- Shari -

Morning dawns.

Since slimes don't need rest in the traditional sense and my standby mode only requires some hours to fully restore myself to full mental capacity I had enough time to watch how it's getting bright out there.

I have still a mental list of things we need to do today.

Buying necessities, getting Zeon to a healer, and calling out to one of Lorena's former co-workers.

Sounds about manageable.

"So, any preferences regarding who does what today?" (Shari)

"I'm with you!" (Liqu)

"Yes, Liqu. We know that." (Shari)

Now the others, please.

"It might be better if I go alone to my former co-worker to avoid raising attention." (Lorena)

"Will you be fine on your own?" (Shari)

"I wouldn't know why I would be targeted. Aside from this, her highness' servants were an intimate group. We were specially chosen and had no contact with others, to avoid that we might get influenced. The others certainly got new tasks by now, but I'm sure they're trustworthy. So there should be no problem if I wait at her home." (Lorena)

Sounds reasonable.

Now for the other issues.

"I thought I might ask around to see if there are some rumors in the capital that might be of interest to us. You know, for example, which lord recently sent troops to Ekoras. Also, I had an idea regarding Zeon's healer." (Elin)

"Were we in need of an idea?" (Shari)

"Naturally. Zeon got a slash injury on his arm from a long blade. This kind of thing raises interest. It's common practice that the healer will at least ask how he got such a wound. And if the answer isn't satisfying they might call the guard." (Elin)

Damn! Is that really a thing?

"However, there's one certain group which often has to deal with this kind of injuries and receives special treatment." (Elin)

"You mean..." (Shari)

"Yes, if we're going to a healer specialized in adventurers they might not ask such questions. Or at least they could omit it as customer service. Yet one would have to be a member. But oh, what a coincidence!" (Elin)

I might appreciate her input more without all that theatric acting.

"That leaves me to buy some groceries. Sigh, my career got quite the downfall." (Vela)

"How do you figure that?" (Shari)

"They'll probably ask for the team leader of your adventurer group. And our calamity is going to follow." (Vela)

"And who should then look after Anvenia?" (Shari)

"Naturally she's going with the biggest group. It would be too risky to leave her here." (Vela)

I can't deny this.

Liqu is still one of our greatest assets.

And I'm not too bad either.

No matter what happens the princess should be quite safe with us, even if I doubt that we are the best possible influences for her.

"Then it's settled. Everyone will go about their tasks and I, Liqu, Zeon, and Anvenia will go to the healer. The girl should get checked as well." (Shari)

I don't think it's necessary but she had a long walk through the forest without being used to it.

And if possible, I want even the tiniest scrape she got mended before we deliver her back home.

This can only help.

I just hope my savings will survive this.

We first headed to the guild.

It's quite a fancy building.

It's still the same layout as in Ekoras, with a counter and a big gathering hall but an extravagant decor.

At least I saw a great variety of exotic beasts that supposedly were slain by the members.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that I was a little nervous.

The only soothing part was that as a slime it won't be so easy to prepare my body for this wall.

However, the whole administrative process was surprisingly simple.

I only had to show my guild card and prove my identity with the same device I already got checked with at the gate.

Naturally, I still got strange looks from the receptionist because of my mask and the magic output, and our uncommon group name, but everything else was fine.

So I could state my request and ask them for a guild-affiliated healer with reasonable prices, proficient in treating battle wounds, and hopefully not too nosy.

The latter naturally formulated a bit more diplomatically.

And I need to say, I'm impressed by their efficiency, as I promptly got an address and it's even quite close.

Outside the building, I first visibly relax and then meet up with the others.

I was able to convince Liqu to protect the girl, as I couldn't see how it would in any way help to have her in there as well.

"We've got our healer. Two streets down there and then to the right." (Shari)

"Will it be fine?" (Zeon)

"As far they said, yes. Newly established and confidential. Just what we need." (Shari)

"Okay, then there's no reason to wait. " (Zeon)

The guild isn't exactly in the wealthiest part of the city, but business is apparently going well here.

The market district is still a fair distance away from here, but the streets are bustling.

A short walk later we're in front of a very mundane-looking building.

Only the shield with the telltale sign of a herbal bud, the common sign for magical healers, is implying that we're at the right place.

Despite him having only one good arm I let Zeon knock on the door, while I readjust my mask.

Immediately after this, I hear small steps rushing to the entrance.

A moment later a child opens for us.

"H-how can I help?" (girl)

"Huh?" (Liqu)

Is it the mask?

I am sure it can look pretty intimidating.

Or it's about our unusual group.

"Uh, we need a healer for wound treatment." (Shari)

"Wound treatment? Ah, please wait here. I'll be with you in a moment." (girl)

You will?

I want the healer.

The girl moves to the counter and rummages through some stuff.

"Ehm, and when will the treatment begin? We have a bit of a tight schedule." (Shari)

"As soon as I'm ready. Healing magic might be convenient but there are still limits. So I usually use some special salves and tools to support the process." (girl)

"You're the healer? I'm sorry, but how old are you?" (Shari)

She looks like fourteen or fifteen at most.

It's not like we can afford to be picky, but I won't let a child that plays doctor treat the future sovereign of this country.

"I get this quite often. Twenty-one, by the way. It's not well-known but in rare cases healing magic can manifest in the mage in form of slowed aging, and well, growth. It can be a bit inconvenient at times but one learns to deal with this. Also, I have great support. My name is Lea, by the way." (Lea)

Well, twenty-one still doesn't sound like she has very much experience, but it might suffice.

"The guild told us that you would be a reputable address." (Shari)

"Uh, I have quite some experience from doing field treatment. I was an adventuress before and saw more than enough fierce battle wounds. Some more gruesome than others." (Lea)

Okay, now I'm worried about her.

Already leaving someone who looks this young alone with rough adventurers concerns me deeply.

And then put monsters into the equation.

"You were a real adventuress?!" (Anvenia)

Right, the princess likes adventure stories.

"Oh, not anymore. I and my girlfriend retired a short time ago after a certain incident. Yet we still had to repay some funds we received before." (Lea)

The way she dwells on "girlfriend" in particular tells me they're not so long together but still totally in the honeymoon phase.

Same-sex relationships aren't unheard of, but uncommon.

Most people at most simply question their sanity as effectively they will never be able to have children to support them in the future.

Not like I could concern myself with having children anymore.

And we're certainly not touching the topic of creating a slime core.

Speaking of this, Liqu is awfully quiet and behaves so weirdly that I notice it even if she wears her mask.

Just why is she fidgeting so much?

"So, who is my patient?" (Lea)

"That would be me. Got attacked with a knife by some asshole." (Zeon)

That's a description of Alec I'd certainly back up.

"Good. Sit down please. Only the arm or are other places affected as well?" (Lea)

"The arm is the main issue. The other scratches will soon be gone. Especially with such benevolent care." (Zeon)

I certainly won't pay for his scratches.

The way he's talking to the girl, he's clearly flirting.

Not in the "I'll-get-that-one-at-the-bar" way, but more the "I-have-natural-charm-and-girls-just-can't-stop-fawning-over-me" way.

She looks professionally over his flirting and instead closer at the wound.

"I see it was already treated with a salve of clearsprout. Very well, let's see what I can do." (Lea)

She begins her treatment, laying her hands on the wounded area.

After she mumbles something they start to glow and Zeon's face scrunches up.

"Ugh, always feels weird when that happens." (Zeon)

"I know, when the wound knits back together it can strain the surrounding skin. I would advise against tensing the muscles on that arm in the next couple of days or it might rip open. Even if this might be pretty hard for someone like you." (Lea)

Yep, could be bad if he poses in front of the ladies and then his arm ruptures.

"You're pretty skilled. The healers I know wouldn't be half as efficient." (Zeon)

"Ah, I had a lot of practice. The guys in our group were often out to impress our mage and got themselves injured." (Lea)

She says this cheerfully, but I can see how her face turns sad for a moment.

Maybe I should change the topic.

"But it's still fairly impressive how you manage your own shop at this age." (Shari)

"Well, usually my girlfriend is helping out, but she recently got a new position in the magical research facilities." (Lea)

While she speaks she continues her treatment and rather soon is at the finishing touches.

"And done. It was a fairly deep wound. The arm should be tender for a couple of days but will very soon work as usual." (Lea)

"Thank you very much. Could you also look over the girl?" (Shari)

"Sure. Anything specific?" (Lea)

"A general check up. And all the scratches she got. Please, be thorough." (Shari)

"Okay. Is this part of your mission?" (Lea)

"Basically yes. We have to deliver her safe and sound back home. But I can't tell anything concrete." (Shari)

"Well, she doesn't look as if she got abducted. You aren't, right?" (Lea)

"I am here on my own volition and only feel deepest gratitude with how affectionately I am treated, miss healer." (Anvenia)

Mhm. Why don't you tell her directly that you're royalty?

"Oh my, what a polite little lady!" (Lea)

Fortunately, she doesn't seem to read too much into it.

For the treatment, she sends Zeon out since it involves making Anvenia take her clothes off to check her body.

No man can stay here for this.

"Hm, nothing serious. A bit of muscle strain and accumulated exhaustion. I can take care of this to a degree, but for a lasting effect she needs some rest and proper diet." (Lea)

"We'll do our best in that regard." (Shari)

The healer makes quick work and soon Anvenia is free to dress up again.

"I feel so much better!" (Anvenia)

"Careful, little lady. It can happen sometimes that one feels energized by the healing. However, your body is still vulnerable. Many hurt themselves after the treatment because of this." (Lea)

This sounds like a way to waste money.

Or a way to gain repeat customers.

Fortunately, this healer seems decent enough.

"This means she is healthy, right? Good, I'm relieved. How much is the treatment?" (Shari)

"Ah, I'm sorry, I should've mentioned that directly. This will be six silver. I really can't ask for less. And I'm already giving a discount for the young lady." (Lea)

Sigh, another strike to my finances.

I will definitely ask for a return when I get back to the estate.

It's not like I'm using it for myself.

I hand out the money, careful not to touch her directly.

I don't know what a healer can perceive about my condition through contact.

"Ehm, you know, if there's a problem with your face I might be able to fix it. Would you let me take a look at it?" (Lea)

Sigh, now I have to call her off.

"Sorry, it's pretty bad and I don't want to show it. Also, it's definitely nothing a healing treatment can fix." (Shari)

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear this. Must be pretty hard. But you really should know that healing magic advances by the day. Today we can already heal organ damage and are making progress on restoring smaller limbs." (Lea)

That's still not going to help me, girl.

As long as you can't pull off a full-body restoration and soul transfer.

"It's not going to work out for me. I already came to terms with it. Clinging to false hope would just make me feel bad." (Shari)

"Oh, okay." (Lea)

Now she looks dejected.

"Anyways, thank you for the service. I'll recommend you." (Shari)

Or maybe not.

Not sure if that would be a good advertisement coming from me.

"By the way, would you know about a good herbalist nearby?" (Shari)

"A herbalist? Not an alchemist?" (Lea)

"Both would be fine, but the plants should be enough." (Shari)

"There is an alchemist down the street if it's supposed to be close. I don't think that you'll gain much by asking around looking for which one is the best. The alchemists in the capital are in fierce competition and have to maintain standards, so they're all around the same level." (Lea)

"Well, thanks for the information. I'll visit that shop." (Shari)

I go about guiding our group back out of the shop.

But when I look back I see that a certain person is too close to the healer for me to be comfortable and I realize my failing.

"It was so nice to meet you again." (Liqu)

"Again?" (Lea)

I just overheard this by chance and can't in the slightest figure out what's the deal here.

However, if one thing is certain, then it's that I shouldn't allow Liqu to speak even one more word.

"God, Liqu! Don't just stand there! We have a busy schedule." (Shari)

I take her by the glove and drag her out.

I have still no idea what's happening but if she's met that healer before it can't be good to remind her of this.

So I had to call her out.

At least she didn't have enough time to say anything exposing.

.

.

.

"Liqu..?" (Lea)