Suzu, Sheishuu, and Asano, are traveling all over the place, looking for a doctor in order to heal Sheishuu's eyes. They're suddenly attacked by a group of bandits, but are saved by a trio of vigilantes who were worried about them when they didn't hire an escort. Suzu engages in a deep conversation with Sheishuu about crying and Lady Riyou. Suzu learns a couple things from him. In another country, Shoukei is being convicted of the runaway princess who stole Queen Kyou's goods. Through bribbery, she was set free, and she and Rakushun slept at a shabby inn. Rakushun tells Shoukei that as a princess, she should have responsibility over the throne as well. Youko on the otherhand, is suspicious of Enho. She follows one of the people she suspects of taking part in the assassination into a bar, but Sekki, Enho's former student, bails her out. Suzu leaves Asano and Sheishuu alone for a while to find a doctor. Asano runs away, and Sheishuu wanders off, getting trampled by a carriage. Youko, who was in the same town at the time, runs towards Sheishuu, who dies in her arms. Suzu, when she arrived to the scene, mourns over the corpse.
Yet another powerful and dramatic episode is delivered. This episode actually makes me feel very naive, for it actually taught me some things about how humans think and some other things. I realized that Suzu's sorrowful years of torment under Lady Riyou shouldn't be blamed solely on her, for Suzu, along with the other servants, had little roles that helped her mold into such a bitter character. And Rakushun's talk with Shoukei on how she should have taken some responsibility also taught me a thing or two. I've always been supportive of Shoukei's point of view on how it's her parents fault for not letting her learn anything, but when I think deeper into the situation, I realized that she's also at a really big fault as well. Even though it's hard for kids who have been endlessly spoiled by their parents to really be generous and considerate, it's not like she's a kid anymore, being alive for thirty years. And while Sheishu's death really didn't force out any tears, it was a really sad way to die.moreless





