Azulle woke to find herself in her mother’s bed Francois laying on her chest she looked about the room and her mother was there asleep in her chair. “I thought I told you to not sleep like that.” Azulle raspingly spoke waking her mother.

“Well, you are getting too big to share a bed with your mother. And besides, I may have used magic to heal your wounds but bones still take time to properly heal. But it looks like I am not the only one you like to have in a bed.” Azulle looks at Francois and is puzzled a bit. The white slime slept like this the day before in the cell. While Noir was suited to sleep elsewhere Francois acted differently.

“So, what has my world-shifting daughter done to collect two new pets Hmm.” Eris started to move above in her chair rolling it across the room where she has a water basin and pitcher. “And slimes to boot.”

Azulle forgot her mother found out about her past and the goddess Ori the last time she stayed with her. But she decided she couldn’t keep secrets from her so she began to tell her mother the whole story of who she once was, to how she got here, the story of her agreement with the slimes and her asking to be trained by the mercenary prisoner Vindall. And lastly of how she got badly hurt in her confrontation with the god Isea.

“Perhaps he was right to ask you to quit.”

“Mom!”

“Look no matter what you say or who you claim to be you are still my little Azulle. And when the Captain of the guard and some weird muscle man in a duck tutu shows up carrying you all beaten and broken you had me seriously worried. I can only heal someone so much.... and I can’t even be there at your side to heal you if you are hurt again. You aren’t an adventure Azulle, even your tablet says so. It’s better you stay in the castle where it’s safe. Let others go out and fight.”

Azulle didn’t reply. She knew her mother meant all well and good. But she also knew that her destiny was already in play. When her mother left the room to tend to her needs to make medicine. Azulle plotted her next move but again stared at the white slime still sleeping on her. “Fran is really like a cat I guess.”

“Listen Eito, about what you did back there against that guy. Why?” The grumbles of Noir come from a dark corner of the room. Azulle thought perhaps Noir preferred dark areas as he was always hiding out in them.

“Why?”

“Why did you save me. Not just with that Isea guy but back on earth. You were a heartless yakuza. A stone-cold lady killer. But you still took pity on me why?”

“I guess I owed you for the pain I caused you. Don’t get me wrong I have killed many guys before. But I never liked doing it without a good reason. Pointless death was no use when you could often get more out of people with fear and intimidation.”

“So then why save me yesterday.”

“Because I can’t stand some powerful jerk bullying the weak. Guess ... I guess I saw too much of myself in Isea. And besides, you are the closest connection I have to that life.”

“Well, that is not really true but I understand, I guess. Still, I am not going to stand around and be some burdened pet only good to look cute and follow you around got it, Eito.”

“Hey, you’re not calling me a slut anymore?”

The black slime blushes a bit. “Well, perhaps I just didn’t feel like it you stupid jerk!”

“Keep it the fuck down your ass wipes! I wanna sleep more.”

“Seriously you should also strive to get stronger Francois! After all, you are ...”

“You shut that fucking hole of yours Noir lest I find enough things to shove into it till you choke!” Francois's body mimicked a cat trying to take on an appearance of being larger than Noir. Which in turn successfully got Noir to be quiet. All be it too late before Azulle said...

“Wait, now that I think about it you knew about the real me too but I never figured out why.”

“Oh, you were famous around Tokyo how could I not have fucking heard of you, you god damn piece of shit!” Francois laughs it off but Azulle’s stare made the slime sweat. “Fine you stupid idiot. Guess it’s only fitting you find out considering how often I would see you like this. You know you really are a real fucking piece of work Hideo! I even told you not to get yourself killed you stupid fucking jerk. But did you listen to me, fuck no! I have dealt with your shit ever since elementary school but still you never once even listened to a fucking word, I told you.”

“Ryoko!”

“Yeah, big fucking surprise Huh! You die and two days later this stupid fuck took me, hostage, to get revenge on you but in our escape, the moron had a seizer behind the wheel and killed us both. And now I am some fucking slime ball, literally. But am I free of your shit and watching you go out and get hurt? Fuck no! You really know how to treat a lady you fucking bitch Hideo!”

“If you haven’t looked Ryoko I think I am getting that punishment now.” Francois begins to jiggle and chuckle at the serious face of Azulle.

“I guess the now the only skirts you chase are your own.” The two laugh about their situation but Azulle suddenly stops as she comes to the realization of something.

“Oh, crap my clothes, Gil!” Azulle winces as she gets herself out of bed.

“Hey Hideo where are you going! You need to be resting!” Francois panics in saying.

“This can’t wait!” Azulle moves about down the tower slipping out without her mother noticing and with her slime friend’s tow. Moving quickly to the room of the prince. Just before she reaches the door, she sees Kawa waiting outside.

“Hey, Zel I thought lady Marril said you wouldn’t be up and about for a few days.”

“Out of my way Kawa I need to get in there.”

“Woah sorry but you can’t go in there!”

Azulle ignores her friend and throws open the doors only to be stopped by something blocking the door. “What the.”

“I told you. You can’t go in there. I don’t know what the prince is up to but he has been like that since yesterday.”

Azulle presses her hands against the blockage and realizes it moves forward but is bulky and returns in place only a small opening that is difficult to even put her hand though can fit in. “This feels like paper! Hey Noir, Francois do you two think you can get in there.”

The two slimes squeeze under the opening taking a thinner shape and make their way into the room. Not much longer there is sounds of crashing and Gil screaming.

“What how did these things get in here! Stay away.”

“That settles it Kawa do you have a knife on you!”

“Yeah, sure but...” Kawa holds out their knife and Azulle grabs it quickly and jabs the paper tearing open a hole.

“Gah! First, these horrible creatures, and now something is destroying my work!” Azulle pops her head into the room which has been covered on all sides in paper. On the paper is charts and scribblings about how best to fight things. “I should have known the one destroying my plans would be you Azulle! Now get over here and deal with these monsters. It appears they followed us out of the bathhouse.”

“Fine guys leave Gil alone. Looks like she still has a sore spot after fighting you all.” She looks over to her small corner of the room and notices her chest is open and clothing is all thrown about. “I knew you were going to destroy my things you jerk.”

“I did no such thing! I merely was looking for something I thought you might have. Besides, what would I possibly want with some flat-chested servant girl’s clothing.”

“That is, it! Gil, I am through being your damn plaything! Fight me right now!”

“Uh, Zel are you sure that’s a good idea?” Kawa says sticking his head in. “I mean he does regularly get training in fighting and you well. You’re lucky not to get hurt going upstairs.”

“I fucking agree with the wonderful smelling weird shit bag Hideo! You need to be resting shit head!” Francois clearly states in her most unique way.

“I have no interest in fighting my party members.”

“Your what?” Azulle stands puzzled.

“My party members!” Gil repeats. “I have been studying that book for a few days now and I think I see where I went wrong. Clearly entering any dungeon fight it’s best to be fully equipped and to have a diverse party. You of course are duty-bound to be at my side Azulle, and I figure that weirdo Kawa would be good as well.”

“Wait I am in your party as well?” Kawa states surprised.

“Yes, but still, we need a skilled magician, a decent healer, and maybe a few other choices since Azulle is nothing more than a weak little maid and all.”

“Weak fight me you jerk I will show you who is weak!” The slimes and Kawa each are holding Azulle back from attacking Gil.

“Of course, my plans are a bit torn but we will go out into town tomorrow and seek to properly equip our team and maybe find some new members. No one can say no to me after all I am the future great hero and the crown prince.”

The day passed and despite her mother’s objections, a heavily bandaged Azulle joined Gil in a town shop to gather proper gear. But...

“I said no kid. I don’t care who you say you are. The damn royals ain’t done me no favors and I am not about to drop the price on my gear for you, no how!” The shopkeeper unhappily berated Gil. While Azulle is trying to hide a smile at Gil getting a taste of the real world for a bit. “This kingdom is run by the guilds boy. All the damn king is these days is a figurehead. Given he is far better than that insane wife of his. But here you come saying I owe you my best stuff because of your royalty.” The old shopkeeper spits after his words are done to extenuate his point.

“But I brought you money see!” Gil proudly displays a pink and purple small bag and Azulle’s smile turns to fury as the shopkeeper takes it and looks through it.

“Hey, Gil that’s mine! So that is what you went looking for!” Azulle rages at her half-brother.

“Of course, you thought I had my own money. My servants are always the ones who hold my money. Well, sir what can I get with all of that!” Gil proudly demands an answer from the old man while Azulle is looking for the best way to murder her sibling and make it look like an accident.

The old man reaches behind the counter and places a small sword down on top. “Here this will do best for you.”

“Ah surely a grand weapon, tell me sir does this sword have a name maybe some grand back story of how noble a blade it is!”

“Uh sure it’s called ‘Oh shit it’s a sword’ hailed from the legendary pile of junk that hasn’t yet broken on me. Look kid you two hardly have any money and you both are still wet behind the ears. Why not go spend your money on some sap to train you. Or better yet get jobs and come back when you have real money... your highness!”

“We will take the sword then...”

“No, we will not. That money is mine, Gil. I saved every extra coin I got for all my extra chores I did, and while dad and the queen spoil you rotten all I ever got in gifts was uniforms and a few coins to spend on things I want or need. If you are so set on starting this quest then you should work and make money of your own.”

“Somebody came out of the slime dungeon with some nerve to talk to her superior.”

“You’re not better than me Gil.”

“I certainly am!”

“Really then I challenge you to a dual.”

“What?”

“I want to fight you! If I win you will leave me in charge of our party. If you win, I will submit to whatever embarrassing things you put me through!”

Sweat begins to form on Gil’s face. “Fine but I will have my instructors watch over the fight to make sure you don’t cheat.”

“That is fine by me, I will do the same!”

“Wait you have instructors since when?”

“That is for you to know and me to show.”

“Look this is very nice and all but if you aren’t buying the sword then I have one thing to say to you kids... Get out!” The shopkeeper proudly throws the two out and tosses Azulle’s money purse on the street which she quickly snatched up before Gil can act.