"How is it? How is it?"
Paimon flew in front of her impatiently, her little face practically screaming, "Quick, praise Lumine!"
"...It's delicious."
Raiden Ei spoke softly, the corners of her mouth curving upward slightly.
It wasn't a conspicuous smile.
Yet it made Yae Miko, who had been secretly watching her, feel a sting in her nose; she quickly lowered her head and pretended to drink soup.
Five hundred years... this blockhead finally smiled.
Raiden Ei took another bite with her chopsticks and chewed carefully.
The flavor was quite ordinary, even a bit bland due to the simple ingredients.
But for some reason, she found it incredibly delicious.
Perhaps it was because her mood had improved.
After all, the lives of her subjects were getting better.
She was also very happy.
Raiden Ei ate very slowly and earnestly, as if performing some important ritual, wanting to firmly remember this feeling of Warmth.
"Eh?"
Sitting opposite her, Arataki Itto was wolfing down his rice. When he looked up, he happened to see Raiden Ei finish an entire piece of Tamagoyaki.
He froze, forgetting to chew the rice in his mouth, and blurted out indistinctly:
"That's weird, isn't the Shogun an individual in a Puppet body?"
"How can a Puppet eat?"
"Don't Puppets not have to use the bathroom?"
"Where does the food go?"
"Does it leak out?"
The cabin fell silent instantly.
Only the sound of Zhongli gently blowing on his tea remained.
Kuki Shinobu's face turned pale in an instant, and the chopsticks in her hand clattered onto the table.
Before she could even think, her body reacted before her brain—
Aiming at the idiot dog next to her.
Clench fist, build power, punch!
BOOM!!!
A clean, decisive uppercut!
"Waaah!"
Arataki Itto let out a scream of pain as his entire face was slammed downward by the brute force!
CLANG!
His face smashed solidly into the large bowl in front of him, which was still half-full of Miso Soup and rice.
Soup splashed everywhere, rice grains stuck all over his face, and a few pieces of kelp hung from his prominent Red Oni Horns, swaying comically as he lifted his head.
"Just eat your food!"
Kuki Shinobu withdrew her fist, her face flushed red, almost shouting with a trembling voice:
"The Shogun's divine power is peerless and unfathomable!"
"Is there anything she cannot do?!"
"How can a stupid oni like you presume to speculate?!"
After she finished, she immediately turned toward Raiden Ei and bowed deeply, her voice filled with trepidation:
"Please forgive him, Almighty Shogun! This stupid oni has a loose tongue and meant no offense! I will definitely discipline him properly when we return!"
Raiden Ei slowly raised her head, looked at the dazed Arataki Itto with rice and soup on his face, and then at Kuki Shinobu, who looked like she wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.
She was silent for two seconds, then, very calmly and naturally, she picked up another piece of fried fish and put it in her mouth.
"No matter."
She chewed, her voice flat:
"This body resides high in Tenshukaku and rarely appears in Inazuma."
"It is only natural to be misunderstood by my subjects."
"Very well, I shall explain."
"This body does not need to excrete, because everything consumed by this body is converted into energy."
Arataki Itto, looking like a mess, stared blankly at Raiden Ei before suddenly letting out a silly chuckle and wiping his face haphazardly:
"So that's how it is! The Shogun is truly awesome!"
"What about drinks then? Do they turn into waste or energy?"
Kuki Shinobu closed her eyes in despair.
He's hopeless. This guy is completely beyond saving.
"Pfft..."
Paimon was the first who couldn't hold it in, clutching her stomach and laughing in the air.
Lumine couldn't help but turn her face away, her shoulders shaking slightly.
Clorinde's lip twitched.
Then she silently picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth, hiding her wildly upturned lips.
Lynette remained quiet, but her cat ears twitched happily and incessantly.
Zhongli put down his teacup, a hint of a smile appearing in his golden eyes.
He steered the conversation away from the somewhat unsavory topic, saying leisurely, "Inazuma's Chazuke tastes quite good, and the Traveler's skill is even more exceptional. The rice soaked in the broth is truly a unique flavor."
King watched this chaotic yet strangely heartwarming scene, picked up his chopsticks, and took a piece of grilled meat.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, cooked just right.
He looked at the slightly embarrassed Lumine and nodded.
"It's very delicious."
Lumine's cheeks turned even redder. She lowered her head to eat in small bites, but the smile in her eyes couldn't be hidden.
Dainsleif sat a bit further away, quietly eating the food in front of him.
The coldness and loneliness of the Abyss seemed far removed by the Warmth in this noisy cabin.
He picked up the Miso Soup and took a sip.
A very ordinary taste.
But, it was good.
The sunlight outside was just right, and the sea surface sparkled.
The Fontaine fleet was anchored quietly, like a protective barrier.
Inazuma's future might be full of challenges.
But at least at this moment, everyone's heart was full of hope.
A journey is just like this.
Solving massive troubles on one hand.
Eating warm meals on the other.
"Uuuurp!!"
Paimon let out a long, loud burp.
She rubbed her round little belly and slumped in her chair. "Whew, stuffed! I'm stuffed! Lumine's cooking really is the best!"
Just as everyone was clearing the dishes and enjoying this rare peace,
King put down his teacup, his gaze sweeping across everyone at the table.
"The matters in Inazuma are mostly resolved. I plan to return to Fontaine."
That one sentence caused the cabin to fall silent instantly.
Raiden Ei's hand holding her chopsticks paused slightly, and she looked up at him blankly.
Yae Miko's eyes narrowed slightly, but she wasn't surprised, already calculating how to deepen the relationship with Fontaine in her heart.
"So soon?"
Paimon floated up in surprise, her little hands gripping the edge of the table. "We only just arrived in Inazuma a week ago!"
"The pre... over in Fontaine..."
"Cough, cough..."
King almost bit his tongue. "There are still many things in Fontaine that need to be handled."
"However, the Cooperation Zone in Ritou needs someone to keep an eye on it."
"Who among you is willing to stay behind?"
As soon as he finished speaking—
"I'm afraid I am not suited for the task!"
Clorinde stepped forward almost instantly, her purple eyes full of 'refusal,' her voice powerful and resonant.
"For this trip, I was appointed by Lady Furina as your guard!"
"As a guard, my duty is to protect your safety and never leave your side!"
"The sea route from Fontaine to Inazuma is long. There is no guarantee that there won't be petty criminals or sea monsters along the way. How can I leave your side at this moment?"
"That would not be an act of loyalty!"
King glanced at her helplessly.
If you don't want to stay, just say so. Does my safety really need your protection?
At the same time, another exceptionally firm voice rang out:
"Lynette is also unable to take on the task."
"As a maid, Lynette's job is to serve Master King."
Lynette bowed slightly, her pale purple cat ears drooping a little, putting on a pitiful display.
"Master's meals, daily life, itinerary, and daily chores all require someone to manage them."
"While the affairs in Ritou are important, Master cannot be without someone by his side."
After the two finished speaking, the air fell silent for a moment.
Clorinde and Lynette's gazes briefly met in the air.
In an instant, sparks flew, and 'killing intent' surged—
Better you than me; anyway, it's not going to be me staying behind!
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