Houshin Engi by Fujisaki Ryuu, adapted from the novel by Ano Tsutomu published by JUMP Comics; Shueisha, Inc. ------------------------------------------------ 15. TEST: Completion ------------------------------------------------ [153] - Rintoukan - Chouhou: Damn... what are those refugees doing down there? Are they going to wait until I kill every last one of them? Chouhou: Eh? Chouhou: That is... [154] 15. TEST: Completion [155] Taikoubou: Excuse me... Who's in charge here? Chouhou: I'm the commander, Chouhou. How can I help you, sennin-sama? Taikoubou: With these refugees loitering there, it must be causing you a headache, right? How about if I help you get rid of them? [156] (Taikoubou: I'll show you what I'm capable of!!) Woodcutter: Hey! The doushi-sama has gone to the fortress gates. Youzen: What is Taikoubou up to? Youzen: (thinking) Could he... Could he be trying one of his schemes again? Woodcutter: Didn't you say "leave the matter of the refugees to you" just now...? Woodcutter: Are you a doushi-sama too? Please, come this way! Youzen: ...... (erm...) [157] Youzen: Hmm... Refugees: Ah...doushi-sama!! Please help us, help us to pass through this fortress! Youzen: ......... Youzen: (thinking) Why did Taikoubou-shishu leave these citizens here and go to the fortress by himself? It's not possible that he would abandon them! Youzen: (thinking) He ought to be feeling guilty over the "Taibon" incident still... [158] Youzen: (thinking) I've been watching Shishu in secret, so I'm really also an accomplice in that matter. But I didn't lift one finger to help. Not my fault...at the time, I had no way of helping no matter how much I wished to... Youzen: (thinking) Shishu should be very clear on this point, we can not let history repeat itself! Woodcutter: Eh? Woodcutter: Doushi-sama? [159] Woodcutter: Could it be that doushi-sama helped us convince the commander of the fortress to let us through? Taikoubou: YOU WISH!! !! Woodcutter: Dou...doushi-sama... what is the meaning of this?! [160] Taikoubou: All right! If you guys wish to stay on Youzen's side... Then I will take the side of the fortress! Refugees: You... Damn doushi, betrayer! Refugees: AAAAHHHH!! Aa~~!! Refugees: We can't hold out! Let's return to Chouka! But the empress is there!! Youzen: ........... [161] Youzen: Taikoubou-shishu... you have no honour at all! Even if you're going against me, there's no need to involve the innocent citizens!! Youzen: Master Genshi Tenson really picked the wrong person, how did he choose you?! Youzen: /Transform!!/ Taikoubou: ! Chouhou: Ahh...indeed you have my admiration. All those damn refugees have fled!! Taikoubou: Er... Chouhou, look over there! !? [162] Chouhou: Bu...Bu... Buseiou!? It has been mentioned previously that Buseiou is the highest official in charge of military affairs. Of course, the fortresses of the empire come under his jurisdiction too. KouHiko (Youzen): Chouhou... What is the meaning of this...? Chouhou: This...this...? [163] KouHiko (Youzen): Why haven't you allowed the citizens through!? Are you following your orders!? Chouhou: Er... But... Buseiou... Chouhou: This was the order given to me by the empress... (paper: Orders Do not let any of the refugees from Chouka pass through Rintoukan. by Dakki) The imperial edict was written exactly like that! KouHiko (Youzen): That order has already been changed! Now, let the citizens through immediately!! Chouhou: Yes, sir! Taikoubou: Don't be fooled by him! [164] Taikoubou: That Buseiou is a fake!! He is a doushi from the Senkai who transformed himself, don't be taken in by him! KouHiko (Youzen): What did you say? Chouhou: A... a fake? KouHiko (Youzen): All right! Chouhou, you decide for youself. Decide for yourself whether I am lying or he is. Chouhou: ........... [165] Chouhou: Arrest that damn doushi!! Taikoubou: Aaaaaahhh~~! ................. Chouhou: Thank you so much, Buseiou. I was almost fooled by this damn doushi. Thankfully, everything turned out right. [166] Youzen: (thinking) Sipuxiang? Youzen: (thinking) Strange... Sipuxiang has always spoken up for Shishu... Why has he remained silent this time? Sipuxiang: Goshujin... Your actions will cause others to hate you! Youzen: (thinking) And so, everybody passed through the fortress safely, and with the exception of Shishu, everyone was safe and unhurt. Could it be... Woodcutter: Ah... Buseiou-sama, thank you so much!! [167] Woodcutter: You evil traitor!! Sipuxiang: Hey! Stop that!! KouHiko (Youzen): ENOUGH!! KouHiko (Youzen): Taikoubou-shishu... Really, what should I do about you... [168] Genshi: Youzen is indeed a genius... And his skill of transformation is also perfect. But, he is also merely a genius in the Senkai. Hakutsuru: It is different in the human world...? Genshi: .......... Genshi: Hakutsuru, let me ask you. If it were you, would you work for Youzen or Taikoubou? Hakutsuru: ! Genshi: Did you know? The person who undertakes the Houshin Project must be a person of great wisdom. And he must also be a genius. What it means to have wisdom is the ability to lead those under him, as well as care about the people and whom everyone would wish to serve. [169] Youzen: My deepest apologies, Taikoubou-shishu!! Youzen: I really feel very ashamed of myself. You used me in order to save everyone, right? A brilliant plan, indeed!! Taikoubou: Haha! Sipu, even the genius Youzen was fooled by my act. Sipuxiang: Geez, being a doushi, you shouldn't be lying all the time. Youzen: As a result of this... I have decided... Taikoubou: ? [170] Youzen: Actually, when I first appeared as Dakki, my confidence was very high. Yet, you saw through my disguise just like that. It seems that my skills are not perfected yet. Dakki (Youzen): So~~~ I do not have the confidence to help you at this time. I think I will have to return to the Senkai and continue training. Taikoubou: What?! So you're not going to help me now!? Dakki (Youzen): Oh~~~ but I'm a perfectionist, you know. Dakki (Youzen): Farewell, Taikoubou! We will meet again! (Ohohohoho~) Taikoubou: Maybe this guy really does have a habit of cross-dressing... [171] Youzen: ........... Youzen: Shishu...the air over Chouka is filled with chaos. Don't dally any more, make haste towards Seiki! Youzen: When next I appear, I will definitely help you to the best of my abilities. [172] - Chouka - Dakki: *sigh* ..... Kokibi: Ah Ah~! Dakki nee-sama~! Kokibi: What are you tinking about? Dakki: I can't think of any good ideas... Dakki: Is there anything more interesting than the Houraku or the Taibon? Kokibi: Kibi will help to think too~! Dakki: Besides this, I actually have another problem... [173] Dakki: It's the recent problem regarding the refugees! They've all escaped from Chouka to other states! If this continues, the other states will become increasingly powerful, that's not good for us... Kokibi: Eh? This is not like nee-sama! Oh, don't worry so! Let's have a party with great wine and great food~! Dakki: Excellent! I have a new idea again, Kibi! Dakki: Shuchi Nikurin! (translator's note: litreally translates as "Pool of Wine, Forest of Mean") Dakki: So, it's settled then! o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o Translation (c) 2000 Koushi - all rights reserved. No part or whole of this document may be broken up or published on a web-page without the express permission of the author. It may be freely distributed for _personal_ use ONLY on the condition that it is distributed in its entirety and no changes of ANY KIND are made, leaving all original author and copyright information intact. o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o