- Shari -

The atmosphere in this carriage is certainly tense.

I try to ignore it and concentrate on the way.

But I guess this won't work forever.

Alec is certainly a problem.

He hates me and might make things difficult.

But I cannot see anything he'd gain from insubordination.

We just saved every remaining soldier of the count, including him.

That should improve our reputation.

Or make us infamous enough so people will be less inclined to mess with us.

Zeon... is a good guy.

That's what I honestly believe.

Yet he's also my greatest weakness and might be used against me if ordered.

That brings me to Dion.

He holds the highest rank here.

Why are we even on this mission?

In terms of confidentiality, bringing monsters is not a smart move.

I think I should ask him how he sees us surviving this.

After all, I'm slightly invested in this matter.

"Excuse me, Dion. I know that this group can provide somewhat decent protection, but how do you think we are going to enter the town, or the royal palace for that matter? I somehow doubt that the guards would just let slimes pass through the gates." (Shari)

"Don't you have your trick with the powder? That one was rather convincing. And as far as I'm aware you still have your adventurer cards. Adventurers have the freedom to move as they please in Rakis." (Dion)

"Still, it sounds a bit risky." (Shari)

"Or unnecessarily reckless. Liqu isn't even in a state to fight. There's not the slightest reason to bring her." (Elin)

At this, Liqu grumbles inside me, artificially downing my mood.

"It... got complicated. While most of our soldiers are foremost glad that they survived, many are, to put it nicely, apprehensive of Liqu. The greatest problem is that some men reported that she killed some of our own while she was in that peculiar state. She warned us beforehand and compared to the general losses it's certainly neglectable. Also, since all corpses are gone we can't determine what's the truth. But there are some who can't accept this situation and see her... as a monster." (Dion)

"Nothing new." (Liqu) "Liqu, did you kill our allies?" (Shari) "I don't know. What happened is a bit woozy. I wasn't really in control back then." (Liqu)

This means it's very possible that she did it.

And I didn't notice.

I was at that time too caught up in the situation.

"It would have posed a risk to leave her in this environment. Things have to settle down first. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but she'll be soon recovered and like this be able to contribute." (Dion)

He isn't wrong.

We are among the strongest fighters in the count's ranks, that's certain.

"It might take a while till Liqu is back at full power. She mentioned months. But this might be good. Nothing against her, but I'm a bit calmer to know that only I have to pass the inspection at the gate." (Shari)

"Hey!" (Liqu) "What? You're terrible at playing human!" (Shari) "Grmph." (Liqu)

"As you see, there are very good reasons. If it turns out well we might even be able to let your employment be officially recognized. It would be advantageous if you'd be present at that time." (Dion)

Honestly, that sounds like one of these "too good to be true" moments.

But I cannot prove him wrong.

And I doubt that this is an elaborate plan to get rid of us after all this time and what we've done for them.

On the other hand, that they fear us could be a reason for them wanting to get rid of us.

But why would they let us this close to the princess if that's the case?

That one, meanwhile, is quite fascinated by the environment and has repetitively to be placed back on her seat by the maid who, when she's not occupied by this, glares threats of death, daring me to try anything funny.

Because we are yet quite far away from any settlements I still don't bother with the hood.

So I also notice that the girl is taking glances at me.

At one point I really would wish her to just say something.

"Can I just call out to her? " (Shari) "Why not?" (Liqu) "Because being too casual to royalty could be considered lesé majesté. And I don't want to get convicted to death for such a reason." (Shari) "I don't know what that is. But how would this be any different from the usual?" (Liqu)

Right... Everyone is already after me as part of the slime subjugation.

I am basically already under a death sentence.

So how should this worsen anything?

"Is anything wrong, your highness? You're looking at me." (Shari)

"How dare you to address her! You're..." (Lorena)

"Yes, a monster, commoner, unworthy filth, whatever. But at the moment, I'm also the high-ranked officer who's responsible for this transport's security and the safety of our fellow passengers on this carriage. So, would you kindly let me talk to the one who obviously has to tell me something?" (Shari)

At this Zeon chuckles, badly hiding it behind his fist, directly raising my impression of him through this.

Meanwhile, Dion’s face visibly tenses up, giving his all to prevent a smirk from forming.

I guess he had as well his share of troubles with this woman.

The others simply avert their gazes to avoid getting involved.

The princess first has to overcome her shock from this exchange, clearly not being used to the idea that anyone could retort to that woman.

Not to mention, making her as speechless as she is now.

But finally, the little girl says something.

"I... I wanted to ask... Is Liqu here?" (Anvenia)

"She's speaking about me? Calling me by my name? This is so exciting!" (Liqu) "Shut up! I'm talking!" (Shari)

Okay, maybe I was a little harsh, but the last thing she should complain about is me having no filter for my responses while she's maintaining a direct connection to my mind.

Anyway, I should answer to the one I vocally spoke to or look like a complete weirdo.

"Yes, she's very present." (Shari)

I say so while exposing her core and pointing at it.

"And as always almost too intense." (Shari) "What?" (Liqu) "I'm still talking!" (Shari)

While I'm fighting my inner demons, or rather giant slime monsters, the girl looks troubled at what to say next.

I politely wait for her to not trigger this maid any further.

Eventually, she speaks up.

"Can, can I speak with her?" (Anvenia)

"She can already hear you. In fact, she hears everything I hear." (Shari)

"I-I. I wanted to apologize." (Anvenia)

"Huh? Apologizing? For what?" (Liqu) "Did something happen?" (Shari) "I absolutely don't remember." (Liqu)

I'm glad the maid didn't drink anything or she would surely have spat everything out, judging by her expression.

"Y-your highness! You're certainly jesting." (Lorena)

"No. I did wrong! I... When Liqu saved us from the bad men I saw how she, that she... urgblh." (Anvenia)

"You did what!?!" (Shari) "I dissolved some humans. Don't worry, I had the permission to do so." (Liqu) "That's not the problem! You showed a little girl, unused to any kind of violence, how a human body melts into the most disturbing bloody mess! She's probably traumatized! And god, she's the princess!" (Shari) "I don't really understand the problem. I was helping! And I didn't dissolve only one, but five humans." (Liqu)

It gets better and better.

The princess looks, at her recollection, as if she's close to puking.

Which would surely be an interesting sight but also causes a heavy reaction from the maid rushing to her assistance.

"Look at me! Everything's fine! You're well!" (Lorena)

Then she turns to us.

"You! Look what you've done! Just stay away from her highness!" (Lorena)

"No!!" (Anvenia)

Seems like the princess had a little outburst.

"Please, I need to say this. Or I won't be able to forgive myself." (Anvenia)

She certainly looks distraught.

I think I should soothe her.

"Whatever it is, Liqu isn't holding it against you. She doesn't even know what the problem is." (Shari)

Which might be because she's totally, socially inept.

"I... After this happened, I didn't visit her. I was afraid. I avoided meeting or talking to the one who saved me, even if she was always so nice. I didn't even say thank you!" (Anvenia)

Uhh, the girl is already tearing up.

"Shari?" (Liqu) "What is it now?" (Shari) "I want to do something. Could you grant me a bit of control for a short time?" (Liqu) "Huh? What do you mean?" (Shari) "Your will is too strong for me at the moment. It's suppressing me. Please, only for a moment. I think it's important." (Liqu)

I look at the crying figure of the girl and know that I have no real choice.

"Fine. But don't believe I didn't notice that you said "at the moment"." (Shari)

With a bit of mental instruction from Liqu, I try to ease up in a certain way.

I stop actively controlling the area around Liqu and leave my body open to her influence.

The hardest part about this is to ignore that subconscious thought that this will leave me completely open to her, vulnerable.

This is naturally nonsense since Liqu would never betray my trust like this.

I know her well enough for that.

Also, it's basically the same as what I've been doing to her this whole time.

Ultimately, I manage to let go just enough so I won't turn into a puddle.

"Thank you." (Liqu)

Then something odd happens.

Her core moves to my shoulder.

Then abruptly the loss of control increases in this area.

A look confirms it.

My blue slime turns green there.

Liqu's color.

It extends down my arm to my fingers.

And while I can still feel it as a part of my body, it's Liqu who's controlling it.

This feeling of being used like some tool is, for me who always likes to stay in control, absolutely unbearable.

Still, I have to fight the wish to oppose Liqu's influence.

She extends my arm towards the princess and... caresses her cheek.

"I cannot talk yet, or do anything meaningful. But I saw more than enough times that if you're unhappy it helps when someone else physically comforts you." (Liqu)

The girl stares at me with wide-open eyes and I feel at a loss.

The maid on the other hand is somewhere between anger and stunned paralyzation.

"L-Liqu?" (Anvenia)

"Uh, she can't speak yet, but I'd say she still likes you." (Shari)

She continues to stare.

"Thank you!" (Anvenia)

And I find myself in an embrace.

Which is weird, as I know this hug isn't for me but for the occupant inside my body.

"Okay, that's enough! Just look at you, your highness. You're totally... totally slimy!" (Lorena)

The maid pulls her back and starts to ferociously rub her with a handkerchief.

Like this, I'm by myself again.

"So, you're already able to move an arm?" (Shari) "Uh, you know..." (Liqu)

The next moment a number of thoughts, feelings, and desires flood my mind, relaying a general picture of what she's trying to say.

"What!?" (Shari)