| Narrative: |
Kou Shuurei, the first woman to pass Saiunkoku's National Exams, and To Eigetsu, at thirteen years of age was the youngest person in history to pass at the top of the year, were being treated harshly as they trained to become new officials. However, there are no devils in world. There were definitely those who were watching over the two and protecting them. |
| Title: |
There are no devils in the world
Idiom = While the world may seem scary to the uninitiated, everyone has within them, the kindness of heart to help people in need. |
| Shuurei: |
You're here again?! |
| Ryuuki: |
I told you I'd guard you. |
| Shuurei: |
Just who do you think you are?! If we need a guard, then Seiran should've been fine. |
| Ryuuki: |
That's no good. |
| Shuurei: |
Why?! |
| Ryuuki: |
Seiran's just a rice storehouse guard. He doesn't have the position to be assigned to guard someone. While he's probably concerned about the two of you, there are things that can and can't be done. |
| Shuurei: |
But, even so, for you... |
| Ryuuki: |
Right now is the most dangerous time for the two of you. You have no rank, or position, and essentially no backing. If you were to suddenly disappear, no one would investigate. |
| Shuurei: |
You mean there's a danger to our lives? |
| Ryuuki: |
In the worst case, yes. Those who think to take someone's life simply because they don't like them are normally striding about. For starters, there was a lot of resistance to allowing women to take the exams, and that still hasn't changed. |
| Shuurei: |
But, myself aside, what about Eigetsu-kun? |
| Ryuuki: |
Eigetsu had flatly refused all offers of marriage to the noble families. Those who care about saving face, resent that they're being made fools of by a new official. |
| Eigetsu: |
Eh?!
|
| Ryuuki: |
But it's all right. As your guard, I will protect you. |
| Shuurei: |
Having that said while you have rice stuck on your face...
|
| Shuuei: |
While it happens every year, your office at this time of year is really something. |
| Kouyuu: |
Hmph! Do they really expect me to look favourably at people who send bribes? |
| Shuuei: |
They lack nerve and therefore just don't do anything, right? After all, they probably think that the ones who have final say in promotions and demotions are yourself and the Senior Secretary of Civil Affairs. |
| Kouyuu: |
Material goods at least are fine. They can be sold or used as evidence of bribery... there are lots of ways to use them. |
| Shuuei: |
Hahah... They've started coming up again have they - marriage proposals? |
| Kouyuu: |
Honestly! How many times do I have to say that I hate women before they'll understand?! Never mind that it's utterly illogical to bring offers of marriage when they're looking for promotions. |
| Shuuei: |
Eh? This woman's... |
| Kouyuu: |
Hmph. Interesting, isn't it? |
| Shuuei: |
It certainly is interesting. But, despite having such an experience at the hands of you and the Senior Secretary of Civil Affairs, still offering his daughter in marriage... As always, he's pretty shameless.
|
| Kouyuu: |
Look out!
|
| Shuuei: |
Thanks to that, I realised once again how frightening it is to be noticed by Kou Reishin. Although that man has guts to continue wearing a toupee and acting like nothing happened. |
| Kouyuu: |
And? Is there something you wanted to tell me? |
| Shuuei: |
Ah, that's right. I received a letter from Ensei that he's left Sa Province. He should arrive in one and a half months. That girl, Kourin, is with him. |
| Kouyuu: |
Kourin is? |
| Shuuei: |
Apparently she wants to report on the current situation inside the Sa family herself. That, and she also wants to see Shuurei-dono.
What do you think? Shuurei-dono doesn't know the real reason why Kourin went to Sa Province. That in trying to help Sa Taiho, she tried to poison Shuurei-dono and eliminate her.
Hm? |
| Kouyuu: |
Just what is there to hesitate about? Things are different compared to back then. Shuurei's an official now. It's something that she has to learn and accept. |
| Shuuei: |
True. That's what I think.
Well, I'll be going then. Things have been pretty busy with something else on this side. |
| Kouyuu: |
Something else? |
| Shuuei: |
Yeah.
|
| Shuurei: |
It... it doesn't end...
|
| Eigetsu: |
It doesn't end, does it? |
| Shuurei: |
This goes to Finance while this is to Justice. This is to Protocol um... |
| Eigetsu: |
Um... last year's budget balance for the Dept. of Protocol... Umm, first from the top officials salaries... |
| Wa: |
You're working hard very late. |
| Shuurei: |
Not again. |
| Wa: |
Your work ethic is impressive. Impressive. Well then, if you can do this too. No doubt for you, this is like playing with bean bags. Here. Maro's (We're) busy, so finish it within the day. |
| Ryuuki: |
Killing him would be bad, huh...
It'd be bad, right? |
| Shuurei: |
That "maro"! He always comes to deliberately dirty the floors after I finish cleaning the lavatory! Just what's "maro"?! I heard rumours in the lavatories that he used underhanded means to get his current position. |
| Eigetsu: |
He's Official Wa of the Department of Protocol, isn't he? He often comes to get his shoes polished after deliberately getting them really dirty. |
| Shuurei: |
Are your numbers all right? He really knocked you there. |
| Eigetsu: |
I remember my calculations up until just then. Rather than that, what about your sorting? |
| Shuurei: |
Hmph. People are learning creatures. Everything that's been sorted has been clearly marked. |
| Shouka: |
Ah, is everything all right? Shall I make you some tea? |
| Shuurei: |
You stay back, Father! If we drink your tea, what strength we have remaining would instant drop to nothing and we'd go straight to heaven! |
| Shouka: |
That's mean. |
| Shuurei: |
For starters, why aren't you going home? Seiran'll be at home all by himself. |
| Shouka: |
Ah, well, I still have work to do, so even if I want to go home, I can't.
|
| Shuurei: |
Well, I'll go deliver these then. |
| Eigetsu: |
Okay, take care. |
| Shuurei: |
? |
| Eigetsu: |
Today too? |
| Shuurei: |
Yeah. Today's tea is dragon well*.
*lit. dragon spring tea |
| Eigetsu: |
That's good against fatigue, isn't it? I don't know who it is, but it's really nice that they do this every day. |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. I'll have it when I get back. You should go ahead first. |
| Eigetsu: |
Okay.
|
| Shuurei: |
Next is the Dept. of Protocol. |
| Man: |
I got her! I got her! |
| Man: |
Honestly! Having a woman running about... Talk about annoying! |
| Shuurei: |
Children's bullying?! This is stupid!
Eh? |
| Kouyuu: |
A strange game seems to be popular with the Dept. of Protocol, doesn't it Senior. Secretary. Sai? |
| Sai: |
What have you done?! You people, what is the meaning of this?! |
| Man: |
We're sorry! Official Ro... |
| Kouyuu: |
Official Ro...? |
| Sai: |
I've been most remiss in my supervision...! |
| Kouyuu: |
Hm? Speak of the devil. If it isn't Official Ro. |
| Ro: |
What are you doing Shinshi Kou? Do you have the time to take a break in a place like this? |
| Shuurei: |
No. This... |
| Ro: |
If you have that much spare time, then I'll leave cleaning this place to you. |
| Shuurei: |
But! |
| Ro: |
Do you have a problem with that? |
| Kouyuu: |
From here on, you're on your own. Don't expect help from either Shuuei or myself.
|
| Shuurei: |
Seiran. |
| Seiran: |
My La... |
| Shuurei: |
No. Go.
This is the one thing I can't let anyone spoil me over. Not you, nor Father. But then, this is the path that I've wished for and chosen. Whatever happens, I can't let anyone spoil me. I'm... happy. The dream I'd thought was impossible, came true. While up until now, I've often clung to you and complained about things, I won't do that this time. I can't let you spoil me like that.
Please go while my eyes are closed! |
| Seiran: |
When you feel that you can't take anymore, please come to me. Not for your sake, but for mine. |
| Shuuei: |
You mustn't go out there! If she doesn't overcome this on her own, no one will acknowledge her! She didn't even accept Seiran's help, but if the Emperor himself were to protect her, everything would be for nothing! |
| Ryuuki: |
Do you think Shuurei will become a good official? |
| Shuuei: |
As long as she remains as she is now... probably. |
| Ryuuki: |
Right. Shuurei the official is still Shuurei. I want that Shuurei to be by my side. Do you think that's possible? |
| Shuuei: |
That would depend on Shuurei-dono. If she were to become a top official that everyone accepts, or... |
| Ryuuki: |
It'll take a long time. |
| Shuuei: |
That depends on both you and her. |
| Ryuuki: |
I wonder if I can wait? |
| Shuuei: |
True. If you consider how you did nothing but wait for a year thinking about Shuurei's feelings about the National Exams, it may be possible. |
| Ryuuki: |
Yeah.
|
| Shuurei: |
Kou Shuurei - reporting. |
| Eigetsu: |
To Eigetsu. Good morning. |
| Ro: |
I presume you've finished all your work. |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. |
| Eigetsu: |
We finished. |
| Hakumei: |
Official Ro. These two have exceeded their limits having worked extremely late for several days in a row now. I think it would be best to let them sleep for several hours in another room. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? |
| Ro: |
In that case, Shinshi Heki, will you clean the lavatories and polish shoes in their stead? |
| Hakumei: |
Why not. I'll do it. If you'll excuse me, I'll take these two to the dorm.
|
| Shuurei: |
Umm... thank you. |
| Eigetsu: |
Thank you very much, Hakumei-san. |
| Hakumei: |
Hmph. Make no mistake, it's because if the two of you passed out, you'd end up causing trouble for everyone else. Take your time and sleep.
|
| Man: |
Hmph! The idea of women officials is so utterly foolish! Women should do their best to please men like you, and stay quietly at home. Learning what's unnecessary and sticking their noses into politics, the conceit of it all is just too much! |
| Kochou: |
My how scary. By the way, Lord Minister, that small box there, is that the item you said you'd lost last time? |
| Man: |
That hasn't been found yet. |
| Kochou: |
My. It was such a wonderful ring too. |
| Man: |
I had a number of fakes made in case the real one couldn't be found. I think this one is the best of them. |
| Kochou: |
You seem very taken with it. |
| Man: |
This is the bird that lay the golden egg. If I can convince them that this is the real thing, not only will I advance greatly, but gain great fortune! Ohhh! That's it! It might even give me the chance to kick out that galling woman official! Also, that little girl's sponsor is that Kou Reishin. If I can use that as the start to bringing about his downfall, I'll have him beat. Kochou. It may be that I'll need you to help too. |
| Kochou: |
If you think it best.
|
| Ryuuki: |
It's different from the one Sa Taiho had, isn't it? |
| Shuuei: |
Yes. Probably it's one of several fakes that he's had made to replace the real one he'd lost. It seems that one of his underlings got greedy and sold it on the black market. |
| Kouyuu: |
But was the Sa Clan leader's ring that idiot is said to have lost, the real one in the first place? |
| Shuuei: |
Hm? |
| Kouyuu: |
We searched for it for a year following Sa Taiho's death, so why did it come out now? The timing's a bit too good. |
| Ryuuki: |
It certainly is unsettling. It's almost like there's another power at work. |
| Shuuei: |
What would you like? Do you want us to keep looking for the real ring? |
| Ryuuki: |
Good question. Just in case, keep looking. |
| Shuuei: |
When did you want to make an arrest in the matter with the Dept. of Protocol? We've finished gathering the evidence. |
| Ryuuki: |
We'll wait a little longer. It's a very important period, right now.
|
| Shuurei: |
Excuse me! I'm Kou Shuurei. I've come to deliver some papers here. |
| Man: |
Honestly. For all that she's a woman, she works hard. |
| Man: |
It seems there are some people who have been sending Official Ro bribes to get him to reduce their workload too. Compared to that, she's got spirit. |
| Man: |
She's got energy and is always smiling... It actually seems pretty good - women officials.
|
| Shuurei: |
Hmm... Something just doesn't seem right... |
| Eigetsu: |
Something seems a bit strange with mine too. Could you take a quick look at this? |
| Shuurei: |
In that case, if you could look at this too.
This... the same deparment!? |
| Eigetsu: |
They both involve the Dept. of Protocol. |
| Shuurei: |
Hey. How about using this for Official Ro's assignment? As a joint project. |
| Eigetsu: |
Ah! That's a good idea. After all, he said we were free to write on whatever we liked. In that case, let's gather everything together once we finish our work. |
| Hakumei: |
You're planning on doing something else after finishing work?! |
| Eigetsu: |
Hakumei-san. Did you come to help today as well? |
| Hakumei: |
It's not for you. I told you it would be a bother to others if you ended up passing out. |
| Shuurei: |
Hey. We're really happy that you're helping us with our work but is it all right? They say that Official Ro took note of you and increased your work load. |
| Hakumei: |
That sort of work is nothing.
Get this! My goal is Li Kouyuu-sama! At such a young age becoming Asst. Sec. to the Dept. of Civil Affairs and close advisor to His Majesty. That walking brain that will undoubtedly become history's youngest Chief Minister. So cool-headed, knowledgeable, able to reach such quick decisions he's the epitome of "impregnable reasoning" |
| Shuurei: |
Although he gets lost easily. |
| Eigetsu: |
Although he loses his temper often. |
| Hakumei: |
Truly worthy of being highly regarded. I want to become even a little more like him! No, it wouldn't be wrong to say that I want to be him! |
| Shuurei: |
H-hey. Is the rumour that, because of your respect for Kouyuu-sama's record of passing as Jougen at sixteen years of age, that you delayed taking the National Exams a year true? |
| Hakumei: |
Is it so bad, if it's true? And when I waited until I was seventeen to take the exams, some easy-going, little animal took the Jougen spot at a mere thirteen years of age, Bougen was taken by some weirdo from the Ran family, and having Tanka taken by some young woman, and that I ended up taking fourth?! Just what is with this world? You really screwed up all my plans! But, I won't let you ruin my plans any further. I'm going to run straight down the road to success based on my own ability. Kouyuu-sama's said to have taken the same route. It's fate that I should go through those same experiences. I will never give in! Just you wait! In a few more years, I'll advance further than Official Ro and look down on him and run him ragged! Hahahah! Now then, you guys! Get working! Tomorrow's the one day we get off a week. If we don't finish, we'll have to come in on our day off! |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes! |
| Shuurei: |
Let's get to work!
|
| Shuurei: |
Good morning, Father. |
| Eigetsu: |
Good morning. |
| Shouka: |
Good morning. You could sleep some more if you want. Today's your day off, isn't it? |
| Shuurei: |
I can't just sleep all day. |
| Shouka: |
Ah, that's right. Some letters arrived. There's one for you too, Eigetsu-kun. |
| Eigetsu: |
Eh? For me too? |
| Shouka: |
Maybe it's the reply to the letter you sent home recently? |
| Eigetsu: |
Ah!
Eh? The money I'd sent... the courier from the Dept. of Protocol hasn't arrived? I wonder why... |
| Shuurei: |
Eigetsu-kun! Let's go out in the afternoon! Kochou-neesan's invited us over!
|
| Shuurei: |
We'll be off then. |
| Shouka: |
Have a good time.
Thank you for coming. I've been expecting you.
|
| Kurou: |
I didn't expect that the residence of one of the direct descendants of the Kou family would be so run-down without anyone guarding the gates. |
| Shouka: |
It's been a long time, hasn't it, Kurou? |
| Kurou: |
It's been a long time, elder brother.
|
| Man: |
Hey. Have you heard? Supposedly someone cheated on the National Exams! |
| Man: |
I also heard that rumour. |
| Man: |
Something about that Kou Reishin from the Dept. of Civil Affairs manipulating things behind the scenes to get that girl to pass the exams. |
| Man: |
To think that that Senior Secretary Kou would...
|
| Reishin: |
The atmosphere in the palace has changed quite a bit during the one day Shuurei's not here, hasn't it? |
| Kouyuu: |
Yes. A strange rumour has been going around. It seems like someone's been spreading it about. |
| Reishin: |
It seems we have some unexpected guests. You'll have to take care of things. |
| Kouyuu: |
Okay. |
| Guards: |
S-Senior Secretary Kou. Due to suspicions of your interfering with the National Exams, you are hereby being placed under confinement. |
| Reishin: |
While I knew it, taking this sort of action...
Ah, you wish to put me into confinement. Fine. Take me away. I'll let you confine me. Although I don't know what will happen to yourselves as a result. |
| Kouyuu: |
Trying to ruin what that girl worked so hard to achieve because of your own greed...
|
| Shuurei: |
Kochou-neesan! |
| Kochou: |
Thank you very much for coming. It's been quite a long time, hasn't it? Perhaps since you passed the National Exams? |
| Shuurei: |
Kochou-neesan...?
|
| Trailer: |
Kochou-neesan, just why...?! You said you'd always be on my side. No, there must be a reason for this. I will believe it - that Kochou-neesan wouldn't betray me! |
![[ Page 01 ]](../../img/buttons/but_home.gif){kind=small}
![[ Previous ]](../../img/buttons/but_prev.gif){kind=small}
![[ Index ]](../../img/buttons/but_main.gif){kind=small}
![[ Next ]](../../img/buttons/but_next.gif){kind=small}
![[ End ]](../../img/buttons/but_end.gif){kind=small}