Houshin Engi by Fujisaki Ryuu, adapted from the novel by Ano Tsutomu published by JUMP Comics; Shueisha, Inc. ------------------------------------------------ 54. The Curtain Falls on the Elderly Sage 2 ------------------------------------------------ [049] 54. The Curtain Falls on the Elderly Sage 2 Suukokuko: Seihakukou... Suukokuko: I've been ignorant... I feel very ashamed of myself. After that... Kishou lost consciousness... [050-1] 54. The Demise of the Elderly Sage 2 [052] KouHiko: Suukokuko, are you here willingly? KouHiko: To be helping us here at Seiki instead of guarding Suujou... That evil Dakki might have plans for your Northern Regions. Suukokuko: Yeah...I'm a little worried, now that I think about it... Taikoubou: No need for worry! KouHiko: Taikoubou! Taikoubou: Dakki won't stoop so low... Furthermore, Bunchuu has no reason to attack the North! [053] Taikoubou: That's right, Suukokuko... Regarding your brother in Chouka... Suukokuko: He's already dead? I know. Suukokuko: Actually, I'd sent some men to Chouka to investigate this matter... Taikoubou: Ah...I also found out from Bukichi's investigations... Sipuxiang: Goshujin~~~!! Taikoubou: ! Sipuxiang: Kishou has summoned Ki Hatsu and Goshujin!! Taikoubou: What!? has he woken up?! Taikoubou: Let's go! Suukokuko: Ah! [054] KouHiko: No clouds... and no wind... KouHiko: The sky is so quiet... So quiet that it hurts my ears... Kishou has been in a critical condition for several days... But when he regained awareness... Everyone knew that it would be his last breath... [055] Kishou: ........... Hatsu... Taikoubou.... Taikoubou: Kishou... KiHatsu: Father! I'm right here!! [056] Taikoubou: Kishou, please don't worry! Suukokuko has already agreed to help Seiki. Suukokuko: Seihakukou! This way, North, South, East and West will combine to surround Chouka! Kishou: Right... Then my duty is done... Kishou: The setting for war is ready now... The new dynasty will be in your hands... KiHatsu: Right...! Leave it to me, Father!! [057] Kishou: My son! From now on, you must look to Taikoubou as you would to me... Kishou: Have faith in Taikoubou and I'll watch over Seiki in its path to the light... Kishou: Such regret... I didn't help much at all, after all... [058] Hakuyuukou: Father... Kishou: Hakuyuukou... Hakuyuukou: I envy you, to be able to depart without any worries. Kishou: Is that so... I guess I have been fortunate! [059] 20th Year of the reign of Chuuou, Autumn-- The Great Earl of the Western Regions, Kishou, passed this life peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends. [060] Taikoubou: ...... Ki Hatsu....... KiHatsu: Go away! I don't wish to talk to anyone right now. Taikoubou: All right... The days ahead will be very busy for you... [061] KiHatsu: Is that to say I can't even have the time to grieve!? Shuukoutan: Brother! KiHatsu: Tan... [062] Shuukoutan: Brother will be "King" from today onwards, and Seiki will become our "country", right? This will look better when the war with Chouka begins. KiHatsu: Tan!! You...!! Shuukoutan: Because the people here are of the "Zhou" race, let's be known as "Zhou"! That's all! KiHatsu: You are all so strange!! Father just died, so you're all rebelling!? Taikoubou: Don't say any more, Ki Hatsu... [063] Taikoubou: Everyone has their own times of grief... You can't think of only yourself as the person grieving the most... KiHatsu: ! There's wind...!! Taikoubou: Ki Hatsu... [064] Taikoubou: Let's go! We'll defeat the Yin!! [065] News of the death of Kishou spread through the country, and everyone respected a moment of silence for his passing. This showed how much Kishou was loved by his people. At the same time, Kishou's second son, Ki Hatsu was given the title "Bu-ou", and Kishou was conferred as "Bun-ou" posthumously. In history, they were known as Zhou Bu-ou and Zhou Bun-ou. (Note: Bu-ou means "King of Military Art" and Bun-ou means "King of Literary Art") So the land governed by the Western Earl became known as "Zhou" Country, Bu-ou was the first king of the Dynasty. [066] - Chouka - Shinkouhyou: This represents a formal rebellion against Chouka, right? Bunchuu... Shinkouhyou: Haven't you been waiting for this day for a long time? Shinkouhyou: Now, you can attack Seiki on principle. In the name of protecting the emperor... [067] Bunchuu: I must defeat Seiki! Now, it's time for both sides to go all out and have a real war!! 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