Slime Girl

- Queen Serenia Nox Demi Aurealis -

- In the palace -

Truly troublesome.

It seems, according to the latest reports, there's a lot coming in my direction that I'll have to facilitate being taken care of.

All of it revolving around my newest agents.

I should probably be glad they didn't cause more problems.

When I sent them to Ekoras, with an admittedly unprecise description regarding what their mission actually entailed, I half expected the whole city to end up being dissolved.

Which, while a steep price to pay, would still have been worth it.

The north is in disarray, with conflicting factions among the nobles, yet the west is certainly not on our side, so if Ekoras had defected to the Pact, the capital would've been pincered.

Getting rid of that whole front, while not my preferred outcome, would've still been a, at least manageable, development.

Nonetheless, a success is definitely preferable to that result.

Therefore, I was waiting with baited breath, but not unhappy, as the days before passed by rather pleasantly.

While the reports I received from Michael indicated that my newest assets show a concerning degree of digressing potential after having been given a task, the overall results were more than satisfying.

But seriously, opening a shop?

Where did they get the idea that this would be an appropriate way to go about a mission?

I really should berate them in this regard, if the whole idea just wouldn't be so ridiculous that it would be impossible to maintain a stern face.

Seriously, those two at customer service?

Yet, according to the last things I heard, I would probably be called out on not paying them enough if I did so.

On another note, that they can create potions, of profound quality even, is very interesting.

One more thing to keep in mind with my agents.

It would be a terrible negligence on my part not to keep track of their abilities, such as this.

They may have steered off quite a bit from their mission; however, this is not of importance in light of the recent development that has come into the situation.

Apparently, loyalist forces managed to seize control over the city and stripped Lord Varros of his duties.

The latter is no issue.

I probably would've gotten rid of him anyway.

This man was simply no longer acceptable in this position, his negligence evidently ruining the whole territory.

Now I can't say if this guard captain, this "Gareth" is a suitable replacement, yet his successful purge of all crime in Ekoras should give my dear spouse a good enough excuse to justify having him remain in this position for a little longer.

The lords will protest, but at this point, anyone who can be considered on our side would do.

Truly, it should be impossible to do worse than his predecessor.

Also, it was said he's a former adventurer.

Mhm, that's actually quite fitting for that place.

Time will tell if he has to be removed as well.

So much for the fate of Ekoras.

Yet, while I'm truly content with this comparatively positive outcome of how they managed to get this whole area under control, it seems now the real issue is going to rise up.

The kind that is falling directly back to me.

They were seen.

Not just in a limited scenario, but a complete blow-up of their cover.

Rumors may already be circulating in the capital.

God knows how fast they travel.

It will be on me to deal with the public backlash.

At this point, it would be moot to try absolving myself of them.

Also, yes, I plan on keeping them.

Anyone who can remedy the issue of a whole town that threatens to defect to the enemy is the kind of valuable asset I'd like to know is doing my bidding.

Even if they continue opening up respectably popular shops.

However, now that things have gotten out, I need to seize control over the direction of the talking before the enemy does so in my stead.

While I can expect a certain degree of befuddlement from the populace, in the worst case, it should be possible to have it brushed off as the eccentricities of royalty.

The newest gossip about an already unhinged queen that will eventually lose its novelty.

I mean, what does the common peasant care about their queen's pets?

But before the enemy can prepare too much, I really need to go to my husband.

If I'm right, he should, at just this moment, be receiving the report about our success in Ekoras.

And maybe also this particular newest rumor, concerning my agents.

Yet this could take a little longer.

While the information is still processed quite quickly, my dear husband can't rely on the same quality of personnel I took under my wing.

So he'll have to bear with only being the second-best-informed in the palace.

The same goes for him having to make use of his influence to maintain their status as our agents.

They are too valuable to let go, and the same as me, he can't deny having been in the know about their nature.

For this reason, I'm now going to him.

I have sufficiently assessed the situation and now will discuss our strategy.

That being said, I'll suggest and he'll listen, as is always the case in matters of inner politics.

Yet before my entourage and I can reach his office, I witness a rather unpleasant kind of noise catching up with me from behind.

"How dare you!" (Chancellor)

"Good day to you as well, my dear chancellor." (Serenia)

"Spare me this attitude! Did you believe I wouldn't learn about this? The news spread everywhere! You can't deny it!" (Chancellor)

"If you'd stop playing the pronoun game, we might discuss something of substance. Until now, I wouldn't know what would cause your rather somber demeanor. However, I'd like to mention that it's quite unbecoming how you display yourself towards me." (Serenia)

"I said don't play dumb! Of course, I'm talking about Ekoras! And your 'knights'!" (chancellor)

"Ah, Ekoras. I heard they finally managed to get a handle on the all too sprawling crime within the city. Wonderful news, isn’t it?" (Serenia)

Hah, this reddening face of his is truly delightful.

"You, you..." (chancellor)

"Yes, chancellor? It might not be on me to tell you this, but such an emotional outburst may not do you any favors." (Serenia)

To his credit, he truly manages to compose himself, seeing how it undermines his position.

Yet the way his smile creeps along his face is truly unpleasant to look at.

Even those slimes showed better conduct in this respect.

"You might be right. Ahem, not talking about the extreme breach of competency and custom you conducted through your intervening in affairs you're not supposed to meddle with, the true issue lies somewhere else." (chancellor)

Yet you're still pointing out the stuff you aren't talking about.

Also, could someone please wipe that grin from his face?

"Slimes!" (chancellor)

"Yes? What about them? Did the guild not manage its monthly quota?" (Serenia)

"I can still barely believe it. The knights, you yourself pressed on being assigned, are slimes! Such an outrageous development! At least, I might say so if I didn't know you better." (Chancellor)

"Yes? Do you have something to add?" (Serenia)

"Don't try to deny it, you... So you're admitting it!" (chancellor)

"Why wouldn't I? They are my subjects after all. The least I can do is proclaim my allegiance." (Serenia)

"Because they are fucking slimes! I don't know what made you take this step, but this will have consequences." (Chancellor)

"Yes, it seems in order to grant them some proper reward." (Serenia)

"Reward!? They are monsters! Just what is wrong with you?!" (Chancellor)

"Those two just utterly excised the criminal underground in Ekoras. So such an act seems more than warranted." (Serenia)

"You are mad! Mad!! The council won't accept this! Nobody is going to accept this! I'll make sure of it!" (chancellor)

"Careful, my dear chancellor. Such words could easily be interpreted the wrong way. We wouldn't want you to bear the consequences. Before your time is up, that is." (Serenia)

And I'll make sure that it comes to this.

Once the last of the lords is pacified, nobody will protect him anymore, and I'll put this wretched traitor on trial.

I can barely wait for it.

Maybe I might even use one of these collars.

However, for now, I need to get to my husband before this scum can overcome his agitation and start to think about his next steps.

I'd like to already be taking action while he is still in the planning phase.

Time to get started.