" Well Risai -- an emperor can never violate border lines. Leading armies across borders is an immediate sin. Sending soldiers for another kingdom is just impermissible."
" But you heard what was said before, didn’t you? En-ou lent a helping hand to Kei. Kei-ou borrowed En's soldiers to force into her chaotic kingdom, the woman said."
" The situations are different. In En's case, Kei-ou is present. Therefore I think En-ou didn't violate the border. In the end, Kei-ou borrowed En's imperial army to return to her own kingdom... However, in the case of Tai, his majesty is absent!"
" But..."

" Do you know the story about Jyun-tei (遵帝) of Sai (才) Kingdom?"
" Jyun-tei's story?"
" Once upon a time, Jyun-tei of Sai Kingdom pained over the devastation of Han (範) Kingdom, and sent the imperial army to relief the people of Han. What waited ahead of him was a horrifying death of unnatural cause! The heavens would never permit an emperor sending the imperial army across borders, even in the name of saving people. Which emperor will repeat the same mistake of Jyun-tei?"

Risai dropped her head, and then raised her face quickly again.
" Oh I know... Kei-ou is a taika. Maybe she doesn't know about Jyun-tei's story."
" What a shameful, frightening suggestion!"

Kaei's white worn-out face twisted with shock and disgust.
" Are you saying that you want to sink Kei for Tai's sake? What you are saying just now means exactly that!"
" That..."
" No, Risai! You can't think like that!"

Then, Risai spat.
" What are we to do with this kingdom!?"

Risai showed the foot of the hill with her birdle-gripping hand.
" You have seen that village, haven't you? You have seen all the people over there, haven't you? That is the situation of Tai now! His majesty is missing. Taiho is missing. There is not a single person anywhere in this kingdom that can save Tai!"

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