Banquet of Reunions and Old Paths Chapter 9

[xuebingcode]

Banquet of Reunions and Old Paths Chapter 9

I have no clue on what sort of answer White and Oz expect from me.

But as the Wizards’ Sage, I was the one by their sides, watching them closely.

Their only sage to guide them, the bunch of individuals who were all kind, harsh, funny, and serious.

That’s why I wanted to answer this question sincerely, even if it took me some time.

Akira: …

The Oz I know is only one face of his.

Mithra: Well he has been needlessly living a long life.

Akira: I think Mithra and White would know more about him and his life than I. 

The Oz I know is just one face, out of many. And that is the Sage’s wizard who has found those he will protect.

Oz: …

Akira: Uhhhm, so what I’m saying is…

White: There is no need to rush. We would like to hear your answer, in your way.

Akira: Okay, so this is gonna be my opinion, but if you were to make Oz’s entire life into a full course, I think it would taste…kind.

Like fluffy pancakes or milk stew…that taste!

That’s just what I think…how about it?

Oz: Sage.

Akira: Y-Yeah?

Oz: I have never looked back on my long life, none the less thought about how it’d taste. 

I know though, that many, many people will have said something vastly different from you.

I wasn’t there to witness it myself, but Oz once was on a quest of world domination, and became the world’s strongest wizard.

He was a dreadful and ruthless demon king is what the many sayings left behind in every country was. 

When I take that in, of course pancakes and stew don’t really fit with Oz’s life story, and I’d definitely be seen as a nutjob for saying so.

Oz: …A full course meal like that seems suited for children.

Akira: Oz…

When he said that, a gentle expression showed on his face for an instant.

Akira: I bet Arthur and Riquet would love to eat it.

Mithra: Haaaugh, we don’t have any need to make a full course meal for Oz’s entire life in the first place.

I’ll eventually turn him into stone and taste him like that.

Spouting terrifying words again, Mithra took a sip of his soup. He sounded to be in a good mood.

Even if he did say those words, it seemed that he enjoyed the talk about full course meals.

White: Hohoho!

Akira: What is it, White?

White: I just thought about it and, isn’t this sort of situation miracle-like?

Shall we do another cheers,

to celebrate the two who have been at each other’s necks for hundreds and thousands of years, eating at the same table together?

Oz: And to congratulate the Sage for granting this miracle.

Mithra: Cheeeers.

Our glasses rang together throughout the restaurant, creating a refreshing noise.

Once again, a clap and snap. 

What came before us was meat dishes. A roasted duck, drizzled with a noble yellow sauce.

Matthew: Feast your eyes on the main dish, “Duck Poêle and Orange Tang” titled “Revolution”.

Faust & Lennox: …

Matthew: Much blood was shed during the great war, chaos abound, but with the sure feeling of victory within their grasps…

This dish reflects the heart of Lennox.

Lennox: Lord Faust, please don’t force yourself to eat it if…

Faust: …I’m fine, let’s eat it before it gets cold.

Lennox: Understood…

Faust: I like it, the bitter orange sauce and the sweetness from its faint acids are what grab your attention first, 

and then the taste completes itself when biting into the meat.

Lennox: Agreed. The flavours change in your mouth.

After taking a bite, Lennox makes an expression as though he was reminiscing about the past, silently thinking.

Faust: Hey, are you okay? I know that if it were me I don’t think I could stand having my whole life presented before me like this.

Lennox: Well…it is a little weird, but it makes me realize that I had these sorts of feelings too.

I send my compliments to the chef, expressing my life into cooking and making it appetizing on top of that is no small feat. 

Faust: …

Faust’s face is as if he was at a loss for words. His eyes were slightly wavering, but only for that second.

Faust: …Becoming the Sage’s wizard was most unfortunate for you.

Lennox: Lord Faust…

Faust: Despite that, I cannot lie and say I’m not happy being able to meet and talk with you again.

I don’t know how I can ever repay you for inviting me to this lovely meal. Thank you, Leno.

Lennox: …Those words of yours are enough for me.

Shall we cheers to our reunion?

Faust & Lennox: Cheers.

Matthew: Alright, it’s time for dessert!

What appeared on our tables was a frozen citrus dessert with yellow syrup trickled on top.

Matthew: This here is the “Grapefruit Granita” titled, “Independance”

Lennox: Independence…?

Matthew: Lennox, you may have thought the journey to find your friend was one of hardship, and so I represented that with the frozen dessert.

Listening to Matthew’s explanation, I figured the granita must be bitter, however…

Faust: It’s sweet…

Akira: Yeah, it is! There’s a bit of a bitter taste to it as well, but it’s refreshingly yummy!

Lennox: So this is the taste of that journey…

Matthew: You learned about the bitterness of freedom and loneliness, but at the same time, experienced the same level of delight.

That is what I believe.

Don’t you think the bittersweetness of this granita wraps up this full course meal splendidly?

Lennox: Yeah, it sure does, Matthew.

Bittersweetness is the flavour most befitting of that adventure.

Lennox’s journey was not just tales of anguish

but also the kind and happy things he met with that made him the honest and sincere man he is today.

The granita tasted like that kindness, making me feel as if I was there with him on that journey.

Matthew: I want to thank you, Lennox, for being the main protagonist of this story, and delighting in this meal.

Those three hundred years I spent perfecting this course was repaid with your happiness.

It was quiet all around as we watched Lennox and Matthew exchange words. When they finished, Matthew eyed the room.

Matthew: Hey now, this isn’t the end of dessert! This next one’s special service.

Crystals akin to snow twinkled in the air around us as Matthew summoned. 

As if turning back time, the crystals came together to form a beautiful object.

It was a large bowl of lilies, looking like they were made of see-through jewels.

<     Index     >