- Shari -
Before heading out I first fetch my clothes and make Liqu wear hers.
This doesn't take long and I would rather look as civilized as possible.
The more savage our impression the worse it appears that we were with that girl.
The now assembled number of guards we meet in the main hall is concerning, yet I doubt the count would call us to his room if he plans to get rid of us.
We head to the second floor stopping at the familiar office of the count.
We are expected, so we enter without delay.
Inside I see Dion and the count.
Both look not too happy, but Dion at least managed to slip into some clothes.
Although it seems like had had to hurry as they're not properly tied.
The count on his side has a grim expression and wears simple clothes while sitting at his table.
Now all I can do is de-escalate the situation to the best of my abilities.
For now, I should look as if I'm really sorry.
I do so by looking down, fiddling with my fingers while thinking about the places I would right now much rather be like I did all the times when mum scolded me.
For example, that one time when I accidentally gathered the wrong berries and secretly flavored the soup with them.
How should I have known that they don't make it just a little bit spicier, but rather cause severe diarrhea?
They were just a slightly different shade of brown.
Hoping that what worked to some degree with my mum might help with a displeased noble I do so, but my fingers soon become a gooey clump and I am troubled to separate them again.
This might distract me a little which causes the opposite of the intended impression and makes me look as if I'm not properly focused right now.
"Ahem, it seems there was an incident. Anything to add about this?" (Radon)
Count Kahan speaks calmly and composed, but his voice carries an intensity that tells me I should pay keen attention to every single word.
Feigning innocence would be usually my first choice.
However, we are a little too obviously guilty.
So I can just admit everything within the limits and hope for a mild judgment.
"I'm sorry. Apparently we ended up in a restricted area. I can just say that this was purely by chance." (Shari)
Dion's gaze tells that he has his doubts about this, while the count keeps his impregnable front to us.
"You somehow slipped past all the guards, passed two floors, and ended up in the most secluded room in this mansion, purely by chance?" (Dion)
"Yes!" (Shari)
Dion doesn't seem to be the slightest bit satisfied with this answer, but the count speaks first.
"The guards found a small hole inside the room. Care to explain this? I am very curious about how you overcome all the security measures without anyone noticing." (Radon)
I really wanted to obscure this part, but unfortunately, he has far too much information about everything.
"Liqu... dug inside the mansion's interior. It's possible to move rather freely between the walls. Also, there's not much sound while moving, so this might be why no one noticed." (Shari)
"You..." (Dion)
I can already hear from the tone of his voice that he wants to say something reprimanding, but the count raises his hand and he grows quiet.
"Could I ask why Liqu did so?" (Radon)
"She was hungry. The meals didn't always come on time, so she decided to hunt the critters within the walls as some kind of midnight snack. I don't know exactly what it was she got, yet you might have noticed a sudden decrease in their presence." (Shari)
This might just be a part of the truth, but I cannot say that Liqu was going to kill every last one of them.
"Racas. A monster said to be derivated from common rats and mouses. As a peculiar quirk, they are basically harmless, yet rather aggressive in their pursuit to procure food from others. It's said that if a house contracts them once then all you can do is burn it down to get rid of them. And even this has a probability to fail." (Dion)
"See? She basically was helping with these critters." (Shari)
"I don't care very much about common pests." (Radon)
He intently glances at us.
Fortunately, we aren't common.
"Rather, I would like to know how you ended up in that place." (Radon)
"I don't really know yet." (Shari)
"And you?" (Radon)
And now the most dreaded part begins.
He signals Liqu to talk.
"I'm not completely sure. She might have heard me when I got one of those critters, or rather the sounds it made. Then she knocked at the wall. I became curious and came looking. And so we met yesterday." (Liqu)
"Yesterday!?" (Dion)
"Yes. And today I was visiting her again. My Shari must have followed me when she noticed I was gone." (Liqu)
"Sigh, so you basically truly met her by chance. Are you aware who you encountered there?" (Radon)
"Some people, including the ones present, said "her highness". Aside from this, I have no idea who she is." (Shari)
"She is Anvenia Nox Demis Aurealis!" (Liqu)
I stare stupefied at this slime.
Dion too and even the count shows some surprise.
"How do you even know this?" (Shari)
"She told me. It was a weird name so I became interested and because of this memorized it." (Liqu)
A hand goes up to my forehead as a means to cope with all this ridiculousness.
However, I apply too much pressure so that my complete hand and a part of my forearm sink into my head before I notice and pull back out what I can.
Now we for sure know too much.
"You are right about her identity. Since the rest is common knowledge, are there any open questions?" (Radon)
"I know that highness means she is royalty, but people weren't too invested in politics where I come from." (Shari)
"Anvenia Nox Demis Aurealis is the first daughter of our current King Parcian who inherited the throne seven years ago at the age of nineteen and his wife Queen Serenia." (Radon)
I guess he doesn't bother with those ridiculous second names, as the royals should share theirs.
Going by this, the girl should be around six, at most seven.
Any prior "intimate contact", before they became officially king and queen, would have been frowned upon.
"So she's a princess?" (Shari)
"Yes. And if her majesty won't conceive a male child she will at a high probability inherit the throne." (Radon)
"Okay, fine. Now to the biggest question in the room. Why is she here?" (Shari)
"Around a month ago a number of assassination attempts started, targeting her highness. While she survived all of them some were concerningly close to succeeding. It was decided that the princess couldn't stay in the palace or it would just be a matter of time before one succeeded." (Radon)
"I get this part, but why here of all places? The south doesn't have the best reputation." (Shari)
"Whoever conducted the attacks had influence. Any foreign power would have left more traces. This leaves most of the members of the noble houses as the possible culprits. Yet it's not a simple task to say who is part of them and who isn't as, naturally, in public, they all swear loyalty to their king. Only house Kahan is beyond any doubt. While having considerable force we never meddled in the race for power and our oaths bind us. At the same time, our troops are devoted to their duties, difficult to infiltrate, and among the most skilled this country has to offer. So it was decided that this might be the safest place for the princess and she was secretly brought here, hoping to shake off the murderers. Just a few selected guards know who is up there. The rest weren't informed to prevent any leaks of information, yet now someone found out." (Radon)
Personally, I like that he refers to me as someone, but I guess now is the wrong moment for a creepy smile.
"So what happens now? We aren't necessarily considered as trustworthy, but the fact that we are here tells me there is something else planned than our execution. Am I right?" (Shari)
He smiles at me.
Not a kind smile, but one hiding his intentions.
"You're saying you've spent two full nights with her, Liqu?" (Radon)
"Yes, yes." (Liqu)
"This adds up with the report about the princess being unusually tired since last night. She could barely have had any time to sleep." (Dion)
"What exactly did you two do?" (Radon)
"She read books to me and I showed her my impressions." (Liqu)
A sigh from Dion, surely because the princess is apparently lacking common sense.
"Ehm, I would still like to know how deep we're in trouble." (Shari)
"So you just played with her?" (Radon)
That's for sure no answer to my question.
"Playing? Yes, yes. One could say so." (Liqu)
It always makes me cringe when Liqu is left on her own in a discussion, but I can't really butt in here.
"What are your thoughts regarding this child?" (Radon)
"Shari said I can't dissolve children." (Liqu)
"Oh, did she?" (Radon)
Could you please not bring up this topic, Liqu?
"Yes, yes. But there wouldn't be much to gain from her in the first place. Also, I don't feel like it. It's rare to meet someone who's friendly towards me." (Liqu)
"And if now someone would try to kill her?" (Radon)
At this point, I feel a little ignored regarding my former question.
"Then I would dissolve him. Without her would be more boring than with her. 'Playing' was a nice experience." (Liqu)
"Mhm. Interesting." (Radon)
"Question! Why isn't she afraid of slimes?" (Liqu)
"The princess lived quite a sheltered life. While she received a basic education one could say that she lacks... life experience. It's rather safe to say that she has never encountered a slime before today. Also, his majesty did everything he could to shield her from negative influences. Never in her life had she experienced ill-treatment. She didn't even realize that her life was threatened." (Dion)
"As much I respect my sovereign, but regarding the upbringing of his child his overprotectiveness might be detrimental for her development. She is too carefree." (Radon)
Now even Liqu gets an answer before me?!
"I don't want to appear rude, especially since I am very sorry about what happened, but the suspense is killing me. Could I please now know what you are thinking, my Lord?" (Shari)
"Hm, let's see. First, I believe that you had no ill intentions toward her highness. Liqu had more than enough time to kill her. She didn't. Which is positive to a degree. However, this incident, in addition to the other reports I've received regarding you two, proves that, contrary to what you claimed, you're not able to contain that creature. Isn't that right?" (Radon)
Basically, he's saying it's all my fault since Liqu can't be held responsible.
Being a crazy monster and all.
"It's not an easy task." (Shari)
"And you failed on it. There is nothing else to say about this." (Radon)
"Does this mean we're fired?" (Shari)
He smiles again at this question.
"You know that I cannot let you go with this information. Something like this would be worth much for the right person. On the other side, I am rather sure that the attempt to cut loose ends would heavily backfire. So while you're not perfectly reliable I believe you can still be of use. Also, I might be able to take advantage of your relationship with the princess." (Radon)
"Are you sure my lord? Their actions don't speak well for them." (Dion)
"They might be troubling entities and their alignment is mostly based on the fact that it's unlikely for anyone else to employ them. However, they are trustworthy regarding her highness. They brought me my son back and his testimony proves that they truly don't harm children, which makes it unlikely that they would support those who do. I am willing to count on this." (Radon)
I am relieved.
This took some weight from me.
"Nonetheless, I think some kind of punishment has to occur." (Radon)
"Punishment? What kind of punishment? I am rather sure you're not talking about a public flogging. " (Shari)
Not that I would decline this.
I have no problem taking an ineffective punishment.
"Well, essentially I am." (Radon)
"Excuse me!?" (Shari)
"Tomorrow both of you will serve as training partners for the troops. All of them. They were by far too afraid of you and should get used to fighting stronger opponents. Naturally, you're not allowed to inflict greater harm on them, yet the practice wouldn't be effective if you wouldn't fight back. I would say this poses an ideal training." (Radon)
"How shall this commence?! We're just standing there and they hit our bodies?" (Shari)
"No, no, no! My Shari can't be at risk!" (Liqu)
"I don't think so. I liked your solutions with the stones. Those will make appropriate targets." (Radon)
"I'm sorry to object, but it's still too dangerous. I will get non-stop hit close to my core. Liqu won't allow this." (Shari)
And neither will I!
"I won't pretend to know how your bodies work, so tell me if I'm wrong, but yours and hers aren't fundamentally different. Is that so?" (Radon)
"She's bigger, but... not fundamentally different." (Shari)
"Then there should be no problem. Simply take a form which allows you to store your core far away enough from your front, where the stone should be located. Then I don't see any issues. Right, Liqu?" (Radon)
"No, not really. This should be fine. She can do this, I know." (Liqu)
This slime just sold me out!
Wait! This is because she wants this to happen!
This will force me to abandon my human appearance for a longer period of time!
This damned cunning slime!
"But... fighting the whole day? This will consume exorbitant amounts of energy. I don't think I can keep it up for that long." (Shari)
"Naturally, we will from the start provide enough meat so you can keep going. Yet breaks shouldn't be necessary." (Dion)
They are set on doing this!
"Then we will see tomorrow if you can prove to be useful. You can leave now." (Radon)
With repeatedly collapsing mouth, due to my mental impression of grinding my teeth, I walk with Liqu back to our room.
I will need this rest it seems.
And I already know that I will hate tomorrow.
There will be one of two things: OR after testing, they will be put to guard the princess, OR the author will read this commentary and of harm, will make it so that they will not be instructed to guard the princess.
I thought the same xD
Nah, I have a backlog of like 40 chapters or more. Would be a hassle to rewrite all of this.
Both look not too happy but Dion at least managed to slip into some clothes. -> happy,
For example, that one time when I accidentally gathered the wrong berries and secretely flavored the soup with them. -> secretly
it just a little bit more spicy but cause severe diarrhea? -> spicy, but also(?) cause
might help with a displeased noble I do so but my fingers soon become a gooey -> so,
calm and composed but his voice carries an intensity -> composed,
usually my first choice, however, we are a little -> choice. However,
dug inside the mansions interior. -> mansion's
sound while moving. So this might be why -> moving, so
the sound to it that he wants to say something reprimanding but the count raises his hand and he grows quiet. -> reprimanding,
always come on time. So she decided to hunt -> time, so
exactly what it was she got yet you might have noticed a sudden -> got,
they are basically harmless yet rather agressive in their pursuit to procure -> harmless, yet rather aggressive
An intently glance at us. -> maybe "He intently glances at us." Or "He gives us an intent glance." ?
She might have heard me when I got one or rather the sounds it made. -> got one of the rats/critters, or
Then she knocked at the wall, I became curious, and came looking. -> wall. I
years ago at the age of nineteen and his wive Queen Serenia." -> wife
guess he doesn't bother with those ricicolous second names, as the royals should share the same. -> those ridiculous surnames(?-would Shari know this word?), as the royals should share the same surname (last name?).
The girl can be like this just around six, at most seven. -> maybe "Going by this, the girl should be around six, seven at most." ?
It was decided that the princess couldn't stay in the palace or it would just be a matter of time -> time before one succeeded
but why of all places this one? -> but why here of all places?
Any outer power would have left more traces. -> Any foreign power would
is part of them and who not as they all in public naturally -> and who isn't as, naturally, in public they all
The rest wasn't informed to prevent any leaks of information. Yet -> rest weren't …information, yet
refers to me as someone.
But I guess now is the wrong -> someone, but
considered as trustworthy but the fact that we -> trustworthy,
from Dion.
Surely because -> Dion, surely
when Liqu is left on her own in a discussion but I can't really but in here. -> discussion,
Could you please not bring up this topic, slime? -> topic, Liqu? (I think Shari usually makes a point of referring to Liqu by name since she treats Liqu like a person since Shari also wants to be treated like a person?)
Not even the attempts to assassinate her she realized herself." (Dion) -> maybe "She didn't even realize what the attempts to assassinate her actually were." ?
much I respect my sovereign but regarding the upbringing of his child his -> sovereign,
Now even the slime gets an answer before me?! -> Now even Liqu gets
appear rude. Especially since I am very sorry about what happened. But the suspense is killing me. -> rude, especially ….happened, but (also-remove extra space after "since")
you're not perfectly reliable I believe you can be still of use. -> you can still be of use.
Their actions don't speak for them. -> speak well for
that they truly don't harm children. Which makes it -> children, which
Well, essentially I do." -> I am
I'm sorry to object but it's still too dangerous -> object,
And I neither! -> And neither will I!
She's bigger but... not fundamentally." -> bigger, but…not fundamentally different.
This will force me to abandon for a longer period my human appearance. -> abandon my human appearance for a longer period of time!
I don't think I can keep this up." -> keep that up. (Or- keep it up for that long.")
"Then she knocked at the wall, I became curious, and came looking. And so we met yesterday."
"And then she poked me in the eye. That was rather rude of her. But she was very friendly otherwise and we had some fun with me doing fancy puppet shows for her. Oh, but earlier she wanted to act out a romance story with her as the prince, so she was trying to woo a mini version of me while I was acting as the stage."
Shari-"….At least there wasn't a kiss scene? …I hope…"
"Of course not my Shari, I'm saving all of my firsts for you!"
"However, I apply too much pressure so that my complete hand and a part of my forearm sinks into my head before I notice and pull back out what I can."
Poor Shari, even face palming is something that comes difficult to her now
"I guess he doesn't bother with those ricicolous second names, as the royals should share the same."
Actually, they probably don't. Or, the wife probably has a different middle/surname or a hyphenated surname
"I personally like it that he refers to me as someone.
But I guess now is the wrong moment for a creepy smile."
Keep at it Shari! I know you'll get smiling in a non-creepy way down at some point if you keep practicing!
Yep, looks like I was right that Liqu got them roped into helping guard them princess. And the count noticed that Liqu actually does feel protective of the princess and will help keep her safe
"However, this incident, in addition to the other reports I've received regarding you two, proves that, different from your claim, you're not able to contain that creature."
Ehhhh….I'd say she has been able to keep Liqu under control. It isn't perfect control, but Liqu hasn't killed anyone on the estate and is doing a hell of a lot better than most people would expect a slime to be able to do. Not to mention there were several direct mentions of Shari indeed being able to keep Liqu in line-Liqu saying she doesn't eat children because Shari told her not to bring a prime example. Of course, the count is fully willing to exploit the technicalities for his own advantage
While the exercise against all the soldiers will be troublesome for Shari, it will still be a good learning experience for her and good practice in keeping herself self during battle
Heh, stray thought and forecasting a bit, but it'll be fun to see Anvenia play/rest on a Liqu bed. And Liqu will definitely help keep Anvenia safe even if she has to wrap Anvenia up in herself and carry her from danger. Actually, I could see the Liqu bed being something they do on a regular basis since no one will manage to sneak up on Anvenia and get to kill her while Liqu is around, especially not if Anvenia is on/in Liqu. Of course, everyone except Liqu and Anvenia will probably have mild heart attacks when/if they see it, Shari to a lesser degree since she knows Liqu won't hurt Anvenia, but Shari will still stress out over the possibility of someone else seeing them and taking things the wrong way
Those giant text walls really are great. I like to see that what I wanted to convey was received.
Especially the punch lines I set up.
it just a little bit more spicy but cause severe diarrhea? -> spicy, but also(?) cause - Hm, Grammarly wants me to use "spicier". And it's instead. Shari completely confused the berries which had completely different properties. (Her parents can be glad to be still alive)
got one of the rats/critters, or - "got one of those critters" ?
While having a considerable force - manpower - Is that better to describe that thee count is specially referring to his army and not directly influence?
topic, Liqu? (I think Shari usually makes a point of referring to Liqu by name since she treats Liqu like a person since Shari also wants to be treated like a person?) - I wasn't sure here. Shari is in an especially bad mood and right now very aware that Liqu's interaction with the princess AS A SLIME is very problematic. But I'll trust your judgment on this one. You have now this kind of power!
those ridiculous surnames(?-would Shari know this word?), as the royals should share the same surname (last name?). - I'm not sure if Shari knows the word. She only knows that nobles have a second name that refers to their house and to separate them from the common folk. As always I don't want to repeat the word in the same sentence.
maybe "She didn't even realize what the attempts to assassinate her actually were." ? - It doesn't really work. Some didn't reach her, some were only noise on the floor. A plate with food that was suddenly brought away. She simply didn't realize something was wrong.
Now even Liqu gets - As I said, bad mood. She's not thinking too clear right now and is still a bit angry. But I really get your point. I'm not sure. You decide. Go and tip the scales.
She's bigger but... not fundamentally." -> bigger, but…not fundamentally different. - hoped I could omit the last word here.
Shari lost the power of face palm, but instead, she can now go a step further and do an arm circle where she repeatedly shoves an ever reshaping arm into her face.
The funny thing is, they have the same name and there's a reason for this. However, you might be right that Shari doesn't know this. On the other side, she has no idea about royals in the first place. What is now right?!!
Smiling is an art. And like this there's no way to argue about it. Liqu loves her current. (and her smile as well)
It might still be a bit questionable for the count if Liqu is the best influence for the princess.
Well, one could say it went sub-optimal. Attacked soldiers, terrified servants, dirty floors (and this is just Shari). There might be a bit room for improvement.
It might be that this arc is a bit of a big training set for Shari.
A Liqu bed is difficult, as she's so viscous that one would inevitably sink inside. Yet with control she can keep stuff wherever she wants. Which might still be nice.
@expentio
spicier is probably the right one to use, but "more spicy" still gets the point across. Perhaps "little big spicier, but rather cause"?
rats vs critters-not sure what Liqu would refer to them as, that's why the rat/critter thing was indicated like that.
considerable force works to refer to the army. Manpower would be more likely to refer to the army working on something (like building roads or buildings)
slime vs Liqu-I think for things like "please not bring up this topic, X" the X would be Liqu rather than slime. If it's Shari (mentally) yelling "Damn slime! Stop screwing things up!" it could be either depending on how mad Shari is, but at this point I'd honestly still lean more towards Shari cursing out Liqu directly by name rather than referring to her as slime, even when she's really stressed/mad. Shari definitely sees Liqu as a sentient being, and even on a subconscious level wants to refer to Liqu by name rather than species/race since it's also an indicator on how she feels about herself since they're the same type of being now. On a different note-a possibility could be Shari saying/thinking something like "Stop being such a slime!" to Liqu if she's being particularly bloodthirsty or thoughtless, but it's more referring to her behavior rather than what she is. Second different note-I think Shari cursing Liqu by name would also be more impactful on Liqu since it could also convey both anger and disappointment, and the disappointment would be the thing that really bothers Liqu
maybe "those ridiculous second/last names, as the royals should share that."?
maybe "She didn't realize there were people trying to assassinate her. "? (maybe also + "She couldn't tell anything was even wrong/unusual.")
Now even Liqu vs slime-if Shari says "now even the slime", she could unintentionally also be referring to herself since she's a slime too now. If she added a descriptor like "Now even the crazy slime" then it's showing Shari making a point (subconscious or not) of differentiating herself and Liqu even if they're both slimes
If it lacks "different" then it becomes a bit vague/abrupt. Which could be the point? The sentence just doesn't seem finished without it. Other option "She's bigger, but... pretty close/similar" or "but... not that far off"?
look up "face palm through face". That's Shari's face palms now
Well, if it's based on what Shari knows then it's just a bunch of question marks, and she wants to keep it that way. ...Not that she has a choice anymore because of Liqu and Anvenia becoming friends. As a side note-I do hope Shari's able to become friends with Anvenia too eventually, even if not as close of friends as Anvenia and Liqu are
If smiling is an art, then Shari has the misfortune of being like Helen Keller in regards to that. At least Liqu still loves how she looks and smiles...not that that helps Shari much
Oh, Liqu is a *terrible* influence on Anvenia, at least as far as nobility and the royals would be concerned. But Anvenia loves hanging out with someone that doesn't treat her differently or awkwardly because of her status as the princess-the thing that will make Shari being her friend difficult for a while since Shari has more context than Liqu for how important a princess is and she'll be hesitant to get closer to Anvenia and risk making her mad or making her parents mad
Shari definitely needs the training arc, too bad for her she can't get it via training montage
Yeah, Liqu bed and Anvenia sinking into Liqu would be part of how Liqu could help keep her safe (and comfy). Liqu would just need to make sure she stays aware enough to keep a breathing path open for Anvenia (or for Anvenia to learn how to breath slime or something, whether via magic or potions or whatnot).
Huh, stray thought-possibly as an emergency hiding thing for Liqu/Shari-if they absolutely needed to hide somewhere and either lost most of their energy/mass or were willing to leave it behind since they couldn't bring it with them, it's possible for them to hide their core and a bit of remaining mass in someone's clothes or on their person-like Anvenia sneaking Liqu's core and a bit of mass in/out of somewhere by hiding Liqu's core in her dress/bag or something. What brought it to mind was thinking of Liqu "puppeting" the count's son a while back and holding him inside her body, and then thinking the inverse of that was also possible-of Liqu hiding on/inside someone else
@FallingLeaf
maybe "those ridiculous second/last names, as the royals should share that."? - The "that" sounds a bit weird. Maybe "theirs" or "that one"?
She didn't even realize that her life is threatened.- Is that fine? - I don't want to put the focus on the people. And saying she thought nothing is wrong might be too much.(it was strange but no one said things like: "He wanted to draw a blade through your throat, little girl.")
I guess smiling is much easier if muscles automatically restrict the extent. Shari simply feels them spread further.
One shouldn't forget that Anvenia is still a child and the count basically her guardian. Meaning, she has not much to say, yet, even if she's of status.
Puppeteering...
(A downside of having a big backlog is knowing that some good stuff is still far in the future; at the same time I have to maintain a consistent output and always keep a considerable margin in case I want to add something. Alone in this arc I did a whole new chapter arrangement.
@expentio
“share theirs” works
“life was threatened”. Otherwise that works. Or maybe “life was under threat”?
And right, Anvenia doesn’t have much say *now*, but if some emergency happens and Shari and Liqu have to take her and run, then Anvenia will have some say in who saves her and telling other people to shut up and let Liqu and Shari help keep her safe. There’s also the “these slimes are my friends and will help me and keep me safe” thing she can point out to people. Of course, the count’s word will also have a lot of weight in those scenarios, but Anvenia being willing to go with Liqu and Shari will make things a lot smoother on his end since she won’t be fighting against his order to go with them and she won’t try to run away from Liqu and Shari