"The man had left his hometown long ago, but his return still delighted those old friends and relatives. They had already learned of the great deed he had done."
"Even though they were the ones who had driven out that noble but unlucky fellow."
Shade continued his commentary. Mr. Asmon changed his posture, shifting from supporting his knee with his right hand to supporting it with his left.
"The people celebrated their old friend's return and eagerly wished to hear stories of his travels. So the Demon obliged them, harvesting every soul during the celebration."
Shade raised his wooden mug and took a sip. This time, he offered no comment.
"The Demon then returned to the man's home and met his family, who had not attended the celebration of the man's return. The first person the Demon met was the man's wife, whose hair had already turned gray, and it directly took her soul."
"Because it had already fulfilled the woman's wish for her husband to return."
Shade spoke quietly. The strange smile on Mr. Asmon's face became even more obvious.
"Yes, yes."
He drew out the words.
"The Demon then found the man's eldest daughter and youngest son. They had long since grown up, and the former lived here with her own thirteen-year-old son. The Demon politely asked the thirty-year-old woman: 'What is your wish?' The woman had seen the Demon devour her mother, so she said: 'I wish to protect my son.'"
"She was devoured by the Demon."
Shade sighed softly.
"The Demon then politely asked the man in his thirties: 'What is your wish?' Knowing that he would die, the man summoned courage equal to his elder sister's: 'I wish to protect my nephew.'"
"So he too was devoured by the Demon."
Shade sighed again.
Mr. Asmon