Sacerdos' Relived Ordeal

“By your will. I have made a mistake, I lied that the families were divided, and traded this rumor for payment from the press...”

Through the window, the Family head noticed that the eyes of that reporter were avoiding his, waiting warily for his response, just as in countless other “confessions and absolutions”. By all custom he would use words of comfort like the sound of a bell to make the faithful repent of their sins. But right at this moment he turned his head unconsciously, wanting to say something and then stopping, letting the metal pendant give out a crisp sound beside his ear.

“I know very well that this is entirely groundless. By the blessing of the Great Deity, the whole Family is united as one. This is the wish of every member of the Family, and it is also the reason the members of the Family throw themselves into the arms of the Great Deity.”

The confessor showed deep remorse for the sins he had confessed and resolved to change, receiving the forgiveness of baptism within harmonious sound. The Family head closed both eyes and recited the sacred words of blessing...

“Very good. Show your sincerity to the other members of the family, clear up the rumor, and harmony can be restored. Go in peace.”

What sin is there in telling the truth? The tones rang out evenly, yet weighed as heavy as a yoke. He sighed and shook his head.

“...Send in the next one.”

“Reporting to the Family head, these people claim they have important business and need to meet you. Quite a few among them have suspicious identities, and their manner of entering the dream is very unusual...”

The uninvited guests who had intruded into the dream were standing in a neat line. As one would expect, the evildoers would be expelled and the impostors detained. He said nothing, yet everything was already arranged. The innocent had witnessed his wrath, and in their eyes shone both expectation and worry... Afterward he smiled and held out his hand before them all as an invitation, to express recognition, and also to display authority.

“You are honored guests of the Oak Family, and of course you will be treated with care. Perhaps you are curious about how I am able to render a fair judgment, allow me to explain briefly. It is because the “way” you are practicing has already crossed with my “way”.”

Servers, artists, the unemployed... every doubt in their hearts was dispelled. They understood the sincere meaning of the invitation, and no longer troubled themselves over it.

“To let the guilty receive the punishment they deserve, to let the guests receive the courtesy they are due, a harmonious melody must be exactly like this.”

The Family head was both gracious and dignified, enough to make the guests trust him. He looked around once and slowly bowed...

“Welcome to the Oak Family.”

“...If birds are born without chains, then what is it that binds my fate♬?”

On the day of rehearsal, the young Family head tucked himself into a corner of the stands. He did not want to distract the attention of the singer upon the stage, and wished only to accompany her delicately. Wearing the ceremonial garb, he sat up straight and became the only audience at that moment. Amid the familiar melodies, his mind returned to childhood, when she also stood upon a “stage” and sang, and he was also the only audience...

“It has been a long time since you sang so happily... I built you a stage, though... it is a little plain.”

At the concert of the two of them, he promised that one day he would fulfill her dream, and let her step onto a larger and more brilliant stage.

“Let my heart bravely spread its wings and soar, through the deep night, in search of the pure moonlight♬...”

He was stunned for a moment, then faced the reason he did not dare draw near the stage... To wear the ceremonial garb was not in order to come and enjoy the performance, but so that he could leave at any moment.

“Congratulations, little sister. Both of our dreams have come true.” he said softly.

“Go, you are free, chosen one who dares to cross your own limits. Break your wings, go down to the mortal world, walk upon the ground, and see the true shape of this world.”

Ever since then, he has often pondered the deeper meaning within the words of the upper ranks of the company. He walked into the noisy streets, he walked along the quiet shore, from first to last he kept walking without pause, but in truth he had never taken a single step... He had never doubted the firm character he possesses, nor had he ever doubted his ability to carry things through with resolve. Next time, before standing up, he intends to halt and feel the hardness of an ideal falling to the ground...

“The mottled stones have been soaked with the blood of animals and the sweat of men, yet they remain as cold, as rough, and as hard as they ever were...”

As the head of the family, he has enlightened far too many lost sheep and shown them the right road. But when facing himself, those gentle words of comfort seem to have lost their miraculous power, and no longer have any effect at all... He needs no reproach, and still less does he need sympathy.

“Only a muddy road gives rise to those who persevere through hardship. Keep walking, I will learn more from failure than from success.”

Before truly setting out once more, he has time enough to slow his steps and rearrange the threads of his thought, only to go on circling.

“Walking needs no complicated philosophy. When one road cannot be walked, simply change to another, that is all.”