Sea of the Wind, Shore of the Maze, Chapter 7

daylight is almost here. We should head out, Madam Risai."
    Though the tenba was galloping very quickly, riding upon it didn't feel shaky.
    Whether it was leaping across the crags, running upon flat land, or passing through the dense forests,  it completely didn't affect those who rode upon it. This steady feeling was not at all like riding on the back of  an animal. Sitting on top, Taiki felt both surprised and blissful.
    It seemed as if the tenba had exceptional eyesight in the dark. Even if it was going through areas  where rocks and trees were blocking the moonlight, it didn't slow down at all.
    "...What does it feel like?" asked Risai, who was holding Taiki with her arms as she clutched the  reins with her hands. Taiki turned back to look at her.
    "It's a lot like a kirin."
    Risai showed a little surprise. "You've ridden a kirin before?"
    "Yes... Is that strange?"
    Risai smiled wryly. "Now that is quite a rare experience. --Also, how could Hien compare to a kirin?  I feel rather embarrassed."
    "Really?"
    "Yes. Of course, since you are a kirin, you may not think that riding a kirin is anything special. But  for someone like me, I wouldn't dare to dream of riding one."

    "Oh..."
    Taiki had never thought about that before. Certainly, when he recalled riding upon Keiki, he felt a  little bit bewildered, but not that it was anything terribly special.
    "But really, I would never have dreamed that I would actually have the opportunity to ride upon the  same saddle with you."
    After Taiki looked up and saw Risai smiling, he tilted his head, which meant that he didn't object to  what she had said.
    Taiki had wanted to ask Gyousou for his opinion, but when he turned to look at Gyousou, who was  riding Keito next to them, he only saw Gyousou's profile as he looked ahead with a stern expression on his  face. Taiki supposed that Gyousou hadn't heard the conversation between himself and Risai.
    That frightening feeling emanated from Gyousou once again, and he looked like he was still irritated  with what Teiei had said before.
    Taiki had originally been cheerfully riding on the tenba, but that feeling rapidly disappeared.
    He felt as if it had all been his fault.
    - - - - -
    Hien and Keito entered into a deep part of the Yellow Sea, gracefully passing through the rocky  crags, and arrived at a place south of the Five Mountains--the base of Mt. Kou.
    Gyousou, who had been riding in front, stopped Keito upon a hill that was connected to a savage- looking rock which was protruding upward, and came down off the saddle. At this time, the moon could still  be seen in the sky.
    "Sir Gyousou, is this the place?" asked Risai, after she had stopped Hien. Gyousou nodded gravely.
    Risai lifted Taiki down off the saddle. He looked at the ambitious Gyousou from the side.
    "Uh... Sir Gyousou..."
    "Yes?" Gyousou's tone was impatient. He unloaded the packs that had been tied to the saddle, not  bothering to look back at Taiki.
    With Gyousou's back towards him, Taiki lowered his head. "Just then...the nyosen were a little  disrespectful."
    Gyousou stopped what he was doing and sighed. His air of determination subsided as well.
    "...You do not need to apologize to me."
    "No... Actually...I am very sorry, Sir Gyousou, and Madam Risai too."
    Risai had found a suitable place in a corner surrounded by crags to prepare a fire. When she heard  Taiki say this, she couldn't help but laugh a little.
    "You need not think about it. I know that it's very normal for the nyosen to worry."
    "No!" Taiki looked at the two of them.
    "I...am an ailing kirin."
    The two looked at Taiki, making him feel embarrassed, so his face turned red.

    "That's just a metaphor..." Taiki tried his best to find a suitable way to describe it. "Teiei wasn't  doubting the abilities of Madam Risai and Sir Gyousou. It's because I can't quite take care of myself, so that's  why she was so anxious."
    Risai smiled warmly. "Kou, in this world, you are someone whom no one can replace. You shouldn't  sell yourself short."
    Taiki shook his head. "No! The nyosen worry so much because I can't do any of the things a kirin is  supposed to be able to do! That's what I think it probably is... I...don't even have any shirei."
    Gyousou and Risai both opened their eyes widely, and then exchanged glances with each other.
    Since kirin cannot stand blood, they have no way of holding a weapon and fighting with others, even  if their opponent is a youma or a youju.
    Thus, the ones