While I'm a bit worried about Liqu behaving well-mannered while being here in the royal palace with the next heir to the throne it's beneficial to lead negotiations without her input which is... not as based on common sense.

Now I'm going to meet up again with my team.

We were separated for quite a while and I guess it will get somewhat difficult to tell them that we're switching our employer.

The number of guards I see here indicates that this is a high-security area.

Which is good, as I'm still somewhat exposed without my usual cover measures and we're going to talk about very delicate stuff.

Nonetheless, I don't feel particularly at ease when I'm being watched by all these well-armed guards.

One of them eventually opens the door and in there I find Elin, Vela, and Zeon already assembled.

"Damn, I wouldn't have ever thought that I’d be glad to see you." (Vela)

Well, I guess they received a different treatment since yesterday that didn't involve confirmation from the royals that we made it and aren't going to be victims in this ploy.

"Hey, wanted to tell you that we made it. The girl is safe and sound, and our mission therefore officially a success." (Shari)

I'd say they should be relieved to hear this.

I look towards Elin.

"So they found you?" (Shari)

"Well, they were quite convincing when they called me on behalf of a certain slime. I doubt our enemies would bother learning your names. On another note, where is Liqu?" (Elin)

"Ehm, occupied. Basically still at her guard duty." (Shari)

"So 'safe and sound' is relative?" (Vela)

"That's at least how the maid sees it." (Shari)

Promptly the queen passes by me.

"Not that I don't approve of your reunion, but we have important things to discuss." (Serenia)

At once, Zeon and Vela bow down.

And then they throw Elin an upset glare.

"What?! I come from Ekoras' streets. I have no idea who that is. I might be able to figure it out but by the time I finished, it would sound purely dishonest." (Elin)

Vela hisses at her.

"She's your queen so act that way!" (Vela)

"Uh, sorry? Should I now bow down as they do?" (Elin)

"I don't think that's necessary. In any case, it's not going to be as bad as mine and Liqu's first impression." (Shari)

After I finished speaking the queen makes a gesture.

"Now that the comedic banter is conducted, may I begin to appoint you to your new mission? Albeit I progressively grow doubtful about doing so." (Serenia)

"Ahem, appointing us? My queen, we are still Count Kahan's subordinates. We can't simply turn our backs on him." (Vela)

"I understand your concerns, but I already discussed this very subject with your leader beforehand, and Count Kahan would agree with using his assets in the most effective way. I wish for you to cleanse this country of the filth that is sullying it." (Serenia)

They look uncomfortable about this offer and Zeon is the first to speak.

"I'm very sorry and can only apologize, but I'm Count Kahan's man. He's the one I serve and devoted my life to. There's no way for me to serve another master. Especially, now that he is in such a pinch. His troops are severely weakened and he needs every single soldier. Also, someone he knows should report back about the results of our mission." (Zeon)

The queen nods and looks at Vela.

"And you?" (Serenia)

"I don't know. I'm willing to serve in the best way possible, but I can't abandon my old position." (Vela)

"Well, then I'll arrange everything for your return. It might be good if one of you would wait for a bit to deliver the documents along with the apparently needed help. I suppose at this point you can be considered trustworthy. What about you, rude one?" (Serenia)

She focuses on Elin.

"I'm in. As I understand it, our slimy bosses already agreed to this venture. It has always worked out for me to stay with them so I guess I'll continue doing so." (Elin)

"So it seems that some of you are willing to take up this task. I know I demand much and your path will be a dark one yet in the end it might save us all." (Serenia)

"Hey, Ms. Queen, while I agreed, don't come at me with this 'unsung-heroes-bullshit'. I expect to be rewarded generously once we're done, and a badge of honor or whatever is going to get me free drinks in every tavern of the country." (Elin)

Isn't she a minor?

I never held Elin as being the bold type, though I should as well say something before her words evaporate.

"While she might have been rude, I at least agree that I want some recognition for our efforts. Doing all the brunt work and then being tossed aside wouldn't sit well with me." (Shari)

After all, that's my main reason for doing this.

"Naturally. We already agreed on these terms if I may remind you." (Serenia)

"There's another point that might make our assistance difficult. I don't want to be rude, but there are certain issues involved; for example, we can't openly traverse the street. It's all kinda part of the same problem, I guess." (Shari)

"I'd think so, yet as you're already aware, we're currently lacking trustworthy agents. Most of them are already deployed to gather intel, yet we could need someone with a 'more offensive' inclination. This being considered, you should know that your targets won't be able to make a report afterward. Also, I can at least disperse your worries in so far that the incident within the tavern could be wrapped up by my loyal subjects. It shouldn't be surprising that the one surviving person, the innkeeper, wasn't too inclined to make a testimony. So it wasn't very difficult to convince him to abstain from doing so during his interrogation. For the rest, while our enemies might conduct their own investigations and there could be rumors in the future, they should remain quite shallow. If you made it till here I'm sure you have your means to avoid detection." (Serenia)

And once again we're the dungeon monsters one procures when general terror is required.

"Sigh, speaking of it, Elin, do you have my stuff?" (Shari)

I especially won't forget about the part where I handed all my money to her.

And I'll certainly count it later on.

"Sure, here. But I couldn't do much when the guards looked through it." (Elin)

I look over to the queen.

"Back then we still had to verify your identity. I won't apologize for a necessary measure. Also, they were cleaned for you, which you should be grateful for. They smelled of the sewers. Not like you'd be affected. In addition, we even provided clothing." (Serenia)

Yeah, yeah, whatever.

Though, I guess I should be more grateful for the cloak.

It doesn't seem to be anything special, but it will at least cover my body.

I don't waste any time, take my bag, pull out the cloak and the gloves, and as covered as possible slide inside my usual covering.

Then I put on my mask.

"Very impressive, and a bit unsettling. I see you won't have significant issues blending in, and with the right groundwork, we can avoid your exposure." (Serenia)

I guess she means that she's going to pull some strings to make it easier for me to move within the city's premises.

It wouldn't do for her new agent to get apprehended by the first patrol.

Which can be considered positive for now.

"It seems the negotiations are concluded. The crown is grateful for any kind of support. Soldier, while I understand your wish to return to your lord's side immediately, I need to ask of you to remain here for a bit longer. We need to prepare the documents for taking over his subjects and you are the best choice to deliver them." (Serenia)

"I suppose I don't have a choice then." (Zeon)

"By the time you arrive you may also add that his contribution and loyalty won't be forgotten." (Serenia)

"I'm sure he will be pleased to hear this, your highness." (Zeon)

As long as this includes thorough coverage of his losses.

At least a new house is desperately needed and I would ask for this in his stead.

The queen turns back to us.

"Until the contract is finalized as requested, you are guests in the palace. As such you are naturally allowed to move freely. We'll even grant you a pass that will allow you to leave and enter the palace grounds. However, I doubt I have to press that outside of this floor, you shouldn't speak to anyone about your insights. This especially includes two particular slimes." (Serenia)

This is quite generous.

With such conditions, I could even leave now to never return to this place.

I approach the queen.

"Thank you for your generosity." (Shari)

"I claim to be a good judge of character and doubt you would now abandon the agreement you deem to be favorable enough. See this please as an attempt to establish trust." (Serenia)

"Well, thanks." (Shari)

"Also, it's for the same reason that I would like to inform you that someone went yesterday to the guard and requested they look for a humanoid slime." (Serenia)

Sometimes I believe the world just hates me.