Rakusho no Goku #8
2010.04.05(Mon)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.”
Leave a comment
But, within 24 hours, the comment will be uneditable when it has any newer comments.