Kokumono (novel) 4th Installment : Memories Far Off in the Distant Sa (1st part) 思いは遥かなる茶都へ、、（前編）

[nishitamachi]

Kokumono novel book 4 : "Omoi wa Harukanaru Sa-to e" (for which I loosely translated as 'Memories Far Off in the Distant Sa'.. whatever..)

New characters in this book :

▪ Sa Chuushou, Sa Enjun’s younger brother. His goal in life is to exceed his brother, Enjun's reputation.

▪ Tei Yuushun, the liutenant governor of Sa province (Ensei's aide when he was the governor of Sa). Currently performing his govenmental duties behind a secluded room in the top of a tower in the Sa capital.

▪ Sa Soujun, Sa Chuushou’s eldest grandson. My first impression was, stupid kid! ^^;;

▪ Sa Sakujun, Sa Chuushou’s 2nd grandson.

▪ Sa Kokujun, Sa Chuushou’s youngest grandson. A timid young man who need someone to push his back for he to move forward. He loves Shunki.

▪ Meishou, leader to the new Satsujinzoku (殺刃賊). A cunning old man (or so it seems).

▪ Kaku, leader to the merchant guild in Sakyou (or so it seems).

▪ Rin Senya, spoiled son of a rich merchant (or so they and he had said..)

▪ Sai Shou, a young man, one of the merchant in Kinka.

"Omoi wa Harukanaru Sa-to e" (Memories Far Off in the Distant Sa) Page 1 to 130.

A 5-years-old boy lived happily with his parents and siblings. One day, he returned home after playing all day, only to found a pool of deep red blood in his house. The happy family has been cruelly massacred by bandits unknown to the boy. In the front of his very eyes, he saw his kind mother's head rolled in the ground. He was barely managed to escape the bandit's leader attack, leaving a line of deep wound in his left cheek. The leader praised him for his well-reflexes and decided not to kill him instantly. The bandit leader broke the boy's both legs and arms, dragged him behind a speeding horse deep into the woods. It was said that at night, beasts would came wandering in the woods. He abandoned the boy there, and said that he will remember him for 10 years. In that time, the boy should take his revenge on him, in case he managed to survive the wild beasts. 'After 10 years, I will completely forget all about you', said the bandit leader to the boy while riding away from the helpless child. Behind the distand sound of galloping horses, the boy, the 3rd son of Rou clan, Rou Ensei, screamed and swore he would take his revenge.

12-years-old 2nd prince, Seien, is an accomplished prince, both in military and also in knowledge. Still, his mother despised him, for, rather than being the Emperor's concubine, all she wanted was to live somewhere else, peacefully. The environment he was in has made his heart turned icy. The only one to break the ice was the always-abused youngest prince, Ryuuki, who, from his point of view, share almost the similar situation as he himself had to face. Upon a conspiration by the other concubines, Seien's grandfather (from his mother's side) planned a plan to secure Seien's way to the throne. As the result, Seien and his mother, along with the entire family, were sent into exile, somewhere in the vast Sa province. Seien didn't have any objection about leaving the royal palace, but he couldn't help worrying over Ryuuki's welfare. The journey was harsh, assassins were sent one after another to eliminate the whole family, especially Seien. He couldn't protect his mother, and had to witness her being beheaded by the assassins. Fighting his way out, he managed to defeated all the swarming assassins, but he himself couldn't escape many wounds inflicted during his fights. He fell down in the middle of red-dyed snow.

Upon hearing his brother's death, Sa Chuusou began to weave his plan to exceed Enjun’s reputation. Unlike Enjun who only had a granddaughter, he had 3 grandsons, each was granted the name character of 'jun' (洵) from Sa Enjun himself. He would put his first grandson, Soujun, as the ruler of Sa province. He decided not to kill the Kou princess, for it would turn the Kous as the Sa’ enemy. Instead, he will had her to marry his 2nd grandson, Sakujun. At the present, he had no plan whatsoever for his youngest grandson, Kokujun.

Tei Yuushun, waiting for Ensei to return, works in a room in the top of a tower where he lock himself up, behind a window with iron bars.

Shuuei and Kouyuu, talking about the just leaving Shuurei party. Shuuei mentioned the happening nine years ago, where the rosy cheeks 16 years-old pretty boy Shuuei was assigned by his brothers to track the whereabout of the exiled prince Seien.

Kouyuu : "Aren't you mistaken with 'thick face'!?"

Shuuei : "Oh? You didn't deny the 'pretty boy' part!?"

Shuuei told Kouyuu that the Ran wished to support prince Seien, and he was sent to search for him because, if Seien weren't exiled, he'd be working by Seien's side as the Emperor's aide. Shuuei commented, that all of it was the story in the past. Before it turned into reality, Seien has been exiled and that's the end of it. To the remarks that the place where Seien was exiled is the Sa province, Kouyuu started to share the same opinion with Shuuei. How would Seiran felt, for once again heading to the land of Sa province..

On their journey, Shuurei was mad because Ensei’s wild beard and his unwillingness to shave it clean (Ensei : "It’s a lot of trouble to do that everyday."). The group of 5 got a lot of attention along their way, because one of them had the nasty-bad-guy look, a little boy that seemed to be daydreaming, a young man who had the look of a noble from somewhere, a young girl who bears the elegance aura of those from noble families, and an ordinary young girl, Shuurei, herself.

Kourin got sick during the way, so they had to spend the night in a lodging house in the city of Sakyou, the last city in the border of Shi province and Sa province. While Ensei went out to buy things, Shuurei had some tea with Seiran. She asked him to be honest to her, for him not to hide his restlessness eversince they are about to enter the Sa province. Seiran promised her he wouldn't hide anything. Seiran said, no matter how hard he try to grow beard, he won’t be able to look like as hideous as a bad guy as Ensei did. Shuurei can’t imagine Seiran with beard as thick as Ensei had in his face. Ensei remarked how Seiran’s attitude turns worse everytime he was around, that Seiran’s politeness only appeared in his interaction with Shuurei and Shouka. Shuurei watching the Seiran in front of Ensei, wondering, that the two might have encountered each other in Sa province.

The group discussed the route they have to take to reach the Sa province’s capital. They had 3 months, the longest possible time needed to reach the capital. Later than that, if they haven’t arrive yet, Shuurei and Eigetsu would automatically discharge from their governor position. From the information they managed to collect, the intention of the pursuer is to make them failed to reach the capital in the alloted time.

In order to avoid their pursuer, Ensei decided to get caught as diversion. Everyone got (somekind of) a pass card plate, so they are (supposedly) able to get into the province without any trouble. The pass card bearing the mark of Kou clan, thanks to Kou Kijin’s helping hand. Having pass card of Ran or Kou’s mark would take too much attention, so Shuurei asked Kijin for his help. On this part, Shuurei commented how kind Kijin is. He’s strict when it comes to the governmental duties but very kind on other matters. If she were to, someday, return to the central court, she’d like to work as his subordinate. She just can’t understand how could women judgde him by his face (Shuurei : "After living for 50 years, everyone would look just like that!"), and pitied the masked man. Ensei thought, with that kind of so perfect-pretty-face, Kou Kijin won’t be able to get married before he got (at least) 50 years old. Yuushun did tell him about Kijin, but not about what under the mask. He respected his aide, because he could pass as Jougen, despite the fact that he has to be in the same examination room as Kijin during the exam.

Ensei asked the group to go to the merchant city, Kinka. It’s the closest city to the capital of Sa province. No matter what happens, even if they were separated in the way, they have to head and gathered there. Before they executed the plan, local government official have surrounded their room. They arrested Ensei for the illegal passing he did for 2 summer in the row (in which he blatantly said, : "Oh? Ah, yeah, I did") and also for him being the ‘shoukon-ou’ (小棍王) of the Satsujin-zoku. Seiran whacked Ensei for (foolishly) he admitted his illegal passing so straight-forwardly (‘no one as stupid enough as to confess what they actually did’, he yelled, then accusing that the level of the brain inside his head is much more lower than a scarecrow). On his surprise, the official also had him arrested for he is also one of the Satsujin-zoku, the ‘shousenpuu’ (小旋風). In the end, the group were all brought into custody, leaving Shuurei all alone with only her personal belongings left, because before they got busted, Ensei had her hidden under the bed.

In their prison cell, Sa Soujun visited Ensei and Seiran. It seemed that he is the one behind the arrrest arrangement. But not long, Ensei had figured that Sa Choushuu must be behind all this.

Eigetsu and Kourin were tested by Soujun and Meishou, to make sure whether or not they are the real official assigned by the Emperor as co-governors of Sa province. Soujun is not too smart of a man, but Meishou, the leader of the newly established Satsujin-zoku (it seemed that this zoku has been annihilated 14 or so years ago), had quite of question for both Eigetsu and Kourin. Eigetsu, being Jougen, could give a satisfying answer. While Kourin, pretended to be Shuurei, could pass his inspection with the education she had received, an education well enough to be able to put her into the position of lady-in-waiting for the empress. Meishou asked Soujun to brought Eigetsu and Kourin to Kinka, where they will meet up with Sakujun, who is supposed to be married with the Kou princess.

All alone, Shuurei decided to go to the local merchant guild and ask for a job in a traveling merchant group that will be leaving for Kinka. On the way to the guild, she saw a niko and after a series of conversation, a man gave her 5 ryou of silver as the payment for the 5 songs she played, to buy the niko. Shuurei managed to buy the niko 3 ryou of silver cheaper than what the shopkeeper demanded (at first, she wanted 1 ryou of silver, while the shopkeeper tagged the niko with 5 ryou of silver). The young man (beautiful young man, she described. Even though she had known gorgeous guys around her, his beauty is still, unfailingly, fascinating her) introduces himself as Rin Senya, and asked her to call him with just ‘Senya’. Their destination is the same local merchant guild.

In the guild, Senya had a warm greeting from the staff and then they parted. Shuurei showed her pass to the staff and was guided to meet the leader of the local merchant guild, Kaku. It seemed that the pass Shuurei brought was a special one. Eventhough it beared the mark of Kou (Kou Kijin’s Kou) clan, the technique that has been used to developing the pass is the one that belong only to the Kou (Shuurei’s Kou). The leader representative of the Kou clan has ordered every guild all across Saiunkoku to do whatever necessary to help the owner of the pass. For this, Shuurei remembered her meeting with a man whose introduced by her father as her uncle, Kou Kurou. In her eyes, Kurou is an opposite side of her father. He is capable of doing things (including helping chores in the kitchen), and he knew her mother as well. After meeting Kurou, Shuurei could understand why this capable youngest brother was irritated having a good-for-nothing Shouka as his eldest brother, so much that he kicked him out of the main house, not to mention, that the second son also had capability exceeded Kurou himself. Kurou told her that the main house has forbade any contact with Shouka’s family. But right now, Shuurei will step into the world outside her mansion. Eventhough Shouka has been casted away by the Kou, Shuurei is still the eldest princess of the Kou. Shouka’s power alone won’t be enough to protect Shuurei in the position she was in right now (what power!? You just haven’t got the idea, Kurou!!), so the Kou will start protecting her, regardless her own will. There’s only one special pass like that. Shuurei thought, she’s being protected because she is a Kou, and that protection didn’t apply for the rest of her group. Once again, she was reminded how distinctive the Kou is, for their protection only meant for their blood descendants. On the side note, after Shouka being casted away from the clan, Shuurei had enjoyed living with her parents, so she beared no grudge whatsoever against the ones who had been casted her father. She thought, if she was to meet with her uncles, she would probably felt weird, but certainly, not hatred (if only Reishin heard this ^^;; ).

With Kaku’s arrangement, Shuurei joined a group of merchant heading for Kinka. The group was said to be the safest one, for the leader is the son of the most influental merchant in Sa. Shuurei introduced herself as ‘Kourin’, and she was easily accepted into the group because the master had known her before. It turns out that the master of the group is Senya, and Shuurei is to be his lady-in-waiting. Along the journey, Shuurei can’t help not to get angry over things. Senya is (in her eyes) the most spoiled guy she ever knew. He doesn’t wear his clothes by himself, even asked her to put on his shoes for him (resulted in her throwing the poor shoes out of the window). Shuurei thought over the few months she spent with Ryuuki in the palace. Eventhough Ryuuki is an Emperor, he wore his clothes all by himself until a certain level, i.e. he asked others to help for clothes that is impossible to be put on by oneself, and surely he doesn’t ask anyone to put on his shoes for him. Shuurei wondered if maybe, the rich Shuuei or Kouyuu had their servant to put on their shoes for them, at least, on their childhood days. Thinking about this is -somewhat- scary, so Shuurei stopped at that point. During the first 7 days of the journey, the group spend several days in a place, which made Shuurei really mad for she wants to go to Kinka ASAP. Senya sleeps during the day and had fun in the town during the night. He tends to wear unproper clothes (according to Shuurei, for he only wears a thin piece of cloth on top), asked Shuurei to play niko almost all the time, seducing her, etc. He even took Shuurei’s hairpin, saying he prefer to see her hair loose. When he asked her to tie up his hair, Shuurei does as he wished, tying his hair while saying this and that about responsibility, hard labour, and what becomes of him if he loses his fortune one day if he keeps on that good-for-nothing life style, and of course, demanding him to continue the journey at once **mentally imaging how mad Ryuuki would be if he knew and see with his own eyes how Senya treated Shuurei ^^;;**. Senya agreed to continue the journey, for the situation at the moment had turn worse because some people had escaped jail. In an instant, Shuurei thought it must be Seiran and Ensei, and she felt a bit relieved and also worry at the same time, because Kourin and Eigetsu are still arrested.

In the prison, Ensei and Seiran determined to exterminate the ghost they called ‘past’. With the help of Sa Kokujun, Ensei and Seiran escaped. It’s not that they can’t escape by their own, but Ensei had things to settle with Kokujun. He encourages the young man to act and depend on his own strength, because Kokujun’s incapability of doing that is the reason for Eiki not to entrust her granddaughter, Shunki, to him.

It turns out that Kokujun has been helping Ensei and Seiran during their days in the prison by sending them food and such. The escape of the duo had almost ended Eigetsu’s life in the hand of angry Soujun. But with Kourin’s excellent act as Shuurei (she dared Soujun to kill them both and instantly make enemies with the Kou), the man let them go. Kokujun appeared, asked his brother to let him take ‘Shuurei’ and Eigetsu to Kinka. Not long, he managed to convince his brother to let him do the task.

Shou Taishi asked permission to leave his seat for a while, blatantly rejected by Ryuuki without went through the trouble of hearing what the old man had wanted to say. Again, Shou Taishi used Shuurei’s name and made the young emperor felt the urge to bury the old man alive. Sou wanted to deliver the ring, the evidence of the leader of the Sa clan, to the Sa province. Ryuuki was astonished to found out that the ring he has been searched head over heels is currently in Shou’s possesion. Shou said that he would let the ring to choose where it would want to be. Irritated by Shou’s attitude, Ryuuki kicked his desk right after Shou left him alone in his room.

Ryuuki was reading alone in a corner of the garden when Sou Taifu calls out to him. They had talk about the Sa clan, about how Enjun had the daughter of Hyou clan as his wife. It seemed that the Hyou clan, despite the fact that they are not one of the 7 noble families, had a long history that could match up the 7 nobles. Many of the members of the Hyou clan had special ability, and the daughters of the clan are forbidden from marriage. Hyou Eiki fallen in love for Enjun, chasing him all over, regardless his attempts to drive her away. Eventually, Enjun gave up. He married Eiki and took her away from the Hyous. Eiki had the power of perception, in which she could read of what will happen in the not-so-far future. When Enjun moved out to Shi province, Eiki was the one to handle and control the Sa clan in the Sa province. Nine years ago, Enjun went back to Sa province. Once he returned to the Shi palace, he locked himself and said something like ‘a monster has devouring the nest’. At the same year, Enjun’s only son died in an accident, together with the daughter-in-law, leaving the granddaughter as the only survivor. Sou suspected that they have been murdered, because if that’s not the cause, then there’s no way Eiki would let that happened.

After the topic on Sa clan, Ryuuki talked about the past and how his encounter with Shuurei had change his view on his past. He took off his crown. I’m a happy man, he said. He even had a 'love confession' to Sou Taifu, replied by a punch in the face. “Before confessing to an old man like me, you’d better do something to the girl you love! Look at how badly you’ve been rejected”, Sou Taifu replied. “I.. I’m not completely rejected..”, Ryuuki tried to defend himself. In all, he got 2 punches from Sou Taifu that hurt so much to the point he had teary eyes. In this conversation, Ryuuki refers to himself as Ryuuki, not as the emperor. When he wanted to put back his crown, Sou Taifu dumped it away, followed by Ryuuki saying ‘that’s an imperial treasure!!’. Sou Taifu wanted him to be his sparring partner like they used to be when he taught him swordplay. Ryuuki, remembering what had happened in the past, went pale, and trying to decline, ‘N.. no.. My head hurts so much because of your punch earlier.. it really really hurt..”. Sou Taifu ignored his plea and drag him by the collar. On the way, they saw Kouyuu and Shuuei. The two of them has been waiting for Ryuuki to return. Sou Taifu let him off for this time. Relieved, Ryuuki approached Shuuei and Kouyuu, presented by another whack in the head by Kouyuu, complaining how late he has been ^^;;

"Omoi wa Harukanaru Sa-to e" (Memories Far Off in the Distant Sa) Page 130 - 178.

Shuurei saw a wanted poster posted on a board. A picture, featuring a bearded man with a cross-shaped wound in his left cheek, along side with an evil-looking man with the air of a trained military officer was posted in it. Of course, Shuurei could instantaneously recognize both of the wanted criminals. The poster said that both of the men were wanted for being members of the infamous bandit group, Satsujinzoku. From the townspeople, she knew about a pair of handsome bounty hunters hunting down Satsujinzoku. The pair’s action on hunting Satsujinzoku’s member seemed to be the hottest news in the town, for they never failed arresting each of the members. It wasn’t difficult to track their destination by overhearing the townspeople conversation. It seems that the pair were heading for Kinka. Shuurei felt proud for both of them. Even while on the run, they’re still able to collect some money. Senya asked her, why she looks so happy, and told her that he was jealous because of that. Shuurei jerked hearing his voice so close by.

Shuurei : Ergh! Young Master!!

Senya : ‘Ergh’? Why do you react like that? I have never receive such a reply from women whenever I speak to them

Shuurei told him that she was just surprised. She thought he will not be leaving the inn in daylight as he usually did. Senya replied that he wanted to see whether she’s going to buy all the tea from the local teashop again. He wanted to know why she always bought all the Kanrou tea from all the teashop in every town the passed by. Shuurei answered that it was on their agreement on the day Senya took her in as his servant. In exchange for her payment, she will be allowed to buy all the tea she wants. Senya started to doubt, it might be cheaper if he was to pay her with money rather than let her bought the tea. Shuurei quickly responded, she has been calculating everything. The amount of the tea she bought is equal to the money wages she is supposed to receive. Then, Senya asked her why she bought so many, and not even making any for him. She said, she’s saving all of them for the people important for her. Again, Senya said that they made him jealous. Senya mentioned about the Satsujinzoku and the pair of bounty hunter that seemed to be right on their tail. He said, those bounty hunter might catch up soon enough. Comparing to their movement, he told Shuurei that they should take their time. Shuurei curtly asked him to head to Kinka as soon as possible, and commented that Senya wasn’t only just take his time, he was just lazying around. Senya chuckled, saying that it was great of Shuurei for being able to understand him in such a short time they were together. She was the first woman he knew that was able to do that, thus considering that they should be married.

Shuurei : Please consider our age difference before saying such a joke

Senya : Age difference? Hmm.. that reminds me. The Sa Governor that was supposed to be married with one of the Sa family’s son, their age difference is just like us

It was the first time for Shuurei to hear about this ‘marriage’ news. She asked him which governor is to be married with the son. Senya replied, it’s not possible for two men to get married. Then, Shuurei quickly concluded, it must be about her, and not Eigetsu. She told Senya, that she would treat him for some sweets, in return, she had something to ask him about the matter. Senya said he didn’t mind. He’ll be the one to pay the bill, and told Shuurei to order whatever she wants to.

On the other hand, the news of the marriage between the Sa Governor, Kou Shuurei, and the 2nd young master of the Sa family has reached Ensei and Seiran. Ensei started talking about the age difference between the 2nd young master, Sa Sakujun, with Shuurei, that is 12 years apart. A few moments before, Seiran and Ensei were fighting a group of Satsujinzoku, and the victory is theirs. Ignoring Ensei, Seiran tied up the defeated Satsujinzoku and started to count. He commented on how underskilled those men were, even so, they still worth some ryous of gold.

Ensei : What? You’re not interested?

Seiran : No. That must be a made up from one side only. If, there’s chances that it were to be true, Kou Shoushou of the Civil Affairs Ministry would have sent assassin after Sakujun’s life at the very moment the news reached his ears

Ensei : A ha ha, that’s seriously not a joke. To be able to have Hime-san’s hand, a man had to be strong enough to pass that scary Kou Shoushou

Seiran retorted, asking Ensei to stop talking nonsense and help him tied up their ‘catch’. Then Ensei started talking about Shuurei. Before they got ambushed in Sakyou, they already discussed where to meet up in case they got separated. Ensei told Shuurei nothing about asking the merchant guild to let her to join the merchant group heading for Kinka, yet, she did it. He felt proud of her for her quick decision, considering that joining a travelling merchant group heading for Kinka would be the safest, and without wasting anytime he did it out of her own accord. And also, for her ability to be able to leave an easy-to-recognize tracks of her movement, yet meaningless for other people. Whenever Ensei and Seiran reached a town, they just have to head to the local teashop and asking for Kanroucha. Then, the shopkeeper would told them a story about a girl, a servant to Young Master Rin, who is very skillful at playing niko, that has bought the entire stock of Kanroucha in the store. In return, to inform her about their whereabouts, they were spreading rumours about a bounty hunter duo that has been hunting Satsujinzoku. Ensei said, he can’t wait to work under Shuurei and Eigetsu as their aide.

At this point, another voice said that he should give up that wish. Meishou, the leader of the Satsujinzoku (former vice leader of the original Satsujinzoku), appeared. From the looks of things, Seiran seemed to have a very traumatic memory involving this man, so much that he is not his usual self at the very moment he heard his voice. Meishou didn’t miss this, and starts verbally abused Seiran, who he called ‘Sousenpuu’. Of course, Ensei interfered. He said that he remembered what Meishou has did to a family of painter. After using their skill, he killed them without any mercy. Meishou replied that he, too, remembered. He told Ensei, that the painter, Ensei’s parents, was a skilled artist. He didn’t quite like the idea of murdering the whole family at the first place, because the women in the family should be worth some money if they were to be sold. Both Ensei and Meishou are throwing cynical remarks. Meishou told Ensei that he disliked the uncute Ensei the moment he joined Satsujinzoku and prefered Seiran instead.

Ensei : What are you saying, after captured the rosy cheeks young me

At this point, Seiran, who has been able to regain some of his composure, and like someone else, thought, “aren’t you mistaken for a ‘thick face’!?”. Meishou continued, that the biggest failure the previous leader of Satsujinzoku ever made was to let one Ro family member left out alive. Because of that mistake, the Satsujinzoku was lead into destruction. To this, Ensei replied, that his biggest mistake in life was to let Meishou get away alive. He said that whatever happened, he should have hunted Meishou in the first place. Because his kindness in the past, now he had no choice but to settle the trouble Meishou has been causing, the trouble that gave him no merit except for some bounty money. But then, the bounty money was issued by the Sa province, which means it was him (his side) who paid the money..

Meishou said that it was beyond his expectation that Ensei were to be Sa Province’s governor. It was a laughing matter, for the one to annihilate the Satsujinzoku to be crowned as the governor. Ensei replied, everyone was laughing about it, eventhough he has been doing his best in that matter. Losing other idea to humiliate Ensei, Meishou told them his real purpose. He was just stopping by to greet them, and asked them to come to Kinka. There, he’d kill Ensei and taking care of Seiran. At this, Ensei said that Seiran doesn’t need an old man like Meishou, for he has been well-taken care of by a hardworking princess who could cook well. After Meishou left, the sun is almost set. Ensei said to Seiran that they should head for town and he’d treat Seiran for a cup of Kanroucha. To add to that, he also said that he has proven himself to be a lot better than those locust Seiran always said about. Seiran laughed, wondering why he could still laugh right after he had seen Meishou. He replied, even he didn’t want to, he just have to admit that Ensei was right, and he told him that he won’t need any Kanroucha.

Ensei : Oh right, nothing beats Hime-san’ Kanroucha

Seiran : Pleasure should be kept for the last. When that time comes, I wouldn’t mind if you just keep quiet and stay put in some corner

That night, Shuurei played niko for Senya as always. Senya noticed that the tune she played was different from usual, and asked her what has been bothering her mind. Then, they talked about the political marriage between Governor Kou and the young master of the Sa family. Senya said that for a princess in such a position as Kou Shuurei, that marriage talk alone would make her unable to get married with other than Sa Sakujun. He said that the princess is rumored to be good mannered, well educated, etc etc, which makes Shuurei wondered, how well Kourin played her role, so well that she seemed more real than herself (Shuurei) in the reality ^^;; Senya remarks, rather than a princess of high status as Kou Shuurei, he’d rather married ‘Kourin’ instead. Shuurei sighed, and said thank you. Senya, then, asked why she seemed to distance herself or even feared the things called ‘relationship’. Shuurei said that she has no time to think about such of a thing, since she had to do something that she put into higher priority than the matter of relationship. Honestly, she is afraid. She had lots of person that are important for her, but amongst those important persons, she is afraid to make one ‘special person’. Senya replied, their feeling is the same. This is something unexpected, Shuurei told him that he didn’t seems that way. Senya said that he could act the way he was because he thought it was just a game. But then, if he ever found the one he really fell in love with, he won’t have any hesitation. Senya doesn’t explain about what kind of ‘hesitation’ he meant. He then, mentioned that the group will arrive in Kinka soon enough. Once they get there, he wants Shuurei to tell him her real name. Shuurei asked what made him think that she didn’t give him her real name. Senya replied, the name ‘Kourin’ is way too cute for someone like Shuurei. He told Shuurei that she couldn’t reject since it will be the last order she had to fulfill as his servant.

Sa Kokujun, To Eigetsu, and Kourin will be entering Kinka soon enough. During their journey, Kokujun asked Eigetsu to teach him. Kokujun said he’s so stupid, that he can’t learn things by himself, he’s undependable, so much that even Shunki wouldn’t look at him. He told Eigetsu that he attempted to participate in imperial exam, but his grandfather, Chuushou, laughed at him. Chuushou said that rank could be bought with money, and there was no need for Kokujun to learn anything in order to achieve some rank. Kokujun, admired his grandfather Enjun, couldn’t bring himself to argue over this matter. Kokujun said about how much he envied Eigetsu, tht Eigetsu must be a genius, because he has been graduated in Jougen seat, despite he’s just 13 years old. Eigetsu simply said, Kokkujun surely not a genius, but neither did he himself. He had known a genius that had not bothered himself to bring along any books during the imperial exam, a genius that would have been able to recite whatever he has just read and will never forget it. Ran Ryuuren is truly a genius, but To Eigetsu is certainly not. In order to pass his exams, he had to work hard, reciting and rewrite everything he had just read over and over, despite his condition that was brought up in such a poor environment that he can’t afford to have enough papers for him to write with, nor candles to lit his surroundings when he had to study at night. Eigetsu said that Kokujun should not look down on himself. He came from a noble family, with lots of unlimited sources that only need to be used properly. In his condition, the word ‘impossible’ should never exist. Eigetsu asked Kokujun not to be swayed and stick on his believe, to try harder for the sake of things that is important for him. At their side, also listening to Eigetsu’s story, Kourin, a little bit angry, thought that he is much more mature than herself.

In Kinka, Meishou and Sa Soujun had a conversation. Meishou told the eldest grandson that his master has ordered both of Eigetsu and ‘Shuurei’ to be killed after they entered Kinka. He told Soujun that the girl who had claimed herself as ‘Shuurei’ is a fake, thus, they didn’t need both of the hostage anymore. Soujun got angry, remembering how the fake ‘Shuurei’ had been able to deceive him into sparing Eigetsu’s life right after Ensei and Seiran were found escape from their prison. Meishou told him to wait for a moment, for he still want to use them for something. Then, Meishou took out something and showed it to Soujun, telling the man that he had found something ‘interesting’. It was a half of the Sa Governor’s official seal. It was found inside a manju bun (for finding this one, thousands of manju has been wasted). The badge, another authority sign for a governor, was found in a hairpin. They laughed at how stupid Ensei was, for hiding those important items in such places, thinking they have been outsmarted the former Sa governor. Right now, their plan has been on the move, in order to take the real Kou princess into their hand. What’s left is to wait for them to meet up with Sakujun. Soujun asked Meishou to quite working for Chuushou and working for him instead. He wanted to be the leader of Sa family, and considering that his grandfather would probably live for another 10 years, he wants to take over the family soon. Meishou laughed, and said he would consider the offer.

Near Kinka, a young man in fancy clothes is walking towards the direction of Kinka’s main gate, while playing his flute. People thought that he would look handsome if he were to wear proper clothes, and his flute is, somehow, awful. But judging from the way the young man played the flute, it seemed that he is confident that he’s good at playing flute. One of his brothers once said that he is, no doubt, a genius, but at the same time, a weirdo. The difference between a genius and a weirdo is as thick as a layer of paper. He is heading towards Kinka. He had two soul friends, those he had to be parted with after he kept the promise he made with his brother and return to his life as a wanderer. He has been traveling alone, but he won’t mind to have them as his company all along the journey. One of the soul friends of his is a young girl, younger than himself. The girl had an excellent skill in cooking. He praised her cooking, and asked her to be his private cook, which was turned down in an instant. He wondered, his choice of words might be wrong. Perhaps, instead he should say, “even if you’re poor, you should not be afraid because you have an excellent cooking skill. With just that, you can live easily. So why don’t you come with me.” The last sentence didn’t make any sense if it were to be compared with the second ones, but he didn’t care. His heart is dancing, for he’s going to meet two of his soul friends. He walked lightly through the gate of Kinka.

Shuurei and Senya arrived at Kinka. Shuurei noticed that the people in Kinka aren’t as lively as those in Sakyou, and that is strange, considering the fact that Kinka is the merchant capital in Sa Province. Senya offered her to stay at his place, and Shuurei declined. She had places she wants to visit before making her next move. She left her niko and other belongings to Senya, and said that she will pick them later at Senya’s place after get everything settled. Senya said that he’ll be staying and waiting for her in the Chrysanthemum Manor, and told her to asked the townspeople if she ever had any difficulties finding the place. Before parting, he asked her not to be so cold towards him.

Shuurei : But you didn’t apologize (for the kiss)

Senya : I’m not going to, because I didn’t do anything wrong

This remarks reminded her to someone who said almost the same. They parted ways, and it was the last time Shuurei saw the young master Rin Senya.

Shuurei is going to visit the merchant guild office at Kinka. She stopped right in front of the building, and hesitated. The image of the building is far different from the one at Sakyou. She felt something is wrong and was about to observe the situation in the city. She bumped into a man, that kindly offered himself to take her to the merchant guild office, said he did that because she brought a very special pass with her. Shuurei decided to trust him and followed the man into a manor.

In front of the Kinka’s merchant guild chief, Shuurei learned out a shocking fact. The merchant guild office at Kinka has been overruled by Satsujinzoku, they even imprisoned the military chief of Kinka. The whole city has been fallen into their hand. The chief called himself ‘Yusa’. There’s only him, the young man that took Shuurei there, and Shuurei herself in the room. Without further a do, Shuurei told him that she wants to borrow the power of Kinka’s merchant guild. In exchange, she, as the governor, would create a better atmosphere for trading activities in Sa Province. Yusa hesitated. He doubt that Shuurei will ever reign as a governor. He told her that the Satsujinzoku has found halves of the official seal and badge. It would be only a matter of time until they found the rest. Without any doubt, Shuurei said that what they have been found were just fakes, made by a high-skilled engraver in Kiyou. A certain someone had guarantee that the original items would be delivered to Kinka and that it would be impossible for it to fall into the hands of other than the 2 governors. She said that the governor’s aide, Ro Ensei would soon arrive at Kinka, along with a military officer that has been bestowed the sword of imperial treasure. The power of this military officer alone would be exceeding those of the provincial general, so he would have the right to put an arrest warrant against anyone. The sword was also delivered to Kinka with the seal and badge. Even she and Eigetsu had no idea how would it will be delivered, she trusted that the ‘certain someone’ has took every precautions to make sure they would be safely arrived at Kinka. A moment later, Yusa promised to help Shuurei, if he judged that her action would not be in vain. Shuurei agreed to that, thinking that merchants would not move until they saw some solid proof right in front of their eyes. Yusa offered her to spend the night at the manor, but Shuurai declined. She said that she has arrangement to stay at a manor belonged to one of the son of the Rin family. The two men went silent. The man who had brought Shuurei to the manor, then told her that the Rin family has been massacred by the Satsujinzoku. Shuurei went pale. Then.. what has been happening..? Who is the young master she had spent these past few days with..!?

The massacre of the Rin family, a famous merchant family in Kinka, happened 3 days ago. Satsujinzoku left no successor alive, so there should be no one to run the family business as for now. Shuurei helplessly thought of ways to found the seal and the badge. That ‘certain someone’ said that the sign would be obvious, that she would be able to found it in no time. Just a moment ago, in front of Yusa, she said that she trusted that ‘certain someone’, and now she has been spending sometime cursing that someone for not given her more clues to make her search easier. At that very thought, Shuurei saw the sign. As that ‘certain someone’ has said, the sign was obvious.

Shuurei : Ran Ryuuren..!!

Ryuuren : Oh, my soul friend no. 1.

In order not to waste anymore time, Shuurei asked Ryuuren to give her what he brought. Ryuuren, lifting an eyebrow, said that he was happy for being able to meet one of his soul friend, yet he can’t understand why she seemed to be enraged.

Shuurei : Unlike you, I have no time to spare!

Ryuuren : My foolish brother said that you show your affection through your anger.

Then, Ryuuren gave her a pear, said that it must be the thing she has been searching for. Shuurei trembles in anger. If Ryuuren were to be the one to deliver those items, there’s no doubt that he would be the safest human deposit box ever, even more reliable than Ensei. With his pass, which bears the symbol of the prestigious Ran family, “souryuurensen”, he’d be able to pass every gate without have to go through any inspection. Nobody would ever thought that those important items are in the possession of this flashy walking signboard. And if he ever became the target of bad guys, it would be futile. Despite his stupid outer look, he loves elegance, which was his reason to be well-trained in martial arts, as his brother himself, Ran Shuuei, had said to Shuurei in the past. And the equation in Ryuuren’s head for this (according to Shuurei) would be : elegance → to love the beauty of nature → the nature is not only beautiful, at the same time it is also strong → then he should do the same → mind and body, both must be beautiful and strong → the quickest way to gain this purpose is to learn martial arts. And then he started to learn martial arts, and getting marvelously strong, enough for them who put their upmost effort to learning the same field to beat him out of rage. Despite that all the things he wore worth quite a sum of money, he had never been attacked by bandits. Shuurei thought that those bandits must have been leaving him alone at the very sight of his strange outfit. If they even braced themselves trying to rob him, they must be the one to lose. From these point, no doubt that Ryuuren is the most secure safe deposit box, to the point that this safebox won’t give what he supposed to give to the righteous end of receiver ^^;; After judging every occasion she had with Ryuuren, Shuurei quickly changing her questions, and calmed herself.

Shuurei : What are you doing here, anyway, Ryuuren?

Ryuuren : Of course, to meet my soul friends.

Shuurei : Uh, well.. I’m glad. But.. don’t you bring any presents for us?

Ryuuren : Present? I was told to bring you this official governor seal and badge as presents.

Shuurei decided to have Ryuuren to help them too. She said that Eigetsu is also coming to the city. Ryuuren replied that he knew, for he saw him being brought into the Kinka castle and was about to go after him when Shuurei called out. It was the first time Shuurei heard this news. Ryuuren praised Eigetsu’s bravery, for having the guts to sneak into bandits’ den all alone. Shuurei bites her lip, trying not to comment on the stupid things (according to her) Ryuuren has just said. Shuurei than asked him, how much danger Eigetsu might have to face. He replied that there’s around 99,9 percent possibility for Eigetsu to get killed. But at the same time, he also saw Ro Ensei and Shi Seiran heading for the castle, and he himself have no intention of losing a long sought soul friend, so there’s another 99,9 percent possibilty that they will be able to save Eigetsu. Shuurei asked Ryuuren to visit a pawnshop before he went to the castle. Calmy he said that Seiran’s imperial sword would be of great use for the purpose. In order to ensure that Kanshou didn’t fall into the wrong hand, it has ben put into a pawnshop in Shi Province. There is no tag price for Kanshou, so there won’t be any possibility for it being sold, and pawnshop items would have to be inspected. Shuurei then said that she wants Ryuuren to deliver the seal and the badge to Eigetsu. Ryuuren replied that he has two soul friends and doesn’t want to lose any of them. Shuurei told him that ‘he’ is waiting at the Chrysanthemum Manor, that she doesn’t have any choice but to go, regardless the danger she might have to encounter. Ryuuren smiled. He said that no one could estimate the depths of someone’s heart, that luck depending on one’s own action. Shuurei confused, asked him to use much simpler way of speech. Ryuuren, then, told her that tomorrow, there’s high probability that he’ll be able to enjoy the meal she cooked.

Shuurei : Then, this is the last. The man who has been with me all the way here.. Who is he?

Ryuuren : Undoubtedly, he’s not one of the Rins. They have been massacred three days ago. At the moment, among the survivors of the family, there’s no male successor that could run the family business.

Shuurei : Then, he is..

Ryuuren : The man who knew everything

Shuurei : He was also the one behind the massacre of the Rins?

Ryuuren : You already knew the answer. There’s 100 percent possibility for your answer to be correct.

Shuurei : You’re just too honest, you know. Allright, I’m going now.

And Shuurei left Ryuuren behind, heading for the Chrysantemum Manor.

=End for Part 1=

Well.. because the text size is too large, I divide it into 2 entries, and here's the rest of book 4...