Chapter 12

Crisis averted... hopefully.

I could feel the cold sweat trailing down the back of my neck as a squadron of guards escorted me into their holding cells.

Behind us were a different squadron of guards, carrying the unconscious band of adventurers.

Please, illusion... last until I'm out of here.

On a whim, I had cast illusion on all of the dead bodies around me to make it look like they're still alive. Thankfully the guards bought it, now I just needed to hope that they'll keep buying it.

It wasn't long until I was interrogated on what happened, and thankfully I was an author in my past life.

"So, what happened." The guard asked, looking down at me with an intense gaze that looked so intense that I wondered if he was a man with special taste.

"They were rude to me and my goblin friend here so naturally I just talked to them."

"Oh yeah? Then why did they faint?"

"Beats me, should I be held accountable if they're a bunch of cowards that can't even handle a bit of illusion magic?"

"Illusion magic? You expect me to believe that you're a talking slime and one that can cast illusion magic?"

"Of course, you see my good man, I'm not actually a slime! I am but a talented young wizard cursed to become one!"

"Eh? And who cursed you?"

"I do not want to tell you the name, in fear of his wrath falling upon you, my good man."

"Do you really think I'll buy that? Tell me who cursed you."

"Sigh, I had tried to save you I did but the name I say stays between us."

"Yeah, yeah."

"The one who cursed me, was none other than the demon lo—"

"W-Wait, stop, stop that. A demon lord cursed you?"

"Unfortunately, I don't even know why, but a mortal like me can't begin to understand beings like that."

"I... I guess you do have a point."

Ha, demon lords do have a use!

"But... I don't think I should let you in. You might bring the wrath of that demon lord on dwargon."

Crap, crap too much use!

"E-eh that was 50 years ago! I'm sure it's fine, heck I'm sure that demon lord had already forgotten about me, I'm sure!"

"I don't know... "

God dang it, I didn't want to get stuck here like the orinal did!

This little back-and-forth between me and the soldier went on for another two hours or so.

Fu—

"All right! That's it for the report. Thank you for your cooperation! But we're going to need to—"

Slam!

Before the soldier could finish, the large door behind him opened. Another soldier rushed in.

"S-sir! An armorsaurus just showed up in the mines! It's already injured several miners at their posts!"

Ooh, I actually wanna eat that

"What?! Well, did you defeat it?"

"We're good there! A suppression force is on its way. But some of the miners are fairly roughed up. I don't know if there's a war under way or something, but the city shops are out of medicine, and the castle won't let us access their stockpile…"

"What about our healers?"

"That's the thing, sir… The injured were deep inside, mining magic ore. The healers at the guardhouse are all out handling other calls, so all we have left is a single novice!"

"Ah, damn it all!"

I quietly laughed, causing both of the guards to look at me quizzically as I pulled out a potion from my stomach, which probably looked suspicious but eh.

"Here, my good man."

"...what's thus?"

"A very potent healing potion, you see as a cursed man I needed something to keep me entertained so I happened to pick up potion making."

"I— I see."

"Take it, how many do you need?"

"We've got six men down…but are you sure?"

The soldier looked at me strangely and I simply flashed my best smile to make me look non-threatening but it looked like it just made him feel more uneasy.

"Tch… Stay here, all right? Let's go!"

"Um? But, Captain, that's a monster…?"

"Enough from you! Just take me over to them!"

The bushy-bearded captain snatched up the six recovery potions I provided and ran off. Good at least, you kept me here for 3 full hours for the love of myself.

"Is it over?" Gobta asked after silently nodding at everything I'd said before now.

"No, but I guess we'll sit here and see what happens."

"Got it, sir!"

Then we stared into space. The soldiers who peeked in on occasion would give us confused looks, but otherwise, not much happened for an hour. It was then I realized, I could fix my mistake from before.

While making sure no one was looking, I used illusion magic in conjunction with shadow sneak to leave my cell without alerting anyone then went on to look for the cell of the deceased adventurers.

"Are they still not awake?"

"Nope, the one who's awake is insisting that they're dead but they're clearly breathing."

Ah right, I exaggerated the breathing effect.

Quietly, I entered the cell and brought out 4 full potions. They wouldn't bring them back to life but it'll remove any trace of injuries.

All I needed to do was enchant their clothes with an illusion that'll hide the blood and voila, it'll look like they died from a heart attack.

Damn I'm smart.

Pleased with what I had done, I went back to my cell, just in time as the bushy beared dude returned.

"Thank you, sir!" the bearded captain thundered as he stormed into the room, head bowed. The miners filed in behind him.

"You're the one with the potions? Thanks a ton!"

"My arm was pretty torn up. I didn't think I'd ever work again, even if I survived… Thank you!"

"..."

The last guy didn't say anything before they all left, but I was fairly sure he was thankful, too. Glad to see the potions worked.

By this time, it was past sunset. It was almost fully dark outside when the captain started talking with me again—seriously, this time.

Oh come on man. Can we not?

I decided to not voice my complaints when I heard news that the four of the quintet died in their cells, presumably of a heart attack.

The captain looked at me and I feigned shock, hoping that it wasn't gonna affect how I was gonna be released or anything.

"That wouldn't be your doing... right?"

"I... shouldn't be held accountable if they were too scared. "

"I... guess that's true,"

Great sage, any chances of this not being blamed on us?

<>Confirmed. High probablity of secrecy as the poor conditions of the dungeons could also contribute as a cute to the prisoner's unfortunate demise.

That's good at least

But needless to say the talk went throughout midnight, comprised me convincing the guard I was innocent.

I hate myself.