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

in Sir Gyousou?"
    "...Yesterday, I came across a fight..."
    Risai nodded. "So I heard. Someone was irritated and purposefully provoked Sir Gyousou. The fault  is with the other person, not with Sir Gyousou. Supposedly, that person seriously insulted Sir Gyousou's  character. Otherwise, this quarrel would never have occurred."
    "So that's how it was..."
    Risai looked directly at Taiki and asked, "Is Sir Gyousou the king?"
    Taiki quickly shook his head. "No. It's just that he makes me feel scared..."
    Since this wasn't what she expected to hear, a look of disappointment appeared on Risai's face. "Oh...  So it wasn't Sir Gyousou..."
    "I heard people say that yesterday too."
    Risai smiled. "He isn't a warm person, but he also isn't terrifying. I think he's a very strong man.
    There are 12500 soldiers in an army, and to get every one of them to respect him is not an easy task. He has  made enemies along the way, but there are far more that admire him. For Sir Gyousou to not be the king, it's  a little disheartening."
    "Do you also admire Sir Gyousou?"
    Risai ran her hands thru Hien's fur. "Yes! Though I've never had the opportunity to actually meet  him, I definitely respect him a lot, since I have also lead troops before. Thus, if Sir Gyousou were to become  king, I would certainly recognize his authority."
    "I had no idea he was such a capable person."
    Risai nodded. "If we're talking about swordsmanship, King En ranks first, and second is Sir  Gyousou."
    "Oh..."
    "I think you might be able to find another person comparable to Sir Gyousou, but a person who  possesses such a deep public support, and has both a talent for military and administrative leadership and  also a high nobility and prestige, is few and far between."
    Taiki nodded.
    (...But, he didn't prompt any revelation...)

    "It is regrettable." This came from the bottom of Risai's heart.
    Anyone who had something to do with the military knew that talented people like General Saku of  the Kingun were hard to come by. It was an exceptional case that Gyousou was still young when he became  a general in the Kingun. It has been said that early on, the people of a rebellion that Gyousou quelled came  to respect him greatly in the end.
    It's not hard to find a military officer in other kingdoms who is strong or one that is honorable, but to  find a person who is both of these things and also whose fame resounds through all the kingdoms, that is  extremely rare to come by.
    In truth, when she was hurrying along the Reikon Gate road, Risai had heard that Gyousou was  among the crowds climbing the mountains, at which point she knew that she was not to ascend to the throne.
    Because she was a compassionate general, the people thought of her as a very kind and honorable  military officer. She received the attention of the people and their utmost expectations. They believed that  she had what it took to be chosen, so she climbed the mountain. However, Risai herself had never thought  herself to be the best candidate. She believed that if she really compared herself to others in the world, she  would not be able to surpass Gyousou.
    "It really is...very regrettable..." mumbled Risai to herself.
    Taiki felt bad when he heard this, so he said, "I think Madam Risai would make a great queen..."
    When Risai heard this, she laughed. "You compliment me with these words. I thank you."
    "I really think so."
    "I am honored, but perhaps you believe in people too easily! There are those who will flatter the Kou  for the sake of honor and wealth," said Risai, half in jest as she looked at Taiki. Taiki was surprised.
    "No way!"
    "Yes, these kinds of people are everywhere! There are many among the mountain-climbers who  aren't capable of ascending to the throne, so they rely on this opportunity to befriend the Kou or the ruler in  order to pave the way for their own future."
    "Are there really?"
    "It's unfortunate, but there are. For instance, a person like me might hope that after you've descended  the mountain and gone to Tai Kingdom, you will promote me into the Oushi."
    Taiki held his head askew. "I think...you're not that kind of person."
    Risai laughed even more happily. "Kou, you really know how to speak. I am overjoyed by your  words."
    "Really?"
    "Really," laughed Risai as she stood up and lightly brushed off the straw that was on her clothes. "It  looks like the nyosen who accompanied you here have also finished their conversation. If you don't mind,