Slime Girl

- Shari -

Already working on a mental list regarding the things I need, I begin guiding us on our way out.
After three corridors, I find the first point on the list.
Some very good friends.

"There was no reason for you to go that far." (Gareth)

"And I keep telling you, there was. While maybe a bit bold, I don't regret coming with you. Were you told about the incident with the adventurers? That's exactly the kind of thing we could prevent. Not to forget that sometimes you should spare the effort to help out a friend. Or do I have to call you 'Lord Commander' now?" (Jacob)

"Oh, please, as if." (Gareth)

"You know how slowly the mills grind in Aurea. I wouldn't wonder if they'd just keep you appointed before announcing anyone else. You should certainly have the necessary merits assembled after this day." (Jacob)

I'm not entirely sure if he did it to support an old friend or rather reap the benefits of having someone in a high position later on.
Knowing Jacob, it could've been both of these reasons.

"Hey, nice to see you all getting along." (Shari)

"That's a groundless assessment. Those two have been quarreling the whole time already." (Lorel)

"In any case, I'm glad it all went well. Maybe things can really start to improve now for everyone in Ekoras. The adventurers too, of course." (Shari)

"Regarding what I heard, the containment held without greater incidents. This means that the guild is going to get through this without any noteworthy backlash. Now there might be some worry that the economy is going to be in turmoil for everyone, but it isn't hopeless. There's actually a chance for things to get better." (Jacob)

Suddenly, this noble boy steps up to me.

"Miss... slime. I, I had many convoluted thoughts regarding your person, for various reasons. However, you proved yourself to everyone, time and time again, with your impeccable character. I, on my side... Would like to thank you and apologize." (Lorel)

This boy seriously extends his hands now to shake mine.

"Oh, oh! You should do that! That's super rare! Take every chance you can get! (Liqu)

As Liqu cheers me on, it seems like I don't have much of a choice.
I extend my glove and he grabs it.
Unfortunately, he has a firm grip, which means that he's unavoidably getting irritated at the lack of resistance on my side.

"Did you expect something else?" (Shari)

"Uh, well, it's a bit squishier than I anticipated." (Lorel)

"Are you done now, or do you have any relevant business with us?" (Myra)

"I guess there's more, though not exactly just yet. Jacob, I would like to talk to your group tomorrow. Would it be possible to meet up at my place?" (Shari)

Still nice that I have somewhere to call "my place".
Also, if Gareth can really make some changes to this city, I won't have to worry as much about circumstances taking it away from me.
In this sense, the retail value might even increase.

"More of your 'assignments'? The last already had us stomp the feral ant nest quite hard." (Jacob)

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"I hope you're not considering this. Especially as, for all I know, we should still be getting paid for the last job." (Myra)

Oh shit!
Right.
Michael promised them a little fortune for their assistance.
However, I don't have this kind of money.
Let's hope I'll be able to have a payment arranged by any affairs that aren't completely wrong.

"I'm sorry. I don't have that sum on me. Also, Michael left town. However, I'm sure I can figure out something for you by tomorrow. Oh, one more reason to show up. If you were to come, I would put one potion from my assortment on the table for each of you as an additional benefit for your inconveniences." (Shari)

At this, Myra looks at me, completely exasperated.

"Don't believe for a second that we haven't figured out by now what is in those!" (Myra)

Yeah... I hope they're not going to spread this.
If they do, it might be better that I left town by then before the angry mob shows up at my doorstep.

"Wait, Myra. While you're obviously right, those potions sell extremely well. In some instances, for two silver a flask. So it's still a sizeable offer. Not like we need to use them ourselves." (Jacob)

"I can't believe you, Jacob." (Myra)

While his stance on my potions gives me a lot to think about, the far more prominent point in my mind would be how he just casually dropped how crassly I am underselling my potions.

"Be that as it may... do we have a deal?" (Shari)

"I think it's fine. It's not like we anything have to lose just by listening to her request." (Lorel)

"Lorel has a point. Fine, I guess we can spare you the time. It's not like we're going to be particularly busy the next few weeks." (Jacob)

"Hrmph. Whatever." (Myra)

"Well, great. I'll see you then." (Shari)

"What about our payment?" (Jacob)

"As I said, it's not exactly linked to Liqu and me, but I'll see what I can do. I have some contacts." (Shari)

"Yeah, of course the slime has." (Myra)

With these nice words, I depart.
Not sure if what I have in mind for them is the smartest idea, but I guess I can trust them enough.

Before I leave the castle, I make use of this nifty ability to track body elements, which enables me to find Captain Soma again, who is right now engaged with Captain Peras.
It's actually not that much of an issue to have him cover for the money Michael promised them.
Especially, with Peras right next to him, who despises any kind of dishonorable behavior and favors loyalty above everything else.
Not to pay someone who risked quite a lot for you won't happen with him involved.
This being settled, I can finally leave the castle.

Now there are a few other things I need to get done before it gets dark.
First things first, a visit to Tamarah's shop is due.
If nothing else, to make sure that she got unharmed out of the whole uproar during the purge.

Gratifyingly, despite there being more guards and controls than ever around town, my status as a royal guard, visible by the emblem I carry with me, allows me to just pass them.
Our side won, so I, as one of the upper ranks, can basically act as I please without having to be all that cautious.
Of course, Liqu and I at least got our masks and cloaks up.
One doesn't need to challenge the world if she decided not to mess with you for once.

This means, despite the market being the second strongest foothold of the guard in town, we actually don't have any issues getting to Tamarah's.

There, I find my favorite alchemist immersed in her business, talking to an officer, as it seems.

"I require roughly fifty more units of clearsprout. Not to forget, twenty velora routs, fifteen waterveils, and please, get me some darkleaves, cause I really need to make me a tea." (Tamarah)

"Uh, ma'am..." (officer)

"What are you waiting for?! I don't have all day! If I can't brew because you won't get me my ingredients, I'll make very sure to mention your participation in why I couldn't meet the order." (Tamarah)

That's enough to send this poor man running.
Unfortunately, him passing me earns me right then the passionate attention of the aforementioned alchemist.

"Oh damn, you. What are you doing here? Can't you see that I'm busy?" (Tamarah)

"Uh, hi, Tamarah. If this isn't my favorite alchemist." (Shari)

"Wrong angle, dearest-" (Tamarah)

Promptly, I feel myself embraced from behind.

"She is my dearest!" (Liqu)

"Yeah, yeah. I don't have the patience to deal with that now. Especially, as I'm, because of your stupid city-wide raid, just completely swamped with work. They demand from me to brew potion upon potion of the most mundane kind. Nothing but health and stamina potions, it's terribly boorish, and I am now even starting to get low on my foundation ingredient again." (Tamarah)

Yeah, she definitely isn't in a great mood.
Fiddling myself out of Liqu's grasp, I address Tamarah.

"We don't want to stick around for long. Actually, I wanted to inform you that we are going to leave the town after tomorrow. I only wanted to ask if our deal with the two kids still stands." (Shari)

"Right, your little transformation project. As I said, now is not the best time to handle this." (Tamarah)

"Please, Tamarah. Isn't there any way to convince you?" (Shari)

"I tell you what, if you provide me now with enough slime to get through the day, so I can be sure to keep up with the orders, then I'll make certain to keep my part." (Tamarah)

Well, there isn't much else to discuss.
Although reluctantly, I go to the tub and fill it as well as I can with everything I can reasonably spare.
Liqu helps too, and Tamarah looked almost complacent once we're done.

"The color of this mix might end up looking a bit peculiar if it doesn't merge well, but I guess it will suffice. Although I believe that, with as much as I'm apparently supposed to provide, even this won't last for long. At least they pay well. Yet I guess I might need another source soon." (Tamarah)

Well, that wink makes me quite confident.
If anything, I could always count on Tamarah's honesty until now.
So I'm sure that she truly will look out for Nia, and maybe her brother as well.
I just hope the two are going to be fine.