“How could this be...”
Flora held her forehead.
“Flora, this is how the noble elite operate.”
“With a mere brush of their sleeves, not a single speck of mud will cling to them.”
“He won’t feel even a shred of guilt or a pang of conscience. In their eyes, the subjects are merely their property and possessions.”
“They are no different from crops growing in a field. As long as it doesn't affect the harvest and growth, a little waste is nothing.”
“And if it secures their own interests and future, it matters even less.”
Flora gripped the sword at her waist.
“Was my brother... just a trivial crop consumed for his future and interests?”
Zoe: ...
“Flora, this is precisely why I think you are special. Your sense of justice is captivating, not like a noble's at all.”
Hearing Evelyn's words, Flora bit her lip.
“I really want to prove to you that not all nobles are like that.”
“But in truth, if not for my brother, I would probably have grown up to be just as hypocritical under my family's education.”
Zoe pressed down the corners of his mouth.
“I really would have liked to meet your brother.”
Evelyn indeed wanted to see what kind of person Flora's brother had been.
“Unfortunately, he is already dead, but I will avenge him—no matter what.”
“Puji.”
【So, what do you plan to do next?】
Zoe was actually quite willing to avenge his past self.
Though, strictly speaking, Jaden had also done him a favor.
If Jaden hadn't caused his death, Zoe didn't know how many more years he would have wasted before realizing he would never find final rest.
But killing him was still killing him. If not for Infinite Reincarnation, he would be well and truly dead right now.
Furthermore, his innocent teammates—who had their own lives, families, and dreams—had been trampled to death like stray straw in a field, without a second thought.
“I won't let him succeed, if only for my brother's sake.”
Why do you bring up your brother in every other sentence?
“This crisis is already unavoidable. Jaden has prepared for three years, and this year is likely when his plan is set to begin.”
“Jaden is thirty years old this year. If he wants to prove himself superior to his eldest brother,”
“then he must break through to become a High-tier Rose Knight this year.”
“My arrival and investigation have disrupted his pace. He must feel a greater sense of urgency now.”
“Discovering that I have secretly left might provoke him even further, prompting him to trigger the war early and achieve his breakthrough to High-tier.”
“If we want to stop the war from starting, we must either kill Jaden or kill the goblin king.”
The two humans and one slime fell silent.
Vera was zoning out; she had stopped understanding halfway through.
Killing both the goblin king and Jaden would be no easy feat.
The goblin king was deep within the goblin nest, heavily protected by a waiting army of goblins and monsters.
Moreover, the goblin king itself was a level 40 peak Mid-tier Monster.
Jaden was even more secure. Sneaking into Hera City to assassinate City Lord Jaden might be even more difficult than killing the goblin king.
“Are you saying we can only watch the war begin and look for an opportunity then?”
“Once war breaks out, the situation will become even worse.”
Evelyn sighed.
“If war breaks out and we launch a surprise attack to kill Jaden, we will have to watch the goblin king ascend to a High-tier Monster.”
“But if we kill the goblin king, we would instead become Jaden's sword, helping him secure his breakthrough to High-tier.”
Flora fell silent upon hearing this.
“Could he have calculated even this step?”
“Perhaps.”
“What we can do is kill both the goblin king and Jaden simultaneously amidst the chaos of battle.”
“But neither of them is alone. They are both protected by their respective armies.”
“Puji.”
【I will assist you.】
Zoe promptly opened a text box.
“Mr. Slime, you...”
Flora looked at Zoe, her face filled with surprise and gratitude.
“You do not need to risk your life for our plans.”
Such a wonderful High Slime; Evelyn did not want to cause its death because of her own pursuits.
【I also have my own thoughts and pursuits, so may I make a request of you?】
Zoe looked at Evelyn and earnestly opened a text box.
“Please, go ahead. I will do whatever is within my power.”
【Take good care of Vera, as well as the monsters of Slime Territory.】
Flora felt that this slime did not quite grasp the context of human language.
Why does this sound like a dying man entrusting his orphans?
Evelyn also felt Zoe's tone was odd, but like Flora, she assumed that the slime had simply made a mistake in human phrasing.
“I promise you, provided they do not become corrupt or tyrannical.”
【That is enough.】
【There is a tavern built by humans at the foot of the mountain. You can stay there; room and board are free.】
【If you have any questions, you can come up the mountain to find me at any time. I will also send scouts to monitor the movements outside the territory. Once war breaks out, I will notify you immediately.】
“Thank you, generous Mr. High Slime.”
Evelyn stood up and bowed.
Even as an elf, throughout her travels, Evelyn had never encountered a monster like this High Slime.
This might be the most unique monster she had ever met in her life.
With her long lifespan, she was willing to believe so.
Watching Evelyn and Flora leave, Zoe let out a sigh.
“To think such a thing would happen.”
The impending crisis in the Great Hera Forest was even greater than Zoe had imagined.
And that Jaden.
Come to think of it, Jaden's conspiracy spanned both of his lives.
What a terrifying scumbag.
Zoe felt that if he took this scumbag down with him, his current life could end on a perfect note.
He might even get a title like "Scumbag Exterminator" and happily earn a talent.
But as things stood, with Slime Territory having developed to this point, it was impossible for Zoe to just abandon it on a whim.
Therefore, he needed to find a reliable backer.
The Sacred Circle Knight, Evelyn, was a perfect choice.
Evelyn wouldn't stay in one place forever, so management would still fall to the territory's own residents.
Zoe planned to honor their original agreement and entrust this territory to Vera.
The Council of Elders had already been established, which could help Vera make decisions.
The territory's development had also been planned out; they only needed to wait for Vera to grow.
As a white dragon, she would naturally be able to take over the territory and receive the allegiance of all the monsters.
“Puji.”
【Lord Vera.】
Zoe popped up a text box.
Vera's tail perked up instantly, her expression becoming incredibly pleased and expectant.
“Zoe, Zoe! Call me that again!”
“Puji.”
【People will call you that every day in the future.】
“Awoo! The Frost Queen acknowledges your vision, O King of Slimes who possesses both ancient viscous entity and giant dragon bloodlines!”
【Vera, can you dig out all the details of that taboo Dragon Body Fusion technique you found in your Dragon's Heritage?】
【I need it.】
The expression on Vera's face froze.
“That is a taboo technique. The Dragon's Heritage dictates that under no circumstances can it be shared with others.”
She spoke in a weak, hesitant voice.
【Then forget about it.】
“...But since it's you, Zoe, it's fine! I'll find all the details of that taboo technique for you!”
In the end, Vera still agreed to Zoe's request.
Rate on N.U.
