This is vague, but...
Vague, but?
Sometimes I wonder... Am I a hopeless, foolish, petty person?
Am I a really underhanded person?
I'm not sure why,
but sometimes I feel that way.
Sometimes I can't see it any other way.
But it's during those times that I always find other things,
like the world
or the way other people live,
to be wholly beautiful and wonderful.
They become very dear to me.
I want to learn more and more about them,
and I think that's probably why I travel.
I know that so long as I travel,
there will be plenty of hardship and sadness lying on the road ahead.
But that doesn't make me think I should stop traveling.
Traveling is fun,
and even if I have to kill others,
I still want to continue doing it.
Besides...
Besides?
I can stop anytime I want.
So I want to keep going.
That make sense?
Frankly, I don't really get it.
That's fine, too.
Really?
Maybe I don't really understand it, either.
Maybe I am lost.
Maybe I'm traveling to understand that more.
Well, I'm going to sleep now.
We still have a long way to go tomorrow.
Goodnight, Hermes.
Goodnight, Kino.
A Country Where People Can Kill Others
Kino, are we in the next country yet?
We're almost there, Hermes.
Is your "almost" two whole days?
That's what they called it in the last country.
Uh-huh...
There's a horse.
Looks like someone's there.
Let's stop, Hermes.
Hey.
Good afternoon.
Hello.
Are you from the country up ahead?
No. I'm on my way to it.
That's great. I'm heading there, too.
Hey, carry half my things.
I can't do that.
Yeah.
Aw, talk about unfriendly.
I could make off with it, you know.
I could get there before you and sell it all off.
Hmph! Whatever.
Anyway...
Do you know about that country?
I don't know much,
but I've heard it's a very polite country.
Who told you that?
That's totally wrong!
Listen, in that country,
you can kill people.
What? What do you mean?
Murder isn't prohibited by their laws.
Though theft is, for whatever reason.
So that's why you're heading there?
Yeah, of course.
I'm going to live there.
In the country where I was born,
public order was ridiculously well-kept,
and everyone got along like fools.
They'd give you the damn stink eye just for hitting someone.
That's why I up and left.
So what about after you move in?
Who knows?
For now, I'll try living there...
and maybe I'll kill someone I don't like.
It's a land where I can be myself.
Oh?
Besides, you guys have heard, right?
The great Regel lives there.
No.
Don't know him.
You must be from deep in the sticks.
The great Regel is a famous serial killer
who headed up a cell of terrorists and bandits in the big country south of here.
They caught him once,
but he's so good that he escaped prison before they could hang him.
That was a few decades ago,
but the fact that he still hasn't been caught must mean he escaped to that country.
I bet he's been living his days free to kill all he wants.
He must get all kinds of respect.
I'd love to have him teach me a few things.
I see. Well, we'll be on our way.
Huh?!
Jeez, you're no fun at all.
Hey!
You really won't help me carry anything?
No. Please manage your own traveling gear yourself.
Think that's it?
Yeah, probably.
It might be crazy inside.
Maybe.
Got Cannon ready?
All set.
And the Woodsman?
No problems there.
Mentally prepared?
For now, I am.
Well, let's go.
A three-day stay, huh?
Will you be bringing that motorrad into the city?
Yes, please.
Do you know that murder isn't prohibited by law in this country?
Whether you're a traveler or a citizen,
everyone here is free to kill anyone for any reason without being criminalized.
Do you understand that?
Yes.
And you genuinely still want to enter?
Very well. Go ahead.
What a strange country.
Hm? It looks pretty normal to me.
Yes, it's normal.
The streets are clean, many people come and go,
there are are hardly any police,
and there aren't any stores with heavy shutters.
They're even friendly to travelers.
The food's good, too.
Meaning?
The public order is great.
That's what makes it strange.
Oh, I get it.
You hoped to see gangs of scoundrels strutting around,
or people killing each other over women in the bar,
or dogs just walking around with human hands in their mouths.
Something like that, right?
Too bad.
No, it's not that I hoped to see that, but...
Goodnight, Kino.
Hermes, do you feel like waking up yet?
We're going out once I finish breakfast.
Let's take a look around this country.
Here's a little extra for you.
Everyone ought to give travelers a bit on the house.
Thank you very much.
Anything else you need?
I'm all set.
Is that to deter theft?
Oh, I've never had a robber come in here.
That's...
for killing people.
Oh? When?
Well, when, indeed?
You never really know when, so I always keep it there.
Kino's Journey
This is our country's specialty.
Enjoy.
Kino?
Life is full of challenges.
How was it?
Good.
My, are you a traveler?
Oh, you must be.
Hello.
We just finished with our dance group before coming here.
We do it twice a week.
At our age, you have to make exercise a habit.
I see.
What can I get for you?
I'll have the usual.
Yes, of course, the usual, please.
The tea here is always so good.
Traveler.
How about some of this country's special dessert?
I'm sure it'll make a good tale for your travels.
Maybe share some stories from beyond the wall in exchange?
I'm sorry.
Too late. Kino worked hard enough to polish one off just minutes ago.
Oh, I see.
Then how about tomorrow during morning tea?
Hey, Kino.
Will you eat it again today?
It'll be easy with two of us.
How long will you be staying in this country, Kino?
I'll be setting off today, after this.
I see.
It sounds like you've been traveling through many countries.
How far will you be going?
I don't know.
Then perhaps your motorrad knows?
No way!
Well, then, how about settling down here in this country?
I think a person like you would be well suited for our country.
What kind of person?
Someone who can kill others.
I see. That's a bit disappointing.
Thank you very much for today.
I'm glad I got to hear your stories.
Thank you.
No, thank you.
I enjoyed the treat.
I found you!
You!
On the motorrad!
What is it?
Leave all your stuff right there!
What for?
Your travel gear must be pretty heavy, right?
So I'll help relieve you of it.
I'll use whatever I can,
and sell what I don't need
to pay for my lifestyle here.
No, thank you.
If you refuse, then I'll kill you here and now!
You've joined this country, then?
As of now, I'm a citizen of this country!
But you're not acting like it.
Huh?
Who gives a crap about that?
What's your answer?
I'll decline.
That's it for negotiations, then.
Hermes, sorry, but I'll be counting on you for a bit.
All right. Just make sure you patch the holes later.
What are you two yapping about?!
What?! You coward!
You're not even gonna draw?!
Are those persuaders on your hips just decorations?!
You heard him.
I'll give you a quick death...
So don't hold this against me!
Ow!
Damn it!
Shit!
Who did that?!
You...
What's with all of you?!
My, my, how dangerous.
If you shoot like that and miss, you could cause an explosion.
Wait...
I'm sure of it.
That's my—
What the hell?!
Damn it!
What the hell?
What the hell's with you all?!
You mustn't do that.
It's wrong.
That's why we stopped you.
What's so wrong with it?!
Damn it! Ow!
I'll answer your question.
Here, in this country,
killing another is not permitted.
You damn liar!
I came all the way here because I heard murder wasn't prohibited!
Exactly right.
That's why we're all gathered here now.
That's right.
Exactly.
Indeed.
What the hell are you talking about?!
You see, in this country,
those who have killed another,
those who have tried to kill another,
and those who are trying to kill another
are killed by everyone here.
What the hell?!
That makes no sense!
In other words, "not prohibited" does not equate to "permitted."
Screw you!
Who the hell do you think you are?!
Me? No one all that special, really.
I'm just an average citizen.
An old man named Regel.
I'm sorry,
but you're dangerous.
Y-You're...
It's always hard
when a comrade dies.
Take care.
Thanks.
There's a horse.
Yeah.
Looks like someone's there.
Let's stop, Hermes.
Hey.
Good afternoon.
Hello.
Are you from the country up ahead?
No, I'm traveling.
I just left that country.
I see.
There's something I'd like to ask.
What is it?
I've come all the way here because I heard that country is a safe place to live.
Is that true?
Yes, that's for certain.
Though to what extent depends on your perceptions.
Where I'm from...
It was an awful place.
I had to kill many people just to protect my own life,
even though they probably just wanted to live normal lives, too.
I don't want to kill anyone else.
I want to live somewhere safe.
I see.
In that case, I'm sure you'll like it there.
Really?
Thanks.
Well, we'll be on our way.
Oh, I want to ask one more thing...
No, never mind.
It's too weird.
I'll find out for myself.
Farewell.
Yeah.
I wonder if it's really true...
that they serve mountains of crêpes in that country.
A Country Where People Can Kill Others
Hey, Kino.
What is it?
I've been meaning to ask for a while.
Why only three days in each country?
A traveler I met long ago said
that was just about the perfect length.
Is it really?
Kino, are you still awake?
Yeah, I'm awake.
Motorrads are happiest when they're running.
Going on a journey means running every day.
Therefore, traveling's very fun.
Huh?
Where's this coming from?
Don't you know, Kino?
It's a soliloquy.
Syllogism?
Yes, that.
What about it?
Well, I found it curious,
but then I got to wondering why you're traveling.
I mean, I know you don't have a place to go home to anymore.
But you've been in many awful situations on the road, even nearly killed.
Don't you ever think about settling down somewhere?
I'm sure you could find a job anywhere with persuader skills like yours.
You could have made a living at Master's place, too.
Yeah. I agree with you there, Hermes.
Then why do you continue traveling despite that?
Well...
This is vague, but...
Colosseum
Colosseum.