Episode 19
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of the Maze, Chapter Five
{\3c&HFFFFFF&\4c&H808080&\c&H23373D&\3a&HFF&\4a&HFF&\fnPoor Richard\fscx70\fscy70\move(191,157,190,166,18,2228)}Koukai
When the summer solstice came, many people of Tai went on a...
...Shouzan to see if they would be chosen as the next ruler.
Among them was Lord Gyousou, the general of the royal army.
He was a famed swordsman, his name was even well known in other kingdoms.
Many people believed that if anyone were to be the ruler, it would be him.
However, Taiki did not receive a revelation when he met Lord Gyousou.
Taiki felt somewhat relieved that...
...there was no ruler among the people who took the first Shouzan.
From that day on, it was his daily routine to visit Lady Risai...
...and then stop by at Lord Gyousou's camp.
He even begged us, which he rarely did, to let him go on a...
...Suugu hunt with Lord Gyousou and Lady Risai.
Youma are not the only danger in the Koukai.
There is also quicksand and poisonous swamp gas to be concerned about.
You must promise us that you will not put the Lord in any danger...
...and that you'll return him safely at all costs.
Of course, we would never put the Lord in any jeopardy.
If...
If you should find yourselves in an unavoidable battle with a Youma...
...one of you must take the Lord and get him to a safe place.
Even if it means leaving the other behind.
Are you asking our general to forfeit his life?
Lady Teiei...
We asked the Lord to come along only because we are sure we can protect him.
You seem very confident.
I hope you are not overestimating yourself.
The Lord is the Kirin of my kingdom...
Who else would be more concerned about his safety than the people of Tai?
Perhaps, it is you Nyosen who think too highly of yourselves, is it not?
Excuse me, Lord Gyousou...
I'm very sorry about the Nyosen.
To tell you the truth, I don't know how to transform myself...
So I can't turn into a Kirin and run away.
And I don't even have a Shirei yet...
That's why the Nyosen are very worried about me.
That's why...
My Lord...
We need not rely upon your Shirei.
So please don't worry.
Um, I do have a Nyokai, though...
That is very reassuring.
My Lord...
Are you afraid of me?
No...
Um...
It's just that sometimes you seem very uneasy around me.
Do I reek of blood that much?
No, it's not like that.
Tell me my Lord, in what way am I lacking?
I don't know how to explain it, but...
Please tell me whatever you can think of.
It's like fire...
Fire provides you warmth and light, but...
...if the fire is too big, you feel scared.
A large fire is beautiful and awesome...
...and it's just like that.
I am amazed by you...
...but I can't help feeling afraid.
I'm sorry...
I really don't know how to describe it.
I have asked you an inappropriate question, I apologize.
That's okay.
My Lord, you are a very good child.
I'm just...
You are sincere and kind.
A wonderful future awaits the Kingdom of Tai.
What could this be?
These are bigger than Keito's.
It might not be a Suugu.
Perhaps it is something bigger.
Let's take a look.
Strange, there's nothing here.
Wait, there is a faint scent in the air.
Faint?
They can't smell this?
It goes deeper...
My Lord?
Let's turn back.
I don't like this place.
We're just going to take a quick look.
There is nothing to worry...
Risai!
Are you his Nyokai?
Take the Lord and retreat to Mt. Hou immediately!
My Lord!
It is too late...
This is the nest of a Toutetsu.
Risai!
A Toutetsu!
My Lord, you are too valuable to Tai.
Please escape!
No, I won't!
Rin, Byou, Tou, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zen...
...Gyou!
Sanshi, go get Lady Risai.
Sanshi!
Lord Shinkun!
Lord Shinkun, Taiki is still inside!
This is beyond my control.
No one in this world has ever encountered a Toutetsu and made it back.
A Toutetsu is not an ordinary Youma.
If Taiki wishes for you to save her, you must respect his word and do so.
No Kirin has ever made a Toutetsu submit...
...nevertheless...
I feel his power increasing...
But why?
It is almost noon...
The energy of life will now turn into the energy of death.
Time is in favor of the Youma.
Taiki...
Lord Gyousou, please escape.
It is impossible.
I cannot move my leg.
You must gain absolute control over the Youma with your will...
You were born with the will of a Kirin.
You must master it to dominate the Youma.
Submit...
...and become my Shirei!
Submit!
Creature of evil, surrender thyself!
May the shadow and light be united!
Kimi Koubuku, Onmyou Wagou...
Kyuu Kyuu Nyo Ritsu Ryou!
Submit, Gouran!
I wish it were a Shiba dog...
I can never repay the debt I owe you for saving my life.
Tai has been blessed with a great Kirin.
I cannot believe it...
The Kirin managed to master a Toutetsu...
That evening, Taiki returned to the palace...
...with the Toutetsu as his Shirei.
Houro Palace was overcome with joy and wonder.
Lord Gyousou!
As the Lord was glaring at the Toutetsu...
...his power completely overwhelmed me...
To possess such power, yet not be conscious of it...
That worries me...
He made a desperate effort to save me, however...
...if he only uses his full power to protect others...
...he may not protect himself.
That is what concerns me.
I see.
Nevertheless, he is a splendid Kirin.
Such a shame...
Lady Risai!
How are you feeling?
The sacred water you brought me works wonders.
My wound does not hurt anymore.
I'm glad to hear it...
...but I hope it won't leave a scar...
Please do not worry yourself over me.
I may not look like it, but I am a Sen-nin after all.
You are a Sen-nin too, Lady Risai?
All kings, queens and Shuukou are Sen-nin.
Meaning that they are immortal.
So it is essential for those who serve them to be so also.
Are you saying that kings and queens don't get older?
This does not apply to rulers only.
It also applies to Kirin.
Me too?
The Nyosen do not age nor fall ill, either...
...so telling you about it must have never occurred to them.
So I will never get older or die?
That's right.
Not unless the ruler enrages the Heavens, and causes you to suffer Shitsudou.
Shitsudou?
Anyway, I may be able to go down the mountain soon.
My thanks are yours.
The people are making their plans to descend the mountain...
...so they can reach the gate by the autumn solstice.
I believe Lord Gyousou wanted to go on a Suugu hunt on the way down...
...so he must've already left...
My Lord...
My Lord!
Please give me one last chance to offer incense.
I am sure that you will receive a revelation this time!
Have you no shame?
Do you wish to make a fool of yourself?
Lord Gyousou!
My Lord, I'm glad that I was able to see you.
I was just about to leave the mountain.
Right now?
Yes, my Lord.
I met a group of travelers who requested my company down the mountain.
Also, I would like to hunt for a Suugu on the way back.
B-But if you are the general of the Royal Army...
...I will see you again someday, right?
Unfortunately...
...I do not intend to return to the army.
I shall resign as a Sen-nin and leave the Kingdom of Tai.
Why must you do so?
I am not used to being ashamed.
I must accept that I was simply not fit to be a king.
It will be good medicine for a conceited fool like myself.
This will teach me to be a little more modest.
Take good care of yourself.
I pray to the Heavens that your time in the Kingdom will be peaceful.
Gouran...
Yes.
Would you follow Lord Gyousou to the Reison Gate?
To make sure he gets there safely?
I cannot leave your side right now, Taiki.
Even on my orders?
Your safety is more important than anything.
It would be different if he were the King...
I thought you were leaving with him for sure!
Me too.
Lord Gyousou seemed to be interested in you as well, Youka.
Don't be ridiculous!
But, it really is a shame.
People can only go on one Shouzan in their lifetime.
You may never see him again.
Lord Gyousou seemed to be perfect for the throne.
I wonder why there was no revelation.
I wouldn't know.
That is something only the Kirin would understand.
If Lord Gyousou were the King, he could've stayed here a little longer...
You may still be able to catch up with him, Youka!
Stop it!
No Taiki, you must not go out at night!
Taiki!
Gouran!
Taiki...
What a magnificent Kirin...
So you successfully transformed...
I would like to congratulate you.
I am greatly honored to see such a rare Kirin in this form, however...
...that was a little careless, don't you think?
Lord Gyousou...
Lord Gyousou.
My Lord?
I swear never to desert my...
No...
He isn't the King, I shouldn't do this...
...post before your throne.
I swear never to disobey your orders.
Accept my loyalty to you.
I accept.
You have my gratitude, Taiki!
You may be young, but you have made the right choice!
We would like to congratulate you, Lord Gyousou.
We wish for the long reign of King Tai and the Tai Taiho.
After Taiki chose King Tai, they were welcomed into Tankei Palace.
Lord Gyousou became the master of the Lord of Mt. Hou...
...whom we, the Nyosen, served.
We had to be very careful not to be rude to the new ruler of Tai.
Lord Gyousou no longer needed to bow to the Nyosen or Taiki.
While everyone was celebrating...
...only Taiki seemed troubled by something.
He didn't want him to go...
...so he chose Lord Gyousou as the King without receiving a revelation.
No wonder he was tormented...
No one ever suspected what was happening?
Your Majesty is a Taika, so you may understand his feelings.
But at that time, there was no one to empathize with him.
Or rather, no one was able to.
Are you sure you feel well enough to descend the mountain?
Yes, and thank you for your concern.
Excuse me, but may I see Lady Risai off?
Risai, we shall meet again in Tai.
Yes, thank you very much.
Um, Lady Risai...
Yes?
You told me about the sickness, called Shitsudou...
A Kirin suffers Shitsudou...
...when its master contravenes the will of the Heavens.
When the sickness gets worse, the Kirin dies and...
...eventually the ruler dies as well.
Contravenes the will of the Heavens...
Do not worry, Lord Gyousou will never do such a thing.
I'm sure he will become a great king.
You have nothing to worry about, because...
...the ruler is chosen by the Heavens.
Taiki, what is the name you had in Hourai?
Kaname Takasato
It's Kaname Takasato.
That's a good name.
To the Kingdom of Tai, you are indeed "Kaname", which means "core."
And your surname...
Kouri
There is a peak called "Kouri" on Mt. Hou.
It is believed to be the place where the dead live.
It's so ominous that it might bring good luck.
Well.
From this day on, I shall call you Kouri.
I am going to let him...
I am going to let him die.
The day Lord Gyousou would receive the Tenchoku...
...and be officially enthroned as the King...
...the Heavens would punish Lord Gyousou.
That was what he believed.
The 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.
A little child sits by the throne.
His hair is different from other Kirin, but if he sits there...
...he must be a Kirin.
The Twelve Kingdoms, Episode 20...
Episode 20
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of the Maze, Final Chapter
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of The Maze, Final Chapter.