The day after I finished treating Shizu, I decided to close the clinic for a while due to personal matters.
Those personal matters were nothing more than visiting the place where Milim lived. Back when I first mentioned opening a clinic in the human nations, Milim had pouted and insisted that she didn't want to be separated from me, stubbornly claiming that if I went, she would follow.
However, knowing Milim's personality—where action always precedes thought—bringing her to a town would almost certainly result in a massive commotion. Furthermore, with two Demon Lords in a single country, there was no telling what might happen. I had barely managed to appease her by promising to visit her a few times a month.
"All right, the cake and everything else for Milim are in storage. Preparations complete!"
After flipping the sign in front of the clinic from [Open] to [Closed], I set off toward Milim's territory.
Flying would have been much faster, but I wanted to enjoy the feeling of a journey for once, so I walked at a leisurely pace. Even so, I was still faster than a carriage.
Along the way, I passed through the Great Forest of Jura. I spotted several monsters that looked delicious, but they fled the moment they sensed my aura, and I didn't bother chasing them.
If you don't eat it, don't take its life. That was the principle I lived by; I had no interest in meaningless slaughter.
Giant ants, scorpions, venom-spitting snakes—monsters that humans would rank as danger class C to B+—were nothing more than passing scenery to me.
Eventually, I crossed the forest and entered the domain ruled by Demon Lord Milim.
****
The Forgotten Dragon City.
"It hasn't changed much here."
In this land, Milim's domain, there were no structures that could truly be called buildings. There was only a small dragon village and the temple where Milim resided. With a population of about one hundred thousand and a ruler who had no interest in dominating or governing, the city operated on a communal, almost socialist system.
Most of the inhabitants were priests serving Milim, and they held a deep faith and trust in her.
"...You've arrived."
"Welcome, Demon Lord Vertis."
I was greeted by priests in ceremonial robes, led by a man with a mark on his forehead. I spoke to him, noting that his magicules were on a completely different level compared to the others.
"I told you there's no need for formalities with me, Hermes. Where is Milim?"
This dragnute, who shared a name with the messenger god of Greek mythology, was the chief priest's direct subordinate. As a half-blood of human and dragon, he lacked horns and looked no different from a human.
"Is that so? Then I shall speak freely. It has been a long time, Vertis."
"Milim?"
"Don't even ask. Lord Midoray is doing everything he can to soothe her, as she's been throwing a fit demanding to see you this instant."
"Then I'd better hurry."
Before Midoray actually dies, that is.
Following Midoray's guidance, I headed toward the temple. At the entrance, a stone statue modeled after Milim and a rainbow-colored dragon statue stood side by side.
*Boom!!*
Suddenly, something shot out from inside the temple at high speed. I reached out and caught it mid-air.
"Chief Priest?!"
The object hurled at me was none other than Midoray himself, his stomach caved in from a direct punch.
"Berrrr~!!"
Immediately after, Milim and Gaia charged toward me. I opened my arms and embraced them both.
"It's been a while, Milim, Gaia."
"I missed you!"
Seeing her smile, I couldn't help but grin.
She hasn't changed a bit. But Gaia has grown remarkably.
Gaia had become enormous, her scales shimmering with the brilliance of a seven-colored rainbow.
"Has Gaia still not learned how to take human form?"
I had suggested it before, as a massive body is inconvenient for movement, but unfortunately, none of them possessed an aptitude for magic. To begin with, human transformation is a high-level spell accessible only to superior monsters.
Instead, she could freely adjust her size, so she usually remained small for convenience.
"Now, I brought gifts."
"Waa~♥ Cake!"
At the sight of the cake box, Milim's eyes turned into hearts. Midoray, who had somehow recovered and stood up, shouted, "Absolutely not, Lady Milim! Food is best when it is uncooked! If you eat such things—!!"
"That stubborn personality hasn't changed either."
In contrast, Hermes, who had experience in the outside world, possessed a far more flexible mindset.
As evidence, the "feast" Midoray prepared for Milim was essentially just a pile of raw vegetables. While vegetables are healthy, this was just... excessive.
Milim hid behind me with a look of utter disgust, staring at the vegetable platter.
Hmm... a temple like this probably doesn't even have a kitchen or cooking utensils...
"Hmm... would you give me a moment?"
I took the vegetable platter and stepped outside. I retrieved some meat from a giant beast from my storage and used [Creation] to manifest a wok. I tossed in the sliced vegetables and meat and began to stir-fry them.
Salt, pepper, and fire~
Maintaining the perfect temperature, I sautéed the ingredients until they became a delicious pork stir-fry.
"Here, try this."
I plated the dish and handed it to them, telling Midoray to taste it before he dared to complain.
"Well? Delicious, isn't it?"
The three of them didn't answer; they were too focused on eating. Midoray's expression was particularly priceless.
"To think... cooked food could taste this wonderful."
"The vegetables were fresh, so they had a natural sweetness even without much seasoning. They were likely grown with love and care."
Any living creature can become an ingredient, and once cooked and consumed, it becomes nourishment. In the past, people revered living things for this reason, but modern humans have forgotten such fundamental truths.
After finishing the meal, Midoray's firm belief that uncooked food was superior shifted slightly.
Though, it seemed Hermes had known the truth for a long time.
"Lord Vertis, I have a request. Please forgive my rudeness, but would you spar with me?"
"...Very well."
We moved to the area the priests used as a training ground and faced each other.
It seemed the title of Chief Priest wasn't just for show; his balance of mind, body, and spirit was excellent. That was likely why he was the only one capable of being Milim's playmate.
Midoray possessed considerable magicules, and his daily discipline provided a strong foundation for his techniques. He must have trained without a single day's rest.
However.
"You're still far off."
I effortlessly dodged Midoray's attack, slipped into his blind spot, grabbed him, and leaped high into the air before slamming him back down.
"Dragon Dive!"
A massive crater formed upon impact. He must have hit headfirst, yet Midoray stood up shortly after. Being a dragnute certainly made him durable.
"I am defeated. My training is still insufficient."
Midoray readily admitted his loss. For a while after that, I remained there, serving as a sparring partner for the priests.
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