- Shari -

So I get moving with Peras' part of the group. Given that we stalled for quite a while with our action of freeing those people from their collars, Peras had more than enough time to give orders and gather a considerable troop. Basically, even if we separated, we bothered to bring a small army with us for this task. I noticed during the assault that the common soldiers did their duty with admirable discipline and precision. Peras did a great job there. However, I don't even deem this necessary. After all, we got quite the superior combat strength already with our core group. Jacob's team really fought well, and let's not forget that I'm here too.

Sigh, when did I become so proficient at handling myself in violent situations? But as I said, currently that's not really needed. Aside from some stalkers, we don't have to face many beasts.

However, when I remember that corpse we found earlier, the pained expression on the sacrificed man's face as he died, I feel a certain kind of grudge. Not quite fury yet, but presently seething. In addition, I naturally want to reach them as fast as possible, before more people have to die because of these self-important, entitled assholes, thinking they can do with other people's lives as they please.

Though at some point, I notice through the increased panting behind me that, due to my mental state, I apparently subconsciously increased my pace by quite a lot. Slimes, after all, don't tire out.

Suddenly, a felira charges. Jumping for the neck of one of the soldiers, it gets impaled by one of Myra's daggers.

"Hey, could you mind your fellows? At this rate, there won't be anyone but you in the condition to fight!" (Myra)

"Uh, sorry. Got a little too caught up." (Shari)

Although I could probably take on the enemy by myself if we reach them. However, if more incidents like this happen, the deaths are going to be on me, so I should pace myself a bit. On a positive note, the trail gets stronger, indicating we should be rather close. What worries me would be that, again, more human notes are mixing in, which could mean that this area is regularly frequented. I'd like to know how things are going on Liqu's side.

- Liqu -

Hmm. I'm not exactly sure if I'm fine with this situation. My Shari asked me to, but leaving her all alone feels wrong. On the other side, I suppose that those particular humans she's with can be trusted to a degree. Aside from this, I also need to admit that she became quite a lot better at defending herself. Her fighting style might be a little odd, but it works. I probably don't need to worry that much. Still, I really want to get done with this quickly, so I can reunite with her. Fortunately, I still have this stone to find her. Truly a wonderful present from Anvenia's mother.

"Hey! What are you spacing out for?" (Vela)

Huh? She's talking to me?

"I was thinking about my Shari." (Liqu)

What a stupid question. What else could there be to this?

"Well, I'd rather you focus on keeping track of that trail." (Vela)

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"I don't need to focus on this. It's quite simple." (Liqu)

"Damn. At least pretend you're paying attention. I don't want to get eaten just because you're in loving maiden mode. Crazy girl." (Vela)

She doesn't need to tell me. I already took care of quite a number of them, and as I don't need to pay so much attention to hiding my body and don't need to keep it covered, this boosts my sensory capability by a pretty decent margin.

If anything, I'd like us to move faster. But considering that these humans are limited by their stamina, it seems unlikely they would be able to keep up for long if I'd tune up to my fastest walking speed. It would be very negligent of me to forget about this.

Also, I already have more than enough to deal with preventing them from being preyed upon by monsters, so I should stay in a mode where I can concentrate. They might be able to defend themselves, but the presence of this many humans is luring them in. Not to mention the human bodies we encountered on the way. If anything, the number is rather small. The humans who are with me seem quite agitated about this. It might be their instinct to protect their own kind. I'm sure we are catching up with our prey, but then a very unwelcome impediment blocks our way.

"Awh! Why is that here?!" (Liqu)

It's one of those nasty stones on a pole, inside some casket. Already, those in the big house we came from weren't nice, but at least the humans we were with bothered to deal with those handling them in our stead and got them out of my way. But this one was clearly put there just to annoy me. The vibrating space around it tells me more than enough about its vile nature.

"A voidstone bark. So this is how they're avoiding monster attacks in this realm. Quite ingenious." (Balion)

"Why would they do this?" (Liqu)

That's the first time I encountered something like this. Not one adventurer group I ever met had this kind of thing. I certainly wouldn't have been able to ignore such an irritating thing. My mood really went down.

"Isn't it obvious? Monsters don't like even being close to them. As long as the occupants don't act too aggressively towards the forest, it's rather unlikely any creature will bother them. After all, they're here for the abundant magic, while this barrier implies the opposite. I reckon they were placed in regular intervals around a base in the center." (Vela)

I can attest that being close to this thing is quite uncomfortable. Usually, the abundant ambient energy that dwells here in this forest is quite relaxing, but this stone is ruining this for me.

"Why didn't I ever see one of those before? I was often in this region." (Liqu)

"Because they're expensive as fuck?" (Balion)

Pah! Sorry for not knowing.

"They do have a point. Voidstone has a bit of a capacity limit. In a region like this, where it's constantly exposed to strong magic, they won't last forever and eventually cease to function. During some campaigns, it might make sense, but alone, maintaining whatever camp they have here is likely to cost them a fortune." (Zeon)

Well, good to know. It would have been almost unacceptable for me if everyone could put up those stones everywhere just like this. It affects me quite severely after all.

"Be this as it may, this means the enemy base should be really close." (Vela)

"Still, that those damned scouts weren't even able to spot something like this." (Balion)

"Who would've assumed that they'd be so deep in the forest?" (Zeon)

Well, to me it makes sense. If I remember it right, this Michael guy said something about such a thing being here, for transporting humans. I only paid minimal attention to this because my Shari seemed pretty invested in this stuff. For this reason, I'm not all that surprised that we find this kind of place here.

"Then our targets can't be far. We should get going." (Vela)

She might be right about this, but there's something taking priority for me. I quickly move to the stone and start dissolving.

"Zsch"

"Liqu!?" (Vela)

"What?! This was personal!" (Liqu)

Those stones are very evil to me, after all.

As the humans don't have much to add to my very reasonable assessment, this group soon leaves for the assumed base. Even without the trail, I could orient myself by the stones they apparently put around their place. Yet for some reason, I was forbidden to head out to dissolve those as well. That being said, this whole thing isn't even all that difficult to spot, considering how big it is. They even put a wall around it. This is usually a good sign for humans still dwelling within it if they made the effort to build something so permanent. Now, if I were alone, I would wait for the night, slip in through a corner they don't expect, and start taking them out one after the other. But I'm not, and have to be considerate of the humans as well as the goals they have in mind.

"Seriously, how could the adventurers fail to notice such a fortified camp? Are they blind or didn't they ever go this way?" (Balion)

"Most adventurers were paid not to mention this, and the guild was all too content with being able to avoid a major clash with the noble factions. We can be glad that it was possible to contain them all in the guild hall. Otherwise, we'd been up against possibly half of them. The fight is already hard as it is. However, I wouldn't be surprised if we meet some of those 'who couldn't make it' to the assembly right here. After all, how would they've established this kind of base without professional expertise?" (Vela)

They do have a point. That they got such high palisades up shows that they are rather capable.

"Fine. Who else votes for us to raid this base?" (Vela)

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