Kei
The Queen of Kei, Youko, left Kinpa Palace.
She pretended to visit the Kingdom of En, but...
...Keiki had in fact arranged for Youko to live among ordinary citizens.
Kyou
Meanwhile, Shoukei was sent to the Kingdom of Kyou.
There, she had no choice but to live as a...
...servant to the cruel queen of Kyou, Shushou.
Sai
After Suzu left Choukan Palace, her journey to Kei to meet the Queen began.
On the way, she met a Kaikyaku.
Episode 28
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn, Chapter Six.
Sou
I've been waiting for it...
What?
I've been waiting for the flag to rise...
W-What?
I found this at a market selling stuff that washes up from the Kyokai.
W-What are you talking about?
I was just...
Y-You came from Hourai, right?
Move!
W-What is this?
It's a gun. You don't know what a gun is?
A gun?
But a gun is a lot longer than that...
Get out!
Miss Mokurin.
Miss Sen-nin?
Kaikyaku Brother, what's wrong?
Um, well...
I heard that the new queen of Kei is a Taika.
And the Kirin went all the way to Hourai to bring her back...
So I bet she isn't an ordinary Kaikyaku like that guy.
I think so, too.
She couldn't possibly be a miserable Kaikyaku like us.
But still, all Kaikyaku are born in the same place, so...
...we drew pictures for him, trying to suggest he go to Kei, but...
But?
He probably didn't understand, he doesn't seem to want to leave.
He just keeps following us.
So, we have no choice...
Hey Mom...
Is Miss Sen-nin a friend of Youko too?
I don't think so.
Excuse me, who is Youko?
She was blown to this world with Asano.
She said that she was going to En.
But I heard that the ship she was on was attacked by Youma.
Listen, I'm going to see Queen Kei.
She came from Japan, just like you and I did.
Maybe we could all go back together!
Hey!
A queen?
It's just a character in a story...
I am the chosen one!
Yuka...
What if those people are forcing him to stay there with them?
It's strange that people from this world are being nice to a Kaikyaku, after all.
What should I do?
What did you do that for?
You were about to fall off.
Oh...
This is my first time on a ship.
I understand, but you could die if you fell.
I know.
I don't think you do.
Listen kid, dying means...
Miss, I don't like you.
What's up with him?
I'm not some kid just traveling for fun like you are, you know.
Kei
With the queen absent, the court officials were left confused in Kinpa Palace.
But soon the new Minister of Court, Seikyou, took charge, and...
...gradually started to direct the court in her absence...
...which was something they had been doing since...
...the days of the previous ruler of Kei.
En
Youko ran away?
Keep it down, will ya?
Oh, I'm sorry...
But where did she go?
En.
That's what the public believe, and we issued a passport for her...
...so the ministers in Kei believe she is visiting En.
Then where is she?
I don't know.
Oh no...
I'm sure she had her reasons.
She wanted time to think and live among her citizens.
But...
Perhaps I should go check on her.
You're being overprotective.
We have to have faith in Youko, don't you think?
She isn't the kind of person who just abandons her kingdom and runs away.
You're right.
I think it's a good idea to experience many things.
I arranged for the pass you wanted.
You've got some things you have to take care of too, right?
Yes...
Finally going to get your mother, huh?
It's not time for that yet.
I'm going to Ryuu for a while.
Ryuu?
Why in this season?
Is it cold over there now?
Yeah, and the food there is horrible, too.
I hear that Ryuu is a lawful kingdom.
You're going there to study?
Have you heard the rumor about Youma roaming around the shores of Ryuu?
You must be thinking about Tai.
Ryuu is a stable kingdom.
Yeah, you're right...
I hear Tai is surrounded by Youma...
...and no one can even leave the kingdom now.
Hey, you can borrow my horse if you want.
Don't worry about me. I know someone I can borrow a Kijyuu from.
Really?
I didn't know you had a friend who would let you borrow a Kijyuu so easily.
Kei's capital, Gyouten, is in Ei Province, so...
...Ei is called the Capital Province.
Ei Province stretches from south to north.
A town, Kokei, is located near the northern edge of the province...
...and Wa Province is across the river to the northeast...
...and Baku Province is west from Kokei.
Mom...
It's very cold today. Why don't you come here and sit by the fire?
I have to prepare for breakfast.
Rangyoku, you don't have to work so hard.
You could sleep in like the others.
What is the matter?
We have a new girl coming here today, don't we?
What should I do about her breakfast?
Don't worry, she'll probably arrive around noon.
Good morning! Sis, Enho.
You're up early.
It was so cold, it woke me up!
I want to help, too!
Okay, then go wake the others up.
I got it!
Keikei, what was that?
Youma...
A Kyuuki!
We must run to the village shrine, and stay still under the Riboku!
What about others?
I'm sorry everyone...
Get out of here.
But...
Children must live on.
Are you all right?
U-Um...
Behind you!
Wow...
That was amazing!
You seem to be okay.
Yes...
Um, thank you so much.
Are you from the town?
No...
She is a Kaikyaku.
Kai...
You must be Chuu Youshi.
Are you Enho, the village elder?
She is the one I was talking about. She will be staying with us here for a while.
But Enho, what do you mean, "she"?
Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry.
It's all right. I'm used to it.
Youshi!
Let's go see everyone!
Are there more children here?
Keikei, I'll go with you...
Let's go see everyone.
I cannot kneel down before you. You must not be noticed.
I understand.
I hope you understand that I must treat you as an ordinary guest.
That's what I'm expecting.
I didn't know Youma still attack the villages.
They will soon disappear...
...because Kei has a new ruler now.
Kyou
Excuse me...
How long do I have to...
Oh, my precious doll...
I will dress you up in a beautiful dress.
A sparkling hairpin shall bring you happiness.
I had so many things like these too...
Everyone showered me with gifts.
Are you finished?
No, not yet.
I shouldn't have let a young girl do this job.
I understand how you feel, but you shouldn't touch the treasures.
If anything happens to them, there'll be trouble.
Yes, ma'am.
One time, I snuck out and tried a coral hairpin on...
...thinking that it would make me look pretty.
And how was it?
It was disappointing!
People like us never look good in jewels and silk.
For that, you need to have beautiful fair skin like pearls, and silky hair.
That's true.
But we have the use of our arms and legs.
As long as we have our health, we can keep working.
You're still young and pretty.
There is nothing you need to be jealous about.
Those treasures are supposed to be mine.
But Queen Kyou and Queen Kei took them away from me.
It's unacceptable.
I'm going to take them back from them...
...everything from them!
I'd look a lot better in any of these clothes than anyone else.
Of course I do, because they are mine!
If Gekkei doesn't get punished after stealing the throne, then neither will I.
Queen Kyou...
No, Queen Kei is my target...
She's just a girl from Hourai.
If she weren't chosen by the Kirin, she would've lived as a miserable Kaikyaku.
I am a lot more worthy of being a queen than she is.
That's right, I will take her throne!
I'll take the throne from Queen Kei, and return to see Queen Kyou.
And then I will tell her...
"You shall give me all the treasures you gave to Gekkei."
Oh, my precious doll...
I shall give you a gorgeous sash, too.
It is a beautiful sash with a red coral jewel.
Oh, my.
She's done it now, hasn't she?
Your Majesty. As I warned you before, you were being too harsh on the Princess.
She was once a princess...
I wish I had a shorter Taiho like En's Kirin.
Your Majesty...
It must not be easy for someone who was once a princess to...
...work from morning to night, kneeling down to others.
But she still has no right to steal from me.
You Kirin just don't get it.
I may live more luxuriously than these people...
...but, with this privileged life comes with great responsibilities.
If I weren't doing my job, I would've been beheaded like King Hou a long time ago!
Am I wrong?
Shoukei had no idea just how great the responsibility was.
I have no sympathy for lazy people who always...
...try to run away from field work or cleaning just because it's hard.
It's an utter insult to the ones who do the job!
I understand that it's in your nature, but be careful who you sympathize with.
Forgive me, your Majesty.
Raise your head, please.
Now I understand there are a lot of temptations on your job...
...yet nothing like this has ever happened before today.
That's no excuse, I should've been more cautious...
It's not your fault.
Keep up your good work.
Your Majesty...
Dispatch the royal army to hunt down Shoukei.
Also, tell the officials of Han and Ryuu...
...to hand that criminal over as soon as she's caught.
Yes, your Majesty.
Sou
There he goes!
Where?
He's over there!
Stop! You aren't getting away!
Stay back!
What's he holding?
Come on, you can't get on board without a pass.
If they check your pass in En or Kei, we'll get into trouble!
Wait!
Please wait!
What are you doing?
I'm going to Kei, too!
Excuse me, but I can pay for him if that's what you want.
Yeah, but he still needs a pass.
But he's a Kaikyaku.
A Kaikyaku, eh?
But he should've been given a pass in the kingdom he entered first.
You didn't get a pass?
Will this do?
It's issued in Kei.
Oh, Seishuu.
But this is a woman's pass.
Like it matters on a ship.
Come on, I showed you a trick yesterday, didn't I?
We can't argue with Seishuu.
You'd better thank him.
Oh right, he doesn't understand us.
You are just like me.
I feel so sorry for you.
Just because you can't communicate, everyone is so cruel.
Hey Miss.
I want to thank you.
You said you have money, right?
I'll sell you the pass if you want.
I thought you gave it to him because you felt bad.
Why would I do that?
Because he's a Kaikyaku, just like I am.
Yeah, I know.
He was washed ashore from Hourai, and can't speak the language, right?
But then why can you speak the language?
That's because I'm a Sen-nin.
Anyway, we Kaikyaku go through a very difficult time in this world.
We can neither communicate nor go back to our home.
Well, cheer up.
There are many people who can't go back to their homes.
You don't understand it at all!
Sure I do.
Many people have lost their homes in war and had to leave their kingdom.
That's different. They can still go back to the place they were born.
They can build another house.
Do you know what it's like not to be able to go where you belong?
I don't think so!
A kid like you wouldn't understand it!
I don't feel sorry for someone like you at all!
What were you guys talking about?
See, this happens all the time.
The people in this world hate us just because we're Kaikyaku.
They don't even know anything about us!
You're right. The world hates me.
That's why I'm going to destroy it.
Don't worry. I'll protect you.
Kei
Thank you, Youshi.
Were you praying for us, too?
I'm sorry...
You shouldn't be.
You saved Enho, Keikei and me.
There's no need for you to apologize. Why would you be sorry?
I'm the one who should be sorry.
I abandoned the other children, and just tried to save Keikei.
We lost our parents before we left our kingdom.
I'm the only one who can protect Keikei.
But still, you must think that I'm such an awful person...
No.
But if something like that happens again...
...I will probably do the same. I will protect Keikei.
Yeah...
I wonder what I'm supposed to protect.
I was counting the sands of time without realizing.
In a false dream I became speechless.
I would stare into the fire...
...as I swore to be true forever.
Let my prayers be heard, I will overcome hardship...
...and keep my oath until the end of the world.
The rat sits down on a chair.
He notices Shoukei and bows, "Nice to meet you," he says.
The Twelve Kingdoms, episode 29.
Episode 29
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn, Chapter Seven.