Chapter 19: The Last Meal Gifted by Luke, the Punishment Delivered by Shiki Eiki!
Inside Luke's restaurant, it had become lively early in the morning.
Sitting at the counter was Kafka, who came for breakfast;
Beside her was Nakiri Erina, wanting to investigate the truth of the cuisine;
By the window were three figures: Bondrewd from Made in Abyss, Yama Shiki Eiki, and Shinigami Onozuka Komachi.
Adding the tengu Shameimaru Aya who delivered ingredients for Luke, the restaurant, which hadn't been open long, instantly gained popularity.
Kafka stared at Bondrewd and the others.
Her interest piqued, she took a small sip of coffee and asked,
"Luke-san, who exactly are those few..."
"I think Aya can answer that for you. Additionally, Aya can clarify Nakiri-san's questions as well."
The right to speak suddenly fell upon her.
Shameimaru Aya cleared her throat and responded with a smile,
"No problem, Luke-san. Leave this job to me."
Very good.
Luke then left the kitchen and walked towards the table where Shiki Eiki was.
He took the menu and approached.
"Shiki Eiki-sama, this should be our first meeting, right?"
"Please do not address Yama-sama directly by name."
"No matter, Komachi."
Shiki Eiki waved her hand, telling Onozuka Komachi standing behind her to be patient.
She raised her head, her serious face looking at Luke.
"The restaurant owner... I've heard of you. I originally thought of coming over earlier."
"Coming early is not as good as coming at the right time. Coincidentally, I also have something I wanted to ask of Shiki Eiki-sama."
"Is it this one...?"
Shiki Eiki's gaze fell upon the silent Bondrewd.
Mask broken, weapon dropped, body collapsing, Bondrewd, severely injured all over, finally got a chance to speak.
"I pursue the truth of the Abyss, exploring secrets unknown to anyone. And coming here this time might very well change my plans, but now it seems there's no chance..."
Bondrewd's tone was laced with regret.
He couldn't help but look at Luke.
"Your Excellency seems to know something about my affairs, yet this obvious aversion puzzles me."
"I have little interest in you, merely want to end a trouble; I believe in this aspect, Shiki Eiki-sama is very clear and will make the correct judgment."
Luke then faced Shiki Eiki.
The Yama fell silent.
After ten seconds, she rejoined the conversation, her gaze also falling upon Bondrewd.
"Your karmic hindrance is considerably heavy. Sins like shackles have long bound you. Your past self... no, your present self, what exactly have you done?"
"I merely pursue truths unknown to anyone."
"However, thou placed the desire for knowledge above the dignity of life. This is sin."
"Science requires sacrifices. The sacrifices that arise from this are merely variations on the praise of truth."
"What arrogant fallacy."
Shiki Eiki could distinguish black from white, and Bondrewd before her was utter blackness, a blackness that could absorb any light.
Luke returned to the kitchen at this time, brought out a bowl of soup from inside, and placed it in front of Bondrewd.
"This is my hospitality for you. After drinking it, I believe it will calm you down quite a bit."
"May I take it to go?"
Bondrewd had the thought of leaving.
But Luke had no intention of letting him go.
Understanding he couldn't struggle, Bondrewd just chuckled softly.
"I have at least seen secrets unknown to anyone. But that door connecting here might be discovered by someone in the future..."
Bondrewd finished speaking and, through his mask, drank the hot soup before him in some other way.
The taste was meaningless to him.
He only felt a warm current spread throughout his body, seemingly repairing his wounds, but at the same time, slowly eroding his consciousness.
Looking at the 'sinner of utter blackness' who had come to Gensokyo, Shiki Eiki gently waved her hand.
"As you command, Yama-sama."
Onozuka Komachi grabbed Bondrewd's shoulder, pulling up the Lord of Dawn who had finished the soup and was weak all over.
"Luke-san, I'll be taking this guest of yours."
"Of course, Shiki Eiki-sama. If you find it troublesome, I can handle it here too."
"This person's sins are not something simple punishment can address."
Before Shiki Eiki's voice faded, Onozuka Komachi left the restaurant with Bondrewd.
However, the Yama did not leave.
She let out a breath and said somewhat helplessly,
"I encountered the Hakurei Shrine maiden by chance before. She mentioned the peculiarity of this restaurant. 'Gensokyo' is already full of problems, causing trouble. Luke-san, I do not wish for you to magnify those 'troubles'."
"I have similar thoughts. But generally, as long as they are blacklisted, there usually won't be any more problems."
"That's good..."
"Shiki Eiki-sama, would you like some breakfast?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I noticed just now you seemed to be observing the dish in front of Kafka-san."
"That was just your illusion."
Shiki Eiki coughed lightly.
However, denial was denial; she didn't refuse the suggestion just now.
Adjusting her mood, Shiki Eiki picked up the menu initially placed before her.
"What breakfast is recommended here?"
"This time I recommend the bacon sandwich. Adding some spices will make the flavor very rich, same as what Kafka-san is having."
"Then... then I'll have the dish you recommend."
Hearing Luke say this, Shiki Eiki placed her order as well.
The serious Yama, today, wanted to taste the breakfast of a famous restaurant outside of 'work', experiencing the life of others...
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