- Shari -
Expectedly, things become rather wild, now that the green menace is here. Liqu, a giant, currently only partially humanoid, slime, is rushing straight out of the forest at our group.
"What the fuck is this?"
"A slime?!"
"Of this size!?!"
Some brave soldiers try to engage her, but get second thoughts once she turns into a tidal wave of doom.
"Fuck! Get out of the way!"
I don't have any time to lose.
Slime dash!
With one of my usual sprints, I manage to get in her way before she rams straight into the formation.
"SHARI!!" (Liqu)
"Liqu, stop! No dissolving! They're on our side!" (Shari)
"They don't look like it." (Liqu)
I can probably be glad she didn't dissolve our reinforcements on principle the moment she got here.
"It doesn't matter what the uniforms indicate, they are! Well, not quite, which is mostly because you barged in here like a goddamn berserker!" (Shari)
"I only wanted to help." (Liqu)
Yeah, unfortunately, her help wasn't all that helpful.
"Ehm, what the heck am I seeing there?"
"As if I would know."
"But still!"
Could anyone help me out of this?!
"Okay, you gawked enough. Get a grip of yourself and watch the captives. Don't let them slip away just because this is so much more interesting." (Soma)
Fortunately, most of the mentioned captives were also too stunned by that display of slime infatuation to think about running. Of course, some still tried, but Peras' troop got somewhat of a grip on things, being more accustomed to us than most others. Even if some managed to escape, I doubt there'd be much to expect from them at this point. Without weapons, defeated, and their backup gone, I doubt these people could rearrange into a real force again.
The next minutes also show how formidable the commanders I'm acquainted with are. They manage to get the people to quit their gossiping, have them take on a rather solid formation around the prisoners, and get everybody moving. With distance fighters outside, close-quarters soldiers inside, I doubt there's going to be much of a chance for the captives to escape. Even the count knows better than to speak up.
With mixed feelings, I take a moment to look down the road that runs toward the horizon in the opposite direction. It reminds me that I actually never sent a note to my parents about anything. It just never came to it. Either I was busy, caught up in shenanigans, simply couldn't trust the people around me not to take advantage of this kind of information, or they could've straight up worked for the enemy.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Be that as it may, I really should contact my parents sooner rather than later.
Other than this, the way back commences surprisingly uneventfully. We take the detour along the maintained road, which is rather secure and not as frequented by monsters. It's a nice change of pace once in a while for things to run smoothly like this. Well, as far as it concerns outside influences, at least. Those we captured, on the other side, try to flee at every possible occasion. However, the few who actually make it through the formation are quickly shot down. This shows how right Peras was.
Once the deaths mount up, the escape attempts diminish. I don't feel great about the loss of lives, but they were working for the obviously bad guys and could've just went along with us, as I assume fulfilling their service duties can't be considered a severe crime.
Just in our part of the procession, miraculously, no one even tries to run. It may have to do with the giant slime right next to me. And me, yes, I know. But otherwise, I'm okay. Yet there might be a huge personal issue I have to face in the foreseeable future that is gnawing at my peaceful mind.
Once again, a great number of people saw us. By now, I'm rather convinced that there won't be a way to cover this up. Rumors about our existence will spread and eventually become facts. I can only hope that things will go as fine as they do now once that time comes.
However, I don't have any need to challenge my fate in this regard, so some measures are required. Among others, I managed to acquire some clothing for Liqu to end up somewhat covered in town.
"Your equipment is fine, is that right, Liqu?" (Shari)
"I'm sure it is! I left it with the others!" (Liqu)
I seriously will have to talk about the proper treatment of one's possessions with this slime. That armor is so ridiculously expensive, and she just leaves it there! The enchantment might mostly be practical for slimes, but this doesn't mean they wouldn't fetch a pretty price at the right place. For now, I can only hope that Vela thought about safekeeping it for us.
The journey takes longer than I'd have liked it to, forcing us to make camp during the night. During this time, it comes in handy that we are free to watch our prisoners, to prevent any greater flight attempt. Fortunately, our dear captains were able to organize this properly, so we can proceed the next day without any incidents worth mentioning.
Eventually, the outskirts of the town come into view, where the few brave souls dwell who cannot afford a place within the walls and its ridiculous real estate prices. Last time I couldn't appreciate it as much, but now being more familiar with the Evergrove, I need to recognize their effort to have chopped a clearing of this size free of the trees and now to commence growing crops instead on its fertile soil. They must be quite crafty and serious fighters to make it in this place with all its monsters. Life here can't be easy, but the yield should pay well, given that this town depends on deliveries from outside. Perhaps even the actual farmers will get to profit, once the criminal system of exploitation has been completely toppled over. Maybe this will help this region get better.
Once we approach the gate, the first thing I notice would be that not the usual guards, but Peras' troops are manning everything. Well, that's about what was to be expected, as I was in the discussion where they wanted to prevent the criminals from scattering by taking control of the only gates.
As we are associated with the guards, and Peras sent a man to announce our arrival beforehand, this part too works out surprisingly well. Well, apart from a certain little incident. Upon entering town, we hear shouting.
"Get them!"
"Rough them up!
I already prepare myself for a fight when I realize that my participation isn't required at all.
"How?!"
"Fight your way through!"
"Don't let yourself get caught!"
"Why are there so many guards?!"
It's only a moderately small group of ruffians that has already been rounded up by the guards. With the halberds they're utilizing with great discipline and efficiency, there's no way those thugs are going to break out of their enclosure. While I'm admiring their degree of coordination, I notice Captain Gareth behind their lines. Or was it commander now? Never mind, he's just there, giving orders, managing the operation.
"Huh, that guy really made himself in this position." (Jacob)
"Okay, would you please tell me now where you know him from?" (Shari)
"Oh, I didn't say? He was in my old team. After a particularly bad mission, you remember the orcs, right? Well, after that happened, he left, looking for a safer job. I was pretty distraught at that time. Though, from today's perspective, I can't say I'd blame him for that." (Jacob)
If it's so fine to talk about this, then why was I tiptoeing so much around this topic?! I don't even have toes!
Meanwhile, Peras is already up to the man, who's on his way to becoming the town's new lord.
"Captain Gareth. May I occupy your time?" (Peras)
"I guess so. We're just wrapping things up here as well. I'm positively surprised that things are proceeding as originally planned." (Gareth)
"That is good news. Yet I'd like to know what transpired here." (Peras)
"Only some last fools who thought they could have a chance would they join with the reinforcements they've been waiting for. They didn't even take note that you took care of that. Disadvantage of such a scattered information network. Just the thing to exploit against them. So I made sure they would be properly welcomed." (Gareth)
I seriously didn't take the captain to be so skillful on such matters. I hope I didn't upset him too much. Enemies in high positions can become a hassle. But I don't take him for someone who would bother himself with a grudge.
"If you're able, I'd like you to make yourself free as soon as possible for a debriefing in the castle grounds." (Peras)
"I understand. I should be able to give this into the hands of a subordinate. Torris! You are in charge! Proceed as planned. Don't make any detours." (Gareth)
"Yes, Sir!" (Torris, as it seems)
"This looks promising. Please accompany us. There should be quite a lot to discuss." (Peras)
I guess by now it comes naturally that we'd be included as well in this kind of meeting. Which fits, as I also have something I'd like to confirm.
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