Episode 1, Chapter 3: An Investigation Request

While we were investigating the cappies, we found some suspicious, evil-looking seeds.

Suspicious... evil-looking... seeds?

(*Hack! Cough!*)

This seed must be what was making the cappies act so strange.

Can we get the guild's Investigation Team on this?

Erm... We actually need proof from an adventurer of a higher rank in order to call in the Investigation Team...

Even if I could... There's been a lot of cases reported lately, so they're quite swamped right now.

Ugh... What a pain...

*Slam!*

Mission accomplished.

Wrong counter...

Ah! I was only slightly facing the wrong way.

I found this evil filth inside of a Cappy.

All of the abnormally aggressive ones had this seed inside of them.

Please investigate.

Oh! See? It's the same kind of seed as the ones we brought in!

Yes... But we'd still need more independently verified accounts.

We need their help now. Before it becomes a bigger threat.

Everything I said is true. I swear upon my name and honor.

Sorry, I believe what you said is true, it's just that our policy is...

Are my name and honor not enough? Why not?

Now, now. Let's not fight.

Move it.

You seem to care a lot about honor, but this isn't how honorable people behave... is it?

Tch...

Shouldn't that be enough of a reason to bring it up with HQ?

Y-yes! I'll contact the branch master and have him file an emergency request.

Do you think she's really an adventurer? The way she talks, moves, and dresses... She's more like a knight.

Totally.

Yo, Cloud! I didn't know you were such a tough guy!

I wouldn't have the guts to stand up to the Amethyst Witch like that.

Amethyst Witch...?

Huh? You don't know her?

Her adventurer rank is pretty low, but she's already one of the strongest adventurers in Hananis.

That girl? She looked like she was the same age as me...

Yeah, she looks like she couldn't lift a feather, but she swings around this giant greatsword like it's nothing... Something about waves on the beach, I think?

Hey! I'm good with the sword, too! I've been told I can swing it around like the grass in the wind!

Well... I guess it's less impressive when you do it because you work out and eat a lot...

What?! You want me to fold you over like a piece of grass?!

Anyways, good on you, Cloud. Catch you later!

Clooooud... I'm so jeaaalous...!

I didn't think you'd get to talk to Ophelia like that...

I've never been able to hear her voice, no matter how many times I try to talk to her...

Well, she's from a noble family, so I guess that makes sense. High society and all that.

After all, she's from that Achouffe family... And she's the incarnation of their once-in-a-millennia Amethyst Witch.

A-shoe...? Ach-oo...? What even is that?

You don't know the Achouffe family?! They've produced most of the captains of the Solar Knights!

Hey, Verna knows what's up!

Hurry, Cloud! Let's go chase after her!

Heh...

I'M SO JEALOUS!!!

Over there!

...

...?

Excuse me... Do you remember us? We were just in the gathering hub...

...What business do you have with me?

I... I heard a lot about you.

...?

Yeah! You're super famous!

...I am?

...And? What about that?

N-no, we weren't trying to imply anything... I... I also once dreamt of becoming a knight, so I guess I wanted to come talk to you about it. You know... Knight stuff.

Is that so...? Well, I was only a trainee for a brief period. And I left after that.

No. Not at all.

Is that all? I still have matters to attend to, so...

Wait!

...?

Were you going to go look into the seed on your own? Let's look for clues together!

No... I have other matters... To the north.

Regarding the seed... I've done all that I can, and I'll leave it at that.

Oh, uh... I... I see...

She's a lot more stubborn than I thought. Oh well, we can go look for clues by ourselves, then.

Huh? Why is she over there? Hey, Ophelia! What's up?

Ah, you two... Did you follow me? Why?

Uh, nope. Didn't you say you were headed to the north? This is the forest to the south...

Huh...? What? I... Uh... Had something to do here as well!

Anyways... I'll be off.

We just got here...

Sigh... No luck, there's nothing over there.

Huh? Deja vu?

Hmm...

Haha... Here we are again...

Y-yes, how unusual. Must be a coincidence...

Yeah... Very strange...

Ophelia... uh... You lost?

N-no! I mean, of course not! How could I!

Uh huh.

How could you be so rude...?!

I... I may be having some trouble... But I consider myself quite good at following a simple map...!

By the way, why were you headed north to begin with?

That's none of your business. I was searching for someone...

Don't worry, I didn't mean to pry. Oh, by the way, Ophelia, what's your adventurer rank?

Why are you asking me that all of a sudden? Is it really that important to you?

Well, the forest to the north borders the elves' territory, and there's a pretty strict adventurer rank limit to who can go there...

Wh-what?! How could that be...

I'm sure you know a lot of fancy noble stuff, but you're lacking in basic common sense.

That's... Grr...

Look, we can help you.

Huh?! But how?!

...Why are you the one asking that?

When we found the seeds on our quest, we saw that there was a guy who was spreading them around on purpose.

Oh, I see... This is a public request with a high point value, and catching the culprit would net us a big bonus...! That means our adventurer ranks would go up in no time, and Ophelia could get to the elves' forest...!

You're a genius, Verna!

Uh... I really didn't say much...

I see. So that is how I can get there.

Very well. I shall accompany you. Only until we catch the culprit, though.

S-Slimelets...?!

What's up with these guys?

They're acting a lot like the cappies from earlier...

More Slimelets...!

Wait!

This Slimelet... He's trying to tell us something.

Oh, so now you can talk to Slimelets now, too...

Wait... Slimelets can't even make noises...

Right, but I just heard...

Huh? Hey, where are you going?!

It's gone.

Let's follow it.

Hey! Don't just run off...

Ugh! I'm going to have to add a babysitter to our party...!

It's an ambush!

That's all of them.

Look over there!

That Slimelet... Was it trying to lead us to this...?

Slimelets... Black puddle... Wait, that means...!

I know! A King Slime!

That must be why... the puddle is black!

Huh... A black King Slime...? I've never seen one before. But I'd like to.

Luckily, the Slimelet is gonna take us to the King Slime!

Isthat... normal for him?

Yep... that's Cloud.

...

Hey buddy, were you waiting for us?

...

!...

A voice...?

...!!

You needed a hand? Right?

Don't worry, pal. We'll be happy to help you out.

He's completely convinced he can talk to them...

I think I'm starting to understand it, Verna.

Though perhaps it would be better if I didn't...

*Sigh*

...!!! ...!

Over there! Follow the Slimelet!

The corruption is worse than before.

Oh no...

Awww. That's not a black King Slime.

You're not regretting this, are you? Did you really think...

Is it because of that seed? You think we can save it?

Are you really going to try and save that monster?

I'll try. Yup.

Man... you sure have a way of complicating things.

...

Hy-ah!

Ah...

Verna!

Ugh.

Ugh...

No, Cloud!

...! ...!!! ...

...!!!!!!... !!!...

There's no other choice.

I'll cut it down!

Nyan!

Nyan-nyan-nyan! Nyan-nyan-meow!

What?

*Woosh...*

Nyan!

Gack...!

*Huff, huff...* I really thought I was a goner there...

Oh! The King Slime! The King Slime?!

!... $@#^&!...

...!

Huh? Whose voice is this? Is that you, King Slime?!

???... !!!... %#$#&?!

What's going on...? Wait, there's something you want to tell me, right? King Slime, just what are these seeds?

!... !@#$!!!... &%^*(&???...

The space we all must return to...?

The space between existence and non-existence...?

Uh... You seem confused. We took the seed out of you, so you should be fine now.

...&(! ......&(&(!!!

My name's Cloud.

What? We're... friends now, you say?

Huh? The Slimelet... wants to talk to me? Okay, got it!

...&*&*!!!

&(!, &(!

You're welcome, buddy. Glad I could help.

&(!!...

Ah, so are we best friends now?

()!

You want to come with us?

I won't say no to that! C'mon, let's go!

Uh... Is he... okay...?

He keeps speaking to himself...

Hey! I'll have you know I'm talking to my new Slimelet friend!

Yeah, you get used to it.

I'll... try my best.

Look. This time the Slimelet's following him around.

I see... I still have a lot to learn about the world...

Right, brother?

Ahh... I'm spent. Let's go to a nearby town to rest.

Let me think... Breezeville is pretty close to here!

What to do...?

Thank goodness you're here! You need to help us!

There are tons of goblins on the way to Breezeville!

Goblins?

Huh? What are goblins doing all the way out there?

I cannot turn a blind eye to those in need.

Of course!

You're going to help me? Thank you!