By evening, Yoko and I made our way toward Sake & Meat Niz.
The restaurant had been reserved for a private banquet today, although we hadn't actually posted a sign to that effect. This meant that any regular customers who happened to wander in were in luck—as the representative of Village Five, I was the one footing the bill for everyone today.
I felt a slight urge to question why the party receiving the apology was the one bearing the financial burden, but Yoko assured me that the gifts we had received in restitution were worth far more than the cost of the meal. I decided it wasn't worth quibbling over the small stuff.
However, the crowds were already spilling out of the shop, with people holding their own banquets outside in the freezing air. I wondered if that was really all right.
"Don't worry," Yoko said. "Even if they get drunk and fall asleep in the snow, the Security Team will surely collect them before they perish."
That wasn't exactly the kind of concern I had in mind.
"?"
If things kept going at this rate, the entirety of Village Five was going to turn into one massive party.
"Heh heh heh. Likely so. It is quite fine; the village’s finances will not buckle over something of this magnitude."
I knew that, but wouldn't those who couldn't attend feel left out? Besides, there was a limit to our stock of meat and sake. It was still winter, and it would be a problem if the stores were emptied.
"Those who do not participate while a banquet is held throughout the village are clearly staying away by choice. There is no need to trouble yourself over them. Ah, and the members of the Security Team will be participating in shifts. As for the inventory, I have already instructed the staff not to release amounts that would cause future hardship. Have no fear. As a precaution, I have already told Miyo in Shashato City to begin buying up meat and sake, so we will not run short."
Hmph. The image of a flawless administrator. I wanted to be that capable one day.
Although the crowds were overflowing into the street, seats had been prepared inside for Yoko and me. We were led to a table in the second-best spot in the house. Niz and Seiten were already there, well into their cups. Seiten looked quite far gone already. Had he perhaps started drinking right after the official apology proceedings?
If so, I could understand, but I wondered if it was okay for Niz to be drinking instead of working. Apparently, her employees were well-trained enough for her to step away. Moreover, since Niz was personally involved in the incident, it was deemed better for her to participate as a guest rather than act as a server.
I suppose that made sense.
Next to Seiten sat a familiar figure—the human form of the Tiger Sacred Beast, Sangetsu. He had apparently come to town to stock up on sake, discovered his acquaintance Seiten was here, and joined in. Since they were both Sacred Beasts, it wasn't strange for them to know each other. He even mentioned inviting the Elephant Sacred Beast, Ganeshui, next time. I didn't mind the guests, as long as they avoided causing trouble.
The moment I sat down, Niz smoothly began grilling meat on the wire mesh in front of me. Simultaneously, Seiten pressed a cup into my hand and filled it with sake. This was clearly a situation where I was expected to eat and drink. When I shot a questioning glance at Yoko, she gave me a firm nod of confirmation.
I offered a quick thanks and we toasted. I took a cautious sip of the sake—drinking it all at once seemed dangerous—and waited for the meat to finish cooking.
One thing that bothered me, however, was the empty table in the very best spot in the shop. It was large enough for ten people and fully set with food, yet no one was sitting there. I asked Niz if we were waiting for more guests.
"That is the God's Seat," she explained. "Lord Seiten is a Messenger of the Monkey God. For me, a Messenger of the Snake God, to host a banquet for him while excluding the gods would be impious. Therefore, we have prepared a seat to offer them worship."
I see. It made sense for a priestess like her to be so devout. Still, to an uninformed outsider, seeing the best seat in the house empty seemed like an invitation for trouble.
"It is quite all right. People understand if we explain it properly."
"Is that so?"
"Well, there are some who convince themselves it must be the Village Head's seat, but..."
"Are you explaining it properly?"
"I am! I tell them it is the God's Seat."
Then why did they keep assuming it was for me? I began to worry that some strange religion was taking root in Village Five.
Putting that aside, I asked if I should build a shrine for the Snake God sometime.
"Would that truly be acceptable?" Niz asked.
"It would be a small one, but yes. You've been a great help to me, Niz. I'll look for a spot near the shop."
"Thank you very much."
The moment Niz spoke, the empty "God's Seat" flashed with a brilliant light. Startled, Niz ran to the table and returned with something in her hands. It was a palm-sized object, glowing with an emerald hue.
"Um... it appears to be a Snake God's Scale. The god has instructed us to make it the Object of Worship."
Hahaha. I suppose that meant the Snake God was eager for that shrine. I'd have to make sure to build it as soon as possible.
As the banquet progressed, Yoko waited for the right timing to explain the incident involving Kon to Seiten. When she tried to offer a formal apology on Kon's behalf, Seiten stopped her.
"Ah, that was all factored in. I was prepared for a certain amount of trouble the moment I hired the Silver Fox Race. There is no need for apologies."
"Is that so? Still, I feel quite bad about it..."
"We animal-types inevitably clash with other races," Seiten said with a shrug. "However, the trouble caused by the Silver Fox Race is of the mild variety. I don't mind at all."
"I appreciate your grace... are you truly certain?"
"Hahaha. Once you have to look after the Monkey Race, you will understand. Certainly. If you like, shall I recount a few of our own incidents? They aren't particularly interesting, and they will make the sake taste like ditch water."
"Ah, no, let's save those stories for another time," Yoko replied. "Sake should be enjoyed while it tastes good."
"Quite right! Now, Lady Yoko, drink up!"
"I shall. However, it doesn't change the fact that Kon and the others caused a problem. I feel I must impose some sort of punishment."
"Hmm. Kon and her group aren't participating in this banquet, are they? If so, being excluded is punishment enough."
"Understood. Lord Seiten, Sacred Beast of the Monkeys and Messenger of the Monkey God... I, Yoko the Nine-tailed Fox, offer my thanks once more on behalf of the Silver Fox Race."
"Too stiff! From the start, there was no trouble. Let us leave it at that."
"Then allow me to offer you a drink."
"With pleasure."
The diplomatic hurdle with Seiten seemed to have been cleared. I was lucky he wasn't the type to hold a grudge. I decided I would provide him with some extra-special parting gifts when he left.
Night fell completely, but the banquet showed no signs of stopping. As the host, I couldn't exactly leave, so I remained at the table. Seiten and Yoko, however, had reached their limits. It was the first time I'd seen Yoko truly wasted. I suppose she couldn't refuse when Seiten kept offering her drinks.
She seemed to have completely forgotten about the meeting with Zabuton's Children scheduled for after the banquet. I felt a pang of worry for her. Niz, on the other hand, was drinking just as much but showed no signs of collapsing. She was remarkably strong.
Sangetsu the Tiger was... well, I wasn't sure. He was singing or perhaps reciting poetry while drunk. I didn't know enough to judge the quality of his verse, but I really wished he wouldn't write it directly onto the walls. It was going to be a nightmare to clean.
Suddenly, someone pushed through the crowded shop and marched toward us. It was Saint Seles, and she looked absolutely livid.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"I'm the one who wants to know what's wrong! What on earth did you do?! The animal gods are all shouting at me at once, and my head is pounding!"
"Eh?"
"I don't know exactly what they want, but the words 'Village Head' keep coming up. They're all screaming 'Me too!' and 'I want one built for me!'"
Ah. It was definitely because I'd promised to build a shrine for the Snake God. When I looked over at the God's Seat, I saw all sorts of glowing gold and silver objects had appeared on the table. When I looked at Niz, she pointedly averted her eyes.
"T-The Snake God had nothing to do with this," she muttered. "Neither did I."
I see.
"The loudest one is the Fox God, most likely," Seles continued. "He seems to be calling for Lady Yoko... oh, is she asleep?"
"She's just dead drunk. I'll tell her when she wakes up."
"Please do. Ah... the voices have subsided. It seems the Higher God stepped in and silenced them."
That was a relief. "I'm sorry for the trouble, Seles."
"No, I should be the one apologizing for barging in and shouting. It isn't your fault, Village Head... the ones at fault are the gods who force their way into my head."
Once her headache subsided, Seles's mood improved. I expected her to head home, but she stayed.
"To tell the truth, I haven't had dinner yet. Would it be all right if I joined you?"
"Of course. There’s plenty of meat and sake to go around."
The banquet showed no signs of ending. Then, the passed-out Yoko began to float into the air. Looking up at the ceiling above her, I saw several of Zabuton's Children. It seemed they had run out of patience and decided to take Yoko away themselves.
What should I do?
"Village Head," Seles said, gesturing to the grill. "It's okay to cook this meat too, right?"
"A-Ah, yeah. That cut is best if you sear it right there."
"Right here? Then I'll do three slices at once. Oh, you'll eat too, won't you? I'll add three more for you."
...
I'm sorry, Yoko. If neither of us was here when Seiten woke up, it would cause a diplomatic incident. I'll come to rescue you once the banquet is over. Please pray that Seiten wakes up early.
With that silent apology in my heart, I continued to participate in the banquet.
As it turned out, Seiten didn't wake up until the following morning.