Slime Girl

- Shari -

"Where are my parents? What happened to them?" (Shari)

"Your parents?" (Oka)

"Yes. You don't think that just because I'm like this I wouldn't care about them, do you?" (Shari)

"N-no. I just... I didn't expect you. Or rather, this whole situation. It's a lot to process." (Oka)

"I get that, believe me, I do. However, I really need to know, and I feel like I don't have the leeway to wait for you to gather your bearings on this matter." (Shari)

"I understand. Just... let me order my thoughts." (Oka)

I guess it won't help to rush her on this.

She breathes out heavily and lowers her gaze.

Likely to focus on her thoughts, but probably also to avoid my gaze.

"Alright. It was a few days ago." (Oka)

"How many exactly? I need a number!" (Shari)

"Four. Sorry, four days ago. They came out of nowhere. No introduction, no announcement, just suddenly they were there. They started capturing people. Apparently, avoiding deadly force as much as possible. Not like they had to. They weren't bandits, I tell ya. They were organized and well-equipped. Some of them even used strange, shocking devices. I never saw something like this. Just a touch and the victim was left writhing on the ground. They came with a plan and weren't leaving things up to chance." (Oka)

"Then how did you escape? What about my parents?!" (Shari)

"Of course, your parents... You see, when they got us rounded up, your parents came from outside their encirclement. Your mother threw bags of... something. I know her usual smellbag concoction, but that was ten times worse. The stench was stomach-turning. In addition, she added some kind of smoke bombs. Within seconds, the whole area was covered by some veil of darkness, with mist that stung in the eyes. Meanwhile, your father, he tackled a man where their ranks were thinnest. They called out to us, causing disturbance, and opened an escape route for those who were surrounded before. Many escaped thanks to their efforts. And this while they didn't have to. Their place was outside the targeted area. They could've just escaped. Still, they fought. Fought for us." (Oka)

Yeah, that sounds a lot like my parents.

"And... what happened to them?" (Shari)

Fear is gripping me.

The sense that I already know the answer.

"I guess you know. They didn't get away. Those were clearly trained soldiers. For all your father's strength, he couldn't defeat them by himself, and your mother didn't leave his side. I didn't stay, but for all I know, they captured everyone they could get their hands on. Around half the village didn't manage to escape. I don't think they were killed, that wasn't their purpose, but... I just don't know. We sent someone to report to the capital while the rest of us hold out here. We’ll see if we can figure out a way to rebuild everything, or we may rather need to go somewhere else. Depending on the answer we receive." (Oka)

"If the villagers were captured, where did those people take them?" (Shari)

"I... As I said, I wasn't there, I’d escaped, but I don’t think that part too difficult to work out. Coming from the tracks, they left by the southern route. So they were headed either to Ekoras, Siras, or the Evergrove. I think the latter can be ruled out." (Oka)

"We just came from Ekoras. Nobody like this came." (Shari)

"Well, that should answer your question. It makes sense. As professional as this troop was, I think they were actual military. Or at least a particularly professional mercenary unit." (Oka)

Does that mean they were soldiers from Siras?

Why would they raid such a remote village?

I just can't wrap my head around it.

And I can wrap my head around almost anything, due to its consistency.

"Fine. Thank you. And thank you for not screaming. I'm a little self-conscious about my looks, so screaming people cause anxiety in this regard." (Shari)

"But why?! You look sooo beautiful! Your blue is vibrant, and that red of your core is burning with fiery emotion!" (Liqu)

Yeah, I almost forgot she was here.

"That's very nice of you, Liqu, but you do have slime standards. However, as we are also often enough among humans, so to say, they make up the majority of my other relationships, those standards count for me as well. You get that?" (Shari)

Now she looks sullen.

Guess she can't retort to this as effortlessly as usual.

"Okay. But, but you're still the most beautiful for me." (Liqu)

Argh, sometimes she's just such a smooth talker!

"E-ehm..." (Oka)

Right, I was in a talk.

"Sorry. You see what I got to deal with? And believe me, you didn't even see close to what she's capable of. Yet for now, I'd like to say goodbye." (Shari)

"Goodbye?! You're leaving already? But, but, you just came!" (Oka)

"Ms. Oka, I'm right now not in the right state of mind to reconcile with the villagers after my supposed death. I will instead go after whoever abducted my parents and see them returned. Very likely, while making sure that whoever partook in this pays dearly for their actions. I'm sorry, but reunions and being on a vengeful warpath don’t mix all that well!" (Shari)

"Warpath?! Shari, don't you understand? They were taken by professional soldiers. Likely sent directly by the Marquis of the West, Leronne Eras! You can't possibly think of just going to him and demand that he frees them! That's madness!" (Oka)

I feel that she's truly concerned.

Which is a nice change of pace.

Usually, people aren't that considerate about my well-being.

Especially, directly after seeing what I am.

If I ever was miffed about the fact that she was partly the cause of that fateful day, with this, she would've redeemed herself in my eyes.

However, consideration being fare and well, I still got a mission.

And now I'm personally invested in this.

"I appreciate that you are worried about me, I truly am. However..." (Shari)

I step in her direction, making her step to the side, so I get to the tree behind her, where I place my hand without gloves right against the bark.

"... a lot has changed for me. I had to deal with mountains of crap, and I'm not gonna take it anymore. So if anything from now on dares to stand in my way..." (Shari)

• Impact!

The tree's trunk gets completely displaced, making the whole thing topple over.

"Whom"

"... I will take care of it and proceed on my way." (Shari)

I look at her, knowing that my featureless eyes don't waver, before turning around, grabbing Liqu, and starting on my way back.

Of course, I press the mask back into place and pull up my hood.

Might be warm, but it's not like sweat is the kind of fluid that matters to me.

Back at the camp, I close in on Vela.

"So, could you figure out everything?" (Vela)

"Apparently, they were attacked by soldiers of the Lord of Siras." (Shari)

"Yeah, seems like the most likely. Still, quite fucked up. To think that he would go that far." (Vela)

"Far? What do you mean? I don't even get why he would start attacking innocent villages." (Shari)

"Isn't it obvious? The man obviously has dealings with Koreso going, regarding providing slaves for whatever crappy cause they have. Yet since we cut off the Ekoras route, he likely had to rearrange. I can only fathom the terms aren't reacting too kindly to non-deliveries." (Vela)

...

Slaves?

"Shari? You're blanking out again." (Liqu)

"Shari, you're kinda shivering. But in a very disturbing way." (Vela)

"Alright, we got enough here!" (Shari)

My parents only got abducted because that asshole had to find replacements and start raiding random villages?!

I need to get them before they get delivered to those Koreso fuckers!

"What do you mean? We need a break. You basically pushed the whole troop here. Different from you, they can't run all day, and you look like you're going for a death march." (Vela)

Can't deal with that right now.

Need to focus.

Focus on what must be done.

"We will now fetch the others, and then we'll be back on our way." (Shari)

That doesn't take long, fortunately.

Zeon and Balion both interacted with the villagers without village.

Mostly, providing them with some encouraging words, but also going as far as sharing supplies with them.

"Shari, are you fine?" (Liqu)

Sigh.

"No, Liqu, I'm not. However, I don't recommend you to try linking with me right now. You won't like what you'll feel." (Shari)

"Oh... Okay." (Liqu)

Oh damnit, now she's sullen.

"I mean, I'm in a pretty bad mood and can already tell it would affect you negatively. I only mean to protect you here." (Shari)

"Ah, thank you. But it's fine. If sharing that helps you." (Liqu)

"No. No, I don't think it would." (Shari)

"Okay. But just say something if you change your core on this." (Liqu)

I don't have more time to answer, as the rest of the team is coming.

"You were calling us?" (Zeon)

"After dragging us here in the first place." (Balion)

"Yes. Get ready. We're about to head out." (Shari)

"And where now? Another place you wanna visit instead of doing your job?" (Balion)

There's just one answer to this.

"No. No more detours. We will hunt ourselves a Marquis." (Shari)