Slime Girl

- Shari -

Eventually, we get to smoother terrain.

At first, it simply becomes gradually less hilly and rocky, which is the signal for Liqu to get back into her clothes.

Which she reluctantly obeys.

Not long after this, we reach the road.

As proficient as I may feel in terms of navigation, nothing beats having a fixed mark to orient oneself.

By now, we need to be a bit more careful, as the likelihood of encountering enemy troops rises with every meter we take.

Then the bridge comes into view.

Of course, it's a stable stone construct, with a guardhouse on the other side.

However, I stand very surprised that no garrison waits there for us.

From afar, I even notice that the gate was left open, so any monster could pass freely.

This sight is completely off to me, so I tend to the one more familiar with military customs for checkpoints.

"Vela, can you explain this?" (Shari)

"I can't explain anything right now! I'm constantly panicking here, whether or not my carrier may activate dissolving and I cease to exist!" (Vela)

Yeah, given the sight she gives, half submerged in Liqu, it truly seems fascinating how she managed to stay this calm for so long.

"I wouldn't do that. I promised, and Shari taught me not to break promises." (Liqu)

In this sense, it's also interesting how Liqu speaks while in blob form, by forming a face close to Vela.

"That is creepy, you know that? Urgh, I meant you could activate dissolving by accident. Maybe you see some prey and decide you want to eat now, while forgetting about me." (Vela)

"My fine control isn't that sloppy. I can carry you and dissolve something without harming your body." (Liqu)

"Okay, okay, what do I know? It's just that I made myself totally vulnerable to you by trusting that you won't. It's not an easy-to-ignore situation. As strangely comfortable as it is here." (Vela)

"Awh, I really appreciate you for being so trusting. I know humans have issues with that." (Liqu)

As heartwarming as this situation might be, I need to get that question answered and, in general, have no time to waste.

"Ahem! I'm still waiting for an answer. Can we solve this mystery before we cross that bridge?" (Shari)

"I'm on it. Just let me down first." (Vela)

So Liqu lowers her to the ground, where she begins wringing out her uniform as best as she can, before procuring a second set of clothes from her backpack, which unfortunately got affected as well during transport.

The fact that she's changing in front of us without even acknowledging us is giving off a difficult mood.

"Do you have to?" (Shari)

"Here, in the wilderness? Absolutely. Only idiots would separate from the group. Also, I consider you hardly subjects to be embarrassed about." (Vela)

She didn't have to word it all that directly.

"Alright. Let's see what we got there. Hm, yeah, that's definitely off." (Vela)

"So, does anything seem strange to you about this. Do you expect us to get ambushed?" (Shari)

"Not really. I only heard that the Marquis is keen not to escalate the conflict. He didn't officially declare his rebellion yet, so his forces may still gather in Siras, instead of lying in wait at some bridge." (Vela)

So he wants to avoid looking like the aggressor.

If he simply appears like a power-hungry rebel, the populace might rather support the legitimate rulers.

I suppose he'd rather have started some unrest first.

Make the people angry at their rulers, unwilling to fight their fights.

I think I even saw signs of that.

Bandits everywhere, fights between lords, and whatever the chancellor tried in the capital.

But in any case, we cannot possibly afford to be seen as we are on the street.

There's no way the Marquis wouldn't learn about our approach, and fighting my way through his ranks is already going to be difficult enough if they aren't on high alert.

The downside is that I'll likely have to slow down a bit for Vela.

However, not by much.

She had all the time in the world to rest her legs.

"Liqu, get back into your uniform. We need to look normal, in case someone comes." (Shari)

"Oh, okay." (Liqu)

It's not hard to catch that she isn't really all that keen to do this, but I'm not leaving her with a choice.

"As for you, I hope you can walk again, Vela." (Shari)

"You are aware that I'm totally drenched?" (Vela)

I simply stare at her.

That's like my permanent state.

Doesn't keep me from moving, so it's not an excuse.

"Urgh, fine. But make a bit slower. You're gonna need me, once we close in on the town." (Vela)

"Huh? For what?" (Shari)

"Because I'm the only liaison you got to connect you with our troops. Or did you plan on charging Siras all by yourself?" (Vela)

"That sounds fun! Are we?" (Liqu)

"Damn! Maybe, if we have to?" (Shari)

"Are you serious?! This isn't backwater Ekoras! This is Siras. This place definitely has the budget for a good defense. The guards will be highly professional and alert. There won't be any gaps in the fortification. But most importantly, the town is going to have all the advanced weaponry against monsters. Which includes you, my dears." (Vela)

If that is so, then why is this checkpoint left completely open?

Just because the Marquis wants to avoid a direct clash?

"O-Ooohh! I'm sorry, but already Shari is my dear." (Liqu)

At this, she comes too close for comfort and squeezes against my arm.

"Yeah, okay... It wasn't meant to be taken seriously." (Vela)

"Okay. I think that's good." (Liqu)

She says so, but I notice she sounds a tiny bit disappointed.

Yet I really can't afford to accommodate her right now.

"Are you ready? I want to get to our destination." (Shari)

"I really liked you better when you didn't have that manic look." (Vela)

"My Shari is always lovely!" (Liqu)

"Urgh, okay, I'm ready to go." (Vela)

She doesn't seem completely so, but to me it's good enough.

So we cross that bridge.

Maybe we should've rather tried to somehow dive through somewhere else, but it was a bit too great of a risk to take with that current.

Not to mention that I've got so much stuff with me that shouldn't get wet.

The poison in particular would likely kill every living being for miles to come.

So it's kinda required to take that point.

As much as I am against making a detour as of yet, I need to think logically and preserve my resources.

We slowly walk past the stone gateway, the building beside apparently being similarly deserted.

There are several.

One small guardhouse, a tiny barracks or storage building, and what looks like an administration office.

All of it surrounded by a small wall.

But why would they abandon a dedicated building like this?

The atmosphere of this place is totally eerie, empty as it is.

Can't there be just someone?

"Ah, how nice of you to come to us. I was already asking myself how much longer we'd need to wait for you."

I just had to think that, didn’t I?