Slime Girl

- Shari -

Just why do I have the sudden urge to sneeze?

This slime body of mine should certainly have no need for clear airways.

Heck, I don't even want to imagine the fountain I'd create were I to merely attempt this very act.

"Why are you staring emptily into the distance now? Are you aware how unsettling this is for those around if you, out of all people, are the one doing so? I mean no offense, Shari, but those blank eyes accompanied by that creepy, complete stillness, it’s not exactly a reassuring sight, you know?" (Vela)

Huh?

Did I stare?

I only took my mask off for a bit while we were riding the wagon.

Didn't consider that I'd look without the mask more unsettling.

"If my Shari looks like this, she's thinking very hard about something that doesn't really matter." (Liqu)

"Wha-? Liqu!" (Shari)

Even if it's true, she doesn't have to say it.

"Oh, I shouldn't talk on. My Shari doesn't like it very much if I say too much about someone while they're present." (Liqu)

Just why does she know me so well?!

"Well, I would appreciate it if you'd stay alert. This road is basically enemy territory, and you two are our greatest combat force. Don't want to get slaughtered while you are contemplating the meaning of life." (Vela)

"Oh, that is a heavy topic." (Liqu)

"Of course, she is a philosopher." (Balion)

"Sorry, but to be fair, we just got pushed from one mission into the next." (Shari)

"From what I gathered, you two had a fairly nice time as shop owners." (Vela)

"It was a nice time!" (Liqu)

"Still can't believe it." (Balion)

"Now, now. Don't be so harsh. They evidently did a good job in Ekoras, and even the shop helped with that." (Zeon)

"Still, to think they'd build up all of that and then simply leave for another mission." (Balion)

Yeah, that part bothers me a bit.

My greatest concern currently is the lack of free time.

One could argue that every moment of our mission, including building up our shop, was part of the job.

In that sense, we never could enjoy ourselves properly, and I worry a bit for the future.

Maybe things will become less troublesome once the whole mess with the rebellion will be concluded.

After that, we may only stay at attention, without the daily mess to deal with.

But I'm not sure if the queen won't keep at working us to our non-existent bone.

To be honest, I'm not even all that averse to this mission in general.

Yes, it's another obnoxious duty, thrown at me in short succession, but as I mentioned some time ago, I always wanted to visit Siras.

It's famous as the wealthiest town in the kingdom, known for the many exotic things only found there, and all in all just The Place to go if you ever want to experience something in life.

So yeah, I'm ready for some tourist action!

Although I won't exactly visit as a tourist.

But those are details!

More importantly, before I get there, there's something else that takes precedence.

Fortunately, the journey proceeds without incidents.

The only patrol we encounter are some scouts from our side.

It seems that Siras' forces aren't focusing this side.

I assume they'll focus on the more relevant northern territories.

The South simply lacks any noteworthy settlements, aside from Ekoras, which is this close to the Evergrove.

It doesn't make all that much sense to keep a military presence here.

Even more so, right next to the monster forest.

Leaving them exposed to this is begging to have them ripped apart by monsters.

Therefore, the only thing delaying us would be those frail humans with their limited marching endurance.

At least, Liqu and I can make sure of a somewhat safe nighttime camp.

After all, slime scent conceals even the human presence to a degree, and the monsters that do arrive are a snack.

Not like we need it though, as at least on provisions we're stocked up.

This way, the days pass quite uneventfully, and eventually, we arrive at the spot I was looking for.

A certain crossroads between Siras and Ekoras.

"Alright, guys, we'll be heading up North from here." (Shari)

While I hoped they'd just take my order as the highest-ranking officer present, it seems like being a slime pretty strongly undermines the blind trust I'd like to command.

"North?! Shari, this is just a dirt trail, yet we’ve an entire troop, not to mention a loaded wagon, that needs to pass. We’d be slowed severely, or even forced to divert entirely, as to my knowledge, there's no path that would take us towards Siras if we follow this trail. Seriously, why would we ever go that way!?" (Vela)

Alright.

Fortunately, I made up some arguments in advance to sell this.

"Because the western route is too exposed for my taste. We are getting close to Siras, and I'd like to avoid being spotted by the enemy. Therefore, we will make a small detour. North that is!" (Shari)

"That doesn't make any sense! We already agreed that most of their patrols would be up north, between Siras and Aurea, as that's where the conflict is hottest right now. If we want to be sure to completely dodge their patrols, we should rather continue west and approach directly from the south." (Vela)

"I need to say, this makes more sense." (Zeon)

"What would you expect from a slimehead?" (Balion)

Damnit!

I'm losing them!

"No. There are too many monsters further along this road. Also, we could run into their slave traffickers. We won't go there." (Shari)

"But... wouldn't it be good if we'd catch them?" (Z)

"And you more than proved that you do well enough as a deterrent against monsters." (Vela)

"I'd like it if we'd get to obtain a bit more sustenance." (Liqu)

Now even Liqu!

Why does everyone have to argue here?!

"Goddamnit! I'm the commanding officer here, so we're gonna make that detour!" (Shari)

"Why is this so important to you? We could just move on." (Vela)

"Oh. Oh!!! I know why! It's that place, right?" (Liqu)

Oh damn.

Out of all of them, it had to be the slimehead who figured this out.

"Liqu. No need to point that out." (Shari)

"Oh, but I understand you so well. This place means so much to us! I can fully understand that you want to go there first!" (Liqu)

Well, guess that means I can drop the pretext.

"Yes, it's right here. So I wanted to visit. Is that okay?" (Shari)

"This place? Visit? What do you mean? What is here?" (Vela)

"I'd like to know as well." (Zeon)

"Me too." (Balion)

"You see..." (Shari)

"The place where I transformed my Shari back then is very close! I'm sure she became attached to the past and wants to go there again!" (Liqu)

"Splat"

I can't help but be glad for my mask.

Otherwise, I would've splattered my hand against my face just now.

"Transformed..." (Balion)

"Really?" (Zeon)

"Here..." (Vela)

And now those repulsed looks!

Together with an added bit of curiosity that doesn't make this any better.

"No goddamnit! I want to go north because my home village is there and I haven’t checked on them in far too long!" (Shari)

"Them? Your... parents?" (Vela)

"Yes! Got a problem with that?!" (Shari)

"I don't! I like that place!" (Liqu)

Yeah...

Sadly, you aren't the deciding factor here, Liqu.

"Well, yes. That's a direct violation of mission parameters. For personal reasons, to make it worse." (Vela)

"Too bad, cause that wasn't up for debate. I’m going there, whether you like it or not!" (Shari)

I already made too many concessions.

"I understand you, but is this really smart?" (Zeon)

"That's not the point. I have to do this, Zeon." (Shari)

I've been thinking about it.

Word doesn't travel that fast.

Which means that possible rumors about the nature of Her Majesty’s knights will arrive at the capital long before any of our future transgressions could become an issue.

This means the royals will have to decide if they are going to support us as their subjects long before there could be any possible backlash for me not taking it all too exactly with our orders.

Something that Captain Soma heavily implied they would do.

Thus, I can basically do as I please right now.

"Don't think I'm fine with this." (Vela)

"You don't have to be. But I'll walk there either way." (Shari)

"Grah, fine! But we'll go to Siras straight away afterwards! Even if it's gonna require quite a detour to get back to a proper road." (Vela)

"Sure." (Shari)

So I'm once again on the road leading out of my village.

But this time, I’m heading the other way.

While none of our troop is exactly elated about me forcing my will, Liqu seems surprisingly jovial.

Fortunately, they can even bring the wagon along that somewhat crappy excuse for a dirt path leading to my home.

"You seem awfully elated, Liqu." (Shari)

"Because I am! I can finally meet your parents again! Those who gifted you to me!" (Liqu)

Oh girl, I feel like there's something wrong with that.

“You are aware that my parents hate you?”(Shari)

"They hate me? But why?" (Liqu)

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you abducted and did unspeakable things to their daughter?" (Shari)

"But I thought you aren't mad anymore because of this!" (Liqu)

"Liqu, not actively being mad about something and thinking that you are totally to blame for doing something very bad to me back then are two entirely different things." (Shari)

"Still, we had such a great time. We even ate together. I can't believe they didn't like me." (Liqu)

She seriously considers this a "great time"?

Or wait, does she truly?

If that is the case, this would be a total misconception on her part.

Hmm.

"Liqu, do you even remember that time at all?" (Shari)

"Of course I do! Those are precious memories I'll never give up on!" (Liqu)

So she does.

Yet I'm very sure through a distorted perception.

"Okay, Liqu. Let me say this: You are a person, right? More than just a slime who follows its instincts and has basically no sense of self." (Shari)

"Yes, yes! I really am! I worked so hard to come this far." (Liqu)

What I have in mind could be cruel to her, but I think this will be a good lesson for her.

"You know, I want you to do something. This might be the greatest challenge you've faced so far." (Shari)

At this, she stops entirely in her tracks and looks at me.

"What is it?" (Liqu)

"Okay. I believe, by now, you have made great progress in interacting with others. You can understand other people better, have a sense of right and wrong behavior, and know how to read them to a degree to understand what they think. And this is great. It shows how you can advance and improve." (Shari)

"Oh, really? That's nice of you. I, I really tried. So... thanks." (Liqu)

Oh my god, this slime is totally in maiden mode!

She even cries a little.

Not even in her usually excessive manner.

"Don't thank me just yet. Because now comes the hard part. I want you to take all this newfound experience of yours, all your new understanding of others, and then take an objective look at the time you spent with my parents." (Shari)

"How do you mean?" (Liqu)

"The way I said it. Go into this memory, but instead of just enjoying it, I want you to review it. See it the way it truly was. Don't let your personal sight on it influence the conclusion you may come to." (Shari)

I truly think this might help her.

I know it's a hurdle, but I wouldn't know about a more important step in her personal development.

One of the most important things for a truly self-conscious being.

Self-reflection.

My mum taught me this in many hard lessons.

If you let your own bias distort your view on things, you may never take them for what they truly are, and just like a faulty machine, repeat the same mistake over and over again.

And I think she truly does so.

At least, her face isn't formed into her usual frame of oblivious content, as she seems to think very carefully about it.

I think I might even see something as outrageous as concern.

From Liqu!

Yet the realization that she apparently came to prompts her to start the discussion again.

"But I want them to like me. You are important to me, Shari. So I want those important to you to like me as well!" (Liqu)

Then maybe you shouldn't have abducted their daughter and done unspeakable things to her.

"Forget about it. They're not gonna like you all of a sudden. They'll always think about what happened if they see you." (Shari)

Hopefully, this will get her compliant.

"Then what about this?!" (Liqu)

Suddenly, Liqu changes her form.

Her face wobbles, her hair pulls itself up, and her features change profoundly.

She just changed her form!

She's still green, but in shape at least, she looks now exactly like me!

"Oh no, we won't even get started with this! Change back this instant!" (Shari)

She complies, albeit reluctantly.

"Awh, I think that was such a great idea." (Liqu)

"No, no, it certainly doesn't help." (Shari)

"It's the green, right? Nobody likes green." (Liqu)

"That's absolutely not the point." (Shari)

"I'd like to know what is then." (Liqu)

While Liqu keeps the banter up, I begin to blend her out.

There's something else that takes up my mind.

Why am I taking in the residue of smoke?