Kingdom (キングダム)

C'mon, morning's here--time to be on our way

Smiling faces, courage, we're bustin' out: glory days!

You ready or not? Ready or not, go! No turning back: this trip is nonfiction

You ready or not? Ready or not, go!

It's now or never, the real deal: Ready, and... action!

Harsh winds that make us hesitate, nights spent crying our eyes out

They're not necessarily bad things

Just like the power in a spring: the harder we're pushed

The higher we can fly

Face the far-off distance and aim for the horizon: rising sun

Holding our hands up to that morning sun

Our shared feelings brought us together-- we're not alone anymore

And so we're on this brilliant voyage

Smiling faces, courage, we're bustin' out: glory days!

"Chin"

"Ei Sei: King of Chin"

"Shou Bun Kun: Ei Sei's closest retainer"

What is it, Sire?

Has it been a year already?

The Kingdom of Chin had invaded the smaller Kan to expand its territory.

Neighboring Sho jumped at the chance to draw Chin into a dangerous battle.

Stepping up as commanding general was the Strange Bird of Chin:

Ou Ki, the last of the six great generals feared throughout the Middle Kingdom.

Sho sent forth as their commanding general Hou Ken,

a so-called god of war with deep ties to Ou Ki.

The two men clashed violently...

...just as strategist Ri Boku, one of Sho's Three Greats, had planned.

Thus was Ou Ki skillfully manipulated into dying a hero's death.

Without the absolute symbol of their army, Chin's military power waned,

and the neighboring lands of Sho, Gi, Kan, and So

started launching invasion after invasion.

But now every Chin man, woman, and child knew:

The time for action had come!

Kill them! Squash those Chin worms!

We've got this.

Aflame with fierce battles, the front lines also featured

a group of singularly dynamic fighters.

Captain! New troops from the left!

But that's--

The Hi Shin Unit!

"A New Era"

This hundred-man squadron had come together under Ou Ki in the Sho battle.

Proving their prowess there, the Hi Shin Unit grew into a 300-man unit

with many ten-man sergeants.

The Hi Shin Unit's master swordsman, Suu Gen.

"Suu Gen: Sergeant"

The cool-headed spearman, Shou Sa.

"Shou Sa: Sergeant"

"Ryuu Sen: Sergeant"

The herculean Ryuu Sen.

The clownish but hard-hitting Bi Hei.

"Bi Hei: Sergeant"

The group fighting expert, Taku Kei.

"Taku Kei: Sergeant"

The oldest sergeant, Ro En.

"Ro En: Sergeant"

The short-tempered and argumentative Den Ei.

"Den Ei: Sergeant"

The intimidating veteran, Hai Rou.

"Hai Rou: Sergeant"

The dependable Den Yuu.

"Den Yuu: Sergeant"

"En: Lieutenant"

The talented leader, En.

She who dances down the gods of war, Kyou Kai.

"Kyou Kai: Lieutenant"

And at the head of the entire Hi Shin Unit...

There's the brat!

...is a backwater servant boy who fought his way up the ranks

to command a unit 300 men strong.

This was none other than Shin,

"Shin: Captain, Hi Shin Unit, 300-Man Squadron Leader"

captain of the Hi Shin Unit.

Shout our victory!

He has left me that weapon, intent on improving himself until he is worthy of it.

And I have been entrusted with a nation. I haven't time to lament my helplessness.

Sire.

Shou Bun Kun.

I will bring about a unified Middle Kingdom--

no matter what it takes!

But do you have the means to defeat that man?

Shi Shi! By whose authority--

I summoned him.

You did, Sire?

"Shi Shi"

Shi Shi: When Sei's younger half-brother Sei Kyou

plotted an uprising with Ketsu Shi, his Minister of the Left,

the level-headed Shi Shi gave his support as Ketsu Shi's right hand.

Sei Kyou didn't bring about an uprising because of his popularity,

let alone Ketsu Shi's ambition.

It was because Shi Shi here took part in the planning.

He had been charged with seizing the remnants of Ketsu Shi's faction,

but now I will have him serve as one of my close advisors.

There you have it.

As it happens, Sire,

we've received word of troubling behavior from Ryo Fui.

What?

We do not know the specifics. I thought it best to warn Your Highness.

That bastard... What is he planning?

Now, where are you?

Where is my prey?

Aha! Gotcha!

And who might this be?

Well, if it isn't Sen!

Chin's Minister of the Right, Ryo Fui.

Once a mere Shuu merchant,

"Ryo Fui: Minister of the Right, Kingdom of Chin"

his insatiable thirst for riches and fame

propelled him up the ranks to become ruler of Chin in all but name.

With a faction of the best in warfare, politics, diplomacy, and law,

Ryo Fui had designs on taking the Chin throne for himself.

Now, powerless to confront him in the face of such naked ambition,

Sei's camp could only wait for the other shoe to drop.

Chin's King Sei's greatest threat may not be the surrounding nations

and the battles they wage.

Indeed, it may be Ryo Fui.

"Meanwhile..."

A minor irregularity was causing a stir in Sho.

"Ri Boku: Chancellor, Kingdom of Sho"

Ri Boku, my lord!

King Tou Jou is beside himself.

"Kaine: Ri Boku's adjunct"

Shun Pei Kun is nowhere to be found!

Shun Pei Kun?

Yes--His Highness's favorite.

He would have no reason to vanish of his own accord.

This could get messy.

Kou, wait!

What is it?

"You: Court Lady"

You assume your post as the king's companion today!

So why are you running away?

But-But-But--not me! I can't!

Kou!

Are you all right, Kou?

Why can't you? Tell me.

I've had dozens of people call on me-- but always only once!

I'm much too childish.

What do you mean? Why, His Highness said as much:

It's your devotion that counts!

Really?

Well, er... maybe.

See?!

Plus, I'm so clumsy...

I just know I'll make lots of mistakes here.

Don't be silly! We don't draw straws for this, you know.

You were chosen on your merits!

Now do your best.

I beg your pardon.

M-M-My name is Kou.

"Kou: Court Lady"

Starting today, I will be your cam--er, companion!

Pleasure.

Yes, but... pleasure what ? And how ?

Er, um...

What would Your Highness like me to do first?

You need not do anything.

Just be here.

Y-Yes, Sire.

Many thanks.

How kind of you to come all this way.

It's been a while, Ryo Fui. I'm glad to see you again.

And I you, Lord Shun Pei Kun.

R-Ryo Fui! Wh-What is the meaning of this?!

The answer to that will have to wait until next time.

Shi Shi's advice came seconds too late.

The situation surrounding Sei silently grew ever more tense.

Attacks from other kingdoms, Ryo Fui's plotting,

and a darkness that lurked in a most unexpected place...

And just when will I get my wish, hmm,

Chou Kou?

Madam. We have in fact reached a conclusion in that regard.

Let's hear it.