Eostia: Harem Quest

by EostianScribe

The Gods have given mortals the power of The Gamer as a pass time. A hobby. A means to compete and relax. One goddess, however, sees it as a means of salvation; starting with one world. As such, she rolls the dice... (Harem, Citrus and Eventual Dark Content Warning)

70. Act II-Ch XLIII: To Deal With Slime

[ - Author's Note - ]

Welp; the road trip is over and done with now... About time... And with the Act's end on the horizon you know what is coming right after... So, what's in this chapter?

A throw back to early Act One, peeks in at Feoh... oh, and you all finally get to see what the project James commissioned was exactly... I will say this; no one had guessed what it was thus far. Also; the ongoing Best Banners of Thorn is still up and the link will be at the end of the chapter, as usual.

So, let's get to it!

[ - Act II - Chapter XLIII: To Deal With Slime - ]

"Wahhhhhhh!" A watery voice let off as several wet, squelching sounds were heard going along the long forest path, out of sight of nearly everyone...

"There! There it is!"

But not everyone.

"Kill it! Kill it!"

"I'm trying! Keep going!"

"Press on! It can run but not hide!" A number of men, clad in leather or cloth armor charged through the brush and between trees. Soon they paused and looked about for a long moment. "Did it escape?"

"I guess it can hide..." Another man let off.

"I'm in no mood to just let it go... Spread out everyone! Find it, quickly!" Another let off as the group of men split off into groups of three.

After they left something started to leak down from inside of a hollowed tree; peeking outside to see if the men were gone...

[-]

I think it's hard to fully state just how important the advent of the humble printing press was for the Kingdom of Eostia. Before the ability to copy books was highly limited; you either needed someone to copy everything by hand and risk odd errors here and there or use some enchanter's contraption that could do it but was likely expensive and could vary in quality from making perfect copies to barely useable depending on the maker. Indeed; as grand a thing magic can be it's not always the best solution to any and every problem; doubly so as not all can learn it.

The printing press, on the other hand, makes it relatively easy and cheap to amass copies of documents, announcements and, more importantly, books for the populous. The halfling led invention has brought literacy in the general public up to almost half and the High Throne wishes it to be high as possible. Reading, after all, is a useful skill and with books in abundance for information, learning or just leisure available and prices of them all coming down to affordable for the common folk more and more people have reason to learn the skill.

To compare Balanar and Nyaru have, perhaps, ten percent of the general populous able to read while in Dominious it's forbidden for normal citizens to learn how to read at all; only military officers, nobility and the merchant class is allowed to learn. As such this allows the various classes of Eostia to uplift themselves and by uplifting themselves they uplift those over them. In the end this education allows all of Eostia to benefit and create new wealth and strength. It often confuses me how nobles of other nations cannot understand a simple fact.

For any structure to be strong it needs a strong foundation and the foundation of any nation is it's people. The more the people prosper the more the nation prospers and often it's changes in technology and education that brings that prosperity. This is why the printing press, envisioned by middle class metal workers, was so important and why following inventions will be in it's shadow.

~Dominic James Pencraft, The Eostia Historia

[-]

The first breakfast at home was large, simple and filling; waffles, bacon, sausage and eggs. It was simple, good food and a reminder of how comforting home can be. After that first order of business was my gift to Tiffany; a new and more potent spell book. It was one with a red, leather cover and gold trim and I had set a blue spell stone to the center of it's spine. It could act as a magical focus, of course, but the real treat was the Levitation spell I slapped into it. It was programmed to stay near it's user within arm's reach while staying out of their way when attacking or defending; meaning she could operate with it hands free and allow her to use her staff with both hands if she needed to fight in the melee without dropping it. I felt it was useful, anyway.

I also got mother some cookbooks along the way and she was more then happy to try them out. For dad Miria gave him something; a new inkwell and quill. Rather then a fathered sort of quill it was made of polished and embroidered brass; rather fancy. Gregory was also wearing his slightly used mythril armor and was wearing it very well, I might add, and was clearly happy with it. But all of that was fun and games compared to going down to the Manor's forge and seeing what was made.

I don't think I brought up the blacksmith in the manor before, anyway. That was a bit of a shame given how hard he worked. His name was Carl Quill and he was a stout man; five foot ten and built wide with hairy, burly arms. He wore a white tunic covered in soot under a thick, leather apron. Black, leather pants and boots finished the clothing while his head was as bald as can be with a bushy, blonde beard and sharp, yellow eyes.

(-)

Name: Carl Quill
Title: Blacksmith of the Manor
Class: Blacksmith/Warlord
Level: 19
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 44
Status: Healthy, Proud, Accomplished

Known Traits
[?]
[Heat of the Forge] You can withstand hot days and heat thanks to your time at the forge. You manage heat better and take 5% less damage from fire attacks
[?]

Having been curious of the forging of weapons since a young age Carl apprenticed to learn the craft of blade work at the age of twelve. By sixteen he was not only able to forge weapons and armor but tools and other needed items as well having found work under the Lords of House Noxdecus.

(-)

The other was a local glass blower who made glasses and such for people in Mungale. Louis Vander stood six foot even and bore a swimmer's sort of build; wearing a red tunic and a heavier, black apron as well as red pants and boots. By contrast he had mid-back length brown hair and green eyes.

(-)

Name: Loius Vander
Title: The Glass Blower of Mungale
Class: Gaffer
Level: 7
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 24
Status: Healthy, Accomplish, Proud

Known Traits
[?]
[Deep Lungs] You can blow harder and longer or hold your breath for longer. +4 to Lung Capacity
[?]

Sixth child of a glass blower and a member of the Glass Blower's Guild he enjoys the artistic end of the craft but thinks simple, practical works are more profitable and is always seeking to advance the craft in new ways. As such he studies the different effects of various mixtures to produce different kinds of glass.

(-)

In addition both of my parents were here as was Elrund Shinestar (And his new title, Alchemist of Mungale; dad was quick to help him set up shop in Argon and allowed him to live in the manor in the meantime. Given how we met it was a good idea) and they were all looking to me as, in gloved hands, I turned something over as I looked at it. "You really did it..." I let off; I sounded like a kid on Christmas getting the newest video game entertainment system and the best games for it. I could feel the grin on my face. "I was confident you could pull it off, but I'd be lying if I said I had no worries."

"Ha!" Carl barked out, crossing his beefy arms. "It was a challenge I'll say; it took a while to make the glass press to be what we needed it to be. The holes needed to be super small; smaller then I thought I could make but I finally got my hands on a thin needle that was magically reinforced and put it to use."

"Not to mention the normal glass mixtures failed so I had to experiment a lot." Louis added. "But I finally got one just right with some frosted quartz and pebble quartz added in." Frosted Quartz was... well, a rather common quartz that was often found in spell stone quarries. It was sometimes mistaken for white spell stones and often earned 'Grade Twelve' ratings. Pebble Quartz was also fairly common; I knew both were added to spell orb glass, but not much beyond that.

(As it turns out the normal glass to quartz mix was about four to one, roughly, but for this stuff the mix was one part normal glass mix, four frosted and five pebble. This meant this would be some of the most expensive spell orb glass ever made with only a soft increase in capacity to hold magic once made into spell orb. Still, it worked and that's what was important.)

So, what was this stuff I commissioned? What was I holding that made me so excited?

A two foot by two foot, thin sheet of semi-transparent fiber glass. I was worried that the technology level of this world would prevent it from being made but I hoped magic and exotic materials could make up the difference. And these two did it! "Gentlemen..." I let off, finally looking to both men since I held the cloth and as I did I bowed deeply. "I bow my head to the masters of their crafts. You've done what I needed and then some." I said as I rose back up, still looking over my prize.

"Yeah; but it's fairly expensive for spell glass, if that's what you plan on making..." Louis said with a huff. Sure, but still...

"Perhaps..." My father let off as he tilted his head. "You can explain what you plan on doing with this that makes it so important."

"Right, of course..." I said with a soft chuckle as I looked up to them from the sheet. "Allow me to start at the basics of spell stones and spell glass; I know most everyone here is familiar with this but I want to start from the top." I began as everyone nodded. "As you all know we use spell stones and spell orbs to enchant with magic and spells to achieve effects on weapons, items and so on. Hidden in the manor's walls are spell orbs helping reinforcing the walls if something were to attack, as an example. Spell stones are, by all accounts, superior to spell glass in almost every way; they're very hard to break, usually have much more power to spare pound per pound and are smaller making them better for weapons or anything that might take a direct hit."

"Spell orb glass only has one, real benefit over spell stones." I said as I kept going to my audience as I tried to get to my point relatively quickly. "They are dirt cheap in comparison to stones. They might be as fragile as normal glass, and they may need to be larger to get the same level of power, but they are much, much cheaper. Let's be honest; it's easier to make a spell orb to power something that's more sizable then armor then find a spell stone that can; even if it's three or four, or hell, ten times the size the stone would be; not to mention you can break the bank to even buy such a spell stone. However if you could remove the fragility from spell orb glass that's one of the major faults removed..." I said... before holding up the sheet as I turned, partially folded and twisted it. "And this can answer that. If you can make glass flexible, so it could move with a strike without shattering or breaking..."

"I see..." Elrund let off as he spoke up as he moved a hand to rub his chin. "This could make spell orb glass usable for projects that are on something that could come under attack or be treated in a rough manner. Indeed, it would be even better to use to reinforce defensive walls..."

"I see... I see..." Merlin let off, chuckling as he stroked his beard. "This can open up... possibilities..."

"I managed to find some pretty good spell stones on my trip; I plan to attach one of them to the glass press and make it so it'll empower the glass with the same magical signature over and over. That should attune all the glass the same way even if they're made days apart." Merlin's eyes opened wider at what I suggested that as I grinned wider. "I'll want to make a test batch first but for the next thing I want to make I'll need, I'd say, about a hundred pounds of this stuff." I said as everyone blinked at me. "Although we should make a hundred and ten to be sure I have enough; better safe then sorry."

"M'Lord is clearly thinking big..." Carl let off, rubbing the back of his head for a moment. "I'll need to make a larger press first, then..."

"And I'll need to purchase the quartz in bulk..." Louis added as I chuckled.

"Trust me; I'll cover the supplies and offer both of you thirty gold each for the work and effort you've put in thus far."

"Does it have to be a sheet?" Saxon asked as I looked and blinked at her. "I would think a rope would be easier to make; if it would work just as well."

"Hmmm, it should be fine. As long as it can flex it should be fine." I said as she pumped an arm.

"Given how things are you can afford the cost of this, clearly." Merlin let off with a chuckle as I blushed a bit. It was true; ice cream maker sales were picking up as Edmund was helping them reach further markets and other people. On top of that voxlux and booster sales were on going, subsidized by the High Throne. I had about thirty five and a half platinum on me when I returned home. I found over a hundred fifty platinum and change waiting for me And then there was another ninety gold earned from the Creamy Dream to add in on top of it. Sure, I wasn't going to go for a Scrooge McDuck style swim, but I was rollin' in it! Speaking of...

"Speaking of which, I have more business to see to." I said as I looked to my father as I set the fiber glass aside finally. "I wanted to start making a workshop to build and sell Battle Fleet games so I need to hop on that, sooner rather then later. Oh; and Elrund... If I can ask; do you know of any good, flexible resins to use to attach the... let's call it spell fiber; do you know any flexible resins to use to hold the spell fiber in place?"

"Hmmm, I'm sure I can come up with something." The elf said with a long nod as I smiled.

"Thanks... In the meantime... I have a rabbit to deal with..."

[-]

"Lord Noxdecus! What brings you here?" Mayor Velvet let off as I entered her office. "Business? Pleasure? Or both..?" She let off as she moved to pull a cup of her leotard down to expose her breast with a wink. I sighed deeply and tried to not roll my eyes.

"Just business. You recall when I called over via the voxlux? About finding a building to use as a game's workshop?" I told her while keeping as straight a face as I could.

"Yeah... But a girl can want, can't she?" She said with a pout, fixing her breast as she opened a drawer in her desk and pulled out something; a large folder. "For your needs there's not much, but I found two that would work... but one's on the edge of the Red Light district." She said as I winced. Yes, Argon had a (Small) Red Light District. No, I didn't really want to set up shop there.

"Right... Let's see the other one then..." I said as she nodded and moved to grab something. We would leave the office and go down the street. The building was close to the city's wall and on the edge of the market district. From the outside it seemed like a proper fit; two stories and intact. It clearly needed some TLC, but I could do the work myself or hire others to do it for me; likely the second. Once Velvet opened the door and we walked in I hummed in thought. The place was in good condition; mostly in need of a dusting. Replace a couple of cracked windows, fix up the front till... The display area was intact. Going to the back it was empty save some very... questionable planks of wood. That said a couple work benches were pressed up to a wall and were still usable.

There was another large area clearly meant to act as a storage room and it still bore shelving. A trip up stairs was more of the same; storage and such. I could see an office being built up here and maybe even quarters to rest in. I think I'd have the professional carpenters handle the job of fixing it up; they might see issues I won't and we'd need the right equipment brought in. Benches to work on, saws to cut wood, hammers and nails to put things together, glue to attach the stones, maybe some sort of paint to put on the game, a simple press to create instruction sheets... Yeah, a lot of work and investment is needed, but still...

"I think it'll do... I think it'll do nicely." I let off as she smiled.

"Wonderful... So, let's get back to the office and square up!"

[-]

Three platinum, ten gold for the deed, five silver for fees and one gold in tax later I owned a new building.

(-)

Name: Unicorn Game Works
Type: Workshop/Store
Location: Argon City, Barony of Mungale
Purchase Cost: 3 Platinum, 10 Gold
Sell Cost: 1 Platinum, 80 Gold

Income: N/A
Production: N/A
Status: Under Repair/Inactive

(-)

After leaving the office I contracted for the work to fix the place up and get things set up; not every carpenter or woodworker in town was making arrows and bows for a possible invasion but those who weren't were charging a larger premium given the lack of wood workers not making weapons and ammo. I would put in an order for the lower end stones and have the planks I'd need from the local lumberjacks but I'd also need to see about workers; as such I made my way to the Guild. It was sometime since I was last there but I wasn't going for a job or the sake of saying 'hi' but to talk to Kara. In addition to other things the Guild acted as a sort of unemployment office where people in need of workers can find people to work and workers can find people to do work for. The Game Works would take sometime to get up and running but once the time came she would be the biggest help in finding people to work there. I walked up to the building, a sense of nostalgia filling me as I arrived, and walked in, ready to head to the desk-

"-and the training of conscripts in the northern territories continues as rumors abound of the Dark Kingdom of Garan preparing a push through into the Eostian northern borders! Several mercenary orders have, in response, offered short-term contracts for any and all able bodied and courageous adventurers to join as the specter of war hangs over us all! Remember; your local Adventurer's Guild can assist in pairing you with notable and reputable-"

...

What the fucking fuck!?

In the corner there was a smaller voxlux booster (About the size of a baseball) on a small stand projecting a rectangular screen in the air as I was blinking at the projection of a woman in a playboy bunny suit minus the ears and tail (So... Playboy generic suit?) speaking at a desk with a plain, blue background behind her. An easel off to her side bore a canvas with a map of Eostia with red circles on the northern most territories. I was... This was...

What!?

I very briskly walked up to the desk; Kara was minding the desk but had her back turned and was looking through the shelves. Once I was at the desk I reached out and rapped on the desk twice with my knuckles as she stiffened for a moment before turning to see me. "James! Good to see you, I have a prob-"

"What is that?" I let off, cutting her off as I pointed to the hovering screen as she blinked then let off a nervous chuckle coupled with a blush as she walked to the desk.

"Ahhh... That... The Central Guild wanted a way to spread information quickly and while the voxlux was wonderful in that they wanted something more... direct to the Adventurers themselves. Then someone came up with the idea of commissioning smaller voxluxs through me. The maids were a tad confused on why but they agreed. It lets the Guild broadcast worthwhile news in a direct manner." She let off as I looked back at the screen. The reporter was using a spell stone capped stick to cast an illusion on another, larger Eostian map to demonstrate the current weather conditions. "I was asked to see if you wouldn't mind making more... specialized voxluxs and receivers for this; it's so very useful!"

So... the guild opted to create a television channel with a news network while my back was turned with my voxlux... I think I know how guys like Alfred Noble felt like, at least to a degree...

"Regardless, there's a problem in Mungale that needs serious attention." Kara said, putting on a serious tone that told me of it's importance. "There's a slime in Mungale that's been approaching children." She let off as I felt my blood chill.

"What." I let off in deadpan.

"Indeed. We think that the slime is attempting to... rape them." She let off as my blood went colder. "The children think it's a friendly thing but when it was first found... shorts were down. I've had several of our most reliable people go after them. I even sicced the Rowdy Boys on it and... it evaded them. It's evaded everyone."

"If it can talk a kid to take his own pants off and evade people then we're talking a smart slime; likely a slime woman." I mused as Kara nodded.

"I presumed the same. It seems to target male children only and ones outside the walls." She carried on explaining. "Mostly in the out lying villages to the north. You should find it there, I would think. Are you up for it?"

"I think I am..." If nothing else Miria seemed more on the gleeful end to kill some slimes.

[New Quest Gained: Playing in Puddles]
[New Objective: Locate the Slime North of Agron City]

I was on the voxlux as I left the guild; it was time to call everyone to action...

[-]

Lancefort City, Kingdom of Feoh
City Morgue

Being among the dead in such a way wasn't Alicia's preference but it was needed. The chilled, bricked room was down two stories under the ground with lockers to hold bodies in as she kept her arms crossed as she watched a man work over three, dead bodies on three tables; John Maddax, Maxwell Winters and Leon Doxford. Each an agent of Feoh and each died in a different manner; John by a neck broken in the red light district at the bottom of a set of stairs, Leon by a cracked head by falling off a horse during a ride and Maxwell in Pulca, was found stabbed to death in an alley. Their bodies had been magically preserved for the sake of funerals... at first. When Alicia heard none of them had been looked over she called upon someone to help investigate and put to rest her worries... or confirm them...

"You were right to ask me over..." Raphael Richardson, the aged doctor from Fortress Ur, sighed as he turned to look at her. "Three agent's deaths so close together could have been a coincidence but it really isn't. These men were all killed; and I think it was ordered."

"That's... not good... But how are you so sure about it?" Alicia asked as she walked closer. Her Mana Armor was built to keep the wearer cool or warm depending on the weather and temperature but even so an odd chill crawled over her... and likely it was not from a simple, cold room...

The old doctor looked to Maxwell first. "To start off with let's highlight this man; he was stabbed to death. Supposedly mugged, right?" He said as Alicia nodded. "And yet there's no defensive wounds to be found on him at all. He was stabbed in the front so he should have seen a mugger coming and fought back... but based on what I can see he put up no defense. Either the mugger was too fast... or he knew the man and had a reason to lower his guard to him."

"...I can't argue with that." Alicia said as he moved over to Leon.

"And then we have this man. This wound is pretty deep and not indicative of falling on a rock." He began as Alicia frowned.

"It doesn't look that out of place for a riding accident..." She said as the man shook his head.

"To a layman, sure, but if you look closer you'll notice something." He said, moving to his head, turning it to the side. An ugly dent surrounded by a purple bruise was set into it, his hair was shaved off by the doctor as he worked, as his finger circled it. "That's the wound that killed him... but you'll notice this large, massive bruise? That was the impact site as a whole. This smaller wound was post impact by a blunt weapon. More over..." He moved over to the man's side and lifted a hand. "There's dirt under his nails; and on his palms with a couple, shallow cuts from stone. This suggests to me that he was trying to rise to his feet." Alicia felt something her her gut shift as she looked to the last man.

"And him? Falling down the stairs can break a man's neck." Alicia said but the doubt in her voice was clear to them both.

"Sure." He said, setting the hand down and moving to John last. "But this neck wasn't broken by an impact with the ground. It was forcibly twisted. Moreover they said he had a bottle of wine with him when they found the body but I did a magical scan of him; when he died he was as sober as the two of us are right now."

"So... Three men, all agents of the Feoh Crown and all assassinated then?" Alicia said with a long, depressed sigh.

"That or someone got cleaned out by all three in a poker game somewhere and was really upset about it." Raphael let off with a huff. "But someone killed all three, or at least hired someone to do so."

"But who and why? That's the real question..." The blonde princess knight mused. 'Could this be related to the Black Storm? There's no way to know for sure; there are more then a few with their desires set on taking Eostia... Still, let's assume it is the Storm for now, it is the safest bet... What were these men doing that made them a target? I need to investigate what these men were working on before they died...'

"If you want a suggestion from an old doctor..." The elderly man let off, giving her a look. "Be careful about how you handle this and keep it under your hat, so to speak." He let off as Alicia gave him a confused look. "Skulduggery like this is done by powerful people. People near the top. You need to be careful who you talk to; a word to the wrong ear might make things worse. Even those who should be good and loyal may hide a darkness from you while wearing bright smiles."

"Doctor, I am a knight and a princess." She barked back. "If I cannot trust those around me how can I be expected to lead them?"

"Trust but verify is the best way." He replied simply and softly. "Until you know for sure and have some level of proof to say they are not a part of this plot you need to keep quiet. You need to dig through the darkness to get answers... and that's where the knives lie in wait." He said. Any reply Alicia would say was cut off as her voxlux pinged.

"Yes?" She let off, answering the call as a maid's face appeared over the device.

"Your Highness; you need to come to the Fortress, quickly!" The maid let off as she bore a worried look to her face. "It's your father... He's coughing up blood."

"No..." Alicia said as she felt dead cold in the room now. "Doctor!" She let off, her head turning to him.

"Best get a horse." The elderly man said as he started to move to the door, starting to break into a jog as she moved to rush ahead of him to the stairs.. "And don't take it easy on the beast, just ride us out there!"

[-]

Once I had explained the situation it took little time for the party to head out to join me. Miria, Makoto, Aeris, Tiffany and Riri would meet me part way. Cress wasn't present; he should have been home in Iron Road by now. The Quintet had, of course, enjoyed a long breakfast with him and gave him a very warm send off. While on the subject; the five girls had settled in fairly well; four of them were made into maids and set to work under Sora who made sure they knew they wouldn't be beaten for mistakes, abused and could enjoy a strange concept called 'time off'. There was signs they were struggling to adapt but I was sure they would.

Alexia was the exception; boasting magical talent my father opted to bring her under his wing directly and take her on as an aide and student as well as wanting to rope Aeris into acting as her tutor. He also asked that I assist her as needed and I was more then happy to. In addition Alexia had become something of a leader of the Quintet, although it sounded kind of like the blind leading the blind there. Still, I was pulling for them.

Soon we were at the small village Kara mentioned as I looked to everyone. "Right. We know the job at hand but we need to sniff out the slime in question. Let's start talking to people. Riri, I want you to question the children; the slime is approaching them and I think they'll have an easier time talking to you then the rest of us."

"Got it." My maid said with a nod before I turned to look at Aeris.

"And I want you in the air searching for the thing." I added as she laughed softly and dropped her staff as it floated, stepping on it.

"Naturally... If your not fast enough I'll likely kill it myself!" She let off as she took off into the air. I sighed but looked to the rest.

"Let's go." I let off as I walked towards the town. "Split up and see what you can learn."

"Right!" Miria let off with a nod as we entered. Honestly; I wasn't worried about a slime anymore. When me and Miria faced that Semen Slime (Ughhhhh...) I was the only of us who could fight it and really lacked the proper spells to do so well. This time? I had a lot more spells now and a magical weapon, Miria had her shiny new bow and a combination of Arcane Weapon made arrows or elemental weapons to enchant them with, Aeris had wind magic and both Makoto and Riri had magical weapons. Honestly if children weren't involved I wouldn't have bothered and let someone else deal with it; this is overkill for a single slime.

Given the emblem on my armor it took little time for people to figure out who I was and once I explained why I was there they were surprised I came myself but when I mentioned it was a direct request from the guild and no one wanted a slime attacking children they understood and were happy to talk. Most of the conversations went the same way; most of them saw the thing running away for the most part or only heard of it. I didn't get much use from any of it until I found an elder on a porch and asked her about the slime.

"Overhe'rd some of the young'un's talkin' ya know?" She drawled out, rocking softly on a rocking chair as I sat on an unused flower box that was turned over as an ad hoc chair. "A strange new friend that don't want to deal with peoples much. Said she be a bit wary cause o' bad t'ings. O'course children are innocent lil' folk; much more trustin' and wilin' to listen to a strange folk."

"You think the slime is honest about being friends?" I asked as she gave a shrug.

"Ah dunno myself. Slimes ain't a lot I know much 'bout." She said with a huff. "But slimes o' all kinds wants what's in a man's pants... and I t'ink it don't know much about what the difference 'tween a man and a boy even is..."

"Slime women do have intelligence... but it's not like they get an education..." I admitted after a moment. "Whatever... If it's hurting children we have to deal with that, first and foremost." I let off, about to ask something as my voxlux started to ping. Seeing Riri's face in it I answered. "Yes?"

"I think I found it's trail." She said as I looked at her.

"Are you sure?" I asked as she turned the voxlux about and showed me... a clothesline missing a line and all but a few clothing scraps. "Never mind. Where are you?"

[-]

Fortress Feoh
Quarters of King Aston Arcturus
Sitting Room Outside of the Bedroom

Alicia sighed deeply as she shut the door. Two maids, her father's doctor and Doctor Richardson were left inside attending to her father as she tried to stop her heart from beating out of her chest as she turned to addressed those gathered. Given the level of the scare they were given a few people were summoned to be given an update. Her uncle Albert was there as well as her honorary uncle Beardsley seeing as the first was family and the second was close to such as well as the kingdom's Prime Minister.

In addition they had Oriel Sundance present; a fifty year old man standing at a slightly hunched five foot eight with a halo of gray hair wearing a black great coat with matching pants who's title was Internal Minister and was in charge of keeping in contact with all the local lords and smoothing over any issues between them.

The second was Commander Eloise DeBataille; standing five elven she was the ranking commander of Foeh's Royal Regulars. Her blonde hair was tied back on a high bun with a braid around it's base and a blue cloth tied about it. Silver, rimmed glasses sat over blue eyes, further framed by chin length bangs. She wore a military jacket that was blue with several, brass buttons down the front in two columns, yellow epaulettes on each shoulder and a yellow cord attaching the right epaulette to a button under a white, Jacob's collar tucked at the bottom of her jacket's high collar. Another moved from a lower button over her left hip and attached behind her. Gold colored rings were on the sleeves of the jacket at then end. The jacket was long enough to cover her like a skirt; the back the longest while the front was higher on the right side then the left. Pantyhose covered her legs before tucking into tall, blue boots with yellow trim at the top.

The final member was Gershon Draken, a... relatively distant relation to Dempsey Draken (He was a cousin to the Count; although what kind she didn't know. Likely two or three kinds at once...), hailing from the most inbred house of Eostia as a whole. In fact he fled to avoid the continued evaporation of the gene pool in House Draken and was, somehow, allowed to bare the name still. He was a tall man of a fit build who was the head of Feoh's Intelligence Department. At six two he bore black hair tied back in a tight, shoulder blade length ponytail wearing a gray gray coat, black gloves, black pants and gray shoes. His most stroking feature was the pair of blue, spell stone eyes he bore; given to him to replace his old, blind ones caused by a birth defect. At the very least he was lucky enough to avoid the hemophilia that cursed most of his line.

She fully turned to the four men and one woman to deliver the news. "He's resting calmly now. We're lucky to have Doctor Raphael Richardson here; I can only imagine how much worse father's condition would be otherwise."

"The king still lives then?" Eloise said with a stoic, controlled face. Alicia knew the woman enough to know she was relieved; even if she refused to show it. "Good. While the... end is... inevitable I think we can all agree that we'd rather not lose him so soon."

"Indeed... I don't know why the doctor of House Fiorire is here, but full glad am I." Gershon said with a nod. "That said you needs come to a decision, Princess Alicia."

"What do we do?" Beardsley cut in as he frowned softly. "I am no doctor myself but this cannot mean anything well. Do we tell the people anything?"

"Indeed... It's a sign father is... less well then we knew." Alicia said as she sighed. "... For now we don't know enough. We should not spread word of this; if anything we should keep this quiet for now. I just..."

"Alicia..." Albert let off, crossing his arms as he leaned into the back of a couch. "You should relax. If you can do no more fretting will not help him."

"Indeed. Perhaps, instead, you should help me see to war preparations." Eloise said with a nod. "With the reports we're getting from Garan we need to prepare. It's something to do that's productive and we all know your father would ask you to protect his realm."

"... Thank you, Commander..." She said as she shook her head and offer a small, if sad, smile. 'It's true... I can do no more to help father's health but help ease his mind of burdens... I just wish someone could help me with that... Someone killed three of our agents... and that person could be in this Fortress right now... He or she could be standing before me and I'd never know it... Still... I am sure I can trust these five people if I need to talk about the agent's deaths.' "Thank you all. Let's keep it all quiet for now."

"You can count on us all!" Beardsley said with a bow... hiding a smirk with a smile. 'The king's condition is getting worse... Wonderful... His death would cause an unexpected shake up that I might be able to take advantage of but a weak, sick king on the throne is even better as it means nothing can shake lose from our plans! And with his condition in the back of her mind... Yes, this is wonderful... I'll need to report this to Varro, quickly!'

'So, my brother, death is coming to your door.' Albert thought as he sighed. 'You may not agree to the stronger empire that will rise soon in the Alliance's place... But at least there will be a mercy in that you'll not live to see it. Know this; in spite of our differing views I do love you, my brother...'

[-]

Once Riri found the trail it was semi-easy to follow it. Slimes still had weight and pressed down grass, leaves and such leaving a hard to see but just visible trail but it had a scent Miria could follow; she said it 'smelt like water' which... Well, she had the higher sense of smell then I did so I didn't argue. It led us to a nearby forest with a dozen and a half paths along it; supposedly this forest was full of deer, rabbit and other game animals for hunting, berries, roots, herbs and other such things for food and medicine and insects for children to catch and play with. By all accounts wolves and other predators were uncommon in the area and liked to avoid the village regardless.

Based on what we knew children did play out here, although only those ten and up; sometimes younger ones if escorted. The path we took was winding about a bit but we finally heard voices ahead of us as we slowed down and crouched as we moved ahead; the exception for this was Riri who silently leapt upwards to get into the trees; silently moving forwards. Even Aeris stuck to the ground for the moment. There was some brush besides a tree that I moved towards as we listened in on what was said.

"Really?" A childish voice let off; a boy's.

"Yeah! White stuff comes out!" A feminine voice... and slightly watery in tone.

"Ooooh, wonder what it is?" Boy; different one then the first.

"Dummy! Don't you know anything! It's baby juice! It helps make babies!" A third, older boy by the sounds of it.

"Oooooohhh..." The first two boys let off as the feminine voice sounded next.

"Well I can't make babies with it... I just kinda eat it..."

"...You eat weird things..." Boy two.

"I can't help it! I'm born like this!"

Finally I was behind the tree and the other behind the bush (Save Riri; I couldn't see her) as I looked to the clearing. I glared at what I saw; three boys (Two looked about eight or so, one older at ten maybe) with their pants down and small genitalia out... and a blue puddle that bore the torso of a woman with large breasts and dreadlock-like lengths that acted as hair.

[(⸜∕ ) Locate the Slime North of Agron City]
[New Objective: Defeat the Slime Girl]

We had her...

(-)

Name: Puddle
Title: Young Slime Girl
Class: Monster/Slime
Level: 13
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 0
Status: Healthy, Curious, Hungry

Known Traits
[Slime Body] All physical damage is reduced by 99%
[Semen Seeker] +5% to End when a male is nearby

[?]
[Quick Slime] You are faster then the average slime! +10 to Agi

A slime that has grown large enough to become a slime girl, she bears intelligence but lacks wisdom and knowledge and operates on instinct and experience first. She is self aware to give herself a name; Puddle.

(-)

...

Weird... But still... "Miria... Slow draw, aim. Use Frozen Weapon." I said softly as she slowly notched an arrow. She started to pull it back and took aim; thankfully the slime girl had her side facing us and the boys were off to one side; they weren't in the line of fire. Miria had the slime girl dead to rights. She took in a deep breath, ready to draw the ability out...

"Achoo!" And the boys and the slime girl looked right at us as I gave a side glance to Makoto. "Kuso..." She let off softly to herself mostly.

"AIIIIIIEEE!" 'Puddle' let off before springing away and jumping almost thirty feet in one leap as Miria activated Frozen Weapon and fired... and the slime girl turned into a boomerang like shape and somehow turned in mid-air to avoid it; the frozen missile hitting a tree.

"After it!" Tiffany let off as he ran out, ignoring the boys and chasing the freaking quick slime about. With the boys fully behind us both myself and Tiffany unleashed a full out Scatter Bolt after the slime as she bounced and hopped away and as the attack came close she turned herself into a net like form to let our bolts sail through it and smack into the ground and trees around her; fully dodging it before springing away once more.

"She's slippery!"

"No duh." Miria barked back to my comment as she snap fired an arcane formed arrow with Blessed Weapon on it; the slime sending out a tendril to grab a branch and pull itself to the side and out of the way. We kept the chase and I saw Riri bounce from tree to tree before throwing both her long knives at it, Shadowblaze Weapon on both... and the slime slammed itself to the ground, bounced up to dodge and slammed a length to the tree next to her before rocketing off. It was out of view now as Riri recovered her weapons before joining us in the chase. This was getting frustrating for me at least as we kept running after it. "I still have the... scent..."

Our chase ended at a creek where we looked about. Trees everywhere, brush everywhere and with the creek here Miria's nose wouldn't be able to pick it out. After all if the slime smelt like water and we had a lot of water here... Yeeeeeeah...

"Well that was a bust..." Aeris let off with a huff as she hovered by me. She hadn't taken a shot at the slime; likely to avoid knocking another attack from the air.

"My apologies... I think something in the bush got into my nose..." Makoto said, blushing as she pulled into herself.

"Let's not worry about it..." I said as I sighed. "It's just bad luck. Let's go home. I'll report what happened to Kara and she should keep us in the loop if it's seen again."

"Right... Let's-" Tiffany's words were cut off as a pinging sound came from me as I pulled the voxlux out; it was my father.

"Yes Dad?" I let off as I answered.

"James; how's the slime hunt?" He asked as I sighed deeply.

"Ended; it slipped away from us."

"Ahhh... Must be frustrating... Regardless I need you to come over as quickly as you can." Merlin said as he looked to me. "You and Miria. I know you're aware of the situation regarding the Garan reports but we need to talk about them regardless."

"Got it. We're on our way." I said as the call ended as I set the voxlux away.

"Well... What a first job when we're all back." Aeris huffed as she shook her head.

"Nothing we can do." I repeated. "Come on... Let's go home..." I said as I turned to leave... Something was off about that slime, but I couldn't put a finger fully on it...

[(X) Defeat the Slime Girl]

[New Objective: Report to the Guild and Await New Information]

[-]

Creekside, Barony of Mungale
An Hour Later

The rock shifted slightly as a long, blue tendril extended out and moved about slowly. Once sure no one was there more came out and pushed out from under the rock before slithering away...

[-]

The mood was a bit subdued upon arrival to the manor but it is what it is. Once we were there Miria followed me as everyone else went off to do their own thing. Once at my father's office I would knock, open it upon answer and walked in with my sister. My old man was behind the desk and Gregory by his side and mother sitting by his other. We moved to a pair of chairs set before the desk as Merlin smiled to us both.

"Good. I'm sorry to pull you from other duties and such but this is important." He began, smiling softly but you could tell he was serious. "As you know there are reports of Garan partially mobilizing. There's no indication that Blazecrown has started to mobilize so war isn't a certainty yet... but it is likely. As such we need to talk about two things; preparation and what will be expected of you both if and when war comes."

"Better to be prepared and hope we don't need it then..." I said as he nodded.

"We're stockpiling everything we can. Foods, arrows and other war materials." Merlin continued. "For the most part the military will be prepared by Gregory. What we need of you two is to prepare as best able. Miria; for you that will be helping train the conscripts. We're pulling men together quickly and while most are acceptable we can use high quality training for them all."

"Right." My Catalan sister said with a nod.

"James; either you can help with the training of what few mages we have or carry on your project if you think it will be useful."

"It will be; if I can make it work." I said with a nod. "I'm pretty confident that I can pull it off. It'll be a mid-scale test bed, to be sure, but it'll be usable and give us new utility. The only bottleneck for it is I need the spell fiber made to complete it; other preparations can be finished but I need that to make it work."

"Good. I haven't asked what you plan to do in part because I have a good guess." He said with a nod. "And of course what you'll do once we're there is important as well. Miria; I'll be putting you with our scouts. It's... a more dangerous role then I want for my own daughter but we all know you are better suited to it then most anyone else I have. You don't have the experience of our seasoned scouts but you have every other advantage one could want in that role."

"As for you, James, I plan on setting you up with a small unit to lead." Merlin said with a smile. "You'll be assisting me with larger operations, of course, but I have a feeling you're better suited to smaller, mobile groups then large armies. We'll be talking more on both parts, of course, but we need to talk about something else before that. Elddale." Now that got our attention. "As you know if we march to war we are more then likely to be fighting in Elddale. And yes; chances are we'll be fighting shoulder to shoulder with House Blitzhaus... and possibly with House Bludhorn as well." We winced as both Traditionalist houses were mentioned. Of course we didn't tell anyone what exactly happened to Victor van Bludhorn in Longroad but his death was known by now to everyone for sure. So far I've heard no rumors connecting us to it, thankfully... But the Bludhorn's were not idiots; they might suspect something but be unable to do anything without hard proof... or at least anything obvious.

"I know, I know. I'm not looking forwards to it either." He said with a sigh. "But this is how Eostia works; when the time comes we set our differences aside and work as one; even with those we don't care for. This kind of cooperation is needed to protect our common interests as well as all territories in Eostia. In addition the more the fight is kept in Elddale then the less of it that spills over into Mungale. As such we must be good allies to Blitzhaus when the time comes; even if we needs grit our teeth to do so."

"That said while the feeling will be mostly mutual as we're defending their territory there is other things to consider." I looked to my mother, Saxon, now as she spoke. "Shoulder to shoulder we may end up but politics still happens. We'll need to leave Riri in the manor; given her... situation House Blitzhaus might attempt to leverage their laws to entrap her. Better to not tempt them, then."

"Agreed..." I let off with a nod. Riri would hate not being at my side during all this but I wasn't going to risk Blitzhaus bullshit screwing her over and slapping chains back on her or a collar around her neck or engage in other pettiness; even if Riri wasn't there.

"Thankfully we'll not be there with the likes of Blitzhaus and Bludhorn alone." Merlin injected back in. "Galeraven, Onglave, Caesarea and Rexvenandi will all be there as well and all are on friendly terms with us and neutral or less friendly with Blitzhaus. Additionally House Fiorire will be the ones leading the charge and we all know where they lie on Arnold von Blitzhaus."

"Yeah; having the Grand Duke and a Shield Princess keep Blitzhaus in check is a relief..." Miria said with a long sigh.

"Regardless..." My father said, rapping his knuckles on the table twice before speaking once more. "Let's talk about the duties will have in full when the time comes..."

[-]

Following Morning
Forest Outside Little Creek Village
Barony of Mungale

"That meant he was a lord!? Oooohhhhhhh..." Puddle let off as she melted down towards being her namesake in the small, forest clearing as three boys watched her. "Whhhhhhy..?"

"I mean... people seem to not like monsters so much..." One boy let off. "Although I heard of an orc with some guys once going to the city and no problems there..."

"Maybe you can... talk it out?" A second boy let off, tapping his chin.

"They'll attack me before I even get there!" The slime girl let off with a pout.

"Oh! What if you go under a flag of parsley?" The first of the boys let off, hopping up and down.

"Isn't parsley an herb?" The second added as a third, older one sigh.

"I think you mean a flag of parley." He said. "It's a white flag used to tell who you're approaching you want to talk and not fight."

"Mmmmm... Is that gonna work?" The slime girl let off. "I-I mean a flag isn't going to save me if they attack."

"It's supposed to be a rule to not attack someone under a flag like that." The eldest boy said with a nod. "It's supposed to be dishonorable."

"Well... where do I even find a white flag..?" She asked, cupping her chin.

"Oh!" The youngest let off, pulling a cloth out of a pocket. It was a handkerchief; a foot long and a foot wide. The oldest quickly found a stick and soon the corners of the cloth were tied to it to form a small, makeshift flag.

"R-right... so the big, walled place outside of the city, right?" She said as she took the flag and waved it lightly.

"Y-yeah... that's how it should work, anyway..." The eldest said as she sighed.

"Well... here I go!"

"Good luck!"

[-]

Beardsley Manor
Razon Beardsley's Office

Razon Beardsley smirked as he chuckled softly, finishing the folding of the black letter as he moved to let the wax drip over the last fold. Once done he used the seal and stamped it to the red wax before setting the stamp and the letter aside. Rather then just wait he would pull out a few books and get to work. A knock would sound a mere half an hour later. "Yes?" He called out as the door opened; the young, blonde woman who looked so much like Alicia yet was so much not like her to be painful.

"You have guests, sir. Conti and Ponti Mortadella." She said as he smiled.

"Send them in, please..." He told her, the two pigmen walking in as she stepped aside. "And please, no disturbances until we're done."

"Of course, sir." She said, shutting the door behind the two brothers.

"Gentlemen, good to see you back in the city. I trust the trip to Zenith was worthwhile?" Beardsley asked with a wide grin.

"Indeed. Further funding has been gained; thanks to our contacts!" Conti began with a grin.

"And more importantly, a ship for our use!" Ponti added with a grin.

"Excellent!" Beardsley let off with a grin. "By all reports the Connection Canal in Roxford is set to be competed shortly. Once the Snake's Tongue and the Great Atlas are connected we'll be able to transport equipment and supplies from our northern allies to southern storehouses. This will be a major benefit when the time comes..."

"And less risk of something happening overland with bandits or suspicious patrolmen." Conti added with a nod before rubbing his hands together as Beardsley pulled a black letter from his desk.

"And traversing the lake is quicker then going overland. A single ship will bolster our logistics very well." Ponti added with a snort and a chuckle. "I assume this letter is for the boss?"

"Indeed." The elderly man said as he passed it over. "Certain... details are in it that must be kept under wraps... by the crown." He said with a smirk. "The master will find the details very interesting. For now there's a new development; we've reports from Garan stating that they're partially mobilizing. There is yet no reason to know if they're attacking immediately... but likely soon..."

"He, he, he, he, he..." Conti let off with a grin. "The boss will want to know that! Yes..."

"For now let's go over a few other details..." Ponti said as the two pigmen moved to take their seats; Conti only pausing long enough to grab a few glasses as Ponti pulled out a bottle of a whiskey of some sort; a nice, Roxford one that Beardsley knew and enjoyed. He couldn't help but chuckle.

What a time to be alive...

[-]

Two Hours Later
Lancefort City, Kingdom of Feoh
Market District

"Busy as we are it's always good to enjoy some time to oneself and shop for a bit, you know?" Conti let off as he bit into his loaf of garlic bread, munching on it as his brother nodded, biting into a donut from a bag he held as the pair walked down the street.

"Indeed, brother... and all the food you can get along the way!" Ponti added as he shoved a donut into his mouth as he groaned at the flavor. "We'll, mmmmm, send the letter off later... No need to rush things, right?"

"Of course! So much to enjoy! And we, urrrrrp!, earned it for all of our hard work!" Conti replied. It was a bustling day in the district that day; people going to and fro, women carrying baskets in their arms and filling them with bought goods, others still empty while the search for purchases continued. Stores bore open doors to beckon people in towards their goods as men and women behind stalls hawked their wares loudly to all who would listen. Wagons loaded with goods, crops and product rode by pulled by horses, men and donkeys depending on the size and weight of what was being hauled and the size of the wagon in question.

"Mmmmm... So..." Ponti let off as he finished another donut as he thought for a moment, crumbs falling from his lips as a flock of pigeons followed in their wake, eating the crumbs they left behind. "Who do you think'll come out on top when the time comes? The boss or the Crowns?" He asked softly as Conti let off a hum.

"Hard to say, really." Conti said as he mused. "My money is on the boss but the crowns... they can be a tricky and sneaky lot..."

"Indeed... Indeed..." Ponti said with a nod as Conti took another bite of his garlic bread. "Either way we'll be fine; we're not trying to run the show and whoever wins our services will still be in high demand."

"Not to mention the good Primus might want us as ambassadors to the new empire when it's all said and done..." Conti let off, some bits of bread falling from his mouth as he spoke.

"Ooof!" Ponti heard as something impacted his side as the thing that hit him, a small child in a dark hood, bounced off his belly to the side as he kept running.

"Watch where you're going you dumb brat!" Ponti let off as he sighed and ate another donut. "But yeah, ambassadors... what a cushy job that'll be."

"Mmmmm, yeah." Conti let off with a chuckle. "And to think; all we have to do is our normal jobs with some extra and send letters here and there."

"Yup! What an easy job." Ponti let off as he patted the leather pouch at his hip... that was no longer there at his side. "Eh?" Looking down to his side he blinked. The pouch hung off of two, thick, leather cords off his belt to hang just under his shirt... and what was left was the ends of the cords and no pouch. "The pouch!"

"Ehh?" Conti let off as he looked to his brother's side and seeing a missing pouch. "Ehhhhhh!?" He let off as his brother looked back... and saw a hooded child moving swiftly through the crowds.

"THIEF!" The pigman let off as he charged after the boy, dropping his food as his brother quickly did the same. Neither were particularly fast but so long as they were fast enough...

The dark hooded child picked up speed; using his small frame to weave and bob through the crowd while the fatter Porker Brothers had to shove and push their way past people to give chase; even knocking a man to the side roughly, his body knocking over a stand of vegetables with a cry of 'my cabbages' sounding behind them. Both knew what was in that pouch; the black letter given to them by Beardsley. If that found it's way into the wrong hands...

They huffed as they picked up speed; the potential disaster enough motivation to make them charge faster.

The boy turned down an alley and dashed for it as they followed; Conti was fast enough to see him turn to the left. As they burst out of the alley his shoulder slammed into a woman; knocking her into a barrel of something as Ponti followed on his heels. They didn't have time to care as they ran; trying to not let the child gain distance from them. He would dart around people as the pigmen forced their way through the crowd, panting harder and harder; fear of failure being all that let them push themselves beyond the normal limits of pigmen. To their good luck the brat tripped over something and fell to the ground, rolling over his shoulder twice and scrambling to his feet before running off once more...

But now the brothers were just feet behind him as he made a hard turn into an alley. Seeing a wooden wall at the end they grinned wider; the brat was now trapped! That thought pushed them to run after him faster; as fast as their pudgy bodies could be pushed! For a brief moment Conti thought to himself that they had reached the mythical Speed of Swine!

And then the boy jumped up and hit the back wall with his feet and hands before pushing off and up to grab the ledge of a balcony above him and pulling his legs up... while the brothers-

"Wahhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Gahhhhhhhhhhh!"

-found themselves unable to stop themselves or halt their momentum before crashing into the wooden wall; a worn, weathered, old wooden wall that gave way under the force of their weight slamming into it; internal plaster as a facade cracking with the wood as they fell into a room from five feet up, side by side and face down as they impacted the ground roughly. Both groaned out loudly and started to rise, looking up... only to see a woman in her underwear with her arms spread as a well dressed woman (A tailor, they would later learn) looking to them as they looked up to them before looking down to the half naked woman.

"Nice legs!" They let off as one.

Feminine screaming followed as said half naked woman grabbed a nearby stand for a hat (Which was a wooden pole with a head like shape on the top and 'X' like feet on the bottom to hold it up as she started to batter both men with the improvised weapon, both of whom quickly begged off as the tailor moved from the shop to cry for the guards to come...

Meanwhile a young, orphaned child made off with his bounty.

[-]

Fifteen Minutes Later
Back of a Guard Wagon
Traveling From the Market District to Lancefort City Prison

The light clopping of a horse's hooves on the street signaled each step closer to the stone cell that would soon house them. Seated to one side was two, gambeson armored guards, one holding a militia club the other a mace with a flanged head. At the front was one more guard, guiding the horses on the path to the prison. On the other side was two, fat, whimpering pigmen with scuffed and torn clothes, bruises across their heads and torsos with one (Conti) having an eye swollen shut and the other (Ponti) having a swelled spot on the side of the jaw. The two were bound; wrists tied before them together as were the ankles. Both whimpered and shared a look before whimpering once more and looking straight ahead before coming to an agreement as they cried to the heavens above them.

"We fucked it up!"

[-]

Back at the guild Kara was also frustrated with the outcome of the hunt but for now there was nothing to do for it. She said she'd get in touch once she had something to report. For now I was busying myself with my project. First I worked out how much power was needed to turn glass to spell orb, selected a spell stone twice the size of a golf ball and worked on making it auto-imbue for me which would make things much, much easier. Louis chuckled at my explanation and wondered why no one else had thought to do it before me.

Regardless of that we did a test run and made four nice, half foot wide spell orbs with the thing. I set it up so the magical resonance would change based on a spoken four digit code. Change the code; change the resonance. Two, the first and last made, bore the same magical signature and, as such, could be used in tandem and the other two bore much different ones. This meant Louis could, on his own, make spell orbs on the cheap without a mage. It was considered part of the payment for his work; as long as he provided me with the spell fiber I needed. Indeed he'd be able to make spell orb glass on the cheap and easy now since he didn't need to hire a mage.

Carl was building the new fiber glass press to make what I'd need. Really, setting this up was the fast part; ordering the quartz and shipping it would be the main limitation. Once I assured Louis that I had need for a lot more then a hundred pounds down the line he was more then eager to be of service. Mother, meanwhile, was with three maids as they worked out how to make the fiber glass into rope; she was the one as it turned out to make the sheet and had an idea of how to handle it.

For now I put my efforts to another part of the project... "Right there Tiff!" I called out as she lowered a wooden four inch by four inch beam into place; or rather the plushy looking, orange cat with a fishing pole made from mana lowered the beam into place. I had changed into a set of pants and sleeveless tunic as I helped put it into place with the summons doing the heavy lifting. It was positioned between four others; each one also four inches by four inches in thickness and height. The whole thing, in total, was about thirty feet long and ten feet wide with one of the horizontal beams pushed two feet back to have parts of the beams sticking out one way. To put this into perspective it was a bit longer and wider then a short bus. Once the beam was in place, both ends covered in wood glue, I would use two, long bolt screws to secure it to place. Helping out was Makoto who was doing the same on the other side. Once done we would use metal brackets on the inside of each corner to further secure it all together.

On the underside was a somewhat crude but hopefully useful leaf spring suspension to help with any bumps. I didn't need it to be a great suspension just good enough. Interestingly enough it came from an old, broken down wagon we had but never got rid of. I was surprised leaf suspension was a thing here (And unsurprised when I later learned it was made by halflings) but I didn't argue with it. Wagon wheels that were reinforced were set to it; these ones taken from one of the wagons we liberated when Mandeville attempted to take Riri. Once the beam was secure Tiffany's beast would pick up a one inch thick plank next before moving it to place. Myself and Makoto would then nail it down to the three beams, then the next plank came and the next after that. It was good, honest work and while the carpenters would normally do it the bulk of them were busy making spears, arrows and bows; not that I minded all that much as it meant I got to build the wagon as I wanted it built. Once the planks were down I set the next part down; a series of four inch high beams over the position of the base ones but the center one had two inch deep cut outs that were three inches wide spread apart by a foot each; said cut outs facing down.

Most of the morning and early afternoon was spent on it with some prep work the previous afternoon and evening; between our combined elbow grease and magical talent we made major headway; Makoto's combat arts cut wood like nothing else and her cuts were square. Next were the side supports which went around all of the sides and would soon be connected with long planks that would act as barriers and back rests once it was done; two by four inch boards secured to the two lays of beams straight up. We were half way done that part before taking a break; a empowered pitcher made from spell orb glass (And enchanted by me) was keeping the lemonade chilled after all so there was no ice watering it down.

"Man, this more work then I thought..." Tiffany let off as she poured the glasses as we sat around a table. "And I'm doing the least heavy lifting here!"

"Indeed; but what you do makes our efforts much easier." Makoto said as she took her glass and took a long, deep swig of it.

"Thanks again for helping out... This would be much more difficult on my own." I said as I took my glass, taking a longer sip as opposed to a deep one.

"So; what color are you going to paint it?" Tiffany asked before sipping her own drink deeply for a moment.

"Ughhh, I dunno. Honestly; I hadn't considered painting it before now." I replied with full honestly. "I mean we can just do the colors of House Noxdecus. Blue with some white and yellow."

"It would be the most logical idea, yes." Makoto added with a nod as she picked up a cloth from the table to wipe her forehead with. "I am surprised that Riri isn't with us working, however."

"She's supervising the Quintet right now." I replied as I looked to her. "I want to be sure they have the best guide for their situation and I can't think of anyone better."

"Indeed. It is fortunate we were able to free them; even if in a... limited capacity." My bodyguard replied as Tiffany huffed.

"Maaaaaaaaaaaaaan, slavery is stupid..." The blonde let off, huffing before taking a long sip of her drink. "Meh, meh meh, it's da pawppa oredur of tiiiiiings..." She gave off in a mocking tone before snorting. "Really, since when is hurting people like this 'good n' proper'?" I was a bit surprised at how much vitriol she gave off in that; leaving me blinking at her.

"You okay?" I asked as she sighed deeply.

"Yeah... It's just..." She said looking to her glass. "Mom says that my parents were going to end slavery when they took Albia's throne... And then..."

"And then Roxellia happened..." I finished as she nodded. While there was no hard proof it was widely suspected that Roxellia usurped House Ardon's leadership when Victoria and Hexry (Yes, Hexry) Ardon died to Hexry's brother and nephew when they attempted a coup and Roxellia's forces were in just the right position to end their plans, kill them and yet just a little too late to save the couple. How convenient! It was a case of the guilty party was obvious but the evidence wasn't there. "Chin up. As long as you're alive then her rule isn't one hundred percent secure... And you know we'll help as much as we can; if it comes to that." I told her with a smile.

"Indeed. With luck a rightful baroness will arise someday." Makoto added with a smile. Tiffany smiled back and offered a 'thanks' as my voxlux pinged. Pulling it out I saw the face of a guard as I answered.

"Hello. What's the situation?" I asked as the guard saluted in my view before speaking.

"M'Lord, you might find this rather hard to believe but..." He began as he frowned a bit. "But there seems to be a puddle coming our way on the road... and it's carrying what seems to be a flag of parley."

"...What..."

[(⸜∕ ) Report to the Guild and Await New Information]
[New Objective: Investigate the Approaching Slime]

[-]

"Yeah... that is a flag of parley... Or at least it passes as one..." I let off, standing on the Manor's outer wall as myself and the five guards on the walls along with Makoto and Tiffany.. With us was Miria (Who I called with the voxlux and asked to bring the Unicorn's Horn to me, just in case) and Merlin; the latter of which was stroking his beard as he hummed. Sure enough a large puddle of blue slime crawled towards us; a stick clenched in arms formed in said puddle and a white (Well, off-white) cloth hanging off of it.

"So, let's shoot it." Miria said as she started to lift her bow but my hand reached out to grab her wrist and lower it down.

"No." I said with a shake of my head. "A flag of parley is a flag of parley, even if a monster is holding it."

"You're joking..." She let off, giving me a flat look.

"I'm not." I said simply. "If she's smart enough to talk and wants to talk then let's talk. Besides; if other inhuman or Aberrant creatures hear of this they'll be less willing to talk or surrender if we just shoot her." She was still giving me the look as I sighed. "Look; between the lot of us if she tries something we can annihilate her with ease. There's no harm in hearing her out."

"I agree." Merlin said with a nod. "There is nothing risked by listening, I would say." He said as I pushed off the wall and moved to the gatehouse tower, moving down the stairs.

"This is a dumb idea!" Miria let off as we went down. The guards stayed on the walls as we moved to the gate. Two guards were there as well; weapons at the ready but now pointed at the slime woman; likely in confusion. Finally the puddle of slime monster stopped before us, some ten feet away; semi-formed limbs still waving the flag softy.

"Okay then... You want to talk clearly." I kept an eye on Miria's hand in case she tried to draw her bow once more as I looked down to her. "So, give us your name and talk."

"Ahhhhh, okay..." She let off as a blue, feminine form rose up, forming up to the hips as she looked to us; still holding the flag. "I'm Puddle. And I want to know why people keep trying to hurt me..."

I blinked a bit at this; there was an odd... innocence to her tone, as if she didn't know. "Oiy, you're fucking around with kids and you have to ask that!?" Miria let off as the slime woman flinched back.

"W-what does fucking around mean?" Puddle asked as Miria looked ready to bark out once more as I lifted my hand to cut her off.

"What she means is-" Merlin started as he looked to her. "-that people can be very defensive about kids and it's considered very immoral to harm them."

"I'm not though!" She let off pouted. "I just need, ya know, what they make."

"You little-" I lifted a hand to cut Miria off once more.

"Do you know the difference between children and adults?" I asked her as she looked to me and blinked (As did Miria, although I didn't see it).

"Ummmm... One's bigger then the other." She let off as we looked to her. "...That's it." I sighed deeply as everyone looked at her with surprise.

"No." I told her. "Adults aren't just bigger. They're older and more developed."

"Ohhh... That's why only the big ones are the ones chasing me..." Puddle let off as Miria gave her a deadpan look.

"It's not just that. Let me ask you this; how old are you?"

"Ummm, I dunno... A good number of summers..?"

"... Okay; how long since you were able to talk and think like you do now?" I asked as she smiled for a moment; a question she could answer then.

"Oh, about two summers now!" She let off as she grinned. "I'm a mature slime!"

"Yes..." I said, nodding. "But human children grow slower and are still immature. As in we don't want them having sex until they're at least sixteen years old."

"Huh..? why so long?" She asked as I looked to her in the eye.

"Because they're not mature enough until then to engage in sexual activity; what gets that 'stuff they make' as you put it." I said as I leaned in. "And what you're doing can cause them harm on a mental level or effect their maturity and development." I said firmly as her face shifted... to one of horror as she dropped the flag.

"Wha... wha-wha-waaaaaaaaah!?" She let off as she started to slowly melt down to her, well, puddle form as she lost all humanoid form. After a long moment she burst into a full, human form (Minus feet; that was still a puddle) as she fell to, ahh, all fours as she all but prostrated herself to me. "I'M SORRY! I DON'T WANNA HURT ANYONE! I JUST WANNA EEEEEEEEEEEAT!" She let off loudly as I sighed.

[(⸜∕ ) Investigate the Approaching Slime]
[New Objective: Decide Puddle's Fate]

"...Can we just kill her now..?" Miria asked as Puddle looked to her with bobbing anime tears from the eyes (And yes, like in an anime. She was living liquid, after all, she could do that) as I sighed.

"I'm hesitant to kill someone over a misunderstanding because a young slime doesn't have enough life experience or education to know better..." I said, crossing my arms with a huff as I started to think. "Slime girl or not; I don't want to kill something that's not trying to hurt people."

"Maybe; but she's still a harmful creature." Merlin added as he stroked his beard. "After all while she can feast on fabrics and other things if she gets no semen she might go a little crazy for it..."

"Hoooooooooooh..." Puddle let off as she whimpered.

"We can't leave her alive if she'll hurt people down the line." Merlin said as he sighed.

"Oh, don't worry. I have an idea that just might just work." I said with a slight grin, lifting a finger up and started to outline my idea... as my father quickly caught on.

[(⸜∕ ) Decide Puddle's Fate]

[-]

[Quest Complete: Playing in Puddles]
[Gain 1200XP]
[Gain 9 Silver]

[-]

Lancefort City, Kingdom of Feoh
Constable's Station

The man, clad in thick, black gambeson armor, saluted Princess Alicia Arcturus as she walked in; Agni beside her with two of the Knights of Iris behind them both as he stood at the front of a hall. "Thank you for coming so swiftly, Your Highness." He let off as he stood at attention. They were in a hallway leading to a few rooms; one of which was his office.

"Given the message you sent it was of great importance." The blonde princess replied simply as she nodded. "I presume there's a reason for the summons, then?"

"Indeed. Permit me to start at the beginning so you have the full context." He began curtly. "There's an orphan boy named Frankie. He's the usual sort you've heard of; a budding little scoundrel who tries to get a little extra food or coin with sticky fingers. Well seems he got a hold of a good knife and used it to separate a pouch from it's owner. He was going through his finds and found something... something significant enough to have him turn himself in to me straight away; overcoming even fear of punishment."

"What could be so important he'd risk retribution to report it?" Alicia asked as the man reached into a leather pouch at his side and pulled something out. "Th-that..."

In the man's hand was a black letter. She took it and opened it and, indeed, there was red ink upon it. "Word is you're looking for these. The boy broke the seal and read a bit of it. Seems he can read enough to understand whatever was there was bad news. Very bad news."

"Is the lad still here?" Agni asked as the man nodded.

"Aye, he is. I figured you might want to have a word or two with him." The man said as he pointed to the first door. "He's right in there. If I can say before you go in; he isn't a bad lad but... the orphanage has issues and ones not so easily solved."

"I understand, trust me." Alicia said with a nod as she set the letter away for the moment. "Agni, come in with me. The rest of you, please, wait here for now." She said as she moved to the door and opened it as she walked in, Agni moving to flank her. Once she saw the boy she almost stumbled a step. He was maybe five foot even. Dusky looking skin with dark brown hair in a messy mop. He wore a black tunic with the hood of it pulled down and gray pants with a set of short, brown boots. Yellow eyes looked up at him and she was struck at how much this boy looked like a young, male Carmen Shard. Indeed; the face looking back at her was not unlike the one she pummeled so quickly until Prim intervened. It was a strange feeling to her; like stepping back in time. He was sat down in a chair to the side of the room. "So; you're our little scoundrel. I'm Alicia. What's your name?" She asked as she pulled a second chair over and sat down to face him.

"...Frankie..." He said, squirming on his seat a little. "...I'm in real trouble, aren't I?"

"No. You did something bad, to be sure..." She said as she set her hands on her knees to lean over a bit. "But you saw something that was wrong and reported it. I'm not going to punish you for that. I think your good deeds today wash away the ill ones." The boy seemed to visibly relax before the Princess as she kept speaking. "But tell me; why do you steal?"

"...Mmmm..." He let off, looking aside.

"I knew someone who was a street rat once too." Alicia said softly as she looked to him with a soft smile. "I don't know that life first hand, of course, but I know it's a tough life for you and yours. It's no excuse for stealing, of course, but I am not going to call you some form of villain for it."

"... ... I wanna... I wanna be able to move out to a smaller town... Maybe do guild work, g-get enough gear to start..." He said, squirming a bit as he bit his lip. "I just... I just wanna do something worth meaning... Ya know..?" Alicia nodded as she giggled.

"We all do. But gear isn't enough." She said with a smile as she raised a finger up as he looked to her fully. "You need to learn how to use a weapon. Maybe magic, if you can. Tell you what..." She began as he looked up to her with more intensity. "Why don't you come work at the fortress as a servant?" She let off as he gave off a large 'huh' as she smiled. "You can earn an honest living as opposed to stealing all the time and when you're ready you'll be able to train with the knights and guards and learn how to fight good and proper."

"I... I don't... I..."

"I won't force you to accept, of course, but-"

"I-I'll accept, please!" He let off as she smiled.

"Good. For now, however..." Alicia said as she put on a more serious face. "I need to know about the person who you stole the pouch from. What can you tell me?"

"Ummm, he was one of those pigmen... like I wasn't really looking but he was in a really colorful outfit." Frankie said as he looked up to her. "And there was a second one; they dressed alike but in different colors. They chased me down the streets but I got away from them."

"Did you get a name? Or something else to tell me who they were?" The blonde princess asked as the boy shook his head.

"N-no... they were eating food; it's why I thought it would be easy to lift from them." He said as he frowned in thought. "I think they said something about 'ambassadors' but I... wasn't paying attention..."

"It's okay... Agni..." She said, looking to her bodyguard and friend. "Can you bring the knights in?" The woman would nod and moved to the door, sticking her head out as she spoke and backed from the door, the two knights saluting her. "Gentlemen; we'll be taking this boy into our care as a Fortress servant. If you be so kind to escort him and see him cleaned up and brought to the staff for training."

"Yes, Your Highness." One of the knights said, giving her a salute. "Come along lad. We'll get you sorted out." He said as Frankie stood and walked over, the knight moving to take his hand and lead him away. Once they were gone Alicia pulled the letter back out.

"Did your... relationship with Carmen help inspire that choice?" Agni asked as the letter was opened.

"I'd be lying if I said no... When we met I was so obsessed with defending Prim's honor that I didn't care about who I was pounding until Prim pulled me off and started to get her talking." She said with a soft chuckle as she started to read the letter. "Not... my proudest moment... But one I can correct a little now. Anyway... Mmmm... The writer of this letter calls himself 'Bondsworth'. An odd name that; must be an alias." She let off as she started to read. As she did she frowned more and more as sensitive details on the state of Feoh was leaked bit by bit... Then she reached a part that made her gasp loudly. "No..."

"What is wrong?" Agni asked as Alicia simply stared at the letter in shock. Reaching out she gently took the letter and turned it over to read it as she let her eyes scan over it before gasping. "The king's condition has worsened!?"

"Agni..." Alicia began as she frowned, head lowering to hide her eyes behind her bangs. "The amount of people who knows of this is low. Doctor Richardson, Doctor Scmitt, my uncle Albert, uncle Beardsley, Oriel Sundance, Gershon Draken, Commander DeBataille and father's four attendants. That's eleven people... aside from the servants and Doctor Richardson they all have access to very sensitive parts of Foeh's inner workings... Agni..." She said looking to the Desh Kaho woman who acted as her bodyguard. "I've been betrayed... Betrayed by someone who should be fully trustworthy and yet has turned against us... against me..."

"What do we do?" Agni asked as Alicia thought for a moment.

"...I want to speak with Richardson..." She said as she looked to him. "The writer is clearly from Feoh and as the good doctor is from Ur it's safe to say he is no traitor... And I'll need his advice for what comes next..."

[-]

Later That Day
Fortress Feoh, Kingdom of Feoh
Office of Princess Knight Alicia Arcturus

"I see..." Doctor Raphael Richardson let off. Alicia sat at her desk, made of simple pine and given interesting, decorative carvings on it's sides. It wasn't a luxurious one, nor were the book shelves at one of the walls. The only luxuries in the room was a series of well made swords, spears and assorted melee weapon hanging on one walls. The carpets were a rich blue and the walls painted white with gold trim; likely set in by previous users of the room in the fortress' long history.

"That is the situation, doctor." She said with a frown. "Father's condition was leaked. Of those present the only one I know I can trust with impunity is you. I trust my uncle and uncle Beardsley as well and would like to bring them in-"

"No." The doctor said as she flinched in surprise. "It might be unthinkable to you but in a situation like this you have to consider that one or the other is behind it; even if the chance seems highly remote. That said I think it's safe to say this letter writer is responsible for our dead men as well."

"I considered it as well." She said as she frowned. "The letter said nothing about it, or even something that could be suggestive to it... But... the idea of Albert or Beardsley is so outlandish I can't consider it..."

"But consider it you must." The doctor insisted as he frowned. "If you need to trust someone then it has to be someone outside of Feoh's elite. Someone outside of the circles of power here that you can trust; with your life if it comes to it..."

"Someone I can trust with my life..." Alicia said as she considered it for a moment. The first person to come to mind was, of course, Prim. Her cousin, close enough to be called her little sister, was someone she knew she could trust fully with everything she had; even if she was a bit clumsy and inexperienced she knew the pink haired princess would have her back... but she had gone down to Classa as an escort to her father to talk both business and defense against possible Balanar aggression if they got ideas when Garan made a move. She was a week's ride a way, at least...

Her other fellow Shield Princess were also a good ride away and busy with their own duties... So, outside of them who could she trust with her life..?

She gasped slightly as realization came in a flash; quickly pulling her voxlux out as she started a call...

[-]

It was two days since the talk with Puddle. The wagon was as ready as it could be; at least until the spell fiber rope was fully made Elrund showed off a resin to me that was perfect for what my needs; strong but flexible with enough give that if what it was attached to took a hit it wouldn't break apart or crack. I couldn't ask for anything better, I'd say. Having Elrund around was a major boon; even if I still regret our first meeting...

I considered asking Louis to add powdered spell stone to his glass mix but opted not to; all the powdered stone would carry with it some magical resonance and when mixed with glass to make a spell orb (Or spell fiber, in this case) it would mix it's resonance with the imbuement magic being set to it to make a new, unique resonance and over all make it stronger. The issue was I only had one real batch (A rather large one, thankfully) and felt it was better to hold onto it, for now at least. That said it would be maybe a week and a couple of days until the fiber rope was ready for use.

To make use of the time I pitched in with helping teach the older student's at the Argon City Magical Academy my father founded to help prep the older students for battle, checked up on the Guild to coordinate with them and sparred with mother. I picked up a short spear at the manor; it wasn't anything fancy; solid wooden shaft, a six inch long, leaf bladed end and a capped end on the other side. I used a hammer and nail to make a small hole and slipped a small spell stone into it with a spell to have it attach itself to my back without straps, gluing it in to secure it. I wasn't going to over invest in it; I'd get a better spear later on, I just needed a usable one now. Saxon was more then happy to teach me spear work and how best to use it with the shield in my glove's stone.

Mother did not go easy on me so only twenty five hundred sparring xp this week but learning how to use the spear was more useful; even with the bruising. It was all about knowing when to put your weight into a thrust, keep the right distance and how to mind the edge of the blade. It took some getting used to; I was used to thrusting at a foe but the spear was longer then a rapier so I had to adjust to the new attack range. One thing I did like was the striking power of swings and slashes; as good as a weapon as the Unicorn's Horn was it wasn't something you swung often.

Finding myself with a free moment I went down to the Creamy Dream and treated myself to a cone; chocolate and vanilla, before starting to walk back to the manor. I only got a block before someone called out to me. "Ahhh! Lord James! Pleasure to see you out here, Darling!" A feminine voice called out as I turned to see the speaker. Some five foot five she bore black hair tied back in a tight bun with brown eyes looking over to me. She wore a black dress that showcased much of her F-Cup chest to me with slits on both sides and lacy, semi-transparent sleeves that attached at the neck. A set of black high heels ended the look along with her long, black colored smoking pipe which she held but remained unlit.

"Lady Jaye." I said, addressing her as I turned to look to her.

(-)

Name: Jaye Ardine
Title: Boss of the Red Lights
Class: Brothel Owner/Scholar
Level: 22
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 35
Status: Healthy, Relaxed, Happy

Romance Rating: 100
Corruption Rating: 41

Known Traits
[?]
[The Oldest Profession] You grew up selling your body as a trade. +10 to All Sexual States
[It Keeps Going and Going...] Your career choice gave you massive stamina and endurance. Gain 1 Sta for every 5 Con. Additionally gain 1 End for every Even Numbered Level Up
[?]

Born to slavery in Elddale she was lucky to have been freed by her former master's enemies out of spite. Fleeing to Mungale she engaged in the only useful skill she was raised with; sexual service. Over time she educated herself and rose in power owning two of Argon City's brothels and being the most powerful woman in it's Red Light District.

(-)

"If I may say you're looking well." I said as I licked at my frozen treat.

"Better then well!" She said with a wide grin. "I never knew I needed a slime girl on my roster until now!" She let off as I chuckled. And yes; I took Puddle to a local brothel and all but threw her in. It made sense; she could get all the semen she wanted by either fucking men or by cleaning up after the other girls. More over as Puddle got paid for it (Although she needed an explanation of how economics worked) she could buy all the fabrics she wanted to eat. More over she would have someone like Lady Jaye there to teach her more about human society and how it worked.

Lady Jaye also moonlighted as a student at the local magical academy once as well and was an able mage in her own right; so if Puddle started causing trouble she could deal with it as needed. In short I couldn't think of a better place for the slime girl. "Really? It's only been two days."

"Two busy days." She let off with a laugh. "Everyone's curious about the new attraction... Hell, my other girls are even benefiting from the spill-over!" She let off with a wide smile. "Really, I do need to thank you... If you ever need to release... undo stress, come on down... I'll treat you right."

"Aha... Trust me, I've not had a lack for women to enjoy in bed." I said to gently turn her down.

"Hmm, I'd imagine..." She let off with a giggle. "Well the offer stands. Anyway; I'll let you be on your way, M'lord. And once more; thank you..."

I smiled and waved with my free hand before we both went off on our way; myself back to the manor and enjoying my cone as I went. Things were picking up; in the distance I could see Gregory leading the guards in a jog around the city and I knew Cress was visiting and helping Miria train the archers. There was no lack of hard training ongoing as the threat of a Garan attack loomed overhead...

By the time I was in the manor my cone was done with and consumed. I moved into the manor and moved to my room, opening my book on spellcrafting as I started to read. I was curious about trying my hand at it for real this time; something original and less 'X but with X/Y Element' and felt it would be a good idea to read up before starting. I hadn't gotten too deep into it when my voxlux pinged at my side. I pulled it out and was surprised to see who it was; Alicia. I, of course, answered my friend's call. "Alicia, it's been awhile! How are you doing?" I asked and...

Her face was dead serious... a hard focus was to it I couldn't place and just I was about to ask what's wrong as she spoke. "James... I need you to come to Feoh right away... I've been betrayed..."

[ - Author's Note - ]

Whew... That was a lot... Over seventeen thousand words this time... I think it's been awhile since we had such a large chapter.

So yeah; the bit with Puddle was a good little throwback to the early bits of Act One with it's romantic goblins and weird jobs. I wonder how many people are going to feel a hint of nostalgia from it... That said the on goings in Feoh is the real focus of the show and there's a collision course being set there... And now Alicia has summoned James to her side to help out so you know shit is about to go down.

Needless to say James is going to Feoh next chapter.

Once more the Best Banners of Thorn Poll is still up and seeking more votes! Come on down and put in your choice at strawpoll(Dot Com)/polls/e6Z28OaEGnN and can also be reached via Twitter eostian.

Until next time, everyone!

~~Eostian Scribe