- Shari -

"So what happens now?" (Shari)

This question here is a rather pressing matter on my side.

While I have no idea what kind of treatment the general employee here has to expect, I wouldn't really want to get housed in the dog house, just because someone thinks it's the proper place for me.

Yet living in the barracks cramped together with all the other soldiers isn’t really possible either.

That leaves the question, of what they planned to do now.

Despite my query, the count leaves without even batting an eye.

Instead, his aide who talked with him until now is now turning to us.

I am not too sure about him, as he obviously is uneasy at our presence.

Still, he manages to compose himself and speak calmly.

"The Lord asked me to tend to your needs. Anything special you want to have prioritized?" (Dion)

"Three things! First, this cost us quite a bit of energy and we would like to replenish it. Nothing fancy, but meat of any kind would be appreciated. If necessary also fruits or cheese is fine, but bread and other things like that wouldn’t work well." (Shari)

"I will inform the cook. Your other demands?" (Dion)

I just said nothing fancy!

"The flesh can even be raw. It wouldn't really matter, but fine. As for the second issue, we would like to know about our lodgings, if we are going to stay here." (Shari)

He doesn't look too happy when he answers.

"The Lord said that you'll be provided quarters in the main building." (Dion)

"Really!?" (Shari)

That he would accommodate us in the best part of the estate is a surprise.

Furthermore, I would have problems with housing a slime close to where I sleep.

Or I would if I still had the luxury to care!

"The Lord said in case of an attack this would be the best place to have you." (Dion)

The Lord said so, huh?

But it makes sense.

By now he should be somewhat convinced that we are not going to attack them.

Then, in case of an attack, Liqu could basically act as a moving cleansing wall.

This is quite the effective security measure.

"So we are going to live in there?" (Shari)

I point at this three-story building, with its grey-white and blue walls and impressive aesthetical ornaments on the walls.

There's even quite a number of glass windows, and transparent glass is a luxury.

High-ranking nobles are really something else.

"The upper floors are reserved to the lord and his family, as well as guests. For the rest, there are some free rooms in the basement right now. Those should be right." (Dion)

"The basement? You'll put us in the cellar?" (Shari)

"Great! Wet and moldy, please! Just for the two of us. Wonderful!" (Liqu)

...

Sorry, my mind crashed just now.

There was a great disturbance, in form of a green slime in human form who shattered it.

"Very well, we can..." (Dion)

I have to react!

"No! My acquaintance speaks a little too fast. I'm sorry, excuse me for a moment." (Shari)

I turn to the embodiment of everything that went wrong in my life.

"I don't know what is wrong with your perception of mine, but I don't like wet caves and I surely won't allow that you will make me live in one! Furthermore, what gave you the idea I would want to share a room with you if I've got a choice?" (Shari)

"Wh-why not? This would be so nice. Like when we met." (Liqu)

"No, that wasn’t nice! Slimy caves aren't nice! I am used to better! Just because you commonly dwelled at such places doesn’t mean that I’m okay with that!" (Shari)

"But it would be beneficial if we would have it like that." (Liqu)

"Tell me one reason why I would want that." (Shari)

"Slime does not disperse when the humidity is right and this will be beneficial to conserve energy. If we can retain our slime, our rest will be better." (Liqu)

"Is that true?" (Shari)

It might be stupid to ignore my own needs which I have to take care of.

Even if they are those of a slime!

"Absolutely! Also, it's easier to think with the core when it's colder and humid." (Liqu)

"But I don't want it moldy or full of slime!" (Shari)

I despise the "monster lifestyle", even if it makes sense.

"The mold isn't absolutely necessary. But it's nice to have an emergency snack." (Liqu)

Mold and snack.

These words are absolutely incompatible!

"Okay, so you say that air circulation and warmth are bad for me. I can follow so far, even if I don't like it. Still, I don't want to always share a room with you. We’ve almost always been together since you turned my life into a mess. Hell, you even were in my mind! There's a degree of privacy, which I can't even call the bare minimum, that I need to know stays maintained. And you know this, as you, as I've already mentioned, were in my mind!" (Shari)

"I, I understand. But please, don't move far away." (Liqu)

I nod.

Mostly because I am sure that the building's layout isn't allowing anything else.

The other reason would be that she's still my bodyguard and this estate might be quite the hostile environment.

"Just to say it, I think I would rather have a room for myself. Your cave sounds nice, but if I can avoid it... I will." (Elin)

I turn to Dion.

"Is this possible?" (Shari)

"I can prepare a servant's quarter for your comrade. Regarding your lodging, despite how it sounds, some rooms in the basement are properly equipped to accommodate... special guests." (Dion)

I would guess for nobles the count doesn't like.

However, a noble's quarter is a noble's quarter.

It's not like I'm especially picky.

"So what was your third point?" (Dion)

I almost forgot with how distracting Liqu can be.

This might be the most important now.

"I would like to inquire what exactly we are now. What is our status here? We are no pets! In addition, I would like for us to formally conduct our agreement. On paper!" (Shari)

"We will have a contract prepared tomorrow. For your status... the count was rather clear. You two will serve as special agents with the rank of second-rank officers directly under captain Peras. Your comrade will be listed as a scout." (Dion)

"Hey, why are they better off than I am?" (Elin)

"Because we actually fought. Do you want to fight too?" (Shari)

"Sigh. Nah. I know you are stronger than I." (Elin)

"If this is solved, then I wish for you to accompany me so we can settle the details." (Dion)

"Alright." (Shari)

And with this, we head back into this stupidly big building.