Fine, now we just have to get down there.
Liqu is still with me in this gap room.
Due to the cramped space, it's inevitable that we have contact with each other and subsequently link.
"Shari, I can't hold this much extra mass any longer. I'm at my limit." (Liqu)
To be honest, I forgot for a moment that her current state might also affect her ability to control more mass than her personal max allows.
"Sploosh"
And at once an amount of slime that equals two full-grown men gushes down the drain.
Urgh, right on the man we kidnapped.
I should quickly get down there or he might drown in this vile mix of sewer drainage and human-based slime.
There are certainly better deaths.
Fortunately, when I manage to reach the lower level, Elin has already pulled him out.
But while she almost baths in this vile concoction, she seems to be in high spirits.
"I take it that your mission was a success? Well, at least as long as that's the right guy." (Elin)
"Yes, he is. But you have no idea what I've just been through. I can't wait to get out of here and probably exchange my whole body so I can feel clean again. You, on the other hand, seem to be awfully elated while floundering about in the filth." (Shari)
"Oh, you have no idea how much I enjoy it to see some posh noble being dragged down into the same shit that all those they look down upon, struggle in." (Elin)
Right, she might feel some spite towards nobles.
Or anyone involved in her parent's death.
And... right, she spits at him.
While I doubt that this man, covered in probably all the filth the world knows, ever even heard of her family, he's part of the problem which can be boiled down to nobles backing each other and being able to force their way.
They all conspire in illegal activities which regularly goes to the disadvantage of commoners like us.
Well, being a slime shouldn't exclude me, right?
"No idea what you're thinking about, but we should get going. Just because I doubt that any guard, no matter how good they're paid, would jump after you down the toilet, they might at least raise the alarm and eventually send some expedition to this place. I'd like to be long gone when that happens." (Elin)
The criminal in our group might be right.
We'll have to transport him in some way.
Unfortunately, for several of the involved parties, Elin is a rather small young woman and certainly not able to carry 'tubby' by herself.
This leaves Liqu and I.
So it seems like we have to carry the noble the slime way.
Lifted up inside our bodies.
However, Liqu, in her state, is still not able to perform this all the way, and as skilled as I became in using my body, I can't control it on that level till we arrive with the mass I have at my disposal.
In the end, we take turns to make it happen and it goes surprisingly well.
Eventually, we arrive at the rendezvous point below the palace where we are already expected.
"God! My heart almost stopped when you showed up. Would it have hurt you to make some noise before coming around the corner?" (captain)
"Captain Soma I suppose? As you can see, we brought the target." (Shari)
"Hm, I had my doubts about you but at least you're showing results." (Soma)
"Thanks, I guess? Where should we put him? Liqu and I are both quite strained." (Shari)
He looks at the man, who by my personal assessment should weigh around a hundred-twenty kilos, and nods.
"My men will take over from here on out. You just have to follow." (Soma)
Under pressured groans and with mild disgust several soldiers start to carry the slimed man Liqu expelled near their feet.
After this, we're led inside the apparent dungeon.
At least it's a bit too vast to be a mere cellar.
And suddenly, there's someone I didn't expect down here.
"My queen?" (Shari)
"I see you were able to complete your mission. Allow me to congratulate you. I know this seemed like an ungrateful task, but believe me, with this, our position improved vastly." (Serenia)
I had some time to think about it on the way.
Partly because of interest and partly because understanding the situation will also help me determine my own position and evaluate the likelihood of fatal events, such as, a sudden royal betrayal.
One aspect of this is if the side I chose has any chance to win.
In some way, the queen was quite smart here.
Without the viscount, it's unlikely that his men will support the conspiracy any longer.
The commanders might be more involved regarding knowledge and whatever kind of hierarchy the traitors have established, but it's not like there's anyone who'd pay them for continuing their fight.
But, now that I think about it, without having an employer, they'd become swords for hire so it's not unlikely that some might get reemployed by them.
Though, that's not for sure.
Maybe the crown can scoop them up.
And if anything, someone other than this viscount will have to pay them.
So much for the current political situation.
"Ahem, won't they investigate what happened to that man? Is it really safe to throw him into the palace dungeon?" (Shari)
I have a hard time believing that no one is going to recognize him.
"There's no need to worry. Only those involved would watch this particular partition and it's only a small distance from here to the cell that we prepared in advance. Let's say this palace has history and not all dungeons are in plain sight." (Serenia)
So they have secret dungeons for unwelcome political opponents.
At times like these, I have to ask myself if I'm really working for the good guys.
However, looking at it the other way, it's the side that promised to ascertain my continued survival.
Something the others have yet to offer.
"Speaking of the treatment of prisoners. What did you do to the viscount?" (Serenia)
"I applied a strong dosage of Ledia leaves. He should be out for a while yet not in any danger, your highness." (Shari)
"Hm, you're far more professional than I gave you credit. This success will certainly help to convince my husband that you're valuable assets." (Serenia)
As far as I know, we already have a working contract, but I suppose pointing that out won't help my position.
We move further down into the dungeon.
At this point, I also start to worry if the fact that there's a sewer system might in any way clash with the structural integrity.
I mean, who builds something that leads lower than the local water reservoirs?
That's daring to get flooded!
Not like it would concern me as much who doesn't have to breathe, but knowing what kind of water would spill down here I still wouldn't want to experience this.
Eventually, we reach a cell at the end of a corridor so far deep down in this labyrinth that one would be completely lost without a lamp or a plan.
"Get him in there." (Serenia)
"As you wish, my queen." (Soma)
Damn, that's certainly not the comfy noble cell I called my home during the last month.
"Now we have to wait till our sleeping beauty awakens. Would it be possible to ask for your assistance when that time comes?" (Serenia)
I don't like the direction this is going.
"I need to stop you right there. I did quite a lot of dubious stuff for the sake of survival, but I draw the line at torturing someone by whatever means you think we can inflict." (Shari)
"What a shame. And you Liqu?" (Serenia)
"Torturing means inflicting unnecessary pain, right? I as a principle don't hunt like that." (Liqu)
"I see. But may I remind you, if those people, those traitors, succeed, then not only we but also Anvenia will die, one way or the other. I thought you have taken a liking to her?" (Serenia)
Now Liqu looks kinda conflicted.
Not on a dire level, but more like she does when she doesn't know what to dissolve next.
"Hm, yes, I like her, but I'm not so sure. My Shari just said that she doesn't like to do this, so I think I shouldn't. And the girl as well didn't seem very fine when I dissolved people." (Liqu)
The queen isn't reacting directly.
I suppose she's slightly surprised that slimes like us have principles.
"I understand. Then let me suggest something else. However, I'll still require your participation." (Serenia)
Sigh, for some reason I'm jumping from one problematic situation to the other.
Fine, now we just have to get down there.
Liqu is still with me in this gap room.
Due to the cramped space, it's inevitable that we have contact with each other and subsequently link.
"Shari, I can't hold this much extra mass any longer. I'm at my limit." (Liqu)
To be honest, I forgot for a moment that her current state might also affect her ability to control more mass than her personal max allows.
"Sploosh"
And at once an amount of slime that equals two full-grown men gushes down the drain.
Urgh, right on the man we kidnapped.
I should quickly get down there or he might drown in this vile mix of sewer drainage and human-based slime.
There are certainly better deaths.
Fortunately, when I manage to reach the lower level, Elin has already pulled him out.
But while she almost baths in this vile concoction, she seems to be in high spirits.
"I take it that your mission was a success? Well, at least as long as that's the right guy." (Elin)
"Yes, he is. But you have no idea what I've just been through. I can't wait to get out of here and probably exchange my whole body so I can feel clean again. You, on the other hand, seem to be awfully elated while floundering about in the filth." (Shari)
"Oh, you have no idea how much I enjoy it to see some posh noble being dragged down into the same shit that all those they look down upon, struggle in." (Elin)
Right, she might feel some spite towards nobles.
Or anyone involved in her parent's death.
And... right, she spits at him.
While I doubt that this man, covered in probably all the filth the world knows, ever even heard of her family, he's part of the problem which can be boiled down to nobles backing each other and being able to force their way.
They all conspire in illegal activities which regularly goes to the disadvantage of commoners like us.
Well, being a slime shouldn't exclude me, right?
"No idea what you're thinking about, but we should get going. Just because I doubt that any guard, no matter how good they're paid, would jump after you down the toilet, they might at least raise the alarm and eventually send some expedition to this place. I'd like to be long gone when that happens." (Elin)
The criminal in our group might be right.
We'll have to transport him in some way.
Unfortunately, for several of the involved parties, Elin is a rather small young woman and certainly not able to carry 'tubby' by herself.
This leaves Liqu and I.
So it seems like we have to carry the noble the slime way.
Lifted up inside our bodies.
However, Liqu, in her state, is still not able to perform this all the way, and as skilled as I became in using my body, I can't control it on that level till we arrive with the mass I have at my disposal.
In the end, we take turns to make it happen and it goes surprisingly well.
Eventually, we arrive at the rendezvous point below the palace where we are already expected.
"God! My heart almost stopped when you showed up. Would it have hurt you to make some noise before coming around the corner?" (captain)
"Captain Soma I suppose? As you can see, we brought the target." (Shari)
"Hm, I had my doubts about you but at least you're showing results." (Soma)
"Thanks, I guess? Where should we put him? Liqu and I are both quite strained." (Shari)
He looks at the man, who by my personal assessment should weigh around a hundred-twenty kilos, and nods.
"My men will take over from here on out. You just have to follow." (Soma)
Under pressured groans and with mild disgust several soldiers start to carry the slimed man Liqu expelled near their feet.
After this, we're led inside the apparent dungeon.
At least it's a bit too vast to be a mere cellar.
And suddenly, there's someone I didn't expect down here.
"My queen?" (Shari)
"I see you were able to complete your mission. Allow me to congratulate you. I know this seemed like an ungrateful task, but believe me, with this, our position improved vastly." (Serenia)
I had some time to think about it on the way.
Partly because of interest and partly because understanding the situation will also help me determine my own position and evaluate the likelihood of fatal events, such as, a sudden royal betrayal.
One aspect of this is if the side I chose has any chance to win.
In some way, the queen was quite smart here.
Without the viscount, it's unlikely that his men will support the conspiracy any longer.
The commanders might be more involved regarding knowledge and whatever kind of hierarchy the traitors have established, but it's not like there's anyone who'd pay them for continuing their fight.
But, now that I think about it, without having an employer, they'd become swords for hire so it's not unlikely that some might get reemployed by them.
Though, that's not for sure.
Maybe the crown can scoop them up.
And if anything, someone other than this viscount will have to pay them.
So much for the current political situation.
"Ahem, won't they investigate what happened to that man? Is it really safe to throw him into the palace dungeon?" (Shari)
I have a hard time believing that no one is going to recognize him.
"There's no need to worry. Only those involved would watch this particular partition and it's only a small distance from here to the cell that we prepared in advance. Let's say this palace has history and not all dungeons are in plain sight." (Serenia)
So they have secret dungeons for unwelcome political opponents.
At times like these, I have to ask myself if I'm really working for the good guys.
However, looking at it the other way, it's the side that promised to ascertain my continued survival.
Something the others have yet to offer.
"Speaking of the treatment of prisoners. What did you do to the viscount?" (Serenia)
"I applied a strong dosage of Ledia leaves. He should be out for a while yet not in any danger, your highness." (Shari)
"Hm, you're far more professional than I gave you credit. This success will certainly help to convince my husband that you're valuable assets." (Serenia)
As far as I know, we already have a working contract, but I suppose pointing that out won't help my position.
We move further down into the dungeon.
At this point, I also start to worry if the fact that there's a sewer system might in any way clash with the structural integrity.
I mean, who builds something that leads lower than the local water reservoirs?
That's daring to get flooded!
Not like it would concern me as much who doesn't have to breathe, but knowing what kind of water would spill down here I still wouldn't want to experience this.
Eventually, we reach a cell at the end of a corridor so far deep down in this labyrinth that one would be completely lost without a lamp or a plan.
"Get him in there." (Serenia)
"As you wish, my queen." (Soma)
Damn, that's certainly not the comfy noble cell I called my home during the last month.
"Now we have to wait till our sleeping beauty awakens. Would it be possible to ask for your assistance when that time comes?" (Serenia)
I don't like the direction this is going.
"I need to stop you right there. I did quite a lot of dubious stuff for the sake of survival, but I draw the line at torturing someone by whatever means you think we can inflict." (Shari)
"What a shame. And you Liqu?" (Serenia)
"Torturing means inflicting unnecessary pain, right? I as a principle don't hunt like that." (Liqu)
"I see. But may I remind you, if those people, those traitors, succeed, then not only we but also Anvenia will die, one way or the other. I thought you have taken a liking to her?" (Serenia)
Now Liqu looks kinda conflicted.
Not on a dire level, but more like she does when she doesn't know what to dissolve next.
"Hm, yes, I like her, but I'm not so sure. My Shari just said that she doesn't like to do this, so I think I shouldn't. And the girl as well didn't seem very fine when I dissolved people." (Liqu)
The queen isn't reacting directly.
I suppose she's slightly surprised that slimes like us have principles.
"I understand. Then let me suggest something else. However, I'll still require your participation." (Serenia)
Sigh, for some reason I'm jumping from one problematic situation to the other.
