Chapter 6

『Pii... giiii...』

By giving Baum the premium water, it seemed to perk up a bit.

It was trembling more than ever, looking even more adorable.

『Pigipigipigipipipigiiii...』

Baum, shaking vigorously from side to side.

It might be a bit too energetic, but it's a hundred times better than being listless.

Its body, which had been slightly darkened a while ago, had now turned transparent, and you could see right through it.

"That's good."

I stroked Baum's head? It felt a bit cold but was soft and squishy, which felt nice.

『Pigi』

Baum wrapped itself around my leg.

Was it trying to express gratitude?

"Haha, don't worry about it!"

Man, this is so soothing.

Is this what they call slime therapy?

After playing with Baum for a while, Daidarian returned after finishing the dissection.

"Mr. Alberto, I'm done with the wyvern's dissection."

"Great, good job. I've already given it some water."

"Thank you. By the way, what about Baum... What is that!?"

Daidarian's gaze was fixed on Baum, which had grown to about ten times its original size.

"Hey, hey, don't call your friend 'that.'"

"You're right, I'm sorry... But why is it so big!?"

A typical slime is about one cubic meter in volume, but Baum was now about ten cubic meters.

By the way, I described it in terms of volume because slimes can change shape, so length isn't a good measure.

"Oh, I gave it the premium water, and it turned out like this. Don't worry, it should stabilize back to its original size soon."

"Is... is that so? Well, as long as it's back to its usual self and healthy. Hmm? ...Oh, you're happy, that's good."

It seemed Baum had communicated telepathically with Daidarian.

I'm glad it's happy, but I feel a bit left out.

After about ten minutes, Baum returned to its normal size.

"Are you okay now? Then, Baum, can you detoxify the wyvern?"

『Pigii...』

Following Daidarian's instructions, the newly rejuvenated Baum began to envelop the entire body of the wyvern, which had had its organs removed.

"Wow..."

It was a very surreal scene.

Baum was completely covering the wyvern's body.

It felt almost maternal.

I don't have a mother, but if I did, it might be something like this.

Baum, which was originally blue, gradually turned purple.

After about thirty minutes, it seemed the detoxification was complete, and Baum slowly pulled away from the wyvern's flesh...

『Pupe』

It then separated a red liquid from its body, turning back to its original blue color.

That was probably the poison.

"That's it, the detoxification is complete, and it was much faster than usual."

"Really?"

"Yes, it usually takes over two hours... Ah, I see, it's in top form after recovering."

It seemed Baum had communicated telepathically again.

"Telepathy is so convenient, I wish I could learn it too."

"Well, thanks to this, we can live in harmony with other demons. But, Mr. Alberto, you can use magic, so that's good enough..."

"I guess so."

Demons have innate abilities, such as telepathy, as part of their biological characteristics.

Telepathy is a power that only members of that species can use.

Species without such abilities need to coexist with others.

It likely developed over time as a means of communication for self-protection.

On the other hand, higher-ranked species can use magic, but they often lack the convenience of innate abilities like telepathy.

Most innate abilities are offensive in nature.

(You can't have it all, I guess.)

"Thanks for everything."

"No, thank you."

Even with the condition of Baum's recovery, they did a good job.

At least we can have a proper meal now.

"Well... then, let's go."

With the task completed, Daidarian called Baum over and slung his bag over his shoulder.

He thanked us and turned to leave.

"Huh?"

What's this... aren't we eating together?

"Hey, wait, aren't you eating?"

Daidarian looked at me with wide, surprised eyes.

"Wh-what? Is... is it okay?"

"No, I didn't think you would... Do you have food?"

"We don't have any on hand, but if we walk west for half a day, we can find edible plants."

"So you don't have any now. Then eat with us. We have plenty, and it's lonely eating alone."

"Um, wyvern meat is extremely high-end. Are you sure? I only helped with the dissection, it feels like I'm taking advantage of your kindness..."

"I said it's fine, so it's fine. Eat up. If you have something urgent, that's different, but..."

"But..."

"Thanks to you, we didn't eat the poison. That's a good enough reason to provide food."

"Mr. Alberto... Thank you, I'll accept your offer."

"Then let's eat..."

"Huh, are you going to eat it like that?"

"Is... is it not okay?"

When I tried to eat the detoxified meat, I was stopped again.

Is he trying to drag this out?

He's not going to say we have to eat it together or something, right?

"It's not that it's not okay, but since it's wyvern meat, it's better grilled."

"Oh... right, but I can't use fire magic."

"Don't worry, I'll start the fire. I picked up some firestones on the way, thinking they might come in handy."

Firestones are magical stones that can produce a small-scale fire spell, Fire, which is low in power but very convenient.

They'll be useful on the journey.

What a capable kid... Good job, goblin boy.

I thought the same when he identified the poison. He has good survival skills, maybe I'm just lacking...

I need to learn more about useful knowledge for travel.

Daidarian gathered some twigs and dried leaves and started the fire with the firestone.

The fire crackled and grew, and smoke rose into the sky.

It was already night.

"Sorry to leave this to you, but can you at least let me handle the grilling?"

I should help a bit.

I cut the wyvern meat into manageable pieces and started grilling it over the fire.

It feels awkward if I don't help.

Maybe it's a leftover habit from helping with alchemy when I was born...

It might taste better if I put in some effort.

"No, you can handle this... I think."

"What, what's wrong now?"

Again? Don't scare me like that, you've been surprising me too much since we met.

Thanks to you, I'm on edge too.

"Is... is it okay?"

Daidarian's gaze was not on the grilling wyvern meat...

But on my hand, which had been burned along with the meat because I grabbed it directly.

"..."

"..."

Ah, I see. This is a bit much.

At least make a skewer with the twigs you collected. There's a limit to how lazy you can be.

Grabbing wyvern meat with your bare hands, are you an idiot?

The heat resistance kept my hand from burning, but it was covered in wyvern juices.

The fat was very unpleasant...

"Sorry, can I leave the rest to you?"

If I push myself, I might mess up again.

I need to know my limits.

"Yes, please leave it all to me."

Daidarian looked tired.

He's telling me not to do anything unnecessary.

Everyone has their strengths.

Since it will take some time for the meat to cook, I decided to play with Baum while we wait.