Lureia poked the slime creature with her delicate finger. To her surprise, instead of sticking, it quickly rebounded. It wasn't as disgustingly gooey as she had imagined.
"This low-level creature... It's actually cuter in reality than what I've seen in the textbooks."
The very next moment, the slime jumped up and pinned the elf to the ground.
"Hey, Xia Mi! Help! What's gotten into it?"
"It probably caught the scent of an elf on you. After all, it's still a monster."
The elf struggled beneath the slime, "It's heavy! Save me!"
"How can you not handle a level 1 slime? You're so useless!"
"It ambushed me!"
With some effort, Xia Mi managed to pull the slime off Lureia. The creature hopped around within a magical barrier they'd erected. Lureia decided not to provoke it further and returned to Xia Mi's side.
"Should we bring it back to the village? Won't it be discovered?"
It was indeed a pressing concern.
They couldn't just leave the slime, especially if a villager found and killed it. After all the resources Xia Mi had invested in it, it would be a significant loss.
"Let's find a place to hide it first."
The two found a nearby cave. Xia Mi tricked the slime into entering and then sealed the entrance with a boulder to ensure it wouldn't escape. They then headed back to the village.
That evening, the village's elder, Lugo, arranged a welcoming feast for Lureia. For a small village like theirs, having an elf visit was a rare and exciting event, something that would surely boost tourism in the future.
A bonfire blazed in the village center, with villagers enthusiastically roasting lamb and beef.
Adhering to his personal motto, 'free food is the best food', Xia Mi was quick to join the feast. He found Lureia seated by the bonfire, her face a mixture of longing and restraint.
"Miss Elf, this is our village's best home-raised lamb. The meat is very tender."
"Thank you for your kindness, Elder Lugo. But elves don't consume meat. Some fruits from that platter would suffice."
Lureia's gaze shifted from the roasted meat to a plate of fruits, her heart aching. Why did elves have to maintain such a complicated image!
"I hope our humble feast is to your liking, Miss Elf," Lugo, who had been repeatedly turned down by Lureia, said graciously.
"It's not about the food; it's about the warm welcome," Lureia replied with a smile that almost seemed tearful.
"I will take my leave now. Young folks like you should enjoy the bonfire."
Lugo, hunched with age, took a seat far from the fire.
The mouthwatering aroma of the roasted meat was almost torturous to Lureia.
Where was Xia Mi? She needed some respite!
"So, elves generally don't eat meat? Why were you so enthusiastic about it last night?"
Xia Mi sat down next to her, wearing a mischievous grin.
"It's... Just a facade to maintain our race's image in front of outsiders!" Lureia whispered, then pleaded, "Please get me some lamb. I'm drooling here."
"I'll think about it."
Xia Mi took a bite of his skewer, teasing her.
"Don't tempt me like that!" Lureia nudged him with her knee, "I've kept your secrets. Can't you do this small thing for me?"
"I didn't say no. I just need to eat a bit first, to get some energy."
Lureia pouted, biting into an apple, trying to let its crispness override the overpowering scent of the meat.
Suddenly, a distant voice greeted them, "Good evening, Xia Mi…"
A villager named Theo, looking slightly embarrassed, appeared behind Xia Mi, "I heard we have a..."
Xia Mi and Lureia both turned.
"Humanoid!"
"Elf?..."
Lureia's pupils shrank, and she quickly pulled Xia Mi in front of her for protection.
"Xia Mi! That's him! The humanoid who defecated on someone's balcony early this morning. Why can he even speak?!"
"Hey, he's a villager!"
"You're joking! He clearly looks like a humanoid creature that would trigger the uncanny valley effect!"
Theo took a moment to realize they were talking about him. He believed his unique features were a divine gift, not something terrifying.
"That's rude of you to say!"
"If you're a villager, use the restroom!"
"I had no choice! I stayed at a widow's house last night. After eating her 'Cucumber Human Feast', I had a stomach upset and couldn't make it to the restroom in time!"
Lureia looked confused, while Xia Mi appeared disgusted.
Realizing he'd said too much, Theo sat down at a distant bench.
Lureia, still trying to comprehend that Theo was a human villager, turned to Xia Mi, "What is a 'Cucumber Human Feast'? And who is this widow?"
"…"
"You two seem close."
Theo nodded earnestly, "Very close. We share everything!"
"We're not."
"Not close? Just four days ago, you were discussing sheep with me!"
"Why were you at the widow's house, Theo?"
"I couldn't help it. She said there was a rat in her house and asked for my assistance. After I helped her, she insisted I stay for dinner. Then she seduced me..." Theo regretfully slapped his thigh, "I got trapped in her house. I'm such an idiot."
"You should know better than to fall for the same trick!"
"Xia Mi, don't change the subject! Why do you know this villager? And what were you discussing about sheep? It sounds so confusing!"
"I can't help it if she was the first to recognize my good looks. I need to leave; she said I left something at her place."
"It's obviously another trap!"
Theo exaggeratedly described their previous encounters, emphasizing his close relationship with Xia Mi.
Lureia persistently sought confirmation, while Xia Mi continuously tried to distance himself from Theo.
Watching the trio's animated discussion by the bonfire, Elder Lugo smiled warmly. The exuberance of youth was truly infectious.
As the night progressed and the bonfire's flames dwindled, the villagers departed one by one. By around ten, the village was silent.
Under a starry sky, Lureia, who hadn't eaten any meat, felt her stomach protesting. Exhausted and hungry, she returned to her inn room. She flopped onto the bed and waited. But no knock came. Xia Mi had probably forgotten their conversation and gone home.
She sighed, thinking, Demon Kings are all the same.