Food Soul Stories

Going for a walk in the forest, I came upon a group of people. They surrounded someone who claimed to be a travelling singer from an island, and they used the guitar in their hands to play beautiful melodies, gently singing.

When I regained my senses, I found myself hiding behind the tree, holding my hands on my chest. I didn't know why I had this expression of enjoyment. The song was already finished and the people have dispersed. But I couldn't forget the feeling of the strummed strings.

"What a beautiful melody! I want to hear it again!"

But that traveling singer is already gone. They were always wandering around; it wasn't easy to find them.

If I had some friends, I'll definitely talk with them about how regretful I felt about encountering something I like but can’t enjoy again.

I have no more interest in going for a walk. I sat down where the traveling singer had just sung. I put both of my hands in the air and began to imagine how they played that guitar.

“EH!!!”

Looking at my hands fiddling in the air, my heart suddenly had an idea - if I could play it myself, couldn’t I listen to it every day?

This strange idea swept away the regrets from just now. I always had nothing to do, so I immediately made up my mind. I began to count on my fingers to calculate the songs I could learn to write or sing myself. I was born with a nice human body- it’d be a waste if I didn’t use it!

But the biggest problem is the guitar.

"Guitar, huh? If I have to buy it, then I can go to any music store. But the biggest issue is..."

It's money...

I don't have to worry about money since I don't eat anything, but now, it’s become a big problem. I was so excited to learn how to play and sing like a travelling singer, but now, almost gave up halfway through.

Until I passed a small town, and my attention was drawn to something small and cyan.

“It’s a guitar!”

It was buried under a pile of abandoned old furniture. Although only a small part was visible, it was clearly the strings of a guitar.

I dug it out from the pile of furniture and wiped it down a little bit. Then, I compared it with my body. It matched with my height. It was a very cute little guitar. As long as the tone’s good, it’s perfect.

I gently plucked the strings.

“SNAP!”

The guitar’s neck suddenly broke. Its body also rose into the air. There were only a few strings that connected from top to bottom.

No wonder it was thrown into the pile of abandoned furniture. Now I know what's going on – this is a broken little guitar.

I really don't know how the original owner treated it for it to break. But right now, I can’t play this thing, unless I find someone who can fix it.

In order to prevent the little guitar from losing any parts, I carefully wrapped it with a picnic cloth and held it in my arms. Now I need to find someone who can fix this thing.

The truth is, after asking around everywhere, I found a guitar crafter who claimed he was able to repair the guitar. But he didn't look as reliable as he was supposed to be. And... he reeked of alcohol.

"Hic…huh? You said you want to fix the guitar?"

"...You, can you really fix it?"

"Funny, is there a thing I can't fix? The question is, how much do you plan to pay?"

Sure enough, there’s no free lunches in this world.

"No… none...

What--?"

"I have no money......"

My voice was so soft that I can't even hear it. But Mr. Craftsman seemed to hear it very clearly.

"Do you think I’m a servant who can freely serve you? No money, no repair. Beat it, now!"

"Please, please help me. This guitar is very small. It shouldn’t be too troublesome to repair it… probably."

"Tch, I really don't know how a Food Soul like you loves strumming the guitar so much. I wanna help you because of your lovely looks, but I won’t do it if there’s no reward."

He grabbed his messy and greasy hair as if he’d just thought of something.

"Well, if you can give me good wine to drink, then I’ll help you."

"Huh?"

"Do you know the nearby town’s winery? It is a good place to brew gin. If I can go there and get some good drink, repairing hundred guitars for you won’t be a problem, but... I heard that they’re worried about the Fallen Angel that suddenly appeared. If you can solve this, they will surely give good gin as a thank you gift."

"Is that the case... Wait… You mean, you want me to?"

"Ain’t you a Food Soul? Wiping out the Fallen Angel is an easy job for you. If you solve this, I‘ll have an endless supply of booze to drink, and of course, your guitar!"

I’ve never heard about eliminating a Fallen Angel in exchange for liquor from a winery. And then use it for the repairing fee...

Before the owner of the winery arrived, Mr. Craftsman and I sat in the reception room and waited. I lifted the picnic cloth a little and stroked the dirty guitar...

"If there really is something that’s made me decide to challenge a Fallen Angel, then it must be you! My little baby!"

Finally, the owner came to the reception room. He said he originally wanted to go to the Chef Union and hire a professional Cooking Attendant to deal with this.

"But… If I knew that there was a Cooking Attendant in town, then I don’t have to trouble myself and run around anymore!"

The owner seems to have misunderstood something.

"Thank you, but we're not..."

I just wanted to explain. But I was immediately held down by the guitar craftsman.

"Hey, don’t reveal your identity for now. Help first, then you can explain it later."

"What? What!"

The owner didn't seem surprised at seeing me growing mad. Instead, he continued to inquire this drunkard, posing as my Master Attendant.

"It happened so suddenly. That Fallen Angel’s now occupying the underground cellar. My workers couldn’t flee in time and no one knows what will happen now. Can you still manage this?"

"Don't worry, my Food Soul is a girl who can solve anything~!"

I hope that your conscience hurt when you patted your chest and promised that…

"That's great. Within these 2 days, my customers’ orders have been delayed; we can’t drag on anymore. I’ll take you to the underground cellar!”

So, this fake attendant took me, the Food Soul who didn’t belong to him, to the underground wine cellar with the owner of the winery.

"I’ll leave whatever’s behind there to you guys!"

The owner opened the door and politely invited us inside. Then, tightly shut the door behind us.

"Ah? I need to come too?"

"This is part of the job of a Cooking Attendant too!”

Looking at his panicked appearance, I feel like I got a little bit of revenge. But it seems that this "Master Attendant" still felt the need to show some "backbone."

"Looking down on me now? Back in my heyday, I’ve eaten so many things, seen so many people; this little thing is… hmph...!"

Suddenly, there was a loud noise in the underground cellar.

“Thump! Thump! Growl!!!”

I was shocked. But when I looked back, "Master Attendant" had already sneaked into an empty barrel, trembling inside of it.

“This kind of behavior can make anybody look down on you.”

I don't care about him anymore. I followed the sound and fumbled forward.

The wine cellar was very dark. The oil lamp, originally hanging at the door, had a weak flame from burning so long. Its dim light only let me barely see a small ladder.

When the last glimmer of light slowly faded away, I came to a room that seemed to be empty.

Then, with the sound of heavy breathing, I can almost predict how terrible the next battle will be. I clearly don't have this kind of experience.

“Uwaaaa!! Who’s there?”

The slightly hoarse voice sounded drunk. Was is the Fallen Angel who just talked? Just as I hesitated in my answer, an oil lamp in the other side of the room was lit up. It was a person with white hair and red horns; it wore a smirking face as it sat upon a stack of barrels. Perhaps calling it a Fallen Angel is better.

"Ahahaha! Lucky me! I’m Aizen, you wanna drink?" This Fallen Angel, who’d caused all this trouble to the winery’s owner, was now introducing itself and inviting me to join its private cocktail party. But...

"This isn’t right? Why are you here?"

"Why? Obviously because there’s good liquor here. I’ve had a hard journey from a faraway place. It’s not easy to find a place like this. I won’t quit my drinking until I’ve had enough!"

It seems this guy is enjoying its discovery. But that brings trouble to the owner. Fortunately, it seems to be a talkative Fallen Angel. Maybe I can persuade it to stop.

“What? You want me to leave?”

"I’m really not a fighting expert. But I have to do this to help the winery’s owner. Please, I’m begging you!"

"Ah? Based on what I heard from you, can you find me a place with more wine?"

"I can’t...but if you need something, then I’ll try my best. As long as I can do it!"

“Give me some wine.”

"...why do all of the people I meet love drinking so much! Do you have nothing else to do but this?"

"Oh ho, what you say is very interesting. What I seek is, of course, to always keep on drinking. Besides, what else can you give me to pursue other than this? Do you have it?"

"Me...? Uh… I want to be a singer. That's why I came..."

"Singer? Is it a person who can drink without worry?"

"It isn't!"

I don’t know why- when I mentioned the singer, I couldn’t help but start talking about my dream with this Fallen Angel. From how I suddenly had this whimsical dream to why I worked hard because of that. For a time, I forgot that I came here to chase this guy away, not chat with it.

"Singer, huh? How powerful is it?"

"Know that singing is a voice that can pierce people’s hearts. I dare say that even if you just listen, you’ll definitely understand that feeling!"

"Oh? Then can you sing a song for me?"

"Huh?"

Aizen’s sudden proposal stunned me.

"I said I want you to sing a song for me. Let me hear it. If it’s good as you said, then I’ll agree to leave. How’s that?"

Singing... Of course, I can. But I don’t have a little guitar with me now. Will it work if I just sing?

Looking at Aizen’s expectant expression, I finally decided to give it a try. Although this is my first time singing, as long as I can sing like the traveling singer, it definitely won’t be a problem!

"Spring, spring is coming~ flowers are blooming~ birds are flying happily~ rivers, rivers... la la la la la la la la la ~".

I clapped my hands to the rhythm and tried to remember the way the traveling singer sang. Although it didn't feel right, it was my first time. It’s not bad that I can sing like this... maybe…

I comforted myself a lot. Then I secretly took a peek at Aizen. It just quietly stared as I sang. In the end, my voice got softer and softer, because I didn't really know how to continue singing.

"H… how is it?"

I put my hand down and waited for Aizen’s reaction. For a while, it was silently rubbing its chin.

"Finished already?"

"Yep!"

"Well... just like you said, it seems like there’s a bit of feeling... but it’s quite fun to watch you sing!"

"Fun? You should say it’s ‘pleasant’ to listen to!"

"Hey - looking at how hard you’ve worked, I was too embarrassed to say no. Anyways, now that I’ve had enough booze, I’ll find a new place to sleep.”

"Really!?"

Aizen confirmed. Then, it slammed the ceiling with its drunken body and immediately drilled out, disappearing in no time.

“…you should at least use the door.”

Anyways, I succeeded. The noise created by Aizen down in the wine cellar when it left shocked the winery’s owner. After they found out that the wine cellar was now completely safe, he was really overjoyed and thanked me many times.

After all, in their opinion, I used brute force to defeat the Fallen Angel.

Even the guitar craftsman now looked at me with different eyes. He received a reward from the owner as my "Master Attendant," and was invited to go to the winery and have a good drink. Of course, before this, he promised to fix my little guitar. In this way, I can really sing and perform like a traveling singer!

“Master Attendant! Mas-Ter-At-Ten-Dant!” A small figure, wearing a straw hat and holding a cute little guitar, looked everywhere in the restaurant.

"Really, why do you want to hide from me? I worked so hard to write a song for you. Is this how little you appreciate?"

This little girl shouted out her questions. But the restaurant was still quiet.

"...sigh. Hey, how did someone drop a hundred gold coin here?"

"Oh, that's mine!"

The one suddenly popping out from the counter and claiming the coin was the Cooking Attendant the little girl had been looking for.

“Oh, Master Attendant! You finally want to hear my singing now?”

"No, no, Apple Pie. You misunderstood me- I came here to find my money.”

“What? Is there anything bad in my song?”

“Bad or not, have you ever asked someone else?”

"Let me tell you this. My voice can even vanquish the Fallen Angel from before. And there’s a guitar maker who appreciates it!"

"Yes, using it to deal with the Fallen Angel is good... What about the guitar craftsman? What did he say after listening to it?"

"After that? Well, he quickly escaped. I don't know where he went...Why are you asking these kinds of things? Come here, take a seat.”

Apple Pie brought out a picnic cloth and made it into a rope shape. She forcefully tied her Master Attendant and pinned him to the stool.

"Come and appreciate the new song I created for you, Master Attendant. I named it, 'The Soul-Piercing Melody'!"

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!”

Contract invalid. Connection failed.

Confirming cessation of Master Attendant’s vitals. Reason: unknown.

Confirming Master Attendant’s position: error.

Startup negated.

There was a time when I wouldn’t go anywhere or do anything without an order from Master Attendant.

I’d stay on standby, waiting for him to start an operation.

I didn’t need to think, nor did I need to stress.

But at that moment, my slain Master Attendant no longer told me what I needed to do.

This was a bit of a hassle for me.

My mechanical body lags and creaks if I don’t move for a while.

I didn’t know what to do next. To me, there was no need for a machine to act on its own.

I was still a machine back then.

And machines need to be activated before they can start working.

I heard an unfamiliar voice and a flurry of footsteps draw near.

“Yep. Find the safe and take the gem."

The owner of that voice noticed me and approached me.

“Oh? What’s this?"

He was a red-haired, lavishly dressed Food Soul. His human companion, on the other hand, was dressed like a thief.

"Oh, that’s his Food Soul. He hardly talks to others and only listens to his Master Attendant. Now that his Master Attendant is dead, he’s just a pile of scrap metal."

"You sure know a lot. If I hadn't known you were a thief, I’d have thought you were a detective."

"Thanks for the compliment-- I got it, let's go."

I stared at him, motionless.

He reached out and touched my arm, my face, my eyepatch, and my mechanical wings.

My eyes followed his hand, but every other part of my body stayed still.

"Wait. I want to take him with us."

He lowered his hand and sized me up, interested.

"Now that his owner is dead, I wonder: is he a scrap machine, or a wonderful toy? -- Sit, Food Soul."

Command received. Source: Food Soul.

Confirm command: ‘sit’.

Target action retrieved. Execute.

Even though that person wasn’t my Master Attendant, he gave me an order. I sat down obediently.

He gave me a few more commands, such as lie down, stand up, turn around, and jump.

After making sure I’d follow through with each one, he gave one that made the thief watching in amusement go pale.

--Kill his thief companion and hand the Azure Stone over.

As he escaped, the thief spat curses at Spaghetti for betraying him while begging me to spare him.

But I’ve already been ordered to kill him.

I don’t get to choose between conflicting commands. The first command always takes priority. And the first command was given by that red-haired Food Soul.

I killed the thief and gave him the gem.

His excitement was reminiscent of a child on Christmas Eve, but with a dash of lunacy in the mix.

"Hahahaha, what a good toy! Tell me your name and come with me. I’ll be sure to make the best use out of you!"

Amidst his disturbing laughter, I calmly stated my name.

"I am...B-52."

My body...is lagging. My arms and wings can’t function properly.

My nimble opponent covered up his tracks so well, there were times I couldn’t detect his oncoming sneak attack. By the time I spun around to defend myself, it was too late.

My mechanical wings creaked in protest as I flew. I gave up on flying and chose to walk back to the villa Spaghetti --the red-haired Food Soul who took me away-- lived in.

In the hustle of this prosperous town, no one will pay attention to me and my lag.

The sound of a carriage approaching in the distance immediately dispersed the crowd on the street, leaving me and a little girl who tripped in the middle of the road.

"Save her! Won’t somebody save her?"

A voice cried out for help.

Before I'd realized it, I spread my wings and flew to the girl in the middle of the road, carrying her into the air. Without an order.

The carriage barely passed under our feet.

The danger had passed, but it was then my barely-functioning mechanical wings stopped functioning altogether. I hugged the girl as we fell.

Judging that the girl in my arms took priority, I leaned back and let myself cushion her fall.

The impact made my vision flash white. My blue flames dissipated and my right arm dropped to the ground limply.

Decision confirmation--why save her?

Searching for command… Command = false.

--I have to save her.

After I heard that cry, my body broke through the system’s control.

"...-san, Nii-san!"

Something pulled me back to reality. A tender voice echoed in my ear.

"Nii-san, are you okay?"

"...I’m fine."

The girl climbed off of me. I pushed off the ground and slowly got up, trying to move my mechanical wings. They creaked in protest again.

"Thank you, Nii-san... Are your wings broken?"

The girl clutched my broken right arm and looked up at me.

"Nii-san’s wings look just like those clocks Papa makes...Nii-san, why don’t you let Papa fix it for you!”

As things stand, I won’t have enough strength to defend myself if I run into something on the way back.

I just saved her. She said that she can help me repair my parts.

It can’t hurt to try.

"Nii-san?"

"Alright, take me there."

The girl took me to her house.

Her father was a well-known clocksmith in town. He thought the reason my mechanical wing was malfunctioning was because saving his daughter piled even more damage onto it, already near-broken. He was exuberant, although I didn’t know if it was out of gratitude to me or if it was out of interest in my mechanical wings.

I sat on a chair and silently waited for the clocksmith to replace the damaged parts.

"Nii-san, your wings look really broken. Doesn't it hurt?"

"No."

"Really? Nii-san is just like a clock. When he’s hurt, he can't feel it at all. Lucky! It always hurts when I trip and fall.”

"..."

The clocksmith’s voice rang out from behind me, breaking the silence caused by my aloofness.

"Stupid child. Living humans aren’t clocks. Of course it hurts. Nii-san is actually in a lot of pain,but he just doesn’t want to make you worried. That’s why he won’t admit it."

False. It’s just as that girl said. It doesn’t hurt.

How can a machine feel pain?

But I kept quiet.

The conversation continued, but my memory started to blur.

"Not everyone starts crying and wailing when they get a little scrape like you.”

"Hey! No fair, Papa! I don’t cry! I didn't shed a single tear when I tripped today!"

The girl jumped up and made a face at her father. I couldn’t hear what they said afterward, but they both laughed.

She pinched the corners of my mouth, trying to make me smile...

A shrill scream woke me up from my memories.

I was no longer in a shop full of clocks, but a beautifully decorated merchant's house. The bodies on the ground were still warm.

My task was to get rid of the merchant and bring the Azure Stone back to Nevras.

The merchant's wife had a Food Soul who wasn’t suited to battle.

However, they dealt a heavy blow to me before dissipating.

I didn't notice it while I was fighting. It was only when I caught the merchant's daughter that I realized my parts were broken.

She thought she could escape my killing spree by hiding under that bed.

I expected her to put up a fight, but she seemed to be afraid of my flames. Her stiff body was shivering.

I don't understand. Why would I remember something like that while carrying out my task?

Was it because of the terrified girl in front of me?

Or because I discovered my mechanical wings had failed again after I caught her?

There’s a force inside me stopping me from taking her life.

Perhaps it’s this same force that just decided to remind me of the past.

This never happened before. I was shaken.

Unable to make a decision, unable to move.

I didn’t chase the girl when she broke away from me.

Gazing in the direction she fled, I thought, "Spaghetti doesn’t need to know about this.”

The sizzling azure flames were out of control. I lost too much soul power. Fire, licking the rug, formed a circle around me.

A girl whose face I couldn’t make out appeared behind me. When I turned toward her, her face began morphing into those of others.

A man, a woman, an old lady, a kid...

Finally, it morphed into the face of that girl I saved. She clutched my arm.

“Nii-san, you can’t hurt because you’re not human.”

Then it morphed into my deceased Master Attendant. His voice was filled with disappointment.

“You’re not even a Food Soul. You’re just a war machine.”

No...I’m not...I want to be human, I want to feel pain, I WANT TO BE HUMAN!

I don't know what I’m screaming about, nor do I know why I’m struggling.

Something’s not right, but I can’t tell what.

Her face was still morphing. A mixture of voices lingered in my ear.

In this chaos, I heard a familiar roar.

- B-52...B-52 Cocktail! Wake the hell up!

I woke up from my sleep. As soon as I opened my eyes and saw Spaghetti, I knew it was just a dream.

Why did I have that dream?

Why did I say something like that in that dream?

I didn’t know nor did I have time to think about it before Spaghetti exploded in anger.

"You dare disobey my orders! Do you have any idea of what you just did?!"

"..."

"Aren’t you going to explain why you let that girl go?!"

"..."

Spaghetti lifted his chin and peered at me with contempt.

"You’re my toy, and toys should listen to their owner’s orders! Unless you want to be abandoned and crushed like worthless garbage!"

What Spaghetti meant by “crushing” was death.

Death is the disappearance of biological activity.

Most people will experience great pain in the process of dying.

Pain...

Is that proof of being a "person"?

"Spaghetti, do you feel pain?"

"Hah? Trying to change the topic, are you?”

"No."

I watched Spaghetti get more and more impatient, yet the words that left my mouth put a surprised look on his face.

"I want to understand how humans feel. Death, pain..."

I wanted to confirm that I wasn’t a machine, but a living, breathing Food Soul. A conscious, human-- Food Soul.

A Food Soul who can feel pain, as the father of that girl said.

I couldn't describe the look on Spaghetti’s face, nor could I describe my uncertainty.

But that didn't stop me from speaking out about my doubts. I wanted to understand the feelings that told humans they were alive - including pain.

"You want to know? Okay, fine, then get crushed like worthless garbage!"

After Spaghetti left, I set off for the Catacombs.

He told me this was where I’d find my answer before he left.

The Catacombs are treacherous.

Battling with Fallen Angels is different from battling with Food Souls.

Fallen Angels obey their killing instinct without mercy or hesitation.

As they group up and fire attack after attack, my flames will run out sooner or later.

I’m almost certain that I will die there.

Outside the Catacombs, there was a Food Soul who tried to stop me from looking for certain death.

But I refused.

Only pain can give me the answer I need.

And pain...did give me the answer.

The battle was tireless. My skin constantly tore fresh wounds.

Even as I overexerted myself and burned through all my Soul Power...I couldn’t give up without reaching my goal.

My wish, my reality, my existence...

I have to prove that I can feel pain too. The same kind of pain humans feel.

I’m a living, breathing Food Soul too!

A pain I’ve never felt before seared through my body as I dealt out attack after attack.

At that moment, I wanted to go back and say to that girl “I can hurt too. I’m just like you.”

But perhaps it was too late.

It hurts, everything hurts.

Can't move.

I lay on the ground, surrounded by an unrelenting mob of Fallen Angels.

I knew no one was coming to save me.

I could feel my Soul Power dissipating.

But I wasn’t sad. On the contrary, I felt relieved.

Because I knew I was a living, breathing Food Soul. A living, breathing--“person”.

B-52 was no ordinary Food Soul when he was born.

His Master Attendant was an airship designer who wanted to summon an assistant but summoned a machine instead.

Yes, a machine, as his Master Attendant called him.

One who couldn’t act or draw conclusions on his own, who could only do the tasks he’d been given.

Of course, there was an exception-- battle.

In an age plagued by Fallen Angels, not just the land, but even the sky and the ocean were occupied by them.

B-52, known to others as a bomber, did an outstanding job in airship escorts and was even called the perfect war machine by a pilot on the airship.

Food Souls have a sense of self when they’re summoned.

Although they’re more or less influenced by their Master Attendants and learn new things in the process, they all know from the very start what kind of existences they are.

As he interacted with his Master Attendant and other humans, B-52 “corrected” the perceptions in his mind. He no longer considered himself a “Food Soul” but a cold, numb, and inexhaustible “machine”.

But B-52’s Master Attendant wasn’t always on an airship. When drawing design drafts at home, he’d put B-52 on standby in the library, only letting him run some errands every now and then.

Someone commissioned a private airship design from his Master Attendant. The front of the airship would be adorned with a sculpture of a "beautiful bride", and the necklace on her chest would be inlaid with a beautiful blue gem.

Therefore, the Azure Stone was kept at the home of B-52’s Master Attendant.

The Azure Stone was a cursed gem. Its previous owners had all fallen prey to ill fates.

But a gorgeous 10,000-carat gem will always have its suitors.

Little did they know, however, that the curse wasn’t real. It was just a legend some Food Soul intentionally created by combining a few coincidences.

Every few years, the Food Soul would hand off the Azure Stone before killing the owner and taking it back.

B-52’s Master Attendant was one of his unlucky victims.

But it was this that kickstarted B-52’s shift from a machine to a “human”.

When his Master Attendant died, B-52 was still a machine that required orders to do anything.

Over time, as B-52 performed more and more tasks, he witnessed more and more sadness and joy.

As more human emotions gradually surrounded him, he began to think about the rationality of orders.

He didn’t refuse the orders given to him, but the first seeds had already taken root and would sprout at any moment.

B-52 didn’t know if it was the Azure Stone that caused his Master Attendant’s death.

He didn’t realize it at first.

It wasn’t until the second time he went to take the gem back that he started to connect the dots.

And when he performed the same task for the third time, he let a girl go.

Did B-52 not want to kill Spaghetti and avenge his Master Attendant?

He didn’t know.

Before he had free will, Spaghetti’s orders gave him his thoughts and existence.

This internal conflict sped up the development of his critical thinking and transformation.

Why didn’t he kill Spaghetti immediately after everything was laid bare? Because the pull of his wish--the first wish he’d ever had--was so intense it took up all his focus. The thought hadn’t even crossed his mind at that time.

The truth was, B-52 wasn’t actually numb to pain but thought of himself as a machine. That belief sealed the feeling off.

What made him feel pain, in the end, was not death, but his desire to finally break the seal.

He was convinced that pain could tell him whether he truly was a machine or not.

By chasing death, he confirmed that he wasn’t a cold, numb, inexhaustible “machine”.

In the Catacombs, B-52 could feel his consciousness slipping away.

Just as everything was about to go dark, he heard a voice.

"Phew, just in time. Good thing he’s not gone yet... Brownie, hurry and pick him up! We’ll treat him when we get back, but for now--retreat!"

The inspiration for all immortal masterpieces.

There are only two sources,

the composer's past,

and the composer's life.

——From the creation of "Introduction and Fantasy Rondo" by Blue Cheese.

Master Attendant, have you ever thought about keeping time?

Let the delicate morning glory never fade in the morning sun.

Let the newborn calf no longer lose their innocent eyes covered with watery mist.

Even the dust flying in the sky without any sustenance will obtain their eternal position as the stars in the sky.

Such an abundance of desires lingers in me all the time, and whenever I think of it, I can't feel the thrill of physical and mental pleasure.

For the sake of the soul, if I have to name a symbol for the so-called ''dream'' of humans or a symbol that represents the direction of the heart, such as the direction of life and destination of travel, Blue Cheese will tell you this. 

However, there are still subtle but fundamental differences between the two.

For human beings, those verses that expresses the fleeting youth and the difficulty to return back in time are just a helpless sigh; but for me, keeping time is an unfulfilled yet cherished wish that will eventually come true.

Yes, Blue Cheese is doing just that.

Master Attendant, please don't worry about saying you can't understand. I will set up the strings and give you this time-honored score from the heart.

It all began at the place where I was born.

About three hundred years ago, I was summoned for the first time in a village during the wet rainy season. More precisely, it was a deep cave next to this village where residents used to ferment and store blue cheese.

The residents who lived there called the village, "Mora". After a long time, I came to know that the word, "Mora", meant "exiled from the mainland" in their local language.

Later, I learned that it wasn't humans who lived here but another race, the elven, who had long disappeared from the legend of Tierra.

But that's for another story. 

For the ignorant Blue Cheese that was just born on this land at that time, everything was as natural as it could be. The familiar feeling of being born in my hometown has overshadowed many traces of what seems to be a clumsy concealment. It makes me feel immersed in the small world around me, believing that the boundaries of life should be like this.

Even Jackie, who had first summoned me, didn't pay attention to the obvious differences between her and the other residents of Mora.

Jackie is a human girl. In my long collection of memories, I have divided Jackie's image into three categories.

Among them, the most shining and numerous was when she wore various evening dresses and played the violin under the stage lights when she was an adult.

Another was the one that I couldn’t bear to remember, yet was the most artistic, was when she sat motionless in her wheelchair for the rest of her life. 

It's a pity that neither the beauty that withered on the sickbed nor the beauty that bloomed on the stage belonged to her.

Jackie's most authentic appearance, the ordinary but vivid image unknown to the world, stayed in Mora. The short, wandering time of her maiden life that was unknown to outsiders.

Who favors canaries and who prefers nightingales,

what does this have to do with me?

As long as I listen to the little skylark and hear its wings tremble in the air, I understand the relationship between nature and freedom.

——From the postscript of Blue Cheese’s "Skylark E String".

Jackie was a genius. She was born for the violin.

People still mention her at the very beginning of the mourning. 

I have never been able to refute this. Even if I don’t want to use this word as a representation of her life, I also can’t deny her unparalleled brilliance in this art invented by humans. 

Everyone who has heard her play must be fascinated by her music.

Her unusual life began at an ordinary violin show in Midgar, which I learned about from newspapers, journalists' digests, and biographers’ notes.

She was four years old and fell in love with the violin at first sight.

This art reached some kind of tacit comprehension with her that no one else could understand, but ten years later, at the age of 14, she became world-renowned with the violin in her hand and the youngest performer to ever play solo at the Midgar Royal Theatre. 

However, when I was summoned by her, I didn't know these terms. I just thought she was an ordinary person with a skill.

At that time, she was wearing the same long-sleeved robe as the people of Mora, and no one told me that those clothes were given to her by the good-hearted Morian residents.

Every morning, she would play at Mora's bazaar. She would use her violin in exchange for applause and praise from the Morian residents. After the performance, some residents would send her beautiful morning glories, sweet cheese, freshly-baked croissants, and hot tea.

She was able to feed herself and passed on the extra food and gifts to the landlord in exchange for permission to continue living there, day after day, unchanged.

That year, Jackie was only sixteen years old and had short, frizzy red hair. It was a long time before I knew she had cut it when she arrived in Mora.

She didn’t have eyebrows. The eyebrows on the left were naturally a bit smaller than those on the right. Mora's sunlight wasn’t too hot, and she especially liked chasing the small fluff on her lips that reflected on her brown pupils. ^[1]

She was so happy to play in such light, and there was a noticeable splinter under her right hand’s index finger on the string. 

I reminded her that she should at least deal with the barbs, but she saw them as the sudden arrival of young, divine birds, for fear of disturbing them, and even carefully took care of them like treasures. 

I saw that she was happy and couldn’t blame her.

Now when I look back at that time in Mora, I always feel like I’m blindfolded and listening to a conch. I think that the sea is in front of me, but it was actually thousands of miles away.

Pity not the wanderers, for the pitiful dare not wander. 

——Excerpted from the creation notes of Blue Cheese’s "Song of the Wanderer".

I don't know how long Jackie and I have stayed in Mora. But after we left, she and I would always disagree.

She told me that it was just a short season of three months.

But I insisted that time has passed more than that. At the end of the argument, she took out the ticket for the show and reminded me that it was written very clearly on it. The performance that she had run away from was scheduled three months ago.

In the face of this solid evidence, I can only surrender and admit that there was an error in my memory. 

But at that point, I also carefully thought about it later. Perhaps the time flow of Mora and the outside world was different, but I haven't found any evidence.

Jackie escaped during a performance in Midgar.

It was an outdoor concert originally intended for civilians. Unfortunately, it happened to rain on that day. Because of the "kindness" of some nobles, the venue was temporarily changed to indoors.

When Jackie reached the lounge prepared for her by the nobles, she learned that the civilians had been stopped outside the venue.

"They got tickets for this show, didn't they?"

Jackie confronted her manager.

"Yes, you’re not wrong, they are indeed qualified to watch this show." The manager said while trying to placate the young Jackie.

"But they’re all outside the venue now!"

"Because the performance will now be held in Duke Bell’s Concert Hall. In addition to the tickets, they must also have permission to enter and exit the concert hall. You know, civilians can’t enter aristocratic territory. It's really a shame."

"What the hell is that! They have tickets to the show, but they can't enter the venue?"

Jackie widened her eyes in disbelief.

"Dear, don't get angry at me." The manager sighed.

"It’s not my decision. I have no complaints toward your audience."

Jackie shook off the manager's hand on her shoulder and threw herself onto the wide sofa.

"Jackie, they're at the door. I mean, they can still hear your performance too, can't they? You should learn to accept that the world is not fair, that not everyone is as good as you, and have the opportunity to climb up classes."

"Well, now you need to change into your costume as soon as possible. Both the king and queen will be here tonight. This performance is very important. If you perform well, you may win your title. For a moment on stage, it's time for you to put away those vulgar words. " The manager left the lounge, which should have been one of his last regrets.

If he had waited at the door for Jackie to change into her clothes, instead of going out to the corridor for a cigarette break, or taking away Jackie's violin when he left, or to put it simply, if he was a little wiser, Jackie wouldn’t have had the chance to escape.

Jackie was a straightforward girl. She left only a note that read:

"According to the law, Jackie, a civilian, is unable to enter the venue for tonight's performance. Jackie herself expresses her regrets. "

Jackie and I talked about her fleeing frequently. When it comes to fun, she would improvise a play with the violin.

I heard the high-heeled shoes that she kicked aside, the spiraling stairs that she tiptoed quietly up, as well as her strong heartbeat and the thunder in the sky resonating exactly.

It seemed as if all the rain in the world was falling down, becoming a stage curtain outside the gates of the Duke's mansion. Jackie bravely passed through it. In an instant, the Vientiane was changing. She turned around and noticed that there were a thousand forests behind her. In front of it was a quiet, star-lit cave. 

Go to the nobles’ concert in Midgar.

Jackie decided to keep going, even if she didn't know what was going to be there.

Every time she told me about this experience, she asked me to swear to her that I believed she wasn’t afraid at that time.

I do it every time, so it's not difficult for me.

Moreover, I would imitate the courageous expressions of those noble princes who are always courting her in the banquet or backstage to praise her courage. She would be teased by my exaggerated performance every time, and then pretend to play her violin with disgust. 

In fact, I would like to have had such an interaction, because later, Jackie would have very little time to laugh because of the sudden, unreasonable illness. And it was because of that illness that the time of my separation from her came cruelly ahead.

I think the saddest thing about human beings is that they make mistakes when they don't love each other. But in the end, they blame innocent love.

——From the writing notes of Blue Cheese, "The Sorrow of Love".

Jackie's illness didn't come without warning.

The first time, she grabbed the strings uncontrollably while she was standing on the terrace practicing a certain set of finger placements.

At that time, she and I didn't know what it meant. Her violin ^[2] had fallen down the second floor along the hollow railing, hit the balcony downstairs, and knocked over the palette of a young painter who was sketching.

Later, the young painter whose paint tray was accidentally knocked over became her husband.

At the wedding, Jackie wore a white wedding dress to distribute gifts to the guests. In the beautiful gift boxes were the nougats she made herself. How sweet and mellow was her mood at that time, so that day, she summoned her second Food Soul, Nougat. 

When people praised the passionate love of two people, no one paid close attention to what kind of danger was hidden behind the couple’s first beautiful accident when they had first met. 

This rare disease had no name, and the doctors didn’t know anything about it. But one day, when Jackie and I had nothing to do, we decided to amuse ourselves by giving it the name, "time sickness".

How similar it is with time, little by little, unconsciously yet gradually paralyzing the body and mind without sense.

It’s just like time. It offends our lives with tact and makes people more and more rigid.

Once you get this terminal illness, no matter who it is, you can't escape the final result.

In the first few years of her illness, Jackie's symptoms weren’t very obvious. The audience had still praised her violin’s sound like a sound of nature. Only Jackie herself knew that her hands weren’t as flexible as before.

Once, I heard her ask her husband, ‘’Honey, if I can't play the violin one day, will you still love me?’’

Her husband said, ‘’Then it's not you, Jackie.’’ 

And as he said that, during the last few years of Jackie's illness, he kept their marriage in the media, but he never came back home. 

The sketching balcony was empty, and the violin's sheet music was also grayed out.

Jackie was in a wheelchair. I pushed her out onto the terrace to see the empty horizon. She said to me, ‘’Blue Cheese, I miss Mora a little.’’ 

Nougat was puzzled by the fragility of Jackie's marriage. 

Born out of love, she couldn’t understand why the solemn and vowing man from the wedding had become so ugly in only a few years.

She came to me and asked me this question--

"Is love in the world really so easy to deteriorate? Doesn’t eternal love between human beings last forever?"

My dear innocent little sister asked me for a while.

"It's not that love can't last forever, it's just that it's infected with time."

I thought about it, so I had to answer her like this.

"I just knew it wasn't the fault of love, it was the fault of time." 

After getting the answer in mind, Nougat left with satisfaction.

But why do all people take the mistake of time for granted?

Why can't the world leave anything in the end?

Why is everything beautiful gone?

I cannot resign to it.

I finally picked up the crystal and hung it on my chest. The people of Mora gave me the crystal when we parted. 

I made the first and only wish for it--

Mora, my birthplace, your child Blue Cheese is confused and he needs your guidance.

I knew I had to go back there, and I would finally have the answer to beat time.

Even in the strange world of Tierra, the birthplace of Blue Cheese, Mora, can be regarded as one of the most amazing places.

This is a land where only thunderstorms can open the entrance. The people who live here are the elves, a race of Tierra’s mystery.

The Master Attendant of Blue Cheese, who was a sixteen-year-old girl named Jackie, discovered this magical land.

She passed by. The green starlit caves that connect the two spaces are actually places where Mora's residents fermented blue cheese.

In Mora's legends, the invention of blue cheese was said to be related to a young elf from Mora.

One day, this young man was going to the ranch to bring his father food. When he passed the foot of the mountain, he saw a beautiful human girl who he had never seen before by the stream. He was deeply attracted by her and forgot his own task. He went to the girl.

But the strange girl seemed to be frightened. When she saw someone coming, she turned and fled. The young man chased her all the way, shouting loudly, and wanted to express his kindness, but the girl couldn’t understand his language.

In the end, the panicked girl fled into a cave on the mountainside where no one else had ever been before. The young man waited for a long time and saw that she was afraid to come out. He didn’t want to disturb her, but he was afraid that she was thirsty and hungry. The goat's milk curd and black bread, which was supposed to be brought to his father, were left in the cave to express his goodwill before leaving reluctantly. 

From that day on, the young man often visited the cave, but he never saw the mysterious girl again.

And the bag of bread and cheese he put there had never been eaten.

A few months later, the young man once again missed the girl who was in their one-sided relationship. When he came to the cave, he found that the cheese he had left had been fermented by the cave’s bacteria. It turned into a kind of cheese with beautiful patterns of blue-green and had a spicy, unique taste.

Probably because of this legend, Jackie came to Mora through that cave, not only was she not rejected, but she also received a warm welcome.

Although they didn’t speak each other’s languages, the people here regarded her as a distinguished guest from a different world. The last girl who appeared like this brought the unique blue cheese to Mora. This time, Jackie's arrival brought them wonderful music that they had never heard before.

Blue Cheese was born in Mora due to Jackie's desire for freedom and simplicity, and this was where he had spent his most joyful and carefree time. He was regarded by Mora's elves as a connection with the outside world. On the day Jackie returned, Mora's residents gave a unique crystal to Blue Cheese.

Mora’s people told Blue Cheese, ‘’Your existence is different from humans after all. In the process of getting along with humans, you will encounter many confusions. If, at some point, you find that you cannot solve the confusion with your own strength, you can make a wish to the crystal to receive the help of the elves.’’ 

”However, we can only help you once, so please cherish the opportunity and use it at the right time.”

Blue Cheese remembers this sentence.

He once thought innocently that as a Food Soul, there would be no trouble for him in this world.

But when he saw with his own eyes that his Master Attendant, a young girl full of vitality, had been re-shaped by life’s changes and saw that all the freedom and love around her had been deprived, he was determined to change all this.

He made a wish for the crystal, and returned to his birthplace in a thunderstorm.

But what he didn't expect was that when the elves of Mora heard that his wishes were related to time, they all showed their embarrassed expressions.

"It's a happy thing to be able to live in an orderly time. Blue Cheese, going back to the past won’t be better."

They said restlessly and finally just patted him on the shoulder, giving him endless advice.

"Sorry, we can't help you with time. But we hope Jackie will have a long and healthy life just like you. How beautiful and lovely she was then. This is a map of the 'Dark Forest’ that has a very dangerous but also very effective plant. If you can get its seeds, then Jackie will be saved.’’ 

"Dark Forest? Where is it?"

"It's in every corner of the world, but when you really want to go there, it will appear. But it's a very, very dangerous place. Good luck.’’ 

"Thank you."

But things in the world are always imperfect. When Blue Cheese took a wound, dealt with all the accidents, and finally brought back the blue seeds from the dangerous jungle, he opened the door and saw Nougat with swollen eyes.

There are some places in the world where time flows differently.

Jackie couldn't wait for Blue Cheese to come back.

Jackie left, leaving a huge legacy for Blue Cheese and Nougat, but both of them were not interested in business. So they left the property to professional managers, and had them establish Jackie's Charitable Music Fund for Music Arts to help the poor children learn music. 

After that, Blue Cheese bid farewell to Nougat, and he left Midgar with the violin left by Jackie, and he started wandering.

He traveled around the world, recording all the good things in the world onto sheet music with a violin, hoping to make up for Jackie's life bound by stage and disease. Although he didn't want to admit it, his regret and sorrow for Jackie gradually calmed down during the long journey.

One day, when he finally reached the edge of a cliff, he looked down and realized that he had not seen the entrance to the dark forest that he had dreamed about for a long time.

Blue Cheese told himself that it was time to go home.

He returned to a long-lost, rainy night in Midgar.

With thunder and lightning in the sky, Blue Cheese stood on the terrace and played the violin, admiring the heavy rain. In the room, the long-time-no-see Nougat was running in her strangely-tailored clothes.

Blue Cheese had came back, so she added a garden to the large house for this purpose. In order to show her swift and violent artistic taste over the years, insisting that he shouldn’t help, she directed the workers to put the newly added furniture. 

Listening to the vibrant voice of Nougat, Blue Cheese smiled, remembering the day that Jackie mentioned to him countless times. It was also in such a heavy rain that the brave Jackie, 16 years old, was about to flee barefoot and ran into the heavy rain to Mora, and then opened her life...

"Wait, was it my imagination? Blue Cheese blinked and looked through the terrace towards the garden path that was supposed to be empty.

And then the barefoot guy in the garden, who didn't know where he had come from, was also looking around and spotted him.

"--Hello--I'm Mousse--I'm sorry, I seem to be lost. Excuse me--what is this place?" The man in the rain looked up, with the confusion and sincerity unique to the youth in his eyes.  

At this moment, Blue Cheese didn’t know yet. The moment they met turned out to be the beginning of a new journey.

I finally killed my enemy.

“Hah...Hah...I...killed a Fallen Angel...Amazing!”

“...”

I almost forgot. I already escaped the laboratory… For as long as I could remember, I didn’t even know who I was. When they told me I carried the fate of humanity on my shoulders, I firmly believed that was my purpose as a Food Soul. But before anything, in order for more of my brothers and sisters to be born, I had to be experimented on to make sure we could get along with humans.

The process was agonizing, but I endured it. More and more of my brothers and sisters were born in the laboratory.

That day, for the final experiment, we were taken into a large yet hidden room. The test was...for us to kill each other.

“Huh? W-why? Aren’t we supposed to kill Fallen Angels…?”

For the first time in my life, I disobeyed human orders. This was one test I was not willing to endure. Confused, I instead tore down the room’s double doors, and that was when I heard humans shouting from outside.

“Initiate emergency protocol! Drain their soul power! Hurry!”

“...The subject has started resisting. It’s as we feared...they’ve developed emotions.”

A strange sound rang throughout the room. Suddenly, I lost all my strength and collapsed. The experiment was put on hold, and I was dragged back to my room. I could see the disappointment in their eyes as they took me away.

Will humanity be disappointed in me if I don’t kill my brothers and sisters? Why?

...I probably wouldn’t have found an answer if I stayed there. Because after that, no one ever stopped by my room again. It became eerily quiet.

I escaped from the laboratory. From then on, a desolate forest became my shelter, and a damp cave my new home. Whenever I ran into a Fallen Angel, I’d kill them before realizing it. I still remembered that was my purpose. At first, I’d count each day of my freedom, but eventually grew bored and stopped.

The only remarkable thing that happened during that time was when I came across a young human adult from the outside world and befriended him. Sometime after that, his descendant paid me a visit. Only then did I learn that man had died more than two hundred years ago.

Time never stopped. Only my aimlessness remained the same.

His descendant told me what era it was and what was going on in the outside world. My siblings and I had been named “Food Souls”, and thanks to some sort of restraint they’ve become as tame as possible. Completely obedient, even. More and more people could summon a Food Soul to combat Fallen Angels, and they formed an organization dedicated to them too. It seemed as though humans finally had a hope of escaping extinction—which meant that they went through with that final experiment anyways.

“It’s been more than two hundred years since my ancestor first met you, hasn’t it? Have you never thought about leaving?”

“I…”

I didn’t know how to reply. This world wasn’t mine. It didn’t belong to us Food Souls, so going anywhere would be useless. It didn’t sound like a bad idea to stay in this forest until I disappeared someday.

“Don’t say that! You’re our family friend!”

Friend, huh... I don’t know what that means, but it for some reason it makes me feel kind of happy. Perhaps there’s a lot more to living than I thought. I don’t know.

After that, he’d send people to bring books for me to read, and I learned a lot. We eventually became close friends. Unfortunately, good times never last. Something happened. I knew he was from an aristocratic family of a country named Gloriville, but he was in danger.

“The king is a cruel tyrant. I thought I could change him, but he put a death sentence on my head. I’m afraid...I won’t be alive for much longer.”

“Aren’t you going to rebel?”

“This is my fate. If my death can help the king realize what he’s doing, it will be worth it.”

There was no way I’d let anyone hurt my friend. I promised I would protect him and let him stay at my place, despite his insistence we were just stalling for time.

It didn’t take long for the king to find this place and send people after us.

Even though I prepared myself, when push came to shove, it still pained me to no end---the ones I was fighting were my brothers and sisters.

“What are you doing? Why must you obey their orders and kill?”

I tried to reason with them but got no straight answers. The only words that came out of their mouths was a flat “According to the contract, he must die.”

Contract? Was that the “restraint” my friend told me about?

“Whatever that is, can’t you stop and think about what you’re doing?”

No matter what I said, I couldn’t get to them. The Food Souls, whom I saw as my dear brothers and sisters, were already attacking.

I...killed them.

I escaped from the laboratory to avoid this. I swore to quietly disappear and say goodbye to this world forever. But cruel fate made my deepest fear come true. I killed everyone who attacked us. It didn’t matter if they were human or Food Soul, I killed them all…

I was livid. Food Souls had given humans the hope of survival, but what did humans ever do for us? Holding back the fire raging in my chest, I saw him quietly arrive at my side.

“....” “Boston...you shouldn’t do this much for me…” “Shut up...at least...at least tell me it was worth it…” “You could never imagine the obsession humans have with fighting. You may have protected me this time, but the next, they’ll come back even stronger.” “So I did that for nothing?!” “Take me, for instance. I was born to carry out my fate--to bring peace to Gloriville. That’s what I fight for. If you want something to fight for, it cannot be me. But when you finally decide on something, my descendants shall aid you in your conquest.”

He thanked me but decided to return to Gloriville. In his eyes, only his life could end it all. I desperately wanted to do more for him, but when his son brought news of his death, my heart began to turn cold.

“My family shed blood, tears, and sweat for our kingdom. It’s all thanks to that idiot king that things turned out this way. But I won’t be as nice as my dad was. I was hoping you could lend me a hand!”

The year after, his son sent a messenger to tell me that his family staged an uprising and dethroned the king. I followed through with my end of the deal and finished the king’s son and his squad off while they were out hunting in the forest. Evil disappeared from this world without a sound.

Upon learning that his family supported the new king onto the throne and completely took power, I finally realized my own mission.

The next time I saw one of my friend’s descendants was almost three hundred years later. “Are you Boston Lobster? The rumors are one thing, but seeing you in person is quite another. Our family is truly in your debt.”

“Are you that man’s descendant? It’s been so long that I almost forgot about you all.”

“No, I’m a relative of that man’s descendants, but part of the family all the same...I came looking for you because of a plan I’d like to ask your help with.”

“Is that so? What a coincidence, I have something I need your help with too.”

“Wonderful. My ancestor passed down an instruction: as long as you’ve found a something to fight for, our family will do everything in our power to help you.”

Yes, that was our oath.

For hundreds of years, humans have thought of nothing but themselves. To them, my brothers and sisters are just tools, sacrifices. I must change this reality. That is my true purpose.

“If I may ask, is there something you want to accomplish?”

“Heheheh, nothing big, it’ll just take a bit of time…”

Year 24: Fallen Angel weapon “Boston Lobster” escapes laboratory, fate unknown.

Year 31: The “Contract” finishes development and moves into the testing phase. A food with a milder temperament has been chosen as subject 2. “Contract” implementation was a success and completed every aspect of the original objective.

Year 44: Subject 2’s form began to collapse due to continuous experimentation. As the objective was completed, it has been proposed that the subject is destroyed.

Year 56: The weapons have officially been named “Food Souls”, and a board has been elected to regulate them.

…

Year 233: An uprising occurs in Gloriville. King Karl VII is dethroned, and his descendant was mysteriously killed in Secret Forest. A survivor said he saw a red Food Soul on site.

… …

Humanity held high hopes for him, yet he brought them endless pain for that same reason. That year, thanks to his friend, he was no longer aimless. He was no longer content with hiding in the forest, curled up in a damp cave. His fate and what he fought for was finally clear.

If humans couldn’t give Food Souls a wonderful world, he’d carve it out with his own hands.

It hurts.

It really hurts.

Under the direct glare of white light, I could hardly open my eyes.

The sense of paralysis all over my body gradually faded, replaced by a feeling of bone seeping pain.

I couldn't even tell where the pain came from. It just felt like my whole body had been ripped apart. 

Or, have I already been ripped apart?

I was fastened to a hard board. I couldn't even turn my neck, like a fish nailed to a board for slaughter.

Where is this place?

I don't know. I can’t see my surroundings and my field of vision only contained a single lamp. Behind it was the ceiling. 

There was paint peeling off the ceiling, exposing an abrupt grey colour. Moreover, there was mildew irregularly scattered all over it.

It’s just so old, and gave me a sense of nostalgia.

Nostalgia.

Why?

I squinted as my mind went blank.

Where did I live to see such similar scenes?

No... I can't remember.

If someone appears, it’d be great if I could ask them.

Soon, a moving figure appeared at the edge of my vision.

Somebody else is here! Great!

My heart was overjoyed, and I opened my mouth to speak to him. But when I tried to force the words out of my throat, to the point of pain, I couldn’t make a sound.

But strangely, that man felt my call.

In the next second, people dressed in white came over. 

I suddenly broke into a cold sweat. Filled with aversion, I instinctively resisted them.

It was only then that I was able to react.

Since I woke up, the world has been surprisingly quiet.

They talked anxiously, but I couldn't hear anything, even when their lips were moving.

I want to leave.

But I have nowhere to run.

A cold feeling spread from my arms, and a familiar sense of paralysis invaded my limbs as blood flowed.

It was as if my body was slowly sinking into water, even the pain spreading all over my body has become distant. It’s a wonderful feeling. 

I wasn't tired, but my body seemed to be cut off from any power supply; I lost my strength bit by bit, and even my thoughts slowed to a crawl.

As everything became a blur, I could vaguely see the red light of an alarm flashing constantly. The people dressed in white put down the strange-looking instruments in their hands, and fled in all directions with fear on their faces.

One by one, they escaped from my field of vision, but one of them stayed beside me. 

Unlike those people, she didn't wear the white clothes that made me so uncomfortable.

I remarked something about it, instinctively spitting out syllables from my lips.

Under the "gaze" of those eyes, my consciousness gradually faded away.

When I woke up again, two concerned faces came into sight.

A blue-eyed girl, pen and book in hand, recorded something as she circled around me.

And the other spoke a few words from time to time- it’s her. I felt eased.

I laid on a soft bed, with a fluffy pillow behind my head and a blanket gently wrapped around my body.

Even though my body still felt pain here and there, there’s no doubt I’ve recovered a lot.

So I sat up, wanting to see if I could move my body smoothly. In the process, it seemed that I’d knocked over some equipment and caused the blue-eyed girl to frantically rush towards them.

"Ah, sorry!"

Oh dear, I don't know if I said it correctly because I couldn't hear.

The blue-eyed girl seemed to be frightened by me. Her hand shook, and everything fell to the ground.

She picked up the book and the tip of her pen slid across the paper.

She handed the book to me with a sentence on it.

"When you lose your hearing, you can't control the volume of your speech, so don't speak up."

Okay.

Seeing me nod, she went on writing.

''First of all, don't worry. You're safe. This is the Perigord Institute of Magic Research. Next to me is Miss White Truffle, the owner of the institute."

"I'm Waffle, a researcher here."

"If there's anything you want to ask, you can write it down. Teacher and I will try our best to answer it for you. "

Waffle handed me the pen and paper. White Truffle also approached the bed and sat beside me.

So first of all...

"Who am I?"

Waffle became shocked and repeatedly spoke to White Truffle. Their eyebrows were increasingly furrowed during the conversation.

"Maybe you lost your memory in their experiments. Do you remember what they did to you?"

''I don't remember. I only know myself as Braised Noodles. Who are they?"

"They were an underground laboratory running illegal research on Food Souls. It was also where Teacher and the Grace Army found you."

"They were trying to do something with a part of your body, but the Silius hypothesis they used in the process is very old. Twenty years ago, Tarima, a Gloriville scholar, pointed out the loopholes in this theory."

"I don't understand."

"In short... You lost your hearing because they removed your ears."

I touched where my ears were supposed to be, and they really were gone. The wound seemed to have been treated by them and was covered with thick bandages.

"When can I hear again?"

Waffle tilted her head for a moment, deep in thought. As she hesitated, White Truffle took a pen and paper from her hands.

"You can think of a way."

I shook my head.

Waffle touched the machine on my head again and doubtfully tilted her head. She also placed a ballpoint pen in her mouth and chewed on it.

The pages of the notebook atop the rubik cube gently flipped open. At the same time, the tip of her pencil slid across it, almost as if it’s confirming… whether or not there’s an error in the formula.

But in a few minutes, as Waffle paced back and forth in front of me, I suddenly heard a pop, pop, pop sound.

It wasn’t very loud, but it reverbated in the silence, shaking my heart again and again.

At this moment, it seems like every sound has returned to my world, little by little. 

I heard the sound of my breathing, Waffle's footsteps, and her murmuring.

"Strange, there should be no flaws. There's also no problem with the introduction of spiritual power - is there a mistake in the cycle formula?"

Summer cicadas chirped outside the window as the night wind gently touched the leaves, causing them to shake with a rustle.

I grabbed Waffle's shoulders and hugged her. Hearing her exclamation, my heart was full of joy.

"I can hear, Waffle!"

Waffle was stunned.

"You... I beg your pardon? Really?"

"Let's go find White Truffle!"

As if summoned by me, White Truffle coincidentally pushed the door open. In her arms, she was hugging her assistant, Cherub, who made a barking sound. 

"White Truffle!!" 

In the next second, I tightly embraced them.

"Wow." 

After a brief shock, White Truffle patted me on the back.

"Teacher, listen to me-- " 

Waffle pulled White Truffle off me and presented the months of research to her most beloved teacher, almost as if she's offering White Truffle precious treasure.

"The Canofen formula was indeed the best choice. We’ve succeeded!"

"Well, that's why I said I wanted to try. After all, Waffle is highly proficient in this field. This wasn't difficult, right?''

Waffle's cheeks were red as she was praised.

She wanted to say something, but White Truffle was one step ahead.

"Say something, Braised Noodles,"

"I'm here!"

"Your ears have worked and your wounds have already healed. It's time to consider what's next for you."

White Truffle spoke in a faint tone. But, every single word and sentence was akin to hail striking my heart.

"I..."

I thought about it carefully.

From what I remember during my time here, only the people in the Institute actually came into contact with me.

If I leave here, where should I go?

"Can I stay here?"

"Stay."

I spoke at almost the same time as White Truffle.

"Really? Can I? But I can't live here for free; I'll plant something in the space behind here. Do you like coriander?"

"That can't be done."

White Truffle raised the corners of her mouth; it seemed like she didn't want me touching her experimental field.

"Ah..."

"Of course, I’ll arrange for you a suitable job."

With a turn of the heel, bending at my waist, the top of my head almost kissed the earth. Only then did the cool breeze, wrapped in dark air, was able to slide past my abdomen and vanish. 

I rolled sideways; a stack of dead leaves on the ground made a crackling sound when they scratched my cheeks, but the situation was too urgent for it to matter.

Raising my scythe with both hands, the cold light of the blade poured out of the Fallen Angel’s back, like cutting through silk. Its dark body split down the middle, and fell into two pieces before my feet. 

"Braised Noodles, you!"

I’d just solved the problem of the Fallen Angel, but before I could catch my breath, I was slammed against the wall by my neck.

Hesitating for a second, she moved her hands down a bit to grab at my collar, knocked her forehead against my own, and tensely stared at me.

She spoke in a cold voice:

"Next time you dare to not listen to command and rush up to the enemy by yourself, I’ll kill you before the enemy does.”

"But it would’ve been terrible if you got hit just then."

Hearing my answer, her eyebrows squeezed together.

"You should understand that you need to listen to me!"

Her expression made me uncomfortable, so I stretched out my finger and drew a circle below her eyebrows. 

"Don't frown, it doesn't look good!"

At that time, I was the only member of the Security Department.

It's my job to hunt down Fallen Angels and ensure the safety of the research institutes, which work on expanding to new areas.

But for some reason, without my knowing, White Truffle recruited a second member, Hardtack Biscuit.

I like working with people, and I didn’t hate it when she suddenly became my supervisor, commanding my every action. 

But she’s always worried about me, and I prefer happy expressions on people

So I gave in to her.

"I'll listen to you, but if it's really dangerous, I'll block anything for you."

Looking at her eyebrows slowly relaxing, my mood cleared up. 

Hardtack Biscuit sighed. As she released me, she also kicked my leg, as a way to vent her anger.

"...Let's go."

"Okay--"

Braised Noodles originally lived in a destitute village.

There were several peasant families. Yet, harvests were poor for three years due to disasters falling upon terrible times. 

The seeds were buried in barren soil, and from spring to autumn, many fruit-bearing plants did not grow.

Braised Noodles looked back on the bodies of the man and his family, becoming thinner and thinner as the days passed; she felt troubled in the face of those desolate fields.

What can she do to make them happy?

The withered grass twisted between her fingers, and in a few moments, she folded it into the shape of a five-leaf flower.

Would they be happy if she gave this to them? Can she see their smiles again?

However, when Braised Noodles handed the flower to the man, the baby in his arms opened its mouth and took a bite.

The man’s face turned pale and he opened the baby’s mouth with his boney hand; he threw the withered grass on the ground.

He tightly hugged his child and lowered his head; she couldn't see his expression clearly.

"Tomorrow... follow me somewhere."

The next day, in front of Braised Noodles was a dark carriage. The man who got out of the carriage put a small bag in her Master Attendant’s hand and grabbed Braised Noodles's wrist.

"Master Attendant...?"

"I’m sorry, Braised Noodles. Go with him."

"Why?"

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

As the carriage bumped and jolted, she saw Master Attendant's crying face. As his figure shrank, his remorseful voice gradually faded away. 

''Braised Noodles, Braised Noodles! Wake up! You're late!" 

Hardtack Biscuits patted Braised Noodles's face.

"Oh... It felt like a long dream." 

Braised Noodles slowly opened her eyes, and Hardtack Biscuit’s face came into the view of her bleary eyes. She raised the corners of Hardtack’s mouth with two index fingers. 

"What are you doing?"

"I think, people look the best when they’re smiling."

Hardtack Biscuit smacked Braised Noodle's hands away, and pulled her by the wrist off the bed.

"It’s time to do some tasks, let’s go."

"Do you wish to accept this invitation?"

The gold-foiled letter has enormous value to it, but the sender remains unknown.

Master carefully held it in his hand, greedily reading the contents of it multiple times before making a decision.

"Of course I’ll go. If even this invitation letter is this valuable, then there must be something profitable from this."

Looking at Master Attendant’s expression of excitement, I am unable to make a comment, so I decided to judge whether or not to trust the sender after I attend the meeting with him.

My Master is a successful businessman; just like any other businessman on this earth, he loves money as much as his life, and can do anything for money and riches.

Compared to Master’s profit seeking ideologies, I admire much more how he studies how to take on the family business: laying down foundations with trust, being kind to others, and never going back on your word.

Nighttime, I followed Master to the arranged location.

It is an abandoned house; in the garden there is a eucalyptus tree and a dried up well. The sounds of the wind are like the cries of ghosts. Master uncomfortably looked around his surroundings.

Two men wearing black robes and masks of wild beasts suddenly appeared, and they were dressed exactly like the one who delivered the invitation. Once they came close, they requested for our eyes to be covered, and only then will they bring us to the actual meet-up place.

Master uneasily muttered "Since we’re here, might as well do as we’re told", then let the black robed men cover his eyes.

I am not opposed to this entire situation. Instead, I feel even more curious about this entire mysterious meeting.

Covering my eyes and getting on a sedan chair that seemed to appear from nowhere, I felt the bumps of the road, up and down, up and down. We sat for a long time. But aside from the footsteps of the chair carriers, there’s no other sound.

Once we heard the sound of the wind again, we had already arrived at our destination. Taking off our blindfolds, Master and I found ourselves in front of a high court which we’ve never seen before in the city. There wasn’t even enough time to look around our surroundings before we were led into a building by the black robed men. 

The decorations in the court were intricately beautiful, the space was huge, and there were many black-robed men wearing the same masks sitting in two rows; only Master and I had our faces bare for all to see.

Even though I couldn’t see where their sights were focused on, I could feel as if they were looking at me while whispering amongst themselves, making me feel very discomfited.

Facing this situation, Master felt a bit uncomfortable, so much so that he ended up hiding behind me.

"Welcome to Chengtian Association."

The black-robed man sitting in the front opened both his arms, as if welcoming our arrival. Master Attendant and I sat in the seats that weren’t filled, listening to why we were invited.

Chengtian Association, a secret institution that maintains the regular operations of this country; they’re the ones who control the finances of the country in the dark, even the changing of the throne could be affected by them.

They are always searching for talented people to join them so that the country can become stronger.

Master’s power in fortune, that would be the biggest helping hand to them. In their case, they would give Master the best form of repayment– elevating him from a commoner to a noble.

Fame and fortune, those are things everyone pursues, I like them too.

This sort of proposition really moved me, but the exaggerated descriptions of the black-robed man made me furrow my eyebrows.

What I like is using my own power to get everything, not relying on their favors, and getting what I want without lifting a finger.

The country I’m in has been controlled by a “Family” since its birth, and even the emperor who built this country owed it to them to make peace from the chaos of war.

Of the gentrymen serving in the court’s central positions, very few are officials who rose from commoner status, and commoners would have a very hard time changing their status. I am deeply familiar with this fact, and all I want is for Master to be able to make it big in a short amount of time, and consider how he’d be able to overcome this high threshold.

Even though I don’t know the faces under those masks, judging from what they’re saying, this association must have ties with the “Family.”

The thing is, why would they choose Master, who built himself up from nothing? Maybe it’s just as they said, it’s because of the wealth that he has now has opened these doors to this world of the upper class. But……

I looked back at the crazed expression on Master’s face.

He actually believed what that person said.

I let out a silent sigh in my heart.

Sure enough……greedy people are the easiest to be deluded.

Master said yes to the proposal incessantly, and I didn’t even have time to advise him against it, so I had to swallow my warnings back down.

Chengtian Association let Master do his first task, which is to give up the shops under his name. Not a lot, just a few would be enough.

I’m not the least bit surprised by their request, because this is just a test anyways. I’m just a little bit shocked; they actually requested for Master to give up the things that he built himself up with. If they’re requesting for something like this now, then what would the requests in the future be like and how far would they go?

If this is only a test, then what is it that they really want?

Master hesitated for a few days before deciding to give the few shops that don’t have great business to the Chengtian Association. The Young Master of the family, who would inherit the business, quickly found out about this, and came to Master with his account books, asking for an explanation.

I stopped the Young Master’s hurried footsteps, but Master let me step aside. I gave Master a glance, obeyed his order to close the study’s doors, and listened to him explain everything to the Young Master about the Chengtian Association.

I have never seen the Young Master with such a surprised expression, until Master voiced that he only made this sacrifice for the sake of his future status. All the Young Master did was quiver his lips, unable to steady his mental state.

"Buddha’s Temptation, is this all real?"

"Just as you’ve heard."

The Young Master tried to verify this unthinkable situation with me, and I affirmed, but it didn’t seem to alleviate his worries. 

I observed the Young Master, slowly calming down; he looked like he already accepted Master’s actions, but the tightly clenched fists gave away his internal thoughts.

Based on my understanding of him, I’m afraid he’ll do something neither of us can expect.

As expected, the Young Master really took action.

A few days after this "father-son talk", I unintentionally noticed the Young Master’s Food Soul suspiciously exiting from the mansion’s back door, so I started to pay more attention to this situation, and followed him silently the next time he left.

The place where he went to was very secluded, and he was very careful as to not be followed while on the roads, but he couldn’t do anything to a stalker who was already prepared. Even though I wasn’t able to hear what was being said between him and his contact, seeing the envelope that he passed over, I’m afraid Chengtian Association is no longer a secret.

"Steamed Wuchang Fish, what are you and the Young Master planning?"

Once the contact left, Wuchang Fish traced his footsteps to go back. I stopped him halfway through and asked straightforwardly.

It seemed as if Wuchang Fish was shocked by my presence, but he remained calm even in danger. Like me, he didn’t waste any time to fabricate a reason.

"The Young Master and I want to save this country being manipulated——Don’t tell anyone, Buddha’s Temptation, that would be best for everyone."

"Being manipulated……"

This may be the best way to describe it, I couldn’t agree more.

If even the passing of power was controlled by someone else, then isn’t the fate of this country being controlled by someone else too?

Master and I now are also chess pieces that will be used unpredictably.

How extremely sad.

"What you’re doing is very dangerous."

"Young Master and I have realized we’re ready to sacrifice our lives for this. "

"Ah, know this too, that if anything happens, it’s not just going to be you two, but Master’s entire family will be dragged into this. Do you two realise that this is the risk that you’re taking on?"

"……"

"If I can notice you doing this, then obviously the organisation with 『Hands and Eyes in the Sky』will notice. Stop while you can, or else do it with even more caution and be more thorough. This time I won’t tell anyone, but I won’t go into the grave one day because of you two. "

"I understand. We will be careful."

After my advice, Wuchang Fish really did act more secretively.

It’s just that none of us realised that before I even figured out what they were doing, Chengtian Association had already found out about their motives, and every single one of us have already become chess pieces not within our control.

"Move away Buddha’s Temptation! I want to take Master away! "

"Calm down first!"

"Calm down?! Master is about to be given to Chengtian Association, how can I calm down!"

"If you don’t calm down, neither you nor the Young Master can leave!"

Wuchang Fish, trying to rush into the Young Master’s room, had a face full of rage. I blocked him from the garden, striking his vital points.

I can understand his anger, and I’m also shocked that Chengtian Association would request for Master to give up the Young Master to them. Then Master actually locked the Young Master up, ordering me to guard over him until the people from Chengtian Association came.

"Don’t let your emotions get to your brain! Think about this, if the situation has developed the way it is now, that means that your men have been exposed long ago, what will you do next then?"

Under my strong words, Wuchang Fish, who seemed like he lost all thinking abilities from impulse, finally calmed down.

"……Our work will not stop, other people will automatically turn around to us, all I need to do now is to bring Master away, then we will have a chance to take back everything in the days to come. "

"Hehe…..work? Let me guess, the so called plan of yours to save the country should involve the Emperor. You both have never even heard of the existence of Chengtian Association before, and what you’re doing is only based on the assumption that the “Family” are forcing things along with the Emperor, so you don’t really have any plans that could really profit the people and the country, am I right?"

"……"

"Both of you must have guessed that Chengtian Association is tied to the “Family”, but during the process of transferring information, somewhere along the line, the fact that both of you knew about this organization was leaked. Maybe it was me, maybe it was the people around the emperor, or more likely……it was someone from the inside. "

"That’s impossible!"

"Hehe, it seems that I was right. But why didn’t they take action before, and wait until now to go against the Young Master?"

"……I don’t know."

I let out a sigh, patting his arm.

"I’m really curious about this too, I even suspect they especially solicited Master just for the Young Master…You can go back first, come back after midnight. Don’t just stand there anymore, go, when the time comes, things will go as you wish. "

Sending off Wuchang Fish, I took out my pocket watch to check the time, then waved my finger at a direction after I kept time.

Before they leave, I’ll help them just one more time……

After midnight, Wuchang Fish came as agreed.

The small courtyard I was guarding does not have a second guard; I led Wuchang Fish to Young Master, who had already packed up his bags. Seeing his Young Master, he dashed over to give him a hug, and I hastened their departure.

"The money for the journey is all in the bundle, I have also given the map to get out of the country to Young Master. The few hiding places on the road are also very well concealed, they are friends I made from when I was helping Master take care of business, they’re very willing to provide help. I have already solved the problem of Chengtian Association monitoring the Food Souls here, rest assured, you can leave……wait until you have enough power to change this country, then come back. "

Young Master and Wuchang Fish both revealed a shocked expression, Wuchang Fish grabbed my arm and faced me.

"Why are you helping us? We don’t even know how great their power is. If you do this, not only will the Master, even you will– "

"If this person can sell out his own family just for personal gain, then what is there that he won’t do. Maybe one day, I’ll be the one paying the price for his greed!" I cut off Wuchang Fish and waved him off.

"What we know of Chengtian Association is really little, I may be able to help you for now, but I can’t keep helping you. In the end, you need to rely on your own strength to change this country. But……anyways, the thing I seek, it will not happen in this country. If you can really change this country, then that’s not bad too."

"The thing you seek?"

"Hehe, that’s not something you need to know. Don’t stall any longer, hurry up and go."

"……Thank you, we owe you a favor."

"No need to thank me, someday I will ask for this favor back. "

The Young Master and Wuchang Fish have both left. Master went into a fit of rage, but there was nothing he could do, except to hide this matter for now.

But a secret can’t be kept forever,^[1]Chengtian Association quickly found out about the Young Master and Wuchang Fish’s escape. What they did was bring Master news of the Young Master’s death, and then told him their third request was for him to dissolve his contract with me and hand me over, or else he wouldn’t be able to own any property, bringing disaster upon himself.

Looking at Master, gazing at me with teary eyes, I controlled my emotions and didn’t ridicule him. Instead, I calmly asked him.

"Where’s Wuchang FIsh? Seeing as Young Master has been killed, has Wuchang Fish died with him as well?"

"Wu-Wuchang Fish? I don’t know, they never said anything, perhaps he ran off on his own!"

Wuchang Fish is someone who would never run away on his own, unless he got into some sort of accident too.

A thought suddenly floated into my head.

Is it possible that…..eradicating the Young Master, participating in conspiracy, was just something they did in passing, and their final goal was actually to obtain Steamed Wuchang Fish and I, both Food Souls?

This gutsy thought troubled me, what’s the use of obtaining Food Souls unwilling to submit their lives to them?

"Buddha’s Temptation, you must save me, if I didn’t summon you, you wouldn’t have even appeared on the face of this earth……"

"Okay, I will go."

I no longer wished to listen to Master using past deeds to plead with me, so I cut his words off, agreeing to his request.

Master’s treachery has locked his dismal future into place, so I might as well take this chance to dissolve our contract, and after I obtain the answer in the confusion, I’ll save Wuchang Fish and leave this place.

While leaving the mansion, I felt no nostalgia, and showed no signs of resisting. I was very cooperative from start to finish.

The people at Chengtian Association probably didn’t expect me to come so willingly, so they even sent a Food Soul responsible for detaining me while escorting me. At first, the Food Soul had their guard up, worried that I would cause a ruckus at any time, only slowly letting their guard down when we were on the grounds of the Chengtian Association.

I heard that this place was called “Drink Water Stage”, and it seems like it is primarily used to perform experiments.

Entering “Drink Water Stage” and going deeper, the transaction was about to take place at the checkpoint.

I used this opportunity to cause a scene and launched a surprise attack on the Food Soul, who’d relaxed their vigilance. The Food Soul meant to receive us was stunned, but then immediately after, threw down every other human in the tunnel!

"You……who are you?"

"I am Jinhua Ham, and I would like you to come rescue Steamed Wuchang Fish."

"Wuchang Fish is here?"

"Yes, follow me."

At a critical time like this, I can only choose to trust this Food Soul that helped me.

Jinhua Ham and Chengtian Association must have some deep connection. He was very familiar with the layout of “Drink Ice Stage”, and no one suspected anything as he brought me through the tunnels. Extremely convenient for our surprise attack on a guard on our way.

Very soon, he led me to Wuchang Fish’s room. The unconscious Wuchang Fish was locked to a table, surrounded by tools made of crystal and unidentifiable metals.

"……These are?"

"These are the tools used to perform experiments……they’re always looking for methods to force Food Souls into contracts with them."

"What?!"

"Having more Food Souls would mean having greater power. At that time, not only will they be able to control this country, other countries……even the entirety of Light Kingdom would be in their hands. "

"……So this is their motive."

"Wuchang Fish helped me before, so I am returning this favor to him. Please take him away."

Loosening Wuchang Fish’s shackles, I carried him on my back and followed Jinhua Ham towards the most concealed passageway, and tried to ask him about his life.

Jinhua Ham did not let on about his story, and only said that he doesn’t wish to see Chengtian Association harming any more people.

"Won’t you leave with us?"

"No……My issues can only be resolved here. I have already prepared your safehouse, if you trust me, then bring Wuchang Fish there and let him properly tend to his wounds, then come back and fight with his original strength. If I’m still here at that time, then I can be his greatest help."

"……Take care.  "

Seeing as Jinhua Ham has already made up his mind, I didn’t think to advise him further and brought Wuchang Fish away from this place.

Everyone has things that they want to pursue, and thus, will receive the rewards or pay the price from their choices.

There’s nothing in this country that causes me to be nostalgic, so I will leave here and start anew somewhere else.

But the people I know, they are all here.

In the future, no matter what they choose, I will always be somewhere in the corner, watching them make their final decision.

Once Buddha’s Temptation left the country, his Master was punished for assisting wanted criminals. Even before Buddha’s Temptation chose to leave, he had already predicted this ending for his Master. To Buddha’s Temptation, this was a well deserved ending for someone who discarded his friends.

When Buddha’s Temptation found out that Master was going to give his only son to Chengtian Association, he’d already begun planning ahead for his future. Rather than travelling through land, where he could be easily followed, Buddha’s Temptation chose to go through the dangerous but hard to track ocean.

Through the savings he earned when he was helping Master with his business, he requested help from some of his reliable acquaintances to obtain a merchant ship, so he could leave and set sail whenever.

Just like this, Buddha’s Temptation brought Steamed Wuchang Fish to the safehouse that Jinhua Ham had prepared, and Steamed Wuchang Fish received careful treatment from Cloud Tea.

Buddha’s Temptation told Steamed Wuchang Fish about the fact that Jinhua Ham helped them escape but didn’t leave with them.

Steamed Wuchang Fish was quiet for a moment, then let out a soft sigh, not saying anything else. Buddha’s Temptation didn’t ask further questions, he just took out his pocket watch to look at the time, then went to the back kitchen to get the medicine being boiled for Steamed Wuchang Fish.

Buddha’s Temptation didn’t wait for Steamed Wuchang Fish’s injuries to completely heal and left; he knew Wuchang Fish would return to their home country, to exact revenge on that organization that controlled the nation and killed his Master.

Buddha’s Temptation has no interest in Chengtian Association, and his intentions do not belong here. Early on, he already knew that outside of this country, there are broader skies, enough power for him to expend at his whims, letting more people know of his name, allowing for more wealth to accumulate under his name. All he needs to do is think, and he’ll be able to obtain all that he wanted.

Buddha’s Temptation chose to leave the land of nowhere on his own, with a single boat. He went through many troubles doing simple tasks like transporting and escorting, up until he returned to land to build his own business.

On this journey, he got to know many brothers he could trust, found a dependable partner, formed a tough team and grew his business.

While Buddha’s Temptation was focused on managing his business, he never once forgot about the friend who returned to their motherland for revenge, and was always paying close attention to the news, even lending a bit of help when it was most needed.

For example, when Steamed Wuchang Fish had his identity exposed and was chased down by the enemy, Buddha’s Temptation brought him on to the boat, allowing him to temporarily hide.

Every time, Buddha’s Temptation would remind Steamed Wuchang Fish that he owed him an extra favour and that he would want to ask for it back one day, telling him that Steamed Wuchang Fish should just do his best, he shouldn’t lose his life for revenge.

The thing is, Buddha’s Temptation never asked for these favors back from Steamed Wuchang Fish, he would just joke like this to Steamed Wuchang Fish every time.

From the beginning of my birth, my Master Attendant told me.

I am a saint, a gift from God. 

In this turbulent era, in order to pass on the will of God, to exist in order to save the suffering people. 

God responded to his prayers and brought me to his side, bringing the will, the voice and the gift of God. 

God, mercy, and kindness in Master Attendant's people, like the same beam of light, will generally repel all darkness, embracing all the people who suffer in his warm embrace. I come from God and exist because of God's choice. Take away the pain and bring light to them. 

Our town is a place that is not prosperous, but it is exceptionally calm. 

Without the turmoil of the outside world, the villagers are mostly kind, and we are self-sufficient in our own labor. 

We pray to our God devoutly and humbly pray for peace. 

And our great God has mercifully blessed our little land. 

We have plenty of sunshine, rain, and a mild and suitable environment that allows us to settle in this land with peace of mind. 

The beautiful song of birds in the morning, the little fish at the bottom of streams, the lovely creatures in the mountains and forests, all of which come from God's gift. All we need to do is pray, and we can easily get enough for our rich life. 

Master Attendant exhausted his life savings and built this church, which might be a little crude for God. 

But our loving God did not reject our prayers. 

He will follow God's will to help everyone who comes to ask for help, and guide the lost lambs back to the path of light. 

His words and deeds are faithful to God's teachings. He is God's most devout believer and God's most loyal agent. 

I was born in the world because of the gift of God. I stood before the image of one thousandth of the love that could not be traced in the eyes of God. I pleaded God to agree with my little request.

God, I will always dedicate my most devout faith as a offering, and pray that you can look at me with your eyes. 

Even if it is a small moment, I pray that you will listen to my most sincere call, so that I can guard God and guard the town.

Thanks to God's blessing, Master Attendant has lived to an age that was long enough for human beings.

With a smile, he was taken back by God. 

God's side will no longer have suffering and sickness. Master Attendant will henceforth serve God's right and left without any trouble. 

The only concern before he left was this small church. 

Even though it's not eye-catching, with the statues being a bit rudimentary, it is the only place in the town where people can listen to the voice of God. They are the ones who can seek a bright light when they are lost. 

He handed this little church to me. I held the bronze key in my hand tightly, and I looked at the Master Attendant who had left safely. I made a promise to God in my heart. 

I will do everything I can to protect and sing the faiths of my heart. 

Because I am not a human being born of God, I will not grow old like human beings. I will praise God's mercy, praise his gifts, and guard this faith which is never allowed to be defiled. 

From spring to winter, the toddlers in the town grow up, go to school, work, get married, and grow old. 

I follow God's will to appease the wounded body with the power of God, and sing praises of God to soothe the wounded soul. 

The clear bells echoed in the church, washing away the inner sins and fatigue, and the ethereal hymns appease the fragile soul. 

Gradually, because only the spirit that will appear before me when I sing has the power to heal people's wounds, and because I will not grow old, I am called a saint by the people of the town. 

Great God, please forgive me for this little joy in my heart. 

This title seems to have enabled me to take a little step closer to you. Forgive me for not stopping them from addressing me so selfishly. 

I will work harder.

When there are no ceremonies in the church, I like to walk around town.

Sunny weather is the best time to walk. Close your eyes and feel the gentle breeze. Slow down your breathing. When you integrate yourself into the world, you will feel how kind God is.

With a touch of grassy aroma, the neighbors’ cordial greetings, the street vendors’ enthusiastic barking, the laughing and joking children, and the yawning cats on the street corners.  

All of this is given by God. 

Suddenly, a melodious song that was sweet and different from the hymn came from a familiar street. 

I slowly opened my eyes and followed the song. 

A man in a robe sat with a group of children with a bright sunny smile. There were several white pigeons beside him who were also attracted by his singing. His hair under the sunshine seemed to be coated with gold. 

His voice is very pleasant, like a spring breeze, gentle and smiling. 

I believe that no matter how noisy the child is, he can gradually quiet them down under his song. 

He was surrounded by a group of children, and even the busy adults not far away looked sideways at him from time to time. 

Different from the sacredness of the hymn, he can make people feel the countless scenery he has walked through from his singing. 

The cold winds on the snowy plain, sometimes magnificent and sometimes calm as a mirror of the sea, and endless wheat fields. 

Following his song seemed like he can travel all over the places of the land and see the beautiful scenery that he has never seen before. 

"Brother, brother, you have been to many places. Can you tell us what the other places are like? I haven't been out of town yet!" 

After the song was finished, the quiet children gradually recovered their usual liveliness. The daring boy grabbed the man's clothes and looked up at the man who laughed gently. 

The man touched his chin and meditated for a while, then patted the child on the top of his head. 

"Okay, let me tell a story about the rain." As the story progresses, the story from the man's mouth becomes more and more absurd. 

How could there be other gods in this world? 

Everything about us! It was brought by our great Father and God! 

But it's all absurd delusions! How dare we call ourselves God! 

"Stop your nonsense. Our God is always merciful. How could it be possible for a small argument to send tens of thousands of people to die in the devastating floods?" 

I went into the crowd and glared at the man who had denigrated God's prestige, but his eyes were still clear and unshaken. 

He looked up at me, reflecting in his clear pupils my face twisted by anger, and his expression was apologetic, but without regret. 

"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that in front of you. " 

"...Your God does not exist...It doesn't exist!" 

"Hey, don't get angry. It's just a legend." 

"You're such a person... How can a man like you understand how kind God is, that he is our only God! You are that kind of person! You'll be punished!" 

I don't remember how I got back to church. I just remember how sorry the man was for annoying me. 

He quickly left after apologizing to me, while I was still immature at that time, but I was still muddled by his story.

I know that man is still in the town, because there are some words that shouldn't have appeared in the mouths of children who had only prayed to our Father and God.

They no longer appreciate God's reward. They no longer believe that Father is the only faith.

They turned their backs on the gods, and they betrayed the Father who gave them light. 

God, I ask you to let these people know who is giving them such a peaceful life, and who they should believe in. 

The horrific tragedy that followed, for me at that time, was like the punishment that the Father sent to them after their wrath.  

The rich and fertile land splitted into a huge gap from the center of the town, swallowing the existence of life like a monster with a large opening in hell.  

Buildings that collapsed because of the huge turbulence, along with the tongues of fire from the overturned stoves, engulfed the people who had not been able to escape. 

The tragic screams and cries for help came from every corner of the town, and in every direction there were countless lambs who fell into the darkness and needed to be saved. 

Standing in the center of the town, I watched in horror as the collapsed buildings swallowed up the children I was running to. Faced with the town that suddenly turned into ruins, all the townspeople put their hands together and prayed terribly to God and Father for forgiveness and prayed that God and Father would stop the terrible disaster. 

I hugged my head and cried, asking for the care of Father, praying for his forgiveness, and praying for the retraction of what I had said before as a curse. 

However, it was another hand that pulled me up from the ground. 

The intense pain on my face made me wake up. I covered my painful and feverish cheek and looked at the man who frowned. 

"There will be time to pray after you save people!"  

"This is God's punishment... No one will be saved. Everyone's going to die. It's a punishment... It's all my fault... It's all my fault... " 

"Wake up! Isn't your God merciful? It can't be the disaster he gave! Think about it for me! He gives you strength! What on earth is it used for? Now only you can save those people!" 

The brain, which had been chaotic because of the tragic situation, became gradually clear. Even at this time, my palms were still shaking slightly, and my eyes were still a little swelled. 

"... Yes... Now... Only me... Only then can we save everyone... " 

Thank God for his power. 

But at the same time, thanking him for extending his hand to me in the dark vortex and for letting me understand the meaning of the power that God has given me. 

Like chanting in the church, under the brilliant power to bring out the light, the strength in the body was gradually pulled away and cleaned, shaking to falling down, but didn't touch the mottled land again. I was caught by the man and leaned on him. 

"Look, isn't this done?" 

I looked up at the man who was gray-faced because he helped the townspeople. His face was as bright as I had ever seen it. 

A long time ago, there was a self-sufficient town.

The location of the town is very good, with fertile land, plenty of rain, and a warm and suitable climate. 

The townspeople didn't need to use too much labor to acquire enough assets for their well-off life. 

Their biggest festival of the year is to pray to their Father for good weather in the coming year. 

There is also a devout priest in the town. The priest is sincere and gentle. He will meet every one of the townspeople who come to pray and will solve their doubts. The priest firmly believes that their benevolent gods will protect their small town. 

Perhaps it was true that one day, the devout priest touched his god, and a spirit like a saint was summoned by him. 

Canele, who has the appearance and the voice of a pure soul like a saint. Her singing is enough to wash away all sins. Her singing can make any sin invisible. 

Canele, who was sent to the priest by the gods, was able to use a special force when she sang. This power can heal the wounds and even save the dying when they reached their limit. 

The priest regarded her as a gift from the gods, and he gave his church to her after his death. 

But Canele did not live up to her name as a saint, and her pious faith worshiped the gods in their hearts. 

However, after a small dispute, the natural disaster left the villagers who were used to praying at a loss, and this natural disaster became the reason why Canele was regarded as a saint by the world. 

A town that was so tragic that all the buildings collapsed, even under her singing, only a few people were injured, and those who were seriously injured also stopped bleeding in time to save their lives. 

"Oh, my lady!" 

Beer, with his gentle voice and beaming expression, stood at the entrance of the town that was being gradually rebuilt, and raised his hand to wave at Canele, who was telling stories to the children. 

"Mr. Beer, long time no see."

Canele put down her storybook and coaxed the children who were still pestering her to listen to the story back home, and she went to Beer.

"Yeah, I'm here again. What story are you telling them?"

"What you told them before, the story that hasn't been finished yet. At that time, I interrupted this story, and I should make up for it. "

" ....Ok. " 

"Why did you come to me all of a sudden? What about the boy who has been following you all the time?" 

"... I didn't know why he was angry with me. I came to find him and happened to pass by you and see if everything was all right for you. " 

"What kind of world have you seen this time?" 

"... Ah... That's why I came to talk to you. Oyster, that child.... " 

Beer didn't care about her problem. 

"This is a matter between you. It is a test that God has given you. It shouldn't be told by other people." 

"Ah... What should I do then?" 

Beer watched Canele walk away in light footsteps and grabbed her hair that got messy as she ran. 

Beer, who was traveling all over the world may never know that the person who made Canele stop blindly believing in the gods but further strengthen her beliefs, was the one who hadn't found anything about his belief.  

The man who always laughed hilariously told her with his own actions. 

Her god, who kindly gave her strength, did not allow her to pray. 

He is her only god, and doesn't need to worry about other people's beliefs. In her mind, he was the only belief. 

In the end, she will always be proud of her God she believes in and appreciate his gift.

TBA

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TBA

Master Attendant said that my arrival was as delightful as the congratulations on his victory.

My Master Attendant had been defending this country for more than a few decades, and he has won far more battles against those who have attempted to invade the land than they can imagine. 

When he was a teenager, he joined the army and became a glorious soldier, guarding this originally weak country, one battle after another, with countless scars on his body, and his heroic warfare has recorded his years and carries his glory.  

Nowadays, his temples are already white, but the age when he should have enjoyed his time is still the same. Only I am the one who accompanies him. 

He always laughs and tells me that this country is like his child. He has guarded it in its best years and watched it grow little by little to become a powerful country. 

Whenever he saw the crowd cheering on the street because of his triumph, he would tell me that he had never regretted giving his life to the people on this land. 

However, the emperor who sat high above the throne disappointed his efforts. 

Master Attendant, who holds the military power, has become the object of suspicious by the emperor. 

No one could have imagined that a simple palace banquet had became the scene for Master Attendant to go to the gallows. 

Other relatives have long been dead, and there are no other offspring. 

Master Attendant regarded me as his brother. He was a man who wasn't very gentle but devotes himself to the efforts of those who value him. I couldn't stand watching him walk step by step onto the inexplicable guillotine. 

I couldn't let the soldiers he personally brought out bear the scolding of treason with me, and I broke into the heavily guarded prison. 

The energetic old man who was originally full of spirit, was like the old and weak elderly people in the hospital at this time, but he always manages to clean his hair and let it loose.  

He looked up at me in a trance, opened his mouth and muttered something. 

"Hurry... Go away..."

When I heard his words, countless officers and soldiers had already rushed into the empty cell with weapons in their hands.

The gun in my hand dexterously spun out as a circle-shaped shadow on my finger. I laughed and looked up at the guards with weapons in their hands who were too late to come forward, raising their chins slightly. 

"Do you want to be clear? You are enemies with me, and you are enemies of victory." 

Spiritualized bullets poured out from the muzzle of the gun, and the bullets sparkled on the stone walls of the prison. The soldiers who went forward and succeeded fell down one by one, but their support came one after another without stopping. 

Spiritual power, like water, is squeezed out of the dying plants drop by drop, and the scene before me was becoming somewhat dazed, except for Master Attendant behind me, who roared with grief. 

No... I can never...fail...

The exhaustion of my spiritual power had made me feel a little empty, and my legs had lost enough strength to support my body.

In order to protect Master Attendant behind me, I was forced to take a bullet. The pain caused by the bullet is now somewhat numb.

The faith that we mustn't lose sustains our shaky bodies, but the scene in front of me is gradually tinged with scarlet.

I tried to keep my eyes open, but I eventually slipped and fell forward.

Just when I thought I was going to fail, a familiar figure stood in front of me, holding my fallen body.

"Champagne, you are a symbol of our victory. How can you fall down? Hold on!"

The dizziness that made my brain unable to think had gradually passed, and my consciousness slowly recovered. I could barely see the guy who was supporting my body.

"You guys...Why are you here...?"

"The general is not yours alone, and we have been taught by him to grow up to what we are today. The general is like a father to us. We have long seen that the fellow sitting on the throne isn't satisfied. If it weren't for the general, there wouldn't be such a peaceful life!"

Looking at the comrades who suddenly rushed in, they nodded and supported their weak bodies by the shoulders of the people around them.

"Wherever I am, I am victorious!"

With support, Master Attendant was saved quickly and safely, and I gradually lost consciousness after a peace of mind.

When I woke up again, I saw Master Attendant sitting on the edge of the bed worriedly. His hand still had the scars left by his torture sentence.

He shook his hand slightly and rubbed my cheek with a calloused thumb.

"Champagne, it's hard for you."

The look of Master Attendant's worries only revealed for a moment, and soon resumed to its usual chill. The killing in his eyes became richer and more powerful.

"It doesn't matter if they hurt me, but I will never allow them to hurt my soldiers."

I stood on the field, looking at the dead companions lying on the ground, who had clenched their fists in order to rescue Master Attendant.

I looked back at Master Attendant, and the hesitation in his eyes had already dispersed, leaving only a firm decision. I raised the corner of my mouth and raised the flag in my hand.

As long as you think, there is a place where I am, and it is victory.

Wherever my gun is pointing, it is your kingdom.

Human beings often have something I can't understand, and the most incomprehensible is that they can sell everything for their power and their interests, ignoring all the suffering people around them.

Not everyone can agree with my change to the country. They have opposed my orders more than once for their own sake, even though the country is rebounding at a visible rate.

If we want to continue the reforms, those neighboring countries who don't know how to invade at this time become my best chess pieces.

The change of dynasty is bound to bring about war and turmoil. The neighbors who heard of the death of Master Attendant will seize the right opportunity to plunder more from the land that had suffered.

Only then will the nobles, who need me to bring victory to them, will faithfully implement the laws I promulgated and carry out my orders.

War, enactment of decrees, turmoil, and decision-making are all carried out in my plan.

I know that this is not a long-term solution, but it is enough to temporarily stabilize the current chaotic situation.

Isn't this the most commonly used trick among humans?

Finally, when all the neighboring countries realized that my country wasn't as weak as they had imagined, the turmoil had stabilized with the end of the last war.

The coronation ceremony that was put on hold during the war campaign was once again put on the agenda.

After the coronation ceremony, I was able to become the true monarch of this country.

Opponents even raised theocracy, which had long been forgotten by the country, as a reason to oppose me.

In the end, I don't care whether my throne is right or not. What I really want to do isn't to become the king of this country.

Those anxious ministers kept urging me that. As long as they have the approval of the saint, those who are constantly opposed to me would have nothing to say.

They persuaded me more than once that I was a natural king and should be sitting here.

The seemingly undulating underwater tide is surging, and everyone is making a big fuss about it, trying to debate it.

No one thought that the saint would take the initiative to come to the door on their own.

To my surprise, she turned out to be the same as me.

I sat on the throne and watched her bow respectfully. The respectful and polite figure gradually coincided with the girl standing in front of the church in my memory.

At this time, I realized that this girl's clothes are familiar.

When she looked up, I suddenly remembered when I had passed through a small city.

When the horse kicked open the gate, it was she who stood in front of the city people in an attempt to protect them all by herself.

I held my chin with great interest and looked at her carefully.

"Your Majesty, I have a small appeal, I hope Your Majesty will consider it."

I thought she would make some requests when I asked her.

Who could have thought she would propose a rebuttal to me?

"No, Your Majesty, I just want to pray that your law can be more gentle. Although strict law is the foundation of governing the country, there are too many sensible things. It's too impersonal to break it all at once."

I looked at this fellow, and I suddenly remembered those who offered me a request to restore the power of the aristocracy through various excuses. The inner dissatisfaction and anxiety made their tone unsatisfactory.

The subsequent quarrel left the minister who brought her somewhat at a loss, and I gradually changed my view of this girl during the quarrel.

This girl also has Master Attendant's tolerance and gentleness towards human beings.

At the end of the dispute, I couldn’t suppress my sudden inexplicable emotions and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Looking at her smile, I opened my mouth.

"If this is the case, then you will stay here and let me see if you can persuade me or if I'll persuade you!"

The rebel forces, guided by generals loyal to the country for ten years, strengthened the anti-flag, which no one had thought of, but it seems to be expected.

Master Attendant had been tortured and ruined by the life in prison. He gave the command to me after the expedition.

The officials and men who were extremely trusting with Master Attendant also trusted me. For them, I am synonymous with victory.

Every war I have been in has never failed. Even at the point where it looks like a desperate situation, I always have a way of leading everyone to victory.

I am Champagne, I am victory.

The rebel forces are as sharp as a blade.

Citizens who could not endure the exploitation of nobility for a long time opened the door and we all entered the city of the king.

The melancholy, greedy, and weak emperor fell off his throne and shivered.

The gunshots sounded, and the bright red blood stained the red carpet like a dark layer. I turned and looked at Master Attendant standing at the door of the hall.

His body was weakening and becoming more vulnerable than the average old man.

I reach out my hand to help him sit down and rest on the throne.

However, he didn't hold my hand, and as his withered hand missed my palm, it stretched out to my shoulder, clasping it and gave me a hard push.

Unguarded, I was pushed to the throne by him. I frowned and looked at Master Attendant's increasingly old face.

"I'm old, half of my body is in the soil, probably not long, but unlike you, Champagne, I can see that you're a man with the power of emperor. I know you don't have much affection for human beings, but even if it's for my promise, keep this country for me, okay?"

I was somewhat surprised by this remark. I always thought that my indifference to human beings was well concealed. Even to those obnoxious nobles, I could show a smile that could make girls blush.

Master Attendant looked at my surprised expression and stretched out his hand to mess up my long hair.

''Don't worry. You hide it well. I know that you have been depressed for a long time.''

"Then you're not worried that I might ruin the country you value?"

"You won't."

"Why?"

"Because I believe in you. Only you can protect this country for me."

I looked at Master Attendant's tired eyes and took a deep breath. The air had a strong bloody smell that wasn't pleasant, but it was enough to calm me down.

I agreed to Master Attendant's request to be the new king of this country.

Master Attendant quickly passed away because of excessive fatigue and old injuries.

The rebels then split into two factions, with the imperial guards firmly supporting my succession, while the other group fighting for the throne.

Unlike human beings, Food Souls have an unchanging appearance, great power, and a time that is meaningless to us.

I have followed him since he was a young Master Attendant. He was a child at that time. I have been like this. Now he has been buried in loess, but I am still like this.

I couldn't help laughing when I looked at those who have no good intentions.

This is the country you want to protect.

But that's your last request to me. I'll do it for you.

I have enough time to change all this, to change the country that has disappointed you.

With such determination, I began to reform the country.

Unlike Master Attendant, my comrades-in-arms who had stood on the same battlefield had a feeling of inseparability for him. I am familiar with those people, but I don't have those superfluous feelings.

So I punished some nobles who ignored the decrees, dealt with the nobles who gave the judges a headache, and cleaned up the tangled forces between the royal cities.

Ordinary civilians, who had survived between various powers, were able to live with their heads up and lift their chest.

I stood on the wall of the kingdom and looked at the smiles on the faces of the civilians. I thought that this should be the country he wanted.

Champagne is a very arrogant guy.

It was not long before he was summoned as the general's Food Soul, and his Master Attendant felt Champagne's indifference to mankind.

Except for being a general's Food Soul, no human being can enter his eyes. Even the general himself, if he didn't have his Master Attendant's identity, he wouldn't be able to make Champagne treat him differently.

Champagne soon felt the problem of his attitude. He covered his indifference with a smile. Almost everyone was deceived by him.

His Master Attendant knows that Champagne has more outstanding military talent than himself, and has more talents that he doesn't have.

Champagne can always make decisive decisions in a war situation than he can, and rationally chooses more effective but cruel methods when others hesitate.

So when he was forced to raise the flag of rebellion, he thought of the first person to sit on the throne in the future, not himself.

He cunningly handed over the responsibility he should have shouldered to Champagne, to the man who would not grow old, as if he had infinite strength and represented victory.

Only by handing it to him, this country will have a monarch who will not become fatuous because of old age.

Only by handing the country to the Champagne he trusted can he leave the world with a peace of mind.

In the worries of countless people, Champagne sat on the throne, which made everyone eager to show off the amazing skills that no one had ever thought of, and a military genius beyond the reach of all previous emperors.

Champagne is worthy of the symbol of victory, as long as he is in battle on the battlefield, he is invincible.

Champagne is more suitable for this position than any emperor in the history of the country.

This country, which has suffered the brutality of the nobles, can no longer afford another chaos.

Old ministers who know this well are more reluctant to give up the man who can finally save the country from fire.

If not for self-esteem, some of them even want to hold on to the legs of a fellow who wants to leave the throne all the time and travel freely, asking him to stay in a country that can no longer experience another turbulence.

Champagne was forced to stay in this country.

The old ministers who knew the truth were even more worried about losing Champagne from the loss of the his Master Attendant, and there was nothing left for him except the promise between him and his Master Attendant.

Watching the self-esteemed nobles provoke the authority of the king more than once, the old ministers can only pray with trepidation for the coronation ceremony to proceed smoothly.

The arrival of the saint gave them a surprise.

As the last excuse for the opposition, with the instruction of the saint, Champagne's succession is no longer a rebellion against God, but the will of God.

Although...

The relationship between the saint and His Majesty the King doesn't look so good.

"Champagne! I told you! Relieving the disasters in these territories is the highest priority! Why do you want to give money to the army?!"

"You woman! It is unreasonable! If the soldiers do not strengthen their defense, will not the people in the city be spared from the disaster without arrogance?"

"You--! "

What's wrong with me?!"

"I'm going to -- ow -- why did you hit me!?"

"No swearing! As the head of a country, you have to have your own manners! What if this hooliganism is learned by children?"

The old minister standing by the side watched the noisiness between the two of them, and touched his beard satisfactorily.

They believe that with the joint efforts of the saint and the King, the country will get better and better.

When I opened my eyes, an elderly man with a gentle smile stood before me.
He patted my hands gently, and said,

"Thank you for coming.
Please accompany this old man here."

A room full of medical related books. Simple blue clothes that smells of medicinal herbs, which refuses to disappear even after the clothes are washed off. The owner of all of these is my Master Attendant.
Master Attendant is a godly doctor living hidden deep in the mountain. Many people had offered him golds, silvers, and even lands, wanting him to work solely for them.

As Master Attendant has no interest in such things, he decided to live in retirement in this area to avoid the complicated earthly life.
There is neither disputes nor fighting here. Only faint tea and herb scent wafting in the air.

Lovely animals also live here, in the depth of the mountain. Once they got accustomed to our presence, they often come approaching us to ask for some snacks.
They're also pretty clever. If they got hurt, they will wait patiently by our side, as if asking us to treat their wounds.

I usually relieve myself from boredom by reading Master Attendant's medical books, learning bit by bit from them.
Seeing that, Master Attendant eventually taught me the art of medicine.

Every mid-month, Master Attendant would take me with him going down the mountain, to exchange medicinal herbs with daily necessities.

Once, when we're heading back home, we heard a dreadful scream and the voice of people panicking from within a small hut along the road.

"The, the baby won't come out!"

Master Attendant, who usually is always walking leisurely, suddenly hastened his footsteps when he heard this, and he entered the unlocked hut.
Then, after pushing his way through the crowd of bewildered people, he pulled out the silver needle that he always kept around his waist belt.

When he pierced the correct acupuncture point with the silver needle, the screaming woman began to calm down, and she breathed more easily.

"Boil the water for her."

Master Attendant and I then left the room.
Before long, we can hear the high-pitched cries of a baby from within the room.
Master Attendant finally looked relieved, and he took me to leave the place.

"Master Attendant, weren't you saying that you don't wish to involve yourself with the earthly life?"

"That's a different matter altogether with helping others.
We don't need reasons to help others.
Cloud, do you understand what I mean?"

"Yes."

"Do you really understand?"

"... I do."

As the moon sank behind the ravines, I helped Master Attendant walking a step at a time, climbing up the stone steps covered in mosses.
The clouds are playfully riding on the gentle breeze, bringing a fresh air to the the valley after the rain.

After helping Master Attendant getting into the house, I let him sit under the roof overhang, and poured a cup of tea for him.

The enshrouding mist slowly cleared away, and both the comfortable scent of tea and the scent of medicines in the room feels comfortable to our exhausted body.

"Cloud, don't you ever feel like seeing the earthly life?"

Master Attendant looked at me as he hesitantly asked.

I lightly shook my head, then draped the coat that I took from inside the room over his shoulders.

"Master Attendant, it's already time for evening dew to form, so please take cafe of yourself.
I'm not fond of the superficial earthly life.
This Cloud much prefers serving and staying by your side over that."

"I see... but this old man is thinking of letting you leave for the outside world.
Right now, my knowledge of medicine has come pale in comparison to yours.
However, you've only ever heard about the world from me.
The world isn't actually all that bad, you see."

"This Cloud wishes to continue to stay here.
To think of going to places where there are people whose heart I can't fathom is..."

"Cloud, it would be better if you reach your conclusion after seeing it with your own eyes."

"... But this Cloud truly wishes to stay behind in this mountain."

"Alright, alright, do what you want then."

As I lead a quiet life in the mountain, aside from reading the medical books, playing the flute becomes an activity that I enjoyed the most.
Master Attendant also loved the sound of my flute, and so I would often played a carefree tune among the winds.

"The singing voice of a mermaid is probably the only thing that can counterbalance these sounds."

"Mermaid?"

"Come here, let me show you."

In the ancient document placed between medical books, is written countless articles about medicines, with its characteristics and use drawn along with the texts.

Master Attendant flipped it open to one of the pages.
On the page, a beautiful woman with her lower half resembling a fish's tail is drawn.

"This is a mermaid. A humanoid creature with a fish tail.
According to the legend, a mermaid has a beautiful singing voice likened to the whisper of nature. There are also rumors that a human who heard them singing a whole song will soon meet their own end, or that eating mermaid's flesh will grant one an eternal life, or that it works as a medicine that can cure all kind of illness.
In this world, there are many people who dreams of meeting a mermaid, but I've never heard of anyone meeting a real one."

"Do you wish to meet one, Master Attendant?"

"Me?
I do want to hear one singing.
Though I'm sure I won't be able to meet any."

"And why is that?"

"There are many people who believed in the rumor that "their flesh can grant one an eternal life" and so wished to kill a mermaid and consume their flesh.
And if it's true that such thing as medicine that can cure all kind of illness exists, doctors like us will have nothing to do, right?
Besides, if those mermaids truly have beautiful singing voice, it would be better to let them live happily in their homeland."

Master Attendant lived out his allotted life span.
For a human's standard, he had managed to live a long life.

At his last moments, Master Attendant said this to me.

"Cloud, what do you plan to do after this?"

"... I will travel around the world, looking for mermaid, and try to have a joint performance with them at least once."

"That's wonderful."

That was the last thing Master Attendant said, before he laughed, and left this world.

After giving Master Attendant a proper burial, I left our small hut and traveled all around the world.
Then I came to see the downfall of villages, the change of ruling sovereigns, and the death-like stillness and sadness reflected in the eyes of Food Souls who involved themselves with the earthly life.

I once asked to one who served a child that will succeed the throne.

"What kind of meaning does your job holds?
Why would you throw away your freedom and protect this child?"

"I won't answer. Someday, Miss Cloud, I'm sure you'll come to understand, after you find someone who can make you feel that way toward them."

At other times, I met a Food Soul who watched quietly as their Master Attendant is put on the guillotine.

"You have the power to help them.
But why are you only watching as they receive their punishment?"

"Because Master Attendant doesn't wish for my help."

Is this the "world" that Master Attendant spoke of?
I've tried to see it with my own eyes, but as I've thought, I don't think I should stay here.

In the end, I couldn't feel the positive side of it that Master Attendant spoke of.

I returned to the small hut and started living in seclusion.
Food Soul doesn't need to eat.
There's no need for me to leave the forested mountain.
I only went down the mountain when I almost ran out of my favorite tea leaves.

The season for peach flowers to bloom has arrived once again.
The dried petals of peach flowers are good ingredients to make medicines.
Lately, I found out that there is a peach forest at the foot of the mountain where I lived.

Long ago, this place is supposedly a mere empty land run to waste. Before I realized, it has been turned into a wonderful peach forest.

When I reached the peach forest, I found an unexpected figure sitting on the gazebo that has been built here since long ago.

"Cloud? I didn't expect that I can meet you here."

"You are... Why did you leave?"

The name of that Food Soul, who always have a gentle smile on his mien, is Wonton.
He left the Master Attendant who binds him and came to this land. This paradise is changing its form little by little into the form that he desired.

According to him, the child he protected had grown so much that he now can let go of Wonton.

I can feel it.
His eyes reflected a fraction of loneliness, but more than that, they are brimming with pride for his Master Attendant.

"Putting aside my story, how about you?
Ever since the first time we met, you looks like you've been looking for something.
A long time has passed since then, but have you found what you're looking for?"

"I'm still... looking for it..."

"Still, huh?
Well, we have all the time in the world.
You can take your time looking for it."

"... Mermaid."

"Hm?"

"I'd like to find the singing voice of a mermaid."

That day, I conversed all day long with him.
Seeing how his eyes looked as he gazed toward the direction of the royal palace, I suddenly came to think, what my Master Attendant said might be true after all.

The earthly life isn't only filled with things that can make us feel despair.
No matter what kind of hardships fill this world, there will always be something that can make us think that the world is beautiful.

Let's go. To find the mermaid.
And as I do it, let's try to see the world again.

The reason I could only find sadness back then might be because I only saw a tiny part of this world.

Ever since then, I traveled through many lands.

I've came to see all kind of human emotions.
The whole time, I was only watching quietly as a spectator.
Sometimes, just like my Master Attendant, I would lend a helping hand for people who needs to get treated back to health.

Many times the situation is as despairing as the ones I saw during my early years of traveling, but before I gave up completely, there would always be warm hands that wrapped itself around my cold hands.

Spring, summer, fall, and winter passed. Plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos, and chrysanthemums are blooming and scattering.
Both the pavilion standing still in the middle of light drizzle and the lonely mist slowly raising in the vast desert, are completely different from the view that I can see in the mountain. Thanks to these scenery, the thought of regretting my decision to leave the small hut is driven away from my mind.

Each time a certain amount of time has passed, I would return to my starting point.

Sometimes I would go to Master Attendant's grave, talking about the scenery I saw and my observations, and then I would go to the gazebo at the foothills, meeting that drunkard.

One day, the Ton spirit whom I had just said a good bye to suddenly fly to the back of the mountain where I stayed, appearing to be panicked. It pulled at my clothes and dragged me to the foothills.

The stench of blood heavily hangs in the air of the peach forest.
Seeing my arrival, Wonton's expression changed into that of a relief.

"Cloud, please save this person!"

The unconscious person leaning against him is terribly wounded.
I did my best, staying awake all night long, and finally the condition of this man, whose body is rampant with malice, settled down.

It doesn't shows on my face, but exhaustion is gradually piling up in my body, and when I realized, the sun has risen high.
I took a deep breath, heading toward the riverside near the peach forest, and started playing my flute.

The slow notes of flute has the power to comfort one's heart.
I used to play my flute in many riversides and beaches, in hope of one day finding traces of a mermaid.

A long time has passed and I still couldn't find it, so I thought of giving up.
However, when I saw her emerging from the waters and looking at me hesitantly, I couldn't help but widen my eyes.

The joy from finally having my wish granted assaulted my whole being.

"Come, come closer to me.
If you do, you'll be able to hear much better notes."

After hesitating for awhile, she, who gazed at me hesitantly, finally swam to my side.

To think that the mermaid that I thought is a mere product of legends actually existed...

At the end of my long journey, I finally found her.

In the depth of the mountain in Light Kingdom, there is a garden that is neither large nor small.

"Long Bao, stop! How many times has it been now!?
That's good tea leaves that we received from Cloud, you know!!?"

The thunderous yelling that sounded like it could flip the roofs over echoed throughout the place.
A boy with a smile plastered on his face and holding a tea cup in his hands, leaped through the door, running toward the garden.
The one who chased after him is actually the master of said garden.

Wonton leaned against the frame of the door, glaring at the back of the running away Long Bao as he was out of breath.
Veins can be clearly seen popping out on the back of his hand, which was holding onto the frame of the door.

"Don't come back again!
... No, I can't do that.
Ton spirit, go catch him!"

Cloud Tea, who came to visit the Forgotten Yard, heaved a sigh as if she's thinking that this situation is hopeless.
She poured a new cup of tea for Wonton, whose tongue is numbing because he accidentally drank vinegar earlier.

"You don't have to be so angry.
We can just brew another pot of tea."

With one hand holding the tea cup and the other hand massaging his temple, Wonton heaved a tired sigh.

"Every time you brought good tea leaves for us, he would end up spoiling it."

"Don't mind it. I can always bring you new ones."

"See!
Cloud said that she's fine with it!"

Since who knows when, the running away Long Bao had returned and is now peeking his head through the door, showing them a silly expression.
Wonton ended up getting provoked and commanded his Ton spirit to once again chase after Long Bao.

Cloud heaved out another sigh, and as she shook her head, she took her flute. She then headed toward the gazebo by the lakeside.
As soon as the rising and falling slow notes of her flute starts playing out, gentle ripples soon formed on the surface of the waters, as if drawn toward the sound of the flute.

Sweet & Sour Fish, despite has become well acquainted with everyone here, is still appearing hesitant.
She carefully seated herself on the chair situated at the bank of the lake, that everyone prepared for her.

"C, Cloud... do you want to hear me singing?"

"Why do you think so?
Do you wish to sing?"

"I heard from Wonton...
The reason you've been looking for a mermaid all this time is because you wanted to hear a mermaid singing.
And I'd like to thank you..."

"What about it?"

"But...
But singing is the only thing that I..."

"Don't tell me, you thought that I saved you so that I can hear you sing?"

"... A, am I wrong?"

"You don't have to sing if you don't want to.
I healed you just because I wanted to, and not for the sake of hearing you sing.
Even though you're not a mermaid, I'm sure I would still save you back then.
However, if you wish to sing, then let me accompany you with my music."

"Why...?"

"Because I'd like to let you know as well.
That this earthly life isn't only filled with sadness and grief.
Someone taught me that.
That's why, I'd like to let everyone know about it as well."

When Cloud Tea first went to experience earthly life, she passed by Light Kingdom's royal palace in the process.
There, she saw a falsely charged, honest government official who, in order to protect the dignity of their law, went to the gallows on his own will.
She also saw the imperial prince, who got cornered by his own father and brothers, ended up tainting his hands with blood in order to protect the justice within his heart.

Due to witnessing events that caused her heart to freeze up, she rejected the world and returned to where her Master Attendant used to live in seclusion deep in the mountain, and decided to never again leave the area.

After that, Wonton's arrival to the area allowed her to learn about a truth which is different from the thing that she saw, and she finally, once again, stepped into the earthly life, and began to be able to feel the small warmth that exists among the cold world.

She gradually feels that finding mermaid is no longer an important objective, and instead ended up thinking that working as a healer is her life's calling.

As if to reward her good conducts, one day a beautiful woman with a fin finally appeared in her life.

You could say the situation around me was quite a mess when I was first summoned.

The girl supposed to be my Master Attendant grabbed my hand, her face filled with delight.

"You must be my food soul! Help me!"

"Huh?"

"Those mobsters are trying to take me to be their boss’s wife! Help!"

"Huh? Okay!"

"Grab her!! Don't let her get away!!"

I looked back at the people mobbing after us before glancing at her reluctant face beside me. Banishing any trace of hesitation from my mind, I took her soft hand and ran.

It took a long time for us to escape the mob as they chased after us with torches in hand.

Staring at this happy, disheveled girl lying on the ground, I nudged her arm with my foot.

"Hey, tell me the truth. Why’d a girl like you run away from home all by yourself? Are they really trying to take you to be some mobster’s wife?"

Master Attendant rolled over and sat up, letting out a laugh unbefitting of someone from such a high-class family.

"Ah, I was running away from a marriage! My family wants me to marry someone I’ve never even met before! I’ve never, ever met him before, you know? But they wanna marry me off to him anyway."

"Uh...."

"No fair, right? So I escaped!"

I couldn’t help but laugh as I looked at her bright smile. Reaching out, I brushed a few fallen leaves off of her hair and helped her up from the ground.

"Get up. Careful not to catch a chill!”

"Okay!"

"What do you plan to do next?"

"Uh..."

"Why are you looking at me like that?!"

"I don't really know! I guess it’s up to you, then!”

“Huh?”

Just like that, I took this girl, who didn’t even pack her bags when she ran away from home, and embarked on a life of travelling around the world.

She walked out of the carriage compartment and sat next to me. Twirling around the green foxtail I picked for her earlier, she watched the scenery shrink into the distance.

"How is this world so big, Crab Long Bao?”

I quietly listened to her complain about her past.

She said that she’d never left the house before.

She said that where she came from, girls weren’t allowed to leave the house before marriage and had to listen to their family.

She said that she envied girls who lived out of a suitcase, even though they had no choice if they wanted to make a living.

One day, as she listened in on a few little girls from ordinary families kicking shuttlecocks, playing cat’s cradle, and jumping hopscotch, she had an epiphany.

I want to leave.

And that’s what lead up to our meeting.

A ridiculous start, but one we’ve never regretted.

She suddenly stood up from the bumpy carriage. Facing her palms to the wind, she happily enjoyed the caress of the spring breeze.

"Careful, don't trip!"

"Haha, I won’t! You’ll definitely catch me before I do! Thank you for showing me this world!"

I looked at the smile on her face and couldn't help but laugh.

In actuality, it was I who wanted to say “thank you” to her.

It was you who taught me that you can do anything as long as you stay strong and work hard.

​

I took her to many places. We went to the beach and saw the endless sea; visited an ancient city and witnessed its history of a thousand years.

A few days ago, I heard that there was a royal chef who had returned to his hometown and opened a small restaurant there.

Rain was drizzling steadily the day we arrived, caressing her cheeks as willows swayed in the wind.

It was a town very similar to her hometown, but without the red tape.

When we first entered town, she laughed when she saw the girls on the street.

I couldn't help but poke the side of her face.

"What’s so funny?"

"I just feel happy for them. They don't need to leave their homes and families like I did to be free.”

I took her hand and walked to the rumored restaurant.

"What will ya two have for today~?"

A brisk voice caught our attention. If my eyes didn’t deceive me, the guy bustling around the restaurant was a food soul too.

I sat down at a table with Master Attendant, planning to inquire about their signature dishes. However, it didn't take long for extraordinarily exquisite meals we never ordered to be sent up.

An old man came over. Dragging along his slightly squirming food soul, he smiled and said to me:

"Would’ya make friends with this here kiddo?"

Before I could say anything, the punk beside me agreed in my place. I looked at her a bit helplessly and sighed as I pulled a pair of chopsticks out of the chopstick holder.

Contrary to its exquisite appearance, the dish had a flavor so overpowering it left an ache in my throat.

The food soul, who went by the name of Long Bao, quickly sent the old man away.

He told us that this old man has lost most of his taste, and that Long Bao had asked everyone in the village to pretend nothing was wrong.

Back then, I couldn’t understand why he did that.

I just knew that it definitely wasn’t the right thing to do.

However, Master Attendant stopped me before I could criticize the already awkward guy in front of me any further.

We left the little restaurant after we finished eating. Before we left, I couldn’t help but look back.

Master Attendant suddenly took a peek at my face. I saw two tiny reflections of myself in those eyes, eyes that were almost always shut in laughter.

"Crab Long Bao, what would you do if you were Long Bao?”

"...I would tell him the truth. No matter how cruel it is, he has a right to know. I wouldn’t leave; I’d face it with him.”

"Really? Then what if I was that old man?"

"I wouldn’t lie to you either! I swear on my heart I would never lie to you!"

"Hahaha! Why so serious? Okay, okay, I get it~ Let's go. We should come back to visit them if we ever get the chance.”

Back then, I had no idea how naive I was to say that.

I didn't know how desperate a situation would have to become for someone to decide to deceive their loved ones.

We visited many places after we left that little town. Fine snow melted on eaves as buds sprouted from tree branches. Spring was here again.

I took her to see flowers that bloomed all year round and we tasted food from all sorts of different places.

Finally, on the day winter had completely disappeared without a trace, we found a forest of the peach blossoms she had always been longing to see.

We’d seen countless types of flowers, but her favorite was always the peach blossoms that bloomed into a beautiful sea of flowers.

I found a beautiful patch, and we admired the flowers and enjoyed some wine under the drifting petals.

But some things are too good to be true.

I caught her in my arms as she turned pale and collapsed.

I called her name, but didn't get a response.

I sent her to the medical center in a panic, but the old, bearded doctor shook his head in regret.

"Her body...she must have been born with this illness. She’s lucky to have even lasted this long. If she still has things left on her bucket list, you should help her tick them off soon so she can leave without regrets.”

"Then she..."

"She probably...won’t live to see next year... Her illness will gradually steal her strength and all her senses too… Just stay by her side.”

Later, she fell into a coma.

When she woke up, it was already autumn.

The peach blossoms in the peach forest had long since withered away.

I hesitated for a long while before telling her what the doctor said.

But what I didn't expect as she looked at me apologetically was for the one who should have been comforted, be the one to comfort me.

"I always knew I’d never live as long as others, but I wanted to live a life as colorful as the peach blossoms that were in bloom the day I was born. So I escaped. I’m already very satisfied with the life I’ve lived since then...sorry. I scared you, didn’t I?”

She was so frank, it left me at a loss for words.

I thought that she’d go hysterical, unable to accept reality, but never would I have imagined she’d accept such a sad ending so calmly.

In the days that followed, it was as if nothing had ever happened. Her smile was as soft as ever as she followed the treatment the doctor prescribed for her.

But one late night, I heard a choked sob as I passed by her room.

That night, on the other side of the door, she lamented her situation and her fear of a future where she’d lose all her senses one by one.

And all I could do was listen quietly by the door.

​ I insisted she tell me one wish after another.

I didn’t know if it was to alleviate the guilt in my heart, or if it was so I didn’t have to watch her pretend to be strong.

I just wanted to see her smile.

So, I worked hard to fulfill every wish she had.

However, I hit a roadblock with her final wish.

She hoped to sit under that splendid peach tree again.

Drinking wine and admiring flowers with me, just like the days before she collapsed.

As of today, winter, in all its cold glory, would arrive soon.

However, she...wouldn’t be able to wait until the next spring.

I searched high and low to find this house built near the forest of peach blossoms. The owner of this house is a bit strange. He has a little friend named Wanton.

After discussing it over with the owner, we decided to stay here. The owner called it the Courtyard of Forgotten Sorrows.

He had a friend who was skilled in healing come treat her. However, the woman, who donned a large-brimmed rain hat, shook her head apologetically at me after taking her pulse.

That day, Cloud Tea had told me.

Her eyes...had already gone blind...

Little by little, she’d lose her sense of smell, too…

After that, on the days she’d feel better, I’d take her on a walk through the peach forest.

I swore to her many times that I'd definitely fulfill her wish.

It was on one of these walks that we picked up Long Bao, who had then recently lost his Master Attendant and with him his spirit.

Day after day flew by. I started leaving the house as soon as day broke, searching high and low for a way to make peach blossoms bloom in winter.

Fortunately, Long Bao took it upon himself to look after that girl.

This put my mind at ease when I travelled outside.

But soon, I found that she lost not just her sight and smell, but she could no longer hear my voice either.

Eventually, she lost her sense of taste.

Returning to the Courtyard, I heard her speak.

For some reason, I didn't dare enter, listening to the murmur of her clear and weak voice.

"Why does this tea taste so light?”

Long Bao, having heard the same words out of someone else’s mouth before, tipped his hand and added a good amount of vinegar into the tea before handing it to her. It emanated a sourness so strong you could smell it from a mile away.

Taking a gentle sip of the tea, she froze before lifting her head and smiling at Long Bao.

"It’s good. Thank you."

I smiled bitterly as I stared at the sour tea in her hand.

The food soul I’d come to know as Cloud Tea had told me that when her sense of taste started to fade, her time was almost up.

She wouldn’t be able to wait for me much longer.

One day, I ran into Cloud Tea standing outside our courtyard. She handed me a small medicine bottle with only one pill in it.

"This will temporarily recover her five senses. However, curses may arise out of blessings, and blessings out of curses. Heed caution.”

I finally made a decision. After she fell asleep, I took two wine jars and called out to Long Bao as he was about to go rest.

"Hey, come have a drink with me."

We sat side by side under a peach tree, flowerless at the moment. I tore the cover off the jar and took a big swig.

"I once told you that your Master Attendant had a right to know the truth.”

Long Bao, who was hugging his wine jar and looking a little absentminded, dropped his carefree facade as soon as he heard me get straight to the point. Smiling bitterly, he took a sip of wine before speaking.

"Yeah...you said I would regret it, and I do regret it...but...it’s too late..."

"I did say that...but for some reason, I suddenly understood why you did what you did when she started getting worse.”

"...What?"

I knew the smile on my lips was a little helpless. Taking one sip too big and spilling almost half the wine in the jar on my collar, I wiped my mouth on my sleeve.

"I shouldn't have said that to you."

"What?"

"Nothing. I know you’re still worried your Master Attendant died blaming you, right?”

I stood up and gazed at the moon. The moon tonight was unusually clear, glazing everything in a layer of silver moonlight.

"I don’t think you need to worry. Like how she knows real peach blossoms don’t bloom in fall, your Master Attendant most likely never blamed you for lying to him. You know, she hasn’t completely lost her sense of taste just yet.”

" Huh?"

"Yep. She told me that the tea you brewed is sour, incredibly sour, but it’s the best tea she’s ever had."

"Why..."

"Because your thoughtfulness can make any flavor of tea the sweetest in the world. She told me that your old Master Attendant must have wanted to have another cup of this tea before he left. No matter where you look, you can never find this tea anywhere else.”

"But he became a laughingstock because of me. His reputation became a total joke!"

"He won't hold something this silly against you. But, either way, you still owe him an apology."

I saw the look in Long Bao’s eyes as he stared at me. Those eyes were clear, determined, no longer lost, as if he’d reached a decision.

"You haven't paid your respects yet. You should go. Cloud Tea said she can make a medicine that can temporarily bring her senses back. In ten days, I’ll bring her here to admire the peach blossoms. You must come, my friend!”

Thank you, my friend. If it weren’t for you, I never would’ve thought of this.

Although it is a bit too late now.

However, I finally know what you were trying so hard to protect that time.

It was someone important to you, and their heartfelt smile.

​

It took Crab Long Bao ten days, with the help of his friends from the Courtyard, to stick fake peach blossoms on every tree in the peach forest.

Cloud Tea spent a long time developing a medicine that could temporarily restore that resilient girl’s senses.

When everything was ready, Crab Long Bao fed her Cloud Tea’s medicine himself.

The focus her eyes had regained when she opened them again told them that Cloud Tea’s efforts had succeeded.

Crab Long Bao helped her to the place Tortoise Jelly had prepared for them. The ground was covered with a lightly scented blanket, and sitting on the blanket was pot after pot of warm wine.

Long Bao, who had just rushed back with his own tea, chased Wanton around trying to get him to taste it.

It was as perfect as it got.

The girl, who by this point was so sick she could no longer sit upright by herself, wore a smile even brighter and more dazzling than the peach blossoms. Her weak hands trembled as she poured her friends cup after cup of wine.

Together, they smiled and laughed. Their fun didn’t stop even as the sun went down and the moon took its place.

The girl, slightly tired, leaned on her food soul’s shoulder.

"Thank you, Crab Long Bao..."

Crab Long Bao, who had betrayed his own promise, suddenly burst into tears. Perhaps it was because of the contract, perhaps it was some sort of connection—but somehow, he knew his Master Attendant was about to leave.

He grabbed his Master Attendant’s slender hand and lowered his head. Tears hit the back of her hand one by one.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry..."

I’m sorry...I couldn’t keep my promise...I still lied to you...

"It's okay... I know...you did your best...don't cry..."

"I'm sorry...I’m so sorry..."

"It’s okay, really… From now on, when you miss me...come drink wine under the peach trees...I’ll become one with the peach blossoms and stay by your side…”

Another season of peach blossoms had arrived, and the peach blossoms outside the Courtyard of Forgotten Sorrows bloomed brilliantly. A young boy sat underneath one of the trees. Lifting his head, he watched a petal drift into his wine jar, murmuring.

"Is that you…? I came to see you..."

Following the afternoon sunlight streaming through the tree leaves, the temperature had become just right for a nap.

I leaned against the tree trunk and yawned. The warm sunlight and slowly approaching breeze made my eyelids heavy.

Unconsciously, the scene before me became pitch black.

"Ah----achoo!"

The light itch on my nose made me sneeze uncontrollably. I rubbed the tip of my nose and looked at the guy slyly smiling before me.

Lamb Chops was still pinching his "Criminal Tool." I annoyedly smacked him and stretched out my hands afterwards.

Standing up on his own, he then wrapped his hands around my arms before I got a chance to speak.

"Did you have a sweet dream, Croissant? You were smiling just now."

I batted away his hands, continually messing up my hair. Subsequently, I poked at a wound on his shoulder which had yet to fully recover.

"What are you doing? Didn't teacher and Weisswurst tell you to properly rest!?"

"Ouch----stop it, stop it! Those two always make a fuss over nothing. It's just a small injury."

I couldn't help but feel worried seeing a small trace of blood on his bandage. However, the fellow before me wasn't concerned about it.

Suddenly, my eyes caught a glimpse of a black bump on his neck that seemed to resemble blood vessels.

"What's that?"

"Ah? Oh this, Master Attendant said that this is just some Soul Power blockage. He’s already treated it, so I'll be fine in a few days."

"Hey! You're messing up my hair again!"

"Hahaha!!! Why are you getting all worked up? Scared you won't grow any taller? Don't forget! Beer told us that once a Food Soul is born, their form won’t change anymore! You'll never be taller than me! Hahaha!"

"You! Stop running--!"

Lamb Chops made some funny faces as he ran away. As he turned his head to look back at me, he accidentally bumped into someone we were all very familiar with.

"Lamb Chops, have your injuries healed? Did you make Croissant mad again?"

"Ouch ouch ouch. Beer, are your bones made of steel?"

Feeling somewhat helpless, I extended my hand and pulled up Lamb Chops, sitting helplessly on the ground. Then, I turned my head and looked at our teacher-- Beer.

As a friend of the school's principal, Beer is regularly invited over to give talks on history for everyone.　

After he discovered there were some Food Souls studying alongside their Master Attendants in the school, he became our mentor on his own accord.

Apart from telling us how we can use our power, Beer also sternly advises us.

As beings not of this world, we possess power that shouldn't be used to commit heinous acts.

This power is granted by God so we can protect the world.

Beer was more of a friend to us than a teacher. As an elder, he thoughtfully told us everything about this world. As the beholder of a different kind of strength, he also told us how we should make use of ourselves, how to better use the power we have to protect even more people.

It was a time of despair.

Fallen Angels grew in number and the boundaries of life grew smaller and smaller.

But it was also because of these times that the existence of people such as Beer became far more precious.

I looked forward to the beautiful world he imagined after humans and Food Souls joined hands to expel all Fallen Angels.

This world is already considered beautiful. But it'll certainly become better under everyone's hard work.

Just as I about to tell Beer that Lamb Chops was ignoring his warnings and hellbent on not resting, a few chatting students passed by. What they were talking about caused me to freeze.

"Did you hear, did you hear?!"

"Huh? What?"

"A village in the countryside was massacred by Fallen Angels and there wasn't a single survivor left."

"...Haa. Luckily, there are many Cooking Attendants in this city; otherwise, I guess that we'll also have to deal with these crises."

Lamb Chops noticed my hands were tightly clenched, so he gently patted the back of my hand.

"Croissant?"

"...Another village..."

"..."

Seeing Lamb Chops and I despondent, Beer patted our shoulders.

"Alright, this isn't within your control."

"But..."

"And it's because such things keep on happening that we should find a way to solve this, isn't that right?"

Looking at Beer's warm smile, my originally troubled heart gradually returned to normal.

"If that's the case then, we'll arrange some Food Souls in the Holy See to clear any Fallen Angel nests near the village at regular intervals."

"However, the number of Food Souls in the Holy See is currently very low. Although everyone is more than happy to fight and protect this world, there really are too few people here.”

"...Oh..."

"What are you two doing?"

The sudden voice shocked us. When we turned around, we saw Beer behind us; his tilted head had a curious expression.

"We're considering how we can protect those villages and towns without any Cooking Attendants."

"Oh… How about you guys ask those like-minded companions of yours whether they want to join the Holy See? That way, their Master Attendants will be protected by the Holy See and there will be more Food Souls free to protect even more people."

With Beer's assistance, Lamb Chops and I slowly constructed the framework of the Holy See we know today.

The many members of the Holy See spread around Tierra are no longer the same as before; they shall no longer lament and weep under the destruction and pain brought forth by Fallen Angels.

"What...What did you say?"

Upon hearing Master Attendant's edict, I stared at him, as if in a daze.

With a warm smile, that benign old man walked down the throne and patted my shoulders.

"Did you know, Croissant? Ever since we ignored any opposition and persisted with Beer's arrangements, there haven't been any tragedies occurring in the outskirts ever since. I believe that one day, the Holy See will be able to protect all the children in Tierra under his leadership."

"But! But you're..."

"Child, I understand that you're confused why I'm abdicating. I'm already old and both God and I don't wish to see more and more people dying because of Fallen Angels."

"I can protect you till the very end!"

"I'm old. I don't know how long I will be of clear mind. Perhaps in the future, I may lose myself as pope due to old age and sickness. But Beer won't… He's immortal. And, there's also you, someone I trust very much. You'll help him and the Holy See, yes? Then, I shall pass the Holy See and the whole of Tierra to you all."

His old hands completely covered my hand. That warm smile of his caused my eyes to grow hot, and I trembled as I gripped the edict in my hands.

"He's the most suitable candidate. Go child, I believe all of you can usher in a more beautiful future for Tierra."

I know, Beer is the best candidate.

As a pope, one must be sufficiently magnanimous, be extremely knowledgeable, keep a collected head...

And have a sincere heart that fervently loves all life in the world.

And Beer, he loves humans a lot, and this land even more. By far, he is the most suitable candidate.

If not for him, the Holy See would have never achieved the results it has today under Lamb Chops and I’s hard work. 　 "Ah?!!!! What?! Me me me? Po-Pope?!!!"

"Yes...You have to help me, teacher. You're the only person I can think of."

"But...isn't the candidate chosen by the pope you? Even if you’re not fit, can't Lamb Chops do it?"

"I'm afraid not. Other than you, no one can do this job."

Looking at his frantic appearance, I passed the edict in my hands to him.

"No no no no!! I'm a lazy person! How can I do such an important job ?!!! No no!"

"..."

"Even if my adorable students give me puppy eyes, I'm still not up for it --!!"

Beer couldn't accept the edict. So, he took advantage of the late night and left the capital, leaving a letter behind; he temporarily handed everything over to me to manage.

I was overwhelmed with all of the busy tasks, but Lamb Chops is always by my side to help out.

Everything seems to be progressing well.

As the Holy See's saint, Fondant Cake's healing power brought light to people harmed by Fallen Angels in these times of despair.

Although she's always bickering with Lamb Chops, I know that even if the two of them didn't say it, they greatly cared about each other. Just like how they cared about me.

We're the best of companions, with many allies that share a common goal.　

"Croissant! That bastard Lamb Chops went out even though he's covered in injuries! Why didn't you keep an eye on him!"

“If you're worried, why don't you tell him yourself."

"Who would get worried about him! That dummy! If he dies out there, I'm not gonna save him! Moreover… he won’t listen to anyone other than you."

I supported my chin using my hand and looked at Fondant Cake, her face filled with fury. I couldn't help but sigh and pushed the documents in my hands to Fondant Cake.

"Alright, I get it. I'll go and advise him. I would like you to distribute all of these to the others."

"You can let me handle it. But, you need to rest, it's been a long time since you got a good night’s sleep."

"I'm fine." 　 As Fondant Cake was about to turn around and leave, I suddenly called out to her:

"Fondant Cake."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"I want to thank all of you for believing in me. If all of you weren't here, I don't know what I would do."

"...What's there to thank. More importantly, the person you should be thanking isn’t me."

I knew what she meant.

That person who had always stayed by my side, gave his all to help me, and has always trusted me from the very beginning, he’s the one I should thank the most.

I gently opened the door. Lamb Chops was sound asleep on the bed and didn’t have his usual stubborn look. Instead, it was much more gentle.

His neck, arms, and almost everywhere else were wrapped in thick bandages.

To a Food Soul, our injuries heal quickly, but even with this recovery rate, there were still innumerable scars all over his body that didn’t fully heal in time.

Just before I could feel sad about this, this fellow, who can’t even sleep properly, kicked the blanket on him, causing half of it to fall onto the ground.

I helplessly picked up the kicked blanket, and helped cover him with it. But the instant I moved closer, he tightly clasped my hand.

"Who's there?!"

Upon opening his eyes, the worry in them scanned over me. I've never seen him look so perturbed.

"It's me, Croissant. What's with you?"

Once he saw that it was me, he quickly hid his emotions and revealed his usual irksome smile.

"Ah, so it's you. I thought it was one of my secret admirers."

"Are you really ok?"

"Why would I have any issues?"

It was a long time afterwards that I came to regret not scrutinizing him further.

Lamb Chops’s transformation into a Fallen Angel was unexpected.

I didn't believe what they said and rushed to where he was.

In the past, he used to smile every time. But now, a ferocious expression appeared on his face. His once warm and happy eyes now invoked a sense of bone-piercing cold.

His lips exposed jagged monster teeth, and he seemed as if he were about to tear apart the enemies before him. As for his enemies… they were us.

"What's wrong with you, Lamb Chops! Wake up!" 　 But now, Lamb Chops failed to recognize us. His bloodshot eyes sent shock waves to me. In front of me, Fish and Chips and Pretzel blocked me and their expressions were rather serious. Cold sweat dripped down their brows from the intense fear.

"Back off, Croissant. He no longer recognizes us."

"..."

We managed to save Lamb Chops's Master Attendant and shielded him behind us. His body was drenched in fresh blood, and the ground was littered with the corpses of nuns and priests.

Lamb Chops vengefully gazed at us with an unfamiliar look.

"Lamb Chops! Do you still recognize us?"

I tried to wake him up. However, it was almost as if he couldn't hear my voice. The expression on his face was more of a Fallen Angel’s than a human’s.

"Croissant, Lamb Chops has already completely turned into a Fallen Angel. He can't recognize us...we can only…"

I looked at his Master Attendant and suddenly couldn't react after hearing his words.

"He… why did he.."

"Perhaps a Fallen Angel transformation seed was left behind in his injuries when he was attacked by Fallen Angels back then…"

The grim scene in front of me gave me a strange sense of despair. Dark purple flames, burning with an uncanny light, erupted all around him. His body exuded a terrible aura that caused everyone to move a step back.

"Croissant! You can't hesitate any longer!"

My bitten lips welcomed a sharp pain; I turned back after regaining my senses. I looked at Lamb Chops, whose body was burning with Soul Power, standing in front of me, and before I could open my mouth…

"Croi...sant..."

Lamb Chops, who’s already lost himself completely, struggled to face me. Stumbling, he walked towards me.

Fish and Chips looked at him with surprise. He hastened his footsteps and ran towards the bloodstained Lamb Chops. Even Pretzel looks more relaxed.

To both them and I, not having to fight Lamb Chops is the best ending…

"Don't...believe...them…"

Fish and Chips supported the staggering Lamb Chops, on the verge of kneeling over on the ground. Lamb Chops was murmuring something, bewildering us.

It's just...

"AHHHH--"

All of a sudden, Lamb Chops broke free from Fish and Chips and exploded into thick flames. The purple flames devouring his Soul Power flared up with a terrifying black color, before attacking the bishop behind me -- Lamb Chops's Master Attendant.

Pretzel, standing near the bishop and responsible for protection, clearly didn't expect that his former best companion would actually do something like this. Unprepared, he raised his hand and planned to absorb the damage.

"PRETZEL!"

Under everyone's frightened eyes, Fish and Chips fell onto the ground.

He helped Pretzel to absorb a large portion of the flames.

"KILL HIM! KILL HIM !!! KILL HIM AHAHAHAH--"

"Croissant... Lamb Chops has already...only you can stop him...please, attack him."

I saw the sadness within Lamb Chop's eyes. Behind me, I shielded my injured companions and those I wanted to protect.

"HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE!! ANYONE COULD BETRAY THE HOLY SEE!! BUT HE'S THE ONLY PERSON THAT WOULDN'T! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING CROISSANT!"

Distressed, Fondant Cake's grabbed Croissant’s collar. Though she's usually stubborn, her eyes were now swollen.

On her table, she still had a small stick figure Lamb Chops drew to prank her.

It was only a few days.

It was only a few days of going outside.

That guy, who cared about the Holy See and Croissant the most... why would he betray them.

Silently, Croissant let Fondant Cake vent her anger. Her hands were already causing bruises as she tightly clenched his collar.

"Anyone can not believe him, but how can you not...Why didn't you believe him...why didn't you...why didn't you…"

Fondant Cake slowly kneeled down and her shoulders sagged in disappointment.

"Everyone was looking at me. He hurt Fish and Chips and killed many people. If I didn't attack him, the others definitely wouldn’t have had a chance to escape."

Though Croissant’s voice is always cold, there were some signs of affirmation within it now.

"I don't believe he'd turn his back on us. He wouldn't. Never."

Fondant Cake looked and froze as she saw Croissant tighten his brows.

"You're...you're saying..."

"I suspect that somewhere in the Holy See, something terrifying is happening...in some places we don't know about."

Fondant Cake wiped away the tears left in her eyes. She stood up and took a deep breath.

"Indeed, now that the Holy See has become bigger, I've heard some strange rumors when I went out."

Croissant slammed his fist on the table. The blood veins in his neck bulged from him tightly gritting his teeth.

"I'll never let those bastards go scot-free. Fondant Cake, I need you to help me."

"Yes."

Not long after, the Holy See's saint became dissatisfied with the current pope and had an intense argument with him. She then left the central Holy See and headed towards another branch in a developing kingdom.

Meanwhile, the current pope took on a new, more tender saint from elsewhere.

In the deep night, a figure draped in dark robes hurriedly entered a not so large church.

Standing before a statue of God, Croissant looked at it, somewhat lost in it. He only came back to his senses when the person behind him patted his shoulder.

"Croissant, I've uncovered their tracks."

Croissant looked at Fondant Cake as she passed some intel to him. His breathing suddenly stopped and he tightly clenched the intel in his hands. He then stiffly smiled.

"Finally...found it…"

"They were very careful in hiding themselves. Coupled with Champagne's help, if I didn't leave the central branch of the Holy See and let them lower their guard to me, I don't think I could’ve uncovered their tracks."

"It must be hard on you. As for what's next, that's my job."

Croissant donned a large and wide robe and turned behind to leave the Holy See via the backdoor. At that moment, Fondant Cake hesitatingly called out to him.

"Croissant…"

"...Hmm?"

"You'll bring him back right? The Holy See will return to the way it was before, right?"

Croissant didn't reply to her. He raised his hand to cover himself with the large hood of the robe, shrouding his entire face in shadows.

He exited the church, looking up at the murky color of the sky as the wind and rain came.

He didn't dare tell Fondant Cake; even if he tried his hardest to dig up the truth, there's no way to fix what’s already been broken, and return back to those beautiful times.

"I'll definitely make them pay for what they’ve done."

Nevras.

A region long covered with ice and snow, with the daunting snow-capped mountain towering overhead.

The environment is so severe that most people choose to settle as far away as possible.

However, as far as we're concerned it's a lovely place to live.

My brother and I arrived here three weeks after Master Attendant passed away, and we decided to make a new life on this snow-capped mountain.

On such a large mountain, we weren't the only ones with this idea, and sometimes when I went for a stroll I would discover signs of other Food Souls.

Sometimes I would even smell the scent of a Fallen Angel.

However, there was no communication between the various creatures that chose to make their home on this mountain that was covered with an eternal blizzard.

In a cave on the mountain we made a paradise that belonged to us alone. However, because my brother enjoys a bit of excitement, sometimes we go down the mountain and visit the human market to purchase some amusing trinkets, or to take part in different festivals.

But time flies, and soon several decades had passed.

"Strawberry~"

"Strawberry~~"

"Oh, that's strange..."

I searched everywhere in the cave but Strawberry was nowhere to be found.

"Oh were did he get off to now?"

He's always telling me off for running around, so when I find him I'm really going to give him a piece of my mind.

"But where could he be..."

I mumble to myself as I leave the cave.

As always the snow lays thick on the ground; when I step on the snow, I often have trouble getting my feet back out again.

"He wouldn't sneak down the mountain, would he?"

"No, no... Strawberry's not like me..."

My imagination began to run wild while I searched for some sign of Strawberry.

It was just then that--

BOOM--

There was a loud noise not too far away.

"What was that? Could it..."

I rush to the spot where the noise came from, and I found just what I was looking for.

"Strawberry!"

I excitedly called out his name before I noticed the huge shadow behind him.

"Don't come any closer!"

My brother's voice came from behind me, and I turned my head to see the figure I least wanted to see.

The Fallen Angel in front of me continued to let out a terrifying roar that felt like it must have made the very mountain tremble.

"Dammit, if that keeps up it's going to cause an avalanche!"

I turned my head back and began to gather my spiritual energy, hoping to control its onslaught. However, the monster seemed completely unaffected and rushed at me instead.

"Strawberry!!!"

Suddenly, I felt someone forcefully grab my collar, and I used the inertia to dodge away from the Fallen Angel's surely fatal attack, and continued rolling end over end for several seconds before I came to a stop.

"Cough cough... Do you think maybe... next time you could..."

"Careful! It's coming back!"

My brother shouted urgently from my side and I straightened up, intending to help my brother drive the monster off... until I realized my spiritual energy was nearly depleted.

As though he felt my weakness, he stepped in front of me, reaching behind to hold my hand.

"Brother..."

"It's fine!"

I could tell he was very afraid because the hand that held mine was trembling. But he kept up a brave face in front of me.

He really can be an idiot.

"Waaagh!"

It launched another attack at us. Faced with its overwhelming strength, I couldn't help but tightly squeeze my brother's hand.

Was this really how it all ends?

For a moment I seemed to hear the cry of an eagle, then we were swallowed up by a sudden avalanche.

"No one can resist and angry mountain,"

I faintly heard someone say.

However, when I opened my eyes all I could see was snow everywhere, and us lying among it; there was no sign of anyone else. Even the Fallen Angel who had attacked us was gone, vanished into thin air.

My brother was lying beside me, unconcious for the time being but otherwise unhurt...That other person nearby could...

Not long ago I was alone and on my way to visit the village at the foot of the mountain to buy my brother his favorite snack, then suddenly I was attacked by a Fallen Angel.

This was the first time I had encountered one in all the time we'd lived on the mountain. If my brother had been with me the monster never would have come at me.

But it was just me and I was a little anxious.

I held the monster off for a long time, but gradually I found myself losing ground, and with my physical strength waning I accidently got my foot stuck in the snow; watching the vicious Fallen Angel close in for an attack, I unconsciously closed my eyes.

"Be careful!'

When I thought I would never see my brother again, suddenly I was wrapped in a warm embrace.

"Thank...'

I wanted to raise my head up and thank whoever it was rescuing me, but I discovered that the Fallen Angel's attack had pierced his body straight through.

The snow beneath him was stained blood-red, as were my hands.

I looked toward the Cooking Attendant who, like us, had been saved from the avalanche by an unknown force.

His breathing was already very weak.

"Moon...I want to see you..."

He seemed to be whispering, but his voice was too weak, it was immediately drowned out by the roar of the storm.

I managed to make out his final wish though.

I summoned up my last ounce of spiritual energy and froze him into a block of ice as he breathed his last.

I know there's no way to save him, but I can feel he still carries a contract with another Food Soul.

So at least I hope his Food Soul might return to see him one last time.

I hope.

After the death of their Master Attendant in the year 290 of the King's Calendar, Two Scoops, tired of obeying humans and mechanically carrying out tasks, decided they would live in the remote land of Nevras.

Living in isolation upon the snow-covered mountain could be dull, but they were never lonely.

Because they had each other for company.

The days passed one after another, and just when the two were beginning (to think) they would be able to live together surrounded by snow and ice forever, a Cooking Attendant appeared and ruined all that.

This Cooking Attendant had become lost and seperated from his companions during a blizzard when he saw Strawberry on the verge of being attacked by a Fallen Angel.

Without any hesitation or regard for his own safety he threw himself in front of the wounded Food Soul.

He sacrificed his own life in doing so.

As he breathed his last, the Food Soul he had rescued, Strawberry, froze him in a block of ice and brought him back to his home.

He hoped to extend the life of his rescuer long enough to be found by the Food Soul he himself was bound to.

When Vanilla, his brother, learned what had happened he converted Strawberry and used his own power to help protect the frozen Cooking Attendant. And so, even though he should have died, he was preserved in the ice.

Two little Food Souls living in a cave protected a dying man's last wish.

Until eventually, one day a haggard figure appeared on the snow-capped mountain, barefoot and struggling to move forward through the ice and snow.

"Strawberry, am I imagining things or does the man in the ice look like he's smiling?"

"It must just be a trick of the light."

"That must be it...Anyway, shouldn't we go out today?"

"Good idea, it wouldn't be very good if his Food Soul can't find the path to the cave."

"But will his Food Soul come? We go out every day and there's been no sign..."

"They'll come,"

Strawberry said with determination, looking at his brother.

"Uh-huh, I'm sure you're right!"

Vanilla nodded and took Strawberry's hand, then the two Food Souls left the cave together.

I brought Realgar Wine back to that lake side courtyard. Standing, motionless, for the longest time besides the lake, the courtyard was still quiet and peaceful as ever.

Realgar Wine looked somewhat tentative as he stood at the gate of the courtyard. Even after hesitating for so long, he couldn’t take a step forward and walk inside.

I internally let out a sigh, seeing Realgar Wine in his doubtful state. I extended an arm to push Realgar Wine into the courtyard.

“Relax, they’re all great people.”

Realgar’s feet tripped on the door frame, one of which staggered. As he was about to fall, Zitui Bun just so happened to push the door open and come out from the house. The willow branch in his hand was unexpectedly long, and gently propped up Realgar Wine, who’d almost fallen down.

As Zitui Bun grew confused over Realgar Wine’s sudden appearance, I reached out my arm to grab Realgar Wine’s back collar and pulled him upright. I roughly patted Realgar Wine’s shoulder and then introduced him to Zitui Bun.

“He’s Realgar Wine, he’s a… member of that cult. Just like us, he’s got nowhere else to go, so I brought him back here.”

Zitui Bun nodded continuously as he listened to my explanation. He walked to Realgar Wine’s front, bringing along his ever present gentle and soft smile.

“Come then, I’ll help you find a room to settle down in.”

After suffering through the harsh treatment from before, Realgar Wine was a little spoiled in his friendship with Zitui Bun. He turned to look at me, and after I nodded, Realgar Wine contently left with Zitui Bun.

Faced with an empty courtyard, I squinted my eyes and rubbed at my chin, thinking.

That fella Dragon Beard Candy mostly hides inside the house, reading those hard to understand books, and Longjing Tea… He’s probably hiding in his cave at the bottom of the lake again!  

Every time I thought about the exasperated look on that guy’s face whenever I dragged him out from the lake’s bottom, the corner of my lips couldn’t help but slightly curl up.

Walking at a brisk and lively pace, I came strolling into the lakeside. Sucking in a deep breath, and with both my hands at the sides of my mouth, I loudly yelled at the surface of the peaceful and quiet lake:

“Longjing!!!!!! Come out for a drink!!!!! I’m back!!!!!!!”

A nearby lovey-dovey couple at the lakeside looked at me in consternation. I carelessly smiled at them, and then turned back to look at the center of the lake, where Longjing’s cave is located.

Small waves appeared on that undisturbed lake surface from a swaying breeze. However, not long after, the quiet was restored.  

I furrowed my eyebrows, then yelled loudly a few more times, and the couple just covered their ears and fled. I squinted my eyes as I watched the still calm and quiet surface of the lake.

“Longjing, hey Longjing. If you still won’t come out, don’t blame me for being rude.”

I muttered as I ducked down my head, searching around the gravel at the lakeside. I found a rock as big as a head, then brutally flung it into the center of the lake.

Splash--

After the rock dropped into the water, the ripples on the water surface didn’t settle down over time.  The lake water slowly parted towards two sides, and the silhouette of a person gradually emerged from the center of the lake. He trod on steps formed from lake water, and took step after step to me, his face full of exasperation.

“Dragon & Phoenix. I’ve told you this many times before, do not throw any rocks towards my cave, especially one as big as that.”

“Hehe, if I don’t do it like that, how else would I get you to come up! I brought back some good wine this time! I even brought in a companion to introduce to you guys! Just in time for everyone to drink and moon watch together later in the evening!”

“…Just for this?”

“How can you say ‘just for this’? Moon watching and drinking with your fellow brothers is an absolute delight! How can you not show up?!”

“…”

“Let’s go, let’s go!”

Speaking of my Master Attendant, he was an important figure in the small nation that I used to live in.

He was the youngest general in the country, only a mere teenager. The monarch he served was a laudable and wise ruler. Never was the lord jealous of his military powers, they grew up together like brothers, holding mutual trust towards one another.

Apart from stirring up the occasional commotion through stealing horses at the border, even foreign enemies were so fearful of the Master Attendant’s formidable reputation that they fell into line. This also gave this coveted piece of land time to recover. ^[1]

Each day, the Master Attendant spent most of his time training the new recruits. He’d occasionally bring the new soldiers downtown to aid helpless and lonely elderly people, fixing their houses and delivering vegetables to them.

He was obviously a general with a highly illustrious reputation, but he hadn’t the slightest bit of arrogance. It also made everyone love and respect him very much. Compared to a general, everyone preferred to see him as the earnest boy next door. He was their charming nephew and grandson, he was the good brother that grew up together with them.

Most of all, he loved telling stories. So during a rare break, he’d pull over a few brethren, who were also resting, and sit together on the spacious school field beneath the bright moonlight, laughing heartily and carelessly.  They’d share a toast together and drink to their heart’s content, even occasionally rising to sing a few ballad verses to liven things up.

Freely working up a sweat; laughing loudly and joyously with his companions; drinking and toasting as he wished.

To him, life should always be treated care-freely and brashly, not leaving a shred of regret.

My Master Attendant was exactly like his appearance. An extremely cheerful fellow, there was practically nothing that could bring him down.

His smile, brimming with sunlight, could always make the people have faith in overcoming difficulties.

He always said, if even he no longer had a confident smile, then where would the people he’s supposed to help get their hope from?

But… there was one situation that would make him morose whenever he thought about it, it was a surprise he cared so much.

I remembered that it was a strange evening. The sunset did not reflect a warm orange-red like before, but rather, a translucent and eerie blood red color.

I was making my way up the lookout tower when I noticed that somewhere, in the far distance, was a mountain peak burning up surges of thick smoke.

The next moment, a staggering and flustered figure came tumbling in at the checkpoint.

“G-General… hurry and save them…”

Seeing his nearly breathless state, I jumped down from the lookout tower and extended my arms to hold up this male stranger who’d suddenly arrived.

He had ran until he could no longer catch his breath, and I wanted to bring him to rest for a bit, but the stranger shook his head continuously as he pleaded non-stop:

“Let me meet the general! Hurry and let me meet the general!”

The surrounding soldiers and I hesitated for a bit, but we still brought him to the Master Attendant.

Who would’ve thought he’d kneel down crying and begging before the Master Attendant, just after he entered.

“General, I have brought you your apprentice’s final letter. I beg of you… please save us…”

He slowly revealed the sins below the seemingly tranquil surface in front of us.

The cult’s acts shocked everyone listening. Filled with righteous indignation, they all turned to Master Attendant. Even someone as cheerful as Master Attendant looked especially grim at the moment.

Everyone was willing to do their best to eradicate such evil, but Master Attendant couldn’t be as impulsive as they were.

I understood that he shouldered the nation’s peace. Although no one else wanted to head out and save his disciples from the land of savages more than he did, if he sent out troops, we would be declaring war on our neighbor nation.  

As his Food Soul, I could feel his uneasiness, but couldn’t do anything.  

Our neighbor country was rich, our military strong, the people intelligent and friendly. Even their monarch was a loyal ally of our own monarch.

But our neighboring country’s territory was so vast that their monarch didn’t necessarily understand what was happening everywhere.

I watched my Master Attendant quash his emotions, and use his hands, trembling from rage, to write a report and send it to the imperial city, informing the monarch of the cult-caused tragedy. We all naively thought this could help those pleading for help.

But what my Master and I didn’t expect was for the monarch, after learning of the tragedy, to stand by. He didn’t want to be misunderstood to be spying on our neighbor, so he felt pressured to not to do anything. He’d tried to pass the situation off to his allies, but he got the same refutation from all sides.  

After receiving such an answer, we had no choice but to repress our anger.

We couldn’t allow our impulsiveness to ruin our hard-fought peace and ruin so many of the common folks’ tranquil lives.

Everything about this situation: I couldn’t blame those who begged for Master Attendant to save them, I couldn’t blame the overworked emperor, I definitely couldn’t blame Master Attendant who was forced to choose refrainment for the people he should be protecting.

I grabbed his shoulders, intending to pass my consolation to Master through my palms. Master turned around and revealed the same reassuring smile.

Only, I noticed that since the day Master received a reply, he didn’t smile as much as before. He’d often sit before the battalion, his head tilted back as he watched the far away clouds, blanking out.

I thought that there would be a day where Master could forget all that happened.

Of course, he didn’t let me down, and slowly, regained his old sunny disposition.

Master Attendant embraced his fellow brothers by the neck and laughed, still so simpleminded. I let out a relieved sigh, then handed the wine to Master.

However, it was from that day onward that those old civil officials, who used to harp on him, talk over his words, and warn him against rash action, would simply sigh in exasperation whenever they see the general’s felicitous smile; they all said that the general had grown up.

I did not understand what this was all about, only laughing at how mischievous he used to be; this only made those elders worry more.

But by the time I finally understood those old men’s words, it was already far too late.

A few more years passed again, and Master Attendant became enamored with a girl.

It was comforting to know that the girl had long dedicated her feelings to the skilled and heroic, yet kind and gentle, Master Attendant.

She really was a cute girl, and she nicely complemented Master Attendant.

They had become acquainted before flowers, and met up beneath the moon.

Ten miles of red make up ^[2], handsome white horses brought back a flower-like beauty.

Staying together, getting to know each other, even having a few filial and sensible children.

The eldest son was well read, and he assisted the emperor’s heir in the country’s governance.​ 

The middle son was skilled in martial arts, and protected the country for the emperor.

The daughter was famed across the land, and she had an endless stream of marriage proposals.

They’d even affectionately call me ‘uncle’. It was when that child, round as a gluttonous rice ball, grabbed onto my finger and beamed as they looked up at me that I understood the meaning of happiness.

Everything was like the happily ever after of a fairytale- there was no distrust from the emperor, no disputes between brothers-in-arms, his wife was virtuous, and his children were devoted.

I stayed with Master Attendant from when he was a high spirited and vigorous young boy, to when he was an old and greying man.

Humans all head towards an inevitable conclusion through the passage of time.

I stood next to this brother of mine, who I’d been with for a lifetime. I watched my elderly Master Attendant reach out a hand as he muttered something.

I initially thought Master couldn’t have had regrets in his full life, but before he passed, he tightly grabbed my hand.

His face was full of remorse and reluctance.

“Dragon & Phoenix, my teacher’s disciples are still alive. No matter where they are, if someone in the same house has an unfulfilled wish, one must give their all in completing it. My life is blessed and beautiful, but there is one thing that if you do not promise me… I fear I will die unable to close my eyes.”

I looked at Master’s quivering hand, full of wrinkles, as he brought out that dust-laden letter, from several decades past, out from his arms.

It was only at that moment did I realize, it wasn’t because Master forgot…

Master Attendant had always regarded me as a blood brother ever since I was summoned.

I was born and killed time and time again. Regardless of how many times, even if I knew that Food Souls like me didn’t die easily, I never hesitated to use my own body to protect humans from attacks that are surely lethal for their kind. 

Master’s desires gave meaning to my existence.

To the disappointment of my niece and nephews, I bid them farewell, taking with me keepsake gifts from the emperor and travel money as I began my journey.

I came across the ever-expanding cults more than once in this journey, and almost came to an end on one occasion.

Fortunately, I was soon saved by Longjing Tea and Zitui Bun. Afterwards, I stayed at their little courtyard.

Aside from Longjing Tea, there were others in the courtyard, all former victims of the cults.

One day, I finally received information on their stronghold. I didn’t tell anyone, and with the sole goal of taking those bastards down with me, I set off alone.

That gal, Dragon Beard Candy, was more of a softie than she let on; she wasn’t suited to fight those skilled in the art of manipulating hearts.

Zitui Bun did so much to escape their shadows, not to mention Longjing Tea, who’d been dragged into this by me and the others.​ I couldn’t allow them to face tragedy again from the growing cults, all because me and Master Attendant let them grow in the first place.

In this courtyard where one can feel satisfied through merely watching the moon, this was the life they were most suited for.

Before I reached my destination, I met a Food Soul on the way. His clothes were in tatters, and he seemed to be in dire straits.

His whole body was covered in scars, and the state of his face so dreadful that I thought he’d dissipate at any moment. Besides him was a female Food Soul, supporting him by the arm.

We only brushed past each other on the road, but he called out to me:

“Are… you going to Sin City…”

I halted in my steps, and turned my head around, slightly astounded. I looked at the guy, coated with injuries.

“…Why? You’re from Sin City?”

He didn’t pay any mind to the alarm in my words.

He was a very interesting fellow. Although his face held a touch of gentleness on first glance, his eyes revealed a more haughty air.

“I’d like to ask something of you.”

“…What is it? I can’t not go to Sin City.”

“Sin City has already been destroyed. If you’re willing, I was hoping you could go somewhere and save someone…”  

I stood in front of the wreckage, looking at the Food Soul on the ground, along with the evidently high ranking cult members beside him. In my mind, I recalled the villages I saw on my journey, destroyed by them. The innocent common folk, met with only a wretched end. The believers, repenting through drugs.

I turned, intent on leaving. But after a few steps, I berated myself for being unable to harden my heart. I turned back around, filled with heavy repudiation as I took away the Food Soul, lying on the ground, on their last gasps of breath, away from this scorched land.

After Dragon & Phoenix brought Realgar Wine back from Sin City, they found temporary shelter at a nearby tavern.

He repeatedly pondered over the meaning of Peking Duck’s words.

It was only when Realgar Wine awoke and Dragon & Phoenix saw the clueless look on his face, that he had to suppress his anger. Years of resentment against the cults erupted in an instant.

Dragon & Phoenix, who’d managed to maintain a friendly demeanor up to this point, now donned a ferocious expression. He grabbed Realgar’s shirt collar, interrogating his actions, questioning his beliefs.

But Realgar Wine’s bewildered look exasperated him. He loosened his grip, dispirited, and let go of Realgar Wine’s shirt collar.

At that instant, he finally understood Peking Duck’s words.

“He is a very pitiful fellow…”

He looked at Realgar Wine, feeling a complicated mixture of emotions. He took a deep breath, but ultimately, couldn’t stand it, so he left with a slam of the door.

The next day, when Dragon & Phoenix returned to Realgar Wine’s room, he was still recovering from his serious injuries and had the same demeanor from before. The lost and helpless look on his face caused Dragon & Phoenix to slump in frustration.

He brought Realgar Wine to those villages, ruined by the cults, then brought out a book that he’d hidden in his chest.

“Granny Xi from the western village had a family of four. The grand daughter was chosen for sacrifice, her parents were killed by a mob for resisting. Granny Xi had no one to turn to, thus, committed suicide.”

“……”

“Uncle Luo’s family from the north, all burned to death by the order of believers because they refused to worship. The youngest was a grandson born not long ago, not even a month old.”

“……”

“Tofu lil’ sis,^[3] of an eastern city, stabbed to death because she wouldn’t follow the mob’s orders to become the cult leader’s wife.”

“…I…”

“Do you see now? This is what the drugs you made brought forth.”

“I-I…I’m sorry…”

Realgar Wine’s head was so low it was almost on the ground. Dragon & Phoenix furrowed his brows as he looked at Realgar Wine, undoubtedly feeling remorse, yet unsure on how to fix anything.  

As a Food Soul, no one else can better understand how important a Master Attendants is to them. Master Attendants, who are like family to them, guide Food Souls, new to the world.

If one were to say Dragon & Phoenix’s Master Attendant was a bright sun, illuminating Dragon & Phoenix’s entire world,

then Realgar Wine’s Master Attendant was like a firefly, dancing around a cliff in the night so pitch dark that you can’t see your hand in front of you.

Gradually leading Realgar Wine to a dead end as he sought after that weak ray of light.

He also finally understood why Peking Duck, who’d faced much of the suffering the cults inflicted, chose to spare him, who’d been working for the cults for some time.

Dragon & Phoenix brought Realgar Wine to many places, to every village that once fell victim. Realgar Wine would always sincerely apologize to everyone there, under Dragon & Phoenix’s guidance.  

This was even though no one accepted his words, and there were many survivors who would hurl rocks at him.

But Realgar Wine silently endured it all. He made great efforts to use his abilities  and do everything that he thought of to try and help the survivors’ situations.

Dragon & Phoenix stood by the side, watching as a sharp rock pelted Realgar Wine. Realgar Wine did not dodge. But even if Food Souls could not die at the hands of humans, when they are attacked, they still feel pain, they still bleed the same blood of a human.  

Maybe the villagers were tired of flinging stones, or maybe they lost interest because Realgar Wine wouldn’t make even one cry of pain, they slowly left, one after another.  

Dragon & Phoenix walked to Realgar Wine’s side, helping him pick up the Dan medicine that he’d developed, which could scatter Fallen Angels. He reached out a hand to sweep away the rotten vegetable leaves and egg shells hanging from Realgar Wine’s head, and using his sleeve, wiped away the blood on his forehead.

“Come on, let’s go home.”

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

A four-walled room with only one window from which to look upon the landscape. Even with azure skies and starry nights, the scene is made imperfect; it is cut into pieces by long, thin images that just cross it.

There were iron bars installed on the window.

If I want to walk a few steps, the echo from the noise of the iron chains being dragged along the ground can be heard in the quiet room.

I spend long days living with no purpose; I'm not even aware of the passage of time in this cold room.

If I sink into depression, I will just ponder the reason of my imprisonment over and over again.

"It was so utterly stupid."

Every time I think of it, I look upon my own self with contemptuousness.

It was an experience that complicated my mood all the more.

When I was summoned to this world for the first time, what appeared to me at the time was a chef on call who worked in the castle.

He seemed particularly surprised to see me. He just kept muttering on and on to himself, "How could this be," and "I have so much potential," which just grated on my nerves.

I wasn't sure why, but from the time I realized he was a chef, I began to have a strange feeling of aversion towards him build up in my heart.

So, I had the utmost negative impression of him from our very first meeting.

By rights I should address him in a proper way as "Master Attendant". But I really didn't want to do that..

Apparently, he did not care how he was addressed. People around him always called him "Cook" this "Cook" that.

But I just called him "guy" instead.

The atmosphere in the castle has been a bit peculiar as of late.

Whenever I've gone around with Cook, I've noticed someone watching us from some shadowy corner.

Cook, an workaholic didn't think anyone would find this an unpleasant sight.

I had a bad feeling, and I got the answer to my hunch within a few days.

"What the heck is going on here?"

It was amusing to see Cook scratching his head, scowling impatiently and pacing back and forth in his cell.

"How could I be a rebel? I have so much work to do every day that I have no time to finish it all."

"I've been wronged!"

No matter how much of a commotion he raised there in his prison cell, no one would open the heavy iron gate for him.

The rebel thing was just a pretext for the blood royals to detain him.

Perhaps the real reason was that the proud royals could not accept the idea that one little insignificant chef could summon a Food Soul.

"Hey, guy."

He stopped when he heard me calling him.

"I can't take this claustrophobic environment. I need to get out of here."

"What? How can you leave? Your feet are chained down."

His words trailed off as he saw that I had frozen the chains on my bare feet and smashed it to bits.

I walked to the window and broke the iron bars.

All the while Cook just stood there dumbfounded watching what I did. He was shocked to the core and absolutely speechless.

But when I went to step out of the window, he pulled me back in. And as I turned around I was confronted by his anxious expression.

"Miss... Miss Foie Gras, please take me with you!"

He is a man devoid of principles.

But like this, I was touched for the first time by his humanity.

Even now, it seems I haven't been able to wipe that cold temperature from my fingers.

I knew from the beginning that he was a weak man.

He sweated and toiled in his filthy kitchen every day. On account of his poor and ignoble birth, he would always be made the butt of the self-important nobles' jokes. Meanwhile, his own buck-passing colleagues around him dumped their tiring and tedious work on him.

Yet he just seemed to take it all with a smirk and a smile.

But provided it has something to do with cuisine, he will trade in that flippant expression of his for a near nest one.

If he fails at making a certain dish, he would be extraordinarily broken up about it, and then will be even stricter with himself the next day.

When I asked him why he did this, he answered,

"If I don't take cooking seriously, then isn't this a tremendous disrespect to the souls of the ingredients?"

Maybe it's because of how he answered my question, maybe it was that serious expression, or the matter-of-fact swagger in his tone, but at that moment I started looking at the man differently.

So that brings us up to today. In running away from being exposed, I ran into a mass of black-clad soldiers that the royal family, who had long ago prepared for such contingencies to perform an ambush. Surrounded on all sides, I stood my ground facing these enemies; so multitudinous that they looked like vast fields of wheat, not wanting anyone to hurt him. Thinking that, provided he just gave the order, I would carry him out of here even if his hands were stained with blood.

But I heard from behind the thing I did not want to hear the most at the moment.

"Foie Gras, forget it, leave me here."

His voice sounded calm and relaxed, as if he was telling me that the weather was on very clear day.

"I have no friends no family, and I have been with you every day. I am truly content."

I didn't say anything, and I didn't want to look back at the expression on his face. I just had an icy cold feeling in my heart."

"It's good that I came here. After I die, you will be free."

Just the thought of that phrase, one that I would absolutely never say; my body went stiff.

Yet, I had to listen to it anyway.

"Foie Gras, get out of here."

"That's an order from your master attendant."

In a heavily fortified castle a shrill buzzing sound suddenly rang out penetrating the thick cold walls and into my ears, pulling me out of pondering past memories and snapping me back into the present.

"What happened?"

I could vaguely hear the shouts of soldiers.

"Could it be an enemy invasion?"

I sat on the chair in the middle of the room, lost in thought.

"Perhaps someone will come to send me out to battle."

"Clang."

The sound of the iron door behind me being unlocked reverberated throughout the room.

"They're already here?"

I turned around, and at the same moment the door opened. And who stood before me was not an armored soldier, but a blond teenager with an expression of passive indolence.

Without even waiting for the inevitable inquiry he simply gave the information.

"He's dead."

My body froze in shock. Though it was the first time I had ever met this young chap, I knew which person the "he" referred to.

"I am here to pick you up."

I could feel my eyes grow wet with tears.

"Let's leave together."

Thirty years ago.

"This is the cooking attendants orders."

"So what?"

I answered with an air of complete indifference, and I never turned around to see his expression.

I had expected such an outcome, because my cooking attendant was a weak man.

He would not order me to take him out of here and kill everyone.

I realized it long ago.

Without waiting for him to say the next sentence, I used my psychic powers to build a safety net around him to both protect him and trap him in the same place.

I took flight, and soared directly to the enemy stronghold, the place where the King lived.

After freezing all the soldiers around the King, I stared down the King, whose expression told me, "I've been waiting for you for a long time", then, I said,

"Guarantee he will live in safety. Let him leave this country and I will stay here and serve you."

The King promised repeatedly. Naturally he knew that if it weren't for the covenant between Cook and I, nothing could contain me.

But this was exactly how the cunning King figured things would turn out from the beginning.

When I got back, Cook was sitting in the safety net crying to the point that his eyes were red.

I waved my hand and the net came off. He wanted to rush to me but was immediately stopped by the soldiers standing by awaiting orders.

He clenched his teeth and his cheeks flushed red, he stared at me with an expression I'd never seen before and kept silent.

"Go."

After saying this, I turned around as I didn't see him, so I would be ready to return to the King.

But then he shouted for me to stop.

His voice rang out with such deep-seated raw emotional power that I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Wait for me!"

"I will come back for you."

"Okay."

I turned around and smiled at him.

When Foie Gras had just been summoned to the human world, she hid a deep sense of revulsion with the chef deep down in the recesses of her heart.

Even Foie Gras herself did not understand where such strong emotions came from.

She couldn't understand yet was powerless to resist, so she just chalked it up to "fate".

However, as a food soul, she had to accompany her cooking attendant, so she had to endure such a sense of deep disgust every day to complete her mission.

After spending some time with her cooking attendant, she came to the conclusion,

"He is a useless good-for-nothing."

He is a talentless hack, and his culinary arts are nothing special at all.
People take him for an ignoramus who was always buried in work that wasn't even his to begin with.

However, he was the only one in the stony castle with a respect for food.
And he treated each and every ingredient with the utmost care.

Seeing him like this, for some strange reason the disgust in her heart gradually began to dissipate.

"Maybe someday he can be a great chef."
Foie Gras couldn't help thinking this.

She thought that her "destiny" had basically been destroyed by his very existence.

So ultimately, in the face of a malicious world, Foie Gras chose to bide her time and change his "fate" that brought him near death.

"Wait for me, I will come get you."

This sentence became the only consolation that Foie Gras would ever give in 30 long years.

She never really expected that the cooking attendant would keep his promise, because it was a miracle that such a mediocre man could even summon a food soul in the first place.

Without the help of a food soul, who would have the power to save her?

But the promise of the cooking attendant had been echoing within the recesses of her heart.

Then the blond teenager has appeared out of nowhere and reached his hand out to her, claiming that he would take her away.

Foie Gras turned and eyed her cooking attendant who, wearing that patented silly grin of his and scratching the back of his head, said sheepishly,

"Sorry I kept you waiting."

"It's ok,"
She replied.

"I knew you would come back."

Note: The story above has been grammatically edited by UnknownPeep. Some of the original wording may have been altered to make the story easier to understand, but the story remains unchanged.

In the town I was born in, there was a longstanding tradition of holding a festival on the coldest day of winter. The young men and women would prepare gingerbread to give to each other as gifts, a not-so-secret invitation to their intended partner to join them for a dance at the end of the festival.

“How I wish I could attend the dance with the man of my dreams! That’s right, Gingerbread, have you heard about the legend about waiting at Mechelen Plaza? It’s sooo romantic!”

The girl whom I acknowledged as my Master did a small pirouette as she said this. I merely frowned, keeping silent behind her and attempting to channel my dissatisfaction at her constant delays into my gaze.

“You’ve already told me last year. Once you’re done with the shopping, we should hurry home. Master Attendant will be coming home this evening and there are still many things we need to prepare.”

“I want to buy a gift for father though – Hey! Gingerbread! Look over there! Quick, stop them!”

I looked in the direction she was frantically pointing at. A group of hoodlums had surrounded a flower girl. They had snatched the flower basket out of her hands and seemed intent on dragging her into the alleyway.

“I’m carrying too many things. If you want to be a good person, do it yourself.”

“Don’t give me lip now! You’re my Food Soul, quickly go and help her!”

“I’m not even your Food Soul to begin with though…. Oh, very well, stop glaring at me, I’ll do what you ask this time.”

A handful of human beings were no match for me. Within moments, I had them beaten and on the run. The flower girl had collapsed in a heap on the group and was shaking fearfully. I turned to leave, expressing my displeasure toward my busybody master.

“You’re too good of a person, I swear. You keep looking for trouble like this even though you know you won’t get anything in retu--.”

I had not finished my sentence when the flower girl, who had regained her senses, suddenly leapt towards me. I dodged, but she continued to approach me, undeterred.

“Thank you for saving me. Would you mind telling me your name”

“Her name is Gingerbread. She’s my father’s Food Soul.”

“Oh, so she’s Mr. Place’s Food Soul! That explains why she’s got so much power despite being so small and cute. We’re all in Mr. Place’s debt. For someone as noble as him to summon a Food Soul like Gingerbread, well, they do say that good things come to good people!”

“Haha, I’ll be relying on you to give any other hoodlums a lesson, Gingerbread!”

The townsfolk surrounded me, praising me and my Master Attendant, who was still out of town on business. I was at a loss on what to do.

When the crowds finally dispersed, my master looked at me and smiled brightly.

“Doesn’t it make you happy that everybody’s accepted you? And so many people still need your help! One day, when I’m no longer around, you must continue to help the powerless and the weak on my behalf, Gingerbread!”

“…Don’t want to.”

All I need to do is keep you safe.

My Master was not my Master Attendant.

“Since she was summoned using a gingerbread you made as a catalyst, then let’s have her stay by your side.”

Just like that, my Master Attendant had given me to his daughter, my Master. When my Master Attendant’s merchant caravan left for other kingdoms, I would look after her and keep her company. The happiest 10 years in my memory were spent by her side.

However, Master Attendant was cheated, and his business collapsed under the weight of towering debt.

The once wealthy merchant family was now destitute. Master Attendant’s days were now spent at home with wine to numb the sense of failure and loss, leaving his own daughter to face his debtors.

“Scram. I’ll gut you if you dare show up again…”

I stood alone at the door, slamming my sword into the ground as I issued a final warning to the debtor’s thugs.

“Don’t get conceited. You’re nothing but a servant of trash, you have nothing to be proud of!”

The thugs I’d beaten to a pulp could only curse and swear at me as they crawled to their feet and fled.

I watched them leave with a disinterested gaze, watching the path for any fools who might have tried a surprise attack. The sound of breaking glass made me turn to face the house. The sound of a male voice cursing and screaming, and a female voice begging for mercy spilled from the half open door.

“Hehe… I bet you think I’m trash too, don’t you? … What kind of expression is that? Are you regretting you weren’t married off sooner? Even now you dare to think about leaving me!?”

“No, I wasn’t thinking anything like that! Father, I wasn’t!”

“Don’t give me any of that crap! And don’t you dare stare at me like that! I bet you think you can fool me by putting on a sad and miserable act?! You’re disrespecting me! Don’t you dare think about leaving me! I raised you, fed you, gave you the very best things in your life! I’ve given you all my love, yet you’re still not satisfied? A dog would have shown more gratitude than trash like you!”

The kind and gentle father no longer existed. The alcoholic drunk that remained vented his anger on his daughter. I once tried to stop him with words. My Master Attendant had used that incident as a reason to cruelly and violently beat her.

Nobody could refuse him.

“You always asked me to help those in need, and always asked me to strive to be a good person. Why won’t you let me help you leave? Master Attendant has—”

“This is my choice, Gingerbread.”

She interrupted me, attempting to console me with a soft smile. However, the bruises on her lips and around her mouth caused her to agonizingly draw breath instead, and it was some time before she could continue.

“Don’t blame father. This isn’t his fault…”

“Are you having a pleasant conversation with Gingerbread, daughter of mine?”

An ominous voice sounded from behind me. I did not need to turn around, the fear and terror in her eyes told me everything I needed to know.

How much had he heard!?

He should be asleep!

A horrible wave of unease washed over me, and a strange feeling awoke in my heart. My hands would not stop trembling, as if straining to smash the shackles of the Contract and draw my sword against the man who had summoned me, so I could finally take my Master away from him.

But there was no defying him.

“Get lost, Gingerbread.”

The door was locked behind me. But violence doesn’t stay locked up, and I clearly heard every cruel and vile thing act.

“I’m so sorry…”

Never in my life had I ever cursed the power of the Contract as I did then.

“Excuse me, I’ve come to deliver a letter to Mr. Steak? Leader of the Knights of the Holy Sword?”

I knocked on the door of a room in the inn and passed the letter to a Food Soul with horns growing from his head.

As she had instructed, I did not leave immediately after delivering the letter. As I waited for the Food Soul to give me his reply to her letter, I could not help wondering what my Master had meant by “It will all end soon”.

The Food Soul finished reading the letter and seemed to size me up with a puzzled expression. I could sense no hostility in his expression, but I was nevertheless unnerved by his gaze.

“What do you think you’re looking at? If you’re not going to reply, I’m going to leave.”

“Wait, you’re Gingerbread right? Your Master Attendant has asked you to stay here- You bastard, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

He had not finished speaking when a second Food Soul suddenly appeared, snatching away the letter in his hands. The new Food Soul glared at me once, then shoved me out of the room and closed the door. From within, I could hear the sounds of a heated argument.

Those bastards… It pissed me off they had just ignored me like that.

I had no real interest in the contents of their argument, though it was easy to discern the general gist and tone of the dispute from certain words – “Purpose” “No other choice” “Trust” and “Dumbass” - which lodged themselves in my mind of their own volition.

Still, I couldn’t just leave town. As long as Master Attendant was here, there was no way I could do as I please. And she was here too.

Why did she have to write a letter posing as Master Attendant?

Ah, I’m getting more pissed now.

Nobody seemed to want to listen to my opinion, and they all thought they could decide what to do with me. What exactly did they take me for…?

…

…What?

“The Contract…”

Time seemed to stop and accelerate at the same time. I began to run, my surroundings melting into a blur. All I could hear was the furious beating of my heart and the wind in my ears.

The contract was gone, and the feeling of unease had grown into full on terror. Home… Something’s gone terribly wrong at home!

I rushed into the house, silent as a tomb.

Where?

Where were they?

The sound of shattering glass came from Master Attendant’s room. I rushed up the stairs, charging into the room I had in recent years come to dread entering. I saw my master hugging a bottle of wine to her chest, the tears streaming down her face as she sat next to the corpse of my Master Attendant.

“I’m sorry, Gingerbread.”

Her voice began to break.

“Father and I… we have no right to bind you anymore. Please, leave this place…”

She coughed twice, then raised the wine bottle to her lips and drained it, before flashing me one last smile.

“I hope you can leave this place and live freely from here onward.”

I couldn’t protect her and could not stop her from dying. By the time I had realized that the wine she had imbibed had been poisoned, I was too late to do anything.

I held her soft body in my hands, my eyes red with tears as I tried to encourage her to throw up the wine she had drunk. However, she merely laughed weakly at my request, and did not give me a reply.

I left her in the room, sprinting to the nearest pharmacy to buy some ipecac. However, she had stopped breathing long before I returned to the house.

…and so I was abandoned.

Two days after I buried my Master Attendant and his daughter, the town seemed like a completely different place. Rumors spread fast in a town like this, and I went from a praiseworthy Food Soul to a cursed bringer of disaster.

The thugs, who scowled at me as I passed, and the townspeople who had always greeted me with wide smiles now regarded me as an object of terror. All the good I had done was forgotten in an instant.

I was not needed anymore.

“A Bringer of Disaster? Seems more like a little injured kitten to me.”

Sometime after Dusk, the Food Soul who had started arguing with Steak barged into the house uninvited. His condescending voice pissed me off. I hugged my shoulders and huddled closer to the fireplace, glaring at him.

“You’re trespassing. You have one minute. If you don’t leave, I will personally throw you out.”

“Good grief, you and he are just as uncouth as each other. Even when you have nowhere left to go, you still refuse to ask for help. I suppose introductions are in order. I am Red Wine, of the Order of Canaan. The reason I’ve come today is that I’ve received a request to recruit you into our Order.”

“I don’t need your sympathy or your aid… Also, weren’t you a part of the Knights of the Something or Other?”

“Hmph, the “Knights” are nothing more than the fanciful creation of a long-horned idiot. Now, I’m not the type of person to do things without good reason. Of course, you don’t need my sympathy, still, you’re not the type to refuse my kindness.”

“…Has anybody ever told you that if you get too cocky, they’ll punch you in the face?”

“Cute. Anyway, your Master Attendant requested that we bring her most valuable gem with us when we leave this town. I’m here to asses whether you’re of any value to our Order.”

Liar. If I were really important she wouldn’t have abandoned me and committed suicide with Master Attendant.

Red Wine smiled.

“ ‘I hope you can give her the chance to find something she truly believes in.’ was what she had written”

Belief?

What exactly do I believe in.

Apart from my initial orders, my desire to protect her had always been genuine. I was willing to do as she asked, and always strove to become the “good person” she always thought I could become. And yet… I had felt so much relief when she had finally killed the torturous bastard of a Master Attendant.

If she had not committed suicide, I would have abandoned the rules and laws of society just to stay by her side, even though she had committed the irredeemable sin of patricide. Would that have made me a good person?

I remembered her last words, and senselessly asked Red Wine a question.

“Are you a good person?”

“That’s nothing more than a term that society gives to people who conform to their expectations. Whether or not I am a good person is something you have to decide for yourself.”

“Then you had better not disappoint me.”

And so, I reached out and grabbed the hand he had extended towards me.

One winter, the girl's father took the gem called the magic crystal back to a town that even Fallen Angels wouldn’t pay visit to. With a gingerbread he made himself, he summoned the first and only Food Soul in town, and made her accompany his daughter to protect her. Gingerbread’s Master Attendant was more of a skilled businessman rather than a proper cooking attendant. And, of course, he was a gentle father. Because his wife had died due to childbirth, he and his daughter depended on each other. He never thought of getting married again, and rarely said no to his daughter. Apart from being a bit too dependent on her father, the girl was well educated in all aspects. Gingerbread grew up with the girl since the day she was summoned. She took care of her when Master Attendant went out to do business. She watched her grow from a girl as tall as her to a beautiful young woman, and gradually understood her mind. Although the most unbreakable relationship for Gingerbread in the world was the one she had with her Master Attendant, as they were connected by a contract, in Gingerbread's heart, the depth of her bond with the girl had already long exceeded the one she had with him, who rarely came back home. Gingerbread’s Master Attendant was a well-known kindhearted man in the town. The girl was also like that. Whenever she went out on the street, she always commanded Gingerbread to help the weak. Although Gingerbread protested every time, she never actually refused any of her orders. Gingerbread thought that life could just keep on going like that, but reality would never have allowed that. Those happy times only lasted for ten years. In the eleventh year, the Food Soul learned that humans can change in more ways than just appearance. The first change were threats. Master Attendant’s business failed. Once he lost his gentleness, he became a drunkard who used domestic violence to prove his self-worth to himself. He would always come up with an excise to “punish” the girl. Even just hearing her voice became a reason for him to act. At that time, he would order Gingerbread to leave, or dragged the girl into his room, so that he could "educate" her. Then, it was the girl’s turn.

"Gingerbread, don't try to help me anymore. You intervening will only make my father angrier."

"Do you really want me to just stay out of it? Even if he is my Master Attendant --"

“He’s your Master Attendant! He’s your real Master! Gingerbread, that’s enough… not everyone needs your help.”

After the girl had interrupted Gingerbread, they went silent for a while. Gingerbread felt a fire burning in her chest, which made her heart ache.

“I chose my father. Since I decided to stay with him, I won’t reject him. Even if… even if everything’s over, I won’t leave him alone.”

A month later, the girl executed her premeditated crime. She killed her father and then poisoned herself in front of Gingerbread. The news of the death of the Presley family spread rapidly in the town. People who had been beaten up by Gingerbread and hated her took this opportunity to spread rumors, intending to drive her away from the town. When she walked down the streets, she couldn’t even help children who fell down to get up from the ground.

“Stay away from my child!”

“What do you mean?”

"There's never been family members killing each other in this town! It was you who brought misfortune! I don't want to curse my children too! "

“Are you even listening to yourself?”

"Of course I am! I’ll get you thrown out of our town! "

“Yeah! Get out of here!”

"We won't believe you like Mr. and Miss Presley did! "

The townspeople’s malicious voices came from all directions. Angry, sad, gloating, proud... everyone's expressions were revolving around her. Gingerbread couldn't stand the dizziness any more. She drew her sword and pointed it towards the villagers.

“I've had enough of your gossip. If anyone dares to say a single other word about me, then don't blame me for considering them my enemy and killing them.”

Humans can change. A gentle father can become a cruel drunkard, a kind daughter can kill her beloved father, and thankful townspeople can expel those who have once helped them. Gingerbread understood that in this world, good people will become bad people, and good people will be treated as bad people. But why? To Gingerbread, that still didn't make any sense. Red Wine scoffed at Gingerbread’s questions, simply replying with “how boring”.

“Is good and bad really that important?”

Gingerbread pondered over Red Wine’s words, finally shaking her own head as a reply.

"If it’s not important, then, why do you even care about it?"

Gingerbread suddenly realized that. She now understood that there was no right or wrong when it came to protect something important. As long as she thinks that person is worth it, whether it is to cross a sea of thorns and blood, or to do something that's considered taboo, she is willing to fight for them to the end.

"Master Attendant, look at the garden. It's so gorgeous!"

I ran along the spiraling cobblestone path, headed towards the yard. When I was running on the stone bridge with a doll in my hands, I turned around and waved at Master Attendant, slowly walking towards me.

"This is our new home, Hishi Mochi."

"Yes!!"

I smiled sweetly at Master Attendant, hoping that it’d spread to her and make her relax. 

Master Attendant showed a smile, but it had lost its sweetness and purity. She raised her hand and rubbed my head.

I looked at her eyes. Gone was the former light within them and instead, her deep eyes were overflowing with growing loneliness.

After that uprising, Master Attendant's mental state wasn't great.

Now, the dust has already settled. It turned out our most trusted general has emerged as the new authority of the country.

But Master Attendant's identity remained the same; she's still a princess worshiped by the people in her country. However, she didn't want to remain in the palace, which held most of her memories.

Her father, brothers, sisters, and even her other half are gone.

She's all alone, alone for the rest of her life. That's why she chose to stay in a heavily guarded hunting ground, deep within the palace.

Perhaps the reason why the general took pity on her was because she shared a similar fate like him. He permitted Master Attendant to leave the palace and had her properly accommodated in a mansion once owned by a noble.

In this mansion, our life remained virtually identical to before.

If we lack something, we would just inform Unadon, who’d frequently visit us. The next day, our request will be fulfilled.

Yet, Master Attendant rarely made any requests. Needless to say, we felt an unprecedented sense of despondency.

When Unadon came, he told us that the general hoped Master Attendant could forget his only son, forget those who have passed, stopped holding on to the past and instead, be happier in the future.

Similarly, I too hoped Master Attendant could pull herself together. 

Our new life is the same as the past.

There weren't many people in the mansion so it was more desolate than the palace had been.

And because there weren't any of the strict rules of the palace, we felt more free. It's just that, there's no longer anyone to play hide and seek with.

Master Attendant and I both despised the strict rules of the palace.

We would play hide and seek with the older princess, although I hated playing with her.

The older princess wasn't skilled, and she only found us after a long time.

But she still enjoyed the role of a seeker.

Master Attendant said that the older princess wasn't searching for us, but someone else instead.

At the time Master Attendant fell ill, the spring flowers bloomed.

On that day, we would look at sakuras.

I told her, I missed those days when we played together.

Master Attendant didn't promise me anything. She only sadly looked at the trees covered in sakuras.

When I was talking about the older princess, I mentioned Osechi, who played with us once.

Speaking of that game of hide and seek, I was the seeker and had to find everyone.

At sunset, I managed to discover where Osechi was, but I wanted to make it extra spooky before frightening her.

I placed the doll, which looked identical to me, atop the Chinese window, which she can see when she gets up. The setting sun caused the doll' s shadow to elongate.

As there wasn't anyone nearby, I hid in the dark. Coincidentally, there was a gale of wind at the time. I purposely lowered my voice and pretended to be one of those vengeful spirits of folk legend. The cool wind carried the sound of my voice towards Osechi.

When she looked up and saw my doll, she became terrified, as if she thought the doll was a spirit out for her life.

I tried to vividly describe the scene at the time to Master Attendant, but she could only weakly reply.

I thought Master Attendant wasn't interested, so I talked about the only son of the general, who would sneak into the palace to find us. He's the person in Master Attendant's heart and his Food Soul, Kashiwa Mochi, is my favorite playmate.

Before I could even say a few sentences, Master Attendant uttered for me to stop. With an insurmountable amount of anguish, she said:

"They won't come back. What's the point of missing them……"

That night, Master Attendant collapsed due to her illness.

After half a year of being bed-ridden, Master Attendant silently left the world in the morning, like a maple leaf falling off a tree.

At that time, I was collecting some dew from the garden and was planning to boil them for Master Attendant to drink.

Water can get rid of any misfortune and purify her ill body.

Morning dew, rainwater during a drought, and the river in front of the shrine are all very clean.

Ever since Master Attendant became ill, I've never left her side. Everyday, before the sun rose, I'd collect some morning dew and hope that this was enough to ease her illness.

I've also created many dolls of her, and for every 9 dolls created, I would ask Unadon to bring them to the river.

The little boat holding these dolls will follow the water and float away, bringing away Master Attendant’s misfortune.

But Master Attendant’s condition never improved.

I failed to shield Master Attendant from her misfortune to the very end.

With the boiled water, I walked to Master Attendant's room and softly asked her to wake up. However, she did not respond. A bad feeling gripped my heart.

Not long after, my heart seemed to shatter into smithereens as I descended into a helpless state of pain.

——The contract has broken.

"MASTER ATTENDANT!!!"

I suddenly got up, and my clothes toppled the bowl of water. In a flurry of footsteps, I rushed towards her side. Tearfully, I called out her name.

Yet, she'll never respond for an eternity.

When the princess passed from her sickness, the whole nation was heartbroken.

They said Master Attendant died of sadness.

I hugged my doll and hid in the dark cupboard, crying. I thought- can Food Souls die of sadness?

They consoled me and told me that I wasn't to blame for her death.

I'm only her Food Soul, not her substitute doll.

But don’t Food Souls exist to protect their Attendants?

To absorb any damage inflicted on them, to bear any misfortunes, and to shield them from all danger so they may live well. These is what we should do.

This justifies my existence.

I didn't protect who I should’ve protected. To me, this was truly something sad.

The person who helped organize Master Attendant's funeral was a fellow called Matsutake Dobinmushi.

He claimed to be a friend of Osechi and Unadon.

The commander ordered a grand funeral to be organized for Master Attendant. It will be carried out by his Food Soul who’s triumphed over many battles - Unadon.

Just like me, Unadon wasn’t an expert on this matter.

All Unadon needed to do was attend and host this funeral. The rest was settled by Matsutake Dobinmushi.

We sent off Master Attendant.

When everything ended, Unadon asked me a question before leaving:

"Hishi Mochi, have you thought of where to go?"

"I'm…...unsure."

I've never considered what I would do if Master Attendant is no longer around.

It was only until Unadon asked me that I realized there’s no way for me to return to Master Attendant's side.

I've lost a place to return to.

"If you don't know where to go, you can leave with me. Together, we can see the outside world and find a place that suits you."

Bewildered, I looked at Matsutake Dobinmushi, whom I've known for only a few days.

"Why?"

"I’m a merchant who’s visited the entirety of Sakurajima for business. I've seen many people with all sorts of pasts and experiences, but I myself have yet to consider my own future. I merely thought of conducting even greater business next time. Only today did I decide that this city shall be my sanctuary."

"Is it because the person you wish to be together with is here?"

"Heh, incorrect."

"Then, is it because you treated this place as your home?"

"Also incorrect."

"I don't know……."

I became more and more fascinated by his answer. He, on the other hand, chuckled.

"You will understand once you’ve explored every nook and cranny of Sakurajima, just like I have..."

In the past, the people inside the palace were also like him. They say things that sound correct, but aren't in reality, and thus, no one could understand them. 

I seemed to understand because my mind was still fuzzy. Then again, I still feel like I didn't get anything. But, I was still hesitant on whether or not to accept his suggestion. Unadon hummed and patted my shoulder.

"Don't listen to his nonsense. His words may be unreliable, but at least they’re trustworthy. If you're still unsure on what to do, perhaps you should follow him and look around. Knowing more ain't bad and you can look for Kashiwa Mochi simultaneously. That boy said he went to train but I haven't heard anything from him ever since."

Kashiwa Mochi……

Thinking about that Food Soul who went missing after his Master Attendant's death, I finally decided to follow his suggestion.

Has he found a new place where he belongs?

Hishi Mochi's Master Attendant is the princess of a country.

When she was summoned, she received an education provided by those in the palace.

She's the princess’s substitute doll. One who will shield her Master Attendant from any disaster. Those close to them shared this belief, even Hishi Mochi herself believed it.

Perhaps because of Hishi Mochi's existence, Osechi's Master Attendant would then summon Osechi, after the former was chosen as the royal family’s Miko, to take her place.

Osechi only knew about this after some time when she saw Hishi Mochi's Master Attendant. But at that time, she didn't blame Hishi Mochi.

In the palace, Osechi saw Hishi Mochi when she was learning etiquette. Hishi Mochi was a naive and simple-minded child, carrying out some harmless pranks. At the same time, she would personally sew dolls for others.

It just that, all her knowledge of the world was based on the lady-in-court that served the princess...

Before Hishi Mochi and Matsutake Dobinmushi left the capital, they stayed in Osechi’s shrine for two days.

When the imperial family, formerly at the top of the kingdom, declined, the two’s relationship became closer compared to it in the past; they didn't talk much back then.

In the span of two days, Hishi Mochi chatted a lot with Osechi.

The decision to leave the capital with Matsutake Dobinmushi was in actuality, not Hishi Mochi’s decision.

Hishi Mochi remained confused about her future, and the reason why she chose to leave was just because she wanted to look for Kashiwa Mochi, who lost his Master Attendant, just like her.

Kashiwa Mochi was Hishi Mochi's former playmate.

Of course, it was largely because their Master Attendants were star-crossed lovers, and because they admired each other.

The chances they got to play together exceeded all others and their friendship would inevitably would be much deeper.

Currently, Osechi is unable to provide much help for Hishi Mochi. She only wishes this journey would let Hishi Mochi understand that even though she's a Food Soul summoned by humanity, she shouldn't give her life to serve and protect someone. Only then will her life be meaningful.

The scenery on either side of me changes endlessly while I smoothly drove my carriage forward on the official road.

At noon, a delicate hand opened the curtain, Osmanthus Cake left the carriage and came to sit by my side.

She flipped through the book she had in her hand, suddenly speaking without a warning.

"Is what she said true?"

"She? Do you mean Double-Ninth Cake?" I tilted my head and pretended to think.

"If I still am lying to you, then don’t you think this highly famous Double-Ninth Cake would have done so already?"

I took a glance at Osmanthus Cake, whose body is shaking all over, and continued to speak meaningfully.

"So, it’s true that you dragged your Master Attendant down so that they couldn’t accomplish his dream."

Osmanthus Cake slowly closed her book, her body no longer shaking, but the fingers that are grabbing on to her sleeves are curled tight.

I think, since the truth is already right in front of her, she still needs some time to adjust, to think.

No problem……

Pulling out the map and double checking that we’re not going in the wrong direction, I started to drive the carriage faster, thinking to myself.

This time, it’s best that you follow me.

Deep in the night, we stopped in front of a mountain that peaks into the clouds.

I reached my hand to help Osmanthus Cake off the carriage.

"This is the second place that I wanted to bring you to. "

Glancing at the broken rock path below our feet, my speech took on a tinge of nostalgia.

"Where is this?" 　　

Osmanthus Cake gave a dull reply with an unfocused expression.

It appears that she still hasn’t completely processed her feelings from before.

But that’s okay……

I held on to her hand and stepped onto this familiar yet foreign stone path.

"Taiyun Temple, a place you should come to."

"Eh? Isn’t Taiyun Templeyour……"

Osmanthus Cake slowly came back to her senses, looking a little stunned.

"Why should I……"

The sunlight passes through the branches and leaves, soaking on my face. While I was still half asleep, wave after wave of sound surged into my ear.

Rolling over and sitting up, there are about ten young men wearing Taoist clothes in the square by me, all uniformly training martial arts; I let out a deep yawn.

Ah! It’s already this time of the day……

The sight before me made me suddenly awake.

Stepping on the treetop, I leaped onto the roof of the other building, speed running to the book house.

This is Taiyun Temple, a Taoist temple that looks into the clouds and mountains, and it’s located adjacent to a  small country.

I am the temple master’s food soul, but I am also his disciple at the same time; I’m a Taoist who is practicing here, and my Taoist name is Yun Feng.

The young men at the square earlier were all my fellow brothers^[1].

But right now I’m……

Right hand tapping fingers together, a coin in my left hand spinning around my fingers.

While I was running on the roof, I was tensely calculating my fortune for today.

Every afternoon, I have to go practice my Taoist Arguments which takes place at about one hour before martial practice.

But when I woke up, my brothers have already started with martial practice……

"Infinite tianzun*……you have to bless me, Don’t let Mast….ah no, Master^[2] eat me or skin me alive. "

Coin spinning faster in my hand, I stared intensely at my left hand, hoping for a good result.

I hope that Temple Master’s mood is good today, hope that he didn’t come to supervise on time this day.

I leapt again, landing on the stone landing in front of the book house, and at the same time the result of my fortune came.

"Big Luck?! No……terribly unlucky? Er……That’s not right, how do I make sense of this charm?"

Doubting the strange extremes of the charm, I thought about whether my powers are having problems while peeking my head around corners in the book house,  just have a clear idea of what the situation is inside.

But what made me surprised was that there is no one in the book house.

Right at this time, the sound of a racket came from not too far away.

I climbed up the courtyard wall and looked to the source of the sound, only to see Temple Master leading a group of people into the temple.

Amidst the crowd, a strong, buff man sticks out from the rest.

"Oh? Isn’t that the general?"

I recognize him, the buff guy is a general from the country by the mountain range; he’s known Temple Master for a long time, and he’s been to the temple a few times before.

I didn’t even get the chance to think more when another figure came into my sight.

A soft and feminine dress.

Looking at her, a verse floated into my head, it comes from an ancient book used to describe women.

There once was a woman, who was very beautiful, as she smiles, it seems like the entire world lit up.

"Ah, Yun Feng, apparently you’re here. " Osmanthus Cake lifted her skirt, came over and called me from below the tree.  

"Why are you here again." Surpressing the excitement from my heart, I leapt down, giving out an expression of impatience.

"Master Attendant came to see Temple Master, so naturally, I came along."

"There’s so many people in the temple, so many for you to go find, but you had to come to me. "

"Because you’re also a food soul, so it can be easier for us to talk."

Looking at the smile on Osmanthus Cake, my mouth suddenly went dry, not knowing what to say even with my mouth open.

Luckily she didn’t notice my strange behavior, tilting her head to look at the courtyard.

"Yun Feng, don’t you get bored? Being in the mountains all the time."

"Maybe?" Reaching and grabbing a Setaria plant, before hanging it in my mouth, l looked over to where her gaze was at the courtyard.

"But I can’t go down the mountains, Temple Master said that my fortune was that I have the ability to do great things, but my heart is not able to match it,  so if I go into the world then a big event would happen. "

"Oh, like this，" Osmanthus Cake seemingly understood and responded with a slightly regretful sound.

"There are lots of interesting things at the bottom of the mountains too. " Saying that, as if she thought about something, she let out a sly smile.

"There are also a lot of cute ladies at the bottom of the mountains too, Yun Feng have you seen any cute ladies?"

"Shut up! Of course I have!" As if being taunted, my face turned red, and said in a huff.

Actually, it was just to cover up, once we were talking about cute, I just unconsciously got embarrassed.

Seeing this, Osmanthus Cake held a hand by her lips and started chuckling.

Following the frequent visits from the general to Temple Master, Osmanthus Cake and I got closer to each other, and very soon, we became great friends who could talk about anything under the world.

I would bring her around the mountains when she’s here, looking at scenery that she won’t be able to see from down the mountain.

She would also bring many different cakes when she meets me, telling me about different interesting stories from the cities from down the mountain.

As time moves on, in the blink of an eye summer has passed, and the rains have already stopped.

I met Osmanthus Cake once again.

"Long time no see. " Osmanthus Cake put down the box with the desserts, took out her handkerchief to wipe the stair step, and sat down by me.

Her facial expression looked a little strange.

"You are really too arbitrary. " I stole a glance at where she sat while enjoying desserts.

"What? Do you dislike Jie Jie?" Osmanthus Cake arched her eyebrow, and held up a fighting pose.^[3]

"No no……" I quickly begged for forgiveness with a cake in my mouth.

"I just thought that girls would be like how they are in books……"

"Mm….." Osmanthus Cake scrunched her brows, looking like she was deep in thought.

"What you’re saying is…..Ah~ I will feel embarrassed…..like that?"

As if to say that she was embarrassed too, Osmanthus Cake held on to her tummy and laughed.

"Sorry……Jie Jie can’t do that"

"Haha! You’re so strange like this……"

After talking like this for some time, we suddenly went into a deep silence.

At noon, Osmanthus Cake held on to her jaw, looking dazed into the distance.

"Hey……Yun Feng?"

"Ah?"

"It’s going to be QiXi Festival in two days, there will be a temple fair at the bottom of the mountain, will you accompany Jie Jie to go shopping?"^[4]

"I can’t go down, it’s not like I’m dismissing you."

"Then when will you be able to go down the mountain. "

"Maybe after two to three years?"

"But then it will be too late……" As Osmanthus Cake was talking, she suddenly muttered in a low voice.

"What?" I didn’t clearly catch what she said.

"Nothing……" Osmanthus Cake quickly changed the topic.

I didn’t think much of it.

"The emperor decreed, the general has started a rebellion, this is clearly a venomous intent, all under the sky can see."

"Taiyun Temple does not accept evil people like these, taking part in protecting the country, first prize reward!"

"Now the leader of these evil people and his accomplices have the death sentence……"

That was the thirty eighth day that Osmanthus Cake did not come, I went to the book house while calculating the days, preparing for today’s discussion.

But I didn’t expect to bump into the emperor’s eunuch leader.

The announcement was loud as thunder, causing my head to go blank.

When I came back to my senses, I have already pinned the head eunuch’s hand onto the wall.

I didn’t care about the army around us, neither did I care about the surprised Temple Master and my brothers.

I glared at the eunuch’s shocked face.

"Where’s Osmanthus Cake?!"

"W-who?"

"I said where is the general’s food soul?!"

"D……Dead……"

"What did you say?!!"

Hearing my angry roar, the eunuch suddenly got so scared that he closed both his eyes and started screaming.

"The Temple Master offered a disaster to the north, leading all the rebelling armies into fallen angel territory, they’re all dead! All dead!"

"What did……you say……"

Throwing the eunuch away, I stumbled over to Temple Master.

"What he said……is it true?"

Temple Master closed his eyes and didn’t say a word, then let out a long sigh after a while.

Understood his meaning.

I pulled out the saber from my waist, turned around to face the army that were charging, and ran straight out of Taiyun Temple.

I held onto Osmanthus Cake and brought her to the book room once again.

The white tiles and black rooftops from my memories, the antique loft is also currently so dilapidated. The rocks are scattered everywhere and cobwebs cover every inch.

"Do you still remember anything?"

Osmanthus Cake scrunched her brows, looking like she was deep in thought.

I smiled and lead her somewhere else.

The temple isn’t big, so we quickly walked around the place.

"What do you think about the scenery?"

Reaching the edge of the courtyard, I brought her to a high point.

"It’s……very pretty?"

Osmanthus Cake hesitantly commented.

She must be curious about my intentions.

"Ah……Indeed, I only wanted to bring you here to look around."

"Is that so…..but it feels like it would have been really beautiful before? Why is it like this now?"

"That is……That would be another long story, do you want to hear?"

"Seeing as you helped my Master Attendant?"

"Haha, okay. "

That is an inconspicuous little country on the land of Tierra, and because it’s close to Light Kingdom, so the people’s culture there is also quite similar.

After the country was built, the power was divided into three, forming a  stable political situation.

But this balance was disrupted due to a talk between the emperor and the emperor.^[5]

The Japanese Emperor lead his students to hide in the mountains, and built a Taoist Temple which is separated from the world at Mount Taiyun.

After getting one hand out of the shackles, the Chinese Emperor’s wild ambitions grew larger and larger, and for power, he started to suppress the military system.

Both parties have a unbreakable conflict because of this, and in the end, when things got so bad until a general couldn’t take it anymore, he started planning out a conspiracy.

As such, the general purposefully used the reason of being a friend to visit the Chinese emperor, in order to work together to form a revolution.

In the end, even after so many useless pieces of advice, the Chinese emperor decided to stand by the side of the Japanese emperor, setting up a trap against the general.

At night, the traitorous general lost his life, and Osmanthus Cake who was trying to protect her Master Attendant died tragically under the hands of a fallen angel.

Once Huangshan Maofeng caught wind of it, he attacked the eunuch by surprise and left Taiyun Temple.

Ever since, Taiyun Temple lost one strong, young Taoist priest.

A few years later, an uninhibited, dissolute man appeared in the midst of humans.

Huangshan Maofeng brought his fly-whisk and sabre, and had a stroll around Light Kingdom, bringing along his powers of fortune telling.

Until one day, in a small bookshop in a small town, he bumped into a thoughtful, absent minded girl food soul.

The swaying smoke screen enthralls the spectators watching from the other side of the latticed window. They've been fooled by empty love and chose to drown themselves in the morass of honey and poison on their own accord.

Any traces of exhaustion on our face can be hidden by gaudy make ups. However, the bewitching smile hanging on our lips and the fine, rich alcohols can make anyone lost themselves, to the point that they're willing to give out everything that they had.

Here, smiles and love are considered much cheaper than alcohols.

The flower on the highest peak ― that no ordinary men can possibly reach ― that can be met tonight is a woman whose skill in trifling with someone's heart is far superior than others.

Even if they know that everything is just a momentary illusion, they can't stop themselves from getting charmed when they see her, dressed in gorgeous attire.

She would proficiently use her bewitching smile and words capable of titillating a man's heart, easily earning herself "the proof of their love" from men who seeks to be loved.

── All of it is part of the melodramatic, dreamy world.

── There is no truth in this empty, interweaving world, where people fools and getting fooled.

However, it seems even someone like her, who is capable of making men from all over the world dance in the palm of her hand, is unable to confirm the true intention of a certain man.

That man received countless funds and information from her, but there's never anything like ray of light capable of dispersing the darkness appearing in their relationship.

The woman then passed away without any significant change in their relationship. The only person in this world to ever care about me ended up drowning in her own "love".

That moronic adulterer didn't even know that he had killed "someone capable of controlling monster", that he'd sought out for so long, with his own hands... what a laugh.

── You should remember that commodity is, after all, just a commodity.

Even the most expensive things can be replaced if they're broken. Even the finest rarity that we're so proud of, that we displayed at the topmost shelf, can disappear from people's memories in due time.

And now, the men who had sworn their eternal love in front of her are smiling at me. As if they're trying to flatter me. As if they had completely forgotten all about her.

(...... If that's the case,)

I swear that I'll snatch away that "love" of yours.

I'm not so boorish that I'll disregard your feelings, after all.

On a certain long night, where the moon hides itself behind the clouds. That man, who has been numbed by alcohols and his love affairs, will surely return here when night lowers its curtains.

I tilted my head up, gazing at the night sky, where the harvest moon is supposed to hang high.

(Even the beautifully swayed by the wind cherry blossoms at night feels somewhat lacking when there is no moonlight shining upon it, hm.)

"Hey, have you heard!? They said that 'that person' has died a terrible death!"
"Don't call him so respectfully.^[6] He's just a bastard who made his way to the top by using the women as his stepping stones..."
"Oh, please. You're the one who have been calling him 'Lord'..."
"Sst! You're too loud!"

There, look. Be it a commodity of the dark night or a commodity of daylight, once broken they'll soon disappear from people's memories.

"Daiginjo, don't you think you're overdoing it? You'll get caught, you know."

When I turned to look at the dark spot where no light touches it, I heard someone there talking to me, sounding a bit fed up.

I averted my gaze, staring up at the sky again as I imagined the shiny moon behind my eyelids.

"I'm just seeking "the proof of love" from him. If he can't give it to me, then it's normal to ask him to give me something else, right?"

"...... Well, that's..."

I couldn't help but laugh, knowing that I've made the other at loss of words.

"Besides, I have you with me. Are you suggesting that I still need something else? If you are, then please tell me what it is... hehe."

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

“Thump—“

“Thump thump—“

“Hey—Longjing! If ya still won’t come out, I’m gonna smash this huge rock!”

I opened my eyes, exasperated. I looked up to see the schools of fish avoiding the ripples of lake water, caused by that noisy fellow lobbing rocks in.

Ever since he found out I would resurface if he threw in rocks, my old peaceful days could never return.

I emerged to the surface of the lake to see no incident, just Dragon & Phoenix with a jug of wine, grinning at me, laughing ever so freely.

“…What is it?”

“I got a good jug of wine from the brewery. Their daughter is getting married so they opened their cellar, that aged ‘red daughter wine’ ^[7] was just cracked open and the whole cellar smelled so damn good! Let’s all go to the courtyard and try some wine while moon watching!” He looked at the sun in the sky.

“…It’s noon right now, now is the time for afternoon naps.”

“Yep! Zitui Bun and Dragon Beard Candy are all napping! Realgar Wine is still studying his medicine, which is why I came to find you!”

Looking at his utterly confident smile, I felt a bit of a migraine coming on. I pinched my nose bridge, and in the next second, Dragon & Phoenix had his arm hooked around my shoulders, dragging me towards the little house.

After the arrival of Dragon & Phoenix, the little house occasionally becomes quite noisy.

But what I didn’t expect was how unbothered I was by the noisiness. It’s come to a point where it didn’t feel too bad to have all this hustle and bustle.

When we returned to the little house, Dragon Beard Candy and Zitui Bun had already finished their afternoon nap and were preparing the meals and needed tableware for tonight’s courtyard gathering. 

“Ah! Longjing, you’ve also returned!”

It’s like they knew Dragon & Phoenix would be bringing back wine, judging by their busyness. I suspiciously eyed them.  

“Today is the Dragon God’s birthday, the anniversary of settling in this village. You actually forgot.”

“That’s right, Dragon & Phoenix said he wanted to celebrate it for you. He even sent Realgar Wine to buy your favourite treats; looks like he will return in a bit.”

I looked at them, feeling exasperated.

“We’re Food Souls, what’s all this talk about birthdays? We don’t have them.”  

“Well, no matter. It’s rare for there to be something worth celebrating, right!?”

I gazed at Zitui Bun’s smile as I let out a sigh; even though Dragon Beard Candy nagged again and again about the trouble, it was hard for her to hide her excitement. Realgar Wine, too, got dragged out of his alchemy room and into the hubbub. Looking at them, I felt my lips unconsciously curl, just a tiny bit.

When there’s endless time and there’s something worth celebrating every day, that might be a fortunate thing.

Everyone was in full swing as we prepared for the banquet. However, the sky did not seem intent on following our wishes. Grey rain clouds covered the entire sky, and the light breeze brought a hint of moisture.

Dragon & Phoenix and the others, caught up in their excitement, didn’t notice these miniscule changes. What surprised me even more was that they even invited those Food Souls from the Bamboo Smoke Pawnshop.

Peking Duck brought in delicate refreshments, Yuxiang and Zitui Bun were discussing the history of unknown customs, the two little ones called Hawthorne and Pancake were quick to start a commotion with Dragon & Phoenix.

I looked at the gradually darkening sky, sighing.

Soon, the continuous pitter-patter of a light shower fell over the entire village, covering it all in a layer of mist.

Before they drooped their shoulders in disappointment, a pale green screen of light wrapped around the entire courtyard, shielding them from the raindrops.

Under their joyful gazes, I turned my eyes away, with slight unease.

“What are you looking at me for, didn’t you want to celebrate?”

Dragon & Phoenix and the others let out a cheer and continued to arrange the decorations for tonight’s banquet. Zitui Bun stood beside me, and the impish smile in his eyes made me wet my lips.

“Thank you, Sir Dragon God.”

“…Zitui Bun, you too…”

“Hmm?”

Looking at his lifted brows, I shook my head, somewhat exasperated. Ever since Dragon & Phoenix came here, even the elegant Zitui Bun and refined Dragon Beard Candy had become slightly cheeky because of him.

Dragon & Phoenix opened the vintage wine he’d brought over ^[8], and the rich aroma of wine wafted into the courtyard. Along with Dragon Beard Candy’s leisurely pleasant guqin performance, everyone lifted their wine cups. With the intoxicating fragrant wine, the curtain of rain gradually dispersed; everyone was already somewhat tired.

I stood in the messy courtyard as I lifted the barrier in the air. The fresh air left from the rain allowed me to close my eyes and enjoy the gentle breeze on my face.

“Longjing, I’ve found them.”

I opened my eyes. Peking Duck, who’d originally collapsed in a drunken stupor, was now standing behind me. His head was tilted upwards as he stared at the clear and bright moonlight, zoning out. His gaze held slight relief, but it was more resolute, as if he were a man walking towards his death.

“If I cannot return, the Bamboo Smoke…”

“I will go with you all.”

I looked at Peking’s surprised expression, and gazed at the shadows of the courtyard.​

“Not just for the humans, but for them too.”

Peking Duck quickly recovered. He smiled faintly as he looked at my companions behind him, who’d failed to properly conceal their heads, then turned back around.

“Having to shoulder so much, won’t you get tired?”

“They are my companions, there is no burden.”

I don’t know when I began to be called a ‘Dragon God’.

Their wishes were no trouble at all for me.

Over time, I became the ‘Dragon God’ they all awed at.  

I liked having my little breaks at the lake’s bottom, and I’d gotten used to the silence of solitude.

Days like these went by for who knows how long, when one day, the quiet surface of lake began to ripple from falling rocks.

A high-spirited and energetic young boy stood by the lake, holding a small, flat rock for skipping stones.

Besides him was a young girl, her skin pale as snow and dressed in luxurious palace clothes; her face was thoroughly red as she stared at him.

Typically, young love always made one feel sweet, but for me, it wasn’t something worth getting into. What drew my attention was the man draped in red robes standing not too far from them. He had the same aura as me.​ He noticed my gaze, and revealed a gentle smile.

“So you’re him, the rumoured Dragon God.”

When the young boy and girl heard his words, they immediately huddled to my side, curious. They talked all at once, excitedly discussing stories of the Dragon God.

Listening to their words, I was actually a little surprised that my volunteer works actually helped so many.

The innocent princess gently pulled at my sleeve, and her eyes held a bit of tender compassion that I couldn’t really understand.

“Sir Dragon God, you must have it tough: you’re even sleeping at the bottom of the lake, it must be very cold and hard, right!?”

“…It’s tolerable.”

She furrowed her brows. Suddenly, her eyes glinted.

“I’ll have father gift you a little house! We can use my monthly payment and Ah Fu’s official salary!”

“That…”

“Don’t worry, sir! Ah Fu is a champion! His salary as an official is high! Not to mention, by doing this, Sir Dragon God can let any homeless people to temporarily stay at the little house! This also counts as us helping people, right!?”

“……”

“We can definitely do it! Ah Fu can calm the chaos of war, I can convince my father do more charity.

There’ll certainly come a day where the world doesn’t have any more homeless people! Sir Dragon God, you have to help us too!”

Da Hong Pao covered his mouth with a sleeve as he smiled, and used that covered smile to pacify me.

“Just accept it. They have only good intentions.”

I hesitated for a moment, but ultimately nodded, under the two younglings’ expectant gazes.

Not long after the young champion and little princess left, happy news about the two came from the imperial capital.

I asked someone to deliver them my gift, but soon afterwards, news of war at the borders came.

Wars, natural disasters, epidemics; though they are not directly connected, they always come one after another.  

News of constant losses in the war, the sudden explosion of epidemics, and the eerie appearance of black clad men.

Everything about this made me feel unfocused and preoccupied. I was already doing my very best just trying to protect this one village.

The next time I heard news of them again, everything was already over. That Da Hong Pao, always wearing a smile, went to live in the mountains like a hermit, never saying a word of what exactly transpired.

I saved Zitui Bun by accident. That inexplicable fire, spreading at an alarming speed. The great rain that came and put out the huge fire.

I found Zitui Bun unconscious on the ground and saw hastily fleeing people. A guess crossed my mind, but I quickly forgot in all of the commotion.

Zitui Bun’s injuries were severe, and he was lucky to survive through Da Hong Pao’s superb medical skills.

Zitui Bun is someone who can get along with anyone. He’d also subconsciously draw a pattern on rice paper, zoning out.

The next time I saw this pattern again, the cultists were contemplating shoving an unconscious Dragon Beard Candy into a cage.

Following Zitui Bun, Dragon Beard Candy joined us. I could not neglect those things I ignored numerous times before.

That pattern, those black robes, the sudden epidemics, the despairing calamities.

Everything that seemed initially unrelated began to connect as my companions increased in number.

When I went to gather clues at a location, I found Dragon & Phoenix there, covered in injuries.

I recognized Realgar Wine when Dragon & Phoenix brought him here.

When I was investigating those strange cases, I once saw Realgar Wine donned in those black robes as he trailed behind those groups of people.

I hoped everything would turn out as well as Dragon & Phoenix thought it would.

Finally, after a long period of  investigation, we finally caught onto something.

Peking Duck brought forth information about them.

This will inevitably be a hard fight.

They possess means that we know nothing of.

Even Peking Duck was incapable of annihilating all of them. ​But even in such a dangerous situation, no one backed out.

The sweet and mellow alcohol swayed and rocked as the cups collided against one another, and heads were thrown back to finish a drink. Vows that need not be voiced followed the wine into our blood and engraved themselves onto bones.

The wine cups in hands reflected the sky’s bright moonlight, and the amiable song from beside my ear must’ve been a drunken Dragon & Phoenix babbling a little tune. It was inexplicably pleasant to my ears.

If we could still return to this little courtyard for a drink under the moon after all was done, that would be only too good.

Longjing Tea never thought he’d mean so much to everyone.

Just like how he never considered his voluntary deeds to help so many.

Even though he’s no Dragon God, he’s the same as a true deity; that’s what made the people genuinely believe in him.

For his companions at the lakeside house, as long as a place has him, even if he doesn’t say a word, everyone can loudly play with ease.

Even though he’s always wearing a cold demeanor, even preferring the icy chill of the lake’s bottom, to everyone else, Longjing could not be a warmer person.

For him, saving someone needs no reason; it’s almost instinct, engraved into his very blood and bone.

These actions, which could not be any more normal, saved person after person out from despair.

He unconditionally accepted those he saved, providing them a home where they could be sheltered from rain and wind.  

Even Dragon & Phoenix, who liked playing outside the most, would always declare:

“Aye! Finally home!” as he walked into the little house.

Maybe because of everyone’s past sufferings, the people of the little village loved to find reasons to celebrate anything.

For today, it could be because the back courtyard’s Eupatorium Fortunei has produced twin flowers; for tomorrow, it could be because there’s a famous chef visiting the village. 

Even if they’re always unimportant things, these little pleasures accumulate, bit by bit. They diminish the pain of the past, and create new memories truly worth recollecting.

But no one has ever forgotten that the person who behind it all was their Longjing Tea, who’d always sit quietly in the back, silently watching.

They avoided mentioning their past, out of a desire not to transfer such heavy burdens to Longjing Tea.

He should’ve acted like a real god, leisurely sitting at the bottom of the lake, occasionally coming to the lakeside to watch the scenery, living his quiet and peaceful life, not going through danger like right now. 

It was their own sinful debt, and shouldn’t be shouldered by someone else.

But this seemingly divine fellow doesn’t see it that way.

Peking Duck asked the question that everyone wanted to ask.

–“Having to shoulder so much, don’t you get tired?”

A man who loved silence; after saving those noisy folks, he could not find any more peaceful days.

A sedentary man, who always zoned out while looking at the sky; now he was constantly running about outside for his companions, rarely having the time to return to his favorite lake bed.

A man who disliked trouble; it was for them that he started a feud with the most troublesome of those ‘big annoyances’.

Aren’t you tired? Do you regret it?

The few standing in the shadows hung their heads, their fists tightly clutched. They were afraid of Longjing Tea’s answer, but they also hoped for an answer.

Longjing Tea's astonishing reaction brought everyone to a standstill for a moment.

“They are my companions, what is there to be a burden of?”

Dragon & Phoenix, who’d been hiding in the corner, immediately rushed out from the shadows. He hugged Longjing’s neck, messing up his long hair, that constantly looked tidy.

Longjing’s miffed reprimand echoed through the entire courtyard, eliciting a round of hearty laughter from everyone.

Longjing doesn’t know that his companions aren’t unafraid of those enemies, shrouded in darkness.

But for them, as long as Longjing Tea is around, they have no need to dread all that they once feared.  

Before becoming a businessman, I lived at a privately owned school ^[9] in my village.

That village relied on harvesting matsutake mushrooms as their livelihood.

Matsutake mushrooms are valuable, but their trading price is not much. Their yearly income is just enough to cover the villagers’ living costs for a year.

The villagers aren’t very concerned with the changes in their country; they only know how to pick the mushrooms on the mountain and only care if they can sell off a bit more mushroom this year.

Of course, the villagers don’t know what kinds of people are purchasing the mushrooms, nor do they know that they could smooth talk customers into a higher and higher sale price.

Aside from that, they don’t have many worries, unlike Master Attendant and I. 

The village has a very small private school.

Master is the owner of that school.  

Master is constantly worried about the country’s future.

He came from the imperial capital and used to be a brilliant government official. After he’d resigned from his government duties, he returned to his hometown. The villagers respect people like that.

Master Attendant hoped the villagers could lead a better life outside of mushroom picking. Then, for the sake of allowing the children to leave this piece of land, he allowed the villagers to send their children to study at his school during their free time.

I don’t disagree with this simple kind of village life, there’s no need to change it.

But in my view, this sort of life is a bit too boring.  

The school’s reputation is esteemed, or as I should say, Master Attendant’s reputation is esteemed. Even the residents of neighboring villages, who have a bit of money and status, would all send their children here, requesting him to teach them.

I would usually accompany them home after class. On the way, I’d also buy some goods only available in bigger villages. If some people needed things brought back to the village, I would sell it to them at its ‘original price,’ including errand fees, along with my latest poem.

This ‘original price’ refers to the price that they know.

After all, every time I buy something, I ask for a discount to get the lowest price I can.

This whole bargaining process is always so fascinating; I just can’t refrain from it.

But Master Attendant didn’t like it. He thought these small spats were not practical.

But at a village like this, how else can I expand my business? It’s not like I could leave Master Attendant, who I had to protect, and move to a distant and large city.

Master Attendant’s past students would sometimes visit the school for a variety of purposes: to reminisce, to ask for advice, or to invite him to the mountains.

Aside from the students who remained in school to study with him, Master Attendant always let those guests remain only for one night, before asking them to leave.

But they never once felt disheartened. After periods of time, there would come new people.

Some of them are officials from the imperial court, while others are merchants.

But regardless of status, their hearts belonged to this country.

When they came to visit Master Attendant, they would always bring some novelties from the capital; they were all high end goods that a village like this could never have.

These one-of-a-kind items made me curious about the capital city, my curiosity eventually growing into a sort of yearning.

What was my Master Attendant like in the capital city, when he regards fame and fortune as much?

My curiosity for the capital never ceased until Master Attendant passed of illness.

During his lifetime, the Master cared deeply for the school, but it was as if he knew I had an ambition for goals outside our reach. He did not let me inherit the school, but instead, passed it to one of his students. This allowed him to continue teaching the youth, letting these children not be chained to status or family and one day, even become an official for the country. 

​Master Attendant’s final words to him me only one sentence, he said:

“Do not wait for others to give you opportunity; you must make it yourself, as that’s the only way you can be sure it won’t slip through.’’

At that time, as I sat next to Master’s bed and held his hand, I thought, ‘As expected, Master Attendant knows everything’.​

After I finished handling Master’s affairs, I didn’t leave in a rush. Instead, I stayed in the school, waiting for matsutake mushroom season.

I knew many nobles in the imperial capital loved to eat matsutake mushrooms.

The merchants who came to the village to buy mushrooms sought only to please those nobles.

It was a rare occasion when I’d personally go up the mountains to pick mushrooms.

I also used what little inheritance that Master Attendant left me to buy all matsutake mushrooms that the villagers picked.

When the villagers learned that I wished to go to the imperial capital, they decided to sell me the mushrooms at a price even lower than the price they sold to the merchants.​ It was a good opportunity, but I did not agree.

I promised the villagers I would purchase the mushrooms at an even higher price, but not now. After I made a profit at the imperial capital, I would make up for the gap for them.

From now on, they won’t need to sell the matsutake mushrooms to those merchants; they can make even more money through me and live an even better life in the future.

At this time, I felt that this was a praiseworthy idea, I even wrote a poem about it.

“The mountain is scattered with autumn frost, Ōryōki ^[10] full of matsutake mushrooms, bartered into gold and silver, joining hands with the monarch.”

Not too shabby of a poem, right?

It’s difficult to obtain your desires in this world. The mushrooms that I brought to the capital city did not sell like how I wanted.

Even though my prices were lower than those of other merchants’, the mushrooms couldn’t catch even the slightest glance from the imperial nobles. Because they had no beautiful packaging, they even suspected I was passing off shoddy goods as delicacies instead.

Business in the capital had long been monopolized by a certain breed of entrepreneurs; they spent their entire days trying to please nobles, understanding all too well the life of a noble, and catering to their tastes

I, who came alone to the capital city, did not know any of this. Naturally, I kept hitting dead ends.

For a time, I was angered, yet saw no alternatives.

Since there were no opportunities, I would have to create them and seize the chance.

Luckily, I still had some savings on me.

I used up all the savings I had, putting all of my hopes on this venture, and collected information on the nobles.  Then, I acquired a completely new outlook on those mushrooms laying inside the wooden boxes.

I found a student of Master’s in the capital city and requested him to form connections for me, allowing me to personally promote my mushrooms.  

Everything after that went smoothly. 　　

Elaborate and delicate packaging, expensive prices, clever words, strikingly vivid descriptions of mountains and forests. These all made the nobles believe me that these mushrooms were grown on a mountain abundant with water and rich soil.

These are the most nutritious, most valuable mushrooms that they can get nowhere else.

When I first brought my goods to the capital, the hubbub and magnitude could definitely be breathtaking and dazzling. However, it made me feel that the capital city was nothing more than that.  

The initial novelty and curiosity gradually disappeared after many days of admiring, but this journey let me find a new direction.

How can I earn even more money?

Aside from matsutake mushrooms, what other business can I do? Aside from the capital city, where else can I go?

The same good in a different place, can they still be sold at such a price? My next destination, will I be able to make even more?

In the process, how much enjoyment can I acquire?

I couldn’t help but want to travel to Sakurajima.

To travel everywhere, to understand each place’s specialty, then my business could flourish everywhere.

I wanted people who lived in different regions to understand what was happening elsewhere through the goods they receive, to understand local customs that are completely different from their own.

The fame and fortune Master Attendant generously doled out (and was subsequently praised for), was a key to upper class society in the capital, causing many to scramble for it.

But I only hoped to succeed in using this fame and fortune to reach my own goal.

What’s more, the path to achieving my goal must be filled with elation.

The night before I left the capital city, for some reason, I went to the capital city’s most famous location, but most taboo to speak of.

It was a land of fantasy that belonged to the night. It was a dream land where men and women can unite in love. It was a brothel ^[11] that brought delight.

Walking along a bustling street full of people coming and going, I frequently looked left and right, but there was no flower that could make me stop and admire.

Suddenly, there was a shout from the front. Shortly afterwards, I heard the sound of hand bells, causing people part and make way.

The beauty underneath the umbrella was dressed in gorgeous finery, walking on shockingly tall wooden clogs as they took steps at goldfish’s pace, dignified but not without charm.

It was an Oiran ^[12]. Like everyone else, I stopped to silently watch the gorgeous Oiran strut through the streets.

I casually asked the man beside me:

“Do you know who she is?”

“She is the most beautiful Oiran on this district.”

“What must one do to meet her?”

The man did not answer my question. Instead, he let out a laugh, lifted the tobacco pipe in his hand, and slowly took a drag.

It’s only then I noticed that he wasn’t dressed much differently from the “tourist girls,” ^[13] behind him, inside the fences.

White smoke lingered around him. He passed through the smoke to draw closer to me, and spoke in a soft voice:

“If you wish to have her, that would be very difficult. A nobody has no way of pulling down the moon. But if you’re only looking for love, it can be found throughout inside that brothel. Her, her, them, all can provide you with rapturous love.”

For some reason, the man came closer, his tone teasing. I felt he must be feigning it. I couldn’t help but smile as I lifted my eyes, meeting the man’s eyes under the dim moonlight. “Then what about you?”

This was how Junmai Daiginjo and I met.

The Oiran that I saw that day was Daiginjo’s Master Attendant.​ At first, I thought Daiginjo was the same as everyone else in this brothel, every word and every action were to sell their ‘love’.​ But after getting to know Daiginjo for so long, after realizing the feelings between Daiginjo’s Master Attendant and a certain samurai, I had the faint sense that I’d misunderstood Daiginjo back then.​ Perhaps Daiginjo was simply trying to relieve the pressure on his Master Attendant, who’d already promised to elope with her love.

What I wanted from Daiginjo is not the love that he talks about. If one were to ask what I wanted, it’s only hidden, yet sincere, interest that I hold towards Daiginjo.

It was after this that I became Daiginjo’s ‘guest’. I maintained an intimate relationship with Daiginjo. Later, it was through Daiginjo that the brothel’s business became regulated.

I returned to my hometown and honored my promise to the villagers.

The next time I set out on a journey, I’m already a travelling merchant.

I used the mushrooms to build connections between my hometown and the capital city, and after I earned enough funds, I acquired new products and used them to open up new trade routes.  The more I walked, the further I went.

But no matter which trade route I took, in the end, I will always arrive at the capital city.

Within the capital contains fame and fortune. That draws my interest, but the capital also has that person I’m interested in too.

Ever since Matsutake Dobinmushi came into being, there was never a time where he had the same burning desire to wholeheartedly serve the country like his Master Attendant.

This may be because he was summoned in the wild mountains; his heart contains only himself, his Master Attendant, this land, and the people living on the land.

Matsutake considers himself a cosmopolitan Food Soul, but in reality, his pursuit of fame and fortune was more about more interest than ambition.

It doesn’t matter what he does, the more difficult it is to achieve, the more interesting he thinks it is, motivating him more to do it.

His perseverance for poetry was perhaps because not everyone deemed his poetry good.

If one were to say Matsutake was born to do business, then his insight must’ve come from his Master Attendant. Matsutake’s Master understood his Food Soul all too well, just as he did with every one of his students. He knew which road was most suited for them.

He was never explicitly opposed to Matsutake’s little actions, and he knew that Matsutake could do it bigger, better. But as long as he’s still around, Matsutake can only be cooped up in this small village, doing this small scale commerce.

Matsutake’s resolute decision making in business is not the same towards personal relations. He finds it difficult letting go of his close ones, as he has no intention of abandoning them.

He thought that the bond with his Master was only because of his responsibility as a Food Soul.

He even thought that his concern for Junmai Daiginjo was just because of his interest in Daiginjo’s true self, hidden underneath his mask.

But just like how his continuing curiosity turned into desire, a budding friendship could become kinship. This sort of feeling always happens when one least expects it, and yet, the changes are predictable. You can only wait for the other party to one day become aware of the shifts.

What a shame that with the cycle of time, a new dynasty emerged ^[14]. It’s only after Matsutake wandered across every corner of Sakurajima that he finally understood his own inner heart. But at that time, everything had already been locked.  

In the end, Matsutake did not remain anywhere, but he would often return and stay at the capital city.  

After the brothel was destroyed in a fire, he invested in the reconstruction of a Kabukicho ^[15], providing a new place for destitute and homeless humans or Food Souls to go. It would also push his reputation in the capital to new heights.

Before Granny left, she gave the shop to me.

Granny could prepare many dishes, but her specialty is the famous Mapo Tofu.

She always spoke about the secret to prepare Mapo Tofu: Spicy and tender, hot and fragrant. Apart from that, it must be bursting with color in order to look appetizing to those who toiled the whole day.

The colorful scene of white rice being drizzled by a bowl of freshly-cooked Mapo Tofu is sufficient to make one hungry.

The fragrant Mapo Tofu and white rice in this store is not only charged lesser than those one can find in any average restaurant, but it also allows one to refill the rice for free. Moreover, the price of the food in the store has never increased for years, enabling the fame of this Mapo Tofu to spread to every nooks and crannies of the harbor.

Many people who did not earn much usually patronize Granny's shop after a hard day of work to enjoy a steaming bowl of Mapo Tofu. With a smile on her face, Granny would then fill a bowl of white rice for them.

There's no one that would not give a thumbs up after eating Granny's Mapo Tofu. Apart from that, there were also a number of people who came from distant lands just for this bowl of Mapo Tofu.

Those who live in the same homeland as Granny had once ask her why she did not raise the price of the Mapo Tofu after all this years. This was what Granny said with a smile on her face:

"I wanted to make the same Mapo Tofu that he would eat back upon returning."

Granny's lover was a sailor who worked in the harbor. It was a bowl of Mapo Tofu that let them to know each other. However, he and his companion left on a journey and never came back.

Some said that they met a storm at sea. Some said that they went to paradise and forgotten they way home. Others even say that their fate were sealed when they encountered the Fallen Angels that roam in the sea.

Yet, Granny continued to wait in her little shop...... Even till the day her hair became white, she was still unable to see her lover that she dreamt about.

As granny laid on the bed and looked at her sobbing employees, she pats my hand with a benign smile on her face.

"Mapo Tofu, I shall hand over, Granny's shop to you.......If he were to return, you must help me prepare the best bowl of Mapo Tofu for him......"

It was the first time I wasn't able to hold back my tears.

I looked at Granny hands slowly slip off my hand and buried my head into what little warmth that remains her hand. My trembling shoulders indicate that I accepted her request.

"In your stead, I'll......definitely wait for him to return......"

As spring and winter pass by, I waited in this shop for that person who would never return.

"Boss! I would want another bowl of Mapo Tofu!"

"Coming up!"

I maneuvered through the shop that is jam-packed with customers with a tray in my hand before serving the bowl full of Mapo Tofu on the table.

On the other side, it was a customer who is eating Mapo Tofu for the first time. The spiciness turned his face red and he used his hands to wave his burning tongue. An employee served him a cup of tea, but he began jumping when he was scalded by the hot tea.

The customers in the shop began laughing at this scene.

It was another ordinary day in Mapo Tofu's shop and there was never any silence in her shop.

The inexpensive Mapo tofu has become the preferred choice for almost all the dockers. Even the nearby residents will come to me from time to time to pack a Mapo tofu and return home to add vegetables.

Although not much money can be earned in each plate, such a booming business has caused some people's dissatisfaction. 

After the arrival of the new Chamber of Commerce, the wharf has grown stronger and stronger. Originally, it was only a small wharf for villagers to communicate with the outside, but now it has become more and more prosperous. 

Those who have taken a fancy to the future business of the wharf are becoming more and more dissatisfied with Granny's small shop. 

The villagers said that a fancy restaurant had been built not far from the shop, but the price and the not so good taste there made it really impossible for the folks who used to eat Mapo tofu to raise interest. 

Restaurant owners don't find the reason from themselves, they always think that as long as they don't have this shop, their business will be as prosperous as that of Granny's shop. 

So they started using various methods to drive me away. 

Several ruffians swaggered to the shop with sticks in their hands. When the guys kindly asked them what they wanted to eat, they suddenly got into trouble. 

Amid the exclamations of the crowd, Scallion was startled into my arms by a sudden loud noise. 

The fellow who was close to them was taken as the object of venting, and was kicked into the store and and knocked the table upside down. 

The guests in the store were frightened, or fled, or found a safe place to hide. 

I patted my little Scallion's butt, put him in another man's arms, rubbed my wet hands dry on my clothes from cooking, and walked out of the kitchen. 

Looking at a messy storefront, I frowned and looked at the two hooligans with wooden sticks and squinted slightly. 

"It seems that there is no way for us to have a proper discussion."

The two swollen-faced hooligans who had been beaten by me crawled out of my shop. The broken sticks in their hands and nosebleeds on their faces made them look particularly embarrassed. In the midst of all the cheers and laughter of everyone, they pointed at me and uttered the line that every villain would say. 

"You, you wait for us!!!"

I waved to them and responded with a smile. 

"Remember to let your boss send more sturdy people next time, but don't be such a mess like you!"  

In the applause and laughter of the villagers, I arched my hands to everyone and went back to the shop, greeting the guys to clean up the messed tables and chairs and prepare to open again. 

When I was cleaning up, a man who had not left after Granny's death looked a little evasive, and I could not help but care a little. 

I looked at his wrinkled eyebrows. 

"Lao Hong? Are you okay? If there's any difficulty, remember to talk to the big guys." 

Lao Hong seemed to wake up suddenly from the nightmare. After a stunned panic, he squirmed a smile, although the smile was a little reluctant. 

"No, nothing." 

I watched Lao Hong bend his back again behind him and wrinkle his brows indefinitely.

Lao Hong’s behavior is getting more and more abnormal. He is an honest man who doesn't lie very much, but he's been peeping at the counter lately. I don't know what he wants to do.

Until one day - when I went out to buy vegetables and sorted the drawers, I found that the seals that had been hidden in the depths of the counter had been passively traced. 

I don't care too much, I only thought I messed up the drawers when I took the money. 

Those who come for trouble are coming more and more frequently. I'm used to driving them away as a warm-up before opening a shop every day. But suddenly one day, they didn't show up on time. 

They are also accustomed to using the daily market as a day of talks, and the neighbors who are sitting on the side of the street waiting for their arrival are also curious to probe. 

"Madame, are they scared by you? They won't come!" 

Before I could answer, a peddler who was selling groceries on the street rushed in. 

"Madame Boss! You have to hide!" 

"...What's the matter?" 

"The owner of that restaurant came with a group of people! A lot of people! It's menacing! You can't beat them alone! Go and hide!" 

When I heard the news, the villagers and the guys all cast a worried eye on me. Everyone urged me to take some valuable things to avoid the limelight. 

I looked hesitantly at the stores that had been running for decades and rejected their offer. 

"If you are afraid, go out and hide first. I'll take it from here. " 

What surprised me was that after I said this, none of the guys who were afraid of it left. Even the villagers had brought many broomsticks from their homes to help me. 

Before I could express my gratitude to everyone, the vast group of people came up to me. I stood in front of them and looked at the boss in a luxurious robe. I looked at the smile on his face, and I always felt that something important had been neglected by me.

"Madame, I'm not here to fight with you today. I'm here to talk to you about the debt. " 

"Debt? When did I owe you money?" 

"You have to ask yourself. " 

I watched him pull out a note from his clothes, under which he struck the seal of our store. 

"You see, this is not the seal of your store, Madame~"

I looked at his unkind smile on the corner of his mouth, and suddenly remembered the seal that appeared inexplicably on the counter. 

Is it... 

I stared fiercely at the boss who was more and more proud of his smile. 

"You-!"  

"Ha ha ha, it seems that Madame knows? But I know it's too late, we are holding this owe, are you afraid that the shopkeeper's shop will be mortgaged to me? I'll give you three days, either honestly close the shop and leave, or I take the public copy to your home!" 

"You-! This is a fake!" 

"But the seal above is true! Madame, don't you recognize this seal? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!! " 

"I don't recognize this seal."

As we confronted each other, a strange voice broke the tension between us. 

We turned our heads to one side, and when the man in a suit found that we had finally turned our attention to him, he gently raised his eyebrow and greeted us with a smile. 

"I think I can give you an answer to the question about this seal. " 

The man seemed accustomed to everyone focusing their eyes on him, and easily pulling the paper out of the restaurant owner's hand, carefully examining it, and then walking slowly up to Lao Hong, putting his arm around his shoulder. 

"Such a new trace, and the writing of the owed note is not the landlady's. Madame, do you think it's going to get in the way of finding such a timid fellow? Come on, brother, can you tell me what you talked about to the owner of the restaurant on the street corner the day before yesterday while the landlady was out shopping? What did you give him?" 

"I-"  

"Brother, you have to say it word by word. That day, my brother heard it clearly in the alley.... " 

Lao Hong's face grew paler and paler after he heard the man's words. After he had finished speaking, Lao Hong threw himself down on the ground and knelt down, bowing his head at me. 

"Madame Boss, I really can't help it... I, I don't know if this piece of paper is what it means... Lao Hong is not literate. Madame Boss..." 

I watched Lao Hong, whose forehead was red. I already had an answer in my heart, but there is still some helplessness. 

"Lao Hong... Why didn't you tell us?..." 

"...Madame Boss... Lao Hong knows that you don't have much money. My mother is sick, how many bowls of Mapo tofu can be sold to earn back..." 

I watched Lao Hong crying on the ground and clenched his fist tightly. 

The restaurant owner was opposite, who was not satisfied with the failure of his plan, shouted angrily. 

"Give it to me! Give me this broken shop!! I see it robbing me of business again! " 

And the man who turned the situation around in a few simple sentences turned around and stood in front of him with a sneer. 

"If I haven't finished talking about it, why are you angry?" Brothers, let the boss see today, who is the boss of the wharf, Chamber of Commerce, when is it his turn to have a small restaurant?"

After a period of chaos, the hooligans brought by the restaurant owner had been beaten up by the members of the Chamber of Commerce. They were still shouting and waving their fists, swollen into a pig's face and missing a few teeth, but they amused the onlookers who were watching.

After the folks who were still outside the store went home, the guys also got off work ahead of time. Only Lao Hong knelt down in front of the shop and refused to leave.  

I looked back and saw that the man was elegantly rolling down the sleeves that had just been rolled up because of the fight. The men around him handed him a suit coat. 

"Why are you helping me?" 

"I believe that guy's doing something wrong on my territory. Is that a good reason?" 

I looked at the man's smile and frowned. 

"Do I look like such a liar?" The man looked at me with a smile for a moment, and finally put away his smiling face. He hung his suit coat on his arm. 

"To tell you the truth, I'm here to find the gentleman who hasn't appeared in your shop. Mr. Peking Duck, better known than to meet, just an advice." 

I turned around in his sight. Peking Duck had come out and leaned against the door of my shop, holding his pipe to which he had never left. 

"The president of the Chamber of Commerce, or Mr. Buddha's Temptation, long-awaited." 

Looking at those two inexplicable guys who started to be polite, I had a headache to put aside their two affairs for a while. They had no plans to be polite to me either. They went into my shop and sat down politely with each other. It looks like we're going to talk about something big. 

I looked at Lao Hong, who was still kneeling on the ground without raising his head, and felt helpless again. 

I went up to him and lifted him up and patted the dust off his body. 

"Lao Hong, why are you suffering?" The man who has always been honest and frank stood decadently, bowed his head and didn't want to look at me. He always smiled earnestly. For the first time, I saw such a sad expression on his face. 

"I know I'm sorry for the landlady and Granny, but... I really needed money... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... " 

"...You wait." 

I turned around and went into the shop. Peking Duck had talked with Buddha's Temptation for a short time. They both looked at me in some doubts. 

"Mapo Tofu? What's wrong?" 

"Pay the previous information fee." 

"Eh? Why are you suddenly willing to accept it again?……"

Although Peking Duck was a bit surprised, he bowed his head and relieved himself of the money bag and handed it to me. 

"Take it yourself." 

I took some money out of it and threw the money bag back into the arms of Peking Duck. 

"Just take this?" 

"Enough. You go on talking and remember to explain to me in a minute. " 

I walked out of the store, and Lao Hong did not leave. 

I stepped forward and stuffed my belongings into his hands. He stared at me in surprise and looked up at me. 

"Madame Boss?!" 

"Don't look at me like that. I promised Granny to take good care of the store. You are also part of it. " 

"Thank you, thank you--" 

"Don't be too happy. I'm willing to give you money doesn't mean I forgive you. You have to make your own mistakes, you have to work hard to repay. Starting tomorrow, you will work two hours more each day, and your salary will be deducted by half until it is paid off. And help to clean the toilet." 

"All right, all right... Madame Boss... " 

"What are you crying about?" 

"Whoo-hoo-hoo, Madame....."

Mapo Tofu is an extremely cool person. She is arrogant, atmospheric, and bold. If the villagers have any difficulties, they can ask her for help.

And her Master Attendant is also a kind-hearted old woman who pays tribute to the folks. 

Granny had no children, and Mapo Tofu inherits her small shop, making the mapo tofu, which Granny is the best at, green out of blue.  

Many people have asked her why she does not raise prices. 

Mapo Tofu always laughs and shakes her head without answering. 

The red-hot business has naturally attracted some people's red eyes. They wanted to drive Mapo Tofu away in a despicable way, but with the help of Buddha's Temptation, the conspiracy with little technical content was broken almost in an instant. 

Mapo Tofu did not drive away the man who had lost his mind because he was in a hurry to use money. The man worked in the shop while Granny was still there, and worked conscientiously for more than ten years. 

Mapo Tofu knows how filial a middle-aged man who regards Granny as his mother. She also understands why men come too late to ask for help from themselves. Although the shop has a prosperous business, the profit from selling a mapo tofu is pitifully low. 

So, Mapo Tofu talked to the man who had always been very rich. 

Speaking of Peking Duck, he had been pursuing the news of a cult, and Mapo Tofu, who has been living near the dock, is one of his dark stakes. 

Mapo Tofu accepted his request unconditionally and became one of his secret stakes, collecting the clues of the cult and transmitting information for him after she understood the evil deeds that the cult had done. 

She never asked Beijing Roast Duck for a fee, even if it was a promise from the beginning of Peking Duck's remuneration. Even when Peking Duck stuffed his money bag into her hand, she would be sneakily stuff it back into Peking Duck's luggage. 

So when she asked Peking Duck for the information fee, Peking Duck was also surprised. 

What made this stubborn person blush and ask for his reward?

Hiding in the shop, you can only vaguely hear about Peking Duck touching its chin with some amusement. 

Soon, he learned about the man in Mapo Tofu's store from Buddha's Temptation. 

So when she waited for the Buddha's Temptation to leave, she returned to the store to see the Peking Duck with a teasing smile. 

""In the future, if you need help, just say it. You don't have to carry it on your own. We are comrades-in-arms, aren't we?"

Mapo Tofu gave him a bad look. 

"Stop talking about me, how does that guy named Buddha's Temptation know you're here? What did he come to you for?" 

Peking Duck squinted at Mapo tofu, which she wants to divert from, and answered her questions before she got angry. 

"He is the president of the Chamber of Commerce. He recently wanted to start trade on land. The most important thing for businessmen is naturally intelligence." 

"So? You just ripped him off? " 

"How can this be called ripping him off? It’s called like minded cooperation~ Cooperation~” 

“A group of profiteers...” 

“Oh, I’m not a businessman, I’m just a pawnshop owner, low-key, low-key. But chatting with smart people is really pleasant~" 

Mapo Tofu glanced at the fellow who was blowing clouds and squinting at his eyes. Although Peking Duck still looked calm, it could hardly hide the pleasure of making a big deal. 

"Scallion, let's go, don't mix in with these rich people." Mapo Tofu reached out and picked up the panda that had been following at her feet. 

"Oh - don't do this, I still want to eat the mapo tofu you made." 

"No food for you. " 

"Give me a hug, Scallion?"

"Scallion is not for you!"

While Mapo Tofu and Peking Duck competed for Scallion, an old figure who was supported by a young man trembled to the front of the store. 

"I finally came back... I finally found you... I finally came back..."

White pupils opened slowly, taking in a room gently lit with a warm yellow light. As I raised what should be my hands, their soft white skin seemed to glow in the shadows as my body gradually came into sight.

"I...am...?"

I looked back and to the side at a pale figure reflected in a bronze mirror. A door keeping out most of the light opened, my eyes ached in the sudden glare. Clattering footsteps filled the room as I shielded my eyes with my arm.

A man standing against the light held out his hand; the beautiful radiance of gemstones contrasted sharply against his whithered fingers. He lifted my chin with a hand like a dead branch.

In the mirror my skin is white, almost transparent, and my hair is white too.

"She doesn't look much different from the last one, sir, except maybe a bit dumber... Can she really do what you said? Can she..."

The owner of the aged hand pulled it back, turning a fawning, uncomfortable smile towards a masked man.

The man, dressed in hunting clothes, arched his fingers and smirked beneath his half-mask.

"Congratulations Lord, you've finally done it."

After getting this response from the smiling man, the man who was called Lord narrowed his eyes. That smile sent a shiver down my spine. Later I learned that this was called harboring malicious intentions.

He slowly ran his eyes over my body, rubbing his chin with fingers coarsened with age, then he softened his voice as he addressed me.

"Aren't you a rare beauty? Give us a smile now, here, like I'm doing."

Smile? What is a smile?

I raised my head, and the expression of the Lord, standing in front of the light, did not look honest. However, I could imitate the angle of his uplifted face. I did everything I could to raise the corners of my mouth like he did; I wasn't used to the stiffness of my mouth, but even so...

Was this what he called a smile?

The man next to the Lord half-squatted down to rub the sides of my head. His voice was much nicer sounding than the Lord's. It was the best sounding of all. He took a small oily paper bag from his wide sleeve, put the bag open into my hand, and stuffed a golden ball into his mouth.

"You have a lovely smile. Here, this is your reward. You can eat it, just like me."

I stared at the golden candy in my hand, then imitated that man's motion as I raised it to my mouth.

I had never tasted such sweetness before. I still remember it to this day.

While I was eating the sweets, the Lord led the other men away. The masked man turned back to me and smiled before he left the room.

I liked his smile. It was much nicer looking than the Lord's.

My room is filled with the finest clothing in the city, the best food, and all the toys that can be found. I am the princess of the city and I can do whatever I want. Everyone must listen to me because I am their princess.

"Miss Bonito, these are the new kimonos the Lord made for you, take a new look and see which one you like." "Miss Bonito, this is the new jewellery the Lord had the craftsmen make for you, pick something out." "Miss Bonito is..." "Miss Bonito..." "Miss Bonito."

I got my name, according to the master, because of my appearance. I don't like the way I look; it's too much white and not enough color.

Although I don't like the Lord, I do like the clothes that he gave me. They're more brightly colored than the flowers in the garden. Being surrounded by clouds of flower aromas and the bees flying was very peaceful, but also a little boring for me.

That's why I decided to find some fun. That started with the servant girls that the Lord sent me. The Lord and Sir told me they were all my playthings.

The maid who's always by my side is very timid. But no matter how timid she was, she still had no choice but to approach me.

"Miss Bonito, what can I do for you?"

I didn't know what she was so afraid of, but her quavering voice and forced smile betrayed her fear.

I looked at the girl, trembling with fear, then with a flick of my wrist brought a charm out of my sleeve. I really liked my charms, and Sir says they can do a lot of amazing things. So, Sir praises me every time I use them.

However, this time a slender hand grasped the charm before it struck the maid, who was screaming and shielding her head.

"Bonito, why are you angry?"

The powerful charm in my hand was easily blocked by the hand of the newcomer. I knew it, Sir is back! The only one in the entire city who will play with me without being afraid is back! He taught me everything I know! He's my everything...

"Sir, you're back early! Is it all done?? Can we have dinner tonight?"

My mischievous mindset a moment ago was gone. Sir had been so busy recently; it had been ages since we shared a meal.

Sir reached his hand out and gently touched my nose, then rested it on top of my head.

"Why must you be so headstrong? Look how frightened she is." As he spoke with his other hand he pointed at the maid, now collapsed on the floor with fear.

"It's her fault for being so timid! Hmph! She's useless! I don't want her!"

I was furious. Sir was finally back and he was wasting time talking about this plaything.

"Ah! No no no! Miss Bonito no, please give me another chance! Please no!"

Fortunately, the guards didn't give her the opportunity to beg for mercy. She was dragged away from my small courtyard by the guards, crying for mercy the whole way.

The clouds in the sky are transformed into vivid red by the colors of the sunset.

Sir didn't so much as glance in the direction of the constant screams. The eyes under his mask looked at me as tenderly as usual. He sighed helplessly and squeezed a piece of delicate pastry from the table into my mouth as I buried his head in his arms.

"Is it OK? You're not angry?"

I bite down on the dessert in my mouth, the sweet taste only a little worse than the original candy.

"I'm not angry!"

Sir took a tea cup sitting on the table and poured himself some of the tea simmering on top of a small stove. He poured tea so beautifully, I couldn't help but stare. He probably noticed that I was watching him all the time, so he put down the cup and asked me:

"What's the matter? What do you want to tell me?"

"When can I go help you with your work? My charms are very powerful and I'm sure I can help."

I anxiously reached out and grabbed his hem. I wanted to go out with him instead of staying in this small courtyard with only a bunch of toys.

He seemed to be pained by my words. He touched his chin and a small furrow appeared on his brow. I didn't like him this way, so I reached out and touched his brow.

"Never mind! It's OK, Sir!"

He sighed, took my hand in his, and gently patted the back of my hand.

"Actually, there is something you could help me with, but... Ah, never mind..."

"I can do it! For you I can do anything!"

He seemed to be very embarrassed. He shook his head and got up, stroked my hair like always and left.

In just a few short months the Lord's health deteriorated significantly; his skin was like weathered bark. He was tightly gripping sir's arm.

"S..Sir... why don't..."

Sitting at the side of the old man's bed he placed the hand back under the covers and tucked the corner back in.

"Lord. Only willingly offered spirit food can give you what you need now... You've been waiting for so long, why not wait a few more days?"

"F...fine, it's up to...to you!"

When Sir came back, his white hunting clothes were stained dark red with blood. His swaying body leaned against a servant holding him up, and I could hardly hold myself back. However, most of the attendants around him had light or heavy injuries, and they were muttering something under their breath.

"Why do we have to go to such a dangerous place to get the medicine every time when there's one of them living right in the city? Isn't this the whole reason the Lord went through all the trouble of summoning her?"

Sir, leaning on a servant for support, scowled in anger at these words.

"Quiet!"

The reprimanded man quickly lowered his head, but a note of dissatisfaction remained in his voice.

"Forgive my indiscretion! Just heal him as soon as you can!"

They didn't notice that I was hiding behind the wall, and I knew they were talking about me...

Because of me, Sir... he was so badly hurt... I was the medicine that would work...

When Sir returned to the tatami room where I lived, I hid behind the door. The intense pain in my arm made my smile a bit forced, but I tried to put on my usual face because I didn't want him to worry. Although the oozing wound on my arm was really painful, I couldn't make him worry. Anyway, the wound would heal soon: I just needed to put up with it for a while.

I didn't want him to see me, so I had to keep him out. I really didn't want to.

I asked the maid to give Sir the elixir I made, so that he wouldn't be seriously injured for the Lord's medicine.

This way... maybe he'd be able to spend more time with me...

The dusk sky reddened by flames looked even more like blood, accompanied by screams like wailing from hell.

I lay in my own room, watching as the garden where the flowers once bloomed so beautifully was swallowed up by the flames.

Now I only have the strength to turn my neck. The bright flowers that used to be my favorites were gradually reduced to black ashes among yellow sparks, and blown away on the burning wind.

Bright...so bright... At first it was just my arm. Before long it was too late to heal my limbs, my body, and the wounds, broken open by myself. The friction from sharp metal on bone spread outward inch by inch over my whole body.

As a Food Soul, this wouldn't kill me, but that didn't lessen the pain one bit. And I brought that pain on myself... Everything was for Sir...

Every time he would gently accompany me... He would carefully braid my long hair inch by inch, and he gave me a rosary he said was blessed by a monk to protect me. How could he hurt me?

He, he couldn't bear to hurt me.

But he didn't come.

As the courtyard became engulfed, I didn't feel scared and I even felt an inexplicable relief as my heavy eyelids sank down.

Just when I thought the heat was going to swallow me whole, somebody suddenly rushed in and dragged me out of the fire.

Because my body had not recovered from the layers and layers of injuries, strengthless hands had been lifted high. Unhealed wounds were pulled open again, soaking into my brightly-colored garments. It hurts, but I really... had no strength...

It was then that I realized my blood-stained furisode probably didn't look great.

My mind was groggy and my line of sight was blurred. There seemed to be a few familiar faces in a sea of angry faces.

The calls to kill me and the Lord were getting louder and louder. The red light of the sky gradually receded into the depths of the night. I had barely regained some strength as I looked down through the haze at the maddened crowd.

What did I do wrong? Why were they so angry?

Suddenly there was a familiar voice... I tried to raise my head. The smiling face that used to sweetly call me "Miss, Miss" was distorted now. It was my maid, and her delicate face in the light of the torch she carried was like the face of a ghost in an illustrated book Sir had given me.

"I know! The elixir that the Lord has been consuming is her! She's the elixir!"

The sound of her voice, once so crisp and pleasant, was like a fatal incantation in my ears, filled with fury and hatred. I looked at the familiar face and wanted to ask her why, but I couldn't remember her name.

It was like a bucket of ice water had been thrown over the crowd, burning like a fire only a moment before. Everyone fell into a strange silence. Then their strange smiles made me feel afraid. The people took out their weapons and approached me with twisted smiles.

I was so afraid... Sir... Save me...

"That... That's true isn't it..." "Yeah... Yeah, the Lord was wounded so badly and lived, it must be because of her!" "Me! Give her to me! My children! My children! They'll be alright!"

Sharp weapons, weapons that were already broken, shattered tiles, even sharply edged rocks.

"No... no... No! NO!!!"

I head my voice screaming for help from the only person I know. You're my maid! You said that you would always be by my side! You can save me!

"Save me! Please save me!"

I turned my attention to the most familiar face in the crowd, but the maid who used to gently help me braid my long hair was staring at me with cold eyes. The sight made my blood run cold.

"You don't have any charms now, you can't do anything... My sister begged you to help her. Did you save her?" "You're crazy!" Her eyes filled with tears as she said these words. For the first time, I felt the feelings of someone else.

The naked hatred burned in her amber eyes, and the orange glow was followed by the darkness of despair. A feeling of suffocation made me feel like my nose and mouth were covered with a wet cloth.

I opened my lips and struggled but I couldn't find any air. The discomfort caused me to dry heave.

Was I crazy, or were they?

Rumors tell of a city. The city's Lord was once wise and compassionate. As the years passed his face grew old, he was beset by illness, and his mind was gone.

As his body weakened, the conscience that had once supported him and the city remained.

There is no one who is unafraid of death, unafraid of getting old; ordinary people can only dream of cheating death, while those who hold power in their hands will use all the resources at their disposal to pursue their own longevity.

Maintaining a peaceful and stable life requires a ruler's maintenance for years and even decades.

Destroying it, however, takes only a second.

Soldiers went out to sea searching for a legendary elixir on another continent but never returned.

The Lord gave everything in pursuit of his goal.

However, unlike most stories, this lord really did find his "elixir."

After finding it his body began to recover day by day.

It couldn't restore his youth, but it could make him stronger each day.

However, a king who has lost the hearts of his people can no longer be called a king.

He became a tyrant, and was soon overthrown by his own people. HIs elixir, the elixir brought by the girl named after bonito fish, became an open secret among those same people.

It wasn't like the tatami room from when she was been newly summoned, when even the closed door couldn't keep out the warmth of daylight.

In the dark cellar, it was cold and wet and light failed to enter.

Bonito's hands were hung limply apart, the red eyes had lost their spirit, and the thin white coat wrapped around the scarred body was spotted with blood.

In the cold darkness, there was no one to respond even if she made a sound.

Bonito began to wonder if she still existed.

She tried to look at her own body to find out, but the darkness swallowed her vision and she couldn't see her fingers in front of her face.

The only thing that made her feel like she was still alive was that there were two cruel jailers who came every day with sharp blades and small bowls to cause her terrible pain.

Bonito's red eyes lost their focus as she stared at the small door that opened everyday and then brought her great pain.

Suddenly, a sharp glare that made her eyes water tore through the maddening darkness.

Just like that time in the warm tatami room, a man wearing a mask stepped into the room; his gentle smile was the same, and the only difference was, this time his mask was splattered with blood.

"Come along, Bonito...I'm taking you with me..."

"Bonito! Bonito!"

"...................Hee hee, what are you calling me for? Are you really that bored?"

"I see you're daydreaming again! Come on! I'll buy you a beautiful white dress! You're as pale as a corpse! Girls should wear nice things!"

"..."

Hesitation flashed in the eyes of a girl with snow-white skin as she watched the Master Attendant disappear into the distance.

However, the girl draws a paper charm from her sleeve that becomes a small paper crane under her fingers; it hovers around her briefly, then flies off into the distance.

"Hey! Bonito! Come on! Didn't you say your charms were used up? I'll help you buy some new paper and ink, so come pick some out!"

"Strange humans."

“One somen plus one onsen egg!” “Gotcha!” “Granny, where’d you get this kid? A hard worker, this one!” “Hehe, isn’t he! Lil’ ol’ me just had a stroke of luck.”

Granny passed the bowl of noodles to me, and I served it to the customer on a tray.

“Your somen and onsen egg’s great!” “Thanks!”

I wiped the sweat off my brow, taking another tray off Granny’s hands.

“Granny! You take a break please, I’ll handle it!” “Don’t sweat it, lil’ ol’ me can handle some bowls! Hey, watch it! Did’ya get burnt?”

I blew on my hand, the red patch of scalding from soup becoming increasingly visible. But Granny didn’t scold me, instead retrieving a wet handkerchief and pressed it against my hand.

The day I met Granny, she was alone in these mountains with a basket, picking some wild greens. The slopes weren’t steep, but nevertheless quite treacherous for the elderly. When she almost tripped, I couldn’t help but move forth to brace her.

Granny’s an empty nester, her son always away and traveling. Always hanging around the mountains, I was considered a child of Granny’s.

“Kiddo, you’re a good boy, but you’re so impulsive!” “Ain’t it ‘cus I’m worried about Granny, hehe.” “Your hand alright?” “It’s alright! Can’t let the customer wait!”

A frequenter of the restaurant looked in our direction with interest, making me smile with embarrassment.

“You two’re so close, you’re almost exactly like Granny’s son was.” “That so! What was Big Bro Hui like?” “Real energetic, that boy!” “As if he can compare to Nagashi Somen here! That kid learnt himself some skills and ditched, I can count the days he’s at home in a year on one hand!”

Even though Granny mocks her traveling son, the wrinkles in her eyes show her pride deep down.

The village wasn’t very big, and ours was the only restaurant here.

Granny’s a really great person, she always makes a few extra bowls after closing shop, distributing them to the orphans and lonely elderly in the village. Big Bro Hui naturally inherited this kindness too, studying medicine under a teacher. And the time he spent at home lessened.

But even so, it wasn’t anything bad. It’s what the smiles of Big Bro Hui and Granny are telling me.

I love this lifestyle, just like I love this village, this restaurant, and Granny.

Even in her old age, Granny ran the restaurant. She often said with a smile, that if Big Bro Hui ever returned, she’ll make him a bowl of his favorite noodles.

In the eyes of Granny, Big Bro Hui was strong, brave, witty; any positive trait you could think of, he had it. That’s why he won’t hesitate to put himself forward if his help was needed.

Having endured through harsh times, Granny knew that in times of despair, the helpless wish for only the guiding arm of strength to take them by the hand. That’s why Granny didn’t hold Big Bro Hui back when he decided to leave.

But lately, I couldn’t help but remember his words to me when he left. “Do you really have to go? Granny’s getting old…” “So you think I’m in the wrong too?” “‘Too’? Who else is there?” “Myself…” “Why are you still leaving then?” “I want to be by the side of those who need my help.” “But…” I wanted to tell him that “Granny needed you too~” The lights in Granny’s room only go out late in the night after he returns, even when she has to open the restaurant early next day. Can’t he tell? No, surely he knows… Why else would he look so sorrowful?

“Don’t worry, I’ll write home often. Don’t look so sad, I’m just going to be a military medic, I’ll be alright.” Master Attendant fastened his luggage, turning to leave. “If only the wars will end…”

Came the faint mumbling of his voice, though it was crystal clear in my memories. Even his silhouette vanishing in the distance filled me with fear.

But why? I’ve hardly seen that silhouette, yet I felt like I won’t get to see it ever again……

“Nagashi Somen, what’s wrong? You don’t look too well.” Granny dried her hands on her apron, standing beside me, worry written over her face.

“...No, it’s nothing, just a tad tired.” Nothing has changed, yet Granny looked really uneasy as well. “Big Bro Hui, no letters from him today either?”

“That kiddo’s always been like that, must’a forgotten.” Granny said with a smile. “Right, let’s close shop early today, take it easy at home! Granny’ll make you yer favorite dishes!” “Ok!”

I pinned this feeling of unease on Big Bro Hui’s missing letter. Only when that wounded, sorrowful man came to our doorstep did my premonition come to fruition.

Silence settled over us as we made eye contact. With confusion and disbelief, my gaze focused on the white envelope and sack of gold coins in his hands. The man lowered his head with remorse, thrusting the sack of coins to me. This man, imposing and soldierly, crumpled before me in tears.

“If it weren’t… If it weren’t to protect me, he wouldn’t have died to that fallen angel…”

Uncomfortably settled into a daze of grief, I was snapped back by the words “fallen angel” and widened my eyes in shock.

“What! Fallen angels?! What happened to ‘everything will be fine’! Weren’t there the protection of other Master Attendants and food souls?!” I stepped forward, gripping the man’s shoulders.

“Yes…” “Then how…!” “... But there were too many enemies.”

Seeing his expression, I knew I couldn’t put the blame on anybody. Neither having stopped him from going nor went with him to protect him, I wasn’t in any position to speak. But Granny? If Granny heard about this, how would she feel?

Forcing myself to calm down, we pieced together the full story from both of our views.

Big Bro Hui wasn’t a simple military medic as he told me. He went onto the battlefield, and even though it wasn’t against fallen angels, the dangers of a sudden ambush were still present. Yet he didn’t allow me to go with him, having pondered it, he decided I should stay with the village, where I’m more needed.

Compared to himself, he’d rather have the safety of the village. Compared to Granny, he’d rather go to distant lands to save more people. He once told the man, that it’s precisely due to my presence that he steeled his nerves to go. Is it so that I can accompany Granny? But to Granny, we’re worlds apart.

When Big Bro Hui left, I wondered many times, was there truly no other choice?

“Hui told me at the end, please don’t let his mother know.” The man said suddenly. Only then did the issue plaguing me all this while resurface. Having awaited the return of her son for so long, will Granny be able to take it?

“I’ve thought long and hard, and I still think it can’t help to hide it from her, so I came to tell…” “Don’t! Please, don’t tell Granny about this, at least for now…” “Eh?” “I’ll tell Granny in your stead.”

Seeing Granny smiling gently in the restaurant, my grip on the bereavement money and the condolence letter tightened. I had to find a suitable time, a time when I won’t hurt Granny. Seeing the man vanish into the distance, I made up my mind.

“Who was that just now? Not a customer?” Granny came to my side and asked.

“Nope, nothing to it, just a lost traveler.” I hid the money and letter behind my back and smiled.

“That so, you gotta remember to offer him some water next time, weather’s hot…”

Granny didn’t see through my panicked facade, and I heaved a sigh of relief. Only then did I realize, with one lie came innumerable more.

Everything went smoothly, and Granny didn’t suspect a thing.

Every morning, she opened up shop and prepared the ingredients for the day. After sundown, we cleaned up after the last customer leaves. Granny beaming smile always washed away the exhaustion of the travelers. Once she finds out about Big Bro Hui’s death, that smile will surely fade. That’s why, even one more day…

My decision was right… right?

The days went by without disturbance. Sometimes I’d find Granny sitting at the doorstep, gazing up at the sky.

But, good thing is, I found out she was just worried about the ongoing war and I let go of a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

I went to a neighboring village to stock up on ingredients, and I returned to not Granny, but rather a worried frequenter.

Once he spotted me, he dashed towards me anxiously.

“You’re finally back Nagashi Somen! Granny got a letter and headed to the town outskirts with all the money in the counter! Go check on her!”

Hearing that, I dropped everything and ran towards the outskirts.

At the border, I found Granny with her back arched, pleading at the officers.

“Look Mr. Officer, this is all this old woman here’s got… Please, can’t you just… please…” “No! Don’t think of seeing your son if you’re missing so much as a penny!” “Mr. Officer… Please, he’s my only son…”

Seeing Granny kneeled before them, I rushed forward to brace her and hold her hand.

“Granny! What is this!” “Nagashi Somen! Hui, Hui’s committed war crimes, he owes a lot of money, or else he’ll be executed! Please help me convince this officer!”

“How can it be! Master Attendant’s…” I didn’t know what crimes they were speaking of, and neither did Granny, presumably. But I knew that they were lying. I wanted to reveal the truth, but my words were caught in my throat. Seeing Granny so anxious, I didn’t know how to put it.

The two officers kicked Granny aside and counted the money. I wanted to take the money back, but Granny wouldn’t let go of me. Whilst I held my tongue, their words struck me with grief.

“Heh, didn’t think a dead guy was gonna fetch us this much.”

Hearing that, Granny’s eyes widened and pushed forward to grab the officer.

“What dead guy? What happened to Hui?” “Why don’t you ask that food soul there! Hahahaha!”

Their cackling sent waves of ice tumbling over me. I wanted to square with them, but my legs were frozen under Granny’s distraught gaze.

“Nagashi Somen! Tell me! What’s going on!” “..........” “Hahahahaha, your son’s LONG DEAD! Bet that food soul you’ve been raising has been hiding that from you and hasn’t even given you the bereavement money!”

“No, I…” I couldn’t believe I was about to defend myself. I lied to Granny.

“Old fart, I’d recommend you get that money from him soon, that’s what’s left of your son’s life! I’ll take this as payment for telling you that! Hahahaha…”

No! I had! All the bereavement money swapped out for loose change, and put it in Granny’s stash bit by bit! This isn’tー

Yet Granny couldn’t hear my wails anymore…

I should have known sooner, that once a lie is told, innumerable more follow. I can’t consider it a fluke, making myself think that there was a way for Granny to not hurt.

Really, I’ve always been afraid of myself. But I’ve let myself forget… No matter the intent, lies can only bring misfortune.

After that, the wandering Nagashi Somen met Raindrop Cake’s master attendant by chance.

This human was just like Big Bro Hui, an optimistic and passionate person. He brought Nagashi Somen, still scared out of his wits, back to his house, drying his hair with a towel.

“You’ll fall ill like this!” “......”

Under the care of Raindrop Cake’s master attendant, Nagashi Somen slowly regained a bit his vigor. Raindrop Cake’s master attendant, on the other hand, had learnt from word of mouth from his village of Nagashi Somen’s past that he so desperately wanted to forget.

Once upon a time, someone he knew left this world because of a lie with good intentions. To maintain this lie, he told more lies to others.

As if to mock him, others used this same lie to hurt the old lady who always took care of him. Unable to take the shock of her son’s death, the kind old lady passed away too.

At the sight of the lifeless old lady, Nagashi Somen took a harsh blow. He knew lies weren’t going to change a thing, yet he still lied to the old lady.

If he hadn’t told the lie and told the old lady the truth in the beginning, she wouldn’t have learnt of his master attendant’s death in such circumstances. The old lady wouldn’t have died so tragically before him either.

After that, Nagashi Somen no longer donned his carefree and joyful smile, he clenched his fist, eyes wrinkling with sadness. “I’ll never tell a lie, even if I have to stay silent, I’ll never deceive others again…”

Hearing this, the smile on Raindrop Cake’s master attendant’s face complicated for a moment. But he couldn’t come up with a reply.

Under the care of Raindrop Cake’s master attendant, Nagashi Somen began helping him run his business. In contrast to the quiet Raindrop Cake, Nagashi Somen quickly picked up everything about the business. Busy with work, he slowly pulled himself together.

Afterward, he returned to his village. For Granny, for his master attendant, he wanted to protect the favorite village of theirs.

He occasionally visited Raindrop Cake’s village too and chatted with Raindrop Cake’s master attendant. They were like brothers, keeping no secrets from each other. It’s then that his buddy asked him for a favor, to cheer up Raindrop Cake.

It’s for that reason he always tells that to the ever-melancholic Raindrop Cake. “Even though it’s said that Food Souls exist to battle Fallen Angels, but our abilities are still limited, that’s why we just have to give it our all doing what we can.”

Nagashi Somen chose to stay optimistic, wishing that his present life won’t be shattered by lies no matter what.

Nagashi Somen’s smile and words moved Raindrop Cake. His smile overlapped with his master attendant’s for a moment, an extremely touching scene.

As he hoped, Raindrop Cake found the will to move forth. Raindrop Cake’s master attendant was delighted when they talked about the change in attitude as well.

“Everything’s improving.” Even though Raindrop Cake’s master attendant was getting thinner from always traveling, he was inclined to believe the words of the energetic and optimistic man before him.

He won’t tell a lie. Nagashi Somen believed firmly. Then he won’t witness another tragedy…

He thought his peaceful life would continue. And when everything shattered, it felt unreal.

It was raining and Nagashi Somen had open his red oilpaper umbrella, not unlike an old friend visiting after years, arriving at the little village deep in the cherry blossom woods.

But the chaotic mess that remained of the village left him petrified, and he dashed to see if they were safe, if he could just find them a moment sooner.

When he found the man he was looking for in the ruins, he was collapsed lifelessly in the mud, Raindrop Cake by his side. Those empty, distraught eyes; Nagashi Somen could never hope to forget the very expression Granny held.

A feeling of unease welled up. Nagashi Somen tried many times to question the dazed Raindrop Cake, but he just kept repeating himself.

“How did this happen! What happened?” “I… I killed Master Attendant… I killed everyone…” “That can’t be! You couldn’t have killed everyone! What happened to him! He was fine before, how could he… how could he…”

No, was he… really fine before? The details he missed flashed in his mind, yet no connections formed. He wanted to know just what he missed, just what caused this cold, lifeless corpse to be all that remained of the man. His unease and terror told him something must have been missed. But he could tell that he wasn’t going to get the answer from Raindrop Cake.

Sadness, anger, dissatisfaction; All sorts of negative emotions burst out of Nagashi Somen, all melding together. He understood more than anyone how Raindrop Cake felt, at the same time unable to forgive him, unable to forgive the Raindrop Cake spiraling into a pit of self-blame, unable to forgive the Nagashi Somen who told the lies back then.

Trying his best to regain control of his emotions, his carefree smile no longer showed as he gripped Raindrop Cake’s collar tight and glared at him coldly.

“Look at me! Tell me! Just what happened?!” No matter how much Nagashi Somen yelled, there came no response from Raindrop Cake. “He would never want to see you like this! You know that! Answer me!”

“.........”

“Next time we meet, I hope we can have a proper conversation.”

Seeing the soulless Raindrop Cake, Nagashi Somen’s past flashed before his eyes. He wanted Raindrop Cake to pull himself together, yet he found himself trapped by his own demons too. At that moment, he realized he was unable to save Raindrop Cake, who had sunk into the same pit he did.

The storm beats down on the ruins. All that remains is the soulless husk of Raindrop Cake, along with a red oilpaper umbrella meagerly attempting to shield him from the rain.

"Natto, have you written down today's observation?"

"...I have, Master Attendant."

Usually, in this kind of situation, I would hide my expression by wearing my mask.

But today, I have no room in my mind to think about things like that.

As I gazed at Master Attendant's wrinkly, calm visage, I felt an intense emotion, nothing like anything that I've felt before, surging from the depth of my heart.

"For years, you've seen many scenes of hardships in place of me. It must be hard on you."

Master Attendant feelingly nodded after he heard my answer and put on his usual smile, which was capable of alleviating the atmosphere around him.

A few decades had passed ever since Master Attendant lost his eyesight, and I became his eyes, recording everything that happened each day wherever I go.

I don't know how many scrolls I've used so far... but the more scrolls I used, the more my heart feels fulfilled.

Before I realized, "recording things down" no longer feels like a duty that Master Attendant had assigned to me, but instead an activity that I truly enjoy from the bottom of my heart.

Be it something that actually happened, or simply rumors I heard in the streets, all of them are brimming with the charm of this vast world.

For these past few decades, I truly feel that I have lived a fulfilling life.

However, I think that the time I can spend with Master Attendant like this will soon come to an end.

ーー Azure Skies, Day 6.

Master Attendant sat down facing west, quietly meditating for the last time.

I stayed by Master Attendant's side, watching until he took his last breath, and then wrote it down in great details.

After that, I set up Master Attendant's grave.

This will be the last time I'm recording something down here.

I pressed my hands together while facing the grave, reminisced over the things that I've experienced together with Master Attendant, and bowed deeply.

From now on, I'll go on a journey.

This world is tremendously vast. The world I've seen during the past decades is merely a single part of the whole thing.

I want to learn more about this world and record everything down.

Thus, I gathered my belongings and said my farewell to Master Attendant.

Live, growing old, falling ill, then died. Human's life follows a cycle. It's the same as a leaf that falls from its tree and decompose to become a nutrient for another tree.

It might sound cruel, but I think that it's precisely because human is fated to eventually die, that a lot of strange and touching stories are born into this world.

(There are reasons behind everything...)

I tilted my face up and took a deep breath.

From now on, Master Attendant is no longer by my side. But his feelings will stay in my heart.

The memories I had with Master Attendant makes me fraught with emotion, and my lips naturally formed a smile.

"Master Attendant... I'll be going now."

Originally, I'll be able to cross the border between Gloriville and Light Kingdom today. Unfortunately, God wasn't so kind to make the weather beautiful and instead, rain came pouring down.

A layer of mist rose up in the forest. Unable to see the path, I could not continue onwards.

I protected the bag that stored my books and scrolls. I scrambled and darted underneath the roof of a grass house located in the mountain field.

The house was quaint but presently, quite a number of travellers were squeezing inside there.

Where is everyone heading to? What stories do they have?

I searched for my incomplete scroll and brush. Curiously, I examined the surrounding people, and unexpectedly discovered a girl who was writing something with a pencil and paper in the corner.

Almost as if she sensed that my eyes were on her, she looked up. Under her rounded-glasses were a pair of shimmering eyes that intercepted my vision.

She walked towards where I was and stood firmly next to me. She looked at me, rather intrigued.

"Nice to meet you."

I awkwardly nodded at her.

Rarely do I ever talk to girls. I wrote what I saw and heard halfway and stood at my original spot in a stunted manner, unsure of what should I do.

"What are you writing? Is it a novel or a travelogue?" She questioned.

I kept my scroll.

"It's the thoughts and feelings I had today... almost like a diary of sort."

"Eh, writing a diary in broad daylight? What a rather unique way."