Episode 18
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of the Maze, Chapter Four
Koukai
During the summer solstice, many people of Tai would visit Mt. Hou.
And Taiki needed to have Shirei to protect him by then.
However, Taiki had just returned from Hourai.
He was not even able to transform into a Kirin, and did not have any Shirei.
He began worrying that he might never be able to transform.
Around that time...
...I was invited by Lady Gyokuyou to Mt. Hou to meet with Taiki.
I did not know how to teach him to transform...
...so instead, I just showed him my metamorphosis.
From then on, Taiki became attached to Keiki...
...and he was flying everywhere mounted on his back.
Is that so?
Taiki and I took many trips to the Koukai.
There Taiki would practice taming Youma.
Rin Byou Tou Sha...
...Kai Jin Retsu Zen Gyou!
Creature of evil, surrender thyself...
The shadow and light must...
Okay, I'll get it this time!
Wait, Taiki.
That is not a Youma.
Then what is it?
That is a Youjyuu.
People can train a Youjyuu to be a Kijyuu, however...
...you cannot make it into a Shirei.
Good boy...
Fascinating.
It may be a Youjyuu, but this kind is not easy to tame by any means.
I've been always good with animals.
Would you like a ride?
Yes!
It seems that you two became very close.
Yet, I was not able to help him obtain any Shirei.
I am sorry that I could not be much of help.
It is not easy to teach how to use the powers that are given by the Heavens.
Nevertheless, I am glad to see his admirable efforts.
Taiki...
Taiki!
You must wake up, Taiki.
You're going to see the Kei Taiho off today, aren't you?
Taiki!
Kei Taiho.
Taiki, it is time for me to bid you a farewell.
Do you have to?
Yes, her Majesty and the people are waiting for me in my kingdom.
I apologize that I could not be much of help.
That's not true.
I wasn't a good student, it's my fault.
I'm sorry.
That is not true at all, Taiki.
You must not rush.
The Kirin are created by the Heavens.
Tentei will surely show you the way.
Kei Taiho...
How wonderful!
Kei Taiho has learned how to be a little more kind to people, has he not?
That's not true, Kei Taiho's been nice to me from the very beginning!
Do you still wish to return to your home?
You told me that I would be able to go home anytime, so...
I'll miss you more than my home right now.
When you return to Tai, I will be the first one to visit and congratulate you.
That is a promise.
Yes!
The summer solstice came, and the Reikon Gate was opened.
The festival began on Mt. Hou.
Hey, Goson!
That's a lovely hair piece.
I stayed up late last night and made it by myself.
Are you going to wear that rouge for the ceremony?
Why not, is there anything wrong?
Say, is there anything I can help?
You can go back to bed, you don't need to worry about us.
Taiki.
The Nyosen are just a little excited today.
Why?
Because many people from the world below are coming here today.
Even an old Nyosen like myself gets a little excited.
I see, but you aren't that old, are you, Teiei?
How old are you?
My...
They are coming.
Do you think the ruler is among them?
Probably not.
Do you prefer there is no ruler among them?
I do.
I don't think I will be able to choose the ruler.
Do you remember what the Kei Taiho said?
The Heavens will show you the way.
So this is where the people gather...
I welcomed the people of Kei here four times a year.
More than ten years had passed since Taiki returned...
...so I could imagine this place was filled with people.
Yes...
Is that a Kirin?
Look, it's a Kokki.
He's still young.
There are women among them too.
Why, of course.
Which would you prefer to serve, a king or a queen?
I don't know...
You can relax now.
Is it okay if I summon Sanshi now?
Yes, but only when the shade is down.
Sanshi!
Sanshi...
Now, the people will come up to offer incense.
And I'm going to see if the ruler is among them, right?
Exactly.
Do you sense the Ouki?
He looked like a pumpkin!
I swear never to desert my post before your throne, and never to disobey your orders.
I pledge my loyalty to you.
That is what you say when you meet the ruler.
But if that person isn't the ruler, what should I say?
Usually, you'd say, "Be well until next time."
Be well until the next time the Gate opens?
That's right.
What if I can't tell if the person is the ruler or not?
Oh, do not worry, you will know.
Taiki?
What is the matter?
I don't feel well...
Would you like to call it a day?
May I go outside?
Of course.
L-Lord of Mt. Hou, it is a great honor to meet you today.
I am Rohaku of Sui Province, in the Kingdom of Tai.
I was born into a merchant family who owned...
...ten ships in Nanyougou, Ba Province.
However, out of the devotion to my kingdom...
...I gave up my Gyoku export business, and decided to go on a Shouzan.
It is truly an honor to meet my Lord.
To wish for your early return to the kingdom and well-being, I'd like to...
Be well until the next time.
O-Oh, I see...
I understand...
Taiki, you let him talk for a quite long time, I was worried that he was the one.
I didn't have the chance to stop him.
He wasn't good enough to be a king?
Well, it does not matter unless you received the revelation.
But if that pumpkin were to be the king...
...the Kingdom of Tai would be unfortunate.
Being king is not about the looks, but good looks sure wouldn't hurt!
Is that right?
Please do not take them seriously.
All that matters is whether you receive the revelation or not.
But still, I have never seen an ugly ruler.
Watch your mouth, we're in public!
I'm terribly sorry.
You just have to wait for the revelation, Taiki.
Be well until the next time.
You don't need to talk to everyone, you will feel it when there is the ruler.
Youka look!
It's a dog!
It has wings.
Would it be all right if Lord Mt. Hou took a look at your Tenba?
With my pleasure.
May I touch it?
Please do, go ahead and pet it.
Kaname!
Kaname, are you okay?
No.
You don't understand, Mom...
That is a Tenba and its name is Hien, my Lord.
Hien is not going to bite?
No, it is not.
A Tenba is a rather gentle creature by nature.
I feel sorry taking it into battle.
Being a general, I wish I could have a fearless Kijyuu such as Suugu.
Excuse me, but you are...
I come from Jyou Province.
There I serve as the general of the army, my name is Risai Ryuushi.
You lead an army?
Yes, I'm doing my best.
Taiki...
Be well until the next time...
Thank you very much.
I wish you the same, my Lord.
Would it be all right if I came to see Hien again?
Why, of course.
Youka!
I have to go take care of something.
It's not unusual for the men who visit here to fall in love with Nyosen.
And some Nyosen toy with the men's feelings.
Some of them really would fall for the men and leave Mt. Hou to be together.
Are you saying Youka might leave Mt. Hou?
It is probably that pumpkin...
What do you think you are doing?
Release the Nyosen and get out of this place this instant!
Why am I not allowed to offer incense?
Goson, you have been banned from the Shouzan.
Where do you get the nerve to show yourself again?
I know you are the Taiki's favorite Nyosen.
Bring Taiki here and make him bow down in front of me!
Have you no shame?
Hurry up and bring him now!
Everyone here is aware that you have been driven out of Houro Palace, yet you...
...brazenly waited for the Reikon Gate to open.
Nonetheless, you want to humiliate yourself even more, Lord Goson?
It is I who caught Taiki in the first place!
I am the King of Tai!
I will not draw my weapon on the land of the Lord of Mt. Hou.
You should be grateful to him.
Youka...
I did not know that you were here.
Taiki, it's okay now.
No one is hurt.
Refrain from causing a disturbance here on Mt. Hou.
We Nyosen possess enough power of Sen-nin to keep the peace.
It seems that I have frightened Lord Mt. Hou.
I would like to invite you to my camp...
...and apologize for the commotion I have caused.
I am General Saku from Kouki Province.
I serve as the general of the escort army of Tai.
My given name is Sou, people call me Gyousou.
Be well until the next time.
Taiki!
I'm scared.
His eyes are red like blood...
I'm so scared.
So nice to see you again.
How did you know it was me?
Hien sounded so happy, so I knew it was you, my Lord.
Perhaps Hien thinks you are his master.
Where is Lady Youka today?
She will join us later, she said she didn't have to worry if you were with me.
I see.
She must be busy.
Since you are here, would you like to have some tea?
It's delicious.
General Saku serves directly under the ruler.
I am just a provincial general, his rank is much higher than mine.
So is Lord Gyousou famous?
Yes, he's a very skilled swordsman, and is much respected.
Not many people are gifted with such military skill and virtue.
To tell the truth, I gave up hope of winning the throne...
...when I heard that he would be here.
Actually, I wish you could be the ruler, Lady Risai.
I am deeply honored.
However, you must not open up your heart so easily to people.
What if I were to take advantage of Your Highness, so you would promote me?
You are not the kind of person who would do such a thing...
...I think.
You flatter me too much, my Lord.
Lord Gyousou's Kirin had a very beautiful Kijyuu that looked like a big white tiger.
Oh, it must be a Suugu.
I have heard about it.
Is that the one you said you wish you had?
That's right.
I have never seen it up close, though.
Then why don't we go see it together?
Actually I wanted to see it again, too!
Please stand up.
Youka, why are you here?
I came to thank him for the other day...
What brought you here, Taiki?
I wanted to see his Suugu.
Is that Lady Risai of the army of Jyou?
Do you know me?
I knew it!
You knew what?
I assumed that Lady Risai must be...
...a great general, and people would know about her.
Our Lord thinks too highly of me.
No, he has a good eye.
Lady Risai is a very able general in the province, indeed!
Please stay away from it just in case.
It listens to no one but me, so you never know when he will attack.
Did you catch it by yourself?
Yes, I do not like acquiring a Kijyuu with money.
I am hoping to run into a Suugu on my way back.
I know a good hunting ground, I could take you there.
But...
Would you not want to keep the hunting site a secret?
Whoever wants to try and capture one may do so.
It takes a man of a high caliber to capture a Suugu.
Is that the sword that was given by King En?
That's right.
I dueled with His Majesty once.
I could only take one point out of three, however, it pleased His Majesty.
Is the King of En that strong?
If I had five hundred years of experience, I would not lose to him!
My Lord, are you afraid of Lord Gyousou?
What about Lady Risai and Youka?
Aren't you afraid of him?
I probably would be, if he were my enemy.
It is as if you approach him thinking that...
...it is a dog and suddenly he turns into a wolf.
He has such a strong aura of ambition.
A ruler who is too kind can confuse a kingdom...
...and a ruler who is too thoughtful can put the kingdom in chaos.
Lord Gyousou would make a great king...
Everyone thought if neither Lord Gyousou nor Lady Risai was the ruler...
...the ruler would not be among the crowd.
Is that how it is?
At least that was what we thought, so we decided to close the Gate.
So the people would know that no one was suited to be the ruler.
However, we soon realized that we were wrong.
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.
The short mane has the color of steel.
He has jet black legs and a jet black neck.
On his forehead is the short pearl horn.
The Twelve Kingdoms, Episode 19...
Episode 19
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of the Maze, Chapter Five
The Sea of Wind, The Shore of The Maze, Chapter Five.