Slime Girl

- Shari -

As there's no helping it, we truly head for a tavern.

Interestingly, there's quite a bunch of those around the crossing to the other side of the river.

The one we ultimately went for is right at the corner of the junction between the city and the bridge.

Speaking of which.

As I walk closer, I must say this bridge is actually one of the most impressive structures I've ever seen.

A solid stone construct, wide enough for four carriages driving next to each other, while being so massive that never, not in a century, can I imagine this thing falling.

From the side, you can see the massive arches beneath, stretching from one mighty pillar to the next, which themselves sink beyond sight into the rushing waters.

They are adorned with golden carvings decorating the stonework, as well as artistic pieces hanging from the sides.

I can safely say that I’ve never seen any single structure quite so imposing.

The other thing I notice is that it's heavily fortified.

From this side of the river, I can spot a big stone wall on the other shore.

Our side, meanwhile, merely has a small gate, through which the goods pass onto the bridge.

It's little more than a checkpoint, rather a thin, but quite aesthetically built barrier than a fortification.

Far more noticeable would be that small stone fortress instead, standing on something like an island, in the center, with a massive drawbridge that would make all passing impossible.

"Don't stare too long. Someone might get ideas." (Vela)

I know, those guards likely don’t appreciate people ogling the place, but it's kinda noteworthy how well-fortified this place looks even from a distance.

And in terms of stability, the entire structure appears to be a single block, as if a giant carver simply hewed it from a mountainside and set it in place, with the exception of the drawbridge.

On a related note, how come all those fortifications are directed towards Siras, but there's nothing to speak of the other way round?

It kinda feels like we're on the receiving end of a rather unequal relationship.

However, now we should get inside that tavern.

Yet before we get to it, Vela stops us.

"What is it now?" (Shari)

"Before we get in there, we should contemplate how to draw the attention of possible agents. Otherwise, I'd not really know how we'd find them." (Vela)

"Well, this was your big plan. What are you suggesting?" (Shari)

"Can't we just call for them?" (Liqu)

"Liqu, we already talked about this. Nothing that would expose ourselves." (Shari)

Yet this is quite the limiting factor, now that I think about it.

We are still likely under probation by that Harose guy, who let us in.

In this situation, if there is increased scrutiny in our direction, it's not like we can actively search for spies.

Not like I'd even want to call out our very own guys while they're trying to remain uncompromised.

Though suddenly, it seems like Vela got an idea.

"Do you still have your badges? Those royal agent things? Nobody really knows 'the Order of the Longing Drop', so I think those should be clear to show. Might be a far call, but a royal agent may have an idea about them if they weren't here for too long. Aside from this, I think we can only try to discern the more suspicious figures." (Vela)

It's at least more than I got.

Yet now, we'll have to procure them.

Just with all of our important worldly possessions, there was only one way to go for these.

"Hurgh, huargh, bluargh!" (Shari)

For this unfortunate reason, I need to retch it up again.

The separating and filtering out of the specific item from inside me makes this unnecessarily complicated.

"Now you, Li-. No, that wasn't it." (Shari)

"What do you mean? My name is Liqu!" (Liqu)

"That's not what I meant." (Shari)

Let's try it like this.

"If someone asks you for your name, what do you answer?" (Shari)

"Liqu!" (Liqu)

"No. Your card said your name was Bowan, right?" (Shari)

"But my name is Liqu! How else would I be called than by my name?" (Liqu)

Urgh, that might be too advanced for her to understand.

"But that's not the name of the guy you're posing as." (Shari)

"I'm not sure. It seems wrong." (Liqu)

Urgh...

"Fine, then you'll hold back from now on, and leave introductions to me. Just remember to call me Risa and react to Bowan. This is important... Bowan." (Shari)

"Uhh, okay." (Liqu)

So we head inside.

Just like the rest of the town, this tavern is one of the fanciest places I've ever been.

And I was in the royal palace.

Okay, there were parts that may have been better, but the general average was far below this place.

The floor is made of some polished wood, all the tables are clean and in perfect condition, and the food and drinks are certainly far beyond the standards I'd find reasonable for a tavern.

This clearly indicates that the guests are certainly all well off.

There's even an elevated partition for even more fancy guests.

And despite my growing terror of their prices, it looks really well-visited.

Aside from that, it still retains this tavern-like atmosphere.

You know, this kind of warm coziness.

Maybe not the kind where drunks would start a party, but it's a bit of a social melting pot.

People drink together, have fun, and get into talking.

Something like that, I guess.

I move inside, and am at first at a loss regarding what to do here.

Then I decide to go with the flow of this place, so as not to stick out, and walk up to the counter.

"What may I serve?" (tavern keep)

"Oh, ehm, just some of your staple beverage and a table for my friends and me." (Shari)

I get pointed at one by the owner.

A middle-aged man with black hair and decent stature.

He isn't overly hearty, but serves us with friendly politeness.

I don't feel too unwelcome here.

At the table, I take my time and stare at the drink we're brought.

If nothing else, we may at least take our time to think things through.

Yet it seems Liqu doesn't do well with sitting still.

"Sha- (Liqu)

"Risa." (Shari)

Need to insist on this.

"Ri-sa. Why do we need to consume this? There's almost no energy value, and it's only diluting my inner composition." (Liqu)

"Because the other humans do so, and we want to fit in." (Shari)

"Oh. And why are they doing it?" (Liqu)

"Yeah, explain to her how this works." (Vela)

This is not your discussion to partake in!

"Well, because they come here together. And, I guess they like it?" (Shari)

"Aha. Okay. But it's still an odd composition. Don't think it would do much good to a human." (Liqu)

To be honest, I only got my hands on alcohol once.

Mum and Dad were pretty strict about it.

I couldn't even see the appeal.

It tasted awful, and later on, I got a bad headache.

Also, given the number of people I saw dealing with its aftermath, I don't think I'm missing out on all that much now that I'm a slime and won't be influenced by it anymore.

Yet sitting in a tavern, drinking some beverage, was one of the things I wanted to do as an adult.

So I guess I can cross that off.

Even if the company is rather peculiar.

Suddenly, the door bursts open, and a troop of those legionaries enters.

They don't have their weapons drawn, so I guess this is just how they enter buildings?

The man leading them, quite the wide guy, with black hair and blue eyes, peeking through his helmet, goes straight for the counter.

"A table and the best liquor you got, barbarian!" (centurion)

Barbarian?

What's that even supposed to mean?

Is that how you nowadays greet others in Koreso?

Next, they sit down at a table close to the counter that the tavernkeep swiftly cleared of its prior occupants for them.

So much for the polite hospitality from before.

They barely wait till the table is free and start already their party.

I suppose this is exactly what we came here for.

Listening to growling soldiers of Koreso may just be the wellspring of information we were looking for.

Though I quickly realize I would rather not.

"What a backwater town! Compared to Regia, barely a village. A backwater one." (centurion)

I don't even live here and feel offended!

The locals obviously feel the same.

Some are even starting to leave.

"You say it, but what more would you expect from these barbarians? These savages barely started cooking their meat yet." (legionary)

Okay, by now I'm pretty sure 'barbarian' isn't just a fancy address.

Although I won't debate my meat palate here.

"Hah! A good one!" (legionary 2)

Well, indulging these assholes is the last thing I'm gonna do.

It's simply not worth it.

I learned long ago to ignore that kind of rude behavior.

"Well, at least they do well as slaves. Good that they have at least one calling." (centurion)

Ehm, what?

"Not much else, but yeah." (legionary)

"Don't be so dismissive. Their women might be savage, but feisty enough to keep you entertained all night." (legionary 3)

Okay, calm down. You can't make a scene here, Shari.

"Though, they shouldn't be too old. Those that already have children are a bit too layered for my taste. Also, separating them is a pain." (legionary 2)

"You’re telling me! There was that one that just didn't want to let go. Clamped itself to her boy even when the collar blared at full power." (legionary 3)

"Oh damn, sounds like a pain." (legionary 1)

"It was! And can you believe it, that kid started to cry for his mother! Had to shock him as well!" (legionary 3)

"Hah, that scum deserves all they get! Who can't listen has to feel the consequences! Just don't spare with the lightning." (centurion)

I don't even know when I did so, but I suddenly find myself standing at our table.

"Shari, what are you doing?" (Vela)

"I don't know." (Shari)

"Then by god, sit back down!" (Vela)

Too late, I was spotted.

"Hey, what are you staring at here?!" (legionary)

Hah, here we go again.

I turn on high-speed processing, already going through the steps I'll have to take after the bloodbath I'm likely to cause.

"Just asking myself when the assholes of the table next to ours will finally leave." (Shari)

"Do you have any idea what you're saying there, barbarian?!" (centurion)

"No, but I'm sure you're gonna explain it to me any moment." (Shari)

"You're talking here to members of the Praesidian Legion! We wield the authority of Koreso in this town, tasked with bringing order to your savagery." (centurion)

"Funny. Last time I checked this was still Rakis. So why don't you take this high horse you came prancing in on here and ride it all the way back to your oh-so-great Koreso?" (Shari)

"Hah, just you wait." (legionary 2)

Yeah, I got that hint.

"You should speak with a lot more reverence to your better. We're not the kind of folks you can engage without consequences. So I'd suggest you kneel down on the floor, where you belong." (centurion)

"Do I look afraid?" (Shari)

"No, but that's just speaking about your poor judgment." (centurion)

"I'm a..." (Shari)

Let me take a quick look.

"...B-rank adventurer. I could stab you, and kill all of your men before you would even have exhaled your last breath." (Shari)

"You seem eager to put that to a test." (centurion)

Seems like I did it.

Even though people are already escaping from the future battle site, I don't see how I'm going to contain the aftermath of what I'm about to do.

"Oh my gosh! What's the poor atmosphere in here?! Isn't a tavern supposed to be a jovial place? Why don't we indulge in our desires instead of something as mood-killing as this?!" (?)

Suddenly, someone shouts and barges into our conversation with the soldiers.

"You, what are you getting involved for?" (centurion)

"I'm just some poor lad who'd like to enjoy his drink without bloodshed. It would sour the taste, you know? I tell you what, the next round is on me, and in turn, we'll forget about this unpleasant session. Deal?" (?)

At this, the man hands over a real gold coin.

Certainly far too much for a single round.

Which is why it works.

"You seem like that's quite worth it for you. Guess we can agree on this." (centurion)

Huh, the situation is truly de-escalating.

Who would've thought?

But who is this guy?

And why would he help us?

"And you, my dears, are now leaving the other direction." (?)

He basically shoves us towards the exit.

Yet before we're fully through, Liqu turns around, back to that troop.

"Goodbye, barbarians!" (Liqu)

"Out! Now!" (?)