Kingdom (キングダム)

The 6th Year of the Future emperor of Chin's Reign

Kankoku Pass

In the sixth year of the future emperor of Chin's reign, a battle began between Chin and the coalition army.

We're chargin' in, Hi Shin Force!

You imbecile!

Th... the mightiest... is...

Then this can be my consolation prize.

We will fight to the very end!

Children of Chin!

We will defend our kingdom!

Sai

The deciding battle was at Sai, the throat of Kanyou...

...where, after a pitched fight, the war ended with Chin's victory.

Chin

And then...

Hi

Seven Nations, After the War

Hai Rou! Hold back the enemy on the right flank!

Got it!

Kyo Gai, we're on track to penetrate their main camp!

R-Right!

Lieutenant Kyou Kai!

Woohoo!

Lieutenant!

Lieutenant Kyou Kai was incredible!

Taking point like that? Our morale shot through the roof!

Kyou Kai's really changed.

Her support used to be more behind-the-scenes.

Right. And it's like she's easier to talk to now, or something.

Y'know, you don't hafta go that all-out, Kyou Kai.

You haven't seen anything yet.

I made a vow before I came back here.

I would live life to the fullest-- on Shou's behalf, too.

So I set two goals for myself.

Two... goals?

Yes:

I'm going for general, too, Shin.

Wha--wha--

What?!

If I'm choosing warfare, I ought to aim for the very top.

I know it's what Shou would do.

And so I, too,

will become a great general.

Feels more realistic than it happening to Shin.

Sure does.

Hey!

S-So, uh, what's the second goal?

My second goal...

...is to have your child.

What the hell are you saying, Kyou Kai?!

Well, th-that's, uh... I'd be fine with that.

Shin!

Kyou Kai...

Do you, um... do you know what you're getting into?

Like... how babies are made?

Sure.

When you join forces with a powerful man,

climb some lofty peak and set off some explosion or other,

you're blessed with a child.

That's... not quite right.

Eh?

Who told you that?

Get over here!

--You can go on after that second goal! --The first one, you mean!

Having learned the particulars of baby-making,

Kyou Kai avoided Shin for some time.

And then...

...winter arrived.

If we mean to destroy six nations,

I think, strategy-wise, we'll need six generals.

Aw, yeah. Guess it's time to bring back the Six Greats!

How many great generals does Chin have at the moment?

Hmm... let's see...

Just Mou Gou--and Mou Bu, who did great against the coalition army.

Kan Ki and Ou Sen are right up there with 'em,

but they ain't great generals who can command tens of thousands of troops.

Just two, huh...

So a unified Middle Kingdom is still just a dream.

What'd you expect?

We just lost two great generals: General Hyou and Chou Tou!

It closed back up!

Ah, don't fret, Kyou Kai.

I'll be a super-great general who can do the work of four of 'em--

and we'll take down one nation after another!

Just be one great general's worth.

And I'll be worth three.

You can stop at regular general, Kyou Kai!

Don't wanna.

What's with those two?

Yet despite the melting of the snow, no major war took place.

The fatigue of last year's coalition army war

hung heavy in all seven nations.

The Hi Shin Force, too, having risked their lives on the front lines,

had withdrawn to the interior for a respite when...

Haku Rou!

Haku Rou, sir!

General Mou Gou...

Mou Ten!

Shin!

So you're here, too.

But of course!

We gonna make it?

Well...

Hard to say.

It's the young lord! The young lord has arrived!

Th-This way! Please--hurry!

Haku Rou--he's... he's no longer conscious.

Now, where is my son?

And is Ten still not here?

The Six Great Generals...

Grandpa... Grandpa...

Grandpa.

He--he moved!

What?!

Ah, it's... you, Ten...

Uh-huh.

Ten's right here, Grandpa.

Ten... I've been waiting for you.

And while I waited...

...I saw something terrible.

I'm just glad you made it in time.

Shin's here with me.

General Mou Gou!

Is he, now?

Then why don't we...

...have a little chat.

He... he sat up!

Haku Rou, si--

I...

...wanted to be a hero.

But...

I lacked the talent.

I had the worst possible debut,

remaining obscure in the land of Se, where I was born,

Chin

Kan

Gi

Sho

En

Se

So

I then toured through the nations with my son Bu,

but still to no avail.

Then I arrived in Chin, to the far west--

and finally, slowly, began making a name for myself.

Speaking of which: Where is my son?

Y-Yes, sir.

There is, ah, enemy activity in Kakuen, beyond the garrison,

and he's unable to return.

Typical.

Very well.

So then, let's see... I arrived in Chin...

where I racked up some successes, little by little.

However...

Those six generals were beside me,

distinguishing themselves at a far faster rate.

I couldn't bear it. How was I to compete with those monsters?

I hated them so much, I wanted them to die--and quickly.

But actually, in my heart of hearts,

I'd always thought they were so dashing.

Oh, they were dashing, those six generals--and the Three Greats, too.

General Mou Gou...

And now this old man, this failed hero,

has some words of wisdom for you two young aspiring heroes.

Mou Ten, Shin, and Ou Hon:

Ascend to the heights--together.

You need not hold hands.

You may even oppose one another now and then.

But if you three remain aware of one another as you climb together,

your relationship is sure to yield a great strength.

Just like those six generals...

I believe that's one way to be brothers-in-arms.

Not that I was ever any part of it.

And someday, you'll be heroes to rival those fellows...

Grandpa!

Still, for all that...

It has been such a long journey...

Y-Young lord!

Haku Rou!