This story has content warnings for rituals for the dead, and the narrator has lost his wife to cancer. That alone tells you that he’ll read the story with passion. I believe that must’ve been special for him.
The MC being named Ashwright reminded me of Askeladd from Vinland Saga. They look alike: someone who works with ash and gets laden with it. The story also has a Witcher/Claymore vibe. The talismans on the MC’s chest reminded of a witcher’s talisman, he does supernatural jobs for money, and talks just like Geralt or Clare.
The lone wandering ronin is a trope that I like a lot. In many stories we see a man--almost always an ignorant hunk--wandering around with a child. Lone Wolf and Cub started that, but it was popularized by The Road and The Last of Us. In Ashwright, the child is walking with the MC, just not physically.
He losing someone being the reason why he was so committed to his work was predictable, but well-executed. While he was working, I kept thinking, “Ok, so where’s your dead son or master? I know they’ll be showing up sooner or later!” Seeing the reason why earlier in the story would’ve made him more compelling, and wouldn’t leave waiting for his dead daughter to appear for more than half of the story; however, I like the way it has been revealed: in a fight.
I also liked the fact that the ritual didn’t work at the end. It defied expectation, and tells you that he will just keep trying. That’s when the story reminded me more of Berserk (R.I.P. Miura Kentarou): the theme of fighting, as a man, destiny and casualty.
Good story.