Episode 22
A Message
En
You.
Hold it right there.
Huh?
I must ask you to refrain from attending class as you are.
But, I am a Hanjyuu...
Well then, you are excused from today's lecture.
I'm sorry about that.
Not everyone in En is like that, you know.
Yes, I know that, Meiken.
Don't call me that.
Why not?
There aren't many students who...
...pass the entrance examination for Daigaku at nineteen.
The name signifies your famous wisdom.
It's nothing to be ashamed of.
I feel like I'm being called pretentious.
What about you, Shintatsu?
You are known as Chuchin.
A man who works hard during the day, and studies hard all night...
...until his pillow is covered with spider webs.
That's why they call you Chuchin, the "Spider Pillow."
That's just sarcasm.
Anyone could pass the exam if they studied that hard.
Even so, the system here is completely different from my kingdom's.
If you don't get used to your human form now, things'll get difficult in the future.
You think so?
That's why you have a hard time with horseback riding and archery.
Yeah, I know that, but...
No matter how smart you may be...
...you can't be a government official if you can't ride or shoot an arrow.
Hey, it's Hou-Roushi!
Bunchou.
Bunchou!
Rakushun.
The scholarship you applied for has been accepted.
Is that true?
Yes, indeed.
Congratulations, Bunchou.
But why are you calling me Bunchou?
Out of all the students here at the Daigaku, your compositions are the best.
Everyone in the school knows you...
...as Bunchou, it means the master of writing.
It doesn't only apply to your compositions...
...but you also excelled on the entrance examination.
But people say that the student...
...with the top entrance score never graduates...
I've heard that legend, too!
That is not true.
Hou-Roushi...
I've heard that a student who enters...
...Daigaku before the age of 20 never graduates either.
That is also just a myth.
But who knows, you could be the first one!
Congratulations, you got the scholarship!
If I don't get a certificate this year...
...I'll probably get expelled.
But that's only if you don't get a certificate in the first three years...
You still have two years left, don't you?
I suppose...
By the way, is it true that you didn't go to Shougaku Preliminary?
That's right.
In Kou, Hanjyuu aren't allowed to attend school.
Then how did you study?
Cram school?
No.
My family would never have been able to afford it.
Fortunately, my dad left behind a lot of books and notes.
These were like teachers to me.
Besides, there was nothing else for me to do in Kou.
A Hanjyuu doesn't get a share of the land, so I couldn't even grow rice.
I guess it's not easy being a Hanjyuu.
Well then, I'll see you after supper.
Huh?
For what?
You lazy pupil!
You have archery practice to attend!
I wonder if he should be looking after others...
Hey, how's it going?
Long time no hear.
How have you been?
I still feel embarrassed talking to the bird...
...because I feel like I'm talking to myself.
Anyway, I'm finally getting used to life in Kinpa Palace.
I found out that there are at least thirty-two buildings for me to sleep in.
I told them I don't need that many, but...
That cannot be done.
But we can use the buildings as shelters for the refugees from Kou.
Out of the question.
If we can't use them for refugees, how about using them as public hospitals?
Taishi.
Your Majesty, I'm afraid that...
...those buildings are granted by the Heavens for you to reside in.
But Kei is not wealthy.
And I don't mind living in a smaller place.
Your Majesty, a kingdom needs to have a certain prestige.
If the people hear you say such things, it will affect your dignity as a queen.
I still can't understand the prestige of a kingdom, or the dignity of a queen.
Thank you for your hard work.
Your Majesty!
You must not act so friendly towards handmaidens.
They will look down upon you.
Would you please listen to me?
What are you writing?
I want to write down everything I learn.
If other officials were to see you doing such a thing...
...they would be worried.
I get scolded by Keiki all the time.
The ruler of a kingdom must know that...
Sometimes I wonder if all Kirin are as critical as he is.
We'd probably get along well if he weren't so serious.
Aside from Keiki, I don't have any problems with the officials.
Also, I have a personal handmaiden, named Gyokuyou.
She's a nice person, I really like her.
Now that I think about it, I've met a girl named Gyokuyou once before...
It must be a popular name in this world.
You've probably already heard about it, but King Kou has passed away.
The Kingdom of Kou will have a rough time from now on.
From what I saw, it doesn't seem too bad for now...
...so I don't want you to worry.
That's right.
I visited the Kingdom of Kou.
I told Keiki there were people I needed to see...
...and I persuaded him to let me go.
It brought back memories.
I couldn't help but feel guilty for what happened.
Also...
Oh my!
Remember me from back then?
Your mother treated me like an old friend...
...so I didn't tell her that I became a queen.
I talked to her about how you were doing in En.
She seemed very worried about you.
She is such a nice person.
The bread she baked was delicious.
And I also went to see them...
Please stop it!
What an honor it is for Queen Kei to pay a visit to...
...such a forsaken place as this.
My late father committed countless atrocities...
Please, stop it!
We have received your letter, Queen Kei, Your Majesty.
So you are the son and daughter of King Kou.
Indeed.
After our father passed away, we nullified our contract of immortality.
We have become human again.
But because I came to this world, your father...
I heard people now call him Saku-Ou.
It's my fault your father lost his way.
If there is anything I can do to help...
Living in Kou must be very difficult.
You could come to Kei if you'd like...
We chose to live here.
But there are much richer fields, why come to a place like this?
The situation in Kou is going to get worse.
Until a new ruler ascends the throne...
...we want to cultivate as large a field as we can.
But you two lived in the Royal Palace without aging for fifty years...
...and now you want to live an ordinary life?
That's why we weren't aware of the true lives of our citizens...
...or what was really happening in the Kingdom...
...or about the ones like you, either.
Please make the Kingdom of Kei a wonderful and prosperous kingdom.
So that the next ruler of Kou will follow your example...
...and do the same for Kou.
All I could tell them was that I'd do my best.
Although, to tell the truth, I don't even know where to begin.
Up in the royal palace, I can't even hear the voices of the people.
My friend?
Yes.
I heard Kourin asked someone to take care of a Kaikyaku.
However, shortly after that, Kourin passed away...
...so I don't know what happened to the Kaikyaku.
If you mean Sugimoto, she's already...
No, it wasn't her.
It was a male.
Asano!
I wonder if Kourin saved Asano...
If she did, then it means he might be alive somewhere.
But that's all they knew about it.
I really hope he's still alive.
I wanted to start searching for him right away.
But it's strictly forbidden to send my army into another kingdom.
Besides, as the Queen of Kei...
...there are so many things I have to do in Kei right away.
Oh, that's right...
I've postponed the coronation for a long time...
...but I've finally decided to hold it next month.
I really hope that you'll be able to attend.
So, how is everything with you, Rakushun?
I hope I have better news to tell you next time.
Hope to hear from soon.
Sounds like she's doing okay.
I just gave her a little helping hand...
Hi, Youko.
I'm glad to hear from you.
I'm doing fine myself.
It is a serious matter if there is suspicion that...
...the Lord of Baku Province is committing treason.
I'd like to oppose if I may, the Lord of Baku Province, Koukan...
...refused to obey Jyoei during the entire ordeal.
He did not even let the army of the false queen near Baku Province.
That may be true...
However, what if he refused to obey her, believing that she was the true queen?
It's hard to believe that Koukan would commit treason.
Excuse me...
Baku is one of the provinces of Kei, isn't it?
Well then...
Your Majesty.
If I may suggest...
...dismiss the Lord of Baku Province, and replace him with...
...Gahou, the Lord of Wa Province for the time being.
This should be determined after the coronation ceremony.
Well, if that's what the Daishiba, the Minister of Ceremonies, suggests...
Your Majesty!
I am the Daishito, the Minister of Interior.
I am the Daishiba, the Minister of Military Affairs.
The Minister of Ceremonies is addressed as the Daisouhaku.
Do you mean to change my position to the Minister of Military Affairs?
Well then, do as you see fit...
General Jinrai.
You may escort the Lord of Wa.
Y-Yes, sir.
Your Majesty, I've heard bad rumors about the Lord of Wa, Gahou.
That he forces hard labor on the citizens...
...but covers his tracks well.
Despite already being in charge of Wa Province...
...what if he is scheming to take over Baku?
If you keep letting them make decisions...
I understand, Seikyou.
I apologize for being meddlesome, Your Majesty.
I see, you went to see my mom.
I feel bad that she didn't treat you appropriately.
I did tell her about you, though...
Well, she was always like that, so give her a break, will you?
But if she was acting like that...
...that means you weren't with the Kei Taiho, were you?
You shouldn't wander around by yourself like that.
What brings you to the office of the Royal Court, Your Majesty?
I wanted to see what kind of work goes on in here.
Your Majesty!
Ah, Minister, actually I was...
No ruler has ever visited the office of the Royal Court...
Everyone is astonished, Your Majesty.
I-I see...
I'm sorry to have bothered you.
Kaitatsu...
Hush!
You didn't have a monarchy where you're from...
...so you might not understand.
But the kingdom's prestige and the ruler's dignity are very important.
People here are very aware of social status.
If you neglect it, it can cause trouble.
It's only natural for a ruler to be a little arrogant.
That way, people believe rulers can back up their arrogance.
A ruler who lacks self-confidence...
...will appear unable to assert himself.
So you should try to be a little more arrogant.
Anyway, I'm glad that things are going well between you and the Kei Taiho.
It's also good to hear that you're getting along with the officials.
By the way, Gyokuyou is the name of a goddess who lives on Mt. Hou.
You probably met her when you received the Tenchoku.
Maybe not, I'm still not sure if gods really exist.
She is supposed to be a beautiful lady known as Lady Hekika Genkun.
So people call beautiful ladies "Gyokuyou."
If you become a good queen...
...the name "Youko" will become a popular name in the Kingdom of Kei.
Speaking of which, I have a nickname in school.
It's the same name my father was called by, "Bunchou."
It's a little embarrassing.
Your name suits you, Gyokuyou.
Now I can never face Master Rakushun.
I've been living comfortably here.
The teachers and students here are pretty nice, too.
The En Taiho will take me to your coronation ceremony.
I shouldn't be asking him, but I really want to see you as a queen.
But until then, I've got a lot to study.
Hang in there, Youko.
Well, I'll see you soon.
You told Master Rakushun that you have no problems with the officials?
That's right, I really don't have any problems with them.
Or at least, we don't fight over things face to face.
Maybe it's just that none of the officials even try to communicate with me.
But I don't think I'm lying.
I often hear the word "Kaitatsu."
That is...
I heard there was a great king, now called Tatsu-Ou, in Kei once.
Kaitatsu means "Miss Tatsu-Ou"...
People don't expect much from a queen.
I know what it means.
But there is no point in telling that to Rakushun.
Perhaps you don't want to show him your troubles because he's your friend.
I'm probably not being completely honest with him...
But it's not because I don't want to reveal my troubles to him.
It is true that I don't want to worry him, but...
I think...
Maybe I'm just trying to stretch my limits.
Stretch your limits?
I don't think everything is going smoothly as Rakushun says it is.
I'm sure he's worried about the situation in Kou, and about his mom.
Being a Hanjyuu, he's probably having a tough time in the Daigaku, too.
Even if he encounters obstacles or frustrations...
...Rakushun never complains.
I'm sure he has his problems.
That's why I really respect him for his composure.
Hey!
What's the meaning of this?
"I hereby promise to return these books accordingly"?
Why does only Rakushun have to sign such a thing?
Meiken, it's okay.
Do you honestly think that he gnaws on the books?
No, it's not that...
Then you must believe the other rumor...
That he might sell the books because he's poor?
Meiken!
Rakushun.
Chuchin...
You can have them all.
I just need to borrow them, so...
It's okay, I won't be needing them.
Chuchin, are you quitting?
I couldn't get a certificate this year, either.
At least, if I quit before I get expelled...
...the others will think I left to be with my family.
You can try harder, you've studied for eight years...
Stop it, Rakushun.
Sometimes, trying hard isn't enough.
Well, that was fast.
Are you back already?
Sorry about that.
I thought you might have used up all your silver grains by now.
Thank you very much for your kindness.
Um, Youko...
I was wondering if Queen Kei is doing okay.
Did she say something?
No, just...
She said everything was fine.
But most of the current officials worked for Yo-Ou...
...and they have controlled all the affairs of Kei until now.
So I thought those officials would be giving her a hard time...
You two...
Huh?
Nothing.
I think if you understand her, that's what matters.
I see...
I thought she was complaining to you about something.
Youko is the Queen.
She has to be strong.
Yeah!
Perhaps Master Rakushun is aware that you are stretching your limits.
You think so?
That's all right.
Your Majesty, the Taiho has requested your urgent presence.
Okay.
Go ahead without me.
I'll be right there.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I forgot to tell you something important.
I told you that I was given a name, Sekishi, which means Red Child.
In Hourai, there's a word written in the same way, and it means a baby.
I'm not too fond of it...
...but it's not totally incorrect since I'm like a baby here.
I heard it's a custom to...
...change the name of the era before the coronation ceremony.
So I've discussed it with Keiki, and using the characters for Red and Easy...
...we've decided to call it "Sekiraku."
I can picture your frowning face.
But if I hadn't met you, I would've died in the woods that day.
So I've decided to use part of your name.
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.
Suzu arrives in the Kingdom of Kei.
And an eternity passes.
The Twelve Kingdoms episode 23...
Episode 23
A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn, Chapter One.