The Devil Feast

We returned to the camp.

While the family was reuniting, I took a long, long drag from my flask.

Trying to get the taste out of my mouth.

I mean myself.

Nothing could get that bitter taste out of my mouth.

“"私の人々を助けてくれたことに感謝しなければなりませんが、何の援護もなしに突入するのはかなり愚かだったと言わざるを得ません。"

(“I must thank you for helping my people, but I must bring up that it was rather foolish to go in without any backup.”) The old man's voice spoke from behind me.

“心配をかけてごめんなさい。私はただ、皆を安全に守り、戦いの罪を負わせたくなかっただけです。”

(“Sorry to worry you. I just wanted to keep all your people safe and not to carry the sin of combat.”)

“さて、終わりよければすべてよしです。戻ってきた皆のために祝宴を開きます。ぜひ参加してください。”

(“Well, all’s well that ends well. We are going to have a feast as a celebration for all who have returned.

You should join us.”)

“もちろん。”

(“Sure.”)

I had to stay anyway because my shotgun wasn’t finished yet, but there was no reason to bring that up.

“そして、血は決して気持ちよくないので、あなたもお風呂に入るべきです；私が知っています。”

(“And you should also take a bath because blood never feels good; I would know.”)

“うん。”

(“Yeah.” )

The old man pointed me to a free bathhouse.

It was always nice washing the blood away. My clothes may wash the blood away by itself, not from my skin.

Even if most of the blood was my own this time instead of my enemies'.

The cauterized wound looked as good as a cauterized wound looks.

The smell of burning flesh will stay with me till my dying days, but that was the worst wound I had.

The rest were little cuts all over me from the constant little injuries I took over the months.

My clothes were cleaned and repairing themselves.

I had a bit of a drink and soaked in the bath.

But my blade was still by my side and my gun in reach.

I left after a good, long soak and a good, long drink.

It was still early when I left the bathhouse.

And I saw the old man sitting and smoking his pipe.

And saw friends shaking hands while family members were having fun. I decided to head to my bike and sleep for a bit till the feast began…

An image started to form, one so familiar to me.

A woman on a bridge and snow falling.

“ねえ、祝宴がもうすぐ始まるよ、坊。

起きて！”

(“Hey, the feast is about to begin, kid.

Wake up.”)

I opened my eyes to the sight of him standing in front of me.

“I’m up.

I’m up.”

“どうやら今のようだな、坊や。

さあ、残りの仲間に合流しよう。”

(“Looks like you are now, kid.

Now let's join up with the rest.”)

“Yeah, yeah, don’t get your knickers in a twist.”

The two of us walked to the camp and got to the feast.

“Here’s to those who came back, and here’s to the man named V who saved our people,” Faelon said.

“Here’s!

Here’s!” The village replied.

The feast was a great party with the whole village celebrating.

Drinking, eating, and telling tales about life. ‘

The old talking to the young and friends bickering about simple things.

All were having fun.

I always forget that life isn’t as grim as I make it out to be. Just always remember to make the best out of times like these.

When everything wrapped up, it was late into the night, with only a few still up.

I saw the old man sitting alone and decided to talk to him one last time before I leave in the morning for the next place.

“サニー、明日の朝発するんだよね？"

(“You’ll be leaving up in the morning, won’t you, Sunny?”)

“そうですね、どこかに長く滞在するのはあまり好きではありませんが、ここは本当に素敵な場所です。もしまた助けが必要になったら、地獄のような速さで戻ってきます。”

(“Yeah, I never like staying anywhere too long, but this place is truly nice. If you ever need help again, I will make my way back like a bat out of hell.”)

“そうだな、心に留めておけ、息子よ。人生を楽しむことだけができることだから、楽しむことを忘れないでくれ。”

(“Well, I keep that in mind, son. Just remember to have a fun life because that's all we can do with our lives. To have fun.”) The old man said…

As the night ended, a song filled my mind.

"Someday I'll wish upon a star,

Wake up where the clouds are far behind me.

Where trouble melts like lemon drops.

High above the chimney tops that's where.

You'll find me, oh,

Somewhere over the rainbow.

Bluebirds fly,

And the dream that you dare to

Oh, why, oh why can't I?” —Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

I rode away once more to some land far away.