"But humans can't survive at excessively high body temperatures, so they sweat to carry away the internal heat and stabilize their temperature."
"So that means your hand currently holds enormous energy, right?" Ayaka asked.
"Mm, the rapid movement of the electro element has raised the temperature of my palm. But don't worry, a Archon won't be harmed by a little heat."
This amount of heat wouldn't affect her. The electro element she unleashed when fighting the Balladeer was far more terrifying than this.
Of course, too high was still unacceptable. With her excellent control, her body wouldn't become excessively hot. After all, she was the Archon of Electro, not the Archon of Pyro.
Probably, when the Pyro Archon of Natlan fought, it would be like...
Damn it, it's on fire!
Then their whole body would be engulfed in flames as hot as the sun—something like 'Flowing Blade of Flame'.
"It's fine as long as you're okay. My hair can air-dry naturally; there's no need to harm yourself for it."
Hearing there would be no harm, Ayaka felt relieved. She had initially been a bit worried about this, but after Shiki's explanation, those concerns vanished.
If a normal person said this, she definitely wouldn't believe it. But Shiki was a Archon! As a deity, things that seemed impossible for ordinary people were perfectly reasonable for her.
In fact, if she couldn't do it, *that* would be unreasonable.
For example, it was normal for a Archon to alter terrain or weather on a large scale; the Seven Archons could all do that.
But if you claimed to be a Archon and couldn't do it, could you even be called a Archon?
With Shiki acting as a human heating pad, Ayaka's hair dried quickly, though it became a bit frizzy.
But that was fine; a little smoothing would fix it.
"Ta-da! How is it? Dry, right?"
"It really is dry... This is the first time my hair has dried so quickly after washing."
Ayaka stroked her smooth white hair, feeling a sense of wonder. Every other time she washed her hair, it took two hours to air-dry!
"From now on, it can always be this fast," Shiki said.
It was just a pity the current industrial level was too low; otherwise, she'd definitely make a hairdryer.
She had no idea how to make motors or rotors, and Teyvat didn't have plastic... No, it wasn't even certain if there was petroleum.
Synthesizing plastic required petroleum. Without petroleum, plastic was just a pipe dream.
It seemed that for a considerable time to come, she would have to be the human heater.
However, Shiki's offhand remark made Ayaka blush slightly.
'Always this fast from now on... Does that mean Shiki will be by my side every time I bathe?'
"Alright, now that your hair is dry, can we go for that late-night snack? It's been ages since I had one."
As she spoke, Shiki stretched. While soaking in the bath, she had already decided: next, she was going for skewers!
Perhaps this was the biggest difference between her and the original Shiki. The one in Misaki City made do with mineral water and sandwiches every day, but Shiki refused to settle for less whenever conditions allowed.
Whether it was Japanese cuisine, Chinese food, or even Western fare, both her taste buds and stomach had to be fully satisfied.
When she first arrived and was broke, she ate Onigiri and various cold side dishes every day. Now that she had money, shouldn't she treat herself to something good?
Of course, she hadn't forgotten Tejima. Someone delivered various ingredients to him daily.
Originally, Shiki thought of just giving him Mora, but Tejima, that stubborn old man, firmly refused. Left with no choice, she could only send ingredients.
Because if you didn't eat this stuff, it would spoil—especially meat. If delivered at noon and not eaten, it would go bad by evening, not even needing until the next day.
Tejima had no choice. Every day, he could only reluctantly eat heartily, as waste was shameful!
After slipping on her geta, Shiki and Ayaka arrived in Inazuma City, heading straight for Uyuu Restaurant!
Besides traditional Japanese cuisine, Uyuu Restaurant also served various fried skewers. Though not charcoal-grilled, they tasted quite good.
'Hmm... Should I discuss with the owner about adding some charcoal grilling?'
Walking on the streets of Inazuma City, Shiki couldn't help but think this.
It seemed feasible. After all, it was just adding another stove. At worst, she could have Okazaki Rikuto add it to the menu under the guise of investment.
What was the power of money?
If that didn't work, she could directly fund someone to open one herself—using her personal Mora, of course. With millions in Mora from her manuscripts, couldn't she manage a barbecue joint?
"Oh my, if it isn't Lady Ryougi and the White Heron Princess! Your simultaneous arrival truly brings honor to my humble establishment!"
Okazaki Rikuto, who was about to have someone cover his shift so he could sleep, instantly perked up upon seeing the two girls.
"Boss Okazaki, skip the formalities. We're here for a late-night snack. Please serve us the best fried skewers Uyuu Restaurant has."
"Don't worry, I can finish it."
As if afraid Okazaki Rikuto might think she would waste food, Shiki specifically added.
"Alright, alright, no problem! Please, come inside!"
As he spoke, Okazaki Rikuto was about to lead them to a private room, but Shiki declined.
"Eh, the booth here is just fine."
Normally, Shiki would head straight for a private room without a second thought.
But this was for skewers! The lively atmosphere of the main hall was perfect for the vibe.
"Uh... Are you sure?"
Okazaki Rikuto wondered if he had misheard. This person, who usually went straight for private rooms, actually wanted to dine in the main hall?
"Sure. Now hurry up and prepare the skewers; I'm hungry."
"Alright, if you think it's fine, then it's no problem."
Okazaki Rikuto went to the kitchen to prepare the dishes. Sitting in the booth, Shiki watched the busy figures in the kitchen and felt something was missing.
"Shiki... Is it unhealthy for us to eat fried skewers so late?" Ayaka whispered.
"Oh, it's fine. It's only just past eleven; not late at all."
"But... I might gain weight..."
To maintain a good image, Ayaka had to keep a good figure. Her daily meals were carefully planned.
Four meals a day was already over the limit, let alone fried skewers, which easily caused weight gain.
"It's okay. Once you learn immortal techniques later, you won't need to worry about these things."
"Remember that woman, Flowing Breeze and Borrowing Clouds? She loves eating but isn't fat at all, right?"
"Well... Alright..."
Hearing Shiki's seemingly reasonable persuasion, Ayaka also let her guard down. Besides, it was just one late-night snack; it probably wouldn't make her gain weight.
"Honored guests, here are your fried skewers!"
Okazaki Rikuto emerged from the kitchen carrying two plates. Judging by the familiar shape, it was probably squid?
And at that moment, Shiki finally remembered what she had forgotten.
Chili powder and cumin!
Thinking this, Shiki immediately stood up from her seat, left a "Be right back," and vanished from Uyuu Restaurant in a flash of lightning.
"Uh..."
Okazaki Rikuto was utterly bewildered. What happened? The food was served, so why did she leave?
Meanwhile, at Wanmin Restaurant in Liyue Harbor
"Whew, finally done. Every time the Moonchase Festival comes around, it's exhausting!"
Chef Mao stretched his sore back. Having cooked from eight in the morning until ten at night, he felt his hands weren't his own anymore.
Now all the customers had left, as Wanmin Restaurant didn't offer late-night service.
But just as Chef Mao was about to lock up, a bolt of lightning suddenly burst through the door, knocking him to the ground.
"Ouch!"
Chef Mao only saw a flash of golden light, and then he was lying on the ground. By the time he got up, the other party had vanished, and the door was closed again.
"This… am I seeing things from exhaustion?"
Chef Mao rubbed his eyes. It seemed he couldn't keep doing this.
Thinking this, Chef Mao locked the door, then turned around and was completely stunned.
Clatter.
The key in his hand fell to the ground. Why was the seasoning area so messy? Hadn't he just tidied it up?
"Holy crap, it's haunted!"
Chef Mao immediately burst out with a speed far exceeding his youth, escaping Wanmin Restaurant through the window. Now, he was immensely grateful for his habit of closing the windows at the end of the day.
Otherwise, wouldn't he be in grave danger today?
Moreover, his daughter Xiangling wasn't here today. Xiangling, with her Vision, might even be able to fight this "ghost."
But he was just a chef; what else could he do besides cooking?
Cook a meal for this ghost?
'Oh dear… what should I do?'
"That's right! Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, they should have a way!"
Chef Mao's eyes lit up, and he immediately ran towards Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
At this moment, Shiki had already returned to Uyuu Restaurant with jueyun chili powder and cumin. She had no idea that she had once again been mistaken for a ghost.
Since it was skewers, chili and cumin were definitely indispensable. However, Inazuma didn't have them, so she could only go to Liyue to get some from Chef Mao.
As for why she sought out Chef Mao…
It was simply because she went there often in the game, and definitely not out of revenge for always clicking on the Wanmin Restaurant poster!
"What… what is this?"
Okazaki Rikuto was a bit confused. You turned into lightning and disappeared just to get these two bottles of seasoning?
Ayaka was also a bit confused. Fried skewers… needed additional seasoning?
"This is chili… no, this is jueyun chili powder and cumin! They are the soul of skewered foods!"
As she spoke, Shiki liberally sprinkled a thick layer on her fried skewers.
"Hehehe, I'm digging in!"
"Mmm~ This is the taste!"
Seeing the girl's satisfied expression, Ayaka decided to try some. She knew how much her wife enjoyed food.
However, she didn't sprinkle a thick layer like Shiki. After all, she wasn't very good with spicy food like jueyun chili.
So… she'd just sprinkle half first!
Ayaka thought so, but when she put the fried skewer into her mouth, she realized how terribly wrong she was.
"Woo~ So spicy!"
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