeon)

"Which the fact that you already stalled the recommended immediate departure sabotages quite a bit." (Vela)

"You know, I as well could've done without more work. I mean, we basically took the whole city out of the clutches of criminals and corrupt nobles. That should be worth something. I guess that's the price one has to pay for doing an exemplary job." (Shari)

I nod to myself in agreement and let this statement linger in the carriage.

After all, I'm pretty much in the right here.

Yet then my overly good, whole-body hearing picks up on this exchange between Zeon and Balion.

"Should we tell them that the uppers made it sound at the briefing like we would deliver a terrible weapon to trigger right in Siras?" (Balion)

Sigh.

What did I expect?

Should've been obvious how my superiors are thinking about me.