[It's only about half an hour later when they, moving carefully and keeping in the cover of overhangs and other large rock formations, do see some smoke. They still ascend higher up, keeping some distance to the village, deciding to best get an overview from above that will also offer them some protection from prying eyes.
The view they eventually get from a relatively flat overhang makes Hijikata's blood run cold. He knew that the anthropophagi were cannibals, that's the whole reason he and Somnus investigated them last year, but somehow he wasn't prepared to actually see them prepare their meals over a fireplace, as casually as people would roast pigs, and happily tearing into roasted body parts as they sit scattered in small groups making conversation.
He draws back, careful to not move too fast or too noisily, and hopes that he can avoid being sick in his helmet. Is this what livestock feels like when they're on a meadow next to a barbecue?! It's enough to seriously make him consider turning vegetarian. He needs a minute to recover enough to peek down again, this time to count the enemies.]
I see twelve, thirteen, fourteen... fifteen. That's if none are in the houses or wandering about... but they don't need to forage for food right now, and they have shelter right here.
[His voice comes out pressed and heavy. Several huts are destroyed and partly still smoldering, as Somnus predicted, but more than half are still standing. Hijikata's eyes flicker. This is too grotesque and vile to just witness; he has half a mind to unleash hell on the cannibals immediately, even if it won't help the unfortunate villagers anymore. But how strongly can he even rely on his magic right now, still subject to the after-effects of the ritual? Somnus is right in favouring a more cautious approach.]
CW: Graphic Cannibalism
The view they eventually get from a relatively flat overhang makes Hijikata's blood run cold. He knew that the anthropophagi were cannibals, that's the whole reason he and Somnus investigated them last year, but somehow he wasn't prepared to actually see them prepare their meals over a fireplace, as casually as people would roast pigs, and happily tearing into roasted body parts as they sit scattered in small groups making conversation.
He draws back, careful to not move too fast or too noisily, and hopes that he can avoid being sick in his helmet. Is this what livestock feels like when they're on a meadow next to a barbecue?! It's enough to seriously make him consider turning vegetarian. He needs a minute to recover enough to peek down again, this time to count the enemies.]
I see twelve, thirteen, fourteen... fifteen. That's if none are in the houses or wandering about... but they don't need to forage for food right now, and they have shelter right here.
[His voice comes out pressed and heavy. Several huts are destroyed and partly still smoldering, as Somnus predicted, but more than half are still standing. Hijikata's eyes flicker. This is too grotesque and vile to just witness; he has half a mind to unleash hell on the cannibals immediately, even if it won't help the unfortunate villagers anymore. But how strongly can he even rely on his magic right now, still subject to the after-effects of the ritual? Somnus is right in favouring a more cautious approach.]