Episode 8
Shadow of the Moon, the Sea of Shadow, Chapter Eight
Kou
I have become aware that the evil Kaikyaku is still alive.
I also heard that she slaughtered the Kochou in Goryou the other day.
She's still alive...
Child...
I know you are a good Kaikyaku.
That is why I did not wish to send you into battle again.
So you sent me there to hide...
It doesn't matter, I'm ready now, Your Majesty!
Good, then I shall ask for your help once more.
However, she will recognize you with that face of yours.
Kourin...
Kourin, give the order to your Hinman.
Setsugo...
Do not fear, my child.
This is what you wished for.
Sugimoto, you should leave here.
I may still be able to send you home.
I will ask His Majesty, so...
Why would I want to go back?
This is where I truly belong.
Here, I have a purpose...
I should be thanking you.
That's right...
You are sick...
The Hinman will translate the language for you.
And with that hair, no one will suspect that you're Kaikyaku.
Blend in among the soldiers at Agan and go to En.
Why do you think Nakajima...
...I mean, the Kaikyaku is going to En?
She could go to Kei or Sou by land, couldn't she?
Trash like Kaikyaku and Hanjyuu all go to En.
But why?
What's going on there?
They're burning down the village.
Why?
It's the plague.
The infection will spread unless you burn the whole village.
The plague still exists here?
It happens often.
She's not on the ship, did you find her?
There are too many people.
This play is different from the last one I saw...
Mister, you've never seen Shinki?
Shinki?
Uh-huh.
It's a story about how Tentei created this world.
It's a myth...
Once upon a time, Tentei chose five gods and twelve people...
...and turned everything else into eggs.
Tentei handed each of the twelve people a branch with three fruit.
Each branch had a snake coiled around it.
And the snake lifted what is now the sky, and the fruit fell...
...and created the land, the kingdoms and their thrones...
...and the branch became a pen!
What's that?
I told you, it's Shinki...
It's not from any Chinese mythology I know, I've never heard of it.
There isn't supposed to be a single god in China...
Then where is this?
Thank you for coming, it has been a pleasure.
Well, we don't need to check each one of them.
What's wrong?
I'm going to get on the ship now, so I won't miss the Kaikyaku.
Then it's decided.
Just hold on a second...
This is something we all agreed on.
But you said you weren't planning to go to En.
We're Shusei, we go wherever we want.
But...
It will be fun for us to travel by ship for a change.
Yeah, we're going on the ship, all of us!
Um, yeah...
Youko!
Youko, where are you?
The ship is leaving!
Nakajima isn't on the ship?
Hey...
Koutetsu...
Were you following me?
There's nowhere to run on a ship...
...and if you got caught, they'd find out you were with us, and then...
Is that it?
You all have done so much for me.
Thanks...
...I needed to say that.
I wanted to thank you too.
You've been doing your best, I couldn't tell you to leave us alone any more.
Right...
Follow me.
Hey.
What?
I brought him.
Kid, can you jump over?
Take the rope off of there and jump onto the boat.
Yes.
You sure about this?
What if I'd just sold you to them?
If that's what you were doing, you'd be acting a lot nicer.
They'll take you to an island called Fugou.
You can catch up with the ship there.
Okay.
Here.
This is the proof of Shusei, it means you don't belong to any kingdom.
If something should happen on the ship, tell them you're a performer.
No, I can't take yours.
It's not mine, it was my sister's.
My sister and I used to travel alone, always on the run from the officials.
I let her die, it's my fault.
I don't want you to end up like her.
Damn it.
Why am I telling you such a story...
Thank you.
We'll catch up with the ship for you, so you'd better work hard!
Hey, bring that load over here!
Yes, sir!
Hurry up!
Yes, sir!
If you get lazy, we'll throw you out!
Yes, sir!
I'm not comfortable being with so many people either.
Boy, that feels better.
Oh, you've never seen a Hanjyuu before?
Uh, no...
Well, there aren't many of us in Kou.
King Kou doesn't like Hanjyuu to study in school or have a job...
Even my own parents wouldn't let me out.
That's why I'm going to En.
When Kou becomes a better place, then maybe...
It's not King Kou's fault.
It's the Kaikyaku, they bring famine and plague.
I don't believe that.
I probably shouldn't say this out loud, but...
...I think he will cause a Shitsudou.
Shitsudou?
It happens when the king loses his senses.
Everyone is saying that...
...the Heavens are angry with King Kou, that's why the Youma are everywhere.
What will the Heavens do when this Shitsudou happens?
People say that the Kirin falls ill first.
Oh, look over there!
It's Fugou!
Look!
When we pass that island, it's not Kou anymore...
And after the Sea of Kei is En!
Wait.
Here are some steamed buns, eat them inside.
Thank you very much.
Youma started showing up around the village...
We were wise to leave there.
What the hell do you think you're doing, you piece of trash!
How dare you drink from the human's liquor!
What's your problem, we aren't in Kou anymore.
Stop acting like that.
What's that?
Do you know how disgusting you look?
Stay in human form in public!
No, I won't.
What's that?
We're going to where anyone can do anything they want.
We're not in Kou anymore.
How dare a Hanjyuu like you speak of Kou like that!
What about you, you're officials from Kou, aren't you?
Why are you escaping from Kou?
He's acting suspicious.
He must've committed a crime in Kou, so he's escaping to En.
We should send him back to Kou!
Good idea.
Wait a minute!
I used my money to get on this ship, I haven't done anythin...
That's for the officials in Kou to find out...
Hey.
That's enough.
Who the hell are you?
I'm...
I'm the...
Please hold on.
Hear now!
The Kaikyaku has crossed over the Kyokai and brought calamity to this world!
The evil Kaikyaku controls Youma and threatens people with her sword!
Take a good look at this beast!
What's this, a sword dance?
We're the Shusei.
We travel to tell stories, play music and perform Shinki in the towns.
The Hanjyuu are rare creatures, so we use them as part of our show.
All right.
If he's your Hanjyuu, you better put a leash on him!
Thank you so much for saving me!
I just did what you would do...
...I did what I wanted to do.
And you, I want to thank you too!
That's true, I couldn't have done it if you hadn't stepped in there first.
I just...
I just did what I thought was right.
You're very brave.
A little while ago, I would've probably just stood there and watched.
That's what anybody would do.
No, I was just a coward...
I never took sides, all I cared was whether people liked me or not...
So I avoided conflict...
You wanted to look good, right?
Yes, or at least I was trying to...
But at the same time, I was hurting so many people.
My parents, my teachers, and my friends...
But it's too late...
I can't go back now.
Yes...
You realized it too late...
Have you found her?
No, not yet...
Have you forgotten this Oumu and the Hinman inside you are Kourin's Shirei?
I will take it from here.
Please let me handle this!
I have already sent another Shirei.
There will be no escaping for that Kaikyaku now.
Your Majesty, there are innocent people on the ship!
Besides, you could wake up other Youma in the sea...
Why don't you have a little mercy for the people of your own kingdom!
Your Majesty!
Are you trying to save yourself?
Those Youma are after me.
If I leave, they won't attack the ship.
Don't lie, I know what you're doing!
Why are you...
If you die here and now, it'll be better for everyone.
What?
Whatever happened to Asano, I bet you left him for dead somewhere.
Sugimoto, is that you?
But your face...
This is my world, I'll change my face if I want to.
If you could do it, why can't I?
Stop it, Sugimoto!
I'm the warrior who's been called to this world to defeat the evil Kaikyaku.
I must kill you!
Because...
...it is my destiny!
We both ended up here by accident, we will go home!
This is where I belong now!
You said it yourself, it's too late to go back!
I'll go home!
Even if we could find a way home, it wouldn't be the same!
I thought there was no reason to go back...
...but I was just being lazy and a coward.
I always chose the easy way out, that's why I never stood up for myself.
But if I get to go back, no, when I go back...
...I will change myself!
I just need a chance, so I can start over!
You've changed a lot.
You think so?
But it's too late...
It's Youma!
Get back Youma, she is my prey!
Hinman, make them retreat!
W-What's happening?
Get out of here...
The scent of Youma must've attracted Jyouyou, it eats other Youma...
Jyouyou is too powerful, there's nothing I can do.
Get out of there!
What happened to him?
Somebody tell me!
He jumped out to protect me and...
I can't understand what you're saying!
Please speak the language you were speaking before!
He was protecting him from Youma, but he got killed.
He did what he wanted to do.
Sugimoto!
This is the Kingdom of En...
Shadow of the moon reflects over the Sea of Emptiness.
Let's sleep in the soft silver luster for now.
In my memory, I kept looking for...
...warmth in the lonely rain.
Even if my body dies, I will keep running...
...until I reach the rainbow at the end of the world.
The man stands a head taller than Youko.
He is a big man but not a brute.
He just smiles.
The Twelve Kingdoms, Episode 9
Episode 9
Shadow of the Moon, the Sea of Shadow, Chapter Nine
Shadow of the Moon, The Sea of Shadow, Chapter Nine