Summary of Sen-ichiya - Gaiden 4 (2/3)
Recommended background music - Feel the Moon (erhu)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGicy1qhIkE
Chapter 6
When he arrived in the Hyou residence, Shouka fought the assassin puppets. There were only a few of them. Shouka was surprised how little resistance there was. Wherever the swords “Kanshou” and “Byakuya” had the strongest response was where the Bara-hime would be. Shouka wondered if the swords were used for exorcism, perhaps the Bara-hime was a monster because she had lived for more than a hundred years. He suddenly heard the sound of fighting from somewhere. It turned out Hakuto was fighting the assassin puppets. Shouka was surprised that he was here. They then fought the assassin puppets together. Hakuto told Shouka that many of the assassin puppets appeared as soon as he approached one area of the garden. There was a barrier there. Shouka used his swords to break the barrier, and saw a tower before his eyes. Shouka and Hakuto then discussed about the Bara-hime. Hakuto asked Shouka what he would do if he turned to be the one that rescued the Bara-hime in the story. Shouka told him he had come here to kill her, not to marry her. He thought it was impossible for him to do such a thing. Hakuto, on the other hand, thought it would be good for him. Shusui appeared and attacked them. She asked if they came to take the Bara-hime away. Shouka wondered why she was capable of having her own will despite being an assassin puppet. Hakuto told her they came to save the princess and asked her to let them pass. Hakuto told Shouka it would be easier to lie to her so they could get to the princess faster. Shusui overheard them and became angry. Hakuto apologized and Shusui turned to Shouka, asking if he could exchange something for the princess. She said if they could, she would do anything in her power to get them to her. Shouka decided to lie to her and agreed. Shouka found out that the Hyou clan would kill Shusui if they discovered her betrayal. He then ordered Hakuto to take Shusui and run back to the Cave of the Immortal with her.
Chapter 7
Shouka kept running and came before a house. He entered the house and found a small crystal. He could see a residence and a rose garden inside it. As he picked up the crystal, he found himself pulled inside the crystal as his swords emitted a loud sound. When he was inside, he heard the sound of erhu. He walked towards the source of the sound and discovered the Bara-hime. He was awestruck by her beauty. He was stunned and felt like he was in a stupor. He didn’t know when he asked her if she was the Bara-hime.
Chapter 8
When Bara-hime saw Shouka, she thought about her dream of prophecy. She asked Shouka if he came here to kill her. Shouka didn’t reply and she repeated herself until she got angry. Upon hearing her shout, Shouka finally snapped out of it. When he realized that, he couldn’t understand what had happened to him and accused the Bara-hime of sorcery. The Bara-hime got angry and called him an idiot and a rube assassin. Shouka finally recovered his composure and told her he came here to kill her. He took the opportunity to leap toward her and held a sword beside her neck. He took a look into her eyes out of habit. Bara-hime didn’t move and only stared coldly at Shouka. She looked like she was looking down on Shouka. He hesitated and wondered what was wrong with him. He heard the sound of the chains on her moving. He thought about how she had been imprisoned here for a hundred years in this lifeless place. She lived on only to be exploited by the Hyou clan. And now, she became an obstacle to the emperor’s rule and had to be disposed of by Shouka.
The Bara-hime asked whether he came here to live or die. Shouka wondered why she had asked the same question as the previous “Black Wolf”. The Bara-hime told him to kill her if he came here to die, or to return if he wanted to live. Shouka’s mind was troubled with various thoughts. He realized the Bara-hime was watching him decide with interest, as if she was sure he would choose to kill her. Shouka took his sword back and told her he was going to stay here and think until he could make up his mind. The Bara-hime was surprised and thought it was a first for her to encounter someone like this. Shouka then apologized for cutting off some of Bara-hime’s hair when he held the sword next to her neck. Her neck was revealed because of that, and Shouka wanted to touch her neck but held back when he saw his bloody hands. The Bara-hime accepted his apology and told him where the well was. She referred to him as “Number two” because he was the second assassin that ever came before her. Shouka told her to ask before deciding his name and gave her his real name. He was surprised at himself for not giving her his nickname but his real name. When Shouka heard the Bara-hime call his name, he had a feeling it was impossible to escape. Shouka walked toward the well and told himself to calm down. He realized his body was stained with blood and started washing his body with water. He heard the sound of chains moving and turned to the Bara-hime’s direction. She was watching him with interest, even thought Shouka had taken off his clothes on his upper body to clean himself. She asked about Shusui and Shouka replied she had escaped with his friend. He felt a bit awkward and irritated because she was watching him intensely. Shouka told her not to look at him but the Bara-hime told him not to mind her. Then Shouka walked toward her and stood in front of her, looking down at her from above. Bara-hime had to hold back her anger and remain her sitting position because she wouldn’t be any taller than him even if she stood up. Shouka then asked Bara-hime about the chains. She told him the chains are made up by wind, light and sound as the result of sorcery. That was why she was capable of walking because the chains are weightless. She then asked Shouka what his decision was. Shouka hadn’t considered it yet and he needed to confirm something before he decides. He then apologized for his rudeness and asked to touch her white neck. Her skin was soft and warm, Shouka felt numb from the touch and finally let go and backed off. He told Bara-hime to leave him alone for a while for him to take the time to think.
Chapter 9
Shouka realized he had been staying there for a long time without any interference from the Hyou clan. He started considering his options of whether to kill the Bara-hime or to return. He knew Bara-hime was waiting for his answer. Bara-hime knew she shouldn’t expect anything from humans anymore. She thought it was impossible for them to cut the chains, so her hatred towards human would be endless. As she was thinking, Shouka suddenly came in front of her and asked if she had seen a female assassin before. He asked why the assassin hadn’t cut the chains but left. Bara-hime told him because she couldn’t do it because she needed to exchange it with something enormous. Shouka asked if the “world” was needed in exchange, as heard from Shusui. Bara-hime replied the world would be destroyed if he cut off the chains. Shouka replied he understood and Bara-hime was surprised. She felt confused because Shouka had replied so casually. Shouka then walked toward her and she backed off, asking what he wanted to do. He told her he was going to cut off the chains but the Bara-hime stopped him. She asked if she really understood what she meant. Shouka told her he understood she couldn’t escape because the chains absorbed her power. Her power had been stored in this small world for hundreds of years, and the world would be destroyed once that power was released. The chains could only be cut by “Kanshou” and “Byakuya”, which had the equivalent ability of her power. Once the powers from both sides conflicted, the world would be destroyed as the result. The previous “Black Wolf” couldn’t do it because there were too many things important to her. Shouka told her cutting off her chains and setting her free was his conclusion. Bara-hime became angry at him.
--------------------------
“You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Bara-hime’s eyes were shaken with anger, emitting thunder-like lights.
“-You bastard! You must think it doesn’t concern you whether others and you died! I’m not as pathetic as to be saved by someone like you! Don’t you have anything precious to you?”
“I do.”
Shouka suddenly pulled her close to him along with the chains.
“-Of course I do. And there are many of them, including my brothers, the Kou clan, Yuri, Hakuto and my subordinates. This country too, maybe including that bastard of an emperor as well. I also love the distant cries of cicadas, the white pear blossoms, the views of the Kou province and the passing seasons. I’ve always been exerting myself to work, tiring myself to the extent I don’t want to wake up again. The reason why I did that was to protect everything I hold dear”
The Bara-hime was speechless. Perhaps it was a first in a long time for her to be impressed by a human’s imposing manner.
“If-if that’s the case…”
“You must think I can’t exchange them so easily because there are many things I loved. But like I said, I’m prepared to do that. A child with an abnormal mind had used you and imprisoned you here, but you don’t plan on leaving even if it will last for thousands of years.”
Her real intention was…
“You have always been imprisoned here, in a world with nothing except flowers, allowing the Hyou clan to exploit you. Even if this small world is near the edge of collapsing, you’re still considering about how to let the humans live. You think it’ll be all right if you just keep on enduring, but you’re actually wrong.”
Even though she was captured and used by human, despite being disheartened, she still chose to stay here in order to protect humans. She kept saying how much she hated humans, but could not help herself to protect them - she did not want them to have the same encounter as her.
Even if she was belittled, she would never belittle herself - it was the pride of an immortal who had lost her nature, even if she had fallen into the human world
It was a mistake to sacrifice her freedom in exchange for the world.
“No one can base their achievement on the sacrifice of others. Any high-sounding reasons will be useless as long as you imprisoned here. If you can regain your freedom, we are willing to make that sacrifice, even if it means destroying something. After all, this is the price paid by the humans in exchange. Even if it was an act by a child with an abnormal mind, but karma will bring the retribution upon us - this is not only am exchange with the world but an exchange with the pride of the shameless humans. Just you wait.”
-------------------
Shouka grabbed on to Bara-hime’s chains and raised “Kanshou” and “Byakuya” without hesitance. At the same time, Ruka opened her eyes. She had stopped Riou, withdrawn the assassins and sorcerers. She had always been waiting for this moment. She mumbled to herself: “Take her away from this place. You foolish human who opened the other path of the prophecy.” Ruka then closed her eyes to activate the spell implemented by her father.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGicy1qhIkE
Chapter 6
When he arrived in the Hyou residence, Shouka fought the assassin puppets. There were only a few of them. Shouka was surprised how little resistance there was. Wherever the swords “Kanshou” and “Byakuya” had the strongest response was where the Bara-hime would be. Shouka wondered if the swords were used for exorcism, perhaps the Bara-hime was a monster because she had lived for more than a hundred years. He suddenly heard the sound of fighting from somewhere. It turned out Hakuto was fighting the assassin puppets. Shouka was surprised that he was here. They then fought the assassin puppets together. Hakuto told Shouka that many of the assassin puppets appeared as soon as he approached one area of the garden. There was a barrier there. Shouka used his swords to break the barrier, and saw a tower before his eyes. Shouka and Hakuto then discussed about the Bara-hime. Hakuto asked Shouka what he would do if he turned to be the one that rescued the Bara-hime in the story. Shouka told him he had come here to kill her, not to marry her. He thought it was impossible for him to do such a thing. Hakuto, on the other hand, thought it would be good for him. Shusui appeared and attacked them. She asked if they came to take the Bara-hime away. Shouka wondered why she was capable of having her own will despite being an assassin puppet. Hakuto told her they came to save the princess and asked her to let them pass. Hakuto told Shouka it would be easier to lie to her so they could get to the princess faster. Shusui overheard them and became angry. Hakuto apologized and Shusui turned to Shouka, asking if he could exchange something for the princess. She said if they could, she would do anything in her power to get them to her. Shouka decided to lie to her and agreed. Shouka found out that the Hyou clan would kill Shusui if they discovered her betrayal. He then ordered Hakuto to take Shusui and run back to the Cave of the Immortal with her.
Chapter 7
Shouka kept running and came before a house. He entered the house and found a small crystal. He could see a residence and a rose garden inside it. As he picked up the crystal, he found himself pulled inside the crystal as his swords emitted a loud sound. When he was inside, he heard the sound of erhu. He walked towards the source of the sound and discovered the Bara-hime. He was awestruck by her beauty. He was stunned and felt like he was in a stupor. He didn’t know when he asked her if she was the Bara-hime.
Chapter 8
When Bara-hime saw Shouka, she thought about her dream of prophecy. She asked Shouka if he came here to kill her. Shouka didn’t reply and she repeated herself until she got angry. Upon hearing her shout, Shouka finally snapped out of it. When he realized that, he couldn’t understand what had happened to him and accused the Bara-hime of sorcery. The Bara-hime got angry and called him an idiot and a rube assassin. Shouka finally recovered his composure and told her he came here to kill her. He took the opportunity to leap toward her and held a sword beside her neck. He took a look into her eyes out of habit. Bara-hime didn’t move and only stared coldly at Shouka. She looked like she was looking down on Shouka. He hesitated and wondered what was wrong with him. He heard the sound of the chains on her moving. He thought about how she had been imprisoned here for a hundred years in this lifeless place. She lived on only to be exploited by the Hyou clan. And now, she became an obstacle to the emperor’s rule and had to be disposed of by Shouka.
The Bara-hime asked whether he came here to live or die. Shouka wondered why she had asked the same question as the previous “Black Wolf”. The Bara-hime told him to kill her if he came here to die, or to return if he wanted to live. Shouka’s mind was troubled with various thoughts. He realized the Bara-hime was watching him decide with interest, as if she was sure he would choose to kill her. Shouka took his sword back and told her he was going to stay here and think until he could make up his mind. The Bara-hime was surprised and thought it was a first for her to encounter someone like this. Shouka then apologized for cutting off some of Bara-hime’s hair when he held the sword next to her neck. Her neck was revealed because of that, and Shouka wanted to touch her neck but held back when he saw his bloody hands. The Bara-hime accepted his apology and told him where the well was. She referred to him as “Number two” because he was the second assassin that ever came before her. Shouka told her to ask before deciding his name and gave her his real name. He was surprised at himself for not giving her his nickname but his real name. When Shouka heard the Bara-hime call his name, he had a feeling it was impossible to escape. Shouka walked toward the well and told himself to calm down. He realized his body was stained with blood and started washing his body with water. He heard the sound of chains moving and turned to the Bara-hime’s direction. She was watching him with interest, even thought Shouka had taken off his clothes on his upper body to clean himself. She asked about Shusui and Shouka replied she had escaped with his friend. He felt a bit awkward and irritated because she was watching him intensely. Shouka told her not to look at him but the Bara-hime told him not to mind her. Then Shouka walked toward her and stood in front of her, looking down at her from above. Bara-hime had to hold back her anger and remain her sitting position because she wouldn’t be any taller than him even if she stood up. Shouka then asked Bara-hime about the chains. She told him the chains are made up by wind, light and sound as the result of sorcery. That was why she was capable of walking because the chains are weightless. She then asked Shouka what his decision was. Shouka hadn’t considered it yet and he needed to confirm something before he decides. He then apologized for his rudeness and asked to touch her white neck. Her skin was soft and warm, Shouka felt numb from the touch and finally let go and backed off. He told Bara-hime to leave him alone for a while for him to take the time to think.
Chapter 9
Shouka realized he had been staying there for a long time without any interference from the Hyou clan. He started considering his options of whether to kill the Bara-hime or to return. He knew Bara-hime was waiting for his answer. Bara-hime knew she shouldn’t expect anything from humans anymore. She thought it was impossible for them to cut the chains, so her hatred towards human would be endless. As she was thinking, Shouka suddenly came in front of her and asked if she had seen a female assassin before. He asked why the assassin hadn’t cut the chains but left. Bara-hime told him because she couldn’t do it because she needed to exchange it with something enormous. Shouka asked if the “world” was needed in exchange, as heard from Shusui. Bara-hime replied the world would be destroyed if he cut off the chains. Shouka replied he understood and Bara-hime was surprised. She felt confused because Shouka had replied so casually. Shouka then walked toward her and she backed off, asking what he wanted to do. He told her he was going to cut off the chains but the Bara-hime stopped him. She asked if she really understood what she meant. Shouka told her he understood she couldn’t escape because the chains absorbed her power. Her power had been stored in this small world for hundreds of years, and the world would be destroyed once that power was released. The chains could only be cut by “Kanshou” and “Byakuya”, which had the equivalent ability of her power. Once the powers from both sides conflicted, the world would be destroyed as the result. The previous “Black Wolf” couldn’t do it because there were too many things important to her. Shouka told her cutting off her chains and setting her free was his conclusion. Bara-hime became angry at him.
--------------------------
“You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Bara-hime’s eyes were shaken with anger, emitting thunder-like lights.
“-You bastard! You must think it doesn’t concern you whether others and you died! I’m not as pathetic as to be saved by someone like you! Don’t you have anything precious to you?”
“I do.”
Shouka suddenly pulled her close to him along with the chains.
“-Of course I do. And there are many of them, including my brothers, the Kou clan, Yuri, Hakuto and my subordinates. This country too, maybe including that bastard of an emperor as well. I also love the distant cries of cicadas, the white pear blossoms, the views of the Kou province and the passing seasons. I’ve always been exerting myself to work, tiring myself to the extent I don’t want to wake up again. The reason why I did that was to protect everything I hold dear”
The Bara-hime was speechless. Perhaps it was a first in a long time for her to be impressed by a human’s imposing manner.
“If-if that’s the case…”
“You must think I can’t exchange them so easily because there are many things I loved. But like I said, I’m prepared to do that. A child with an abnormal mind had used you and imprisoned you here, but you don’t plan on leaving even if it will last for thousands of years.”
Her real intention was…
“You have always been imprisoned here, in a world with nothing except flowers, allowing the Hyou clan to exploit you. Even if this small world is near the edge of collapsing, you’re still considering about how to let the humans live. You think it’ll be all right if you just keep on enduring, but you’re actually wrong.”
Even though she was captured and used by human, despite being disheartened, she still chose to stay here in order to protect humans. She kept saying how much she hated humans, but could not help herself to protect them - she did not want them to have the same encounter as her.
Even if she was belittled, she would never belittle herself - it was the pride of an immortal who had lost her nature, even if she had fallen into the human world
It was a mistake to sacrifice her freedom in exchange for the world.
“No one can base their achievement on the sacrifice of others. Any high-sounding reasons will be useless as long as you imprisoned here. If you can regain your freedom, we are willing to make that sacrifice, even if it means destroying something. After all, this is the price paid by the humans in exchange. Even if it was an act by a child with an abnormal mind, but karma will bring the retribution upon us - this is not only am exchange with the world but an exchange with the pride of the shameless humans. Just you wait.”
-------------------
Shouka grabbed on to Bara-hime’s chains and raised “Kanshou” and “Byakuya” without hesitance. At the same time, Ruka opened her eyes. She had stopped Riou, withdrawn the assassins and sorcerers. She had always been waiting for this moment. She mumbled to herself: “Take her away from this place. You foolish human who opened the other path of the prophecy.” Ruka then closed her eyes to activate the spell implemented by her father.