Chương 36: The God & the Ghost

"I think it's time for us to reach the party," Shuten Dooji announced, swaying slightly as his crew steadied him.

"And where is that, exactly?" Galan asked.

"A relaxation complex nearby. Less than a mile."

"Lead the way," Ootake Maru said, crossing his arms. They set off, the crew collecting the empty cups. Galan found himself staring at the rice wine cart Shuten Dooji's crew was pushing. It was an ornate, wheeled masterpiece of dark, lacquered wood, with pillars carved like oni arms and neat compartments for every type of gourd and bowl.

"Dear God," Ootake Maru asked, noticing his gaze.

"Why are you so fixated on such mundane things?"

"I just think it's cool," Galan shrugged.

"He has a varied history, Mountain Goat," Shuten Dooji called back, taking another drink.

"I'm sure his penchant for details serves a greater purpose."

"But he is a god, no?" Ootake Maru retorted.

"It is odd to see someone so powerful be so interested in the mortal realm."

"Well, I've always been a part of Astanka's mortal realm, you know?" Galan clarified with a hint of pride.

"Really? What's the story on that?" Shuten Dooji asked, intrigued.

"Well... my family, the Athalon, has this tradition where we send our children to live among mortals. It's so that... as we grow up, we see ourselves as part of them. And thus, be more willing to help them."

"Hah! Sounds like a fine tradition!" Shuten Dooji laughed, walking backward.

"Just imagine how peaceful Japan would be if yookai and humans started swapping children!"

"If I may ask," Ootake Maru pressed, "where did your family place you?"

"Paldri. It's a small, unassuming village near Rome, one of the biggest empires within Astanka before its decline. Although, thanks to me being their emperor, it's now the biggest one in the region—maybe even the world." Galan shrugged again.

"But I'm not bragging, though." Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Ootake Maru was stunned into silence.

"Oh! So the ramblings of the fine-silked humans back in the hall were about your achievements?" Shuten Dooji realized.

"Pretty much, yeah."

"So," Ootake Maru summarized, trying to process it all.

"You are a god who lived in a small village, became the divine emperor of Rome, and turned it into the biggest kingdom in Astanka. But... if you have everything... why come here?"

"I left for a multitude of reasons. The biggest being boredom."

"Hahah! I know how that feels," shouted Shuten Dooji before going back to drinking.

"May I ask for more reasons?" Ootake Maru replied.

"Well..." Galan hesitated, thinking of a cover story.

"The Council back home told me there's action to be had with the vengeful ghosts haunting the place."

"Wait," Ootake Maru frowned.

"Do you mean... the ones that have been hunting humans for the past twenty years?"

"Oh, I know about that," Shuten Dooji chimed in.

"Said they're all dressed up in samurai armor to cut humans down!"

"How did you two learn about that?"

"It's hard not to listen to them," Ootake Maru sighed.

"The stories I heard when I was spending time with the Council members were truly haunting."

"Oh, come on. You said that as if we've never done something similar ourselves," Shuten Dooji teased. Ootake Maru grimaced.

"I have nothing to say to that."

"Haha!" Shuten Dooji bellowed with glee.

"Think some yookai could've donned the armor and weapons?" Galan asked.

"No." Ootake Maru shook his head.

"I don't see why anyone would pretend to be a ghost just to scare humans."

"Besides, any yookai big enough to use human weapons is strong enough to kill them with their bare hands," Shuten Dooji added.

"Doesn't make sense to overcomplicate it." Guess I can rule out the yookai's direct involvement for now, Galan thought.

"Hmm, true. But since the humans couldn't figure it out, there must be something only the yookai know about, right?"

"Perhaps. But I do not know much." Ootake Maru clarified.

"The most I can tell you is that there are sightings within the dense forests of Central Island. Perhaps the wild yookai can tell you more."

"And if you need help convincing them," Shuten Dooji called back, "just say you're there for an important mission for Shuten Dooji. That'll grant you the help of any oni worth their rice wine in all of Japan." Well, that was easy.

"Thanks, Big Broni." Galan nodded.

"You're wel—" Ootake Maru froze, realizing what Galan had said.

"Hahahahaha! You're welcome, Foreign God!" Shuten Dooji roared.

"What?" Galan curiously asked, looking at Ootake Maru. The blue oni shook his head, bowing low.

"Y—you're welcome, Dear God."

"No, seriously," Galan demanded.

"What did I just say?"

"Well..." Ootake Maru hesitated, noticing that they were near their destination.

"I shall explain it another time. We are here."

"Alright," Galan said, rolling his eyes.