I see it, Hakumei.
Huh?
There's the border of Makinata.
Oh, that's it!
We can get there sometime today.
You've been longing to be here, right? What do you think?
I don't know anything from just the gate...
When we get there, let's all have a drink. I'll buy a round for everyone!
I mean, I'd pay everyone back after I move up in the ranks.
Well, that can't happen.
Are there no promotions in the caravan?
Well then, Hakumei...
...this is where we part.
Be careful out there.
Ryokubirou!
I want to stay with the caravan after all!
Hey.
That looks heavy. What did you bring with you?
Self-made explosives.
Explosives?!
If I come across any barrier along the way... ya know?
You'll blow it up?
If I get held up even just a little bit, I may not make it in time.
Episode 25 Memory of Dark Red Hair
We're going to Koyou Oiwa tomorrow morning, right?
I wonder if you'll be able to see Ryokubirou's caravan.
According to the newspaper, they're going south on their way back down the trade route.
Things would be easy if she dropped by Makinata, huh?
And tomorrow is Makinata's pioneering festival as well...
Konju has been in high spirits due to her new stage.
Her tent turned into a tsukumogami at the last harvest festival.
Well, nothing can be done about that.
There's a size limit to enter Makinata.
Ryokubirou was many times bigger than the upper limit.
Oh, there is a rule like that, isn't there?
Hm? Hakumei?
Right, let's hurry.
First we go out on the Hinochi main road, and head to Kaharu Bridge.
When we cross the bridge, we'll ride the ropeway to Koyou Oiwa.
KOYOU OIWA EAST KIOU
If can get on the ropeway today, we might make it there on time.
Just barely, right?
The Hinochi main road...
...it's that unused highway, isn't it?
To the public, yes.
But there are those that still use it even now.
Is that so?
This road is very...
Watch your step!
Since the road is like this,
it's used by a lot of travelers who want to avoid being seen and street racers and such.
It's kind of early to get a ride with those guys, though.
I suppose so...
Oh, look. There's one.
What's this? A hairball?
I dunno what it is, but it's likely alive.
Hey! How about taking the two of us to Koyou for 500?
I'm not going to Koyou.
I'm going towards Kaharu Bridge. That will be 500.
That's expensive. Will you run there for that much?
You gotta pay in advance.
You can go faster than this.
Don't be stupid. You're gonna fall.
Hey, Hakumei. Tell me more about the Ryokubirou Caravan.
They helped you out when you were homeless, right?
Yeah.
The shopkeepers of the Yashiro region made the Merchants' Peace and Order Caravan Unit.
Of course they did business,
but they were even a top-rate intelligence and combat organization.
They went on expeditions five times a year in order to do trade.
The plan is about ten days, but at the longest about a month passes.
When there is no business, they assumed the role of vigilantes in the city.
I heard that even the notorious burglars of Yashiro take a break in between those times.
What they especially fear, though, is the leader, Ryokubirou.
She's an old wolf woman who takes charge of all the caravan's activities.
She has one eye and her fur on her body is a whitish grey. Her age is unknown.
The tip of her tail is dyed a stylish green.
A long time ago, when there were only a few members
and they were mainly working the jewel and alcohol trade,
they say a band of thieves that held a grudge followed behind the caravan all the way from Yashiro.
At one spot on the journey back, on a moonless night, they set fire to the campgrounds.
They had plotted to take advantage of the confusion and attack straightaway.
However...
the caravan had realized it was an ambush.
Did you think our lack of manpower would be in your favor?
Will you be killed here, or help carry our cargo?
You choose.
So one thing led to another, and the number of members in the unit increased...
By the time I'd met them, they had several dozen members aside from the main unit.
They're a principal part of the country now.
Wow. Was it the main unit that found you when you collapsed in the street?
That's right.
That means they come all the way to Makinata. They only did that just for you, Hakumei.
Well, about that...
I heard the reason why they did it that once.
Huh? What is it?
Well, Ryokubirou...
Since she liked my red hair, she said she'd like to see it just a bit longer.
Oh?
But it was just uncomfortable for me, and if I say so myself, this worked out well for me.
You're going to meet those guys?
Yeah. I think we won't be able to, but I wanted to get at least a glimpse.
Is that so...
Then I'll hurry it up a bit for you.
Oh, thanks for that.
Hey, right up ahead is Kaharu Bridge.
How long are you gonna sleep?
Motion sickness...
But something seems strange here.
Everyone's gathered around. I think they can't cross over.
What?!
So one part of the column has started to rot...
I'll fix it right now!
Please don't be unreasonable.
All you can do now is take the detour, right?
If we do, we won't make it in time.
Well, I did promise to take you to the other side of the bridge...
Huh?
Do you have anything to tie yourselves down with? I'll bring you over.
Hey, can you climb up the other side?!
Don't talk! You'll bite your tongue!
What's this? This rock is...
What's wrong?
The path to the opposite shore is blocked.
Even if we push it out of the way there's no footing to cross it.
What're we gonna do? There's no alternative route.
Good thing I brought it with me!
Yeah...
Will just that one explosive be okay?
Yeah. Maybe.
I'll give you a signal after I light the fuse, so hurry and get away from it.
You aren't scared, are you?
Okay, I lit it!
Now we can pass!
Amazing...
Why do you have such a dangerous thing?
For fun as well as for profit.
Hey, we've crossed it.
We did!
What'll you do now?
We're going to the top of Oiwa by ropeway.
On the gondola? It's going to close soon.
Huh?
This early?!
What are we gonna do? Run?!
About how far are we from there?
P-pretty far is how far we are!
Will we m-make it in time?!
I-I-It's gonna be really hard to make it in time!
We have to get going right aw-
The gondolas are still running!
Two adults!
You can pay at the arrival point.
Thank you, you've helped so much!
Yeah. Hope we can meet again, my friends.
It'll sway immediately after departure and when it moves upwards, okay?
Right.
I'm glad we made it.
This is my first time in a gondola.
Off you go.
Are you okay?
That hurt.
Huh? Where are the explosives?
Whoa, you're stepping on it! You're stepping on it!
I'm hungry.
Want to have a late night snack?
Peanuts!
Yeah.
By the way, there was something today I didn't quite catch.
Huh?
Didn't you ever think to join the caravan? Leave Makinata...
You can go to so many different places, and they like you, right, Hakumei? That sort of thing.
Yeah, well...
At the time, I intended to go with them. I had even gotten well acquainted with the caravan.
Well then, why did you stop in Makinata?
Since I heard it was a strange country, I wanted to go there once.
Also, Ryokubirou stopped me from joining.
Really?
Well then, Hakumei...
...this is where we part.
Be careful out there.
Did you know that there are restrictions on size?
Yeah.
Can't do anything about it.
I'm disappointed.
I heard that Makinata is a strange place made of travelers gathered together. I was looking forward to it.
Even so, being turned away at the gate just because of your size...
I hate that type of thing.
Ryokubirou!
I want to stay with the caravan after all!
You can't.
We're going back to Yashiro. You don't want to go back to Yashiro, do you?
Rules are also another part of Makinata. You've seen nothing but the gate yet.
Since you can go anywhere you want to go, please live here.
Hakumei.
If you ever feel you want to leave, let's all travel together again.
At that time, my hair was long, but I cut it on the spot, and gave it to Ryokubirou.
I'd like her to remember my red hair.
Well. You're not going to grow it out again?
I won't. It's a pain when it's long.
What in the world?!
We've arrived!
We're already here?
Morning.
Here's firewood. Use as much as you want.
Thanks.
You came to see the sunrise, right? Please take your time getting there.
Thanks!
Sunrise, huh? That sounds nice too.
I can't see anything.
It's maybe about two or three hours until dawn.
I'm so tired I can't move, but I'm still wide awake.
Indeed.
Hey, Hakumei.
Hm?
What do you think now? Since you've lived in Makinata.
I'm not sure... I don't really know.
But...
I think it's a place I can come home to.
Looks like the sun will be up soon.
Yeah.
Huh?
No! This isn't it!
What isn't it?!
Look closely! This is the direction they came from!
We were watching the opposite side!
Then does that mean...
THERE THEY ARE!
Huh?!
Ryo...Ryokubiro!
I can only see her rear!
So they passed by before I realized it.
Hey! Everyone in the caravan!
I'm doing well over here!
Alright, shall we go home?
Already?!
It's fine. I knew that my voice won't reach them from here.
Her face...
I'm satisfied with just being able to see her rear.
Hakumei...
There's one more, isn't there?
Huh?
One more thing that makes a loud noise.
Hey, Miss Operator!
What is it?
I have a favor to ask you!
So, throw this high up in the air, right?
Yes.
Since it's so small, it's hard to throw.
Can I attach a rock or something to it?
Yeah.
Even though it's small, it's an explosive. And I'm unstable on my feet.
Please throw it as high as you can!
Leave it to me! I'll show you some refined, pulley-working shoulders!
Okay!
Now!
What's that?!
An attack?!
I'll check!
What is it?!
It's okay. It was a self-destruction. You guys take a look too!
Is that...?
What the hell is she doing?!
I'm relieved that she seems alright.
Hakumei. Your hair... You kept it short, huh?
You gonna respond to her, Boss?
Of course.
Well, let's go home.
Okay.
I'm looking forward to the festival.
Yeah!
"The Whereabouts of the Dark Red Hair"
Keika "Boss, is around here good?" Ryokubirou "Please put it a little lower."
Keika "It's gotten pretty tangled, want me to braid it?" Ryokubirou
"I'll leave it up to you."
Keika "When it's in the sun, it really shines deep red, huh?" Ryokubirou
"Perhaps it's too flashy."
Keika "You're already plenty flashy, Boss.
Now, don't move."