Chương 19: The Burden of Sentience

Galan scanned the menu, the Godlang script clear and familiar.

"I'll have the soy-braised duck and a cold plum wine," he said in Godlang. Masahiko stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"I'll have the sea bream and a cup of hot rice wine," he ordered in Japanese. The attendant noted their choices with a graceful nod.

"Thank you so much," she said.

"Your orders will be prepared shortly. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to call upon one of the other attendants."

"Ye, for sure," Galan confirmed. As she walked away, Galan leaned back in his plush seat, stretching his arms.

"Quite the service, huh?"

"Truly," Masahiko said, glancing around the hall with a look of wonder.

"As a child, I could never have imagined sitting in a place like this. To see the servants of foreign gods and our own sky guardians under the same roof... it would have been unthinkable back in my village." He looked at Galan.

"But I'm sure this is nothing new to you, Lord Oda. You stand above all of us, after all."

"Honestly, I don't see myself as above anyone else," Galan said.

"I just... have different roles."

"Could you explain?"

"Tell me, what do you think truly separates all speaking creatures? Aside from the destruction they can cause." Masahiko thought for a moment.

"I would say it is not our power to wreak havoc, but the burdens we willingly shoulder. You seem destined to bridge worlds, unbound by mortal duty. Meanwhile, I remain tethered to the obligations of my upbringing, honoring my late wife and raising our children, who have grown into becoming fully responsible adults." He leaned back.

"In the end, it's our chosen responsibilities, and perhaps our destinies, that truly set us apart." A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Galan looked down, a memory of home flashing through his mind. He saw the orphanage in his village, his wife Cang Cu playing with the children, and his first wife nursing their son Vardo. He remembered the scent of her hair, the warmth of her hand, and the quiet strength in her eyes.

For a moment, the weight of the century was lifted.

"Well said," he murmured, returning to the present.

"I assume you like reading, Masahiko." Masahiko blinked, surprised by the drop in formality.

"O-of course. It's one of my favorite pastimes after a long day at the magistrate's office." He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.

"When the burdens of duty yield to the solace of art." They fell into a comfortable silence as the lights dimmed. The chatter of the crowd faded, replaced by an expectant hush. A lone figure stepped onto the stage, her long, flowing garment trailing behind her like a waterfall of silk and gold. She stood beneath a cluster of spotlights, holding a golden voice-expansion wand.

"Honored guests, distinguished travelers, and esteemed patrons of the Soaring Heights Theater, welcome." Her voice, speaking perfect Godlang, resonated through the hall.

"Tonight, we bear witness to the culmination of skill, strength, and unyielding spirit. Two names, spoken across generations, will take the stage... not as the dreaded demons of the legends but as champions of the present." High above, pairs of crow ten-gu glided into position, unfurling giant scrolls.

"Their names are..." She gestured to her right.

"Shuten Dooji, the Oni of Revelry and Ruin!" The scroll revealed a vivid illustration of the wild, crimson-skinned oni, his eyes burning with cunning.

"And Ootake Maru, the Wrathful Oni of the Peaks!" The second scroll showed a stoic, blue-skinned figure with a piercing gaze.

"But before their clash begins, we will honor the heart of all great battles. We shall begin with a song. First, the timeless lament of 'Cherry Blossoms, Cherry Blossoms,' composed by the Goddess Amaterasu herself to honor the fallen warriors of the Izumo-Yamato War. Following this, the renowned singer, the Princess of Crows, shall carry us into the highlands with 'Winds of the Eternal Peak.'" She described the dances to follow—the grace of 'Sunlit Cherry Blossoms' and the wild energy of 'Dance of the Wind.'

"And at last," she declared, her voice rising.

"When the music has played and the dancers have moved... we shall arrive at the moment we have all gathered for. The final match. Strength against strength, will against will. Shuten Dooji versus Ootake Maru!" The audience erupted into cheers as the scrolls were furled and the stage cleared, the spotlights converging on the curtain, waiting for the first act to begin.