Episode 41
The God of the Sea in the East, the Mighty Ocean in the West, Chapter One
En
Over there, my other self sleeps...
His name was Atsuyu...
Who is he? This Atsuyu person...
I've heard of him...
Atsuyu was the director of Gen Province.
He manipulated his father, the lord of Gen, and ruled the province himself.
In the end, he plotted to overthrow the king.
Atsuyu might disagree with that version.
You're saying that's not what happened?
I killed him.
What?
It happened a long time ago...
Kankyuu
Sei Province
Oh, Itan.
You!
Gambling all your money away at the brothel, and...
...sweeping the garden to repay the debt...
I've never been so embarrassed in my life!
Uh-huh.
I am speechless.
I don't want to hear anything from you, Seishou!
This is all because of your man, Mousen.
Don't blame Mousen.
I take full responsibility.
Are you proud of this?
Not really.
All right, I've learned my lesson.
I'll stick to government affairs, that's what you want, right?
Uh-huh.
Taiho, this is partially your fault!
But I didn't go gambling.
Skipping out on the conference is no better.
It's just as bad to miss the mark by 100 paces as by 50.
Well those 50 paces count for something, though.
I can't believe the kingdom's been run like this for twenty years.
This is Itan.
After my coronation, he threw the register of kingdom down in front of me...
...and made me see...
...how many had died because it took me so long to ascend the throne.
So I call him "the Reckless."
He is Shukou. He used to work for the Chief Minister of Ceremonies.
Three days after I ascended the throne, when I visited his department...
...he asked me "How would you like to be addressed?"
"As Kou-Ou, the prosperous, or Metsu-Ou, the destroyer?"
I call him "the Thoughtless."
This is Seishou, a former general in the royal army...
...but he was disciplined by Kyou-Ou and sent to prison.
After Kyou-Ou died, the ministers tried to spring him from prison...
...but he refused to leave without the pardon of King En.
So he remained in prison for fifty years, until I ascended the throne.
I call him "the Crazy."
I will quietly sit on the throne for a while.
There's something suspicious in the west.
The west?
In Gen Province.
Something's happening.
What do you mean?
Several times in a month, soldiers from Gen Province would visit the...
...gambling dens and spend a lot of money.
They come empty handed, but they leave with large loads.
It wouldn't be a problem if it was food.
But if it's weaponry...
Do you think they are preparing for a revolt?
But I have heard that since the death of Kyou-Ou...
...the provincial lord of Gen is afraid that his people will seek revenge.
He also fears exile by Your Majesty, so he refuses to leave his palace.
There is a shrewd man by his side.
He's the son of the provincial lord of Gen. I believe his name is Atsuyu...
How do you know all this?
I heard it in town.
You must not take gossip lightly.
However, Your Majesty...
...the ruler of a kingdom should not snoop around in such a manner.
What's the matter, Rokuta?
I don't like where this is going, so I'll be outside.
There's a lot of green now...
But if war breaks out...
Everything will go back to the way it was twenty years ago.
War makes people suffer.
It's not only adults who suffer...
...but their children as well...
Is something wrong?
The kid we met 20 years ago should be about the...
...same age as that father there, shouldn't he?
I suppose so.
Since we don't age, it's easy for me to forget...
I wonder how he's doing now...
Kouya...
Turn around! Turn around!
But Taiho, that was a Youma.
I know, that's why we have to turn around.
What is a human doing riding on a Youma's back?
So you were abandoned by your parents, and raised by the Youma?
Uh-huh.
What a coincidence, huh?
Huh?
Nothing.
By the way, that Youma...
Big One.
Does Big One eat people?
He does. If he didn't, he'd starve, wouldn't he?
I tell him not to, but he doesn't listen to me.
Because when he attacks people or animals, everyone gets scared of him.
That's why Big One is always chased away.
Everyone is mean to him, and sometimes they just run away.
I bet they do.
I have to go.
Hey, don't you want to live in town?
Can I live with Big One?
Hmm, I don't think Big One can live with you in town.
Then forget it.
Rokuta. Do you know about Hourai?
What?
There is supposed to be a land called Hourai beyond the sea.
In Hourai, no one fights or is mean to anyone else.
We've been looking for it.
Hourai is somewhere you can't go, even with Big One.
It's really far, far away.
Oh, I see...
But if you ever change your mind...
...and want to live in town without Big One...
...then come visit me in Kankyuu.
Oh right, you don't have a name...
Yeah...
Just think of something.
I don't know.
Then I'll give one to you...
Okay.
Kouya
How about "Kouya"?
What does it mean?
It means "Nightfall."
Okay!
Are you done discussing your little bloody schemes?
I suppose.
Will there be a war?
Probably.
Many people will die.
In the end, all rulers exploit and kill citizens.
And the smaller the number of deaths, the greater the ruler becomes.
But still, sacrifices are inevitable.
Are you scared of war?
It's not that.
But people will suffer greatly if there's war.
A Kirin is the embodiment of the will of the people.
It's better if I sacrifice the lives of one hundred, and end it right now...
...as opposed to letting tens of thousands die later.
If you don't like it, just keep your eyes closed and cover your ears.
This is something I must do.
I want no part of it.
Do whatever you want.
Ganboku, Rokusui
Ribi, I presume.
Yes.
Ribi, a former judicial minister.
I appointed her as an ambassador to Gen Province to keep watch...
...and see if the lord was gathering soldiers.
You're very calm.
I expected this...
...since his Majesty first appointed me as ambassador.
Commander, I've captured her.
Since Your Majesty, King En Shouryuu, ascended to the throne...
...the citizens live in peace thanks to Your Majesty.
I cannot think of a way to describe how fortunate we feel.
Your people wish you health and happiness.
Hey, you should take the conference more seriously.
Don't you think a ruler should have a little more class?
If you don't clean up your act, it will reflect badly on me.
Honestly...
I understand what you're trying to say.
From now on, I'll try to have a little more class and dignity.
I'll start off by yawning during the conference, how's that?
Taiho.
What is it, Ekishin?
There's someone who wishes to see you, sir.
See me?
Yes. He said that you'd understand if I mentioned the name Kouya.
Kouya...
Rokuta.
I should call you Taiho now.
It has been a long time.
Just call me Rokuta.
Well then, Rokuta.
So you're an official of Gen Province?
That's why you haven't aged, huh?
But how did it happen?
I was taken in by the director of Gen Province.
The director? You mean Atsuyu?
Do you know him?
Only by his name.
I see...
Anyway, I'm glad that you remember me.
I was worried that you might've forgotten about me.
How could I?
By the way, where's Big One?
I left him outside Kankyuu.
Would you like to meet him?
Of course.
I renamed Big One "Rokuta."
Really?
Yeah. So I wouldn't forget your name.
Look, there he is.
Don't worry. There are people around.
Yes, sir.
Hey, it's Rokuta. Do you remember him?
Did you find one?
Yes, sir.
Kouya. Is that your child?
No.
I had them find it...
Kouya!
...because I was coming to see you.
Tell him and your Shirei not to get any funny ideas.
If you want to save this child's life, please come with me.
You do, don't you?
A Kirin is a merciful creature...
The mere scent of blood can make you sick.
You!
No! Stop it! You!
Ganboku, Gen Province
Rokusui is a large river that runs through Sei Province from Kankyuu to...
...Gen Province on the coast of the Kokkai
The river floods every season and leaves rich farmlands...
...however, since Kyou-Ou destroyed the river banks...
...the area on the coast of the Kokkai has become uninhabitable.
After Kyou-Ou's death, the land was brought under cultivation...
...and a village has been formed, but there is a lot left to be done.
That's Ganboku. It's the capital of Gen Province.
It's more beautiful than Kankyuu, isn't it?
Gen Province has flourished.
It's because Lord Atsuyu governs here.
He is well liked by the townspeople.
They say he's more reliable than the King.
Probably. Shouryuu is an idiot.
You don't like King En?
It's not that I don't like him, but he really is an idiot.
I guess you like Atsuyu a lot.
I do. Enough to take you prisoner.
Taiho, I offer you my deepest apologizes for our impudence.
So you are Atsuyu.
What are you trying to do?
I'll just say that it's about Rokusui river.
Since Kyou-Ou destroyed the banks, many prefectures in the...
...lower reaches of Rokusui suffer flooding every rainy season.
We must start extensive embankment repairs immediately...
...however, his Majesty will not allow it.
Not only that, his Majesty revoked the right to carry out the...
...construction from the provincial lord of Gen.
I've tried to entreat his Majesty many times, but he has shown no interest.
I could not think of any other way than this reckless plan.
Well, I'll tell his Majesty and make sure you won't be punished.
How about that? Will you let me go home now?
I'm sorry, but I will have to ask you to stay here for a little longer.
In other words, you're going to hold me as a hostage until he listens to you...
Okay.
So will you cooperate with our plan?
Yes. I think you have a valid point.
I can't agree with the measures you took...
...but maybe you needed to do something like this to persuade that idiot.
I'll stay here for a while.
Thank you.
Taiho!
Ribi!
Of course...
You were ordered to keep an eye on the ministers here, weren't you?
No wonder you got caught.
Everyone thinks you're Shouryuu's dog.
But why did they bring the Taiho here?
You better not harm the Taiho in any way.
I'm not going to hurt him. But...
Stop it.
Don't move. Or have you forgotten about the child?
Rokuta, you are a Kirin. So I have to seal your horn.
There'll be trouble if you summon your Shirei...
...or metamorphose into a Kirin and escape.
Please understand.
This really bothers me, you know.
It's not just that I don't like it, but I really don't want to do this, okay?
Ow...
Does it still hurt?
I'm fine.
But it feels weird.
The thread is called Sekisakujou.
If you cut the thread, her thread will tighten.
If she cuts her thread, your thread will tighten.
I got it.
Also, the thread is wound around the cell.
So if you try to get out of the cell, the thread will be cut.
You don't need the baby anymore, do you?
You're right. He served his purpose.
I'll return him to his parents.
You bastard!
I have to remember this...
I didn't know you were able to show emotions.
This is no time to be joking!
The Taiho is nowhere to be found!
What about Ekishin?
His body was found.
His body's been picked at... It's most likely a Youma or a Youjyuu.
Poor soul.
And where was his body?
Just outside Kankyuu.
Was he abducted?
I wonder if the Taiho is okay...
That brat won't go down so easily.
Aren't you worried about him?
What good would it do for me to worry?
Seishou, you've already issued an order to search for him, haven't you?
Yes, sir.
Then there is nothing we can do.
We'll find him eventually. Or he might just come home on his own.
Shouryuu! You...
If not, we can expect a ransom demand soon.
What?
He may have been kidnapped or killed.
If he's already been killed, there's nothing we can do about it.
But if he was kidnapped, the culprit must be after something.
He's not so adorable that someone would just take him.
You...
Shukou.
Sir.
Contact Ribi. I doubt she is still uninvolved at this point, but...
Sir.
And look into the Registry of lmmortals, and...
...see if you can find someone named Kouya.
Yes, Your Majesty.
That kid is nothing but trouble.
Kankyuu, Sei Province
Rokusui, Gen Province
What's Atsuyu like?
He is a great leader.
He also really cares about people...
...unlike the provincial lord of Gen who rarely comes out of his palace...
I don't understand why he is doing this.
It's Shouryuu's fault. He doesn't take anything seriously.
I'm sure his Majesty has his own way of doing things.
I wonder.
I think the blood is affecting me...
Ekishin is dead.
I feel so bad.
Forgive me for asking, but do you and the commander know each other?
Kouya is a commander, huh?
He's come so far.
It seems like he knows some kind of trick to control the Youma.
He doesn't control it. It controls him.
What?
Sorry, but I'll explain it later.
I'm really sleepy...
I was counting the sands of time without realizing.
In a false dream I became speechless.
I would stare into the fire...
...as I swore to be true forever.
Let my prayers be heard, I will overcome hardship...
...and keep my oath until the end of the world.
Rokuta hears the sound of a thread being cut.
It's a faint, but heavy sound.
The Twelve Kingdoms episode 42.
Episode 42
The God of the Sea in the East, the Mighty Ocean in the West, Chapter Two
The God of the Sea in the East, the Mighty Ocean in the West, Chapter Two.