Chapter 3: BECAUSE YOU ARE A GOBLIN, AND GOBLIN IS A PUNISHMENT

My little Ancanta has just left me, and even though it has been more than fifty years since Ancanta died, my heart is filled with nostalgia. I blame myself as well as my own fate. If I had not adopted Ancanta at the time and had allowed her to live a regular human life, she would now be married with children and enjoying a very happy life.

I used to stroll around old shops, rereading novels that Ancanta had read, but everything seems to have vanished. The world is always changing, and mankind grows according to a set of rules. On today's streets, there are various vehicles and equipment that have steadily gotten more contemporary. Yes, I'm a goblin, and I don't change, but because of my identity, I always have to change my last name and identification. My current name is Michel Lee.

"Good day, Mr. Lee. I received a call from the police stating that there is a problem with your passport and ID card; my name is Henry, and I am the attorney that represents you in resolving the issues you are experiencing. Please provide detailed information so that I may best assist you." I hired an attorney to handle a slew of human required documents.

"I am Asian Italian, and my parents are traders who import textiles. I am currently a real estate agent, my proofs are all written in the report, I don't understand why I can't go back to Asia because of these few problems" I sighed, letting the other man named Henry absorb the information that I had given him, hoping that he will do his job well and not let me down too much.

"While it is true that all of the information is clearly stated in here, and there may be no errors in the paperwork, so I can tell you that these papers will be handled neatly and will not cause you any discomfort and you're not in big danger again again." The man was still staring down at the papers on the desk, not even glancing up at me; he looked nice, at least he didn't let me down when I hired him. That in the universe is an elf who has been in this planet for hundreds of years and is not terrified of gods like me having to become embroiled in these convoluted papers?

The lawyer continued to review all of the paperwork as I sipped a hot cup of Italian coffee; I wasn't too busy, but I also didn't want to wait too long. It's been so depressing for me that I truly want to leave this location. Perhaps the lawyer Henry sensed my rush, since he grinned with a peculiar smile, and for a little period, that smile was captured by me, so I stared at him carefully.

"Perhaps the gentleman here has some pressing matters to attend to. I won't keep you waiting too long, but I'm hoping you can answer one question?" stated the lawyer, " Mr. Lee, it won't take much of your time. Mr. Hector, I'd prefer address you by your first name. How come you haven't aged in such a long time?"

I stared at the lawyer, the body had begun to sweat; he was neither a god nor an elf. He's obviously a mortal, but how did he know my old name? I'm conflicted about killing him; shouldn't I? Or should I give him to some slacker god to cope with these celestial issues? "Who are you?" I inquired again, warily.

“You certainly don't recognize me, venerable Mr. Hector, but you changed my life around fifty years ago, when I was a terribly mistreated ten-year-old in the house of my despised aunt." The lawyer carefully removed his spectacles and looked up at me with a set of dark eyes that were shaking "You remember the loaf of bread you gave me that year; it saved my life and made me remember it for the rest of my life. You haven't changed at all."

"Are you truly the child from that year? It it true that the world is truly round, walk around and meet someone you know," I asked again, my tone a little skeptical. "That year was merely a helping hand; I didn't anticipate you to become my legal representation. I'm hoping you can assist me with these problems."

"You may be confident, Mr. Lee, that I will assist you no matter where you are or what your name is. Assume I repay the money for the old bread you purchased for me "Henry remarked, his eyes gleaming.

I stood up to go; perhaps this encounter is also regarded lucky; if I hadn't helped that young Henry that year, I'm not sure I'd be at comfortable with a jumble of my papers today. In this world, cause and effect are always circular, so I smiled, turned to Henry, and said, "Of the hundreds of individuals I've helped, perhaps you're one of the few who can achieve like that, and I'm very glad for that."

Henry stepped up; he and I appeared to be around the same age, yet he lowered his head respectfully to thank his old benefactor for his assistance. I feel really soothed, and assisting others is also a delight in this world. I waved my hand so that the people around me wouldn't pay too much attention, and then quickly left the coffee shop.

Wandering through the historic neighborhoods of Italy, I suddenly understood that the more people grow, the more they yearn for the past. These streets were long ruined by the renaissance conflicts, but they have since been reconstructed as an endless memorial to humanity's past. I saw myself again over a hundred years ago, alone and calm, as if the gods had overestimated my ability to endure.

Second-hand shop "Bonjour" is always open to greet loyal customers as me, and the proprietor of this business is a deity of books and antique historical records. In addition to needing to take tedious notes, he also created a second-hand bookstore, where he could not only do his task, but also connect with humans more closely.

"Goblin, welcome to come back today; the books you required are sold out; I will not hold them for you." The shopkeeper approached and brushed the dust from the books with his hand.

"Ancient bookshop of yours would not have been daring to enter without me, the volumes were coated in a thick layer of dust, and the contents of the books were just old crap, not suited for this period at all. Let me see, they're just as old as you." I grinned and selected a book off the shelf.

"Humans' favorite thing is nostalgia; before this shop was created on a deserted site, there were hundreds of locations to reconstruct old Rome, and even places to rebuild temples. Worship is practiced again. Oh, doesn't talking about paperwork give you a headache? What did the lawyer say?"

"It was a youngster I knew, the same individual I had previously helped. Guardian gods, this lad recalls the ancient grace to aid me, and perhaps he is also a decent person," I responded.

The shopkeeper's eyes were pensive, as if he was pondering about something. In any case, it's not good for humans to learn the presence of goblins, so I understand his fears. After a few seconds, the god grinned and returned to his desk, pulling out a book from the drawer. The book inside appeared to be old, yet there was no dust on it. Perhaps this deity kept it oddly. He took the book back and gave it to me.

"This is Ancanta's lone surviving diary," he said, his expression mournful. "I know you mourn her, but she's been gone for almost fifty years, human, and she's already living there. It's only that Ancanta departed a bit early this time. But you must believe in fate; Ancanta will return to you sooner or later."

My eyes were a bit watery, and when I saw the diary that Ancanta wrote in his final days, my heart began to ache anew. She is always the source of the most sorrow in my heart; she is the only thing I want to protect in the world, but I can't. Perhaps the shopkeeper realized I couldn't forget about her, so he brought it out on purpose as a farewell present for me, so I could leave a tiny remembrance of my Ancanta.

"I'm departing soon; I've been here too long to live," the God replied. "War is still raging on Olympus, and the gods are struggling to protect the humans. They required my return in order to chronicle the events that occurred. I have one piece of advise for you, goblin: I hope you have a good life. You're an elf, and being a leprechaun is a punishment. This is an unbreakable law; only when you meet your bride will all your old grievances be forgotten."

I appreciated this god's words; he is perhaps the deity I respect the most, because he never stuffs me with fairy stories or awful desserts, like the other Gods do. I saluted the deity and went away, hoping that this "Bonjour" bookshop would become a memorable memory in my mind, but once it's a memory, it's only sad recollections. Yes, I am a goblin, and goblins are a punishment.

Thinking about the old stories, I didn't notice a person ahead of me running towards me; it was so quick that I couldn't react like a goblin. Ancanta's diary slid out of my fingers and was trampled by people on the street, shredding a few pages. I hastily scooped up the journal, feeling immensely uneasy; I wanted to murder whomever made me drop Ancanta's diary.

"Aren't you going to look? If you want, I can send you to hell right now!" ,I yelled.

“Hell? I don't think it's necessary." The youngster rose up, brushed himself off, and walked away. " Sorry for running into you, uncle"

"Wait, aren't you human?"