Basara Volume 5. ver1.0 () indicate lines not spoken [] indicate lines in handwriting ** indicate flashbacks {} indicate translator notes P.4 Table of Contents Green Chapter 3 - Suzuka Murder Race - 6 Green Chapter 4 - The Snake King - 52 Green Chapter 5 - Seiryuu - 92 Green Chapter 6 - Heartbeat - 135 Summary Civilization is destroyed at the end of the 20th century. 300 years later, the people were suffering in the oppression of a kingdom ruled by despots. At Byakko Village, the army of the local authority, the Red King, attacks, and the village chief’s son Tatara is killed. His twin sister Sarasa decides to dress as her brother and fight from that time onward. However, Sarasa and the Red King, who met at a hot spring, fall in love with each other without knowing the other’s true identity. Sarasa and Shuri travel towards Kanto to attack the Blue King. Regarded and runaway slaves and captured by the Blue King’s Royal Guard, what lies in store for them...?! Character Introduction Sarasa A 15 year-old girl. Fights in the place of her bother Tatara who was killed. In truth, she is the "Child of Destiny". The Red King His name is Shuri. Last son of the Emperor, he has charge with Chugoku Shikoku and Kyushu provinces. Possessed of rare intelligence and strength, he is wary of his elder brothers... P.5 Slave: (No one returns from this race alive. It is a man-hunting game.) Shuri: It seems we were thrown into a pretty trying event. Sarasa: (What on earth is this race about?) Announcer?: Come on! All mounts line up at the starting line. P.6 Announcer: Which of these 20 will turn back through Suzuka Ridge and return here to Nagoya to claim the gigantic monetary prize?! Hisha: Kaku-jii! Over there... Kaku-jii: (Tatara!) Kaku-jii: Wh...what?! Why is... Announcer: START!! P.7 Green Chapter 3 - Suzuka Murder Race P.8 Sarbo: Yahoo-! Clear out, clear out, get outta the way! Iron Mask: (The participants are free to use horses or chariots, or run with any sort of equipment. But the slave have no horses to ride. They run barefoot.) P.9 Shuri: I don’t have time for moronic games like this. Sarasa, bolt when you see a chance. Sarasa: Yeah. Sarbo: [roar] Waa-oh! Go, go, Go--! I’m going to be first-! P.10 Blue King: Ha ha ha... Run, run -- even into hell. Sarasa: (Someone... is watching.) Shuri: Sarasa, did you notice? There are armored knights hidden in the trees, fencing in the path. [rumble...] P.11 [roar] Shuri: (The Knight Corps.) Sarasa: Wha...what?! P.12 Runners: Gwa! Gyaaaa! Waa! Sarasa: (What... is this... What in the world is this...) P.13 Slave: It’s like I said - this is a hunt for murder. Killing us all is a game to entertain the Blue King. Shuri: In that case, no matter what, even you can’t just complain! P.14 Shuri: Sarasa! Blue King: Oh, we have some bold ones this year. P.15 Sarbo: [No way.] Oh? Someone’s catching up! Sarasa: Everyone! Be careful! The knights are attacking from behind! Sarbo: Wh-what?! [roar] Racer: U-uwaaa! P.16 Racer: Uaaa! Wh, what’s going on-! Racer: Eeeek! Racer: Gua! P.17 Matsumushi: Stop, sto-p! There’s something out there-! Wires! There are wires stretched out there! Racer: Uaaa! Racer: Gyaa! Sarbo: What is it?! Matsumushi: Traps have been set! Sarbo: Shit-! I no one told me this was an obstacle race! P.18 Racer: Eeeek! Sarbo: Sa- Save me--! Matsumushi: ... Sarbo: Th... they’re gone. Shuri: Because it would be boring to kill everyone in the first half, wouldn’t it? Racer: This isn’t funny. What about that was a race? We’re not rabbits! P.19 Racer: The point is that we’re living things. I’m retiring! {...from the race.} Sarbo: Uwa! Soldier: Leaving the course is not allowed. Retiring is impossible. Matsumushi: Who’s there? Where is that voice coming from? Soldier: Your only option is to aim for the finish line. Keep running. P.20 Sarasa: (This is the sort of person the Blue King is...?!) Shuri: (I thought my brother was talentless, but I didn’t think he was this moronic.) Sarbo: Dammit, how dare they trick us! Matsumushi: What do we do now? Sarbo: I don’t wanna die -- so what should we do?! Matsumushi: Whatever we do, they have our sides and back surrounded. We’ve got nowhere to go but ahead! Racer: Take your time, careful... Racer: Oh! Here’s another. Sarbo: Hot... Can’t it rain a little? Shit. Racers: Hey... I hear water... It’s a river! P.21 Racer: It’s Kiso River. Sarbo: No bridge, huh? Matsumushi: No... A spot without a bridge... Matsumushi?: Look there. There are nets stretched on both banks. Which means we can only move within this range. Shuri: ...... So, it’s pointless to follow the current and escape downstream. Sarbo: We’ve got no choice but to swim to the other bank. P.22 Sarbo: It’s too murky to see the bottom. I’ve got a bad feeling about this... Racer: Huh? U... Uwa! Wh...what? Gyaa-! Sarbo?: [Uaaa-] G...get out! Get up on the bank! There’s something in there! Sarbo: !! Crocodiles! There are crocs in there! Sarasa: What are crocodiles? Are they different from sharks? Shuri: [I’ve never seen them before either.] They’re big lizards. There are no sharks in rivers. Sarbo: Why’re there crocs in Kiso River?! Matsumushi: How would I know?! The Blue king likes reptiles, they’re probably his pets! Sarbo: He means to make bait out of us. P.24 Sarasa: Shuri... Shuri: It’s alright. I’m with you. Sarasa: [th-thump] ( That’s the first time anyone’s said something like that to me. ‘I’ll protect you.’ It’s so comforting... pleasant...) P.25 Sarasa: (But... I am Tatara. If I was alone, I would have to get though this by myself.) Sarasa: And you’ll be alright too, because I’m with you. Sarasa: Hey everyone! Let’s all work together and build a raft. Winning or losing isn’t important now. Racers: Th... that’s right. I see. There are materials all around us. Matsumushi: For slaves, they’re kinda cheeky. Sarbo: [So’re you.] But the girl’s cute. P.26 [Heave-ho, heave-ho] Sarasa: (Though I don’t think the knights will sit and wait for us...) Racer: Will this really float? Racer: Dunno. If it stays together until the other shore, that’s enough. Racers: Heave! Matsumushi: Okay, everybody on - hold it. There’s no room for slaves. You’ll have to swim. Sarasa: No! We all made this together... Matsumushi?: You can come. P.27 Shuri: Sarasa! Sarbo: The girl’s coming with us. Sarasa: Let me go! Matsumushi: Stop struggling! The raft’s breaking up! Slave: No help for it. Let’s make another one. Wh... you-- hold on... P.28 Sarbo: Hey, he’s really swimming. Matsumushi: He must be drawing the crocs away from us. Sarasa: (Shuri!) Sarasa: Shuri! Don’t! Go back! Shuriii! Slave: H...hey... [Roar] They’re he--re! P.29 Slave: Gyaa-! Sarbo?: It’s the knights! Matsumushi?: Paddle! Hurry to the bank! Racers: Uwaa-! Wa-! P.30 Sarbo: [Wa-!] Sarasa: [Cough, cough] Wh, where are the others? Shuri: What?! Sarasa, forget them! Sarasa: I can’t do that. Grab this! Hurry! Sarbo: Wh-whew... It-it bit my foot! Sarasa: Are you alright? P.31 Sarbo: Thanks... Nee-chan. Racers: Half of us are left. Soldier: To the race participants: From now until daybreak the race will recess. Sarbo: What?! Soldier: Build a fire and rest well. P.32 Soldier: However, you are surrounded by countless beasts. It is pointless to take advantage of the darkness to escape. With that said, good night, participants. Sarbo: You call this rest?! You say that now, but didn’t you just attack us?! Sarasa: ...... It’s probably... because of the darkness. The Blue King can’t watch this tragedy in the dark. He means to wait until it gets lighter. P.33 Sarbo: A, achoo! Matsumushi: I’m hungry. Sarbo: Bring on the crocs. [You’ll get fat.] Matsumushi: [Jeez.] Don’t jinx us. Shuri: ...... Shuri: That hurt! Sarasa: Of course it hurt. You saved me, but don’t try anything that risky again! It’ll get you killed. P.34 Shuri: I won’t die. Because I’m one of the chosen. [Wham] Arg! Sarasa: You’ll die in the middle of saying something stupid like that! Stupid! Sarasa: (Because Onii-chan-- because Onii-chan was one of the chosen, was the Child of Destiny, but he died...) Sarasa: Stupid... P.35 Shuri: You’re the only one who ever calls me an idiot. Sarasa... [Th-thump] Sarasa: Shu... Shuri. Y... your head’s all weird! Shuri: Weird?! Sarasa: See? It feels weird. Shuri: Hmph. [A bit embarrassed, for some reason.] Sarasa: I have to go to the bathroom. P.36 [Th-thump, th-thump th-thump] Sarbo: She’s your girl? Matsumushi: Slaves aren’t supposed to have that kind of freedom. Shuri: Watch your mouths. Else she ends up as crude as you are now. Sarbo: Is she going to be a queen or something? Matsumushi: Ha! P.37 Shuri: (The immediate result of their thoughts... I suppose. Given plenty of time to consider their situation, in each heart terror sets in greater than before.) Racer: Wa-h... Sarbo: Don’t cry, it’s pathetic! Shuri: There is a way, if we cooperate. P.38 Soldier: What? Who called? Huh? My cape’s gone. Hey, have you seen my... Sarbo: Whew, that was scary. I’m surprised there are so many surrounding us. Sarasa: What will you do with all these capes? Shuri: Sew them together into a big bag. You have needle and thread, right? Shuri: Open the bag. Now stoke the fire much higher. The enemy won’t understand what we’re doing. P.39 Shuri: Burn the fire higher. Racers: Wh, what is that? What’ll we do with it, get in it to threaten them? Shuri: It’s a balloon. Sarbo: Balloon? P.40 Sarasa: What’s a balloon? Shuri: It flies. [Leave riding to me.] Sarasa: It flies?! Like a bird? Sarbo: I see. If we go by air, we can get out of here. Racers: W-will it really fly?! I-it’s like magic. Sarasa: This way, we can finally say goodbye to this hell. Shuri: Finally, I need you to gather lots of firewood. Sarasa: Shuri... You’re amaz... Shuri: Get on, Sarasa. Sarasa: Eh? Shuri: We’re going now. Sarasa: ...what-- do you mean? We’re going alone?! Shuri: Shh. It couldn’t fly if that many rode. P.41 Sarasa: Everyone helped and you’re leaving them... Shuri: They left me last time. They’re a bunch of useless thugs. Why should I care what happens to them? They entered this race of their own will. Sarasa: Shuri... Shuri: I’ve been enduring them more than usual up until now. Shuri: (Normally this is where I’d kill them all.) Sarasa: Shu... Shuri: There’s a difference in worth between me and them. You are the only one I want to save. Is that wrong? P.42 Sarasa: (I know these eyes... it‘s like they‘re frozen inside-- where did I... where...did--) Sarasa: Get off. I’m going alone. Shuri: What?! Sarasa: Shuri, do you know the "Spider’s Thread" story? The story about people who get to heaven on their own and fell all the way to hell? P.43 Sarasa: "This is my thread! Get off! Only I will go to heaven!" Sarasa: I’ll go on my own, rather than trample people. Shuri: I’m not such an idiot. To me, there is neither heaven no hell. Shuri: Sarasa, don’t you want to be saved? Sarasa: I want to be saved! I don’t want to spend another second here! But-- Sarasa: ...I didn’t think you were like this. Shuri: I don’t know what kind of person you thought I was, but I am me. We don’t have time to waste in a place like this. P.44 Racer: Hey, they’re trying to go alone! Racer: What?! Racer: Move! For a slave, you’re--! Racer: We’re going to ride it! Racer: Wah, wait! Racers: Let me ride too! And me! Racer: Let go, we’re going to fall! P.45 Racer: Gyaaaa! Sarbo: Ah... Aaah- P.46 Sarbo?: And so, we’re all that’s left. Huh... heh heh heh heh. Matsumushi: What is it now? Sarbo: Nothin’... I really though I could get prize money out of this. Matsumushi: We already figured out it was a lie. Sarbo: [Ha...] Don’t just sit around dream of hitting the jackpot, but steadily plow the field... I should’ve listened to mom’s advice. Sarbo: I thought, if only I had money, my village could live without starvation... Matsumushi: A big guy like you shouldn’t cry. Everyone’s circumstances are like that. P.47 Sarasa: Ow! tsu------ Shuri: Sarasa, take my hand. Shuri: (What was that for?) Sarasa: (I don’t understand Shuri. Is he kind? Is he cold? Is he selfish?) P.48 Sarasa: (I don’t understand at all.) Sarbo: Suzuka Ridge. Halfway at last...this is the return site. Matsumushi?: Four swords... what’s their meaning? Sarasa: (The Byakko sword...?!) Blue King: Welcome. I am the Blue King. Shuri: (The Blue King - the real one?!) Shuri: Where are you? P.49 Blue King: Now we enter the final round. From this point only one will survive. Fight-- kill the remaining three. The survivor is the winner of the race. P.51 Blue King: Come, take up the swords and fight. I will bestow honor and riches upon the survivor. Sarasa: (Fight...? Against these people...? Against Shuri...?) P.52 Green Chapter 4 - The Snake King P.54 Sarasa: (The Byakko Sword is here... Using it in this meaningless race, with so little effort...) Sarasa: (This is... my village’s, my grandfather’s, my father and mother’s--) P.55 Sarasa: (Onii-chan’s one single memento. The only proof that I am Tatara. Using it here, as if it were an ordinary, valueless sword...!) P.56 Sarasa: (I’m sorry.) Sarbo: Nee-chan, you don’t have to cry. After coming this far together we couldn’t kill each other. Blue King: Come, take any sword you like. Sarasa: (Meeting Iron Mask again - he’s probably doubting that I am Tatara. In that case, I can’t take the Byakko Sword.) Sarasa: (Shuri!) P.57 Shuri: (This is... without a doubt-- Tatara’s Treasure Sword of Byakko. I had it once, but he stole it back at Doudan Fortress.) Shuri: (Why is it here?! Is there a connection between the Blue King and Tatara?!) Sarasa: (If Shuri has it for now...) Blue King: Come, what is it? Will the four of you fight, or, if you refuse, will the knights kill all of you? Which do you prefer? P.58 Blue King: Hahaha, haha... Now, [haha] quickly. Blue King: [Hahahahaha...] Entertain me. P.59 Blue King: Think of this as an arena. Wouldn’t a match for your survival be amusing? [Hahahahaha...] 4 Survivors: (The Blue King!) P.60 Blue King: Now, which will you choose? Sarbo: Hmph, there’s no choice. I still haven’t gotten your name. I’m Sarbo. Matsumushi: Matsumushi. Sarbo: Then, let’s go! If we have to fight, we’ll fight you bastards! P.61 Sarbo: [Uoooh!] Matsumushi: [Oooh...] Sarasa: (Too rash!) Sarasa: Look out! P.62 Sarbo: Gu-oh... Ka... Kaa-chan... Blue King: Every year there are fools like these. Committing useless deaths... it is a waste. Now, what will the remaining two show me? Haha. P.63 Blue King: Hahahaha. Now then, shall we get on with it? Kill, kill each other! Blue King: Hahaha, hohohohoho, hohohoho! P.64 Sarasa: Don’t la--------ugh! P.65 Knights: Oh...ohh! Sarasa: Don’t laugh! Don’t laugh, don’t laugh, don’t la---ugh! P.66 Sarasa: You are a great fool who is only king in name. People feel pain if you hurt them. They are ashamed if you make fools of them. That should be obvious! Sarasa: You hurt when you are injured, don’t you? You shed blood, don’t you? If you die-- If you die... you yourself and the survivors suffer. P.67 Sarasa: You suffer, and there is no outlet for your feelings. Your dreams are broken, and no matter your curses or bitterness, you can’t see the path. Sarasa: (Hear me, Blue King, Red King!) Sarasa: A person that doesn’t understand such things is not fit to be king!! P.68 Sarasa: Sniff, sniff... Blue King: [Clap, clap, clap] Magnificent. Come closer, girl. I understand. The things you say are quite natural. Human lives are priceless and must be treasured. Blue King: But regrettably, you have misunderstood one thing. P.69 Blue King: You and I are not equally ‘human’ are we not? My life is precious, but yours is not so. The citizens and slaves are no more than my possessions. P.70 Blue King: I am free do what I please with my possessions, am I not? Do you sympathize with one of your shoes? Sarasa: (My words didn’t get through...) Shuri: (So this is the Blue King... I never met him, didn’t know his face. My brother, huh......) [He doesn’t look like me.] Shuri: (If I kill him here and now, can I escape?! Taking Sarasa...) Blue King: Ah, that’s enough, I am bored. Dispatch those two and let us return to Nagoya. P.71 Sarasa: Shuri... Shuri... It would’ve been better if even you alone had escaped in the balloon. Force my thoughts, stop, eventually, annihilation...... {Someone save me!!!!!!!} Sarasa: (Should be have escaped together?! What would’ve been the right choice as Tatara?!) Shuri: That’s enough, Sarasa. You are a pretty remarkable woman. If we get out of this alive, be my bride. P.72 Sarasa: How can you say that in a time like this? Shuri: Okay? It’s settled. Shuri: Alright, let’s go. Don’t get separated from me, Sarasa. Asagi: Is His Majesty the Blue King here? P.73 Blue King: Asagi? What is it? Asagi: An urgent message from the front line of the assault on Suou. Sarasa: (The Captain of the Guard!) Blue King: What?! Asagi?: Sir, it is confirmed intelligence that the Red King has entered the capitol of Seiran, bringing his elite soldiers, in aim of taking Your Majesty’s life. P.74 Blue King: All of my people will return home! Asagi! Call back all the armies! Tell them to return to Seiran! Asagi: As you command, but, if the Red King is absent, this would be an ideal opportunity to take Suou. Blue King: Don’t be foolish. Taking that piece of rock and losing Seiran would be pointless! Asagi: Coward. Iron Mask: Asagi-dono, hold your tongue. Asagi: And you, who do you think you’re addressing? Strange, coming from one so recently promoted. P.75 Sarasa: Shuri, It looks like something happened. Sarasa: (This is our chance!) Shuri: (The guards are confused.) Shuri: Go! Run into the forest! Blue King: Quickly! Knight: What about those two? Blue King: Kill them. Iron Mask: Your Majesty. What if you make that girl the next sacrifice to the Tower of Silence? It could also be a prayer for victor in battle. Blue King: I see. There are uses for women. Do as you suggest. Iron Mask: Yessir. P.76 Sarasa: Ugh! Asagi: Girl, the Blue King summons you. I will take you to the capitol of Seiran. Shuri: (Seiran.) Knights: Wah-! You can’t escape! Kill him! P.77 Sarasa: Shuri! Asagi: (Shuri?) Asagi: Did she say Shuri?! Asagi: (Surely the Red King wouldn’t be so stupid as to bring a woman and participate in the race. It shouldn’t be possible, but-- Still, he used that sword quite well.) Asagi: Wait, bring him in without killing him! Knight: We have no excuse. He fell from a cliff. It appears his head was smashed among the rocks. P.78 Asagi: Hmph, oh well. [That didn’t help anybody.] Asagi: [He’s not getting up from that.] The name must’ve been coincidence. Asagi: You companion is dead. Sarasa: (Shuri-) P.79 Sarasa: (Shuri-) Knight: Your cape is mussed. Fix it. Knight: Yessir. Knight: ...... P.80 Sarasa: A procession to hell. To hell, and... Kaku-jii: What in the world happened? Tamura-sansei: [Bought Toki and Yato to return them.] Hisha: At any rate, let’s follow them. Blue King: Oh, it’s Fuji. It’s clearly visible again today. P.81 Nagi: *Mt. Fuji has been this country’s symbol since ancient times. Long ago, eruptions damaged it’s shape slightly, but it is a tall, beautiful mountain.* Sarasa: *It’s big? Nagi, is it like this? This big?* Nagi: *[chuckle] Much, much bigger.* Sarasa: *I want to see it. I want to see it someday.* P.82 Narration: "Seiran", capitol of the east. Map: The Blue King’s territory - Seiran - Kanto Narration: Enter on the main street that connects with the Toukaidou, and you emerge in the great Blue Plaza. {Toukaidou = East Sea Road. Connects Tokyo (now Seiran) with Kyoto.} P.83 Narration: Within, Four gates tower, that divide the people's paths. P.84 Citizens: The King’s homecoming. The King’s... Citizen: That’s the girl who will be sacrificed. Citizen: They’re holding that ceremony again... Guard: Captain, we’ve tightened security, but no one knows the Red King’s face. [Is he really coming?] Asagi: [I’m investigating that now.] Asagi: He’ll be 18 this year. Since he’s an impertinent boy he probably won’t stand out. In the name of the honor of the Royal Guard "Gunjou", watch for him. {Gunjou= Group Blue.} Guard: Yessir. P.85 Narration: Blue Palace Soldier: Take this girl to the bath. Make the preparations as usual. She’ll be in the ceremony tomorrow. Be sure she’s beautiful. P.86 Sarasa: I’ll get in myself. Sarasa: You... bare this very well. Iron Mask: The women can’t talk. It’s done so that they can’t talk of unnecessary things. They have it done to all the slaves here. P.87 Iron Mask: This capitol’s caste system is thorough, and of course the living quarters also are organized. The gates you saw en route are for that purpose. Iron Mask: A gate for the King, a gate for the nobles, a gate for commoners, and a gate for the dead. The graveyard is there, as is the Tower of Silence. No one goes in there. It is an evil region where bogs sprawl and monsters live. Iron Mask: To suppress those evils, and make revelation of the king’s godhood, a ceremony is held at the Tower of Silence. You will be the tribute. Iron Mask: Don’t escape, or the women’s heads will roll. And their family’s heads as well. P.88 Sarasa: I would never run. Iron Mask: Very well, then. Sarasa: A dazzling palace abundant with plants and flowers. But it is a capitol of blood, where many lives are being buried. With Shuri... together with the Byakko Sword... P.89 Guard: Captain, Madam Butterfly’s troupe wishes to enter the city. Should we admit them? Asagi: What?! Asagi: Ageha! Ageha, Ageha! No, it’s Kichou now. [Beautiful as always.] Ageha: If it isn’t Captain Asagi-sama of "Gunjou". It has been quite some time. Asagi: It’s been so long since you last called. That’s why I keep telling you to join the court performers. Ageha: I beg your forgiveness. Asagi: You came at just the right time. I’ll have you complement the flowers at the ceremony. Ageha: Ceremony? You’re doing that again? Ageha: (With someone’s daughter as a helpless sacrifice.) P.90 Sarasa: ( Nagi, everyone, I’m being selfish, but forgive me. Not as Tatara, but as myself, I can’t forgive this.) Sarasa: (I will drag the Blue King from his throne without fail...!) P.91 Sarasa: (Without fail...!) P.92 Green Chapter 5 - Seiryuu {Seiryuu = Blue Dragon. The animal god of the east quadrant. If you don’t know this, then you didn’t watch Fushigi Yuugi. Be sure to do so.} P.93 Narration: Capitol of Seiran -Blue Palace P.94 Asagi: Ageha! Ageha: Asagi. Asagi: Did you make the drawing of the Red King? Ageha: Well, it’s roughly like this. [Red King] Asagi: ...... ...You can’t be serious. Ageha: You knew I have no artistic ability. The one I had a pro draw from my description is here. P.95 Asagi: (I can’t say it doesn’t resemble him.) Ageha: For being brothers, they look nothing alike. Asagi: That’s probably true. Ageha: Hm? Asagi: Oh, that’s because they have different mothers. Asagi: Alright, copy this as needed and distribute it to the others. Have it posted in the city, too. Guard: Captain, proof that the Red King has left the capitol of Suou has not been found. [Or proof that he’s come to this capitol.] Couldn’t this be false intelligence they’re using to cause a disturbance?! Asagi: Who knows? That 17-year-old is a talented leader who built a prosperous city in the middle of the desert, assembled the best navy in the land, and brilliantly avoided conflict with the foreigners, after all. P.96 Asagi: I must meet him. And for starters, make him pay for damaging your beautiful face, Ageha. Ageha: ......Sometimes you have an air of cruelty blue than the Blue King. Asagi: That’s because I’m actually the son of Enma-sama. {Enma = Buddhist deity that judges the souls of the dead.} Ageha: (He’s cute when he’s smiling, though.) [Pervert] Asagi: Ageha, let’s have dinner together! Wait for me! P.97 Asagi: Hey! You there! Asagi: Hang these on the walls. Soldier: [What have we here?] Likeness of the Red King... 100 thousand gold to the finder... Only 100 thousand?! They’re making fun of me! [It looks nothing like me.] P.98 Sarasa: (At the door is a lock and guards. At the window are iron bars and guards. This ceremony where I’ll be sacrificed is tomorrow night.) Sarasa: (What’ll you do, Sarasa? How will you strike the Blue King?) P.99 Asagi: It’ll be done soon. Sarasa: (The Captain of the Guard!) Asagi: Hmm, you look a bit more acceptable. I don’t see the practiced carriage of a spy no matter how I look at you, but... Who was he? Who was that man who was with you? Sarasa: A manjuu seller. {Manjuu = steamed bun with sweet bean filling.} Asagi: (What about him was like a Manjuu seller?!) Asagi: Where did he come from? Who’s slave was he? Sarasa: I have nothing to say to you. P.100 Sarasa: He was killed! He’s already gone! I have nothing to say to like likes of you! Asagi: I despise impertinence in women. Sarasa: Gu- P.101 Asagi: Drink! Sarasa: Ooh- Sarasa: (Poison...!) Asagi: Don’t gag. It’s not poison. It’s just a sleeping draught-- enough for a full day. P.102 Asagi: It’s a potent drug, so don’t worry about waking up en route. While you’re sleeping, the ceremony will finish without a hitch and you’ll be cut up for crocodile and lizard bait. Sarasa: (I mustn’t-- I mustn’t fall asleep!) Asagi: Well, shall I tell you a story instead of singing you a lullaby before you go to sleep? P.103 Asagi: Long ago, this eastern region was the capitol of this country. It was a vast city that boasted world-leading prosperity and pleasure. But on the day the world was destroyed, that capitol crumbled and fell like all the others, swallowed by a wave, it seems. Asagi: This region has many likes and marshes to this day. Theses traces can be seen, but occasionally they cause floods. P.104 Asagi: Can you hear it? [Hi--------------- hi--------] Asagi: It’s the voice that comes from the great lake beyond the gate of the dead. The people of the city will be shaking with fear. It’s the voice of the dragon that live in the lake. It causes the floods. Asagi: We perform the ceremony to calm the dragon. The Blue King prays with the power of the gods, takes out the heart of the sacrifice, divides up the body, and offers it to the dragon. P.105 Asagi: As long as the Blue King is a "god", and the Dragon God approves, it continues. Sarasa: (Don’t fall asleep. Don’t fall asleep, Sarasa! Don’t fall asleep.) Asagi: I’m sure you won’t feel any pain. Sleep well... for eternity. P.106 Kaku-jii: What was that sound just now - a voice? Hisha: Ominous, wasn’t it? The sound of the wind, perhaps? Madam Butterfly: The people here say it’s a dragon’s voice. Here, want a drink? Hisha: Ah, thank you, Madam. Excuse our using the pretense of being friends of the troupe... Thanks to you, we able to enter the city without looking suspicious. Madam Butterfly: Ageha’s acquaintances are my acquaintances. Don’t let it bother you. Troupe Member: [Come on, pitch the tents!] Mario: [I’m Mario!] Madam Butterfly: Is this your first time in Seiran? Hisha?: Yes... Madam Butterfly: Well, you should avoid that commoner’s gate. Bad illnesses are always cropping up in there. P.107 Kaku-jii: Hisha, should we check it out? We may get some information about Tatara. Hisha: What should we do about Tatara-sama? Kaku-jii: Give him a good stern lecture, if I can manage it. Let’s wait for a chance. Hisha: What a run-down gate. They say that to know the true form of a city, look a the lives of it’s lowly. but... Hisha: Kaku-jii, I smell something strange. Like rotted garbage... Hisha: Ugh- P.108 Citizens: Please save us. Save us... Those nobles came again today and killed three people. Citizen: Aaah, Okaa-san, Okaa-san! Citizens: Medicine... Food... Kaku-jii: Uhg... Citizens: Save us... P.109 Kaku-jii: U- uaaah! I... I’m sorry! Madam Butterfly: That’s why I warned you. Kaku-jii: We... we’re horrible people. Hisha: And there’s a dazzling palace right over there. Kaku-jii: (This is a capital city, Tatara? I don’t want to praise him, but the capitol of Suou that the Red King rules is heaven compared to this place.) Kaku-jii: (The Blue King looks at this and doesn’t feel anything?!) Blue King: Haha, hahahaha- P.110 Blue King: So, Count. From among poisonous snakes, poisonous lizards, poisonous spiders, and scorpions, which one is the strongest? [Heeheeheeheehee...] Blue King: You here! Bring two or three slaves. I want to test it. Knight: Y... yes, Lord. [Come! Ee--k! Wa--! No!] Iron Mask: What are you doing in a place like this? Knight: Putting up posters. Iron Mask: You think this is where you should be? Get going! Knight: Yes. [Gyaaaaa...] P.111 Asagi: I see the Count dislikes such barbarous scenes. Ageha: Good day. Asagi: Hmph. Some count-- just another up-and-comer. Asagi: Your Majesty, Tatara’s ship has departed Sakura Island and seems to be headed this way. Blue King: Asagi... Ooh! Ageha! If it isn’t Ageha! Blue King: Remove them! Get them out of here! Ageha: ...... P.112 Blue King: Ageha, I’ve asked before, but won’t you become mine? If I searched the whole land, I would not find another man of your beauty. I now intend to add Tatara to my collection as well. What do you say? You will have everything you desire. Ageha: I too love beautiful men. Blue King: Ooh! Then... Ageha: But you are not beautiful. Ageha: Excuse me. I have a rehearsal to attend. Blue King: ...H... How rude! Asagi! Bring him back! I’ll make crocodile bait of him! Asagi: Now now, his poison tongue is one of his charms. You like poisonous things, don’t you? P.113 Blue King: Eei, take all the slaves and spit them! Asagi: What are you so upset about? Blue King: Asagi, have you still not captured the Red King? Is... is he really coming her to Seiran?! Asagi: What, are you afraid of the Red King? It will be fine. The soldiers that were attacking Suou are returning as we speak. Blue King: Asagi, you are the only one I rely on. You will save me, won’t you? Won’t you? Asagi: Of course, but the Blue King shouldn’t look so pitiable. You are a god. The Red King and Tatara are like dust before the Blue King. P.114 Narration: The ceremony began the next day after sunset. P.115 Narration: Beyond the gate of the dead is a graveyard and behind it stretches a lake. The face of the Tower of Silence rises from the center of the lake, and on the shore an altar has been erected. Hisha: So many people, could this be everyone in the city? Kaku-jii: The palace guard is likely insufficient for this. Asagi: A splendid dance, Ageha. Alright, start burning the incense soon. P.116 Shuri: [I’ll borrow this.] Official: Priests, please go on to the altar. Hisha: Kaku-jii, something is wrong. The people’s expressions have all gone blank... Kaku-jii: Hu... huh? My body... won’t move the way I want... P.117 Priests?: Bring forth the girl to be sacrificed. Kaku-jii: (Tatara?!) Kaku-jii: S... Sacrifice?! Hisha: I... I can’t move! Kaku-jii! Hisha: (They are burning some sort of drug. That’s probably the cause.) P.118 Hisha: Th... they’re starting something. They’re all praying to the lake... Kaku-jii: Hisha! Lo... look, out there! Something’s coming out of the lake! P.120 Citizens: [Oooh, ooh!] Hisha: A... a dragon?! A sea serpent?! Kaku-jii: That’s impossible! Blue King: O dragon God, O lord who governs the waters. Listen well and be calm. I am the Blue King, I am a god, and with my powers I seal you. P.121 Blue King: Witness my power. Hisha: Woah! She’s floating! Kaku-jii: (Tatara!) Blue King: Hahahaha, hahaha. Kaku-jii: Hisha-- Hisha, stay calm. This is a deception. We’re seeing a mass hallucination because of the drug. P.122 Citizens: Oooh, a god! P.123 Citizens: He is a god! P.124 Blue King: Dragon, I offer you this girl as tribute. With this Sword of Seiryuu that had been handed down through the ages, I cut out... Sarasa: I see, this is one of the four swords - the Seiryuu Sword? Blue King: Y..you! P.125 Blue King: Was the sleeping drug ineffective...?! Sarasa: As many times as I fall asleep, I will wake up. Finally, my mind is clear! Blue King: [Eeeek!] Ageha: That’s... P.126 Sarasa: Where are your godly powers now? We are only suspended by ropes, aren‘t we? Blue King: Woah! Let me down! Hurry and let me down! Sarasa: No one move! If anyone disobeys me I’ll take of the Blue King’s head this minute! Guard: Captain, what shall we do? Shall we let him down? Asagi: Wait. Knight: Should we fire on her? Iron Mask: Wait. Let’s take stock of the situation. P.127 Sarasa: Everyone, please watch this! Citizens: [Wooa, Ooh...] The dragon-- The dragon is... P.128 Sarasa: As you can see, the dragon is a dummy. This man is not a god at all. He’s only using this flashy show to make you fear and respect him! Blue King: I... I am-- I am the king, the chosen! I am a god! Shuri: *I won’t die. Because I’m one of the chosen.* Sarasa: (Shuri...) Sarasa: Spouting that sort of garbage will get you an early death, you idiot! Sarasa: (You... idiot... Shuri...) P.128 Sarasa: (I always realize because they’re gone. I loved you, Shuri. I probably would’ve come to love you more. And Onii-chan, Otou-san and Okaa-san. I really always took them for granted. While I thought I honored them, somewhere in my heart I took them for granted.) Sarasa: (But now they’re all gone. Now I can’t tell them that I love them. Ever...) P.129 Sarasa: (Because I’ve lost what’s precious to me, I realize.) Sarasa: I don’t think your people will trade blows with me, since I still have so many things to do. Sarasa: Someone the likes of you has no chance against this sword. Now! Apologize to the people! P.130 Sarasa: Come on! Blue King: I... I am-- Sarasa: Say it louder! Blue King: I have deceived you all, however-- It wasn’t my idea. I was lead into it by my subordinates! Blue King: S...spare me--e! I don’t know, I know nothing! It’s Asagi! Asagi is to bla--me! P.132 Citizens: What...was that...? Then he is nothing but a coward. That is our king? Citizens: Up until now he made us believe in the dragon-- that he was a god...? Citizen: My daughter who was sacrificed was... Citizen: My mother who was cut to death was... Citizens: Blue King! [Waaaaah] Let him down! Drag him down! Drag him do--wn! [Waaah] Guard: Captain! Asagi: So this is it. I’d hoped you would last a little longer, but... P.133 Ageha: Asagi?! Blue King and Sarasa: Waaaah! Citizens: He fell! [Waaah! Aah!] He fe--ll! P.134 Blue King: Waah! Someone! Someone save me! [I don’t swi--m!] Priest: This way. Blue King: Oooh, priest, quickly, take me to the palace. Sarasa: Blue King! You can’t escape! Iron Mask: Come! Sarasa: (Iron Mask!) P.135 Green Chapter 6 - Heartbeat P.136 Blue King: Wheeze, wheeze... I’m saved. My thanks, priest. Priest: Come, your majesty, to the palace before we are surrounded. Blue King: Good... good. Protect me and I’ll reward you. Citizens: Blue King! [Aah...] Catch the king! [Waah!] Bring down the Blue King! Iron Mask: Wait! Don’t run! P.137 Iron Mask: Come with me! Sarasa: Damnit! Let me go, Iron Mask... Iron Mask: Listen to me! If the Royal Guard catches you, they’ll tear you to bits! P.138 Iron Mask: That’s enough, you can put down your sword. Sarasa: Where are you taking me? We’re getting father from the city, aren’t we?! Iron Mask: If I meant to kill you, you’d already be dead. There are people I want you to meet. Sarasa: Do you think I’d trust you? You’re the head of the Blue King’s Knight Corps. You, who killed Sarbo and the other survivors at the Suzuka race without giving them a chance! Iron Mask: ...... The Blue King is secretly building floodgates on the rivers and lakes in this region. P.139 Iron Mask: Occasionally they are opened to purposely cause floods, in order to convince the people of the dragon and inspire fear-- to keep control of the people’s hearts. Iron Mask: This area is said to be the dragon’s home, and entry is strictly forbidden. Sarasa: Those large boulders are... Iron Mask: They aren’t boulders. Look closely. Sarasa: ......! This place is... P.140 Iron Mask: The remnants of a civilization that flourished long ago. The Blue King hid this advanced culture from the people-- P.141 Iron Mask: --to preserve the aged monarchical system. P.142 Iron Mask: The wind passes through the many holes and makes a sound like an unearthly voice. They claimed it was the voice of the dragon. Iron Mask: I can’t say a ruined civilization will be good for us, but keeping the people in a dark age without seeing or knowing anything is a greater misery. Sarasa: ...... Who are... Iron Mask: We’re here. You can get off. Let’s hurry. P.143 Iron Mask: Over here. Iron Mask: Go inside. These too are our ancestor’s ruins. Sarasa: (Underground...?!} Iron Mask: In this area the basements are like a maze. The passages have become complicated. Most have crumbled and become dead-ends. Rebel: Count! We’ve been waiting! Iron Mask: Oh! You’re all together? P.144 Rebel: The word from the lookout is that there’s an awful uproar in the capitol. The people are turning insurgent. It seems they are rushing the King’s and noble’s gates. Iron Mask: This brave maiden created this impetus. Rebels: [Oo-h! Wa-h!] Sarasa: Huh? U... Um... um, I’m Sarasa. Iron Mask: Alright! Don’t let this chance get away! As previously planned, we will rise up and attack all at once! Rebels: Al-right! Finally we can bust out! [O-h! A-h! Waaah!] We’ll show the Blue king what we’re made of! Sarasa: Y... You guys-- P.145 Sarbo: Yo! [It’s Sarbo!] Glad you’re safe, Nee-chan. Matsumushi: [Hey.] Sarasa: You’re alive...! Sarbo: We thought we were goners too. But when we came to, we were here, unhurt. It looks like every year that guy gathers some of the race contestants. Sarasa: (Iron Mask...!) Sarbo: Where’s the guy who brought you? Matsumushi: That rude monk. Sarasa: (Shuri...) Sarbo: Oh... poor guy. Sarasa: (Shuri... If he had lived and made it here...) P.146 Sarasa: (Shuri...) Rebels: [Wa-h wa-h Wa-h wa-h] Bring the bows over here. First company, for up! Iron Mask: Izumi, could you get this girl a change of clothes? She’s soaked. Sarasa: Thank you. Sarasa: Ah-- oh, this isn’t anything to bother over. Sarasa: [Thanks...] Excuse me. This place is a rebel army hideout, right? How long... Did Iron Mask...? Sarasa: ...... You can’t... P.147 Sarasa: Did the Blue King do this to you?! How awful... Sarbo: This is a gathering place for ghosts. Sarasa: Sarbo... Sarbo: Slaves who should’ve been killed, condemned criminals who defied the king, a mishmash of those sorts. Sarasa: (Waiting for a chance to defeat he King...! Just waiting, intently, in this basement...) Iron Mask: Izumi, stay here with the women. P.148 Sarasa: (Waiting intently...) Iron Mask: Watch over our unborn child. Sarasa: You’re Iron Mask’s wife?! I-- I know a good doctor. Nagi will heal you for certain, I know he will! I’ll introduce you! Rebels: Is everything set? The first company will go to the south exit. [O-h! O-h!] The second company has the south exit. Take the noble’s gate! The third company... Sarasa: (I’m going too!) Tamura-sensei: [Borrowed clothes] P.149 Sarasa: Iron Mask... It would probably be best if I told you. I am... Iron Mask: You may be who I think you are, and you may not. Whatever it may be, it is still not time for you to take that name. Well, that person shouldn’t be here now, so it’s probably my mistake. Rebels: [Hahaha! The preparations are done!] Iron Mask: Okay. Everyone head out! P.150 Iron Masks: The underground path has exits here and there. We have steadily uncovered the buried ones. One of them leads out close to the Blue Plaza. Iron Mask: ...You still look mystified. Sarasa: Ah... don’t mind me. Iron Mask: If I put it this way will you understand? I am a survivor of the family that protected the Seiryuu Sword. Iron Mask: The royalty have only ruled all of Kanto for a few dozen years. There was a family that held that sword, and violently resisted them to the end on these shores. P.151 Iron Mask: But in the end, even the women and children were slaughtered, and the sword was stolen. I was no more that 10 years ago that the Blue King, barely having learned to walk, came to this land as the king. Sarasa: Why were only you spared...? Iron Mask: Who knows? Probably because I was unusual. Sarasa: Unusual...? Iron Mask: Come! Let’s go-- to the surface! P.152 Citizens: Send out the Blue King! Send out the snake king--! Nobles: Mar... Marquis-sama, the insurgents... They’re tearing down the gate! W-where has the Blue King gone? Where are the knights-- the royal guard?! Citizens: Take the Blue King’s head! [Waaaaa!] Beat up the nobles-----! [Wa--aaaa...] [Hi---------i... hi-------- hi--...] P.153 Noble: Look out there! Listen insurgents! That is the voice of the monster in the lake. Be gone, or you’ll all be cursed! Citizens: U... Uwaah...! Iron Mask: Don’t fear! That is only the sound of the wind. There are no monsters or dragons in the lake! It’s all nonsense made up by the kings! P.154 Nobles: Geeh, That is the Count! What has he done?! Iron Mask: While I served at the king’s side, I waited for this chance. Now is the time to defeat the king and remove he malignancy! Rebels: [O--h! Waaaaa...] Citizens: Th... that’s dad! He should be dead... Citizen: Our son is there too! Citizen: [Wa-h!] Otou-chan! Citizen: [Wa-h!] You’re alive! You’re all alive! Citizen: Dear! [Waaah!] Rebel: [Kyaaaa-] The Count saved me. Iron Mask: Let us fight together to make a peaceful, prosperous city without discrimination. P.155 Iron Mask: We want independence from the kings!! Citizens: [Ooooo-h!] P.156 Sarasa: Golden hair...and blue eyes... Citizens: A mane...! a golden mane! He’s a lion... [Ooh!] We have a lion on out side...! Iron Mask: I don’t know why I was born with this appearance, but thanks to it the Blue King took an interest in me. Tamura-sensei?: [Enough to give him a scar.] P.157 Iron Mask: This fight should be easily won. We have greater sprit. But... Sarasa: But? Iron Mask: There’s no way the brother-king to the north, the Black King, will sit and watch. The Emperor in Kyoto will likely send a force to quell the rebellion. the Blue Amy will return from the attack on Suou, and the Red King, how will he come into this? If this land becomes a battlefield, do we have any chance of victory against hundreds of thousands of soldiers? Sarasa: I... I... have I done something horrible without realizing...? Iron Mask: But it advanced our times. There’s nothing wrong with getting carried away by moment. P.158 Iron Mask: I want to leave something good for my unborn child. Kaku-jii: Hisha. Hisha: Yes? Kaku-jii: Could anything be move moving? It’s like looking at a miniature of the country. Hisha: A miniature...? Kaku-jii: Before long this movement will spread to all the regions of Japan. The bold will rise up in every land. Kaku-jii: (The trigger that will release them is Tatara. Tatara, have you realized? Haven’t you? The girl who wished for the peace of her own village--) P.159 Kaku-jii: (--has set set Japan in motion as the Child of Destiny.) Citizens: Charge----! Nobles: Eek! Half the knights have joined the count! What is the Royal Guard doing? Noble: It seems the Blue King was brought to the palace by a priest, but... Blue King: W... Who are you? You aren’t a priest, are you? P.160 Shuri: You covet the territory of others, and to stop your awkward plans I sunk my prize ship, and was unable to save the live of a friend. Blue King: Y-you are- the Red... P.161 Blue King: Eeeeeek! So-someone... Someone save me--! Shuri: But for the moment, to show you honor as my brother, I won’t kill you on the spot. For you there will be a death suited to your life. Rebels: [Waaah!]Ah-! What is that? Rebel: Look there! In the palace... that the Blue King! P.162 Blue King: Eeee--k! Wheeze- Citizens: Hit him with rocks! [Waaa!] Fire Arrows! [O--h!] Torture him to death! Blue King: Eeek! Someone save me--! Save me--! Citizens: In your next life, you’ll be peasant! [Waaa!] Become a horse or a pig for us! Blue King: ugh- Citizens: Become a bug, damn you----! P.163 Blue King: A- Asagi-! Where have you been? It’s you duty to protect me-- hurry, hurry and save me! Asagi: You’ve done well serving as the Blue King for so long. P.164 Asagi: Think of it as a beautiful dream that you, born of some vulgar woman, could be brought up as the Blue King. Blue King: Wh-what are you saying? Hurry... hurry! Asagi: As a stand-in for the Blue King you’ve served be well. Blue King: Stand-in?! What is this talk? You say I am not the Blue King? Asagi: That was unusually perceptive of you. Blue King: What foolishness! Where beyond be do you say the Blue King is?! P.165 Blue King: Asa... gi... Asagi: Didn’t you say to me one day, that the one person in this world best suited to the aristocratic saffire was me? P.166 [Splash] Citizens: He fell! [Waaaaa!] He fell into the crocodile pond-----! Citizens: He’s dead! [Ohhhh!] The Blue King is dea--d! P.167 Citizens: [Waaaaah...} Iron Mask: With the Blue King dead, I want to avoid unnecessary fighting! End the resistance! The battle is decided! Iron Mask: Here, in the name of the people, I declare our independence! [Ohhhhh!] P.168 [Wahhhh! {various other celebratory cheering....}] Sarasa: (Shuri...?!) P.169 [Th-thump, th-thump, th-thump, th-thump...] P.172 [Th-thump... th-thump... th-thump...] Sarasa: Shuri!! P.173 Sarasa: Shuri, Shuri! Shuri, you’ve alive, you’re alive, you’re alive, you’re ali--ve! Shuri: This is the first time you’ve ever held me. Sarasa: I‘m so glad, Shuri. I’m so glad you’re alive! P.174 Shuri: Mm-hm, I’m glad I got to see you again. Sarasa: Shuri... Sarasa: (Shuri...) P.175 Sarasa: (Shuri...) P.176 Shuri: (Back then, I heard you would be taken to Seiran. Because I thought your life wasn’t in danger for the moment, I disguised myself as a knight and made it look like I had fallen from a cliff.) Sarasa: (I wish you would have told me.) Shuri: (Why? Were you sad? That I had died?) Sarasa: (Why, you ask... but...) Shuri: (But what?) Sarasa: (Shuri... you’re mean.) P.177 Shuri: You looked good at the ceremony. [I didn’t get a chance to do anything.] Sarasa: You saw that? Shuri: You were very pretty. As I thought, you’re all I can see... Sarasa: [Hold on.] Sarbo: Wh-what? Rebel: What’s that sound? [Rumble...] Citizens: [Roar] It’s water! [Uwaah!] It’s floo--d! P.178 Iron Mask: Someone opened the floodgates! Iron Mask: (Asagi...! I thought I hadn‘t seen the Royal Guard...) Iron Mask: Run! Head for high ground, no matter how slight! [Boom] P.179 Sarasa: Shuri! Shuri: Sarasa! Sarasa-- I will have to return to Suou soon! If I don’t see you before then, check for me at the Red King’s palace in Suou! P.180 Sarasa: Eh?! What? I can’t hear you! Shuri: Sarasa! Come to the Red Palace! Sarasa: I can’t hear you, Shuri! P.181 Shuri: Damn, what a waste. If the west only had this much water... Asagi: So you were the Red King after all. P.182 Asagi: I’ve been waiting to meet you, Shuri... my younger brother. 5 - End P.183 Tamtam Time Extra Chapter - Shinbashi Comes Home P.184 Nihonbashi: I’m the eldest brother, Nihonbashi. I’m the big brother who looks after the others. Yanagibashi: Oniita--n. {Oniitan = corruption of oniichan.} Nihonbashi: Hm? What is it, Yanagibashi? Ah! Yanagibashi! You’re wearing that ribbon again even though you’re a boy! If you do things like that, you’ll end up like Ageha! Yanagibashi: Bu--t, I already act like Ageha. Nihonbashi: What a deplorable creature. Takebashi: Oniitan, Oniitan, it’s seerious, it’s seerious! P.185 Nihonbashi: What is it, Takebashi. That was too much like a historical play. Takebashi: But it’s seerious! It’s really important. Shinbashi is coming home! Shinbashi: [Shinbashi ->] ......... I‘m home... Yanagibashi: You look tiny