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Juuni Kokuki -- 十二国記
(The Twelve Kingdoms)

Rakusho no Goku -- 落照の獄
(A jail of the declining Light)

By Ono Fuyumi -- 小野不由美

Translated by o6asan

 

   "Not only the security is worsening, but the monster like Shudatsu(狩獺) is increasing -- don't you agree, sir?"
   Hogetsu(蒲月) said and Eiko(瑛庚) sighed.
   "I agree with you it seems."
   "Shudatsu(狩獺) has already been judged three times. Without repenting, he recidivated 16 times after that. This means the current system has no effects for the criminal like Shudatsu(狩獺) being reclaimed."
   "You must be right. But, ......"
   Although the country tries very hard to reclaim criminals, there still exists one person without repenting. Someone repeats crimes daringly as if he/she turns his/her back like refusing regeneration. -- Eiko(瑛庚) does know very well such a person.
   "If the penal servitude does not work, we need some more severe, don't you think so, sir?"
   "It's not my hesitation to punish Shudatsu(狩獺) by the death penalty. My hesitation is the death penalty itself."
   Hogetsu(蒲月) questioningly looks at Eiko(瑛庚).
   "If we execute him, it actually means to revive a death penalty."
   Hogetsu(蒲月) looks not understanding him exactly.
   "Now, our country peace is disturbed as you said. Therefore, I feel unease about this revival."
   "Why, sir?"
   "...... Don't you understand really?"
   When Eiko(瑛庚) asks him back, Hogetsu(蒲月) catches his breath in his throat, and turns his eyes away with flinching.
   Yes, Hogetsu(蒲月) also knows very well. -- No one knows why, but recently Ryu(柳), their country, is going to declining. Yoma(妖魔) are rampant, the unseasonable weather, and rash of disasters. The criminal punishment is not too light. People behave violently because the country is declining. So crimes are increasing.
   The problem is not only crimes increasing. Lately, Eiko(瑛庚) often feels the discrepancy in the place of national administration. Things that once would have advanced straight are skew now. Although the reasons of them are various, generally speaking, the point is rough country. At times like this, they want to correct all by their famous Ruler(王) who is very good at governing, but, the Ruler(王) seems to have lost his enthusiasm.
   "...... What happened to Shujo(主上)?"
   Hogetsu(蒲月) mutters.
   "You are one of Tenkan(天官) and should know more detail about it. What does Tenkan(天官) say?"
   "Well ...... We have no idea. I think Shujo(主上) does not act all confused. We think Shujo(主上) does not wander from the right path, but,"
   "But Shujo(主上) is not who he was."
   Hogetsu(蒲月) nods his head.
   "This is not my words, but someone said Shujo(主上) became incompetent --."
   Eiko(瑛庚) tried to scold Hogetsu(蒲月) because of his shocking words, but at the same time, Eiko(瑛庚) thought it's true. That's not to say that the Ruler(王) never became merciless nor evil. Rulers(王) who oppress their people are ordinary, but the Ruler of Ryu(劉王) did not seem to try to oppress people. Nevertheless, the national administration is skew. Definitely -- the Ruler(王)'s capability is diminishing.
   Eiko(瑛庚) sighed deeply.

Juuni Kokuki -- 十二国記
(The Twelve Kingdoms)

Rakusho no Goku -- 落照の獄
(A jail of the declining Light)

By Ono Fuyumi -- 小野不由美

Translated by o6asan

 

   "Recently, the security in Shiso(芝草) has been worsening as Seika(清花) insisted to. The people are scared about this situation, so they keep up vociferous calls for a death penalty, I think. If we do not impose a severe punishment soon, the situation might be getting worse and worse, they concern."
   "I agree......"
   In recent years, it is true the security in Shiso(芝草) has been worsening. -- Not only Shiso(芝草) but also all over the country. Though it is a slight increase on an actual number, the people feel unsafe now because their country was almost a safe place. Little wonder that the situation is related to the Ruler's edificatism. They begin to doubt whether the current criminal law is strict enough.
   But, judicial officers, like Eiko(瑛庚), know very well that the number of crimes in Ryu(柳) is not very large. Crimes have definitely been decreasing since the current Ruler(現王) ascended the throne. After death penalties were stopped by the Ruler's intention, there is no fact that crimes have been increasing. Especially, the number of criminals has decreased dramatically as the Ruler ceased executing criminals and revived Geimen(鯨面) which was already abandoned in other countries.
   It is said that to tattoo criminal's face as a penalty is to disturb criminal's regeneration. At start with, Geimen(鯨面) was abandoned in So(奏), after that, disuse of it becomes a trend in other countries. Though some Rulers revive this penalties, Geimen(鯨面) is contrary to humanity, that is the established theory, so they were also abandoned in even Ryu(柳) long ago. But, the current Ruler dared to bring it back. First two times criminals are tattooed on their head, because they can hide them by their hair grown. Criminals can conceal their stigma as a criminal and it will disappear in around 10 years. This disappearing tattoo ink was invented by Tokan(冬官). It's named Soboku(沮墨).
   At first, Soboku(沮墨) looks deep black, but, it fades out for several years. Black, indigo, and blue, it fades out gradually, blue, purple, and pink, it will disappear in around ten years -- sooner or later it depends on criminal's skin color. But, if the criminal reflects deeply on his/her act and doesn't make any other crimes, he/she will be not guilty person someday.
   On the contrary, when he/she repeats a crime three times, he/she has one more tattoo where people can see it easily. At third, his/her right temple, at fourth, his/her left temple, after that, under right eye, and under left eye. There is rarely a criminal punished to Geimen(鯨面) of four times or more. And if he/she had a tattoo four times, this would be called Keijin(刑尽) that means penal servitude or prison until all tattoos disappearing. First tattoo by Soboku(沮墨) can disappear in around ten years, but, if next one puts on before former tattoo didn't fade out, the time for disappearing is longed. Four times Geimen(鯨面) will not disappear at least until thirty years. Although it depends on balances of others, if all the tattoos are very deep black, it means disappearing of them might take time until his/her death.
   At first, they concern about criminals looked down on by people and their regeneration disturbed by it, surprisingly it helps criminals' reborn. The criminal who deeply reflects bears with for fading its color, and people consider light color tattoo an evidence of his/her conversion. Deep black tattoo being hated can't be avoided, but during this periods they have sufficient degree of protection by the country, and color being lighter and lighter, he/she being more and more positive because people around praising. Actually, criminals who had got three tattoos had very low recidivism rate.
   People say the security is worsening, however, the number of atrocious crime in Ryu(柳) is very smaller than other countries' even now. It doesn't even need to compare with other countries which execute criminals. This is the evidence that the death penalty has no effect to stop crimes, but people always trust their recent feelings. And there is no doubt their country is different from a few years ago.

Juuni Kokuki -- 十二国記
(The Twelve Kingdoms)

Rakusho no Goku -- 落照の獄
(A jail of the declining Light)

By Ono Fuyumi -- 小野不由美

Translated by o6asan

 

   Hogetsu(蒲月) wore a questioning look.
   "To Shiho(司法)?"
   "I don't know what it means exactly. The system of Shiho(司法) or the people of Shiho(司法) who treat Judgments. Or, it might mean leaving to Shukan(秋官). That's too vague, and we cannot act by it because there is Shujo(主上)'s word 'The capital punishment is not done'. We said to them  we need to get Shujo(主上)'s new rescript."
   "What do they say, Dai-shiko(大司寇) and Sho-shiko(小司寇)?"
   Eiko(瑛庚) shook his head.
   "Dai-shiko(大司寇), by his opinion, cannot permit the capital punishment."
   "If Dai-shiko(大司寇) doesn't give the okay, the capital punishment could not be done, could it?"
   "It is not clear. Intrinsically the decision is not influenced by other people' opinions. Besides, when the king leaves it to us, the judgment of administration of justice becomes the conclusion for this trial."
   "What is Chiin(知音) the Shiho(司法)'s opinion?"
   "He has a struggle trying to find a way. Sho-shiko(小司寇), too."
   When a criminal faces to the trial, they care what crime he did. If they could clarify the crime, they can give him the penalty by the criminal law. That Tenkei(典刑) clarifies the crime and gives the penalty is called a decision.
   Shudatsu(狩獺) committed crimes, mainly murders. Most of his murders wrere what planned beforehand. Moreover, in order to rob of money and goods he killed even persons who need not be killed. Most of his victims, overwhelming, are elderly persons, women and children who cannot resist. On the law all of them deserve the capital punishment, murder for the self-interest, meaningless murder, and murder to the weak people. Moreover, he committed more than one, so he deserves Shushi(殊死) -- which is the death penalty for irremissible crime.
   There was no factor about Shudatsu(狩獺), though the penalty was reduced if there was a factor to mitigate the punishment after the decision. It's very clear his punishment is Taiheki(大辟) originally.
   But, in Ryu(柳) the Ruler of Ryu(劉王) himself decides "to avoid the capital punishment". So, all the criminals who should be punished by death is penal servitude or confinement. If Shudatsu(狩獺) deserves Shushi(殊死) originally, he should have life imprisonment and it is natural judgment.
   The people, however, demand the death for him. First, the people were indignant the criminal like him got nothing more than imprisonment. Second, the district court and High Court adjudicated him the death penalty. The people who have known the death penalty is available accept nothing except his death. It's possible to say "we do not use Taiheki(大辟)" because of the Ruler(王)'s word, but if so the people will voice a complaint to Shiho(司法). According to situations, the angry people might rush to the national government. The voice requests the death penalty is loud, and makes them have to feel misgivings about the riot. It is difficult also for the judicial officers to disregard this.
   Eiko(瑛庚) talked this, Hogetsu(蒲月) muttered to have difficulty.
   "......It's very difficult mutter."
   Yeah, Eiko(瑛庚) sighed. He was still nonplussed, but he felt some salvation because Hogetsu(蒲月) said "It's difficult".

Juuni Kokuki -- 十二国記
(The Twelve Kingdoms)

Rakusho no Goku -- 落照の獄
(A jail of the declining Light)

By Ono Fuyumi -- 小野不由美

Translated by o6asan

 

   "Shikei(司刑), because you have serious time now, sir."
   Hogetsu(蒲月) was recruited as a country official, and his attitude to Eiko(瑛庚) changed. Hogetsu(蒲月) is Kyukei-ho(宮卿補) of Tenkan(天官), and it is an assistant to Kyukei(宮卿) who manages system and rules of the palace. He is Chu-shi(中士) which is one of the lowest classes of country officials, and Eiko(瑛庚) is Shikei(司刑) of Shukan(秋官). It's Ka-taifu(下大夫) which belongs to high-level officials.
   While pouring hot water into their tea-cups, Hogetsu(蒲月) said.
   "My sister was offended."
   Hogetsu(蒲月) considers Seika(清花) as his sister. She is his grandfather's wife actually, but she looks his elder sister.
   "She said you, Shikei(司刑), would be going to excuse Shudatsu(狩獺)."
   "I didn't mean it...... What I wanted to say is difficult to explain."
   Hogetsu(蒲月) saw Eiko(瑛庚) as if asking. Eiko(瑛庚) smiled wryly.
   "I said we shouldn't judge Shudatsu(狩獺) only by emotion. To begin with, Shudatsu(狩獺)'s trial has not started yet. Certainly, it is my work that finally provides the punishment, but, we need to discuss it enough with Tenkei(典刑) and Shishi(司刺) before judging. It is not at the stage for a conclusion yet, and it's hardly possible for me to leak it even if in my mind.
   "...... You're right, sir."
   Hogetsu(蒲月) looked at him inquiringly though nodding. Eiko(瑛庚) shook his head, and terminated the talk. Eiko(瑛庚) asked questions about Bo-shu(茅州) and his father of Hogetsu(蒲月) just back from traveling, but he didn't care the conversation indeed. He had very much on his mind.
   It would be in the right that Seika(清花) told him to execute Shudatsu(狩獺). It's not only Seika(清花). Most of the people said so, and Eiko(瑛庚) heard that. Even Eiko(瑛庚) didn't personally have the objection. However, he felt some hesitation for the capital punishment as a judicial officer. Officials of High Court sent the appeal to Supreme Court because they had hesitated similarly.
   It's not a problem of Shudatsu(狩獺). -- The problem is that the capital punishment has been stopped for 100 years or more since the present Ruler of Ryu(劉王) took the throne in Ryu(柳).
   Even if a criminal is very brutal, the criminal is a penal servitude for life or perpetual imprisonment. The capital punishment doesn't exist in the practical though it exists in the juridical. It has always been so.
   "What is Shujo(主上)'s instruction?"
   Asked by him, Eiko(瑛庚) startled back. Though Hogetsu(蒲月) was in front of him, he seemed to have been lost in thought. Hogetsu(蒲月) smiled embarrassedly.
   "It is Shujo(主上) that decided to avoid the capital punishment, isn't it? How about Shujo(主上)'s intention?"
   Starting to say, Eiko(瑛庚) shut his trap quickly. The tea-cup completely cooled was in his palm.
   "Please forgive me if I go beyond my powers. However, no matter what I hear, I will never tell others."
   Said softly by him, Eiko(瑛庚) released a sigh. Though Hogetsu(蒲月) was Kyukei-ho(宮卿補) then, he advanced through the ranks in the future because he graduated Daigaku(大学) and was promoted as a country official. Thus, he thought that consenting to Shudatsu(狩獺)'s matter was necessary for Hogetsu(蒲月) and that it's Hogetsu(蒲月) if someone understood it.
   "...... It's not sure."
   "Not sure, sir?"
   Eiko(瑛庚) nodded.
   "It is Shujo(主上) that decided to avoid the capital punishment. But the judgment of both District Court and High Court is the capital punishment, -- We don't follow it but have to consider it. I hear Shujo(主上) said that he would leave it to Shiho(司法) when Shiho(司法) asked Shujo(主上)'s intention."

Juuni Kokuki -- 十二国記
(The Twelve Kingdoms)

Rakusho no Goku -- 落照の獄
(A jail of the declining Light)

By Ono Fuyumi -- 小野不由美

Translated by o6asan



   Lately, Seika(清花) was usually angry to say so. After getting angry, she always said that she would want to be divorced. Canceling the marriage, she said she wanted to return Senseki(仙籍) and get back to one of ordinary people.
   To make Seika(清花) understood, Eiko(瑛庚) had no idea what to talk. In his business, Eiko(瑛庚) is not good at throwing away reason and talking about things only by feelings. Probably because of it, the more he tried to calm her, the more she used to get angry. Therefore, Seika must be gone someday. -- like his first wife. The last word of Keishi(恵施) was "I am not a fool that you think of.
   Both of first and second wives say the same words because they might be more correct.
   He, who is lost in melancholic thought, can see the document written down the passage of miserable crimes.
   The victim is Shunryo(駿良) who was eight. His daughter Riri(李理) is eight now, too. The thought makes him hurt. Since parting from Riri(李理) at the corridor, he leaves hurt feelings behind. It never goes away from inside him even by a lot of sighs.

3

   Around midnight, a person visited his study.
   "Haven't you taken a sleep yet, sir?"
   His study was called on by the person who is Hogetsu(蒲月). As Eiko(瑛庚) had got tense in expectation of Seika(清花), he relaxed his shoulders in a little relief when he recognized Hogetsu(蒲月). And he remembered Riri(李理) said that Hogetsu(蒲月) would return this day.
   "Have you returned this time? Though Riri(李理) was very looking forward to your coming back."
   'Yes', Hogetsu(蒲月) smiled. By his both hands, he held up the tray a tea-things was set on.
   "I came back earlier. I was playing with Riri(李理) some length. I did not call to you, Shikei(司刑). Because you looked very busy, sir."
   'Oh', Eiko(瑛庚) smiled, too. Actually, Hogetsu(蒲月) is not a son of Eiko(瑛庚) though Riri(李理) calls him "Elder brother". He is a grandson.
   When Eiko(瑛庚) approaching 50, he was selected from among local officials to a national official and become a sen'nin(仙人). He and his first wife had two sons and a daughter, and the elder son and the daughter grew up in those days and lived on their own. When Eiko(瑛庚) becoming the sen'nin(仙人), it's possible that they also became sen'nin(仙人), but they chose to stay at the lower world because they had already married and they were getting older than he, died before Eiko(瑛庚) knew it. Eiko(瑛庚)'s second son who had not reached adulthood at that time stayed with him, and went to Shogaku(少学) of Saku-shu(朔州), and became a Sen'nin(仙人) as an official later. At this time, the second son worked as a state official for Bo-shu(茅州) in the west of this Ryu(柳国). Hogetsu(蒲月) is a son of him. He came to Shiso(芝草) and relied on Eiko(瑛庚) who is his grandfather, later he entered Shogaku(少学) of Saku-shu(朔州) as well as his father. Hogetsu(蒲月) is more brilliant than his father -- and also his grandfather Eiko(瑛庚), went straight to Daigaku(大学), and graduated last year, and he became a country official. He finally accustomed himself to work, had the emotional capacity to take the days off, and went to pay his respects to his father of Bo-shu(茅州).
   "Wouldn't you take a little rest, sir?"
   Eiko(瑛庚) nodded Hogetsu(蒲月)'s words. They moved to the table near the window. Hogetsu(蒲月) set the tea things on it.
    "Thanks so much for caring."
   Hogetsu(蒲月) shook his head for Eiko(瑛庚)'s words.

Juuni Kokuki -- 十二国記
(The Twelve Kingdoms)

Rakusho no Goku -- 落照の獄
(A jail of the declining Light)

By Ono Fuyumi -- 小野不由美

Translated by o6asan



   "Oh --"
   "Do you know men and women servants was massacred in the mansion of a lower official of Shunkan-fu(春官府)? One of the menservants was scolded from the master and had a grudge and huge anger, and turned it on not his master but his colleagues. We always hear such stories in recent Ryu(柳). What on earth might the big problem be in this country?"
   For her saying, Eiko(瑛庚) could do nothing but keep silent. Recently, rash of crimes could not be understood -- moreover, it was a fact that brutal crimes happened frequently.
   "The world seems being filled with the people emotionally hamstrung. Forgiving a person like Shudatsu(狩獺) is the same as advancing crimes to people. Won't we need to execute the severe punishment? Shouldn't we make people know that the person itself is killed if someone commits a murder?"
   Eiko(瑛庚) breathed out in melancholic feelings.
   "However, people like Shudatsu(狩獺) don't stop short of crimes, even if we did so."
   Seika(清花) saw Eiko(瑛庚) surprisingly.
   "In fact, the capital punishment has no effect of preventing the crime. To our regret, even if the penalty is made severe, it doesn't stop the crime."
   When being admonished, Seika(清花) made a grimace.
   "Then, you forgive the criminal even if Riri(李理) is killed."
   "I don't say such a thing. That's a different story. I do not forgive the criminal if he makes something to Riri(李理). However, to operate the law as a judicial officer and to protect Riri(李理) are different matter."
   He raised his voice involuntarily. Seika(清花) tried to say something, and saw with a contemptuous glance at Eiko(瑛庚).
   "It means even if Riri(李理) was killed, you would not execute the criminal. Because that's a different story."
   'You're wrong', though he tried to say so, Seika(清花) turned around and scuttled out of his study. Night completely fell before one's aware and insects' voices were on a cold night wind.
   Eiko(瑛庚) muttered toward the back of his wife who disappeared.
   " ...... It's not what I'm saying."
   There is no room where compassion finds a place in the law. Never. Therefore, if Riri(李理) is killed, Eiko(瑛庚) is removed from the trial naturally. He wanted to say it is law. But, Seika(清花) wouldn't get it even if he said it. Perhaps, he would have a talk about not wishing the judge, who takes charge of the decision, to execute the criminal. If they do so, Eiko(瑛庚) cannot help answering that it is not possible to actually say even if he wishes it by his mind.
   Eiko(瑛庚) sighed heavily, and he stopped standing up and sat down on a chair again. He rested his elbows on a desk, and pressed his forehead lightly.
   He didn't have will to treat her as a terrible fool. At least, Eiko(瑛庚) thought his wife not to be foolish. However, law isn't enforced in compassion as a practical matter. Law is the last thing not enforced by such a dimension. But how can he explain? -- In his own thinking, Eiko(瑛庚) was at a loss.
   Seika(清花) is never foolish, and he guesses she is wise and intelligent on an actual life. However, she always thinks about things by emotions, and can't do by reason only. Seika(清花) herself insists that she also understands reason, but in many cases, her 'reason' is her belief that her emotions is reason. When he says it's not exactly reason, Seika(清花) always refutes that there is no reason not depending on emotions.
   According to Seika(清花), Eiko(瑛庚) lacks affection and mistakes the utilitarian reason, which government officials use, for reason. It is Eiko(瑛庚) who do not understand, but, he is a high official and always treats her as a fool because she has no rank.

Juuni Kokuki -- 十二国記
(The Twelve Kingdoms)

Rakusho no Goku -- 落照の獄
(A jail of the declining Light)

By Ono Fuyumi -- 小野不由美

Translated by o6asan



   "What's up? Why asking me suddenly?"
   "The monster killed children. Even a baby in victims. If you love Riri(李理) so much, please think about rage and sorrow of the parents whose lovely child was killed."
   "It's of course I am ......"
   Seika(清花) interrupted Eiko(瑛庚)'s speaking.
   "No. I know. You cannot make a decision."
   It's true, so, Eiko(瑛庚) could do nothing but keep silent. Certainly, Eiko(瑛庚) wasn't able to do. You may say that he's hesitant.
   "Why do you need hesitation? Is mercy really necessary for the monster that cruelly killed innocent people?"
   Seika(清花) said so, and Eiko(瑛庚) smiled wryly uncontrollably.
   "This is not a problem of mercy."
   "If you say it's not a problem of mercy, why don't you determine the death penalty to him? If the monster didn't kill Shunryo(駿良) but Riri(李理), what do you do? --"
   "It is not such a matter either."
   Eiko(瑛庚) said as if admonishing his young wife. Seika(清花) was Eiko(瑛庚)'s second wife. His wife looked 20 years younger than he in appearance, but, actually she was nearly 80 years younger.
   "Well, what kind of problem do you think it is?"
   Seika(清花)'s face hardened. These days, he frequently saw this kind of her face.
   "...... The law isn't applied in emotion though you might not understand easily."
   "Then, do you say that monster is in the right?"
   "That is not it. -- The act of Shudatsu(狩獺) is unpardonable, and there would be no room for showing mercy. I understand your anger and people's anger very well. I also detest Shudatsu(狩獺) just as you. The capital punishment is not such an easy thing that you kill him because of not being able to forgive him."
   Though he had said as calm and soft as possible, Seika(清花)'s face just was harder and harder. She shot a fierce look to Eiko(瑛庚).
   "You do always treat me like foolish and unreasonable person."
   Her voice was icy and low.
   "Not at --"
   'all', he tried to keep speaking but Seika(清花) cut in.
   "Lately in Shiso(芝草), do you know the cases that child disappears continue?"
   "I've heard rumors. But, it is not Shudatsu(狩獺)'s attack."
   I know, Seika(清花)'s voice was sharpened.
   "Do you think me such a terrible fool? Shudatsu(狩獺) is already in the prison, so he has absolutely no responsibility for them. What I'm saying, recently in Shiso(芝草), such unpleasant crimes happen and happen."

Juuni Kokuki -- 十二国記
(The Twelve Kingdoms)

Rakusho no Goku -- 落照の獄
(A jail of the declining Light)

By Ono Fuyumi -- 小野不由美

Translated by o6asan

 

   Shudatsu(狩獺) was judged by Syukan(秋官) in Shingen-gun(深玄郡) due to these crimes. However, even if major criminals like Shudatsu(狩獺), at least another trial is held by a higher-rank executive branch. Shudatsu(狩獺) was sent to High Court according to the law. In High Court Shudatsu(狩獺) received the decision again, but they hesitated about some points, so he was sent to Supreme court. Shudatsu(狩獺) gets the decision by the country three times. The judiciary judges, Shikei(司刑), Tenkei(典刑), and Shishi(司刺) work for it. They are discussing and trying, and Shikei(司刑) decides finally.
   -- That means Eiko(瑛庚) should judge.

2

   The sun of late summer gradually goes down. A short time after sunset, his wife Seika(清花) brought the lamplight when he was reading a document in melancholic feelings.
   "You have a break, don't you?"
   She asked him while lighting the candlestick from her lamplight in his study. When Eiko(瑛庚) gave a halfhearted answer 'yes',
   "...... After all, doesn't the man have a death penalty?"
   She asked him about it in a low voice. Eiko(瑛庚) raised his head in surprise, put the document, and looked at his wife's young face. In the madder red light, Seika(清花)'s light-skinned face was flushed. But, her face was wooden.
   "Riri(李理) said her father would not kill Shudatsu(狩獺). Is it your decision?"
   The blamed color ran in Seika(清花)'s tone. Eiko(瑛庚) forced his lips into a smile.
   "What are you talking about? Riri(李理) asked me I was going to be a killer. So, I said no."
   "Don't pretend you don't know what I mean."
   She said coldly, and Eiko(瑛庚) kept silent. Eiko(瑛庚) completely understood what it meant when Riri asked him about it. These days, all of the people in Shiso(芝草) paid attention to the judicial branch. Not only the people but also any other branches, even menservants and maidservants who worked for these offices paid attention to the judicial branch. -- Shudatsu(狩獺) is executed or not?
   First, Shudatsu(狩獺) was judged by the court in Shingen-gun(深玄郡). The conclusion was Taiheki(大辟). -- That is the death penalty. Shudatsu(狩獺) was sent to High Court in Saku-shu(朔州), he had the decision Taiheki(大辟) again. But, there was heated debate at the trial, and calls for the judgment of the country dominated them though they gave Shudatsu(狩獺) the decision. Therefore, Shudatsu(狩獺)'s future on Supreme court. -- That means they leave him in hands of Eiko(瑛庚) and his men.
   Then, if Eiko(瑛庚) puts out the decision with the capital punishment again, the punishment is determined. And Shudatsu(狩獺) will be killed. Riri(李理) might have heard this from someone working at the official residence. He can imagine why she asked "are you going to be a killer?". Riri(李理) might not understand the difference between the murder and the death penalty yet.
   "I did not talk about Shudatsu(狩獺), indeed. But ...... if I sentence him to death, I can say it's my killing. Riri(李理) will surely feel painful."
   She is a pure-hearted and bright child. She would trouble herself about it though she is very young. -- When he thought so, Seika(清花) put on strong voice.
   "If you think about Riri(李理) seriously, you must execute that monster."
   Eiko(瑛庚) looked at his wife's face in surprise. Seika(清花) wasn't an official. Her title was a lower official, but this was in name only, because she was given it for taking care of Eiko(瑛庚). It is an expedient to put one's family who is not an official into Senseki(仙籍), so, Seika(清花) didn't have any relations to politics. In the past, she has never intervened in Eiko(瑛庚)'s work.

Today, I've translated "Hyohaku(漂舶)" completely.
I beg your pardon about mistakes in advance.

Please make a click on the link below and you will go to the "Hyohaku".

chapter 1    chapter 2    chapter 3    chapter 4    chapter 5    chapter 6    chapter 7    chapter 8

Juuni Kokuki -- 十二国記
(The Twelve Kingdoms)

Rakusho no Goku -- 落照の獄
(A jail of the declining Light)

By Ono Fuyumi -- 小野不由美

Translated by o6asan

 

   However, this casual crime was only an ordinary state for Shudatsu(狩獺). Shunryo(駿良)'s death is only one of twenty-three.
   -- 16 cases, 23 victims.
   Eiko(瑛庚) was at his desk in his study and looked through a towering pile of documents. All of the crime of Shudatsu(狩獺) was recorded there in detail.
   One of the cases came up in a small village next to Shiso(芝草). A married couple, their old mother, and their two children were killed. It was the end of last year. Residents in a village move to a town in the coldest season. Because a village basically exists to cultivate a field, but this family didn't have a house in the town to live during winter. When their child did serious illness, they sold out it which had been given from the country. It was only family that remained in the village. Shudatsu(狩獺) broke into the house, killed whole family, and was living comfortably there. In the middle of winter, a neighbor who thought it might be inconvenient visited and knocked on the door, and met a strange man. The man said the family went on a trip to a nearby town, and he introduced himself very engagingly that he was a relative who was taking care of their house. -- But, the neighbor had never heard about such a relative the family was very close to. The man said that the family has not returned yet, when the neighbor visited in several days again after returning with suspicious and anxious to the town. The neighbor who had doubts reported to the town office. The man had left when officials of the town visited the house. Bodies of the family were piled up messily and frozen in one of the bedrooms of the house. However, husband's corpse was not there. Officials searched for the neighborhood, found his remains in the stream at the back of the house, and raged. The footprints which went and returned many times remained on husband's body that crossed the stream. The man who had killed whole family used the frozen body as a literal bridge to go to the field in the other side of the stream. He did not have features - skinny, medium-tall, black eyes and black hair, but there was a small tattoo that was the design made from four characters "Kin-Dai-Nichi-In(均大日尹)" on his right temple. Geimen(鯨面) -- That is a tattoo as the penalty.
   Criminals who commit the felony like homicide etc., their hair is shaved, and they are tattooed on their head. This tattoo disappears gradually in around 10 years, but if he/she commits a serious crime before it disappears, the second is put in his/her head, again. If he/she commits a serious crime further, the third is put in his/her right temple this time. A tattoo's design is always made from four characters, and tells who he/she is and where he/she was judged. "Kin(均)" shows the judgment of Kin-shu(均州), "Dai(大)" shows the date, and "Nichi(日)" does where the penal servitude was served. "In(尹)" is a character that specifies this man. So, it made his background turn out at once. His alias is Shudatsu(狩獺), and his proper is Kashu(何趣). He was born in Do-shu(道州) in the north of Ryu(柳国), and judged in three shu(州), Do-shu(道州),Shuku(宿州), and Kin-shu(均州). All homicide. The first, the victim he had hit and taken money from died as a result. The second case in Shuku-shu, he made the victim die while trying to get money and goods by force. But the case of Kin-shu(均州), he obviously decided to kill from the beginning. His motive was money after all.
   Eiko(瑛庚) uttered a sigh many times while reading the records spread on his desk.
   The penal servitude is punishment, at the same time as it makes criminals conscious of the crime and educates them, but, it is clear that the penal servitude had no meaning for Shudatsu(狩獺). He received the decision in Kin-shu(均州), finished six-year penal servitude, was released, and reached the next violence within only half a year. Since then, he piled up 16 crimes in almost two years.