Hakumei and Mikochi (ハクメイとミコチ)

I see it, Hakumei.

Huh?

There's the border of Makinata.

Oh, that's it!

We can get there sometime today.

You've been longing to be here, right? What do you think?

I don't know anything from just the gate...

When we get there, let's all have a drink. I'll buy a round for everyone!

I mean, I'd pay everyone back after I move up in the ranks.

Well, that can't happen.

Are there no promotions in the caravan?

Well then, Hakumei...

...this is where we part.

Be careful out there.

Ryokubirou!

I want to stay with the caravan after all!

Hey.

That looks heavy. What did you bring with you?

Self-made explosives.

Explosives?!

If I come across any barrier along the way... ya know?

You'll blow it up?

If I get held up even just a little bit, I may not make it in time.

Episode 25 Memory of Dark Red Hair

We're going to Koyou Oiwa tomorrow morning, right?

I wonder if you'll be able to see Ryokubirou's caravan.

According to the newspaper, they're going south on their way back down the trade route.

Things would be easy if she dropped by Makinata, huh?

And tomorrow is Makinata's pioneering festival as well...

Konju has been in high spirits due to her new stage.

Her tent turned into a tsukumogami at the last harvest festival.

Well, nothing can be done about that.

There's a size limit to enter Makinata.

Ryokubirou was many times bigger than the upper limit.

Oh, there is a rule like that, isn't there?

Hm? Hakumei?

Right, let's hurry.

First we go out on the Hinochi main road, and head to Kaharu Bridge.

When we cross the bridge, we'll ride the ropeway to Koyou Oiwa.

KOYOU OIWA EAST KIOU

If can get on the ropeway today, we might make it there on time.

Just barely, right?

The Hinochi main road...

...it's that unused highway, isn't it?

To the public, yes.

But there are those that still use it even now.

Is that so?

This road is very...

Watch your step!

Since the road is like this,

it's used by a lot of travelers who want to avoid being seen and street racers and such.

It's kind of early to get a ride with those guys, though.

I suppose so...

Oh, look. There's one.

What's this? A hairball?

I dunno what it is, but it's likely alive.

Hey! How about taking the two of us to Koyou for 500?

I'm not going to Koyou.

I'm going towards Kaharu Bridge. That will be 500.

That's expensive. Will you run there for that much?

You gotta pay in advance.

You can go faster than this.

Don't be stupid. You're gonna fall.

Hey, Hakumei. Tell me more about the Ryokubirou Caravan.

They helped you out when you were homeless, right?

Yeah.

The shopkeepers of the Yashiro region made the Merchants' Peace and Order Caravan Unit.

Of course they did business,

but they were even a top-rate intelligence and combat organization.

They went on expeditions five times a year in order to do trade.

The plan is about ten days, but at the longest about a month passes.

When there is no business, they assumed the role of vigilantes in the city.

I heard that even the notorious burglars of Yashiro take a break in between those times.

What they especially fear, though, is the leader, Ryokubirou.

She's an old wolf woman who takes charge of all the caravan's activities.

She has one eye and her fur on her body is a whitish grey. Her age is unknown.

The tip of her tail is dyed a stylish green.

A long time ago, when there were only a few members

and they were mainly working the jewel and alcohol trade,

they say a band of thieves that held a grudge followed behind the caravan all the way from Yashiro.

At one spot on the journey back, on a moonless night, they set fire to the campgrounds.

They had plotted to take advantage of the confusion and attack straightaway.

However...

the caravan had realized it was an ambush.

Did you think our lack of manpower would be in your favor?

Will you be killed here, or help carry our cargo?

You choose.

So one thing led to another, and the number of members in the unit increased...

By the time I'd met them, they had several dozen members aside from the main unit.

They're a principal part of the country now.

Wow. Was it the main unit that found you when you collapsed in the street?

That's right.

That means they come all the way to Makinata. They only did that just for you, Hakumei.

Well, about that...

I heard the reason why they did it that once.

Huh? What is it?

Well, Ryokubirou...

Since she liked my red hair, she said she'd like to see it just a bit longer.

Oh?

But it was just uncomfortable for me, and if I say so myself, this worked out well for me.

You're going to meet those guys?

Yeah. I think we won't be able to, but I wanted to get at least a glimpse.

Is that so...

Then I'll hurry it up a bit for you.

Oh, thanks for that.

Hey, right up ahead is Kaharu Bridge.

How long are you gonna sleep?

Motion sickness...

But something seems strange here.

Everyone's gathered around. I think they can't cross over.

What?!

So one part of the column has started to rot...

I'll fix it right now!

Please don't be unreasonable.

All you can do now is take the detour, right?

If we do, we won't make it in time.

Well, I did promise to take you to the other side of the bridge...

Huh?

Do you have anything to tie yourselves down with? I'll bring you over.

Hey, can you climb up the other side?!

Don't talk! You'll bite your tongue!

What's this? This rock is...

What's wrong?

The path to the opposite shore is blocked.

Even if we push it out of the way there's no footing to cross it.

What're we gonna do? There's no alternative route.

Good thing I brought it with me!

Yeah...

Will just that one explosive be okay?

Yeah. Maybe.

I'll give you a signal after I light the fuse, so hurry and get away from it.

You aren't scared, are you?

Okay, I lit it!

Now we can pass!

Amazing...

Why do you have such a dangerous thing?

For fun as well as for profit.

Hey, we've crossed it.

We did!