- Shari -

A short time later, Peras, his accompanying officers, as well as us two, sit down with Gareth in a side hall. Peras seems as well to start losing his calmness.

"As much as I do appreciate your efforts for our side, I'd finally like to know what exactly our battle plan would involve us doing. Especially, how you intend to go about our immediate actions." (Peras)

The man in question oversees the whole table in a collected manner, which indicates this isn't his first meeting.

"I'll start by explaining the general situation. Please, look at the plan I brought for context." (Gareth)

He spreads a sheet that shows a map of Ekoras that is riddled with hundreds of spots, indicating places of interest as well as color codings apparently referring to the different powers controlling the area.

"As you can see, the north is well in our hands, but the other districts are a problem. While the west is going to be a hard piece of work, I'm very concerned about the south. The conditions there, with its close buildings and the many people who are not exactly on good terms with the guard, make it particularly hard to traverse. In addition to this, I would expect attacks to push towards the west, if they want to break through to Siras." (Gareth)

"The way you speak, you seem to already have given this some thought. Though, now I'd like to hear something concrete regarding how you'd go about this mess." (Peras)

"Understandable. Then let me instruct you. It involves holding the central traffic routes of the town, foremost the gates, while moving in a controlled manner from one of the known gang holdouts to the next. Yet as I was prioritizing the consolidation of my position first, we didn't act upon it, aside from fortifying our own position. I imagine securing the south and the west, where guard presence was always the weakest, will especially pose to be a challenge. It comes to our aid that the adventurer guild will 'hold a general meeting' today." (Gareth)

This basically means that they'll hold all of their problematic elements within their hall. Something that could truly make the difference.

"So our first objective should be to fortify the palace, so we can maintain the central position, while securing the gates. We'll have to establish camps at those positions." (Peras)

"Yes. After this, we'll continue with phase two, where we'll send our patrols out, to announce a general curfew for today, and then take down one criminal base after the other. I hope your men know what they're doing. While those bandits aren't professional fighters, they're no strangers to violence and can be quite crafty." (Gareth)

"Don't take me for a fool who can't assess what he's dealing with. They wouldn't be the first bandits we've had to take care of in fulfilling our duty." (Peras)

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Though, that doesn't mean I like doing that part. But with this, the way forward is set. The next steps happen with military precision and effectiveness. The army is led into the town, the main force setting up camp within the castle's premises. Contingents are led to the four main gates, and smaller units are dispatched to the key facilities we're supposed to protect if this city is supposed to continue to work after tomorrow. The conference hall in the castle was by now turned into a provisional war table. With us right in the center of what happens.

"The men are ready at their positions and just wait for the sign. All we need is your okay." (Vela)

"Captain Gareth?" (Peras)

"Before we can move out and start an all-out attack, we still need to ensure that the circumstances are right." (Gareth)

"May I remind you that with every second lost our opponents have more time to figure out and adjust to the situation? The element of surprise is almost gone by now. In all this time, they might scheme their counterplans." (Peras)

"Be this as it may, we first need to know if the adventurers are under control. Believe me, we don't want thousands of battle-hardened pariahs with up to superhuman abilities, messing with our operation. Those people thrive in chaos and more than enough are working for less-than-upstanding individuals. In addition, we shouldn't forget about the nobles and their private armies." (Gareth)

Oh, right. Not sure about the intricacies of the aristocratic structures within Ekoras, but at least Baron Moreau is still a thing.

"So what would be your suggestion?" (Peras)

"Dealing with the criminals will be quite an upfront matter. If we can stick to formations and control the situation, our superior discipline and equipment will make all the difference. However, to take care of the nobles involved in the trafficking, we might require a different angle." (Gareth)

Why does he now look in our direction?

"Ah, I see. If you'd just come to arrest them, they could insist on their greater rights as aristocracy, allowing them to forge reasons for fighting back. Yet if officials of the crown would come, they couldn't say as much." (Peras)

Why does it always end with me having to do the really problematic stuff? With this, it's decided. After the particularities are taken care of, Liqu and I are assigned to a small elite unit under the direct command of Vela. I need to say, I'm fine with this. The girl really is proficient in that role.

"I can't believe that even though I rose up the ranks, I still come back to serve under you!" (Vela)

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Vela. You worked hard for the position." (Balion)

"Truly. After that nightmare of a mission, the promotion was more than deserved." (Zeon)

The two are awfully nice to their boss. I hope this is solely because they like her and she does a good job, because otherwise this display wouldn't look all too professional for a leader.

"Well, you didn't want to take the job offer of the queen. Just saying, Liqu and I worked for it." (Shari)

Though, I can't help but flaunt my higher position at times. I mean, what else would I have it for?

"Yes, yes! We did many things together! It was so much fun! Getting rewarded for dissolving people is really convenient." (Liqu)

And Liqu once more shows that the new uniform and title doesn't make her any less of a monster.

"Also, I've decided that having power is a nice thing. Being able to tell adventurers what they should do is really great!" (Liqu)

Oh, right. Why don't you add a power trip to this slime's social maintenance fields?

"I'm not exactly sure how good of a job you're doing at controlling her." (Vela)

"It's been a challenge." (Shari)

"Ahem, could I ask you to stop it here? As weird as I already find you being on such casual terms with each other, the rest of our troop are even more confused." (Balion)

Right. Now looking at them, I probably should've been more aware of the fact that we got a real troop. While the inner circle is made of Vela, Zeon, and Balion, along with Liqu and me, we also got two dozen supposedly elite soldiers. Not like I can see much of that prowess in their, right now, very anxious faces, but in theory that should be a thing. Well, we'll have the chance to find out, as our destination comes into view.

"So. Who's ready to beat up some nobles?!" (Balion)

He doesn't seem to like them.

"Me!" (Liqu)

But Liqu certainly has enthusiasm to add.

"Without the adventurer guards, only the regular security should be present, and I'm positive we can deal with them." (Zeon)

"How certain can we be about the adventurers not getting involved?" (Shari)

"Depends on how well things are proceeding in the guild hall." (Vela)

I feared so. Then let's just hope things will turn out well there. Meanwhile, we need to deal with a noble.

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