Like thieves in the night, we'll free the slaves of this world!! (Part 1 ~ Planning)

The next day I find myself pacing the courtyard, thinking about last night. Crimson left to scout Anson's place while we slept, so I'm alone with my thoughts until he arrives.

Or rather, I'm not alone, as Blubbo has been pacing behind me the whole time.

Still... I can't keep having close calls like this. I'm going to need to better myself sooner rather than later-- but how do I find a balance between taking action and training myself? I don't want to let more people suffer, but what good is my help if I'm not skilled enough to actually do anything? ...It's something I'll have to figure out another time; we may be on borrowed time to take on Anson, here. My little stunt trying to free some slaves might've alerted her to our presence, so we'll have to act quick before she tries raising security.

I don't regret it, though. I don't know about that dogfolk, but mom was relieved to see others from the village had survived. Now if I could just find Crux'nub...

"Lady Commander." Crimson stands at the entrance, ready to report on his findings.

"Yes, Crim?"

"I've scoped out Anson's living quarters as best I could, per your request."

"Thank you. What were your findings?"

...

"Crim?"

...

"Your... findings?"

He's fallen silent. I trace his eyeline.

...He's staring right at Blubbo.

"Lady Commander... if I may?"

"Yes...?"

He then rushes to pick up Blubbo, holding them close as though if anything bad were to happen to them, then he would be ready and willing to commit unspeakable atrocities in retaliation.

"You are in possession of the cutest putty slime in all of Arethon... and you never told me~?!" He looks just about ready to melt, as he rubs his armored face against Blubbo's slimy cheek.

I'm at a loss for words. ...I can see why Exgrave has such a tight rapport with him.

"Yeah... from the cave. I only learned he was a putty slime yesterday, actually."

"W-well... for someone with as little experience with putty slime as you do, I must say you have done a fine job in crafting the cutest slime-felid I have ever seen, Lady Commander."

"Thank... you?" I shake my head. "Anyway, your findings."

"Hmmmh? Oh, right." He moves to sit at one of the benches, still holding Blubbo in their arms. "Her plot of land comprises multiple buildings, two of which will be of interest to us in particular; The slave quarters, and her own house."

"The slave quarters I get, but why her house as well?"

"We intend to stop her from owning and selling slaves, correct?"

"Correct."

"And-- as you recall --your brief excursion into being a slave yourself ended when I had slain the foul individual who placed that collar on you."

"Right..." It takes a second, but I put two and two together, a look of grim realization dawning on my face. "We're going to have to kill her?"

"It may unfortunately be the case, yes. I take no pleasure in committing murder, mind, but the perimeter seems to be fashioned as such that any slave in her possession attempting to leave will, at best, be electrocuted."

"And at worst?"

He covers Blubbo's ears. "Death."

I furrow my brow at his attempt to shield Blubbo from this conversation. "And we can't just... remove the collars, of course." Exgrave and Elioxus' panic from last night tells me that much. "Is there really no other way to remove the enchantment on the collars without having to kill Anson?"

"It is always a possibility. " Crimson idly begins scratching behind Blubbo's ears. "But with how many slaves are in her possession, as well as the ever present concern that she will be increasing her security, we may need to take drastic measures if we are to prevent further slave trading on her part. ...It is not as if she will simply stop once we free all those who are under her captivity."

"...You're right." I feel a pit in my stomach forming. "I'm just uneasy with rushing to murder as our first option." I sigh. "If only we could convince her to stop being a slaver..."

"I take it slavery was not as common in your past world as it is here, Lady Commander."

"Oh, yeah-- it was made illegal. Thankfully."

"Perhaps one day that will be the case here-- then maybe you and Lord Commander could have peace." He hangs his head low. "But for now, if you are still willing to go through with this, I shall continue."

"...Please do."

"The entrance to the slaves' quarters is not as fortified as Anson's, but it is very likely that we will have to break into both."

"How so?"

"Naturally, being a paranoid individual, she does not keep the keys to the cells where any of her captives may stand a chance at reaching for them."

Keeping her slaves in cells... How disgusting.

"So we'll have to find them in her house, then. What's the situation there?"

...

Crimson goes silent again.

"Crim?"

They look away from me, embarrassed. "I... was unable to breach her living space, Lady Commander. Though there are no guards watching over the perimeter, she appears to have some security system preventing unwanted guests from entering her house-- a sort of barrier preventing me from even attempting to lockpick her doors."

I grimace. "Great. How are we going to get in, then?"

"Well, if you'll entertain my theory, Lady Commander."

I raise an eyebrow, curious. "Go on."

"The barrier did not appear to extend to the roof, from my limited examination."

"Meaning I could fly in and enter her house through some sort of chimney or skylight."

"Precisely." I'm sure if Crimson would be grinning if he could. "And, seeing as she would need to be able to leave and have visitors, there must be some way to disable the barrier and allow easier entry for myself."

A thought pops into my head. "Couldn’t you just ride on me?"

"...Lady Commander."

"Yes?"

"I am a sentient set of armor-- I fear that I would break your back were I to attempt riding you."

"Y-yeah, you know what-- fair point." Shame Elioxus is unwilling to join us. Then we'd all be able to ride them to Anson's house. Though... a dragon the size of a house flying in would probably be incredibly conspicuous... So uh, nevermind that, actually. "We should find Zephys, though. See what she thinks we should do."

We head over to the library once more-- this time finding Zephys and Exgrave lost in their respective books.

"Lord Commander, Miss Tailwind." Crimson bows.

"Hiya, Sir Crimson." Zephys waves.

Exgrave looks at him bemusedly. "...Must I ask why you've taken to calling me 'Lord Commander', Crimson?"

"A-ah...! It's... to raise a distinction between you and Lady Pento...!" He crumples instantly. "I-I-If you do not like it, I can stop...!"

Exgrave smirks. "No, do continue. It amuses me." After a moment, they turn to me. "...I take it the two of you were discussing the situation regarding Anson?".

"Yeah." I move to take a seat. "We're going to need to break into her house to be able to free the slaves she has, but she's got a barrier preventing us entry."

"Not a particularly strong one," Crimson adds, "but not one we are equipped to discreetly break."

"Then I imagine it would not cover her roof-- lest she suffocate to death in her sleep."

"That was what I theorized, yes."

"How... grim." The mental image gets stuck in my head.

"It's something you need to be careful with when you're learning barrier magic," Zephys adds. "As I've... learned the hard way, myself."

"...Do you intend on killing Anson?" Exgrave asks solemnly.

A pause, before I nod. "It's looking like that'll be the case, yeah. The collars are going to be too much of a problem for us."

They sigh, before looking to Crimson. "If at all possible, I would prefer you to do the deed. We do not need Penelope to have blood on her hands if we can avoid it."

"Your will is mine, Lord Commander."

Zephys speaks up. "Can... Can I come along?"

"That's what we were here for, actually." I sit up. "I wanted to ask for you to join us."

"R-really...?"

"You were quick on your feet last night-- metaphorically speaking --it's only natural to have you on board for this."

"I'm honored, Lady Pento." She's smiling from ear to ear.

Crimson and I recount the situation to the others, to get them caught up properly.

...

"It would not be impossible to disable the enchantment on the walls, I figure." Zephys muses. "But, since she's the one who produces the collars, I worry she might have some sort of kill switch in case a breakout were to occur."

"That... makes sense." Gods almighty, if we freed everyone, only for her to kill all of them at once... I shudder at the thought.

"Our best bet would be to act quickly, and incapacitate her as soon as possible." She looks at me nervously. "...Do you expect me to fly in alongside you? I don't really know if I can be all that stealthy with my big fat tail..."

"You won't make footsteps, at least." I chuckle. "That, and I'll need someone to help me figure out how to disable the barrier so we can get out after finding the keys. Crim can cover for us and find the keys himself, if things get too dicey."

"You're right." She takes in a deep breath, shaking her arms to psyche herself up. "Consider it done, then."

"So what is your plan then, Penelope? Your pieces are on the board, you just need to find your strategy."

"Hmm..." I think it over some. "We go at night-- later than last time. She's most likely to be asleep then. Zephys and I enter from the roof, disable the barrier, then have Crim look for the keys as well as, uh... 'incapacitating' Anson. Nothing too complicated."

"And if you're spotted by Anson?"

"Then I'll let her enslave me. Zephys can open the barrier and Crim can help take her out."

Exgrave looks amused.

"What?"

"You're already rushing to self-sacrifice before you've even enacted your plan?"

I counter with grim determination. "If it means making the world a better place, then so be it."

"Keh keh keh keh...." They cackle. "You've become a fine successor to my name."

"Th... thank you." I feel strangely flattered.

"If you'll excuse me, however-- I must go. I'll be in the chapel, if you need me."

Oh right, I was meaning to ask. "Chapel?"

"To pray for your safety."

"...I didn't take you for a religious type."

"Even demons need their comforts. I just keep my choice of practice to myself so as to not make anyone uncomfortable."

"Ah, you're a follower of Cala, then?" Zephys asks.

Exgrave nods. Confused, I look to Zephys for elaboration.

"Arethon has four gods-- two of which serve as 'dark' counterparts to the other two." Air-quotes around the word 'dark.' They lower their head a bit, afterwards. "Many humans stereotype us beastfolk as being followers of Cala'mementi."

"They bastardize her teachings, making her out to be a deity of chaos and anarchy." Exgrave growls in frustration. "In actuality, she represents individualism and free will."

"Perfect for your cause then." I add.

"Mmm.." They sigh. "Though many beastfolk are uncomfortable serving her, thanks to that stigma. So, in the interest of decency, I choose to keep it to myself for the time being."

I frown. "...Sorry to hear, then."

"Her name will be restored one day, if I have anything to say about it. Until then..." They give a light wave, before taking their leave.

...

"I'll join you, actually." I hop out of my seat, rushing over to them.

"...Oh?" They seem genuinely surprised.

"I need something to calm my nerves, if you'll have me."

They smile warmly, touched by my interest. "Very well then. Let's go."

"We'll head out at midnight...!" I say to the others as we leave.

Exgrave and I then spent the next hour saying our prayers to Cala'mementi, wishing for safety in restoring agency to those held captive under Anson.

...It feels weird praying to a deity I've only just learned exists, but I would be lying if I didn't say I felt a sense of comfort after doing so.