"During the Meiji Era, the daughter of a poor family was swept away to the Kingdom of Kei." "Sai ...swept away to the Kingdom of Kei." "{\3cHFFFFFF\4cH808080\cH23373D\3aHFF\4aHFF\fnPoor Richard\pos(188,180)}Sai" "Her name was Suzu Ooki." "Before long, she was picked up by the female Sen-nin called Suibikun, of the Kingdom of Sai." "{\3cHFFFFFF\4cH808080\cH23373D\3aHFF\4aHFF\fnPoor Richard\pos(186,141)}Hou" "The King of Hou had a beautiful daughter named Shoukei." "However, King Hou and Hourin were killed by rebels and Shoukei was no longer immortal, as she had been removed from the rolls of the Sen-nin." "{\3cHFFFFFF\4cH808080\cH23373D\3aHFF\4aHFF\fnPoor Richard\pos(191,178)}Kei" "In the Kingdom of Kei there was a new Queen Kei, Youko." "Youko, Suzu, and Shoukei..." "Three girls who resemble one another were not yet aware of one another's existence..." "Episode 24" "{\3cHFFFFFF\4aHFF\fnPoor Richard\b1\bord1.5\pos(191,176)\cH0506F6}A Great Distance in the Wind, The Sky at Dawn, Chapter Two" "How was I?" "You did well." "You really became a queen!" "Hey there!" "Thank you very much for coming such a long way." "You're looking great!" "The citizens seemed to be satisfied." "If the people knew that such a good looking queen was on their side they would be quite supportive in an emergency." "That hurt!" "Thank you as well, Rakushun." "I'm the one who should be thankful." "If it weren't for you..." "But it took quite a long time, didn't it?" "It's been two months since you defeated the false queen." "It's not that I didn't want to be a queen but I couldn't decide on my first proclamation." "Your Majesty." "The Shuukou have come to pay their respects." "Keiki, would you keep our guests company?" "If I did not accompany you before the Shuukou, it might alarm them." "If I may, as the Minister of Law, I would be honored to take care the party of King En." "Please, come this way." "I would like to congratulate you from the bottom of my heart." "Please take good care of the province of Ken from now on." "Next is Lord Gahou from Wa Province." "I would like to sincerely bless Your Majesty on your coronation." "Allow me to present this modest tribute from Wa Province." "These are the best selections of the various products of Wa Province." "Lord of Wa!" "I will be performing an offertory ceremony later." "We are still in the middle of congratulating her Majesty!" "And next is the Lord of Baku Province..." "What is the matter?" "The Lord of Baku Province is being confined to the provincial palace." "He is ashamed of the fact that he has been accused of treason." "He has not set foot outside his castle since then." "The provincial advisor has come in place of the Lord of Baku." "Who gave him permission to send a representative?" "If a lord is rebelling, his advisor must be assisting him!" "However, no proof was found that the Lord of Baku, Koukan, had actually engaged in any conspiracy and the matter still remains uncertain." "When the false queen, Jyoei, invaded, it was you and your men who quickly surrendered Kinpa Palace to her, wasn't it, Defense Minister?" "Since you have come all this way will you not pay your respects to her Majesty, Advisor of Baku Province?" "Being a mere advisor that I am, I would like you to forgive me for bringing myself before Your Majesty." "My name is Saibou." "I serve the lord of Baku, Koukan, as the provincial advisor of Baku Province." "I offer my congratulations to Your Majesty in place of Lord Koukan." "Advisor, tell me, are these rumors about Koukan true?" "Absolutely not." "My master was suspicious of Jyoei's action, and was trying to determine if she was really a false queen." "Trying to determine?" "How absurd!" "Well, Koukan is a very cautious man." "I am certain that Advisor is right." "How can I trust a man who is party to rebellion?" "Minister of the Interior!" "I would like to know the..." "Youko had yet another reason why she delayed her ascension of the throne." "During Youko's overthrow of the false queen Jyoei only the Lord of Baku, Koukan, held out and refused to surrender Baku Province to Jyoei." "By hesitating to accept that Jyoei might be the real queen it was inevitable that he would appear to be planning to seize the throne." "There was also rumors of a great army being raised in Baku." "Keikei, what's the matter?" "The Royal Palace is in that direction, isn't it?" "That's right." "I bet everyone is celebrating the new ruler in the capital." "I wonder what kind of ruler it is..." "We will find out as soon as the ruler's first proclamation is declared." "Oh, Enho." "The first proclamation lays down the first law that the new ruler makes, doesn't it?" "That's right." "You will be able to tell what kind of ruler it is from their first proclamation." "I see." "Now, go back to the town." "They're not as many as there once was, but Youma are still roaming about here." "Okay." "Gyokuyou, I prefer something simple." "It's King En I'm meeting with." "He is the King of the great Kingdom of En, that's all the more reason to dress nicely." "But King En..." "Well, he doesn't like something that looks so frilly." "He would feel uncomfortable if I were all dressed up." "Well then, as you wish, Your Majesty." "Thank you, Gyokuyou." "I will introduce you to Rakushun later." "Thank you." "All government officials are the same." "I fought against them for 300 years to let me be the way I am now." "Fought against them?" "You have to find aides you can depend on." "About the Lord of Baku Province you told me about before..." "It's unlikely that I could appoint him to serve in the Royal Palace." "On the contrary..." "Is it me, or does Youko look a little depressed?" "You think so, too?" "You know how Keiki is." "Keiki is way too serious, you know." "And so is Youko." "Besides Youko is the second ruler Keiki picked." "Do you think that might have something to do with it?" "A Kirin's first ruler is always special." "Even if the previous ruler wasn't perfect, you always compare masters to your first." "The officials at the palace are divided into two camps on Koukan." "To be honest, I really don't know what to do." "You must've met this man, Koukan, when you took down the false queen." "What did you think of him?" "At that time I don't even remember what we talked about." "Besides, everyone was kowtowing to me." "I couldn't even see their faces." "I couldn't help thinking that everyone was scowling at me while bowing down." "I don't know..." "According to Enki, not many people prostrate themselves anymore in Hourai." "Each time they bow down to me, I feel threatened by their expectations." "I wonder if I'm any good at all as a ruler." "As long as you sit on the throne, natural catastrophes will be held at bay." "But that's just not enough." "Youko, governing a kingdom is not easy by any means." "Yes." "The people are not going to believe a hesitant ruler." "No one will praise a ruler for honesty if he reveals that it's difficult to govern." "You must not let them see you struggling." "Is that how it is?" "If you feel tentative about something, just say you are carefully examining the matter." "You don't have to rush anything." "A ruler has a long life, take all the time you need." "Don't you have worries?" "I have plenty." "However, if there were nothing for me to worry about, I'd get bored." "Then who knows, I might get the desire to ruin En." "It's a good idea to spend a little time on deciding your first proclamation." "A ruler who comes up with a first ordinance without deliberation cannot be depended on." "I heard that one's first proclamation should simply represent what kind of kingdom the ruler wants to create." "What kind of kingdom..." "I want to create a good kingdom." "But I don't even know what makes a good kingdom." "I want no one in the kingdom to starve." "But then, the place I came from was wealthy and if you were to ask me if it was a good place, I don't know if I could say that." "While it was wealthy, many things were corrupt." "It's simple!" "What kind of life do you wish to live?" "What kind of kingdom makes you happy?" "Don't rush, and think about it." "There was a ruler who didn't make his first proclamation." "That's right." "There was a bold ruler who just told the people to live healthy lives." "Is that true?" "It looks like I still have many representatives to see." "It's probably Hisen, it's nice of them to pay a visit." "I'm sorry I couldn't introduce you to Gyokuyou." "It's all right." "Take care of yourself." "It'll be all right." "Youko can do it." "I think so, too." "{\3cHFFFFFF\4cH808080\cH23373D\3aHFF\4aHFF\fnPoor Richard\move(67,230,175,196,6,1048)}Sai" "Welcome home!" "Did anything happen while I was away?" "Nothing, Ma'am." "I thought so." "Honma?" "I saw the new ruler of Kei." "It's a queen." "Uh, I see..." "She looks about your age, and she was a very attractive and elegant lady." "She is from Hourai, I've heard." "What?" "She was born in the country of Wa East of the Kyokai, just like you." "She told me quite a bit about it." "L-Like what?" "Queen Kei was also carried to this world." "She was helpless at first, but look where she is now." "She made her own way here, and sought the aid of King En." "She is nothing like someone we know, is she?" "She also joined a Shusei troupe during her journey, but she was able to perform a sword dance while in the troupe." "She is so different from someone I know who was clinging to my feet, begging to be hired as a servant." "What is it?" "Are you feeling sorry for Queen Kei?" "You know how insulting that is?" "Queen Kei would be furious if someone like you took pity on her." "I hope you never think of doing something so pathetic like you did with the Tai Taiho." "Understand?" "I don't know what she told you, but don't let it get to you." "You know how she is..." "That's right, Queen Kei..." "Is there any way I can go to the Kingdom of Kei?" "Don't be foolish!" "If she finds out what you're up to this time, she won't be as forgiving!" "It's all the same..." "She isn't forgiving at all now, anyway!" "I've worked for her for more than one hundred years and she still treats me so horribly every day." "Do you think the pain I've suffered will go away someday?" "But what if you get into trouble like when you went to see Taiki?" "He was a Kirin." "But Queen Kei washed up on the shores of this world, just like I did." "Besides, she is a ruler, so she must be very compassionate." "That's right, I'm sure she is." "If she hears about me, she will come to rescue me from here!" "{\3cHFFFFFF\4cH808080\cH23373D\3aHFF\4aHFF\fnPoor Richard\move(137,130,151,170,17,4063)}Hou" "While I was thinking about Queen Kei Shoukei in Hou also learned about the new Queen of Kei." "Ow..." "I have been wondering..." "You are the daughter of the King, Lady Shoukei, are you not?" "When you were put under my care I heard a rumor that it was a favor for the Lord of Kei Province." "I was not sure about it, but..." "Y-You're mistaken." "You don't even know how to use a sickle, but it all makes sense now." "No orphan has beautiful hands like yours." "I have an acquaintance who is a wealthy merchant in the capital." "He worshipped the former King of Hou when he was alive perhaps he could take you in..." "Would he help me?" "Oh, Gobo!" "Please help me!" "That Gekkei killed my father and my mother and put me in such a horrible place!" "So it is true then." "G-Gobo?" "You are the daughter of that monster..." "He killed his people as if they were insects..." "My son felt awful about a child who was to be executed so he threw a rock at the executioners." "He was killed with the child, side by side, by order of that monster." "But, that wasn't..." "You might as well have killed them yourself!" "That's not true!" "I had no idea what my father was doing!" "You didn't know?" "You lived in the Royal Palace, and you're telling me you didn't know what was going on right under your nose?" "But I'm telling you the truth!" "You've lived shamelessly until now and you never thought about where your meals were coming from?" "But..." "But I really didn't know anything!" "From tomorrow on, you're going to work three times harder than you are now even so, you are still good for nothing." "Wait!" "I really didn't know anything!" "Please believe me!" "I never went outside the Royal Palace." "How was I supposed to know what was going on in the kingdom?" "Oh, my precious doll..." "I will dress you up in a beautiful dress..." "That Shusei's story about the Kingdom of Kei was a surprise!" "It sure was." "I can't believe the new Queen Kei is a 17 year old girl!" "A ruler is almost as great as the gods." "I wonder how it feels to be one." "I bet her dresses are made of silk!" "A queen?" "Shoukei knew exactly how it would feel to be one." "The young queen would never grow older and she would live as a young girl for the rest of her life." "And Shoukei would live, getting old like Gobo." "Queen Kei had gotten everything that Shoukei had lost." "I must stop her." "{\3cHFFFFFF\4cH808080\cH23373D\3aHFF\4aHFF\fnPoor Richard\move(190,177,189,182,19,3105)}Kei" "One month after the coronation ceremony on the day of the winter solstice, the ceremony of Koushi was performed." "Koushi is a ceremony to bless the Heavens and wish for peace in the kingdom." "It is believed that once this ceremony is over, Youma will leave the kingdom." "I wonder if we could have a new year like this." "I understand your concern." "However, there are still many things you need to do." "I know." "Most importantly, you must resolve the matter of the Lord of Baku." "The ministers of the Interior and Military Affairs are suggesting Koukan be executed for conspiracy." "Although it is important to listen to the officials' opinions I do not approve of executing him so easily." "I don't know anything about this place." "I only have their suggestions to go on." "Perhaps you should meet with the Lord of Baku Province before executing him." "You don't think I'm fit to pass judgment on him either?" "Your Majesty..." "We could not find anyone who could make a scabbard like the old one." "I see..." "Is this whole building filled with weapons?" "Yes." "However, these have been kept in here for generations so they are more like treasures than weapons." "If these are useless, why don't we sell them off?" "Excuse me?" "I suggested we build a facility for the refugees from Kou the other day however, it was denied due to the budget situation." "Taisai..." "Regarding that matter, you shared your concern about the refugees with us so the court is considering selling off some of the weapons." "What?" "However, we administer this weaponry, therefore..." "Administration of the Court oversees all affairs in the court!" "Thank you so much." "Taisai, this is the first time you've listened to my suggestions." "By the way, what you are planning to do with Koukan?" "Taisai, you seem to believe that Koukan is innocent." "Yes, I do." "Keiki is also against executing him." "Of course he is." "The Taiho is a merciful being." "I doubt that he would ever agree to let someone be executed so easily." "I see..." "He is just sympathizing with Koukan because he is a Kirin..." "No, that is not the only reason..." "Your Majesty!" "Your Majesty!" "After considering everyone's opinions I came to one conclusion that might satisfy everyone." "The suspicion cast upon Koukan is very serious, however he should not be executed based on speculation." "But at the same time, we cannot trust someone with a province while he's still under suspicion of conspiracy." "Therefore, Koukan will be removed from Baku Province." "I summon Koukan to Kinpa Palace so I can hear his side of story." "I will have him brought to the Royal Palace right away." "I think you have made the right choice." "Please." "At the time, Youko thought that she had finally decided something on her own." "I was counting the sands of time without realizing." "In a false dream I became speechless." "{\3cH000000\cH8A7F78}I would stare into the fire... {\3cH000000\cH8A7F78}...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." ""You could never understand how I feel!"" "So Shoukei cursed at the queen of the kingdom to the East." "The Twelve Kingdoms, episode 25..." "Episode 25" "{\3cHFFFFFF\4aHFF\fnPoor Richard\b1\bord1.5\pos(191,176)\cH010AF8}A Great Distance in The Wind, The Sky at Dawn, Chapter Three." "A Great Distance in the Wind, the Sky at Dawn, Chapter Three."