kscans

Chapter 95 - The Judge's Melancholy

After finishing the cleaning and greeting the temple priest, I headed to Shinbashi with King Enma. The kind of drinking establishment under the railway tracks that King Enma was probably imagining. I knew several places that fit the bill, but there were so many to choose from. So I decided to pick the one I was in the mood for today.

"How is it, Yama-san?"

"Mm. Delicious. Especially this kakiage with baby sardines and edamame... I can't stop drinking this cold sake."

"That's excellent to hear."

The combination of piping hot tempura and crisp, clean cold sake with little aftertaste is criminally good. You could drink endlessly with something like this. I'd say it's one of the great perpetual motion machines of cuisine. By the way, "Yama-san" is the name King Enma specified for himself. It would be tiresome to keep saying "Great King this, Great King that," so we settled on something appropriate from one of his names.

"But you know, this tempura is so good... it's making me want white rice."

"Hey now, if you fill up on rice at this stage, you won't be able to keep going."

Well, I mean, folks like us could eat as much as we want if we really tried.

"I understand that well enough. But even so, it's only human nature to think such things. Forgive me, forgive me."

King Enma cheerfully gulped his sake. ...Whether in Japan or elsewhere, the role of underworld judge is the ultimate in thankless work. Unless humanity goes extinct or something, the job truly never ends. That's exactly why I want him to enjoy his occasional holidays.

"By the way, what are the other Ten Kings up to?"

When Japanese people think of judgment after death, they probably picture King Enma. That's not wrong, but there are other judges in the afterlife. The group called the Ten Kings, including King Enma, oversee the trials. Incidentally, King Enma's turn is fifth... but since the king before him is called the Fifth Official King, it gets a bit confusing.

"Naturally, we can't all take time off at once, so we take turns with our vacations."

This year, because of Hades' attack, his colleagues were considerate enough to let King Enma take a longer break. What good coworkers... though even this "long break" is only three days starting today. Considering their intense workload, I think they could use a bit more rest, but this is probably the limit... what a harsh world.

"When their turn comes, everyone will enjoy their vacation in their own way."

"The Ten Kings' holidays... I can't imagine at all what they do."

"That's because you strangely deify us."

Well, you are gods. I mean, I get what you're trying to say. You're basically talking about the kind of fantasy people have about idols.

"Even so, for Japanese people, the Ten Kings... or rather King Enma in particular is a special existence."

Hasn't everyone been told at least once? That if you lie, King Enma will rip out your tongue. I certainly was. My grandparents and mother used to say it all the time. Since it was often used when scolding us, it's natural that we'd view King Enma, and then the other Ten Kings once we learned about them, as special.

"Ripping out your tongue now wouldn't cause you the slightest pain or inconvenience."

"True enough."

I can survive having my heart destroyed. Hell, losing my head wouldn't be a problem either.

"Well, in any case, please don't regard us too solemnly."

"I see."

"If you get the chance, you should visit the other kings as well. They'd welcome you gladly."

"..."

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, no, I just figured I was disliked by gods and buddhas."

Evil gods and wicked deities are different. From their perspective, while I'm one reason the world doesn't fall into chaos, I'm also the root cause blocking much larger currents of change.

"Since my teens, I've blocked several flows that would have brought major transformations to the world."

Hell, if I hadn't been around, even a return to the age of gods might have been possible. Sure, there are still plenty of devout people today, but compared to ancient times... There are probably those waiting for an era when humans bow their heads to gods again.

"I won't deny that such gods exist."

"Right?"

"But we are different. Though we are gods of the underworld, we don't approve of people dying needlessly."

...Completely different from Hades. I suppose even among death gods, those with dominion over death have varying perspectives on these matters.

"Though we know it's impossible, we still wish everyone could live out their natural lifespan. That's why we hold you in high regard for saving people from unreasonable deaths and continuing to connect today's peace to tomorrow."

Even if you have no such intention yourself. When King Enma said that with a wink, I couldn't help but turn my face away. How embarrassing... well, I'm happy about it, but it's still awkward.

"...While I'm asking, what are the other Japanese gods like?"

"Most are favorable. Being rather lenient is characteristic of this country."

That's... well, yeah. Most of the population just picks and chooses the tasty parts of religious events, but you never hear any complaints about it.

"How about showing your face at the Izumo gathering sometime?"

"I'll go if I can make it."

"That's what people say when they're not going."

"I mean if I have time."

It's not that I'm not interested. It's just the timing... I don't know if the gathering is held in October by the new calendar or the old calendar, but if it's the latter... The tenth month of the old calendar generally falls somewhere between late October and early December by modern reckoning... you get it, right? December is busy everywhere, and some places start getting busy as early as October to have a relaxed end of year.

"Ah, you're also a working man in the surface world... mm, my glass is empty."

"Oh, sorry about that."

Having King Enma pour for me is quite a luxurious experience.

"Your company scores high points with me."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed. Right now, death from overwork due to long hours has become a problem."

"Ah..."

"Being diligent is fine and good, but forcing it on others is different."

What a harsh world...

"To begin with, people have their limits. Diligence that exceeds one's capacity is little different from poison."

"So black company managers are basically making people drink poison."

"Though if you ask whether that's automatically a sin, well..."

"There are cases where they can't survive otherwise."

"Indeed. If it's due to circumstances beyond their control, then the problem lies with society itself."

"It's a democratic nation, not a complete dictatorship."

Democracy doesn't mean all public opinion is perfectly reflected. That's impossible. But you can't say public opinion has no involvement in major trends. You can't pinpoint responsibility or say who's to blame, so you can't assign guilt. But if you ask whether there are no consequences at all, well... ugh, seriously complicated.

"Being a judge in the afterlife must be tough."

"Yes... things only get more complex, never the reverse... right?"

"It would take something on the scale of civilizational collapse for that to happen."

Damn, this is making me want to cry.

(Today, I'm going to thoroughly wine and dine King Enma.)