I lay sprawled out in the grass, in human form since unfortunately Milim wouldn't let me completely relax (apparently I'm just "too cute".) But, honestly, half-melting into the ground was an okay enough compromise, so that's what I was doing today.

We'd just had a serious spar, which tore up the forest around us for miles. I'd lost track at some point with how out of hand it all got, but I think we fought nonstop for days straight.

If Treyni complains about this I'm ignoring her. It's just a bit of landscaping is all, right? I've got bigger fish to fry. Like Yuuki. And feeding him to Milim so she'll give me a break.

If I tell her he tastes good, will she go kill him for me? I wondered, seriously debating the idea for a moment before realizing how stupid it is.

I shook my head rapidly. I needed Yuuki alive anyway, and Milim would remove him from the population in the most violent way possible. I couldn't have that.

A break does sound nice though… one that's more than just a few minutes spent becoming one with the grass, slime-style.

"Hey, Milim," I propped myself up on my hands and returned to a fully-solid state, "don't you have, like… other responsibilities? You're an, um… super important Demon Lord, after all, right?"

"Nah."

"You sure? You could leave and take care of stuff, and I can rest up and recover. No need to keep training me right this moment."

"My followers do their own thing most of the time. I just pop in every now and then for a visit and that keeps 'em happy."

She has followers? I wondered what this meant exactly, but I suppose an 'all-powerful Demon Lord' could have some sort of religion based around them. Or maybe it was more like a fanbase around a celebrity? It was hard to imagine Milim being seen in a religious sense, so I was kinda grasping at straws here.

"They call themselves the 'Dragon Faithful.'" Milim, grinning, answered my unasked question, "They worship me."

"I… see." I wasn't sure how to respond to that. Her? She was terrifying, sure, but I didn't really get any "godly majesty" from her.

Milim was looking at me all proudly, and I got the feeling she was expecting something.

"So… are they… strong, then?" I couldn't imagine they weren't, she didn't seem the type to acknowledge 'weaklings,' in her words.

"Of course. Some of 'em even spar with me!"

I couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy with her supposed 'sparring partners' after having more than a taste of that position myself.

"Maybe they would be a bit more your speed right now…" Milim glanced down at me.

I still hadn't quite recovered from all that fighting recently. My Ultraspeed Regeneration was still currently a no-go from when I got so damaged and low on magicules that the Sage went and turned the skill off for a whole week.

As much as I was trying to avoid more grueling training for a short while, maybe fighting someone that wasn't Milim would be fine.

"So do you wanna go to your 'followers' and have me spar them?"

"I guess it's about time I pay home a visit… can't neglect my duties as their goddess. It's been a while since I brought something with me, though."

"Am… I this 'something'?"

"Yup! You're my bestie!"

I was starting to think she didn't fully understand the concept of a "bestie."

Soon after, I found myself being flown through the sky at ridiculous speeds, being held tightly by Milim. As usual, when she decides she wants to do something, Milim immediately dropped what she was doing and left with me, flying roughly southward.

I was starting to get accustomed to the feeling of moving this fast, with the amount of times that I'd experienced it recently, either from being hit and sent flying, or just straight up being grabbed and rocketed places by my dragonoid 'Bestie.'

It took a few hours for her to land this time, and to be honest, I felt a bit wobbly after we did. Maybe I was experiencing the slime equivalent of motion sickness, but I wasn't sure. Milim was still holding me in her arms anyway, so this was fine.

This place was a lot different than Jura. The plantlife seemed much more sparse, and the landscape was rocky and relatively dry and desert-like. I could see some mountains in the distance, and the center of the city was built into a large rockface. The rest of it was terraced, moving down from the temple in the middle.

We'd landed in a courtyard of sorts near a temple. Milim hit the ground pretty hard, but the material of the 'floor' seemed to be built to take it fairly well. I kinda wondered what it was made out of. Milim always tended to leave craters wherever she went, but there was nothing more than a few cracks left in the 'pavement' here. I wasn't quite sure what it was made out of, actually, but I could see it was magically dense.

At the top of the temple, looking down on us was a massive statue of a dragon. It looked a bit like a sleeker version of Veldora, with four wings and a kind-of regal but intimidating expression. The stone eyes seemed to bore into me, whoever carved that was a heck of an artist.

The statue's expression was actually intimidating enough to make me face the slightly less, but still uncomfortable, situation in front of us.

The rows of people surrounding the platform, arranged all ceremonial-like… and staring right at me.

Well, me and Milim, but I think I was the only unusual detail there.

But, after a second, their eyes shifted, and Milim was the clear center of their attention. I still felt a bit weird though, having all these people staring right at us. I bet they were questioning why their "goddess" was holding a slime.

Or wait, I was in human form, so maybe not.

A big, bald guy with earrings walked right up to us and took a knee in front of Milim, shouting with a loud voice, "Lady Milim! We're so honored to be graced by your divine presence once again!"

I think the guy was just ignoring me, actually. I appreciated it.

"Hehee!" Milim reached out to pat the guy's bald head, "it's good to see you Middray! Check it out, this is Rimuru, my new bestie!"

During the journey, I had been clinging to Milim in a way that, at this size… well, looked really… embarrassing… I had to because she was flying so fast though!

But anyway, Milim detached me from her torso and held me under my arms, shoving me right in the baldie's face.

The guy looked up from his bow and suddenly we were almost nose-to-nose. That combined with being referred to as her "Bestie" was too much, I felt my face get red and squirmed out of her grip.

Milim released me at least, so I was able to stand on my own two feet and give a greeting bow to Middray. "Nice to meet you. I'm Rimuru Tempest."

"He's a slime!" Milim puffed up, "pretty impressive, right?"

"Oh, very, Lady Milim!" Middray ignored me completely, standing up and saying, "to find such a unique creature must certainly be no difficulty for you! I'm sure it will entertain you for some time."

Excuse me? 'Unique creature'!? 'IT'!?

"Hey–!" I wanted to protest, but I got cut off as Milim scooped me under one arm, carrying me like a doll or toy, and started walking.

"Milim–" I started again, but got cut off.

"He's sorta strong!" She chattered excitedly, "let's go to the dojo, he's had some hard fights recently so he needs a break, and I figured you guys would be perfect to test him in the meantime!"

"Hey, he can't just call me–!" I tried a third time.

"What a wonderful idea!" Middray clapped his hands, "and during that we can prepare a feast for you!"

I guessed I had no choice but to let it go for now. Was it just my imagination, or did Milim's expression change for a second at the word "feast"?

I knew by now it was no use to fight Milim, so I resigned myself to being humiliated as they walked toward some dojo-looking building. I was really starting to have second thoughts about this deal. Will she just toss me out when she's done?

Given that Middray guy's reaction, it seemed I wasn't the first 'thing' she brought back with her, and that did not give me high hopes. Had Milim gone through a few other 'Besties' before me?

There was another younger-looking priest walking next to us, and he didn't look quite as chipper as the bald guy. Actually, he looked tired. He had a perpetual "here we go again" kind of expression.

Our eyes met for a brief moment, and I saw him looking at me with a hint of pity. But he looked away as soon as we made contact.

Crap… I guess I should just hope I don't die before the end of this. I can't go after Yuuki if I'm dead after all.

Milim set me down in the middle of a big, flat area inside the dojo. A lot of people were already here, paired off into groups and stuff, but a good portion of the people from the group where we landed followed us too.

"Okay!" Milim said, "Rimuru's just a baby slime, and a bit of a beginner, so I wanna see just how far along he is!"

I'm not a baby… complaining about it would just make me look worse, though, so I didn't.

"Of course, Lady Milim!" Middray agreed, gesturing to a group of what I guess were rookies nearby.

Before I knew it, I was facing off against a line of the dragon faithful, here to test my strength in Milim's honor. The few at the front, who looked liked teens or younger adults, were looking at me with real fear.

What? Why would they be afraid of little ol' me?

[[Notice: The anti-magic mask has been destroyed and stolen.]]

No one here is using magic items to hide their aura, I don't think. What's the big deal?

These guys looked just like humans, but based on the auras they were giving off I could tell they weren't.

[[Answer: They are dragonewts.]]

Oh, like that Abiru guy I named?

[[Correct. However, they differ in origin and sub-species.]]

Uh, okay. I wanted to ask more about that, but now I was in the middle of a ring with a nervous-looking teenager staring me down.

Well, no point in wasting time.

I did feel bad for the kid so I decided to be a bit gentle. I charged him and used my agility to move around his attempt at a block and punched him.

Then I jumped out of range, but… the kid just shrugged it off, looking at me with determination in his eyes. I'd been treating the situation like sparring with my students, but these guys can take more of a beating than I first thought.

That's why I was here, after all. For my students.

It was a helpful reminder and now I was suddenly fired up to get as far as I could.

The kid didn't seem as scared now. Maybe he thought that was the best I could do? This time we both attacked, him bringing up a foot to try and kick me. I ducked under it, and before the kid could move, I jumped up and hit with a lot more force.

Suddenly a big crack rang out, and with shock I watched his upper arm buckle under my fist.

"Point!" The referee shouted, and we both stepped back. Me in shock, him in defeat.

"I'm so sorry!" I blurted out, "I didn't think I was hitting that hard–"

"What do you mean?" The kid gave me a funny look, "hitting hard is the point." Then he tilted his head with a friendly smile, "don't worry about it."

"I can heal you though, just wait a sec–" I was about to get a potion out of my [Stomach], but he waved me off.

"Nah, there's no need," He said as he walked off to the side. I wasn't sure what to make of that, but as I watched some guys at the side set his bone (which I cringed at), but all the kid reacted with was grunt from the pain. No scream, no tears, just a small noise and nothing else.

What kind of crazy pain tolerance do these people have!?

And if that wasn't enough, an older dragon faithful started chanting, and suddenly the kid's arm glowed. The kid stood up and rolled his shoulder, then gave the priest a thumbs up.

What was that? I knew about healing potions (I still had some of those stored away in my stomach), but this was some sort of spell I didn't know about despite previously absorbing the knowledge from a bunch of spellbooks.

My curiosity spiked and I looked at Milim for some guidance, but she just waved me off and said, "I'll tell ya later."

Then the next person stepped up, and I defeated them in a single blow. A blow that sent them flying across the room, but still.

Wow. Maybe I've gotten stronger? More than I already noticed, I mean.

This continued as I made my way through the lineup. The opponents did get harder, but I kept winning pretty handily. One or two got a hit on me, but it barely damaged me.

About midway through the line, Middray was starting to look at me with something akin to approval. Maybe he was impressed?

But as I handily defeated challenger after challenger, veins started to pop up on his bald head. The stronger the opponent I defeated, the more Middray's 'approval' seemed to turn into frustration. At me, or at my opponents, I couldn't quite tell.

I bet he was just staying quiet because Milim was there. Milim, by the way, had been cheering me on enthusiastically, at the top of her lungs, the entire time.

Come on, man, aren't these your followers? I did actually feel a bit bad, for these people worshiping Milim to see her cheering on the "enemy team."

As I kept an eye on Middray, I noticed the priest next to him, who'd looked at me with pity earlier, was getting fidgety.

When there were only five people left in line, Middray spoke up.

"Lady Milim, why don't the last few take him on all at once?" He proposed.

"Ooh, yeah!" Milim cheered, "good idea! I'm sure he can take it."

Uh, wait… are you sure? I knew these people were supposed to be the strongest here, not that I was that worried about facing them, but all at once? It seemed kinda excessive.

"Um…" I wanted to say something, but just a moment of hesitation was apparently too long, and before I could get a word in edgewise, the match started.

Middray signaled the remaining dragon faithful, and they surrounded me while I was still trying to get Milim's attention.

"Yikes!" I jumped several times my height in the air over a swipe from a guy behind me. Someone else jumped up to try and catch me with an uppercut, and I manifested my wings to dodge. That definitely surprised them, but I barely managed to switch to slime form and duck underneath another's high kick.

I don't think I've ever fought this many people before! Not directly and all at once, at least.

The last time I was faced with this many people at the same time, I ran for the hills, and that was all the way back when I discovered Blumund! And this time it was in a fight where it wasn't life or death and I didn't want to actually kill these people.

But, after a few minutes of getting chased around, I got my bearings and started to figure out how to fight back.

They got a good few hits in, but nothing that actually felt damaging, mostly just bouncing off of me. And after a while, I was standing in a circle of defeated dragon faithful.

"Heh," I smirked, looking proudly at Milim and Middray. The other priest cringed, I didn't know what that was about though.

Middray's head was bright red and snaked with veins, I was actually wondering if it was about to explode. He was starting to look remarkably close to a melon, with all those angry veins bulging.

Milim, meanwhile, cheered "Woohoo, good job Rimuru!"

"Hermes," Middray shoved the other smaller priest forward, "your turn."

So that's his name.

Hermes looked reluctant, and I felt bad if he didn't want to fight, but after Middray's shove Milim yelled "go get 'im, Rimuru!"

We looked at each other. Seems neither of us had a choice in this.

Still, I was feeling pretty confident, so I beckoned him to strike me first.

He was faster than I expected, and his first strike hit, but in a moment I had him on the floor just like I had with the others earlier.

I think that one blow he landed on me was more a result of me getting overconfident, if anything.

Milim was having a blast, meanwhile Middray's expression sent a cold chill down my metaphorical spine. "Hermes, I was sure you'd do better. I'm disappointed."

Hermes looked at the ground for a good long few seconds, before wheezing out an "I'm sorry, Father Middray… I'll do better next time, I promise." He stomped out of the ring and glared off into the distance.

"Very well," Middray watched the boy for a moment, before looking to me with a dark chuckle while waves of aura poured off of him. "You may face me next."

Uh… okay.

[[Alert: The aura being released is similar in nature to the one used by individual, Yuuki Kagurazaka and other human adventurers, proceed with caution. Samples will be collected through the engagement for future analysis.]]

Like… Yuuki?

The idea made me feel cornered and cautious.

Middray watched me, grinning as he seemed to pick up on my fear.

Maybe this was for the best, facing someone similar to Yuuki before confronting the man himself again. I could treat this as a trial run for when that happens.

Plus, I didn't think one of Milim's 'faithful followers' would actually kill me right in front of her. She seemed to like me too much to allow that.

However, his aura gave off a lot more mixed emotions. To be honest, it felt like I'd kicked his puppy in front of him.

"Go go go! Make it funny!" Milim didn't seem to catch onto the mood at all, or maybe she was just being a little sick on purpose.

A moment later, I couldn't even see the high priest in front of me anymore. He'd completely disappeared from sight. I could only estimate where he was based on the way his aura moved with Great Sage's help.

Then I got my side slammed in with a fist as I saw him finally stop right next to me, only for a moment.

Before I even hit the wall, he was above me to axe-kick me into the floor.

I was left splatting onto a very broken floor, with my slime spreading out like a thin paste.

[[Reconstituting body. It is advisable to use full Thought Acceleration in future confrontations with individual, Middray.]]

Could've said something earlier… I waited for a moment while slowly reforming. (The fact that I lost a bit of myself again in the process didn't go unnoticed). Then before he could hit me again, "Hey! HEY! I surrender! You win!"

The man stopped in front of me, holding a very prepared fist back. Then he gave me a wide grin. "Perhaps you should control your pride better, youngling."

"Aw… C'mon Rimuru, you weren't even trying!" Milim whined, "I didn't even see you using your skills!"

"I thought this was a sparring match, not a fight to the death! If I whipped those suckers out, I might've wrecked this whole building!" There was a time and a place for skills like Hell Flare or Black Lightning, and now wasn't one of them.

"Not the skills that make things go boom, the skills that make you think and react faster!"

"How would you even 'see' me using those?!" It was outrageous on its face, but she had mentioned something about my skills before.

"Become a Demon Lord, and maybe you'll figure it out! Wahaha-haha!"

There she goes with the 'becoming a Demon Lord' thing again. I considered asking how I would even do that, but stopped myself before I said a word and looked away, feeling embarrassed about even considering it.

I don't wanna become a Demon Lord… I don't.

Milim was grinning at me knowingly, though, and I wondered if she could read my mind on top of my skills. But, I dismissed that disturbing idea immediately.

"Pardon my interruption," a woman stepped in and bowed to us. "Lady Milim, the offering is prepared."

Is it just me, or did Milim's bright expression disappear for a split-second? It was just like before. I didn't know what it was about, but I definitely didn't find it very reassuring. Seriously, what would make Milim of all people scared? Nothing I wanted to face, that was for sure.

Milim nods while wearing a smile that shows hints of being forced before scooping me up under one of her arms and following the attendant. She was gripping me a bit harder than usual, and I knew she'd agreed to be gentle grabbing me when I asked before, so I wondered what was up.

I squirmed a bit to remind her, but Milim didn't seem to notice; her vibrant blue eyes remained transfixed straight ahead.

Middray and the Hermes guy followed behind respectfully, though Middray was clearly excited since he immediately started talking.

"It's been so long since you've been here Lady Milim," he was positively beaming, "so we've made sure to prepare you the best offering you'll have seen this decade! The harvest was bountiful this year, so we have a grand abundance of items for you to enjoy."

I was starting to wonder what the deal with this "offering" or "feast" was. What would these people consider an offering anyway?

Soon enough the answer was before me, as we entered a new building. After a short corridor, we stepped out on a dais in a massive room where a table of vegetable assortments and a small amount of grilled meats were arrayed.

For Milim, I assumed.

She sat down at the table, plopping me on her lap like some kind of doll. I didn't touch anything, just observing since I figured I wasn't supposed to partake in an offering to their "goddess".

There were a couple grilled steaks and such, but 85% of the meal looked like it was vegetables. Just vegetables.

I mean, they were clean, but these things weren't even cut up! Just whole carrots and potatoes, skin intact, sitting decoratively on plates like a floral arrangement.

This was weird, for sure. Having gotten to know Milim, I could bet she had a child's palate. No kid would be happy to come to dinner and see a plate of nothing but green pepper slices.

Milim grabbed the meats first, and devoured them with such gusto I was honestly shocked. But her voracious appetite immediately disappeared as soon as she had to pick up her first carrot.

It was like night and day. She shakily raised it, slowly, to her mouth, like somebody eating their last meal on death row. She took a bite, and she hid it well on her face, but I could feel her wince from her whole body tensing up.

Then chew, swallow, repeat. All with a stare like a dead fish.

And we had an entire buffet's worth of this to go. At this rate we'd be here all week!

And, on top of all that, Middray had been blabbing on and on. Lady Milim this, and Lady Milim that; I stopped listening to it a while ago.

Sick of both melon-head's droning speech and watching Milim suffer, I decided to try to make my escape.

"U-um…" I tentatively started to shift out of my spot on Milim's lap, "I should go rest for our next trai…ning…"

Milim was giving me a stare like she was going to murder me, so I promptly shut up and got comfortable again.

I felt bad for her… but, I did want a break from training.

Hey Great Sage, can we play a movie or something?

[[Selections from your memories are available.]]

Do you think the death note would work on me? I idly ask Great Sage as we're several episodes in.

[[It would not.]]

But why are you so certain?

[[Rimuru Tempest is not human.]]

What? I asked, what's that got to do with it?

[[The data in your memories explicitly states humans to be the exclusive targets of a death note.]]

But my soul is human, I argue.

[[It is not.]]

What d'you mean it's not!? Of course it is!

[[It is not. Rimuru Tempest a slime.]]

Yeah, but I have the same soul sti–

I was interrupted from my very strange argument with Great Sage by a large, raw potato being jammed into my mouth.

"Mmfhth!?"

I instinctively try to spit it out only for Milim to slap a hand over my mouth and give me another death-glare.

Ah. I see what's going on here.

I activate [Gluttony] inside my mouth and get rid of the obnoxious spud.

So. I'm the family dog now… reduced to being the disposal for unwanted foods at the dinner table…

I wasn't sure how to feel about that.

Another minute or so went by with Milim quietly eating her vegetables, when all of a sudden a head of something similar to broccoli was slammed in next.

Eh!?

I more or less expected this after the first one, but it still caught me by surprise.

I checked on Milim with [Magic Sense] and saw her glancing furtively at Middray, who was in the middle of another 'Milim ramble'. Hermes was glancing down at me sympathetically, but I guess Milim wasn't as worried about him.

After the third one, I was getting sick of this.

"Psst," I tapped Milim's arm to grab her attention, and she stopped her fish-eyed stare long enough to glance down at me. "Make a distraction," I whispered.

Quick to catch on, Milim looked up, and suddenly a potted plant on the other end of the room blew up as if a firecracker went off from inside it.

"Eh!?" Midday was interrupted mid-sentence, "hey!" He waved at some of the worshipers gathered, "clean that up! We must not let Lady Milim's feast be interrupted!"

The heck was that!? Since when could Milim move stuff with her mind!? No, even worse, explode things with it!

But, I had to act fast. With a quick, subtle activation of Gluttony, a black swirl covered the table, and all the food disappeared into my stomach.

I shrunk back as Milim suddenly glared down at me with a pouty expression. What's she upset about!? A spike of annoyance ran through me. I thought I did what she wanted!

But then she patted my head softly and hissed, "you could've done that sooner."

Well, whatever. Now we could move on from this chamber of torture.

[[Commencing analysis. Feast consists of 20 percent…]] Great Sage started rambling, for some strange reason.

Just give 'em to Veldora, I ordered it, I'm sure he'd appreciate a meal after who knows how long.

Did Great Sage just smile evilly? I think it just smiled.

[[Understood, this will increase his efficiency.]]

Well, sure. A good meal always helps to clear the head after all.

"Oh my!" Midday's attention had returned to us, "you must have worked up quite the appetite, Lady Milim! Shall I have more brought in?"

"N-no! No need!" She immediately scrambled to refuse, making wild hand gestures. "I'm very full after that!"

"Well, alright then!" Midday beamed. "Why don't we escort you to your 'lair' then?"

"Yes!" Milim jumps up, clutching me to her chest with both arms wrapped around my midsection. "Let's do that!"

Milim carried me as Middray led us through the city, all the way up the face of the cliff it was carved in, to what was probably close to the top. At least above all the other residences.

"Here you are, Lady Milim!" Midday boomed, pushing open a big wood door (lavish, given all most other places I'd seen were covered by curtains.) "We have kept it spotless in anticipation of your arrival."

"Thank you Middray," she said, stunningly courteous and regal compared to what I was used to. "You may leave us now."

Yeah, that smirk isn't fooling me.

"Of course," he bowed and then opened his arms, "I shall take care of your new little companion while you rest."

"No!" Milim's royal facade broke immediately, "he stays with me."

"A-are you quite sure, Lady Milim?" Middray was pretty taken aback. "It is not proper for a goddess of your stature to allow–"

"He'll stay," Milim confirmed again. "He's my bestie!"

"I assure you, Lady Milim," Middray tried again, "we can offer a separate private room nearby, and we will give him the utmost respect."

"No." Milim said, in a tone that would take no further argument. If she wasn't already holding me in her arms she would probably be crossing them.

"Very well, Lady Milim." Middray, surprisingly, wasn't upset in the slightest. "Please," he bowed very, very deeply, "forgive me for my transgression. I of course merely want to look out for your comfort."

Then he and Hermes left without another word.

I had a chance to take in this "lair" of Milim's, and… it was pitiful.

"If this is what they give their goddess, I don't want to imagine what living here is like as a commoner," I muttered.

"They mean well." Milim set me down on the floor, moving to sit on what I assumed was a bed: a slab of marble, polished, very expensive looking, with a thin blanket on it. "Now c'mere," she stretched out her arms and made a grabby motion.

"Why'd you even put me down in the first place?" I asked with exasperation, even as I obliged and climbed into her lap.

"Do not question one of the oldest Demon Lords," she lectured, lifting the blanket and lying down under it, then tucking me under her head.

"I wish my bed was as soft as you," Milim murmured. "Maybe I should make a new one… out of slimes."

"Please don't!" I begged, "that's terrifying!"

But she was already fast asleep.

Well.

I knew how this went, having been subjected to it multiple times by now, and I was sure Milim would sleep until morning.

Discreetly creating a slime form body double, I slid out from under her and tiptoed toward the window. Not wanting to risk the door making noise, or her hearing the beat of my wings, I softly climbed up and jumped out, only taking flight when I was halfway down.

Time to see what this place was all about.

I soared over the city, taking in the fires and the sparse vegetation, most of it grown as decor. This city seems to have something of a night market, marked by a single glowing street that was bustling despite the sky being almost completely dark.

Landing on a rooftop since I wasn't sure how I'd be taken as an outsider, especially since everybody here wore nearly-identical outfits. Milim just arrived today and I was stuck to her side the whole day.

Observing the people below, I noticed that there didn't seem to be any money whatsoever. Or food, for that matter. People were handing things like pots and woven baskets back and forth, and a few pretty bracelets and stuff, but the vast majority were functional items.

How sad. They had a lot of room for personalization here, their houses were all stone after all, but they were just squared out. No interesting patterns or anything.

Suddenly I heard a thud behind me, and whipped around to see that Hermes guy behind me, with a pair of draconic-looking wings sprouting out of his back.

"Can all of you guys do that?" I asked, pointing to the wings.

"I should ask you the same thing, I didn't know slimes could grow wings either," Hermes answered.

"Of course we–well, I can, I guess." I said, turning around. I never did like the feeling of being pried into, and I had a city to explore before Milim noticed that I was gone.

"W-w-w-w-wait!" Hermes stretched out a desperate-seeming hand, "don't leave yet!"

"Eh?" I turned back, "you need somethin'?"

"Look…" Hermes took in a deep sigh. "I know Lady Milim isn't all that… well… she doesn't really consider most people… people." He wrung his hands together. "I mean, of course, she's a goddess, and I know she can be rough, but running away isn't the answer."

"Wait, you think I'm–"

"Listen!" He was staring at me now with fervor, "even if you think you've escaped, you haven't. She'll find you no matter what, and she and Father Middray will destroy you. It's not worth it."

"No, I'm–"

"So just, try to hang in there. She's let people go before," he pleaded, "just make yourself entertaining for a bit, and if she likes you, she'll just let you wander off when she gets bored."

"Shut up already!" I shouted at him, "I'm not going anywhere, okay?"

"...you're not?" Hermes looked pretty surprised.

"Listen, I already tried," I said, turning around again and crouching to look at the people below. "And she's doing a lot of good for me, I feel like I'm getting stronger now, and I need to so–"

"You tried to run," he interrupted, "and she let you live?!"

"Uh… yeah?" I twisted my head back.

Hermes' eyes were as wide as dinner plates, like I just told him slimes fly or something–wait, I did. My point is that he was very surprised.

"Look, I'm just gonna stretch my wings, get some exercise and a little fresh night air, then sneak back in before she wakes up. She won't know the difference." I said.

"Oh," Hermes said quietly, suddenly looking lost now that his script was probably broken. "Um… okay then."

We sat in silence for a bit, listening to the desert insects and watching the traffic die down. It ended a lot earlier than any other night market I was familiar with… I guess there wasn't much to go around here anyway though. Nobody browsed stores late at night if the most interesting thing to look at was a kettle.

"Listen," Hermes said, "what you did earlier… for Lady Milim… thanks."

"Huh?" I made a slightly distracted noise, "why?"

Suddenly Hemes walked real close to me and crouched down with a hand on my shoulder. "Don't breathe a word of this to anyone," he whispered conspiratorially. "If you do, you didn't hear it from me. But Father Middray… he doesn't know Lady Milim as well as he thinks."

"Yeah, I got that already," I huffed in amusement.

"So, it's nice to have someone else here looking out for her, is all." He patted my head, then stood up. "Don't go too far," he warned me, "if you leave the city your aura will feel weaker to Lady Milim and she'll wake up."

"Sure," I waved back at him, "thanks."

I learned my lesson a little after Hermes almost got the jump on me, and paid a bit more attention for the rest of the night. I could tell he was still keeping an eye on me from a pretty big distance, which… rude, but okay. I guess it was his job, so I could accept that.

It felt pretty good to get some exercise that wasn't me being actively blown to smithereens and/or running for my life. The city was dead quiet, so I got bored of it after a bit and started coasting around the mountain, doing loop-de-loops and barrel rolls and stuff.

I actually climbed high enough to reach the peak, and settled down there to look out over the landscape for a bit.

Once the sun was starting to come over the horizon, I dove straight down, relishing the feeling of the wind blowing my hair back and letting out a cackle. The sun sank back below the ground as my perspective changed, I did a few more tricks as I slowed my descent, and then silently returned through Milim's window with her being none the wiser.

I was extremely light, and with these wings could drift right over the floor and softly land by her head, replacing the body double and twiddling my slime nubs while I waited for her to wake up.