Banquet of Reunions and Old Paths Chapter 5
Lennox, after finishing the story on his mysterious experience, had a refreshing and satisfying look on his face.
Lennox: My tale ends there. It might have been different from the kind of adventure story you wanted to hear, though…
Akira: Not at all! It was so thrilling I was on the edge of my seat! Thank you for telling us this, Lennox.
Snow: Hmmm, what a strange story indeed.
Shylock: Certainly, a peculiar restaurant that appears in the middle of a desert, and a deluxe full course meal that is repaid with one’s life story…
Every bit is odd on its own, and like irregularly shaped puzzle pieces do they find a way to fit together somehow.
Such a fascinating story you’ve shared, Lennox. Makes me wonder what sort of picture this puzzle creates.
White: I find “Sully’s Full Course” the most interesting. Its name is…well, a name!
Oz: Lennox.
In the middle of the spirited conversations that brewed up regarding the mystery of the restaurant, Oz calls out to Lennox as if to scold him.
Lennox: Lord Oz?
Oz: It’s best to not tell such inexplicable stories so casually.
In the case that that wizard is a wicked one, there’s no telling what could happen if you babble on about him. He may even take your life.
If that happens, you won’t be the only one in grief. You have those you want to protect, correct? So take more care with that mouth.
Though Oz’s words were strict and cold, a gentle smile appeared on Lennox’s face.
Lennox: Lord Oz, thank you for worrying about me. However, even now, all is well and I am still alive.
I never knew what his motive was, but I’m sure that it was nothing foul.
Oz: …
Lennox: And before, you once talked about Prince Arthur to me.
I was honoured, because that meant you trusted me, yes?
Oz: What ridiculous…
Oz sighs at his remark, but rather than out of annoyance, it was more like he was hiding his true feelings…
White: Now I’m more curious about this restaurant and its owner! I would love to visit this place myself!
Shylock: Hmhm, as someone who also serves others, I have become quite interested as well.
Snow: Now now, White.
Just as Oz has said, that wizard asks about your entire life and may even try to take control of you that way.
It’s best not to get involved at all, or if you do meet him, turn him to stone right away!
White: …
Hmph, I guess if I ever do find this restaurant I won’t bother to tell you and leave you alone at home!
Snow: What?!
White: Ozzy, you’ll go with me won’t you? Unlike Snow, you and I get along well, hmmm?
Snow: H-Hold on, Whitey dear, I was just worried for you!
Oz: Ugh…so noisy.
Murr: Hey hey, I wanna go to that restaurant too!
Akira: Woah! When’d you get here, Murr?
Murr: Dunno, forgot. Maybe I’ve been here since you were born, always watching over you…
Shylock: Murr, you mustn’t bother the Sage like that.
Murr: It got me so excited to hear about this funny restaurant and its funnily named dishes, and even more so the fact that you pay with talking about your life!
But uh, how do we go there? Do we go wander in the desert too? Go on the brink of death?
Lennox: I’m not sure…but if it was no hallucination, then I’d like to go there once more too.
Murr: Then we gotta! Alrighty now, let’s all go searching for this restaurant!
White: Shall we start with questioning Nero? They’re in the same business, so maybe he’s heard of something.
Snow: Whitey dear, are you ignoring me? Cheer up now, pleaaase?
Laughter erupts within the bar.
Whether they’re serious or just talking it up for the sake of conversation, everyone puts forth their own ideas on finding the restaurant’s whereabouts.
Akira: (They don’t even know if it really exists or not, nor its name and location…)
Piggy: Oink Oink!
Akira: Oh! Are you interested in the restaurant too, buddy?
Lennox: He does seem to.
As he pets the head of the pig who poked its head out of his bag, Lennox has an air of amusement about him.
Lennox: First things first though, we need to find his owner. There are too many people in this manor who want to eat him for him to stay long.
Akira: Ahaha, yeah, to this pig the manor is probably full of predators.
Piggy: Ooink…
The next day, Lennox and I went searching for the piglet’s owner in the Central capital’s marketplace.
Lennox: It was this market, correct?
Akira: Yes, Shino told me it was this specific marketplace.
Lennox: Alright, shall we go around asking the stall owners what they know about a lost pet?
Akira: Yup!
Piggy: Oink?!
The piglet suddenly poked its head out of Lennox’s bag, as if sensing something.
Piggy: Oiiiink!
Then, it jumped out, making a dash for it, swiftly running between people’s legs.
Akira: Wait!
Lennox: Stay here, Master Sage, I’ll go after him.
Lennox chases after the pig with a great start, but suddenly stops in his tracks.
Akira: What’s the matter?
Lennox: It appears we have no need to chase after him.
What Lennox was staring at, was the figure of a man picking up the small pig in his arms as the piglet nuzzled against his face happily.
Akira: Could you be this piglet’s owner? So, you must be a wizard, then.
???: That I am. This little one got separated from me when we were shopping the other day. To think he’d be in kind hands…
Thank goodness, I thought he’d be roasted into a pork sauté by now!
Akira: Ahahaha…
(Can’t say it didn’t almost happen…)
Well, it’s a relief we managed to find the owner, right, Lennox?
Lennox: …
Akira: Lennox?