On the way to their hotel room, Ryn and Elysia didn't say much. But they both tacitly prepared for a big fight.
Upon arriving in the room, Ryn immediately checked the layout, removing and destroying any electronic devices he could find. Then he sat by the window and began to observe the situation outside.
Elysia locked the door behind her as she entered, then put down her large backpack. She took out her small, foldable bow and assembled it. At the same time, she began to count her un-tipped arrows, then put them in her quiver and slung it over her back, holding the bow tightly in her hand, ready for battle.
Ryn withdrew his gaze from the outside. He had just seen the people from the lobby hurry out. From their expressions of fear mixed with excitement, it wasn't hard to tell they were up to something.
But he didn't have any money. Even if this rundown hotel wanted to murder and rob them, what could they possibly get from him?
"Huh, you know archery?" Ryn looked at Elysia in surprise, walking over to her and sizing her up.
"I was wondering, although you're very cute, you're a bit different from the little elf in my mind… It turns out the bow was what was missing!"
"Hmph hmph! An elf and a bow are a 100% match~" Little Ely proudly puffed out her chest, her hands on her hips, getting cocky again.
Ryn flicked the frequently arrogant little cutie on the forehead, then brought a wet towel to wipe the dust from her face.
"Ely, how's your archery?"
"Uh, well…"
Elysia deflated like a leaky balloon and scratched her head awkwardly.
"I'm fine with stationary target practice… but…"
"Got it, you learned archery as a hobby, right?"
"Mhm… pretty much. I taught myself from a book."
Elysia nodded. She had only tried to learn archery because she thought it looked cool. But with no one to teach her, she could only learn by mimicking what she saw in books.
No systematic learning, all relying on natural talent…
"That's still very good. At least much better than me when I was a child~"
Ryn lay on the bed and praised her.
When he was little Ely's age, all he knew was how to cry out loud when he was unhappy! How could he have learned archery and traveled the world alone…
Oh my, thinking about it, little Ely is super well-behaved! I wonder if my future children will be as obedient, well-behaved, and cute as little Ely?
"Ely, the villagers here are not right. Their minds are a bit chaotic. Stick close to me later and don't run around."
"Okay."
Knock, knock, knock—
Just as Elysia finished speaking, there was a knock on the door.
Little Ely immediately raised her bow, looked at Ryn, and her eyes asked what to do next.
Ryn pulled little Ely over, then picked up one of her un-tipped arrows, thought for a moment, and then gave it back to her.
"Put the bow down. I'll handle whatever happens. A child just needs to stay optimistic and happy~"
Ryn opened the door. Outside was the waiter carrying the three dinner servings Ryn had ordered earlier.
"Sir, here is the dinner you ordered."
"Bring it in."
"Of course."
The waiter entered the room pushing the cart, a professional but fake smile on his face.
After respectfully arranging the dinner, he looked around the room and then said to Ryn.
"Well then, I won't disturb your rest any longer. I'll be taking my leave."
"Mm…"
After the waiter left, Ryn's tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and a happy smile appeared on his face.
Seeing Ryn suddenly smile, Elysia thought he had ruled out any problems with the hotel staff and asked curiously.
"What is it, what is it? Is there no problem?"
"No, there's a big problem. But it's not a problem anymore."
Ryn sat cheerfully at the dining table, looking at the three dinner servings.
"All three dishes are poisoned, but it's not a fatal poison, just a drug that makes people lose their strength. How interesting. I wasn't even planning on going on a killing spree, but on the first day, someone tries to drug me."
Ryn was amused by the hotel staff. He had been thinking about helping Elysia build confidence in her elf ears. But then this happened. So now what, should he tell Ely to kill everyone who has bad intentions about her ears?
Better not. That wouldn't be good for a child…
"Poisoned? Then what should we do… Eat mine! I still have some food here."
Elysia looked greedily at the delicious food on the table, then sighed regretfully like a little adult and turned to rummage through her backpack.
By the time she took out a few crackers to give to Ryn, she saw that he was already devouring his food with great gusto, eating very happily…
"Ah?! Spit it out! Don't eat it!" Elysia ran over in a panic, covering Ryn's mouth and trying to dig out what he had eaten.
"Isn't it poisoned? You can't eat it!"
"Silly, if you know it's poisoned, how could I not know? I've already dealt with it, so eat up!"
Ryn pushed a serving of dinner that he had remade with the power of Creation in front of Elysia.
Elysia looked at the dinner, then looked up at Ryn, her face showing complete disbelief.
"If you're hungry, eat it yourself. If you're not, then you can just keep doubting."
Ryn didn't explain further. Elysia wouldn't be able to understand the principles of Creation right now, so it would be pointless to explain.
He picked up another serving of dinner and placed it next to the Volibear doll.
Then he turned to Ely and said, "In about half an hour, they'll probably attack us. Hurry up and eat. We need to be full to have the strength to beat their heads in."
"Uh… okay. I trust you."
Elysia picked up her fork with a look of someone facing death and began to quickly eat her dinner.
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Some things, once started, can only drag others down with them, with no turning back.
The small town, which had only shown scattered lights when Ryn and the others arrived, was now completely alive. Every house was brightly lit, with figures moving about.
Dozens, hundreds of figures in black robes and hoods, holding various weapons like shovels, pitchforks, and clubs, emerged from their homes in unison.
They kept their heads down, no one communicating with each other, and no one leading them. But they all knew where they were going and what they had to do.
All the lights in the hotel were now on, illuminating the lobby and corridors brightly.
Some people surrounded the outside of the hotel, while others walked inside, heading towards Ryn and Elysia's room.