- Shari -

Seems like I'm done with all of my outdoor business for today. Now there's only one last thing I need to take care of, and we should be ready to depart tomorrow morning. For now, we'll return to our humble abode. Yet once I arrive there, I unfortunately have to take note that there's quite a commotion around the place.

"There they are!"

"This is the alchemist?"

"Could it really be true?

Okay, commotion might severely understate what's going on here. Rather, there are hundreds of people doing something between a public mass rally and a revolting mob. Actually, the people seem pretty much split between being peaceful and hostile. I probably should've seen it coming that people would come looking for the source of the rumors. Maybe it would be smarter to let them be and walk the other way, but something hits me wrong with having to leave my very own place. And not just because of the kiddos, I still got in there.

"Hello, good people. How may I help you?" (Shari)

Can't hurt to start a civilized conversation. If things turn out poorly, my status as a royal agent, as well as the fact that the guards are supposed to support me, should help keep this group in check. Where even are they? I get that Gareth is short-staffed, but relying on me being able to handle whatever happens in this district, and hopefully distributing them somewhere else, doesn't sound all that smart. I mean, I still have to deal with this!

"She talks!"

"Like a normal person!?"

"Are the rumors false?"

So it seems like a big part isn't actually hostile, but merely curious. While I can work with this, the more they keep on going, the less inclined I feel to accommodate those people.

"Excuse me? Is there a reason for this commotion?" (Shari)

From the group, a bulky man steps forward. It might be that I saw him before, as that frame rings some bells, but keeping faces and finer details in mind isn't one of my strengths, ever since my mind got transferred into a solid crystal.

"We, we were concerned, because we, we heard some stories. You, you see, we only wanted to verify the issue." ('concerned' citizen)

Sure. This gathering is merely interested in the state of affairs. Oh, how I do hope this won't end with Liqu liquifying them all.

"Just to be clear about this. By 'concerned', you don't mean 'we don't want people like you in this neighborhood', right? Because your neighborhood is already not the most classy one. Especially, if you take into account the several bandit raids I've had to deal with since I've established myself here. In any case, no matter my circumstances, I'm pretty sure my presence didn't worsen the public order around these parts. You may ask the guards, soldiers, even my assistants, that no threat emanated from me to you." (Shari)

Seriously, I think I actually improved things around here.

"B-but... You, you aren't denying it." ('concerned' citizen)

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Seems like he got the only half-hidden main statement. At this point, it's only a question of time till everyone will know. So I can already now spill everything.

"In addition, I'm fairly sure a bunch of you were just all too eager to purchase my potions. So I don't see the reason why any one of you should be offended about my presence." (Shari)

I may be going on a longer journey tomorrow, but I paid a lot of money for this place and would like to keep my investment. Not to forget that the prices might rise in the future if this turns into a better area, due to the lack of bandits.

Before my newest annoyance can retort, there abruptly speaks a woman instead.

"I-it's true. They helped a lot of people. A-and ever since they moved here, people in this part haven't been raided." (helpful lady)

Wait! So does that mean I've been the only one?

"But how could we possibly feel safe with them-" ('concerned' citizen)

Here I cut him off.

"Didn't you listen?! It actually got safer here. I just don't see the problem. I never even bothered any of you. I own a respectable business. I'm working very clean and with meticulous precision. None of you should've found issues with my work till now." (Shari)

"Her, her potions saved my child. She's selling at prices even we can pay, while even going out of her way to help. Also, I heard how they fought the criminals and saved people while doing so. None of them were harmed." (helpful lady)

Wait, wasn't that the one whose boy got that rash? Well, glad he made it. And not just because it's paying off for me right now.

But now I probably should get going, before they question the nature of my work. Or rather the product they consume.

"That isn't the issue!" (shrill woman)

"Yes! What if she just wasn't hungry for the ones she saved, because she simply ate others?" (concerned citizen)

The fact that this guy got far too much right about this is problematic. Better I divert them on this matter.

"My meal is in my bag, thank you very much! To me, it seems like you want to make up an issue where there's no need. Especially, as by tomorrow, I'll be going on a business trip. If I return and find that someone set fire to my house or some such, I'll be severely displeased. Glrrlb." (Shari)

"Me too!" (Liqu)

It doesn't sound as convincing if you're all cheerful while saying this, Liqu.

Sadly, it doesn't seem to work either. It probably didn't help that I accidentally made some bubbles from annoyance. While the majority of the people are merely here to gawk, and there are those who seem to be on my side, those who are not, are an issue. An issue that could very quickly turn into something far worse, as they start getting more and more heated in their debate. In particular, mainly the bulky guy.

"How are we to sleep when at any moment-" (irritatingly concerned citizen)

"Ahem. Are we interrupting something?" (Jacob)

Why did Jacob just come out of my place? Oh right. I invited them. Though, that's quite the timing for their whole group to show up here.

"Adventurers?"

"Are they here to deal with her?"

"But wasn't she with the guards?"

"It! You mean 'it'!"

"I don't know. She sounds female."

I feel like this conversation is derailing. However, I also have no intention of proceeding with it.

"Buy something or screw yourself. Whatever may be the case for you, I'm out of this talk." (Shari)

"Is this your interpretation of being diplomatic?" (Myra)

"This is my interpretation of 'having enough of this shit'!" (Shari)

"Esteemed adventurers. Can't you do something about this?" (straight-up specist citizen)

Jacob examines him before he answers.

"About what? What would be the issue?" (Jacob)

"I-it's clear they aren't human! They could attack someone! Even kill!" (possible first victim)

"Forget it! Not interested." (Myra)

Now Myra speaks up.

"B-but you could defeat them!" (gravedigger)

"Listen, I'll only say this once, as it pains me enough to say this. We all together couldn't defeat even one of them. I wouldn't know an adventurer in town who wouldn't struggle to claim even the slightest chance. They could kill all of you without problems. The only reason you're all still alive is because she allows it. So I seriously can't see why you're working so hard on changing that part. Got a deathwish?" (Myra)

This speech finally seems to have brought some reason to at least a greater portion of what I can only call a mob. More and more start feeling not inclined to be among those who finally get the big bad slime monsters to attack.

"See? She's a nice one!" (Liqu)

"Groan!" (Myra)

Now that we're officially done here, we walk towards my shop. Yet before we enter, I'd like to know something.

"I know I invited you, but you were just waiting in my home?" (Shari)

Did they see anything? Nia, hopefully, is in the backrooms, as instructed, and didn't show herself to any of these agitated citizens.

"That might have something to do with you not being present after inviting us!" (Myra)

"Myra, I'm sure they had their reasons." (Lorel)

"We had! We bought a lot of things! With money!" (Liqu)

"See? They were... shopping." (Lorel)

Hey, that was all important equipment!

"I need to agree with Lorel. This was a terribly bad time to leave this place. If we hadn't shown up, things might've ended ugly. They could've stormed the shop." (Jacob)

"Speaking of which. What about the kids?" (Shari)

"The boy is dutifully manning the shop. The girl is, apparently, currently in the backroom." (Jacob)

I decide to verify this and enter.

"There you are! The people outside were a bit scary." (Okin)

He looks towards Jacob's group. I guess it was a good thing that they were here, and probably kept things safe, with those agitated people outside. One can never be too sure on such matters.

After having ascertained that everything is in order, I carefully place a table and some seating for me and Jacob's group. Once I'm done, I turn to them.

"Alright. Why don't we talk about business now?" (Shari)

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