Jiang Yan slowly began recounting some of his experiences from his time in Liyue.
But since he was telling stories to a child, he skipped the unpleasant parts and only shared the fun and interesting daily happenings.
It wasn't just Ruu—
Even Raiden Ei sat nearby, listening attentively.
"Whoa! A dragon!"
When Jiang Yan talked about meeting Azhdaha, Ruu gasped in amazement.
"Hey, big brother, are there really dragons in the world?!"
Children were always curious about things they hadn't seen. His eyes sparkled as he stared at Jiang Yan.
"Yes—really. The very, very big kind."
"And not just one kind, either. Some fly in the sky, some burrow into the ground…"
Jiang Yan vividly described to Ruu the vast skies and deep blue seas outside the village.
And lots of strange, curious little stories.
Ruu squealed in excitement every now and then.
Time quickly slipped into evening.
The mist surrounding the village darkened.
Ruu glanced at the sky, then said to Jiang Yan and Raiden Ei:
"Um… big brother, big sister, it's getting late. I have to go home now."
Jiang Yan nodded, and Raiden Ei said nothing.
But just as Ruu turned to leave, he suddenly shouted happily:
"Daddy! Mommy!"
Then he rushed forward.
Jiang Yan turned his head and saw two thin, hollow-faced adults standing there. When they saw Ruu running toward them, their previously vacant expressions shifted into stiff smiles.
Ruu ran up to his parents, then waved cheerfully back at Jiang Yan and Raiden Ei.
After watching Ruu disappear into the fog, Raiden Ei spoke quietly:
"This place… is very wrong."
After a full day of observation, she had long sensed the strangeness of this village—but didn't speak up while Ruu was present.
"Mm. I know."
Jiang Yan answered calmly.
He looked over the lifeless village ahead of them, lost in thought.
"All right, it's late. We should rest too."
He clapped his hands.
"Wood Release—House Formation Technique!"
Two wooden houses rose straight from the ground.
Raiden Ei, who had been about to ask where they were sleeping, swallowed her question immediately.
"You can build houses too?"
Her tone was full of surprise.
"Come on! I built an entire port—building a house is nothing, right?"
Jiang Yan laughed and walked into one of the wooden houses.
"I'll cook in a bit. I'll call you when it's ready."
"If you're bored, feel free to rest."
"…Why don't I cook instead?" Ei offered.
After all, Jiang Yan was the guest. For an Inazuman host to make the guest cook was quite improper.
The moment Jiang Yan heard that Raiden Ei wanted to cook, he shivered violently.
Let Raiden Ei cook?
Hell no.
He wasn't ready to die yet!
"Ahem… well… let's not do that."
Jiang Yan forced a stiff smile.
Cooking was absolutely unnecessary.
For her.
Raiden Ei stared at him, puzzled.
It was true she had never cooked before… but she often watched her sister cook. She was confident she'd picked up enough skill.
"Let's just leave it for today. Try my cooking first."
"We'll talk about it later. Much later."
Jiang Yan's tone was firm.
Let Raiden Ei cook?
Not happening. Ever.
Since Jiang Yan insisted, Raiden Ei didn't push further.
And Jiang Yan's cooking really was excellent.
With the support of master-level culinary skill, even simple ingredients became delicious dishes under his hands—filling up Raiden Ei's stomach and her sense of satisfaction.
The next morning.
Jiang Yan felt someone calling him.
"Jiang Yan?"
"Jiang Yan!"
"…"
"Mnh… Ei? What's wrong…?"
His brain wasn't fully awake yet. When he recognized the person standing over him, he blinked in confusion.
But for some reason, he could feel the anger radiating from Raiden Ei's face.
"Come with me. Now!"
She didn't wait for him to react. She grabbed his hand and dragged him outside.
"H-hey—slow down! Let me wake up first!"
Jiang Yan's voice echoed farther and farther away.
Moshiri Festival Grounds
A young boy sat on the ground, limbs bound.
"Grandpa Village Chief… do you think Lord Thunderbird will really like Ruu?"
Ruu looked nervous. He was afraid he wouldn't do well enough, and that Lord Thunderbird would become angry.
"Ruu, you're a good child."
The village chief reached out his withered hand and stroked Ruu's head.
"Lord Thunderbird likes you very much. Offering you as a sacrifice to win its favor is the most suitable choice."
"Really?"
Ruu brightened. As a child, he had no idea what kind of suffering awaited him.
"Of course it's true. So Ruu must behave, all right…?"
The village chief smiled as he stroked Ruu's cheek—like he was admiring a beautiful piece of merchandise.
"Yes, Grandpa Village Chief!"
Suddenly, Ruu remembered something. His expression dimmed.
"But… but I didn't bring Lord Thunderbird a new song yet…"
"Grandpa Village Chief… can you wait until I finish the song before sacrificing Ruu?"
The village chief slowly withdrew his smile.
"My dear Ruu, I know your good intentions. But compared to your singing… Lord Thunderbird will like your body even more, don't you think?"
Ruu nodded blankly.
Ignorant of what awaited him—
Ignorant of the pain of being cut thousands of times,
Ignorant of bleeding out on the altar.
"All right, it's getting late."
"It's time to begin the ritual."
Ruu wanted to ask more, but the village chief suddenly patted his head, then shouted to the villagers:
"Prepare the sacrifice!"
"Yes, Village Chief!"
"For Lord Thunderbird—offer the sacrifice!"
The villagers shouted fanatically, their faces full of madness.
Ruu was lifted and carried onto the sacrificial platform.
His limbs were bound by ropes, stretching him into a large X-shaped posture above the altar.
Below him, the villagers danced and chanted with feverish devotion.
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