Kino no Tabi:Volume13 Chapter4

“Land of Travelers” —Last Will—

My name is Riku. I am a dog.

I have long, shaggy white fur. My face makes me look as if I’m happy and smiling all the time, but it doesn’t mean that I am. I was just born this way.

Shizu is my master. He is a young man who always wears a green sweater, and has been traveling by buggy ever since he lost his homeland due to complex circumstances.

Another fellow traveler is Ti, a quiet girl with a fondness for grenades, and who has become part of the team ever since she lost her homeland due to complex circumstances.

—

We were riding through a meadow during one summer.

Though I say summer, the temperature was as low as the region’s latitude and altitude was high.

Elsewhere, for instance in a warm and damp region that experiences the four seasons, the low temperature would be tolerable enough even if spring has only begun.

As the buggy was greatly exposed to the wind, Master Shizu wore his goggles over his eyes along with his usual jeans and sweaters.

Ti also wore the parka that she used against the cold or rain on top of her clothes.

Meanwhile, I settled between Ti’s thin legs, which were bare except for her short pants, and became a substitute leg warmer. At times, she would also rest her chin on top of my head.

As if rejoicing for the short summer, the meadow was overgrown with a thick blanket of flowers, among which rare alpine plants could also be seen. Both sides of the road was covered in green, and there was nothing but the blue sky and the green meadow until the end of the far-off horizon.

The lone road in the midst of it, though we knew not who made it and when, was stone-paved.

It was made of big stones laid out on the ground, and broad enough to let cars pass each other.

As the road was flat, the buggy rode through it with almost no shaking. But then, it’s possible that the suspension of the buggy, which was made to run on rugged wastelands, was just superior from the beginning.

The road was perfectly straight, but at times, it would take a detour around swamps and lakes. The waterfowl didn’t find the engine’s sound alarming, and would carry on with their leisurely swim on the water’s surface.

The buggy proceeded on the grey road in a relaxed pace, with neither rush nor panic. It was headed roughly to the southwest.

Master Shizu’s eyesight and driving skills were top-notch, but since this was a decent road, he felt no urge to hurry.

Besides, doing so would prevent the driver and its passengers from getting worn out, and protect the vehicle from getting damaged. But most importantly, it is to save fuel.

Any person who travels using a vehicle knows how much distance his limited fuel could cover, and at what speed he should run to optimize its consumption—it is a skill ingrained into his body.

Master Shizu had been driving since morning, asking Ti from time to time whether she felt cold or not.

And when it was almost noon, when it was about time for us to have a break and eat lunch, Master Shizu was the first to notice something.

“There’s a person. How rare.”

—

The traveler looked around, having noticed the noise of the buggy.

It was a man who looked around mid-thirties. He proceeded through the same road, towards the same direction as us. And what this man used to travel was his own two legs.

He was thin but muscular. His strong will was conveyed to us through the sharp glint in his eyes.

He wore rather threadbare green pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat on his head.

His tent, sleeping bag and all of his other belongings packed in a rucksack slung from his shoulders draped in a warm-looking leather coat.

A rifle-type persuader (Note: A gun) hung from the front of his body. It was a first-rate model; small, light-weight, fully automatic, and looked like something that can be used by the army.

At first the man looked at us dubiously, but he soon smiled and waved his hand. Perhaps it’s because he saw Ti in the passenger seat.

Master Shizu dropped the speed slowly and stopped the buggy beside the man.

“Hello there, travelers,” the man greeted us with a smile.

“Good day, traveler,” Master Shizu also returned a smile without showing any signs of hostility.

Then he invited the man to lunch.

—

The buggy was parked on the grass just beside the road, and three people and one dog, that is me, ate their lunch.

Master Shizu placed a pot on top of a stove and boiled some water. Then he put some dehydrated vegetables and meat inside, making a simple but warm stew. This and some tough, preserved bread was the menu for lunch.

The man eagerly and gratefully accepted Master Shizu’s invitation.

Master Shizu and the man chatted while the meal was being leisurely prepared and eaten.

At first they exchanged the usual greetings. The man asked us to call him Cross. We don’t know whether it was his real name or not, but that doesn’t really pose a problem.

For a while, the two continued a safe conversation on topics like weather and the road ahead. But when the meal was about to be finished, Cross spoke his heart out.

It seems that Cross had been traveling around various countries with only his two feet for more than half a year already.

His home country is a place we haven’t visited before. It seems that it was a small country with almost no relations with foreign lands.

Like us, his destination was the country waiting at the end of this road.

If his information was correct, it was not too far off. If he walked the distance, it would only take him a few days. Meanwhile, if we hurry, we would be able to reach it with the buggy by the end of the day.

Upon confirming that Master Shizu was not a resident of the country ahead of us, he told us his purpose.

“You see, I have to deliver a sad message in that country. That’s the reason for my journey.”

“What sort of message?” Master Shizu asked. Cross may have mentioned it because talking about it would make him feel more at ease.

“…”

Ti remained silent, and only stared at the two men with her emerald green eyes.

“I have to tell of a certain person’s death in that country. A traveler who originated from there has died in my homeland,” Cross said. “It was a man around my age. It seems that he set out on a journey to broaden his knowledge for the betterment of his country. Five years ago, he arrived at our country in a horse. However, at that time, our country was in a most unimaginable state of affairs.”

“Unimaginable?”

“An epidemic of unknown origin. Ten percent of the population contracted a disease. Having no resistance to this kind of sickness, people started dying one after another. To prevent infection, everyone’s activities were restricted, bringing our country’s functions to the verge of collapse.”

Right then, Cross looked up at the blue sky and took a long breath.

“He, who has come under the worst of circumstances, was like a god of salvation. He has acquired medical knowledge during his travels. He applied his expertise and worked himself to the bone to help complete strangers…”

After this, he stopped talking for a while. Master Shizu, Ti, and I patiently waited for Cross, who was doing his best not to cry.

“About one year later, the country was saved. Countless of people survived. I am one of them. However, his health was ruined from overwork. He contracted another disease, and succumbed to it, all the nursing given to him futile. He never lost hope up to the very end and continued to say, ‘I want to go back to the country where my family is. I want to return to my country sheltering a beautiful lake’…”

Again, he stopped talking for a long time. We waited.

“Our country decided to send a messenger to his home country. To tell of his death, and to return his hair and articles, and to convey of his heroic deeds. Along with utmost gratitude… However, that is not a simple thing for a country whose dwellers knew nothing about traveling. We have organized several traveling troupes, but because of lack of strength and inexperience, they all came back unsuccessfully. But they took back with them information about the paths they have taken…”

“And this time, you were chosen?”

“That’s right. In the end, they decided that it would be better to just send one person, and selected one capable man from the army. This is a very honorable duty. When I accepted this mission, I was very proud and happy from the bottom of my heart.”

“The journey was by no means easy, I presume.”

“Well, yeah…” Cross returned a silent nod to Master Shizu’s sympathetic words.

The problem of food and water, as well as attacking wild animals and thieves makes traveling very difficult. All the more for an inexperienced person.

However, using your own two feet is a reliable method of traveling.

For vehicles, fuel is a necessity. If your means of transportation breaks down and could no longer be repaired, that’s the end. Moreover, a vehicle is typically limited to run on level places.

Animals like horses can cover even fairly bad roads. If you are in the plains, there is always food for it, but elsewhere, you have to carry fodder with you.

If you have the strength, and you take care of your health along the way, traveling on foot is by no means a reckless thing to do. It would take time, but a human can cover long distances even with his own two legs.

“But I have come this far. Just a bit more. Once I reach my destination, I will immediately look for his family, and I will tell them everything with these very own lips.”

“I can’t be of help—no—I am not supposed to help you with delivering that message…” Master Shizu started, looking straight at the ghastly expression showing itself on Cross’ face. “But I can help you shorten the time it would take to arrive at your destination. That is, if you’re willing to trust us.”

In short, we’re giving him a ride.

A buggy has only two seats. However, a person can be seated on top of the luggage at the rear end. Since I also need a place to ride in, Ti could temporarily stand there and hold on to the frame above the seat, and enjoy the breeze.

“…”

Cross looked back straight at Master Shizu’s eyes in silence. He probably didn’t expect to hitch a ride with our buggy.

He considered it for a while,

“Please.”

Then bowed deeply along with this single word.

—

The buggy ran on the paved road.

I was on top of the luggage behind the seats,

“…”

Keeping an eye out for Ti, who glared at the scenery in front of her without minding the cold wind while I ensured that she wouldn’t fall off. Just to be safe, a rope for use in mountain climbing was tied around her waist. But rather, the thought of falling off myself does not appeal to me.

Occupying the driver seat and passenger seat were Master Shizu and Cross, talking to each other to their hearts’ content.

“You’re one strange guy. —You don’t seem to be a soldier like me, but you don’t look like a person who couldn’t fight, either. Also, even though you wander around like this, you don’t seem to hate people.”

“Lots of things have happened. I also want to be able to settle down in a country. Things aren’t going too well, though.”

“I see… Well, even in our country, immigration is not approved most of the time, except for very special cases. The same is true in the countries I visited during my travels.”

“They’re not very fond of strangers, you see.”

“I am sure you know about this. It’s not like they hate you, but if even one person was allowed to immigrate, then they won’t be able to refuse the next person who asks. They will advance one after another. It’s not unlikely for the country to be taken over like this, so they have no choice but to take precautions. It’s the same with laws and territories.”

“I do know. Because I would like to live in a stable country like that.”

“A choice of two evils, eh? I wish that the day would come when you find a wonderful country you could lay your life for, a place where people live with the thought of helping each other deep in their hearts.”

“Thank you very much. By the way, what kind of travelers did you meet during your journey? Have you met a young traveler on a motorrad called Kino?”

“No… I remember each and every person I met, talked to, and killed…but I haven’t met anyone riding a motorrad. Is it an acquaintance of yours?”

“Yes. A person we owe our lives to. She looks like a girl in her mid-teens, but she’s very skilled with persuaders. A traveler much stronger and resolute than I am.”

“… I can’t imagine what kind of person it is at all.”

Cross said jokingly with a roll of his eyes, to which Master Shizu responded with merry laughter.

—

With a bit of a rush, we arrived at a place where walls could be seen above the horizon, just before the late summer sunset.

Master Shizu stopped the buggy as soon as he noticed a very tiny shadow in front of the horizon.

It was a wall with a slightly protruding facade and a distinctive tower. While confirming with tiny binoculars, Cross declared that it was, without a doubt, the country he was looking for.

“I arrived here at last…,” he muttered with deep emotion.

“…”

Behind him, the ever quiet Ti on top of the luggage nibbled for some time at her dinner portable rations before finally wolfing it down.

It was decided that we will be camping out in this place for the night.

Even if we hurry now, the sun would set before we arrive. Most countries would never open their gates at night-time. Knowing that, Cross suppressed his excitement and readily agreed.

The buggy was parked a bit ways off the road, and the three put up their own tents. As it served as their beds each night, they were very skilled at it. They could probably assemble their tents even with their eyes closed. As usual, Ti’s tent was right beside Master Shizu’s.

To utilize the sunlight to the maximum, travelers go to bed early. As only a little energy is needed during the night, they eat only enough in the evening. They make do with a small amount of portable rations and tea.

When the three have disappeared into their tents, I stayed outside to keep watch.

It was a beautiful moonless, starry night.

I knew from their presence that the one who could not sleep to the end, was Cross.

—

A traveler’s morning is early.

Most wake up along with the dawn to begin their activities.

Sleeping hours is long during the winter and short during the summer. As that was only natural for living things, this should not be too difficult for humans.

The sky was light, the atmosphere was wintry, and the meadows were damp.

“Morning, Riku.” Master Shizu came out of the tent, breathing out white air.

“Hey.” Followed by Ti.

“Good morning. It’s a great morning isn’t it? It’s literally a good morning.” And finally, Cross.

Master Shizu and Cross relaxed their bodies with light exercise. Then Master Shizu practiced his sword swings while Cross trained his persuader draw.

“…”

Ti observed them silently, and eventually, out of boredom perhaps, approached me at the top of the hood and began brushing my fur.

To my surprise, the full-body grooming I received was quite pleasant, but when she brushed my forehead and the brush hit my nose, I wanted her to stop.

After that, we ate breakfast to last us the whole day, and began riding when it was almost dawn.

Anyone aboard would notice how nervous Cross was.

He has stopped talking, and silently stared at the walls getting bigger in sight as the buggy approached his destination.

—

Early that morning, we were received by an immigration officer at the gates.

Master Shizu inquired about immigration, but just as we thought, immigration is not allowed unless it is of merit to the country.

And like usual, Master Shizu accepted and only asked permission to stay for about two days to rest and resupply. This one was immediately approved.

Meanwhile, without telling his circumstances, Cross asked permission to rest like we have, and was allowed to stay for a few days. Perhaps the reason why he did not reveal his true purpose was because he wanted to tell the family directly.

Upon passing through the gates, we came upon a vast territory that encompasses a lake.

There were fields and houses. The hazy outlines of buildings could be discerned from afar indicating the level of technology this country has developed. We can probably get our hands on some fuel for the buggy.

Enough about us. The problem now is Cross.

It appears that they came to know about the traveler’s name, estimated location of his home, and other information about him before he passed away.

With utmost faith in this information, Cross scrutinized the map at the side of the gates. He found his destination—a town in the vicinity of the south side of the lake matches the name of the town he was looking for.

It was quite some distance away from where we were, almost at the other side of the entire country.

“Shall we go then?” Master Shizu said with a smile.

“Thank you. I will never forget your kindness.”

And Cross climbed aboard the passenger seat once more.

—

A dirty, jam-packed buggy with a sour-looking girl sitting on top of the luggage will probably look strange in any country.

We stood out considerably even as we rode, and as soon as we arrived at the main street of the town we were looking for, we were completely surrounded by the excited residents.

We knew from their smiling faces that they bear no hostility towards us, but with this it would be a pain to move the buggy.

Ti looked somewhat delighted as she stared down at the people from her seat. But maybe it’s only my imagination.

Soon an elderly man, apparently this town’s mayor, noticed the clamor. At last we were able to move the buggy to the side of the town hall, and guards were asked to look out for the buggy so that no one would touch it.

Cross asked the mayor.

He told him their savior’s name and other distinguishing information that he knows of, and asked whether he could meet with this man’s family.

Of course, he refrained from revealing the details, including the fact that this man died overseas. He only told them that this man had taken care of him in his home country, and that he would like to express his gratitude to his family.

The mayor readily agreed and called for a man in the town hall.

The family he was searching for was readily found in the immigration records. Cross, who was prepared to meet some difficulties,

“I am…really grateful for that…”

Only muttered with a rather disappointed look on his face.

The mayor, on his own horse, guided us himself to the house. We followed after him in the buggy. Along the way, Master Shizu spoke to Cross, “I will say nothing.”

Cross’ face displayed some surprise, but quickly returned his gaze to the front in comprehension.

“Yeah, I know. I will tell everything.”

—

The place we were guided to was a lone house a bit ways off the town hall.

It was a simple wooden house, very much like most of the houses that could be seen in this area. A tiny log house, surrounded by big trees and green fields.

After getting off the buggy, it took Cross several seconds before he made his first step. We waited in silence.

In that house were an old couple in their seventies and a woman in her thirties. They wore modest clothing like the rest of the citizens.

The mayor introduced Cross to the surprised family, saying that he was a foreigner who wanted to meet them.

We were all invited into the house with good cheer while the mayor went back to his work.

The old couple and the woman alike were kind and polite. It doesn’t seem to be a rich household, but they served tea and cakes, and did their best to welcome the travelers.

I paid attention to their self-introductions. The old couple was the traveler’s parents, while the woman was his wife. They have no children.

They sat opposite Master Shizu and Cross in a narrow table. As there were not enough chairs, I sat on the floor next to a wall, with Ti standing by my side.

Cross’ distress was transmitted to us, seeing that he could break into tears at any moment, but it’s not like we can say anything.

Cross spun his tale slowly, almost groaningly, as if he was trying to conjure courage somewhere deep inside him.

“Your son, this lady’s husband, came to our country five years ago—” Cross began with the facts.

That this man arrived while the country was in the worst of circumstances. That in the midst of an epidemic, he used the medical knowledge he had gained during his travels to save many lives, and that as a result, he was declared hero by the country.

And that he came here as his country’s representative to convey their utmost gratitude to that man’s family.

“Well, dear me! For that child to have done such a thing! And here I was, thinking that he was doing nothing but fool around in somebody else’s country!”

“Now, that’s a surprise! I thought a guy who refused to work on the fields and do nothing but travel would turn out to be just some outrageous vagabond! That brat of a son…”

“Oh? I did see how magnificent a man he is, though.”

Cross cast his gaze down and bit his lower lip upon hearing the words of the surprised old couple and the delighted wife.

Master Shizu and I both knew Cross’ suffering. From here on, he would have to tell these people about their loved one’s death. And to add to his anguish,

“Mr. Cross, thank you for telling us this wonderful news. You even took the trouble to come this far. Please lift your head. When he comes back, we will be sure to tell him about this.”

“Why dear, if you praise that child he will get carried away and go traveling again. Let’s make this our little secret, shall we?”

“I agree with Mother! Good grief, where could that man be loitering about at this moment?”

“Then let’s keep it to ourselves… I would also like him to quit lazily wandering about, you see.”

The family’s cheerful words stabbed Cross one after another.

—

Master Shizu and I both knew.

And Cross, without a doubt, also knew.

There was one other option—to not tell the truth.

No one will know anyway, so everything will be all right even if Cross lies to them right now.

“After that, the hero that saved our country departed amidst tearful farewells.”

That was all he had to say.

If he does, this happy family can continue their simple lives without grieving for their loss.

Of course, their son, this woman’s husband, will never return to this house.

But perhaps, the hope that he would return someday would let this household keep its cheerfulness.

—

Master Shizu and I both knew.

And Cross, without a doubt, also knew.

That if he did this, he wouldn’t be able to fulfil his mission.

Cross undertook this perilous and gruelling journey in order to convey the whole truth.

It was a mission given to Cross as a soldier. That is to say, it was a mission bestowed to him by his country and his people.

By abandoning this duty for his personal feelings, he would be betraying the expectations of many.

—

He knew that both roads entail suffering.

It will be his choice.

When I casually glanced at Ti standing beside me,

“…”

Ti was silent as usual, staring intently at the smiling faces of the family members at the other end of the table with her sour face. It is unknown to me whether that face carried emotion or not.

When I was about to gently chide her for staring too much, Ti spoke all of a sudden. She turned to the family and asked the unthinkable.

“When will that person go home?”

—

Master Shizu and Cross looked back at Ti.

Knowing how the two men should feel, they probably didn’t wish to mention anything of the sort.

But those two, and myself for that matter, became completely taken aback with the mother’s reply.

—

“He’ll be back next month, white-haired missy.”

Master Shizu and Cross looked back at the mother.

I couldn’t see how their faces looked like, but it couldn’t be anything normal.

“That’s a relief,” Ti said, satisfied with the answer. She then proceeded to hug my neck, placing her full weight on me. She’s very heavy.

But that doesn’t matter. Of more importance were the words that reached my ears.

“I-is that…decided already?” Cross’ voice trembled even more, not surprisingly.

The mother answered with a smile. “Yes. He left with that promise. Once the short summer ends, this country will breeze through autumn and enter the winter season, after all.”

“Uh…this may be rude of me but…when did you have such an arrangement with him?”

“The month before last.”

“…”

“That time, he set out saying, ‘This time, I’ll be in the south for about three months.’ He’s an outrageous child, but if he has done a good deed in another country, then maybe we can approve of his behavior.”

“…”

As Cross was already frozen in place, Master Shizu asked in his behalf. “Do you have a photo of his? It’s only in case I meet him during my travels.”

“Of course we have! It’s our wedding picture though!” the wife happily said. She stood up, disappeared in one room, and soon came back.

And in her hands was a wooden picture frame.

The wife put in on top of the table for Master Shizu to see.

To have a look at the picture, Ti approached the table. I also craned my neck with all my might to have a peek.

Inside the picture frame was a colored photograph of a smiling couple.

One of them was a woman wearing a simple but pretty wedding dress, the woman seated right before Master Shizu.

The other person was a man around the same age wearing a tuxedo. He had shortly trimmed black hair. He was a bit shorter than the wife, and had a solid built.

“…”

No words came out from Cross’ mouth.

But I have a fair idea of what he wanted to say from the movement of his lips.

Just one phrase: ‘It’s not him.’

“It’s a nice picture. Thank you very much. If I meet him somewhere, I’ll tell him that his family is doing well and is waiting for his return.”

The family was overjoyed with Master Shizu’s remark. Warm words resonated in the room. ‘Please do so!’ or ‘Please tell him to go home earlier!’

But perhaps, none of these words reached Cross.

As they have already conveyed the message, Master Shizu stood up and politely expressed his thanks.

“Maybe it’s really a better idea not to tell him about this. It will be our fault if he leaves his family again on a journey,” he jested.

“We’ll do that,” the old couple agreed, and together with the wife, they escorted us to the porch.

We dragged Cross, now as lifeless as a ghost, and rode the buggy. Master Shizu started the engine and exchanged words of farewell with the family.

After being sent off with smiles, the buggy took off.

—

Inside the slowly-riding buggy on the forest road.

“W-what was that about…? Just what in the world…happened…?” Cross moaned, his head cradled in his hands,

“So it was not him after all?” Master Shizu asked, and Cross shook his head several times.

“It was not him! It’s clear as day! I have met that person countless of times! I remember—it was definitely someone else!” That person was much thinner and taller than I am, had long hair—”

Cross took out a pendant from his chest. Together with a piece of metal with his name, blood type, and identification number carved on it was a tiny cylinder that looked like a test tube.

Inside it was a short tuft of hair. It was light brown.

“…”

“We have no choice but to conclude that it was a different person.”

Cross did not say anything, but Master Shizu summed it up for him.

“But all of the information was correct! The location and features of the country, his full name, his home town, his family structure… Everything was correct! What’s this all about? Just what in the world happened?!” Cross violently shook his head. His mind was in the midst of confusion.

Master Shizu stopped the buggy in a beautiful location, where the lake was visible through the gaps between the forest trees. And then,

“Let’s go to the town hall one more time. Then let’s check if there were other people who set out from this country several years ago. It’s only a guess though—”

—

We were surrounded by the residents in the same place as before, and once more received assistance from the mayor.

“How was it? It was a pretty interesting family, don’t you think?” The mayor asked with a smile as he led us to the interior of the town hall.

“Yes. It is a wonderful family.” Master Shizu returned a safe reply.

“That family was the richest in town, and their wayfaring son is a local celebrity, you see.”

The mayor’s reply got him interested, so he asked what he meant.

The mayor first led us to a drawing room, offered us seats and tea before he explained.

“You know, that son was an adventure writer. He would travel on occasion and use his experience and interesting encounters to write books. He had been doing that for over ten years now. His books became popular, and that family became very rich as a result. The truth is they could afford a huge building at the country center if they wanted to, but they disliked ostentatious things, so they decided to live a peaceful life in the countryside. Well I’m glad because they get to pay their taxes in this town.”

“We didn’t know about that.”

“Why of course. They probably won’t tell you such things because they’re a humble bunch.”

“Then that means…that man is so popular that there is no one in this country who doesn’t know his name?”

“Yeah. For some time, there would be no end to young people who sought to become an adventure writer like him. It has become a social issue at one point. In reality, a strong body and a tenacious spirit is necessary for someone to survive outside the walls, so the country typically denied people permission to go out of the country. But if it’s him, he can survive.”

Hearing this much, Master Shizu, Cross, and I have our suspicions confirmed.

Someone from this country arrived in Cross’ country and used a false name. That would explain everything.

“There is some other matter that I would like to talk about,” Master Shizu began.

“Around five years ago, I met a traveler who came from this country. I would like to know about this person, so could you please tell me what you know about him? I don’t know his name, I only remember his appearance.”

This can be thought of as a difficult task for good reason, but the people from the town hall accepted it with smiles.

“Even though many traders come in, there are not many who leave the country. I believe we’ll be able to give you the information that you want immediately. How does this person look like?”

Master Shizu told them the description of the hero that Cross had given.

Thin and tall, with long brown hair. Master Shizu had only said this much when,

“No way!”

The mayor stood up with a shout.

“Mr. Shizu! That man…did he do you any harm?” Master Shizu, Cross, and I were surprised with the violent expression in the mayor’s face.

“…”

Only Ti remained impassive, gazing at the mayor’s wrinkled face.

“Harm? No.”

Master Shizu lied, though it’s not something he’s very good at. “I met that person in the middle of the wilderness. Being travelers, we get lonely at times. So we had the usual conversation and information exchange, then parted ways.”

“If it’s just that, then it’s fine…”

The mayor returned to his seat, and Cross fixed his eyes at him.

“Um, if you’ll excuse my rudeness, may I know who—no, may I know what kind of person you’re talking about? It seems that you know him well, Mayor…”

“Well, I’m not sure if it’s a good idea…”

The mayor’s distress was transmitted to us, seeing that beads of sweat began trickling down his face, but it’s not like we have to stop asking.

“I will be returning to my homeland, and I may be able to meet this person along the way,” Cross commented.

“I-if that’s the case, then please don’t let down your guard if you meet him! Don’t accept any food or drink he offers you! And never show him your back!”

“How come? I couldn’t be cautious without knowing the reason.”

The mayor spoke, finally yielding to Cross’ shrewdness, “Please don’t tell this to anyone outside the country… It’s our country’s secret…”

“I swear by my honor. Then, who is this person?”

The answer Cross’ sought for came from the mouth of the person before us.

“He’s a former death convict.”

“… What…did you say?”

“He was a death convict. That man’s name was—no, even the mention of his name is revolting. Let’s just call him ‘Death Convict 13’. Seven years ago, Death Convict 13 perpetrated a terrorist bombing. At that time, he lived in the city as a medical student. However, he couldn’t find a job due to his poor academic performance. This made him ireful. He blamed his failure on society, and vented his frustration through a bombing.”

“…”

“He made a bomb using agricultural chemicals. In just a moment, twenty-three people died, and five times that number was injured… Something like that should guarantee one a death penalty. However…”

“He was…pardoned?”

“Indeed. Because of change in leadership, he was given an amnesty and his punishment was reduced to permanent exile.”

“And then, outside the country…”

The mayor did not understand the meaning of Cross’ words.

He panicked, thinking that we would misunderstand and reproach them for letting such a man roam the world freely.

“B-but, at least you must understand this! At that time, banishment is no different from a death penalty! We didn’t allow him to have any decent equipment, and we threw him out there in the middle of the short autumn season! This is an entirely different case from the adventure writer, who sets out with perfect equipment and a seamless schedule. We all believed he died by the roadside or fell prey to some wild beast… We didn’t think…he would survive… That worthless person…”

“That was already five years ago. Who knows what has become of him?” Master Shizu said.

“P-please understand… Even if he comes back, he wouldn’t be able to enter this country… Ah no, I have strayed from discussion, please excuse me.”

When he has regained his composure, the mayor spoke to us almost threateningly, “Please don’t mention any of this inside the country. If they find out that there’s a possibility of him being alive, they wouldn’t hesitate to organize a punitive force.”

“Understood. We will not say a word about him in this country.”

It was Cross, and not Master Shizu, who spoke so resolutely. The mayor let out a sigh of relief.

Master Shizu silently narrowed his eyes.

“…”

Still silent, Ti looked at Cross.

Cross casually asked the mayor with a tone as normal as he could muster. “How is this man’s family doing now?”

“Eh? Oh…they’re no longer around.”

“What happened?”

“He had parents and siblings. But no matter where they went, their identities would be revealed and they would get resented as a result. Eventually, they got tired of this treatment, and decided to end it all one day by setting fire to their house. There were also rumors that the families of the bombing victims were the ones who started the fire as vengeance, but there’s no way of knowing the truth anymore.”

“… I see.” Cross’ terrifyingly calm voice was heard.

“Thank you for sharing us this story.”

Master Shizu faced the mayor, promised once more to keep everything a secret, and stood up from his chair.

“Thank you, Mayor.”

Likewise Cross expressed his thanks and slowly stood up.

—

It was already past noon.

We went aboard the buggy and set out with a grand farewell from the residents. We rode for a while with nobody saying a word, and eventually, when we’re out of earshot, Master Shizu stopped the buggy by the lakeside.

Reflecting the sky, the surface of the lake shone blue.

Cross alighted from the buggy’s passenger seat and took down his luggage. Then he walked to the driver’s side and offered his hand to Master Shizu.

“Thank you. I will never forget you for the rest of my life. Let’s part ways here. I will soon leave this country and return home.”

Master Shizu gripped the hand firmly,

“Take care.” Uttering only this one phrase. I said the same thing, and lastly, Ti turned her emerald green eyes to Cross. And then,

“It’s okay.”

Cross smiled gently upon hearing Ti’s words.

Then he turned around, faced the lake, and took out the pendant from his chest.

He removed only the cylinder from the chain, and without the slightest hesitation, threw it into the lake with all his strength.

At the same time, Master Shizu launched the buggy.

Ti and I looked back.

We watched as the back of the man who stood at the banks of the lake, his figure stretched in a salute, got smaller and smaller.

—

After running for a while, Master Shizu stopped the buggy.

“Ti, you can get in the passenger seat now,” he called out to Ti, who was being beaten by the wind on top of the luggage at the back.

I settled myself in front of the vacated seat,

“…”

And Ti slipped off from the top of the luggage. There was no change in her expression, but judging from her behavior, she was rather reluctant to do so.

“How were you able to tell it was a different traveler, Ti?” Master Shizu asked before starting the buggy.

“Why can’t you tell?” Ti answered.

“Ah, well…”

As Master Shizu was stuck for answer, Ti continued. “Not gloomy.”

“Huh?”

“Those people… aren’t gloomy. You know if you look at them.”

It was very rare of Ti to speak a lot. But just when I thought her answer would stop there, to my surprise, Ti continued talking.

“Someone who had been waiting five years for their loved one to return can’t be that cheerful. Why can’t you tell?”

“Now that I think about it, that’s true. It’s just as you say, Ti,” Master Shizu sincerely admitted his defeat. “Cross and I completely believed in prior information. We didn’t even consider the possibility that it could have been a complete stranger. This served as a lesson,” he said with a smile.

“…”

Still silent, Ti looked up at Master Shizu’s face. “What next?”

Master Shizu shrugged lightly. “Well, since this this country’s no good either, we’ve got to go to the next one. —Ti, what kind of country would be nice?”

“…”

As Ti did not answer, Master Shizu started the buggy.

And as the buggy accelerated, Ti’s voice was heard.

“Anywhere’s fine as long as we’re together.”

Back to Chapter 3

Return to Main Page

Forward to Chapter 5