01x07 - Land of Promises

[bunniefuu]

Year 998 of the Holy Era, Autumn

It's been two weeks since

I arrived in the Yagumo region.

I haven't found any clues about

my mother and father yet, but

Everyone here has black hair.

Who is that?

Hello.

I am a traveler, and I'm looking for someone.

I would very much like to meet

with the head of the village.

Do you know who that might be?

Oh, um, h-hello.

You're a traveler? My grandma

is the head of the village!

Really? If it isn't any trouble,

would you show me the way?

Oh! Yes.

Sayo, what are you doing?

You're gonna get left behind.

Wait, Miss Ruri!

Seirei Gensouki

Land of Promises

Grandma!

You have a visitor!

A visitor who is dressed

quite strangely, I see.

I'm pleased to meet you. I am called Rio.

Madame, I've come because I was

hoping to ask you about something.

Is that so. You're very polite, aren't you?

Are you from some other country?

Yes. I've traveled through many lands.

I see. I'm Yuba. What's your business here?

Actually, I'm looking for someone.

I came to this village because I've heard that

you knew most people in

this area, Madame Yuba.

This seems like it's going to be

an involved conversation. Come in.

This way.

Thank you for having me.

I heard that my mom and dad lived here

in the Yagumo region over

fifteen years ago, but

I see. And what were your parents' names?

Their names were Zen and Ayame.

Did you say Zen and Ayame?

Have you heard of them?

Ruri, Sayo, go back to your work.

What? Why?

You shouldn't poke your nose into

other people's personal histories.

Fine. Just when it was getting interesting.

Let's go, Sayo.

Y-Yes.

If you would give me a little more detail

Yes. I heard that they were

both born in the Yagumo region.

My father died before I was

old enough to know him.

I lived a peaceful, happy life

with my mother, but

My mother died, too, when I was five.

Coming to the Yagumo region was

something my mom and I promised to do.

When you're bigger, I'll take you there.

It's a place called Yagumo.

Really? You promised, okay?

Yes, I promise.

As I traveled, I started to think that

if I could find where they lived,

I'd like to make graves for them.

The least I can do for them is hold

a proper memorial in their homeland.

There's no mistake.

Both of them are people I knew.

And you do have the look of them.

Forgive my rudeness, but how

did you know my parents?

I'm Zen's mother.

What?

Your grandmother.

My father's

Thank you for coming here.

But the truth is, I don't

know what to tell you.

We already have graves for both of them.

What?

These are Mother and Father's graves.

That's right.

Would it be all right if I paid my respects?

Yes.

I finally made it here, Mother, Father.

Both of them had to leave this country

in secret for certain reasons.

There was no possibility that

they would come home,

so those of us who knew of

the true circumstances

made graves for the two of them here.

What was the reason?

I'm sorry, but I cannot

be the one to tell you.

But the time may come that

I am able to talk about it.

What do you think? Will you live here

in the village until that time comes?

Would that be possible?

Yes. You're my grandson, after all.

Grandchildren should

never stand on manners.

Grandchild

All of my relatives have died. Right now,

it's only Ruri and I living together.

Ruri is Zen's older brother's

daughter. Your cousin.

She's fifteen now.

She's one year older than I am, then.

Are you that young? You seem quite mature.

I'm nothing like that.

Shall we head back?

Madame Yuba?

May I stay here a little longer?

Yes. But stop addressing me so formally.

Mistress Yuba.

Better. Don't stay out too late.

I'll keep your lineage hidden

from the others for a while.

Excuse the intrusion!

Honestly, Rio!

What took you so long? I'm starving!

Welcome back, Rio.

Hurry up! Let's eat!

Yes.

Good morning.

Morning. You're up early, aren't you?

I'll start helping with things

around the village today.

I thought I'd get breakfast

ready before that.

I'm very happy to see

that you're so motivated.

Morning, Grandma.

Miss Ruri—

Good morning.

Morning. You

Did you forget that Rio's here?

Oh, no! What am I doing?!

Impressive. You're quite skilled.

In that case, I'll ask you to make miso soup.

It looks like we don't

have quite enough water.

Yeah. And Sayo and Shin

are coming today, too.

Rio! Use the water over there.

We refill it every day with spirit arts.

So both of them can use spirit arts.

Hot water would be better

than plain water, right?

Shall I make some?

What?

That's amazing! Rio, you can make

hot water with spirit magic!

Even Grandma can't do that!

There's a little trick to it.

I can teach you, if you want.

Yes!

Good morning.

Morning!

Man, I'm starving

Good morning.

Good morning.

Who're you?

Rio and Shin haven't met yet, have they?

This is Sayo's older brother, Shin.

This boy is Rio.

He's the son of a long-time

acquaintance of mine.

I'm called Rio. Pleased to meet you.

Yeah. Nice to meet you.

This is so good!

There's meat in this!

This miso soup is delicious, too!

Rio made everything for us.

What?

Amazing!

I'm just glad you like it.

If you want, please have more.

I want more!

Honestly, Big Brother,

show a little restraint!

Man, it's only morning and I ate so much!

Shin, take Rio to Dola's place.

Huh? Why?

I was thinking of having Rio be a hunter.

Huh? Him? A hunter?

Yes. Rio says he can hunt, too.

And Dola said he wanted help, right?

But it's grueling work, you know?

Does he have the stamina?

He's built pretty delicately.

When you want to make hot water,

He'll be fine. He's strong enough to have

traveled to many countries at his age.

you concentrate your will in

your hand like this, and

Really? I see.

And he can use spirit arts.

Even I can use something

like the spirit arts.

He may be overwhelmingly stronger

than someone like you.

Bah.

Hey, Rio!

I'm gonna take you hunting!

Make sure you don't get in the way!

Big Brother!

Sir Rio, I'm so sorry. My brother

speaks rather sharply.

Not at all.

Would it be all right for

me to leave the rest to you?

Huh? Sure.

Hey, why is it "sir" Rio?

What?

I-I mean, he sort of feels like a noble.

Like someone too high up to be reached

I see.

It's a lenou bird.

Good job sh**ting it down, Rio!

Your skills are impressive.

All right, we can't let

him beat us, right, Shin?

Huh?

I get it already!

Blast it!

All right, let's head back.

Good job, both of you.

Today we'll be able to give everyone

in the village more meat than usual.

I didn't manage to take

down a single one, though.

It was you and Rio that got

these results, Huntmaster.

What are you sulking for?

It was the three of us working

together that got these results.

Bah.

Sorry.

I'll talk to him later.

Can you come help starting tomorrow?

Yes, you can count on me.

I got pretty dirty out there.

Discharge.

What is this thing?

I thought it must be you, Rio!

I'm sorry. That must have been a shock.

I'll clean it up now.

No, it's fine, but

Did you make this with spirit arts, too?

Yes. I wanted to take a bath.

Really?

Huh?

Miss Ruri?

You smell nice, Rio!

Sayo, you come smell, too!

What? No, I-I'm fine!

Now, now. No need to get so embarrassed!

What is that smell?

It's soap.

Soap? You mean the stuff you wash yourself

and clothes and things with? That soap?

Sir Rio, you can make soap, too?

Amazing

What is this thing?

Big Brother! Sir Rio made it

for us! He says it's a bath!

A bath?

There goes the outsider

trying to score points.

You really are rude.

Rio, pay no attention to him.

Miss Ruri is right. Big Brother, that was mean!

Sayo, not you, too? Don't go getting

all silly over some weakling!

I'm not being silly!

Shin! Rio isn't a weakling!

In spite of his looks,

he's got a lot of muscle!

Right?

Huh?

Y-You have you no shame?!

Bleh.

Hmph!

Sayo, we're going home.

I came here to pick you

Bah!

The crops turned out well again this year.

I heard that the tax examiner

will be coming soon.

Yes.

Oh, that's right. Given your skills,

I have a favor to ask you.

Yes?

After the annual tribute and our own rations,

the rice that remains is to

be sold in the royal capital.

Could I ask you to guard the transport team?

If you think I'm good enough.

That's a great help.

It's a fight!

It's Shin and those guys

from the other village!

Gon! Who do you think you are

just walking around our village?!

And you're just heading into the

bathing hut like it's nothing!

You've gotta be kidding me!

Huh?

I'm here as a guest to visit the head

of your village. That should be obvious.

Ruri You've grown into quite

the woman since I last saw you.

And behind you is

Don't look at my little sister

with those filthy eyes!

Oh, she's your sister, is she?

Still, she's a stunner.

You

Shin, don't!

If you punch this guy over these

pathetic taunts, it'll cause problems.

He may be rotten, but he's the son of

the head of the neighboring village!

Gon, why are you here in our village anyway?

Let me stay at your place, won't you?

What?

I'm on my way to sell trade

goods in the royal capital.

but unfortunately, my cart broke.

It'll take time to repair.

Then we'll lend you one of our guest huts.

Hey, now. I might be your husband

one day. That's pretty cold of you.

D-Don't say weird things

like that! It's disgusting!

The head of this village

only has you for an heir.

So I'm saying I'll volunteer

to be your husband.

You can't be serious!

We villagers will never allow it!

That's right!

Huh? None of you are

Ruri's man, but you're jealous?

What a bunch of sissies.

What did you say?

Bring it on.

You piece of crap!

Shin!

In the end, this is all you've got?

Big Brother!

Stop it!

That's enough!

Old Lady Yuba. It's been a while.

First, let him go! Talk comes after that.

Big Brother!

Oh, dear.

I see.

Gon, I apologize for Shin and

the others' misunderstanding.

But your behavior was imprudent, too.

You went too far.

Tonight, we will lend you a guest

hut at the edge of the village.

But you are not allowed to

leave it. Do you understand?

Sure thing.

A newcomer?

He's effeminate. I don't like him.

Big Bro?

Oh, dear. Are you all right?

What happened?

I-It's nothing. Let's go.

Man, now my clothes are dirty.

Everyone just go back home

quietly for today, all right?

I've forbidden them from leaving the hut,

but don't let down your guard!

Hey, Gran.

Will you let Sayo stay with you for a while?

The two of us live alone, so

I think she'd feel safer

with you and Ruri around.

Yes. That's no problem.

Sayo, that's what we'll do.

Yes, Madame.

We should go to sleep.

Yes.

Miss Ruri, Miss Sayo

Sir Rio

Please put this in a corner of your room.

It's a protective amulet.

A protective amulet?

It's beautiful!

Sir Rio, thank you so much!

That's our big bro for you!

Of course. I made sure to

bust up the cart really well.

We can take all day tomorrow

repairing it at our leisure.

The fun comes after that.

Madame Yuba!

It's been a long time.

Welcome! Thank you for coming all this way!

Pleased to meet you. I'm called Rio.

I'm called Saga Hayate.

I'm traveling to all the

villages as tax examiner.

I hope you'll take good

care of my aides, too.

Watching like that can't possibly be any fun.

Your movement's so pretty,

we couldn't help watching!

It's just simple training.

No, no, it's really impressive!

You've done it every day since

you came to the village, right?

Why did you start martial arts?

Well

Even if I die, I'll protect you, Mii-chan!

It's a little embarrassing to say

What? I want to know even

more now! Right, Sayo?

What? Yes. I'd like to know.

Well, this is a problem.

Do you mind if I dress myself?

Huh? Oh, please go ahead.

When I was little,

there was a girl I liked

I wanted to become strong enough

that I could protect her.

Wow, really?

What is she doing now?

We're not in contact anymore.

She might be with someone she loves.

And I don't know if she even

remembers me in the first place.

I don't know where she's living, either.

But if she's alive, then you

might meet again one day.

Right, Sayo?

Y-Yes.

That's true.

Though, right now, I'm training for myself.

That bath was truly wonderful!

Thank you very much.

I'm glad to hear it.

Miss Ruri, you two should go ahead and

use the bath first. It's getting chilly.

That's true.

Let's go then, Sayo.

Yes.

Quiet. I'm not responsible for

what happens if you struggle.

Miss Ruri!

If you make a fuss, I'll punch

her right in the face.

And you, too.

Y-You

What are you doing?

Crap.

Stop

Stop?

Sir Rio

Sir Rio, stop!

This is bad!

Sir Rio! Cease! If you hit

him any more, he'll die!

Is that Gon?

It seems he was trying to as*ault

Lady Ruri and Lady Sayo.

I'll handle this.

Lady Yuba, please see to the two of them.

Ruri, Sayo, come with me.

Am I correct in that you lot are

the ones who caused this uproar?

Yes

You have committed a grave crime.

I seek punishment from the kingdom.

Send a messenger!

Yes, sir!

This is the second time I've

wanted to k*ll someone.

As Rio, I've had this feeling

inside me all this time.

But

without me noticing,

I've been pulled closer to Amakawa Haruto.

I turned my eyes away from my revenge.

Even though, in the end, I

I'm the same sort of person as that man.

Tomorrow morning, a messenger

from the kingdom will arrive.

They've decided that Gon and the

others will be taken into custody.

Everyone.

I caused you such trouble yesterday.

I can't apologize enough.

You have nothing to apologize for.

Thank you for protecting Ruri and Sayo.

Yeah. It's only because you arrived

so quickly that I was safe.

Sir Rio, it was only because you wanted

to protect us that you got so angry!

If you hadn't hit him, Sir Rio, I would have.

Everyone thank you so much.

But, please let me apologize

just one more time.

You're so serious.

Just like a certain someone.

Who?

Well, let's have breakfast.

Sir Rio, I'm hungry!

Yeah. Let's hurry and eat!

Next Time

Royal Lineage

"Royal Lineage."

Spirit Chronicles

Exciting Bonus Manga

Rio! Let's

have lunch

together!

By Minazuki Futago

All

right.

Rio!

Let's have a

bath together!

All

right

What?!

Hee hee