I grabbed Melik and dragged him to a place where I was sure no one could overhear our conversation. Before he could say a word, I preemptively launched into my points.
"Alright, kid, three things. First: I know you're not possessed by the Navarans. Second: If you want to keep it that way, don't mention my artifact to anyone. Third: How exactly did you know I had an artifact? I've been hiding it ever since we got here!"
"Don't call me 'kid'," he frowned. "You're younger than me!"
My eyelid twitched, but I held back from reacting.
"Answer my questions."
"It's my talent," he said with a frown. "I can roughly sense where metal objects are nearby."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Wow. Don't look so gloomy. Being able to detect metal is actually a pretty cool ability."
He shrugged.
"It's cool if I want to be used for detecting metal all my life. But I don't. So you're not going to infect me, right?"
"As long as you behave, you won't," I promised. I wasn't entirely sure if it was a good idea to tell him our plan.
We locked eyes for a moment. Melik was as stocky as his mother, but much taller. This kid - yes, I still had to call him that - had well - developed muscles and clearly ate well. His skin was tanned from outdoor labor. All of this made me extremely annoyed. Even after eating normal meals for several months and working out regularly, I was still as thin as a rail. And I had to wear a hooded cloak, or my pale skin would surely get sunburned! Of course, as a... probably 15 - year - old? (He looked older than me.) It was unforgivable.
"... Talking to a parasitic monster feels really weird," he said after a while.
I snorted.
"You'll get used to it. So, are you going to cooperate or not? I'm actually quite happy to stay out of your and your mother's business. It's really not that important to me."
That empty expression from the meeting appeared on his face again. Penta had probably finished her sulking and re - attached to my spine. She immediately caught up with our conversation, but for now, she let me continue.
"I'll cooperate," Melik said.
"Great," I confirmed. "From now on, you have to listen to me. So, the other guys possessed by the slimes, they don't have any artifacts of their own, do they?"
"That noble girl, the one who's, uh, so arrogant?"
"Yes, that's Penelope. I know she has one. Are there any others?"
"Theodora is carrying some metal objects. But I don't know what kind of magic has been cast on them or what their functions are."
I nodded, pondering all this.
"Well, um... Thanks, Melik. Remember, don't tell anyone I have an artifact, not even your mother."
I turned to leave, but he called out to me first.
"Wait... Wait. Why are you covering for me?"
Hmm, should I tell him? Penta nodded slightly in my head.
Really? Do you think this is a good idea?
She nodded again. I thought for a moment. Yeah, otherwise, he might deliberately oppose me, thinking I was on their side. That was a much bigger risk than him potentially being a bad actor. If he was discovered and then possessed by the slime... well, then I'd have to make sure to eliminate the slime before it could leak any secrets.
"Because I'm not actually a Navaran," I whispered to him. "I came here to eliminate them all and free everyone."
He stared at me in surprise for a moment, and hope slowly began to flicker in his eyes.
"My mother and I will help," he insisted.
"No. You absolutely cannot tell your mother."
"Why? She's strong! If you have a plan, she can -"
"She's one of them now," I told him bluntly.
His face darkened, but it was more of a look of despair than surprise.
"But -"
"The Navarans copy the host's memories," I continued. "Trust me. Even if she acts exactly the same as before, it's normal for them. You weren't possessed because that slime finally copied your mother's love for you. It couldn't bear to replace you with someone else. Consider yourself lucky. But she's a Navaran now. If I want to free her, don't mess with my business, understand?"
He nodded expressionlessly.
"Okay, here's the thing: I can save almost everyone on my own, except for Remus and that Lady Theodora. There's a kind of poison in the artifact that can kill the slimes inside them without harming them. But to use it..."
"... You have to save Song first," he finished.
"Yes, exactly," I nodded. "You know them, right? The real them. Can they keep up the act of being possessed by the slimes while we prepare everything, or will they just be a liability?"
"Song is very smart," Melik assured me. "Um... Is all this true? It's not some... strange slime trick, is it?"
I found it amusing and snorted.
"This time, no. If you want to come along, just don't act suspiciously."
I hoped both of my "followers" could manage to "not act suspiciously". I made my way to Song's house. Why not seize the day? I had a 15 - year - old kid's recommendation. Well... maybe not very reliable, but in the worst - case scenario, I could have Penta temporarily take control of Song. And anyway, I had to get rid of that slime.
On our way to Song's house, Remus stopped us, which I had anticipated. After all, he had just left there. He smiled brightly at me and Melik as he walked towards us, waving his hand. Due to the burn scars on his face, only half of his face could move, but that half looked very happy.
"Hey, you two! It looks like you're getting along quite well?"
"Yes, Uncle Remus," Melik lied. "Vita is telling me about the city, and I'm telling her about the village."
"Wait, he's your uncle?" I asked, taking the opportunity to change the subject because I actually knew nothing about the village and would be terrible at making up stories if we talked about it. "I thought he was your grandfather. Wait, does that make me your aunt?"
Melik laughed, more naturally than I had expected.
"No, I've always called him that! Because he and my mother were in the same squad before, he's like family to me!"
"Now it's more official," Remus agreed, putting a hand on each of our shoulders. "If you two need anything, just tell me, okay?"
Hmm. Of course I will, you soon - to - - be - dead guy. I smiled back at him, with Penta helping me create this false expression from the shadows. She was actually quite good at this when she put her mind to it.
"Got it, Dad!" I said loudly and saluted cheerfully.
He was amused, snorted, and walked past us with a big smile on his face. As he walked away, I stared at him with my soul eyes, trying not to drool at that huge slime soul. That soul would soon be mine, either as an undead or as my food. I couldn't wait.
We continued walking, and I caught a glimpse of Penelope chatting with the meta - mage Theodora out of the corner of my eye. I nodded at her, and Penelope waved back at me, also flashing a smile that I had only seen when Penta was controlling her. I don't think I had ever seen the real Penelope make such an expression before. Even now, I could tell she was faking it... but someone who didn't know her well probably wouldn't be able to tell.
When we arrived at Song's door, we knocked. It didn't take long for Song to open the door. First, they looked up at Melik and then down at me.
"... Hey, you two. What's the matter?"
"Do you mind if we come in?" I asked innocently.
"Well, I guess not," the slime shrugged and stepped back to let us in. Melik went in first, followed by me, and then I closed the door. "I have to admit, I don't even know how to address you, Vita. My host is much bigger than you, but you were actually born a long time before I was."
"Oh, don't worry about that!" I said cheerfully as I approached and extended three tentacles into their body.
They only had a split - second to react before I wrapped their souls in the power of death and pulled. They wasted this opportunity, and I tore out this fresh fragment of life from the slimy body hidden in their neck. I fondled my trophy joyfully and carefully stowed it away in my torso like a beloved pet. It had been a long time since I had obtained a fresh, intact soul! But this soul was a bit small to be a snack, and I had promised Penta to see if I could turn them into undead.
Song, now the real Song, immediately reached into a pocket and pulled out some kind of potion, drinking it all in one gulp with one hand while holding a knife to my throat with the other.
"Let me out," they demanded.
With the knife at my throat, I shrank back a little but still tried to stay calm.
"I saved you," I said as calmly as possible. "I need your help to save the others."
They glared at me, and the knife remained in their hand. Considering who was holding the knife, I carefully made sure the blade didn't touch me.
"How?" Song asked.
"With a lucky talent," I replied. "I'm basically the Navarans' worst nightmare."
Penta squirmed, clearly thinking my words were too understated, probably the most conservative statement of the century. At least she didn't speak up while there was a poisoned knife at my neck.
Speaking of the knife, Song retracted it a bit and put it away, then stared at me thoughtfully. Despite the wrinkles at the corners of their eyes and the slightly gray hair, their every move exuded the elegant demeanor of a young person. Remus was extremely powerful, and although age didn't seem to affect him much, he could clearly feel the pain and discomfort that came with it. Song's movements didn't have that unnecessary stiffness. I almost thought they were closer in age to me than to Remus. The only part of them that seemed affected by old wounds was their voice.
"Even if I believe you," they said in a low voice, "if what you say is true, what do you need me to do?"
"Remus and Theodora," I replied. "Those Navarans are too old and too powerful. I can't break through their magic resistance. So... I convinced the slime inside Taryn to prepare a grand feast for everyone. I was thinking you could add some 'seasoning' for her...?"
Song snorted, and the visible part of their face wrinkled up with amusement. However, the rest of their body was still as tense as a coiled spring, as if every muscle was still reacting to the ability to tense up again.
"Most of the things I brought can't be used for cooking. I can make drinks, but I don't have enough materials that are harmless to humans. I poison monsters, not people."
I used my perception ability to scan the area and located Penelope and Theodora. Penelope was as reliable as ever. She seemed to be keeping the woman completely focused on their conversation, and they were facing away from us. I took out the Bottle of Endlessness and showed it to Song.
"Well, I need you to do both. This is filled with Navaran poison. You can take as much as you need. But if we pour the poison from this, Theodora will notice."
"Ah, that's a problem. But after all, you have the support of Sky Hope City behind you, right?"
"Yes. And the others still think I'm one of them. I plan to keep up this pretense. Is there a safe place where I can pour out this poison for you to use?"
"That's difficult. I don't know. I'm not a mage."
"Damn it. Alright. Then I... I'll go talk to Penelope. She's not possessed either."
Song nodded. However, Melik looked completely dumbfounded.
"Wait... Wait!" he protested. "That's it? You just walk in here and take care of them? No way. You were just with my mother, and you said -"
"We'll save your mother after we take care of the others," I interrupted him. "She can hold on for one more day."
"She should be fine right now!"
"Melik, don't -"
"Hey," Song interjected, handing me a small bottle. "Drink this."
I looked at the small bottle and then up at them.
"You won't drink it?"
"This will make you immune to those slimy bastards for the next few days. It's all I have left. Drink it."
I frowned. Couldn't things be simpler? Thank goodness I had a good excuse.
"I can protect myself from the Navarans on my own. Give it to Melik."
Song shrugged and handed the poison to the boy. Melik drank it gratefully, then tried his best not to vomit.
"Are you okay, Song?" I asked. "We need you to keep pretending to be controlled by the slime."
"Don't worry about me," Song said in a low voice. "Those damn slimes thought they could take over my village. They'll pay for it."
"Alright. Just... Don't do anything crazy before you talk to me. We're running out of time, and if the slimes try to escape, things will get messy."
Song tilted their head and stared at me thoughtfully.
"You're such a little know - it - all. Let me ask you a question. The thing controlling Remus has been talking a lot about your plague mage and bio - mage friend. Since you have such a helper, why use poison?"
I stared back at them.
"Her magic takes some time to take effect," I said half - truthfully. "Using poison is a better way. Please trust us, okay? Don't make me regret letting you go so soon."
Song snorted.
"You're too young to be so bossy. Let me ask you something. The one controlling Remus has been talking a lot about your friend, the plague mage and bio - mage. Since you have such a powerful ally, why do you still need poison?"
I glared at them.
"Her magic takes time to work," I said half - truthfully. "Poison is a better option. Just trust us, will you? Don't make me regret releasing you so soon."
Song snorted.
"You're too young to be so bossy. Let me ask you something. The thing controlling Remus has been talking a lot about your friend, the plague mage and bio - mage. Since you have such a powerful ally, why do you still use poison?"
I glared at them.
"Her magic needs time to take effect," I said, half - truthfully. "Poison is a better choice. Trust us, okay? Don't make me regret letting you go so soon."
Song snorted.
"You're too young to be so bossy. Let me ask you something. The one controlling Remus has been talking a lot about your friend, the plague mage and bio - mage. Since you have such a powerful ally, why do you still use poison?"
I glared at them.
"Her magic needs time to work. Poison is a more effective solution. Just trust us, will you? Don't make me regret this decision of releasing you so hastily."
Song snorted.
"You're too young to be so domineering. Let me ask you this. The entity controlling Remus has been going on and on about your friend, the plague mage and bio - mage. Since you have such a powerful ally, why do you still resort to poison?"
I glared at them.
"Her magic requires time to take effect. Poison is a more efficient option. Trust us, okay? Don't make me regret letting you go so quickly."
Song snorted.
"You're too young to be so overbearing. Let me ask you something. The thing controlling Remus has been talking a great deal about your friend, the plague mage and bio - mage. Since you have such a powerful ally, why do you still use poison?"
I glared at them.
"Her magic needs time to work. Poison is a better way. Just trust us, will you? Don't make me regret this hasty decision of releasing you."
Song snorted.
"You're too young to be so bossy. Let me ask you this. The entity controlling Remus has been rambling on about your friend, the plague mage and bio - mage. Since you have such a powerful ally, why do you still use poison?"
I glared at them.
"Her magic takes time to be effective. Poison is a more suitable choice. Trust us, okay? Don't make me regret letting you go so fast."
Song snorted.
"You're too young to be so domineering. Let me ask you something. The thing controlling Remus has been talking a lot about your friend, the plague mage and bio - mage. Since you have such a powerful ally, why do you still use poison?"
I glared at them.
"Her magic needs time to work. Poison is a better option. Just trust us, will you? Don't make me regret this decision of releasing you so hastily."
Song snorted.
"You're too young to be so overbearing. Let