Colosseum
You're going too fast!
Whew... Hermes, are you all right?
I thought my frame was going to break.
Sorry, Hermes.
I don't see what the big rush is...
Still, every now and then, you should use your abilities to the fullest.
If you don't, your skills will get rusty before you know it.
Oh, is that so?
It is.
Also, we're almost at the next country.
I can't trust your "almost."
See? Over there.
I've been wanting to visit this one for a while.
Once we get there, I want to rest in a dark, cool place with the right humidity.
Kino's Journey
What did you say?
Number 24. You've entered our country.
That automatically grants you the right to participate in the fights.
That's a set policy.
Don't tell me you entered our country not knowing about that, boy?
Please don't call me "boy."
My name is Kino.
Besides, I came here after hearing that this country was a verdant land
surrounded by greenery and bountiful forests.
I also heard the citizens here were wonderful, modest people living simple lives.
Hey, hey, that's still true.
This country is a paradise.
So what are these fights?
Every three months, this country holds a competition
over three days to determine who earns the glorious right of citizenship.
The matches are one-on-one, elimination style.
Whoever wins first place is granted citizenship.
They're also awarded a medal from the king,
and allowed to add one new rule to this country's laws.
You can use any weapon you want.
You can yield, but only if your opponent accepts it.
Fleeing gets you the death penalty.
If you refuse the match, you live your life as a slave.
Got it?
Those are the rules of this country.
I see.
I have one question for you.
Huh?
Have you ever had travelers come here ignorant of this, like I was?
On occasion.
They all give us the stupidest vacant looks
when we let them in without saying anything.
There was one not long ago.
A couple, actually, traveling by carriage.
Fortunately for them, they drew each other for the first round.
The wife yielded, and she was spared.
But the husband died in the next round.
That was a work of art!
That was the best show!
Please lead me there.
Knew it.
Huh?
Lead me there.
I'm saying I'd like you to lead me there so I can participate in the match.
Boy, are you serious? Do you have any weapons?
Are you planning to charm your opponents with your cute f—
...ace?
Will this one work?
Your turn'll come up fast.
Bad luck for you.
When did this event start?
Seven years ago.
It was after the current king took over for the old one.
Well, it's a dark, cool place with the right humidity.
I'm so happy.
Are you serious, Kino?
About?
I know you're angry,
but you don't need to go along with this crazy country's rules.
True.
You're still planning to participate?
At least as far as I can go.
Good grief.
Every now and then, I should use my abilities to the fullest.
If I don't, my skills will get rusty before I know it.
Oh, is that so?
You're up, 24.
What happens if someone's hit by a stray bullet?
No protests from spectators are honored, even if one is killed.
That's one of this country's rules.
So that's His Majesty, huh?
Hey, hey, what's this?
My first opponent is this little brat?
Will you yield?
Are you stupid?
Huh?
You fired?
I fired.
Sorry. I yield.
Will you yield?
My, my. To think I'm up against such a puny brat.
Oh, Kino? When did you get back?
Just now.
Also, we'll be staying here tonight.
Oh, figures.
It's no use.
I'll yield.
Thank you very much.
Care to have some fun with this older lady later?
If you'd like to yield, I'll accept it.
I knew it. A flamethrower, huh?
You can't use your flamethrower anymore.
Will you yield now?
Kill me.
What?
The winner survives, and the loser dies.
That's how I've lived my entire life,
leaving hundreds of bodies behind me.
Then I suppose I must.
That's amazing, 24!
The finals are next!
Hey, Kino, what are you doing?
Brewing liquid gunpowder.
That's dangerous.
Why are you doing that?
This increases its density, giving it greater explosive power.
That increases the speed of the bullet.
Oh, right.
I heard about this country from an old man today.
An old man?
The one who calls you 24.
Oh.
Seven years ago, the previous king was assassinated by his son, the current king.
Oh?
The previous king was a good, diligent king,
but he was very strict with his son.
After bottling his rage for all those years,
the son finally exploded and slaughtered his father.
Then he killed everyone who opposed him and became king himself.
However, his wife was overcome with anguish and killed herself.
Their two children were run out of the country,
and no one knows where they are now.
So the king, left alone, made his own selfish rules, making this country the way it is.
The citizens questioned him at first,
but they grew accustomed to having easy lives and doing anything they wanted.
Then other ruffians heard about it and gathered here,
so they started these fights for the honor of citizenship.
The end!
Done.
Were you listening?
Sort of.
I got the gist of it.
Thanks.
You're welcome.
Time to sleep for tonight.
Hey, Kino...
What is it, Hermes?
No, forget it.
Tomorrow, I want you to watch my match from close by.
Why?
So we can leave this showerless country as soon as I'm done.
Kino's Journey
That young man is Kino's opponent for the finals?
Yeah, that's right.
He's incredibly skilled.
Your partner might be in trouble today.
Hmm... Nah, it'll probably be fine.
Actually, I'm pretty sure Kino's plotting something bad in addition to this match,
so I'm more worried about that.
I'm Shizu.
I'm Kino.
Kino, huh? I have one request for you.
What's that?
Please yield to me now.
I'll accept it.
Do you want to become a citizen?
Yeah.
There's something I must do after becoming one.
I'd like you to yield.
I don't know what it is you want to do, but I refuse.
Why?
The answer is simple.
Because I want to fight, right here and now.
That's why.
Incredible.
Well?
He's incredible.
I don't know if this world is beautiful, but it's certainly vast.
Will you yield for me?
No, thank you.
What?
You're strong.
I'm surprised.
But it's honestly about time you yielded.
I refuse.
If we go any further, you'll die.
To tell the truth, I haven't killed a single person in this country yet.
Wow. So?
So...
There's one person I'd like to take out with a bang before I'm done.
You're far too pressured by your need to win.
I lose. I admit defeat.
So what now?
Will you accept if I yield?
Or should I die here and now?
Neither, really.
Kill him!
Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!
Who's behind you right now?
What?
You don't mean...
Duck!
Everyone!
It is unfortunate, but your king has died from a stray bullet.
I offer you my condolences.
I have also won this fight.
I am now a citizen.
By right of victory, I now proclaim my new rule.
Starting right now, everyone in this county shall fight.
The last man standing shall be the new king.
This is my new rule!
What have you done?
Die!
Welcome back.
Thanks.
Wh-What have you...
Drop dead!
Die!
Mister, if you don't want to die,
I'm gonna be king!
you should leave this country at once.
Die, you piece of trash!
Later, mister!
It's been a long time.
It's pretty.
Kino, listen...
What is it, Hermes?
A while back... Quite some time ago...
We met a young couple in a carriage, didn't we?
Yeah.
As I recall, they told us about a wonderful country in the vast forest to the west.
They said that's where they were headed.
They did.
Later on, we the met the wife somewhere, didn't we?
She was alone then.
Yeah.
If I'm remembering right, she smiled and said...
You should definitely stop by that country, Kino.
Well, let's go.
Kino.
You have my heartfelt gratitude for killing my father.
Thank you.
You're the prince?
Was.
Honestly, I was planning to cut that man down when I won and received my medal.
For the past seven years.
Revenge...
is ludicrous.
Yes, it sure is.
Well, what shall we do now, Riku?
Whatever you like, Shizu.
No way! The dog talked! How?!
What's wrong with a talking dog?
Hello.
I'm Shizu's loyal servant, Riku.
In the end, it was thanks to you that Shizu didn't have to kill him.
Thank you very much.
You're welcome.
He's cute. May I pet him?
Go ahead.
Hmph. Pervy dog.
Pardon me.
Oh, that?
It's a memento from my grandfather, so I brought it with me.
I know it's not my place to ask, but...
Are you not going to become king?
I won't.
Why?
A man who's plotted to kill his own father has no right to be king.
Is that so?
Wouldn't suit me, right?
Maybe not.
Colosseum
Kino, if you'd like, shall we head to the next town together?
I know the way.
No, I'll pass, thank you.
I see.
I was taught not to go wandering off after strange men.
Shizu.
All right. Then this is farewell.
I hope we meet again somewhere, Kino. Hermes, too.
Yes, take care. You too, Riku.
Thank you very much.
Later, pervy dog.
See you again, rust bucket.
Hmph!
Riku was cute.
That dog?
I thought you two would've gotten along.
Why? What made you think that?
Hey, Kino!
What do you think I should do, Riku?
Even if I could do handstands, I couldn't lead you, Shizu.
True.
Bothersome Country
Bothersome Country.