Chapter 68
Earlier
The dining car of the Astral Express was alive with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of plates as Yuri, Dan Heng, Topaz, Welt, Zhongli, Venti, Noelle, Xiangling, Clara, and Himeko gathered for a lively dinner. The long wooden table was adorned with steaming dishes, courtesy of Xiangling, who had outdone herself yet again.
Yuri leaned back in his chair, surveying the feast. "Xiangling, I don't know how you do it, but you've managed to make this train feel like home."
Xiangling beamed. "Cooking is an art, and the train is my canvas!" She pointed at a sizzling plate of stir-fried meat. "This one's a special dish inspired by Himeko's love for spice. I call it 'Flames of Shamash.'"
Himeko laughed, picking up her chopsticks. "If it's named after the Judgment of Shamash, it better have enough heat to scorch a planet."
Topaz raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I don't know if I trust your spice tolerance. Last time, you had tears in your eyes."
"Lies! That was from the sheer joy of eating!" Himeko declared dramatically, taking a bite. A second later, she froze, her face turning red. "Okay, maybe it's a little much."
Welt chuckled, setting down his tea. "Himeko, are you about to lose to a plate of food?"
Dan Heng smirked. "The great Himeko, felled by spice. A true tragedy indeed."
"Oh, shut up and eat your plain rice, Dan Heng!" Himeko shot back, gulping down water.
Clara, ever the gentle one, was focused on slicing a piece of meat for Svarog, who had stationed himself beside her. "Is it really that spicy?" she asked innocently, handing the plate over to Svarog.