Faced with everyone's concern,
Ei simply waved her hand lightly and explained patiently, "No need to worry. I just want to conserve some energy."
"Although I've gathered some information beforehand, unexpected situations can arise at any moment. I must preserve my strength and be ready for anything."
"Even if there are more powerful monsters lurking nearby, I need enough power to deal with them."
"Whoa~"
Paimon suddenly understood. "Ei really is a seasoned general, isn't she~"
Paimon and Lumine bought Ei's excuse.
But Lin Mo didn't believe a single word.
A demon god was one of the most terrifying combat forces in this world.
Not to mention someone as powerful as Ei.
Even a weaker demon god like Guizhong or Havria could deal with Rifthounds effortlessly.
But since Ei didn't want to explain,
Lin Mo decided not to press the issue at an awkward time.
He would save his questions for after the Sacred Sakura tree matter was resolved.
So Lin Mo turned his head, looked toward the tree roots, and said flatly, " These roots seem even more damaged this time. "
"Hey~ Light is coming out again!" Paimon exclaimed.
An old man with blindfolded eyes appeared in the void.
The moment she saw the old man, Ei's expression shifted slightly.
She walked toward the old man's lingering soul and asked uncertainly, "Are you... Furuyama?"
"Hm?"
The blindfolded old man's voice carried a hint of surprise.
He then turned toward Ei's voice and said hesitantly, "Is that you, General?"
"Didn't you head off to the distant battlefield?"
"Why... have you returned?"
Hearing Furuyama's words,
Everyone immediately understood that this old man was also one of the souls who had perished five hundred years ago.
Ei turned to the group and introduced him. "Allow me to introduce you. This is Furuyama, a tea master who has always served me."
"Furuyama cannot see, but he possesses a taste far beyond ordinary people."
"The tea he brews is among the finest in Inazuma."
Receiving Ei's praise,
Furuyama humbly replied, "You flatter me. I merely stayed by the General's side for so long that practice made perfect."
"It sounds like the General has brought guests."
"Given the current situation, I'm afraid I can't offer you all proper tea and refreshments."
"But if you don't mind, please sit and rest for a while."
As he spoke, Furuyama couldn't help but sigh. " After all... the outside has already fallen into chaos...
"
"Uh... yeah~"
Paimon quickly chimed in. "Outside, there are beasts everywhere, it's pitch black, and many people are injured."
The other three knew immediately that Paimon was trying to follow Furuyama's lead, hoping to learn more about the past.
"So that's how it is... It's already reached here, huh."
Furuyama's voice seemed heavy. He continued, "Most of the nearby residents have already fled."
"They wanted to take me with them, but I felt it was pointless, so I didn't go."
"After all, the General is here. I have no reason to run."
"If this is something even the General cannot change, then where could I possibly run to?"
...
"Hey, why aren't you panicking at all?"
Paimon was puzzled.
Unlike the soldiers they had encountered earlier,
This old man was remarkably calm, showing none of the panic others displayed in the face of disaster.
Furuyama continued, "Running is for survival."
"Wanting to survive means there are still unfinished matters in life."
"As for me... I just don't have that kind of thought, nor do I have any regrets."
"When the General drank tea, she would often share her dreams with me."
"Listening to her stories..."
"Even I, blind for so many years, felt as if I had personally traveled through Inazuma's most beautiful mountains and seas."
"Over time, I gradually came to understand her romantic and dreamy ideals..."
"Romantic and dreamy ideals? What are they?"
Paimon asked curiously.
Ei's eyes were also filled with emotion, and she couldn't help but recall those days.
Because only Ei knew the truth.
Furuyama was not her tea master—she didn't even like drinking tea.
His true identity was the tea master of her sister, Raiden Makoto.
Furuyama continued, "She always said: All beautiful things change and fade with time, so in life, one must seize the moment to enjoy them without regrets."
"So, even if the situation is dire, I have already experienced countless wonders. I have nothing to be dissatisfied with..."
"Perhaps... that's true..."
Ei nodded quietly.
Furuyama then turned to Ei and said with emotion, "Soon, I will have to bid farewell to you, General..."
"What a pity... I won't get to see the Inazuma you rebuild after this catastrophe."
"But that's fine... Everyone says Inazuma has turned black."
"Yet in my eyes, Inazuma has always been black."
"After the catastrophe, there will surely be new life..."
"Besides, even if I survived until then, I'd just be an old blind man who doesn't appreciate beauty. Hahaha... forget it."
Furuyama's kind, self-deprecating smile plunged everyone into silence.
Because unlike the soldiers before,
From his words, it was clear that Furuyama already knew he had passed away.
Still conscious, yet already a departed soul—how sorrowful was that?
And yet, he was still trying to comfort and cheer everyone up, using self-mockery to lighten the mood.
But...
Everyone's hearts remained heavy.
Sensing their mood, Furuyama quickly changed the subject. "Ah, my apologies. How absent-minded of me."
"The General honors me with her presence, and yet there is no tea. How improper."
"I've been rambling on, but I haven't even served the tea yet."
With that, the old man pretended to turn around. "Wait a moment, let me... Hm? Where is it? Could it be that it's time for us to leave? Did it break?"
"No? It should be right at hand..."
Furuyama looked troubled. "This is truly... embarrassing in front of the General and the esteemed guests..."
"We know where the tea set is~"
Paimon said anxiously.
"How could I let the guests fetch it themselves? That would be a grave breach of etiquette~"
Furuyama feigned panic.
But Lin Mo could clearly see the faint, bitter smile tugging at the corner of Furuyama's mouth.
Seeing this, Lin Mo and Ei understood.
Ever since the topic of tea came up, everyone had been led by Furuyama's words.
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T/N:
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