Banquet of Reunions and Old Paths Chapter 2

Banquet of Reunions and Old Paths Chapter 2

Akira: A strange experience?

A wizard’s journey and a strange occurrence.

Just before I was feeling that I asked too much, but after hearing those words filled with wonder my heart began to beat in anticipation.

Lennox: It happened a couple hundred years ago, when I was wandering a desert. 

Akira: …

As Lennox retells this event, I sit, anxious to hear the rest.

Mithra: Hold on, I’m hungry now that I’ve mentioned food. Can we go home? 

Akira: Seriously!?

(We’ve barely even heard his story!!)

Lennox: Are you sure, Mithra?

Mithra: I’m sure. Now that I know this won’t help my lack of sleep, I would prefer to help my lack of food. 

While he says this, Mithra looks towards the herd of sheep happily munching on the grass.

Mithra: I think some lamb steak will do…

At this threatening remark, Lennox frowned and silently stood in front of the sheep as if to hide them.

With an end to our little stroll with the sheep, we made our way to the manor’s kitchen hoping to fill Mithra’s stomach.

When we entered, we found not only Nero, but those who arrived before us.

Akira: Ah, it’s Heathcliff and Shino!

Shino: Hey, it’s the Sage. 

Murr: Don’t forget me! And tonight’s special feast!

Murr showed us what he was tightly holding onto…

Piggy: Oink!

Akira: A piglet?!

Within Murr’s arms, the little piglet was struggling, as if trying to escape. 

Around its neck was a dashing blue striped ribbon. 

Lennox: …Where did you find this little guy?

Heathcliff: Earlier, in the capital city of Central when we went to drop off sugar. They found it in the marketplace. 

We couldn’t find its owner, so in the meantime we took it back to the manor.

Shino: You like it? It’s a bit on the small side, but it’s round and I bet it would look good cooked. I’m gonna ask Nero to prepare it for dinner. 

Murr: Hurray! Tonight’s gonna be a treat!

Piggy: Ooink!!

Akira: Huh!? You’re planning on eating this cute little piggy?!

At the lively two’s fearsome words I looked at Nero, who in turn looked at me with a dry laugh. 

Nero: I get that you guys’re wanting a good chow and all… 

Heathcliff: But this pig is probably someone’s pet. 

Akira: It is wearing a ribbon, and eating it seems too cruel…

Heathcliff: Right. I think we should try and find its owner again before we figure out what to do with it.

Piggy: Oink, oink!

As if agreeing with our statements, the piglet let out oinks of joy. 

Murr: Wahaha! Looks like it thinks so too!

Akira: Yeah, I wonder if this piglet can actually understand our words?

Lennox: It seems that way… perhaps this piglet is different from other pigs. 

Murr: That’s exactly why we should eat it! It’s probably an extraordinary piggy that will make our hearts jump out after tasting its mystery flavour!

Shino: Agreed, we won’t get many chances in our lives to eat such a special kinda pig.

Nero: Yeah, yeah, however…

Murr and Shino can only see the cute little piglet as an ingredient for their meals.

Nero pains a smile as he tells the two who look at the piglet with sparkles in their eyes,

Nero: If it’s just that good a catch, why don’t we wait until it’s older and fatter before we eat it?

Piggy: Oink?!

Nero: That way, we all get more to eat. We’ve got a lot of mouths to feed, after all.

Shino: So we raise it to eat it? I like that. 

Murr: True, true. At its current size, you could finish this pig off in three bites! I’m onboard with Nero's idea!

Mithra: How bothersome, I’m starving, I’ll have you know. Please make a pork sauté out of it immediately. 

Murr, Shino, & Mithra: …

The three of them have their eyes locked onto the pig.

Piglet: Oinkie..!!

Whether it was scared out of its wits or chose to with all its strength, the little piglet wrestled itself out of Murr’s arms and ran out of the kitchen. 

Murr: Alrighty, it’s time to play tag with the super rare piggy!

Shino: Hmph, hunting is my expertise. I’ll catch it in no time. 

Heathcliff: W-Wait, you two! 

Nero: Oof, my bad. I thought they’d stop trying to eat it for now if I put it like that. 

Akira: Not at all, it was a great save! Let’s just focus on finding that pig before they do. 

Heathcliff: Roger that!

Mithra: Haaugh, it’s finally quieted down.

Nero: W-Woah, Mithra, man! Weren’t you gonna go after the piglet?!

Mithra: Like I have the time to be chasing after a small pig. I’m hungry, Nero, so make me a meal. 

Nero: Okay, okay…but couldja not tower over me from behind like that? Scared the shit outta me…

< Index >

Banquet of Reunions and Old Paths Chapter 3

Banquet of Reunions and Old Paths Chapter 3

Murr: Huuuh? Where’d it go? It shoulda went this way…

Heathcliff: It’s your fault for saying such horrendous things in front of it…

Faust: What’s the ruckus? Don’t run in the hall. 

Heathcliff: Ah, Mr. Faust, my apologies…

Shino: Faust, did you spot our dinner running by here?

Faust: Your…dinner? No, I did not. 

Shino: Damn, we lost it.

Heathcliff: Wait up, Shino! Master Sage, I’m worried for the pig, so I’ll tag along with Shino, alright?

Akira: Okay, then I’ll look after Mu–

In a rush to catch up with him, I suddenly heard voices talking to each other. 

It was Faust and Lennox, the former talking to the latter about something. 

Akira: (What could they be talking about?)

Murr: Master Sage, if you don’t hurry we’ll lose to Shino and Heath!

Akira: (Just when did this become a team match…)

R-Right! I’m coming!

Akira: Ugh…

(In the end, we never did find the piglet no matter how hard we searched. Where could it have gone?)

Lennox: Master Sage, I have something to discuss with you if that’s okay. 

Akira: Oh, Lennox. I'll go open the door for you. 

Lennox: Pardon me for the sudden visit. It’s about…

Piggy: Oink!

Akira: Huh?

Piggy: Ooooink!

Akira: Wow, Lennox, isn’t that the pig from earlier?

Lennox: Yes, he is. 

Akira: It’s a relief you were the one who found it! So, where was it?

Lennox: To tell the truth, it was Lord Faust who found him. 

Akira: Faust did?!

Lennox: He just happened to come across the piglet as he was walking in the hallway.

The little guy was so scared, Lord Faust quickly shrank and hid him.

He could somewhat guess what was going on from Shino and Murr’s reactions and secretly handed the piglet over to me when they left. 

He told me, “You’re the one most fit to decide on whether to eat something or look after it.” 

Akira: So that’s what you two were talking about when I saw you guys before! 

(Since Lennox’s a shepherd, Faust probably thought he was the best guy to give the pig to…)

Lennox: Indeed. As well, he mentioned that this little one is likely a wizard’s familiar, so eating him is not the brightest idea. 

Akira: A familiar…

Lennox: Murr was right on the dot when he said that this piglet is an extraordinary one. 

Akira: Thank goodness we didn’t eat it…

Lennox: Because you and Heathcliff were so worried about him, I thought I ought to tell you that he’s fine. 

Akira: Thank you for telling me! I’ll need to thank Faust later too, I’m glad the piglet is safe.

Oh, by the way, have you and Faust been talking more recently?

When the two had just reunited, there were many awkward moments due to their past ties with each other.

Lennox: I wouldn’t say it has increased by a lot, but compared to the beginning we have had more chances to talk with one another. 

Akira: Is that so? I’m happy for you!

Lennox: … Thank you, Master Sage

Akira: Hm? What’s this, all of a sudden?

Lennox: For giving me the ability to meet and talk with him again. 

Lennox looks into my eyes as he softly smiles, and I spot hints of shyness within his gaze. 

Akira: It–it’s no problem!

Anyways, today was a lot, wasn’t it?

Lennox: You can say that again. I never would have thought that I’d be spending such eventful days like now back when I was still travelling the land.

His eyes narrow a bit as he faintly grins like he was recalling the past. 

Deep within his eyes were the senses of loneliness and nostalgia, painted and blended together. 

Lennox: Ah, wait. Master Sage, are you free after this?

Akira: Yeah, I am. I’ve got nothing scheduled for tonight. 

Lennox: Then how about we finish that story I was going to tell you this afternoon?

Akira: Really?

Lennox: Of course. I’ll be heading to Shylock’s bar, then. Be seeing you. 

Akira: Got it, see you in a bit!

By Lennox’s request, I head to Shylock’s bar. 

With dimmed lighting and a faint sweet vagrance, the bar always makes me feel relaxed, but also makes me want to act more my age at the same time. 

Shylock: Welcome, Master Sage and Lennox.

Snow & White: Welcome!!

Akira: Good evening, Shylock, Snow, White…and Oz!

Oz: …

Lennox: It’s rare to see you two out of your painting, Snow, White. 

Snow: Ohohoho, it is only because the homebody Oz is out, we shall too!

White: We tagged along since it’s so amusing.

Without any reaction towards the twin’s words, Oz turns our way and looks at us.

Lennox: Sorry for making you wait, Lord Oz.

Oz: No problem.

Snow: W-What!? You two had plans to drink together!?

White: Oh my gooosh! Are you gonna “spill the beans” and whatnot!

Oz: No, I am only treating Lennox to drinks as thanks for repairing my door after Mithra broke it down. 

Snow: Well, well, well…you’re more well-mannered than I thought.

White: But Oz, couldn’t you have just fixed the door yourself with magic?

Oz: …It was night time.

Snow & White: So that’s how it was!

Oz’s affliction from his previous battle with the Great Calamity is that whenever he tries to use magic at night, he falls asleep on the spot. 

Taking advantage of this opportunity is his longtime nemesis Mithra, who comes to harass him often, like breaking down his door. 

Oz: …

Lennox: …

Akira: (They haven’t said a word to each other since they’ve sat down next to each other…)

Oz: Lennox, what is it you will drink? Choose any you like.

Lennox: What will you drink, Lord Oz?

Ah.

Akira: (They talked over each other..!)

< Index >

Banquet of Reunions and Old Paths Chapter 4

Banquet of Reunions and Old Paths Chapter 4

Oz & Lennox: …

Shylock: Lennox, it’s quite a feat to be treated by a wizard like Oz. You’ll find that there are barely any in the world who’ve had this chance. 

It is the work of your sincerity and kindness that brought you this, so why not relax and make the most of this?

Lennox: Alright.

Lord Oz, thank you for drinking with me, I am grateful to share this moment with you. 

If there’s anything you need help with again, I will be glad to lend you my aid. 

Oz: …Thanks.

Shylock: Now now, you two. How about we leave the formal talk at the door, and restart with a cheers?

This is a simple cocktail made with liquor mixed by water. I think it suits you two perfectly. 

Oz & Lennox: Cheers.

Snow & White: Ooooh!

Oz: What’s with the clapping?

Snow: Ohoho, it is because you finally did a “Cheers!”

White: Mmhmm, ever since you’ve taken that seat, a strange air of anxiety had taken over, and you were clearly shivering with nervousness!

Lennox: Really? From how I saw it, he was peacefully enjoying our time together…

Oz: It’s just the twin’s delusions. Do not mind them.

Snow & White: For real?

Shylock: Ahaha. Master Sage, are you alright with your usual non-alcoholic drink?

Akira: Yeah, thanks. 

Snow: Master Sage, did you perhaps come here to take in this unusual sight as well?

White: You must’ve wanted to watch over Little Ozzy and Lenny’s budding friendship!

Akira: Heh, though I am interested in that, I actually came here to listen to one of Lennox’s stories from during his travels.

Shylock: My, a story?

Akira: Yes, this afternoon Lennox was going to tell me about a strange experience he had during his travels before he was interrupted. Since he couldn’t finish, he was going to continue here. 

White: Hoho, a story from Lennox’s travels…even I’m curious!

Snow: Yes yes, I too! You’ll let us hear, won’t you Lennox?

Oz: …

Lennox: I don’t see why not, though keep in mind it’s not that awesome a story…

The noises of Shylock’s cocktail making echo throughout the private bar as Lennox begins his tale.

Lennox: This was…ah, three hundred years ago. I was wandering a desert in my journey to find Lord Faust. 

Because of a sandstorm I had lost my way, and used up my remaining rations and water. 

It was a situation where I realized, “I could die any moment now.”

Akira: (A journey more harsh than I could ever imagine…)

Lennox: I couldn’t stop though, even though I knew I could die any second then,

even though I didn’t know the ending to this journey. 

Shylock: But you’re here now, so something must have happened.

Lennox: Yes, when I was on my last legs, just as everything became blurry, I noticed something unbelievable. 

Akira: What was it?

Lennox: A restaurant. A restaurant had appeared before my eyes.

Past Lennox: W-What in the world…why is there a…restaurant, there wasn’t anything here a second ago…

Am I dreaming?

???: Well, it’s true that what you’re seeing is like a dream.

You’ve got quite the luck to appear in front of a restaurant that only opens once every hundred years.

Now, come inside, I’ll heal your wounds. It’s my pride as a chef to give only the best to my customers.

???: How was it, “Sully’s Full Course Meal”?

Past Lennox: It was delicious…incredibly delicious.

???: Wahaha! That’s good!

Past Lennox: My name is Lennox. You’ve just saved my life, I am in your debt.

???: Pal, all I did was cook you up a meal. ‘Sides, I didn’t plan on feeding you for free!

Past Lennox: I know, I will give you all the money I have. 

???: I don’t need any of that. Instead, I want your stories.

Where you were born, where you were before you came here, your entire life—Stories like that.

Lennox: Per his request, I began rambling about my life, and I eventually told him my whole life story.

Yes, I…was speaking for a long, long time.

When I finished speaking, he told me the meal was free service, and even gave me wine to boot.

I remember drinking the wine and suddenly feeling sleepy…and nothing else after that. 

When I came to, I was out of the desert, lying in a meadow.

So, whether that restaurant was actually real or just a near-death hallucination, I still don’t know

No one spoke for a while after Lennox finished his story.

In my case I was so taken in by the mystery of the restaurant that I hadn’t realized we returned to reality yet.

Lennox: What I do know, is that the food I was served in that restaurant provided my mind and body with warmth and safety. I had lost my way, but that chef managed to rekindle my resolve to find that man, no matter what.

 

< Index >