Published at 27th of July 2022 11:37:17 AM

637 Xiangliu Skewers

Hmm, this is totally edible. A lot of monsters taste unbelievably bland, but this is good.

Miia says as she happily stuffs her cheeks with meat off a metal skewer. The xiangliu meat has been finely chopped up, and the skewers were prepared by Miia. She shaped them with [Clay], then turned them metal with [Alchemy].

Im also using [Humanisation Technique] and Im sitting in front of Miia. In my hand is a skewer of xiangliu meat that she gave me.

The xiangliu originally had green skin and white flesh, but my [Scorching Breath] has made it reddish-brown. I bring it to my nose and take a sniff. It smells a bit like medicine, or like fish It doesnt smell terrible, but nor does it stimulate my appetite.

Master-dono, are you not going to eat? Its delicious with salt.

Treant says as he calmly eats the xiangliu meat. Miia looks at him happily. He might actually be more adaptable than me.

I glance towards the dead xiangliu. Most of its eyes are crushed, but some still have shape. It feels like its staring at me.

I close my eyes and bow my head slightly. It was a divine skill holder, just like me and Miia.

You really are sensitive, Irushikun. I had thought your human form would be more rugged, but youve got a surprisingly cute face.

Miia says teasingly, then takes another bite of meat She really is hard to grasp. Sometimes she seems incredibly cold-hearted, as though shes plotting something. But then she also has a playful side where she scares Aro and treant to see their reaction, and teases me.

Sitting to my side, Aro hugs my left arm and glares at Miia.

Im not letting you have dragon-god-sama!

H-hey, Aro

Miia stares at her in surprise for a moment, then seems to realise something and reaches for her next skewer.

Fufu, you really are loved by your subordinates.

She really is hard to grasp. I cant tell how muchof what she says is earnest. She suggested we eat to deepen our friendship, but I cant help but think she has some other aim.

Does she want to get a feel for my personality? Does she want to gain my trust? No, there must be something else!

Did I say too much? Sorry if that caused offence. I might be getting carried away a bit too much. I was stuck alone in this forest for a while, but even before that I was acting separately from my subordinates. But sharing a meal with someone really is fun. It feels like its the first time Ive been able to enjoy myself in ages.

Could this have been her actual goal? I feel my mouth loosening into a smile.

I bring my skewer to my mouth. I hesitate for just a moment, then take a big bite. However bad it is, its better than eating an adam!

Ah Its surprisingly good.

It tastes somewhere between chicken and eel. The meat is hard and strangely rubbery, but not in a bad way. The more I chew, the more the hot fat melts in my mouth.

Miia grins at me.

Didnt I say it was good? Did you not believe me?

About thirty minutes later, treant is lying on his back, his swollen abdomen facing the sky.

Urp I think I ate too much.

Can you move? Were about to go.

I know, I know

That was fun. Sorry for pulling you along with what I wanted.

Dont worry about it. Aro and treant were exhausted too, so they needed to rest before fighting the hecatoncheir anyway. Besides, I also enjoyed it. I cant explain it well, but it feels like I had been misunderstanding you.

Miia is trying to stop Gods Voice. The world of her era was entirely engulfed by conflict. Revenge might be part of it, but she probably also has a sense of duty that she needs to stop Gods Voice so that the world isnt destroyed. Perhaps part of it is also making sure those who died wont have died in vain.

Thats probably why Miia is so fixated on killing Gods Voice. She seems so much more stoic than us, but given her position and history, it makes sense. Moreover, it looks to me like she still has some sense of being human.

Thats good. I was a little worried, since it looked like you didnt trust me. Im glad I got to know all of you a little better.

Miia says, smiling at Aro. Aro jumps with a start, then hugs my arm again and glares at Miia.

Aro, you dont have to glare at her like that.

S-sorry. I didnt mean it like that

Haha, this is a pickle. It seems if Irushikun likes me, then Aro-kun will hate me.

Miia says jokingly, then looks in a different direction. I follow her gaze and see the tower protected by the hecatoncheir. She must be thinking about the future.

At this distance, we probably wont run into any other monsters before reaching it. Once we get a bit closer, well take another short break for Aro and treant to fully recover, then challenge the hecatoncheir.

After weve defeated, our situation should change somehow. If we can get outside, well split up to find Volk and the others, then fight the [Spirit Servants] together Once thats done, Gods Voice will probably appear in front of us again.

Hey, Irushikun.

Miia calls my name. When I turn around, I find her staring at my face. It feels like shes searching for something. I unconsciously put myself on guard.

Irushikun, I want you to kill Gods Voice. Im counting on you.

Y-yeah, you got it.

I nod my head. After nodding, I start to wonder if Miia has given up on fighting Gods Voice herself. Like the monsters here, shes already had a portion of her skills ripped away. She might know that theres no hope of her evolving any further.