- Shari -

While our talk with my old comrades continues, I can't shake off the feeling that I'm forgetting about something here.

"Ahem! You may have forgotten, but I'm still present." (Peras)

Vela is the first to snap back to attention. However, Zeon beats her by the microsecond to the final form, because he cheats with his powers. This means last place for Balion. Liqu and I, on the other hand, aren't his subordinates any longer. We still focus on him, though.

"Fine. Now that I got your attention, we should assemble. First rank officer Vela, bring order to this pack and make sure that the whole troop is ready and standing at attention when I return, so we can wrap this up before night time." (Peras)

"Yes, sir!" (Vela)

Oh, she got a promotion.

"Good. Meanwhile, I will converse with the local guard captain." (Peras)

Right. I almost forgot that he was present.

"Sir, I ask you to give me a survey of the situation, as well as make it happen that my troop can finally enter the town. I'd like to get over with this quickly, and afterward, a discussion in a safe location would be preferable." (Peras)

Gareth has a blank look on his face, before shaking himself and starting to speak.

"Ah, sorry. I was just slightly overwhelmed by what just transpired here." (Gareth)

"I understand you fully. That's a common reaction to these two. Now, if you'd please, I guess we have much to talk about. Foremost, to let my troops enter, so they may no longer stay exposed within this monster forest." (Peras)

"Ahem, I fear there are certain 'issues' with your whole army entering at once. There are particular considerations to regard first, before a safe arrival can be guaranteed. Would it be possible for them to camp outside the walls till we could settle those?" (Gareth)

Is he for real? Under different circumstances, I could understand this, but we are here in Ekoras. Camping outside means being surrounded by deadly monsters.

"You can't even provide shelter for my subordinates in this town?! I almost feel like more talking would be rather moot, given how much incompetence I witness here." (Peras)

Yeah, this is Peras. Booming as always.

"While I would certainly very much enjoy this talk, I need to insist that my lord comes first. I'm ordered to guide you and your troop at the first possible instant towards the castle grounds." (Gareth)

"The castle?" (Peras)

He sounds just as inquisitive about this as I am.

"Yes. The lord decided to take it upon himself to settle with you the intricacies of your operation. Once this is concluded, we can surely offer suitable lodgings for the kind of service you are about to provide him." (Gareth)

"Mhm." (Peras)

Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that there wouldn't be enough room to spare in the barracks for the several hundred who arrived. Yet on the other hand, it's certainly weird for a local lord to welcome an invasion force in his very home. Then Gareth whispers the next part.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Also, it might be recommended to keep your soldiers alert. There might be trouble waiting for us." (Gareth)

"There's no need for that. We are always fully alert." (Peras)

Gareth just nods and steps away to join some of his own guardsmen. The moment Vela returns, the troop is already starting to move again. Next, Peras beckons me to his side.

"As we might walk any moment straight into a trap, I will ask you now. Do you think we can trust this man or should we try to establish a secure position?" (Peras)

Yeah, well, what about my squishy slime body makes you think I work well under pressure?!

"I can't tell for sure. It's not easy to judge. According to our investigations, around half the guards in the city are corrupt. Yet regarding Captain Gareth, I wouldn't be quite as certain. The things he made us do wouldn't quite align with him intending to betray us." (Shari)

"Thank you for this." (Peras)

Then he turns towards Liqu.

"Now you. What can you tell me about this man? Would you suspect him of anything?" (Peras)

"Don't know. But his soul is alright." (Liqu)

"His... soul?" (Peras)

"Yep. It's not as dark as with most in this place." (Liqu)

Now Peras as well as Vela, point a very inquisitive gaze in my direction.

"Royal agent. Would you explain this to me?" (Peras)

"Uh, well, to a degree, we are able to get a glimpse at other people's soul. It's usually mostly a hunch regarding if someone is good or bad." (Shari)

There goes the hand to the forehead.

"Okay, so you're telling me now that you two have this kind of ability? Like, you don't believe we would have found any situation where your input may have been helpful?" (Peras)

In hindsight, it might've been a slight shortcoming. Especially, regarding the whole big treason issue at the estate back then. Nonetheless, I need to defend myself.

"I-it's not quite as reliable as it sounds. I mean, most people have at least a bit of darkness around them. Also, you can be an asshole and still a law abiding citizen. It's not mutually exclusive. We, for example, had this one guy who betrayed us. Coming solely from his soul, he looked fine. Okay, he was a self-righteous asshole, but apparently the ability doesn't look too closely on the kind of righteousness it's dealing with." (Shari)

"That's a thing! Even today, can't judge humans very well!" (Liqu)

Now we all look at her while simultaneously thinking "We know, Liqu".

"Well, how does mine look?" (Peras)

Isn't this rather personal? Should we just spout it out?

"Rather pristine. Yet overall, there's a residue." (Liqu)

Or we just don't care.

"It's really only the roughest indicator. It tells us absolutely nothing about your motives or worldview. You know, actual hints you would act upon." (Shari)

"I see. Still, it's fascinating. There could certainly be some kind of use for this. But for now, we should move on. The guard captain was at least right insofar as that we can't allow ourselves to stop being vigilant." (Peras)

That might add to his credibility. Would be weird if he'd act in this way. However, it's not totally implausible that one would say this exactly so we'd be trusting and lower our guard towards him. In any case, there are more than enough parties who might want to see us dead. So a fight isn't all that unlikely. Though, now that I think about it, there might be another issue.

"Ehm, Liqu, do you even know how to fight while in disguise? You know, without anyone being able to see that you're a slime?" (Shari)

"Not the slightest bit!" (Liqu)

Yeah, I feared so.

"We need to remedy this issue. If there's time we should probably train a bit." (Shari)

"Yes, yes! Yay!!!" (Liqu)

"Sigh, fine. But for now just be alert. Would be bad to get attacked. For starters, you could just focus on using this bullet attack in case an enemy shows up. You can do this without blowing your cover, right?" (Shari)

The next steps wrap up surprisingly without a hitch. I was half sure that we might see at least one attack on our troops, but for whatever reason, we manage to arrive with all of the troops at the castle of the Marquis. Shortly before we enter, Peras manages to get next to me and speak.

"The next moments could be crucial. I want you to stay at the ready to intervene if necessary. If possible, without revelation. But this is still going to be our last resort in case this proves to be a trap." (Peras)

Yeah, that's a possibility that can't be crossed out. Though, I hope we don't have to unleash Liqu on the city.

So we reach the castle's premises, and for the first time, I enter through the main gate, past a guard checkpoint, and into a great entrance hall that is two stories high and connected by a huge spreading set of stairs. Peras makes sure that some of his men spread to secure the close gateways to the side, as well as the main entrance, while the front troop only enters close to the front, without fully committing to settle in. All of the vanguard are shieldbearers and a second row of archers positions directly behind them. With this, they should be at least somewhat safe in case they attack us now, which will buy us enough time to let the troops secure a path out of here. Yet until now we're still good.

Then suddenly, a voice begins to echo through the hall and I see the figure that is supposedly their origin.

"Welcome in my humble abode! I hope the journey wasn't too long. Please rest and be at peace!" (Felion Varros)

The lord? Oh my, I should try not to be too noticeable or that could become an issue.

Captain Peras steps a bit closer to him to give a formal military greeting.

"I greet the Marquis of the South! Per your request, the crown wasted no time and issued a royal command for this troop to be assembled to aid you in your cause." (Peras)

"And your aid is welcome! You..." (Varros)

At this, his gaze settles on me, as I'm still standing quite close to Peras. Judging from his expression alone, I'd say he remembers me.

"Uh, well..." (Varros)

Not quite sure what one is supposed to do in this kind of situation, I gesture for him to continue, as to not stretch this uncomfortable pause any longer. Unfortunately, at least Peras seems to have noticed.

"Pl-please, allow me to give you a formal welcome." (Varros)

Promptly, a line of guards enters the room from one side, assembling in proper formation in front of us. Another group, led by Captain Gareth, enters from the opposite side.

The statement that this is supposed to be a welcome doesn't quite match the fact that their general attitude is quite hostile, the way they assume a fighting stance. As they all draw their weapons, I fear any moment the fighting might get started. Yet for now, the lord doesn't give a sign. Instead, he turns to Gareth.

"Did you prepare everything?" (Varros)

"Yes, my liege. Things are proceeding exactly as planned." (Gareth)

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