Houshin Engi by Fujisaki Ryuu, adapted from the novel by Ano Tsutomu published by JUMP Comics; Shueisha, Inc. ------------------------------------------------ 16. Dakki-chan does the Shuchi-Nikurin ------------------------------------------------ [175] Nataku and Youzen... Taikoubou has successfully allied himself with these two powerful individuals. 16. Dakki-chan does the Shuchi-Nikurin From here, how will he feel as he proceeds towards Seiki? Meanwhile, Dakki... Chuuou: Dakki... What are you up to again this time? [176] 16. Dakki-chan does the Shuchi-Nikurin Dakki: The Shuchi-Nikurin, of course! [177] The Yin Dynasty comprises 800 states, both big and small. The North, South, East and West states outside of Chouka are governed by the Four Earls. Tohakukou (Earl of the East) Kyoukanso Seihakukou (Earl of the West) Kishou Hohakukou (Earl of the North) Suukouko Nanhakukou (Earl of the South) Gakusuuu [178] Among them, the Earl of the West, Kishou, was the most highly regarded. - Seiki City - Invitation! This is Dakki, Chuuou's most beloved and dearest wife! I'm hosting a huge party, so all the four earls must come along~~~! Hakuyuukou: Father, this is... Kishou: An invitation to a party. [179] Kishou: This is a good thing anyway. Kishou: Rumours from Chouka say that Chuuou has been bewitched and is negligent... I would like to go and see for myself what is going on. Hakuyuukou: But I'm worried! Kishou: Hakuyuukou, when I'm not here, you will govern in my place as my first son. Whatever happens to me, you are not to leave Seiki. I will definitely come back. And hence, the Four Earls came to gather at Chouka. [180] Suukouko: Ah... Suukouko: The Imperial Palace... It is indeed a palace of great elegance... Kishou: But... Gakusuuu: Right... Kyoukanso: The citizens of Chouka are not doing so well. Suukouko: Oh, nevermind them! The citizens are there to be oppressed anyway. Gakusuuu: Suukouko! You...!! Kishou: Don't argue! Kishou: We four earls are the leaders of the 800 states. Can't all of you be more composed? [181] Kokibi: Hi~~ Kokibi: The uncles here must be the Four Earls? Kibi will take you to the party venue~ Kyoukanso: Oh, this little lady is really cute! Kishou: Yes, why don't we follow her, then? Kokibi: It's going to be fun this time~ Kokibi: There's plenty of great wine and great food~ Kishou: Haha! Then, we'll be helping ourselves! [183] Dakki: Ohh? Dakki: Welcome to the Four Earls! Welcome to the party of the Shuchi Nikurin. Kishou: Shuchi Nikurin? Suukouko: Woohoo~ this is great~! The entire pool is filled with wine!! Kishou: This is such a waste, I suppose this must be the "Shuchi"... Kishou: Then, what is the "Nikurin"? ??: Oohhooo----- Kyoukanso: ! [184] Kishou: A tiger!? [185] Kishou: Your majesty!! What is all this about!? Chuuou: Duh.... Dakki: He said, "What are you guys all worked up about?" Earl: Where did so much wine come from? And those people who are being fed to the tigers...!? Dakki: About the wine, that was collected from all the citizens of Chouka! And the food for the tigers are those 500 slaves and convicts, of course! [186] Kyoukanso: Chuuou!! Please end this terrible thing immediately! Gakusuuu: The citizens will lose confidence in your majesty, and the four of us will leave you too! Dakki: This... Dakki: This party which I stayed up all night specially to organise for you... Chuuou: Dak..Dakki, are you all right?! Chuuou: How dare you say such words... Chuuou: Kyoukanso! Gakusuuu! How dare you not even appreciate this party that the empress has prepared for you? [187] Shinkouhyou: Buseiou... Shinkouhyou: Did... Shinkouhyou: ...you know? Something big has happened in the city! KouHiko: What? [188] Chuuou: Dakki...actually, you didn't have to kill them... Chuuou: The Four Earls have helped me to govern the 800 states, and we have always been at peace. You have killed them, the East and South regions will rebel... Dakki: No, they won't! As long as Chuuou-sama is here, the Yin Dynasty will never die! Chuuou: Re...really? Dakki: But, of course! Chuuou: Dakki is really smart! Kishou: ......... [189] Kishou: (thinking) His majesty is really being controlled by this great beauty! This lady...Dakki can't be human... how can such a beauty be so ruthless? Dakki: So... what about the two of you? You better enjoy this Shuchi-Nikurin party! Suukouko: Oh, of course! Such ideas from a great beauty are indeed exceptional! Dakki: Oh, you flatter me, Suukouko! Dakki: Kishou, what do you think? Kishou: I... I.... [190] How did it come to this? Dakki's original plan was to have us killed... She wants to undermine the powers of us, the four earls... Kishou: (thinking) This woman is truly frightening! I must advise His Majesty. Even if I will be sentenced to death, this is also a service of loyalty to the emperor. Kishou: Your majesty... Kishou: Your majesty, this sort of party is really too outrageous... [191] Chuuou: Kishou...!! Dakki: You wish to share their fate? KouHiko: Your Majesty! Empress! Dakki: ! KouHiko: Oh! It's you, Kishou-dono! It's been a while! Kishou: Buseiou!! Dakki: Aaah! You've come to join the Shuchi-Nikurin party too? KouHiko: Hmm... How could the empress have forgotten about me? [192] KouHiko: Kishou-dono! Let's enjoy this wine and blood-filled party! Kishou: But...Buseiou... Dakki: Oh no! That won't do, Buseiou! Dakki: Kishou said he didn't like this sort of parties, so we must kill him! Otherwise, that would be too unfair to the other two just now! KouHiko: Please stop at once!! Kishou is a loyal official! If he is sentenced to death, it will leave a terrible stain on the history of our Yin Dynasty. Chuuou: Hm... Kishou has accomplished much for me.... [193] Dakki: Is that right... but he can't be completely without guilt too! Dakki: All right! Spare him the death sentence, but confine him for an indefinite amount of time. Dakki: Come, tie those two corpses in the trees. What follows now will be the most exciting! Servant: Dakki-sama... Dakki: Listen to me! Dakki: Our initial plan was to keep Kishou, and get rid of the other three. Because there is a matter I will need him for... [194] Kishou: Kyoukanso and Gakusuuu are dead... Kishou: Suukouko has become like this... Suukouko: Here, have a drink... Dakki: Oh, thank you! Kishou: It's all hopeless! And so, Dakki's brilliant plan was achieved. From then on, Seihakukou Kishou was locked up in a house near Chouka and confined for seven years long. After Kishou's matter, Chouka's authority soon fell to the hands of SyuBunou. [195] Kokutenko: Shinkouhyou, why did you tell Buseiou about the Shuchi-Nikurin? Shinkouhyou: So that Kishou would have the opportunity to meet Taikoubou... Shinkouhyou: Taikoubou's aim in the West was to meet Kishou after all. To have Taikoubou, Kishou and Buseiou together, that is the most important plot point. Shinkouhyou: If they join forces to go against Dakki... Don't you wish to see the battle between them soon? Kokutenko? 2 : The Beginning of the End (end) 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