Part one hundred forty nine — Lord Slime

　Ace, midway through his own meal, paused, studying it with sudden, genuine confusion.

　"Why does this dish have the appearance of a slime?"

　"Wait," Kai said, sitting up properly. "Did you just say slime? Why does that word feel familiar—"

　He paused.

　Then brightened.

　"Oh! From that anime. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime."

　"Slimes are the weakest monster to ever exist," Nyxara said, matter-of-fact.

　"Weakest?" Kai said, genuinely affronted on someone's behalf. "Rimuru's not weak, though."

　"Who's Rimuru?" Eris asked.

　"From that anime," Kai said. "I loved it, back home."

　"What's an anime?" Elaine asked again, patient.

　"You said ameni," Nyxara pointed out.

　"It's anime," Kai corrected, already a little too invested in the correction.

　"Anyway — you said this slime wasn't weak?" Nyxara asked.

　"He wasn't," Kai confirmed, with the total conviction of someone several drinks deep.

　"Why do you keep saying 'he'?" Elaine asked.

　"Show some respect," Kai said, mock offended.

　"To who?" Enzo asked.

　"The slime. Obviously."

　Ivy studied him carefully.

　"Lord Kai, is it possible the drink has gotten to you?"

　"No," Kai said, immediately.

　Then, less immediately—

　"Wait — no, it hasn't. Or — anyway, you understand."

　"He's completely wasted," Nyxara said, delighted.

　"Agreed," Eris said, fond, watching his eyes start to droop.

　He tipped sideways without much further warning, landing against Eris's shoulder, already half-asleep.

　Even then, he continued murmuring with total, drunken sincerity.

　"Show some respect... to the greatest slime of all time... Lord Slime..."

　"Who's Lord Slime?" Elaine asked, genuinely baffled.

　"Since when did a slime have a title?" Ivy asked.

　"I don't know," Enzo said, sighing. "Don't ask me."