TTIGRAAS: Predator

Chapter 43

With Milim's usual grace, or in other words, slamming feet-first into the ground at a ridiculously high speed, we landed back at the City of the Forgotten Dragon.

Milim walked right up to the entrance to one of her temples, with me still cradled in her arms, slime-style.

Sitting on the steps was Hermes.

So he made it back on his own, huh?

I did feel a bit bad about abandoning him when Frey caught us in the act, but what's done is done. He seemed fine enough to me, well, maybe a bit melancholic, based on that mopey expression, but he wasn't missing a limb or anything.

But, as soon as he noticed us, Hermes' eyes lit up and he sprung to his feet.

"Lady Milim, Sir Rimuru!"

Actually, now that I've got a better look at him, he seems tired.

"Glad to see you made it back home safe, Hermes. Milim and I got a bit busy and didn't have the chance to go back and pick you up."

"Oh! Uh... I managed just fine. Got a little tangled up by a giant spider, and then I–"

"Doesn't matter! It's omalut time!"

"Y-yes Lady Milim..."

"I'll make one for you too, Hermes."

"Only if he distracts Middray for us. We can't have that old man getting in your way, Rimuru!"

She was right, but the longer I looked at Hermes, the more and more sorry I felt for him. He was clearly exhausted, and that bit about the spiders didn't sound pleasant at all. He had a forlorn look to him, already muttering "I don't see how I can keep him occupied that long, he's already mad I was gone for a whole week..."

"Hey Milim," I said, "how about you help Hermes?"

"But I wanted to–!" She got a plaintive look and started to protest, so I steamrolled over that real fast.

"My bestie is just the best one for the job! Who else would Middray listen to, after all?" I said, giving her my best puppy-eyed expression.

Also, having her in the kitchen seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.

"Hmm..." Milim looked unsure, averting her eyes. "Mmmmph..." She screwed her eyes shut, "fine! I'll be the best distracter you've ever seen–he won't even know what hit 'im!"

Sensing the danger in that statement, I said, "Uh, Milim... you know you don't have to–"

"Don't worry, Bestie!" She grinned, patting my slime head. "I've got it covered!"

...you know what? I probably don't want to know anyway.

"Great!" I jumped out of her arms and landed in human form on the ground, turning to her with my hands on my hips. "Then you guys do that, I'll only need half an hour!"

"Let's go, Hermes!" Milim grabbed him by the collar and cheered, pumping a fist in the air as she dragged him away. "Soon we're going to eat the best omlites ever!"

"You're right," Hermes' expression was already brighter, which I was glad to see.

I waved goodbye to them and then ran off to the community kitchen, determined to make these the most delicious omelets this world had ever seen, and shove it in that old man's face when he finally learned he was wrong!

Entering the kitchen, I saw a bunch of the Dragon Faithful busily preparing what was probably a meal, or "offering", for Milim. Each of them was going around carrying baskets of fruit and veggies, while some others were cutting slices of meat.