"I didn't expect Raiden Ei would personally entertain us."
After Ei left, Lumine couldn't help sighing in amazement as she sat in the reception room.
She and Paimon had already traveled through three nations.
This was the first time they'd ever received treatment like this.
In Mondstadt, they had helped deal with Stormterror.
In Liyue, they had assisted with the Rite of Parting.
Inazuma really was different.
They hadn't even done anything yet...
And the Electro Archon was already treating them so warmly.
Warmly?
In the original story, the moment Lumine stepped out of Tenshukaku...
The Raiden Shogun greeted her with the Musou no Hitotachi.
If Lumine knew that...
Who knew what expression she'd be wearing right now?
"Yeah, yeah!"
"I wonder what she's going to treat us to."
"It has to be something delicious, right?"
Paimon nodded enthusiastically, already fantasizing about the feast.
As the god of Inazuma...
Surely she wouldn't serve anything ordinary.
Otherwise, it wouldn't match her status.
"Maybe she cooked it herself."
"Then you're in for a real treat."
Lumine grinned as she pinched Paimon's cheek.
The moment food was mentioned...
The little glutton became excited again.
"Hmph!"
"I've already eaten food personally cooked by the boss."
"Everyone else's cooking is nothing compared to that!"
Paimon folded her arms proudly.
Wasn't the boss even stronger than the Electro Archon?
And as for cooking...
There was simply no comparison.
Nobody could surpass the boss.
Could Raiden Ei make dishes that literally glowed?
Paimon certainly didn't believe so.
Lumine simply smiled without replying.
She thought exactly the same thing.
The two continued chatting in the reception room, discussing where to play that afternoon while quietly waiting.
Meanwhile...
Inside the kitchen...
After breaking more than a dozen bowls and pots...
Ei finally succeeded in completing her masterpiece.
"Whew..."
"The tri-color dango is finally finished."
She wiped the sweat from her forehead and let out a long sigh.
This was even more exhausting than fighting a war.
It had been so long since she'd cooked that she'd become rusty.
Fortunately...
She had finally managed to finish.
"...Are you sure that's tri-color dango?"
Inside the Plane of Euthymia...
The Raiden Shogun stared at the food on the table with a face full of question marks.
It was true...
There were two skewers.
But...
Where were the three colors?
Normal tri-color dango should be pink, white, and green.
Yours...
Were completely black.
What exactly happened?
And the surface was cracked and rough.
Were you really certain people could eat something like this?
"...Although the appearance isn't very good..."
"...Actually... the smell wasn't great either."
Ei awkwardly sniffed the "dango."
But after remembering her trump card...
Her confidence immediately returned.
"But I have the Delicious Seasoning!"
"It'll be fine!"
She took out the Delicious Seasoning she'd received from the manga shop.
Unscrewed the lid...
And lightly sprinkled some over both skewers.
Instantly...
Everything changed.
The strange odor vanished.
In its place...
An unbelievably rich, mouthwatering aroma filled the room.
Even Ei unconsciously swallowed twice.
She suddenly wanted to eat it herself.
But remembering it was meant for guests...
She forcibly resisted the temptation.
"The boss's reward really is incredible."
After calming herself down, Ei sighed in admiration.
It truly turned decay into magic.
Surely...
The Traveler and Paimon would love this dish.
"...Sigh."
"The boss's reward is practically helping people commit crimes."
The Raiden Shogun silently sighed as she watched Ei enthusiastically admire her creation.
Still...
She chose not to interfere.
After all...
It didn't threaten Eternity.
More importantly...
She wasn't the one who had to eat it.
So...
It wasn't her problem.
Back in the reception room...
Paimon began growing impatient.
"Lumine..."
"Why hasn't Raiden Ei come back yet?"
"She didn't blow up the kitchen, did she?"
"How could that happen?"
Lumine twitched helplessly.
She was the Electro Archon.
Even if she couldn't cook...
It shouldn't end that badly.
"Sigh..."
"Maybe we should just use the Anywhere Door and go back."
"I'm craving the boss's cooking."
Paimon sighed.
It was almost noon.
The boss and everyone else were probably already having lunch.
"Let's wait a little longer."
Lumine smiled reassuringly.
She actually wanted to leave too.
But...
This was their first visit.
Ei had personally invited them.
Leaving without saying goodbye would be rather rude.
"B-"
Before Paimon could finish...
Knock, knock.
The door opened.
Ei walked in carrying what she considered her finest dish.
The food was still covered by a lid...
So neither Lumine nor Paimon could see what was underneath.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Ei knelt before the table apologetically.
"Not at all!"
"You've worked hard!"
Paimon rubbed her tiny hands together while staring excitedly at the covered dish.
As though she'd never complained just moments ago.
The delicious aroma escaping from beneath the lid had already captivated her.
Even without seeing the food...
She was certain it would taste amazing.
That confidence came from years of experience as a foodie.
"I didn't expect Lady Ei's cooking would be this impressive."
Lumine was equally surprised by the fragrance.
While it still couldn't compare to Han Feng's cooking...
It certainly wasn't bad.
At the very least...
She herself couldn't make something like this.
"Go ahead."
"Give it a try."
Ei smiled expectantly.
"Then we won't hold back."
The impatient Paimon immediately lifted the lid.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
And then...
There was no golden glow.
No beautifully colored masterpiece.
Only...
Two completely black objects skewered on bamboo sticks.
They looked more like burned charcoal than food.
"W-What... is this?"
Paimon froze.
It was the first time she'd ever seen food like this.
This was beyond ridiculous.
It was like absurdity had knocked on absurdity's front door.
Especially since...
It was still releasing that irresistibly delicious aroma.
The contrast was simply too great.
The whole thing felt unbelievably bizarre.
Lumine quietly swallowed.
Not because she was hungry...
But because she was shocked.
Was this...
Actually edible?
She took back everything she'd thought earlier.
This wasn't a matter of cooking skill anymore.
Eating this might actually kill someone.
"Why aren't you eating?"
"I made this with great care."
Ei smiled, completely unaware of the terror on their faces.
"Uh..."
"That reminds me..."
"The boss forgot to turn off the gas stove at home!"
"...Uh, I mean—the fireplace!"
"Right, Lumine?"
Paimon frantically winked at Lumine.
There was no way she was eating this.
Running away was the only option.
"That's right! That's right!"
"The manga in Han Feng's shop is extremely important!"
"If the fire burns everything down..."
"There won't be any manga left for your next visit!"
Lumine instantly understood and immediately put on a panicked expression.
"Lady Ei, thank you so much for your hospitality!"
"If you need us next time, just call with the Super Phone!"
After hastily saying goodbye...
Lumine immediately pulled out the Anywhere Door.
Then she and Paimon fled through it without another second of hesitation.
If they stayed any longer...
They might not be able to leave.
After all...
Lady Ei...
Was just far too enthusiastic.
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