I jump down right in front of the gates.

The knights that were stationed there got startled for a bit, but quickly got into a fighting position.

Cylob: "Hold on, I mean no harm. I had gotten an abrupt summons to attend the conference held at the castle."

The knights looked at each other for confirmation. After both of them shook their heads, they turned to me with clear intent to attack.

Oh, come on! Did I come too fast or something?

"Hold up, guys! He's telling the truth!"

A manly but also playful voice called out to us.

When I looked there, I saw the glint of a familiar helmet.

Al: "He really is *pant* invited!"

On second thought, his voice sounded completely exhausted.

The guards both looked at Al, and once they recognized him, they stood down.

Al: "Whew. *pant* Managed to come in time."

His voice was creaking from how out of breath he was. He put his hands on his knees and his chest started heaving up and down.

Cylob: "Ah, Al. Did they send you to get me?"

Al: "Yeah, but *pant* could you not have come so early? *pant* I had to run as fast *pant* as I could once I saw you."

Cylob: "Sorry. I just didn't want to waste any time."

Al: "That's fine. *pant* Just be more considerate of weaklings like me."

I don't consider you weak. -I wanted to say that, but I didn't want to draw his suspicion.

Cylob: "You don't have to answer me, you know? Just regain your breath first."

We stood in silence (if you don't count Al's breathing) for a bit.

Al: "Alright, I'm fine now."

He was back to his usual cheerful voice. He gestured for me to follow him, so I did.

Cylob: "That's good. I have to ask though, why did they send you to fetch me?"

Al: "It's because I was the most useless guy there. I wasn't contributing to the conversations at all, and it's not like I can protect Priscilla."

Cylob: "Yeesh. That's one hell of a self-deprecating mindset. Is that not bad for your mental health?"

Al: "Well, it's the truth. Better to swallow it. More importantly... how do you know my name?"

Cylob: "Well, I made sure to do some background checks on everyone who will have attended the conference. It was there where I stumbled upon the name of Priscilla's jester."

Al: "I see..." His helmet was facing forward, but I could feel his scrutinizing gaze on me. "You're really bad at lying, you know?"

Cylob: "Got any tips?"

...

Al: "HAHAHA! What an answer, dude! That was completely outside my expectations." He hit me in my back.

Cylob: "Yeah, sorry. Everyone's got secrets to keep. This particular secret is something I'll tell everyone at some point in time, but it'd take too long to explain it now."

Al: "Alright, I get it. it's just that... heh, normal people would get flustered or deny the accusation. You took the third path, which is extremely funny."

Cylob: "What can I say? I'm definitely not normal."

Al: "That's good."

We continued walking, but this time in silence.

Hm... this is probably the best time to gather information.

Cylob: "By the way, how should I act in front of such high-authority figures? This is the first time I've ever been in this kind of situation."

Sure, I've met with Anastasia before, but she has an excentric personality, so I didn't have to act all respectful. I can't act like that here, though.

Al: "Hm... I'm not sure myself. All I have to do is stand still behind Princess. I'm not familiar with the proper way of doing things either."

Come on, Al. Even Subaru could say more than you. Just how low are you...?

Well, whatever. I can gather other kinds of information.

Cylob: "Hm... it's weird."

Al: "What is?"

Cylob: "It's weird to say, but... you feel strangely similar to Subaru in some way."

I tried to read his body language to see how he would react, but I couldn't notice anything different. He just kept walking like normal. The short silence was all that indicated his weird reaction.

Al: "...You know Subaru?"

Cylob: "Yeah, I met him a couple of times. I don't know why, but he's extremely grateful to me for saving Rem and getting rid of a black crystal. I don't think he'll recognize me though..."

Al: "Why not?"

Cylob: "Well, I've got a completely different appearance now. I used to have long cyan hair and golden eyes. I was also much shorter. He won't recognize me."

Al: "Interesting..."

Contrary to what I thought would happen, Al didn't ask any questions. And after a short while, we arrived at the door.

Al: "Well, beyond this is the conference. Let's go in together, as rookies."

I nodded. He walked in front of me and opened the door.

Once I entered, my feet immediately stopped in place.

This pressure...!

Al leisurely walked behind Priscilla, while everyone's eyes gathered on me.

Crusch, Ferris, Felt, Reinhard, Emilia, Subaru, Priscilla, Al, Anastasia, Julius and every member of the Elder Council.

All of their gazes were on me, watching my every move. Under those gazes, all I could do was nervously gulp.

Get a grip! You didn't come here just to get stage fright!

Cylob: "It's a pleasure to meet everyone here."

Was that respectable enough?

I didn't know whether I should kneel or keep standing, so I just decided to stand.

I looked at everyone's reactions. One of the elder council sneered, Subaru gave me a wry smile, while Priscilla started eyeing me like I was prey.

Should I kneel or not?! -It was too late to think about that. I had to act.

Cylob: "Might I ask why I was summoned?"

I tried my best to put on a smile, but I was sure everybody here would see through it.

I looked at the Council Of Elders while paying attention to Anastasia with the side of my vision.

Just like I thought, the first one to act was her.

Anastasia: "Oh my, you really have changed. Are ya' really Cylob?"

Cylob: "Yes. I'm the one who knows your greatest secret."

Anastasia: "Bold, just like I rememba'. You're definitely him." She smiled like a predator. "You see, I called for ya' to make a deal."

I was nervous as heck, but I tried my best not to show it on my face, she would pound at any weakness she could find.

Cylob: "A deal I see. Why couldn't we talk in a more private place?"

Anastasia: "You're smart enough to understand that by yourself."

She was smiling, but her eyes were doing anything but. I was so pressured by her eyes, that I even jolted a bit.

Greedy bastard...

Exactly as she said, I knew the reason she brought me here. She had way more power here.

If she revealed my secret in private, most I'd have to do was escape Julius and Ricardo, while here she had Reinhard.

I talked to Reinhard already, and the way he looked at me suggested that he decided not to kill me, but if the Elder Council commanded him to, he wouldn't be able to refuse.

I've fallen right into her trap... but I didn't have the choice to evade it. This is still the best that I can do in this situation.

Cylob: "You speak the truth. What deal do you propose?"

Her smile got even wider.

Anastasia: "Join my camp."

...EH?!

So say that I was surprised was an understatement. Even the smile I tried my best to mantain became crooked.

Cylob: "I'm sorry, but... am I really worth it?"

Anastasia: "O' course. Julius told me all about ya'. The talent and capabilities ya' have are worth keepin' this secret."

In my shock, I couldn't help but look at Crusch.

She was frowning and looking at the ceiling. She was deep in thought.

I looked back at Anastasia, her expression didn't change one bit.

Do I... have no choice but to?

Just when I entered Crusch's camp, another one wanted me in. I didn't want to leave Crusch, but... this wasn't the worst outcome. If by joining another camp I could keep my life then... that's not that big of a price to pay right?

But just before I could open my mouth-

"Halt your mouth, commoner. Do not listen to that Fox, join my camp instead."

It was Priscilla. Priscilla asked me to join her camp.

Priscilla. Asked. Me. To. Join. Her. Camp.

Al: "P-Princess?!"

My brain just shut off. I couldn't keep up with what was happening.

To be honest, this was the last thing I expected to happen. In my calculations, it was more probable for me to become the shadow again instead of Priscilla asking me to join her camp.

At least Anastasia making me join her camp was SOMEWHERE in my calculations, this was completely outside them.

Priscilla: "I did not give you permission to speak, Aldebaran." He twitched a little.

Al: "Right. Sorry Princess."

The little jest between Al and Priscilla made me recover some of my sanity, enough to ask a question at least.

Cylob: "Excuse me, Priscilla Barielle, but might I ask why you want me to join your camp?"

Priscilla: "Hmph. I guess it's not obvious to a commoner like you. I like you, that's why."

She likes me...

Some might've gotten angry at how she addressed me, but I didn't care. I gained immense respect for her in Arc 8, so I didn't get angry at all. Instead, I got really, REALLY nervous.

I don't like this development. I don't like this development at all.

Priscilla had godly luck. If she wanted for something to happen, it most likely would.

What do I do...?

There were now three Royal Selection Candidates who wanted me in their camps

Anastasia had dirt on me that could cost me my life. Priscilla had godly luck, so me joining her camp is set in stone. Crusch was the only one who I wanted to stay with, but I wasn't sure whether that would be possible.

The situation had blown way out of proportion.

Anastasia: "Oh my, I never thought that the Priscilla Barielle would pay attention to this meetin'."

Priscilla: "Shut yourself, Greedy Fox. I will not permit this slander for long."

This was how the feud between Priscilla and Anastasia started. Both of them started hurling insult after insult at each other.

This is bad...

In my indecisiveness, I looked at Subaru.

He was wearing a crooked smile, but his eyes weren't. I could practically hear him saying "Lucky bastard!"

I'm not lucky! I didn't want this!

I looked at Emilia. She was confused and worried, but wasn't taking any action.

Felt was just sitting while looking bored. Reinhard was giving me a sympathetic look.

The Elder Council wasn't doing anything either.

So um... what the hell do I do?

The most logical thing to do would be to take Anastasia's 'deal'. Priscilla wouldn't take much issue with this, as she's just going to say "Hmph. Enjoy having him while you can. The world will just turn in my favor once again."

That's what she's going to say, right?

...right?

Priscilla already completely broke my expectations, so I didn't want to bet on something I wasn't even 50% sure on.

For now, let's just wait for outside intervention.

Anastasia and Priscilla were still bickering (what a gross underestimation), so first I'll just wait until someone interrupts them.

Anastasia: "Hoh. Do ya' really think that-

"ENOUGH!"

A booming voice. A powerful voice.

When I looked at where it came from, I saw the knight commander. I didn't know his name, but I remembered how he looked, so I was sure that this was him. I could probably remember his name if I searched my memories thoroughly enough, but I didn't have the time for that.

"Cease your squabbling! Do not waste time!"

And with that, silence ruled over the room once again. He turned his eyes to me.

"Cylob Protsav. What do you wish to do?"

Ack! He played the full name card! I can't divert the topic when he's that serious!

Welp, the best solution is to accept Anastasia's 'deal'. I feel sorry for Crusch, but it's the safest solution.

Cylob: "I-

"May I speak?"

Crusch spoke with her hand held high. Instantly, all the attention that was on me transfered to her.

Crusch: "Anastasia, you said that you wished for Cylob to join your camp, right?"

Anastasia: "But o' course. He's good enough as it is, but I wanna' grow him to his full potential. I'll make sure that happens and I'll capitalize on it. Just him right now isn't enough to satisfy my greed."

Crusch: "You'll fail."

At that blunt rejection, even Anastasia's smile faltered a little. I couldn't help but be impressed, I didn't think anyone would've been able to affect her like that.

Anastasia: "Could you elaborate?"

Crusch: "Cylob is extremely mentally unstable. If you - someone who doesn't know anything about him - try to make him grow, all you'll experience is failure."

Anastasia: "I'm prepared to fail. Nothin' works the first time 'round."

Crusch: "Can you handle the consequences of the failure?"

Anastasia: "O' cour-

Anastasia froze. Her smile remained intact, but her eyes showed something similar to panic.

Crusch: "I'll take that as a no. So? Do you still want Cylob - an existence you can't control nor contain - to join your camp?"

Anastasia regained her cool and closed her eyes with a small frown, she was probably calculating the profits and losses in her head.

Thank you Crusch! Thank you so much! I would've gotten wrung dry by Anastasia!

I almost wanted to pray in my happiness, but I resisted my urges. I shouldn't act like a kid.

Anastasia: "It is as ya' say. Takin' him now would be much too dangerous. But I still want somethin' out a' this. Ya' have a proposal, right?"

She went back to her usual merchant face with her greediness on full display.

Crusch: "Of course. All you have to do is wait. I'll whip him up into shape."

I understand that she's saying it for my sake... but can she be a little less crude?

Anastasia: "Oh? But what stops you from having his mental state constantly be unstable?"

Crusch: "Would you risk doing that?"

Anastasia: "Fair 'nough."

I looked between the both of them. It truly seemed like the discussion came to an end.

I cautiously looked at Priscilla.

She was hiding her mouth behind her fan, but she was eyeing me like a predator. Still, she wasn't saying anything, which meant that this discussion was finally over.

And I wasn't even needed.

It felt kind of weird. I was forced to come here, endure the nervousness I felt, and all of it was largely for nothing.

*sigh* What a mess.

I might've thought that, but I had the biggest smile on my face.

Sure, I'd have to work under Anastasia in due time, but that will not be soon.

My mental state is shattered by The Power, my new memories, and I still had a lot of problems I had to work on.

To think that I'd be thankful for all my shortcomings... how funny.

I looked over everyone in attendance one last time.

Welp, this is the end for me (That sounded so wrong). Time to wrap this conversation up and leave as fast as I can.

Cylob: "It seems like I'm not needed anymore. Might I take my leave?"

"You may not."

I was so surprised, that I let out an audible grunt.

'I may not'? Who in the seven hells can talk so haughtily?

Actually, I had somewhat of an idea of who it could be. One of the Elders Of The Council, who hates Emilia just because she's a half-elf.

I didn't know his name, nor did I remember what he looked like, but I was sure that the guy who spoke up was him.

When I looked, I saw a bald man with blue eyebrows. And indeed, when I quickly searched through my memories, I remembered the description about him being bald. This was the elder with the extreme demi-human prejudice.

Cylob: "What purpose do I serve in being here then?"

elder: "You will tell us the secret that you're hiding. It is the least you can do."

Hah?! Come again?! Did you not hear what Anastasia said?! This guy is borderline stupid!

I tried my best to hide my anger, but I was pretty sure my brow twitched.

Cylob: "It is a secret for a reason. Besides, if I were to reveal it, I would sully the deal made between Crusch Karsten and Anastasia Hoshin. I would prefer not doing that."

He looked at Reinhard and Crusch, to which both of them nodded.

Did you not believe me at all?! That wasn't even something worth lying about!

elder: "It seems like you think you hold power here. I do not like that attitude of yours, demi-human."

The last word was said with particular venom, but I hid my anger behind my smile.

I racked my brain and finally remembered his name.

Cylob: "Oh. That's a misconception, Bordeaux Zellgef. I'm not a demi-human." I shook my head.

Bordeaux: "Do not lie! Blue revealed everything!"

Cylob: "As I said, that's a misconception. I'm not demi-human, in fact,I'M NOT HUMAN AT ALL."

At my tone,Bordeaux physically recoiled back.

Bordeaux: "W-What?"

Just like him, everyone in the room held shocked expressions. The only ones calm were Priscilla, Crusch, Ferris and Reinhard. Even Anastasia widened her eyes.

Cylob: "Must I repeat myself? I am not human. I am only taking on the appearance of a human for easier communication."

Crusch was glaring at me. Her eyes were shouting "Don't make problems!", but I didn't care. This guy had pissed me off ever since I first saw him in the anime.

He looked at Crusch and Reinhard once again. Both of them nodded and he visibly got paler.

Bordeaux: "W-What are you then?"

Cylob: "I am a slime. Though, I don't think that any of you know what that is." The words came out before I could process them, so I made a mistake.

Oops.

Just like I thought, Crusch and Reinhard both furrowed their brows. I had triggered their Divine Protections.

Please don't say anything! Please just keep silent!

It seems like my prayers were answered, as both of them decided not to say anything and returned to their normal expressions.

Thank you Go- Od Laguna!

Cylob: "May I take my leave now? I believe there's nothing more for me to discuss."

I wanted to get out of here as fast as possible. The longer I stayed, the bigger the chance that something bad would happen.

"You may."

I didn't care whose voice it was, all I cared about was getting the heck out of here, so I practically ran out of the room after respectfully bowing.

"Haaa. Free at last."

The pressure over there was so massive that once I stepped out, I could feel myself practically floating. That was how much lighter my body became.

But well... stepping out isn't all that happened.

In addition to escaping the pressure of that conference, I also escaped the pressure of fear. After all-

I'm... not going to die.

I wanted to cry tears of joy, but nothing came out. I didn't let that deter me and started walking back through the many long and winding corridors.

I turned right, walked a bit. Turned left, walked a bit. Turned left, turned right, turned right, turned left.

Hm... I'm completely lost.

In hindsight, when I was walking together with Al, I should've been remembering the way back instead of asking him questions.

I may have almost perfect memory due to me being a slime, but that doesn't matter when I wasn't paying attention in the first place!

As I was chastising myself, I just decided to take the easy way out.

I ate the window closest to me, jumped out of it, stuck to the wall from the outside by making my hands and legs convert to slime, and then put the window back into place.

Now that I had the full view of the outside, I quickly realized the direction in which Crusch's manor lay, so I just jumped there with full power.

Not long after, I was back to the place I dreaded the most, doing the thing I dreaded the most doing.

.▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒░▒.

The door slowly opened with a *creeeeak*.

Crusch and Ferris were both entering the room.

Cylob: "Welcome back! It's nice to... see you?"

They were wearing smiles, but I could see in their eyes that they were unimaginably pissed.

The pressure from Crusch was almost the same as when she cut off my arms.

Cylob: "Um, why are you so angry?"

Ferris: "Angry? I think you're deeply mistaken. We're not angry at all, right, Crusch-sama?"

Crusch: "Indeed. What is there to be angry about?"

Uh oh. Ferris doesn't have his accent. I'm dead.

I stood up from my desk and started slowly walking backwards.

Cylob: "If there's nothing to be angry about, can I go away through the window? I kinda have to right now."

Crusch: "Of course not. You still have paperwork to do. You are not someone who runs away from his duties, are you?"

I hit a wall. I couldn't walk backwards anymore and Ferris and Crusch were now getting closer.

Cylob: "And what if I am?"

Crusch: "Then I'll have to whip you up into shape."

She took out her sword and kept advancing towards me.

Is she going to cut me down?! What the hell did I do?!

In my fear, I even turned my back into slime. It melted onto the wall, allowing me to step back ever so slightly.

Crusch was walking slowly and leisurely, but I couldn't help but shiver. If looks could kill, I would be stuck in permanent torture for all enernity.

With each step, I melted further and further onto the wall. I wanted to get as much distance as possible, but it was all for naught.

She stopped in front of me. Perfectly in her sword range.

Cylob: "Please don't hurt meeeee." I could barely squeeze that plea out of me.

I closed my eyes, hoping for the worst.

And then, I felt a powerful *THUD!* right on the top of my head.

"Owowowowowowowow! What the hell?! Why?!"

When I opened my eyes, my vision was slightly spinning.

I clutched my head, hoping to ease the pain a little.

Crusch: "Do you have any idea how many problems you caused?"

Her terrifying smile didn't leave her face even after she hit me with the blunt side of her sword.

Cylob: "So what, I was a little disrespectful. Is that something to hit me for?"

Crusch: "That was already bad enough. But what happened next was even worse." Her smile got larger.

Cylob: "Eep! I-I mean... What happened?"

Crusch: "Not long after you left, the castle was attacked."

Cylob: "It was?!"

Crusch: "To be more precise, the castle was damaged. But when the knights did checks, they found nothing. Do you know how anxious everyone was? Someone attacked the castle, but we couldn't see any damages, and this someone might be lurking in the castle as we speak. The conference was delayed so that theycould first get rid of the intruder..."

I unconsciously gulped.

That's... my fault, isn't it?

I was the one who broke the window, and I was the one who repaired it. I just thought of it as a fast and convenient method to get back home, but I actually messed up big time.

Does that mean that the castle has some kind of spell on it that allows people to know whether it was damaged? I've never heard of that! No, more importantly, isn't there normally some kind of siren? It was dead silent when I ate the window. Does that mean that it uses some other mechanism?

*THUD*

I was hit on the head again.

"Owwwwwwww."

Crusch: "Do not let your thoughts wander. We are having a serious discussion here."

As I looked at her sinister smile, I couldn't help but want to cry. I didn't, but I wanted to.

I spent the next hour apologizing in a dogeza.