#tof-confessions5

[dream-meister-translations]

THE TALE OF FOOD

MOONLIT CONFESSIONS - PART 5

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The light of the ripples of the water from underground reflects the faces of the two people before us.

Though he is dressed differently, I recognize him immediately. The thousands of times I'd imagined our reunion and none of them involved meeting him at this juncture.

YIPIN POT : How have you been, Master?

MASTER : Yipin Pot!? What are you doing here?

YIPIN POT : I have always been here. It's thanks to you I was able to enter Guanghan Palace and witness you unlocking the robo-bunny before finally crossing the rock wall barrier.

I realize what he means and unconsciously grip the rock in my hand tighter.

MASTER : Did Yi Ya send you? What does he want?

YIPIN POT : You should be asking what I want.

He shakes his hand and smiles. A violent tremor rocks everything and the Osmanthus sprigs burst from the ground to twine vice-like around my arms, forcing me to drop the rock!

'HENG'E' : Is this sufficient to remind you of your promise?

Yipin Pot takes the rock in hand and carefully wraps it up in his handkerchief.

YIPIN POT : Don't worry. With this, we won't require the guidance of that hare anymore. Once the power of Guanghan Palace's lunar Osmanthus is restored, you can...

YIPIN POT : Ugh!

MOON CAKE : Hero to the rescue! No one can snatch anything from Master!

Moon Cake suddenly jumps out from a corner, diving straight at Yipin Pot. This could be my chance to wrest the rock back from him!

*FIGHT*

YIPIN POT : !!!

YIPIN POT : Moon Cake, there are 0 records regarding the present Guanghan Palace. Did you ever consider why?

Yipin Pot murmurs into Moon Cake's ear as he brushes past. Moon Cake stands still, stunned.

MOON CAKE : You're saying...No! That can't be! What nonsense!

YIPIN POT : Yes, it's just my hypothesis. But now I'm inviting you to witness the truth for yourself with your own eyes.

MASTER : Don't listen to him, Moon Cake!

I anxiously tear the Osmanthus sprigs wound around my hands, but the force rebounds me into the glass tank.

MASTER : Ugh! That's a lot of blood...

MASTER : Why are these Osmanthus branches multiplying over and over...I can't get loose. Rats!

I promised I'd protect him, protect Guanghan Palace...I can't give up!

MASTER : As long as there's one person, one person who can help me get free of these Osmanthus sprigs, I can...

MASTER : Please, please...Help me!

??? : ...

??? : This power...Who could it be...

His breast shines with a glimmering glow, the tank's surface begins to crack. Immediately after, both the heavens and earth appears to shake violently.

ROBO BUNNY : Warning, warning. Damage to the glass room sustained has caused tremors. Tunnel and chamber will collapse within thirty seconds. Thirty. Twenty-nine, twenty-eight...

The walls of the tank break as he escapes and turns to look at me. His eyes are shaded by lenses and impossible to fathom.

??? : Plants are growing where they shouldn't. Activating gardening module.

MASTER : G-Gardening!?

Before I can say any more, several robotic arms issue from the rock walls, chopping down all the Osmanthus sprigs entwined around my limbs in the blink of an eye.

Like a rusted machine, he turns to Yipin Pot, body jerking. His head is vibrating slightly, as though scanning something.

??? : Good-looking suspect, suspicion level : 95%. Activating offensive module.

The shattering blast of cannon fire reverberates about the tunnel, thick grey smoke and the smell of gunpowder begins to fill the room.

YIPIN POT : Hehehe, Master, you appear to have awoken a rather nasty monster.

YIPIN POT : We don't have long, Osmanthus Wine. Let's withdraw.

OSMANTHUS WINE : ...No.

OSMANTHUS WINE : Why is the insignia on this robot the same as that on your handkerchief? Yipin Pot, are you part of the Micians too!?

YIPIN POT : ...Never mind.

Yipin Pot looks at Moon Cake. Moon Cake does not hesitate and follows him with an air of determination.

MASTER : Moon Cake, are you...Really going to go with him!?

MOON CAKE : Sorry, please don't worry about me. I just want to see the thing he's talking about for myself... It's about Guanghan Palace, I can't sit here and twiddle my thumbs!

ROBO BUNNY : Second warning, second warning. Tunnel collapse commencing. Three, two, one...

The tunnel begins rocking violently once more. In the confusion, Yipin Pot and Moon Cake's bodies form an arc as they jump up and out over the rock wall.

MASTER : Moon Cake!

I haven't quite gotten my balance back before my sight-line suddenly gets a boost.

??? : You can't stay in the danger zone, frail human.

??? : The risk of a geological disaster is extremely high. My propeller stove is about to start up. Please hold onto my head but do not take off my glasses, thank you.

??? : Three, two, one, ignition!

I hear a deafening bang as a hole forms in the rock wall thanks to the explosion. I am greeted by the welcome sight of sunlight as it filters down onto my head. And we are launched into the clouds, as though we were riding on a rocket.