Art by

KairkYura .StoryvbyL^s

SitiKYiu^nox

fCogaro

LOOKS LIKE IT'S

BESUN.

KOCHO ISOME OP THE HEAPS OF THE SYNPI- CATE..,

I'M SO V SLAP 1

I PIPN'T ACCEPT

HER INVITATION!

Nmirivxl Ilf ")S*

, m viry H# •oJrfw **7' -

I\ ri P0N'T 5E RIPICULOUS! AS THOUSH

KOCHO WOULP EVER EE

INTERESTEP IN SOMEONE

LIKE YOU!

hey! QUIET POWN!

Chapter zz

mjC57d

Art by Kairi Yura story by Sai Yubino

Art by Kairi Yura story by Sai Yufeino

Volume 6 Contents

Chapter 22 1

i Chapter 23 39

Chapter 24 63

i Chapter 25 87

Chapter 26 117 ')

i' Chapter 27 133

Story Thus Far

When Ryuki, the young emperor of Salunkoku, proclaimed that women shall be

permitted to take the Imperial Civil Exam, the way was opened for Shurel to fulfill

her long-cherished wish to become a civil servant. She prepares for the exam,

believing it to be the final hurdle between her and her dream, until the mysterious

youth Eigetsu comes bursting onto the scene with the “Blue Scaif Gang” (a new

gang of thugs terrorizing the streets of Kiyo) hot on his trail. A fierce battle for the

red-light district breaks out between the Blue Scaif Gang and the combined forces

of Kocho’s syndicate and the emperor’s retinue (Ryuki, Shuei, Koyu and Seiran)—

with Shurel caught In the middle!

Ryuki Shi The young emperor of Salunkoku. He has been pining ceaselessly for Shurel since her departure from the Inner Court.

Shurei Hong A young noblewoman of the prestigious but Impoverished Hong Clan. She dreams of becoming Salunkoku’s jirst female civil servant.

Koyu Ri A civil servant renowned throughout the court as a genius, currently stuck In a frivolous position (perhaps?) serving Ryuki. He has a hopelessly bad sense of direction.

Shuei Ran A military officer. He Is a general of the Yulln Guard, a sqyad of soldiers charged with protecting the emperor. He Is Inseparable from Koyu (much to his friend’s Ire). O Seiran Shi

After being taken In by Shurel’s father, Shoka, Seiran has served the Hong household as Its faithful retainer ever since. He Is actually Ryuki’s older brother.

Shoka Hong The eldest son of the Hong clan and Shurel’s father. He holds a leisurely post as the Imperial Archivist, but there is a darker side to this ex-assassln as well.

I GUESS THEY DO

HAVE SOMETHING

THEY’RE GOOD AT.

com

i'u. comb! PLEASE

ME HERE! I'M A

WEAKLINS

TO FIND AWAY

boasting

E-EISETSU* IS THAT REALLY

YOU'RE SO PIFFERENT!

MUST’VE BEEN THE

PERSONAL-

THEY STOLE THESE

TABLETS AND RANSOMED THEM BACK

TO THE EXAMINEES?'

HE WOKE UP THAT

MORHIHG, I THOUGHT IT MUST HAVE

...THE OTHER

SYNDICATE BOSSES?'

HE'LL MAKE

i A FINE APPITTON

I THOUGHT THE STORIES

MUST'VE SEEN EXAS-

SERATEP,

SEEMS HE'S THE REAL

RU6SISH! INPEEP.

YOU THINK I'P GIVE

HIM OVER TO THE

FAIR OF YOUFOOLG*

I TAUGHT YOU EVERY¬ THING YOU

KNOW! / UNFORTUNATELYA

AG THE BOY ' IS ALREADY SPROMISEP TO US, HONE OF YOU SHALL HAVE HIM. SO YOU

SHOULP GIVE , UP THE IPEA /

23

YDU WAITEP TOO LONG

TO ACT, GO WE WERE

FORCEP TOG ET

INVOLVEP.

j/ THEY ^ TARSETEP HELPLESS

EXAMINEES NEW TO TOWN

ANP STOLE THE TABLETS THAT MEAN MORE TO

THE EXAMINEES THAN THEIR

OWN LIVES...! YOU ALLOWEP

■ THIS EXTORTION \ TO HAPPEN. /

FOR THIS FAILURE,

WE LAY UPON

YOU OUR

STERNEST CENSURE.

WILL Y0U PERMIT

CHANCE T0 REPEEM

IT W0ULP 0NLY &E

/ YES. TO PAY HIS MAJESTY

' PUT THE SYNPICATE

EUT MORE W HIS IMPORTANTLY, PEET.

HE EARNEP / THE RESPECT

OF THIS CROUP N- WHOSE FATE IS I INEXTRICAELY TIEP TO THIS

\ COUNTRY'S / \ WELL-EEINC. /

THAT MV TABLET TO

IMB

THE lO GOLD RYO

HE WON FROM THE DRINKING

CONTEST..

EVEN TOOK THE TOP

’ MISHT EE EVEN

MOPE EPILLIANT

THAN MASTER

QUALIFICA¬ TION TEST..

ABSOLUTELY

WITH THIS,' HO MATTER HOW PAIN¬

FUL THINGS BECOME, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP

YOURSELP

BECAUSE YOU ARE

GOING INTO

BATTLE, AREN'T

, YOU?

ALL ON

YOUR OWN?

oh, shurei, HOW YOU

ESTIMATE MY INFORMATION

NETWORK!

y IF ANYONE \\V2 POTHERS YOU, YOU\**" OOME PACK HERE \fcgS ANP TELL ME. I'LL \ffi^

SEE TO IT THAT HE'S W SHUNNEP FROM h

EVERY PLEASURE k"\ HOUSE IN THE

CITY. IF HE EVER / SHOWS HIS FACE, /

V WE'LL SENP HIM/ Rv PACKING. y/

KOCHO, IT POESN'T

I AM SO \ PROUP \

OF YOUR ' PRAVERY

ANP PETERMINA-

TION.

EVEN IF YOU 1 STANP UPON THE SAME STAGE AS MEN, IT POESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE

TO PEOOME ONE. GO OUT THERE AS A WOMAN ANP PO

THE THINGS A j MAN CANNOT. /

REMEMPER THIS: NO

MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS,

ALWAYS PE PROUP YOU'RE

A WOMAN.

/ I KNOW , YOU'LL

6EC0ME AM EXTRA¬ ORDINARY

WOMAN.

NOW KEEP YOUR HEAP

HELP HIGH ANP ALWAYS

WALK WITH PR1PE.

GO AND

RETURN

TRIUMPHANT,

MY SWEET

GIRL.

Imperial Exam

Examinee Preparation

Halls

I KNEW IT HAP TO EE YOU, MISS SHUREI- THESOLE

FEMALE TAKING THE EXAM THIS

YEAR. / % 1 \ A\m / WESOTH 'W , SEEM TO EE \ J\ 1/ lyT 1 SETTING A FEW ' vh'yf1 STARES AS IF

SO IT I'VwH \ WE WERE : \ EXOTIC /

SEEMS. [| r? | A ANIMALS. A

Chapter Z3

HAVE YOU

FINISHEP

YOUR

PREPARATIONS,

YOUR

l MAJESTY?

/THE SKY IS THE SAME BRILLIANT

C0LCR IT WAS THE PAY Y00 PASSEP Y0UR EXAM AS J0SEM. THEM Y0U EHPEP UP BEIMS CHASEP AR0UHP AT THE CELEBRATORY

PARTIES BY WEALTHY, HISH-RAHKINS

BUREAUCRATS WH0 IMPLCREP Y0U TO

MARRY THEIR PAUSHTERS.

/ ACICJ HE’S IN l

ONE OF HIS

MOODS. IF

I UTTER A

SINGLE WORD

OF COMPLAINT,

HE’LL BRING

DOWN THREE

TIMES THE

RETRIBUTION ON

ME LATER... >

MARISH MEMORIES

OF THAT

I JUST kiln WANT TO PI* FOEGETJ

SMILED LIKE THAT WHEN I PASSED

MY EXAM...

Mukden! Hall...

The largest assembly

It is the venue for all formal

ceremonies.

ANNOUNCING THIS 1 LORP REISHIN

DAY HAS j HONS, MINIS¬

FINALLY \ 1 / TER OF CIVIL affairs! anp

ARRIVED. \ XV

, ...MASTER \ l KOVURI,

x WITH HIM...

/ 1 \ \ VICE

1 \\ 1 MINISTER \ ./

; OF CIVIL 1 \x

WHAT'S MORE, A WOMAN IS IN

THE TOP THREE...

7 ...NOT TO MENTION

THE UPSTART WHO PIPN'T

SOTHER SHOWING

UP POR THE INVESTITURE

, CEREMONY.

THE "UPSTART"

SEING GENERAL

RAN'S YOUNGER BROTHER, CORRECT?

YES.. . TUIC"

ME THE \ MEW ERA THAT YOO |

ANNOUNCING his

IMPERIAL MAJESTY, EMPEROR

SAIUNKOKU!

■ MY

LEGS ARE

SHAKING

conclupes THE PRE¬

SENTATION OF THE

THREE TOP RANKS OF THE

IMPERIAL CIVIL EXAM!

The three top scorers on the Imperial Civil Exam in the

third year of thejochi Era:

ist Place: Jogen, Eigetsu Toh, age

13, male; znd Place: Bogen,

Ryuren Ran, age 18, male: 3rd Place: Tanka, Shurei Hong,

age 17, female. Breaking

the record set by Koyu

Ri, these young civil servants set

forth to begin their

bright careers.

WHAT IN THE WORLP ARE YOU POINS?! IF YOU WERE

HUNGRY, YOU SHOULP HAVE JUST

COME TO MY

M-m'W'lv

ifriarM

OH, HONESTLY! IF YOU PIPN'T

HAVE A PLACE

WHY PIPN'T YOU COME STRAIGHT

IT WAS MY OWN FAULT I WAS

LEFT WITHOUT MONEY. I

PIPN'T THINK IT WAS FAIR TO IMPOSE

GUT PPEGN'T WINNING

THE RANK PF JPGEN INCLUPE A PURGE 0P 2)0 GILVER

YPU PIP GENP A LETTER HPME LET¬ TING YPUR VILLAGE

KNPWYPU PAGGEP

THE EXAM, v PIPN'T YPU* /

widen' / NP. WHEN I WAG AT javc money / THg MINIGTRY PF

RITEG CPLLECTING THE PRIZE MPNEY,

r ' THEY GAIP THEY WPULP PIGPATCH

__ A CPURIER TP lSSSJ RELAY the newg, ™WK $p IAGKEP

S T=TSE LETTER... /SL

It means they are ripe prey for the

unscrupulous, and they are IQ frequently rfj

targeted for hr robbery. J L

their high scores, the top three

receive a hand some sum

of money to cover living expenses.

HE WOULP SLEEP ALL PAY LONS AMP ROUSE HIMSELF

ONLY AT MEAL TIMES. HE'P THEN EVER PIP- WANPER OVER AMP \ 0N THE FEW

SHAMELESSLY A OCCASIONS HELP HIMSELF TO WHEN HE WASI FOOP THAT OTHER SLEEPINS-

PEOPLE HAP PREPAREP!

YOU SHAR'T STARVE.

ONLY THE THOUGHT

HE WAS GENERAL

YOUNGER BROTHER

REVERFEAR— EVER IF YOU

HAVE THE SHAPELESS FIGURE OF A IA-YEAR-OLP

CHILPARPROT A FERRY TO FUTTOWARP

y ANP HE SAIP N IT ALL WITH

A PERFECTLY STRAIGHT

FACE. I SWEAR IN THAT MOMENT,

ICONSIPEREP COOKING UP

SOME POISONOUS MUSHROOMS TO ENP HIS MISERABLE EXISTENCE. /

WHERTHEPAY PAWRS THAT YOU REALIZE

YOU'VE RO HOPE OF

MARRIAGE LEFT, SIMPLY COME TO ME ARP I SHALL {

EMPLOY YOU AS MY PERSORAL

v CHE '

BAT AS MANY AS Y0U LIKE, EISETSU!

|r IT 15 FART ITT BEYOMP THE '

JU COMPREHEH- SIOM OF A

but it mere mortal SEEMS HE GUCH AS I TO TOOK THE GRASP WHAT

EXAM ONLY MYSTERIOUS BECAUSE WHIMS ANP

OUR OLPER CAPRICES f BROTHERS M?VE i

FORCEP RYUREM. ^

I ALWAYS FIOUREP HE WOULP RUN AWAY PROM

HOME SOME- PAY, PUT IT

HAPPENEPA SIT SOONER

THAN I'P .THOUGHT. ,

THEM HE \ SHOULP

HAVE JUST FAILEP ON PURPOSE!

1 / MO, ONCE / RYUREM

/ SETS HIS / MIMP TO

SOMETHING-, ■ HE'LL PUT I HIS FULL

EFFORT AMP \ ABILITYIMTO \ IT. OR SO

N\ HE SAYS.

THAT WAS HIS FULL EFFORT

/ YOUMSER BROTHER

FOLLOWS IM THE OLPER BROTHER'S FOOTSTEPS

APPAREMTLY. IT IS A SHAME—

I HAP HOPEP WE'P FIMALLY

SET A SOM FROM THE RAM FAMILY TO SERVE AS A CIVIL SERVAMT ONCE ASAIM.

only noble family In

Saiunkoku that out¬ ranks the

Hong clan.

The presence of the Ran clan’s main

family members

at court Is contingent

on the quality of

the current emperor's

rule.

So esteemed is the Ran family's judgment on

matters of governance

that many base how successful

an emperor's reign is by the

Ran clan's support.

PURIMSTHE\ REISM OF THE

PREVIOUS EMPEROR,

THE RAM CLAM WITHPREW

EVERYONE WHO WAS A CIVIL

SERVAMT AT COURT, /

\ YOU SEE.

• PL

INPEEP. EVEN

THOUGH

THE EXAM

POESN'T HAVE

AN AGE

REQUIRE¬

MENT, IT is AMAZING.

...MANY

REJOICEP, THINKING

THAT© WHY WHEN GENERAL RAN TOOK THE

IMPERIAL CIVIL EXAM SEVEN YEARS AGO

THE RAN CLAN ANPPASSEP hapchcIen U&CONP

TO AIP ANP r SUPPORT

THE KINGPOM WHILE IT WAS

IN CHA0S / OVER THE 1

SUCCESSION

T0 THINK Y0U W0ULP iPASS AT HE TENPER ?E 0F IS ANP ?EAK KPYU'S EC0RP EY A AIR MARGIN,

I MIGHT APP.

/A SON OF

-THE MAINj m FAMILY ^

WAS SENT TO COURT

v AGAIN.

pc—-

\ur7\v, U\M

_ ;

OVA / IFWE’f Am/ SPBAKIN

* i iKipppr.F=n

EVEN MORE 60 EECAU6E YOU PIP NOT

HAVE THE

6PEAKIN6 OF #2X?& 7 7 UNPRECEPENTEP

11 / EVENT6 FROM V; THI6 YEAR‘6

VyM EXAM, I THINK EI&ET6U,6

\A\ ACHIEVEMENT6 / . ARE WORTHIER , / X TO NOTE, PON'T / I 7 \ YOU* /

IF YOU WRITE IT HOW AMP

SEMP IT OFF

QUICKLY, IT SHOULP EE FIME.

YES, IT 15 AM AMAZIMG-

ACCOMPLISH- MEMT, EISETSU.

YOU SHOULP WRITE TO YOUR

VILLAGE TO \ TELL THEM. /

\ THAT'S WHY \ \\\ xN

' iT'ssemRTo \ Ji \ ' \ 1 \\ SPLIT UP LARSE \ / \ / >

SUMSIMTO SMALL EMOUSH AMOUNTS

THAT WOULPN'T EE WORTH AM

UNSCRUPULOUS COURIER'S

TIME TO STEAL PART OF IT.

rYES. THE COURIERS SOMETIMES PIP IMTO

i THE MOMEY THEY'RE I PELIVERINS, YOU KMOW.

IP THE RECIPIEMT \ POESM'T KMOW PRECISELY \ HOW MUCH IS SEIMS \ SEMT, THE MOMEY \ MISHT WELL EE l MISSIMS EY Mk half. /

EUTIM AMY CASE, YOU SHOULP WRITE TO YOUR VILLASE'S

TEMPLE TO LET THEM KMOW AEOUT

THE MOMEY. AMP WHILE YOU'RE AT IT,

YOU SHOULP ALSO LET THEM KMOW

L YOUR EXAM |\ RESULTS.

I'M SURE THOSE WHO

ARE WAITIMG TO HEAR HOW YOU PIP WILL

EE MUCH HARRIER TO

HEAR THE MEWS IM YOUR OWM WORPS.

THE EXAM

RESULTS

WILL MEAN

MUCH

MORE

TO THEM

THAN THE

MONEY.

MASTER DOSHU AND EVERYONE

IN THE VILLAGE... ALL WHO FOUND

ME ON THE BRINK OF DEATH AND RAISED ME...

Chapter zu

mmm

With the power to decide an inductee's

prospects and shape the career

path of every civil servant at court...

...the Ministry of Civil

Affairs is said to be the most powerful of all Six

Ministries/

v I SEE. SO YOU N WANT THE TOP

TWENTY PASSERS OP THIS YEAR'S

EXAM TO P0P.E&0 THE CIVIL APPAIRS PLACEMENTTEST

ANP EE PLACEP IN TEMPORARY

POSTS THROUGH¬ OUT THE COURT

IN ORPER TO V EVALUATE THEIR \CAPABILITIES? A

/ WE HAVE / HEARPSUCH

THINGS WERE PONE IN THE PAST PURING OUR

-H PATHER'S

IT PROBABLY IS THE BEST COURSE TO TAKE AS IT

WILL ALLOW US TO WAIT POR A GOOP

OPPORTUNITY.

IP EIGETSU TOH ANP

SHUREI HONG ATTEMPT TO

WALK THE USUAL PATH, THEY WILL

NEVER GAIN TRUE

ACCEPTANCE. / THEY'P

LIKELY BE CRUSHEP

UNPERPOOT, ANP THAT WOULP BE

V QUITE A \ SHAME. /

Reishln Hong,

Minister of Civil Affairs

M

OF COURSEI N WOULPM'T HAVE

AMY USE FOR THEM. IPISPAIM

FOOLS WHO IMPULSE THE

WEAK AS MUCH AS IPISPAIM

THE WEAK \THEMSELVES. „

^ V

AMP THAT IMCLUPES

YOUR MAJESTY

AS YOU WERE IM

THE FAST.

WE WOULP x HAVE THOUSHT YOU WOULPM'T HAVE AMY USE

FOR THOSE WEAK EMOUSH

TO EE CRUSHEP

, UMPERFOOT. _

’ SHAME?

HOWEVER, IM \ THIS CASE,

THE OPPS ARE STACKEP ASAIMST

THEM. YOU CAM'T EXPECT YOUMS SAPLIMSSTO TAKE ROOT IF

YOU TOSS THEM OFF THE LAMP

, AMP IMTO RUSH-/ \ IMS WATER. /

THEYWOULP \( SIMPLY T

WITHER AMP PIE, RESARP-

LESS OF WHATEVER PROMISE

THEYMISHT H/ HAVESHOWM. //

/ lHOPE YOUR / MAJESTY PISCERNS THAT

AT THIS VERY MOMENT I AM

MAKING CERTAIN JUPGMENTS

ABOUT YOU FOR MAKING ME SPEAK SO

PLAINLY, ANP ALSO FOR NOT

GROWING ANGRY AT

HEARING WHAT V I HAVE SAIP.

CERTAINLY YOUR \ MAJESTY MUST \

REALIZE I HARBOR NO PARTICULAR

LOVE OR LOYALTY TOWARPSYOU,

THOUGH THAT IS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

IREGARPEP THE PREVIOUS EMPEROR

IN MUCH THE SAME MANNER. /

1/i

IF YOU ARE REFERRING

TO ME, I HAVE SOMEONE I

EOW TO NOW, ANP IT IS

FOR HIS SAKE ALONE THAT I REMAIN HERE

AT ALL.

/ HOW THIS \

MAN COULD \ POSSIBLY BE

RELATED TO SHOICA IS

SURELY ONE

OF THE SEVEN

WONDERS OF \THE COURT. /

BUT YOU ARE HERE

SERVING AS ONE OF OUR SUBJECTS

NONETHELESS. THAT IS ENOUGH.

ONLY UNTIL I \ JUPGE THAT YOU

ARE BEYONP HOPE. WHEN THAT PAY

COMES, IINTENP TO WASH MY

HANPS OF YOU ANP RETIRE

IMMEPIATELY TO HONG PROVINCE.

I In kdft- mw

BROTHER HAD

ABANDONED ME FOR ^rr

AT THAT T FOOLISH I

GAWKING f HE EVEN WENT

AND TOOK MY

ADORABLE

NIECE AS A

WIFE BRIEFLY,

AND IS STILL

PINING

USELESSLY

ABOUT IT

NOW. A

\ MY

BROTHER

WOULDN’T

EVEN

ACKNOW-

W IF THIS ' BUMBLING

INTERLOPER WEREN'T

EMPEROR, I’D HAVE

SLAUGHTERED HIM AGES AGO' I’VE

REACHED THE END OF MY

PATIENCEJJ

EE THAT AS IT MAY,

WE LIKE YOU. VERY MUCH eo.

L\3\3|3|S ISHIHIM

7 YOU'RE A - Ui iilnoen HUNPREP

YEARS TOO EARLY

TO TRY ENTIOWS

ME WTO EEP.

TRY IT ASAIN

TO YOUR UTMOST PERIL.

WE STILL BELIEVE WE

s WERE RIGHT TO GIVE

WOMEN THE RIGHT TO

. TAKE THE

TO ALLOW SHUREI TO BECOME A CIVIL

SERVANT.

...OUR veaeiow

THING WE CAN DO FOR

YOU NOW IS... ;IS SMILING

HAPPILY RIGHT NOW,

THEN THAT IS

ENOUGH FOR US.

BUT WE WILL BE UNABLE

TO SHIELD HER FROM WHAT LIES

AHEAD.

THE LETTERS WE RECEIVE?

SAIP WE'P JUST EE SHAP0WING VARIOUS CIVIL SERVANTS F0R

A WHILE 10 LEARN H0W THE

MINISTRIES ARE RUM.

/ IPIPM'T \ THINK

WE'P EE EVALUATE? LIKE THIS EEFCRE

THE PLACEMENT \ TEST. J

IT WILL EE A GOOV CHANCE TO OfiSERVE ANP ASK QUES-

IF MASTER \ K0YU IS

RIGHT, THIS f IS THE FIRST r TIME THEY'VE

P0NE THIS I . IN SEVEN U

YEARS. m

LAST SUMMER I BRAZENLY DRESSED AS A BOY AND

WORKED AS A TEMPORARY AIDE IN THE MINISTRIES, THINKING IT

WOULD BE A .. ONCE-IN-A- //,' .LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY.

I NEVER DREAMED

BACK THEN THAT THINGS WOULD END

UP THIS . WAY... .

I WONDER J WHAT WOULD

HAPffEN’lF)' SOMEONE WERE TOV

, RECOGNIZE x

PREFER HOT TO EE ASSIGHEP TO WORK

BUT IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, IT SEEMED LIKE MINISTER KO ONLY EVER

MET WITH HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS. SO MAYBE I’D BE

V ALL RIGHT...?

THEY WOULDN'T PLACE GREEN¬

HORNS LIKE US IN THE

TOP-LEVEL MINISTRIES,

WOULD THEY?

MISS SHUREI?

I'LL EE THERE EESIPE YOU THE

' AMP, \ THOUGH IT PAINS ME

TO APMIT

IT, IT WAS

THANKS TO RYUREN'S

\ SUPPORT \ TOO. /

\\ /THE ONLY \ I / REASON I

[/ WAS ASLE TO

I GET THROUGH f THE IMPERIAL

f CIVIL EXAM ANP THE RANKINS

EXAM AFTER¬

WARPS WAS

BECAUSE

OF YOUR

SUPPORT,

EISETSU. /

/ so it was \y WONPERFUL \

HAVING FRIENPS \ STUPYING ALONG- SIPE ME FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE

HELFEP ANP / ENCOURAGEP /

\ ONE ANOTHER. /

ALL MY LIFE, I HAP ONLY EVER STUPIEP ON

MY OWN.

PLACE EY S0ME0NE

WH0 PCESN'T WANT Y0U TO GET TO THE MEETING, WE W0ULP

v IMAGINE. /

7 ANP HE WAG / AELE T0 PAY I OFF PALACE

GUARPS T0 PC HIG

PIPPING. HE'S , 0EVI0USLY \ A MAN CP \ MEANS.

AH! WE'LL GET THERE

FASTER IF WE CUT THR0UGH

THE THICKET.

SHUREL.. SH0ULP

Y0U SPEAK

Y0URGELF l / EIGETSU. IT IN THAT ) MAKES US

P0NP0VER j INCREPIELY THERE! HAPPY WHEN

, SHE AEUSES

IF YOU WAMT

TO SEMP SOME- THIMS, SEMP PLAIM

OLP STRAW. .

HOW CAM YOU EE SO COUP IM THE PACE OF ALL OUR PEVOTIOM?

PERHAPS WE SHOULP MAKE

AMOTHER STRAW POLL

FOR YOU? ,

'AT LEAST THAT

WOULP EE USEFUL

WHEM I'M MAKIMS

IT'S A HT LATE, EUT... COMR ATU- LATI0MS 0M

PASSIM© THE EXAM. ,

THEY REALLY

PON'T KNOW THEIR

V PLACE, PO K they? i

AS IF IT \ WASN'T SAP \

/ ENOUGH THAT \ THEY MAPE A MOCKERY

OF THE EXAM, NOW

\ THEY'RE /£& COMING TO /xH

COURT? /

HOW MUCH TIME ANP

EFFORT PO THEY THINK WE PUT INTO

STUPYING FOR THE EXAM?!

TJTg X. LETTING PET WOMEN j THEY ONLY 1 PASSEP HER THE

BECAUSE THEY EXAM... WOULPVE

LOST FACE IF . . NOT A SINGLE ^

WOMAN SUCCEEPEP V AFTER THEY

, MAPE THAT J \ \ PECREE. / \

THIS WAS \ SUPPOSEP N

TO SE ONE OF THE HAPPIEST

MOMENTS OF MY LIFE. NOW ITS ONLY HALF AS

GREAT BECAUSE I WAS RANKEP

, SELOW A ,

PUT COINS SO FAR AS TO

LET HER PASS AS THE TANKA... INSTEAP OF ONE

OF US, WHO ACTUALLY PUT

IN ALL THAT EFFORT TO STUPY?! <

WOMEN SHOULP

STAY MEEKLY AT HOME

ANP HAVE CHILPREN.

THINK SHE CO UUP PO

HOW DARE A WOMAN

ALWAYS' SEPROUP

YOU'RE A

POISONOUS ATMOSPHERE.

CRUEL WHISPERS

AND OEERS

STRIKING MY EARS...

\ AND I WON’T LET PEOPLE SCARE ME

AWAY FROM REACHING MY

FULL POTENTIAL OUST BECAUSE

^I'M A WOMAN. V

The Ministry of Rites

dictates all standards of

etiquette, ceremonial rituals and education

throughout Saiunlcolai.

It also administers the Imperial Civil Exam.

NEW INPUCTEES

I OF THE CONGRATU- COURT...

LATE YOU AGAIN ON

SUCCESS¬ FULLY

PASSING THE

IMPERIAL CIVIL

EXAM. Minister of

Rites Sal

EY COMMANP 0P HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR, Y0U, THE T0P

TWENTY, SHALL EEGIN YOUR

SERVICE WORKING P0R

A SHORT WHILE THROUGHOUT

THE MAIN K COURT.

/ YOU ARE OUR ELITE. YOU ARE N ONES WHO WILL

SOMEPAY EE THE PILLARS THAT

SUPPORT OUR GREAT COUNTRY. TAKE

THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AS MUCH

AS YOU CAN ANP TAKE IT WITH YOU ONWARPS IN YOUR

CAREERS.

THEM, HM*

AFTER ALU, \ THESE PRIGHT

YOUNG ONES MAY SOMEPAY

GROW TO PE THE HEAPS OF OUR GOVERNMENT. /

/ WELU' rS;-P ) I THEN, -■2T,

INITIATE HONG.

INITIATE TOH.

SLOVENLY APPEARANCE IS UNACCEPT-

rr SEEMS

YOU LACK

SOME SELF-

AWARENESS.

YOUR UNIFORMS

HAVE PIRT ALL ARE NOT

WORKING IN A

CHICKEN

SUITABLE ASSIGN-

usas mis T0PT i Sum WILLI iE ?0R T TO ME

MINI IN ST

THE RY

OF P IT =S UMTI -Y 9UR PERM AN ENT P0ST

dp/* S/ >>RE

SPECIAL MEASURES HAVE SEEM

TAKEN TO BROAPEN YOUR EXPERIENCE BEFORE YOU

RECEIVE YOUR OFFICIAL

APPOINTMENT IN TWO

MONTHS. /

EXPECT YOU TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT OF

YOUR THOUGHTS ANP OBSERVA¬

TIONS THAT WILL BE PUE ONE MONTH FROM NOW.

AS YOU WILL NOT HAVE AN OFFICIAL

RANK PURINS THIS PERIOP,

YOU WILL LIKELY BE ASSISNEP A VARIETY

v OF PUTIES. ,

' YOU MAY TURN \ IN YOUR REPORT

TO ANY SUPERVI¬ SOR YOU CHOOSE:

IT NEEPN'T BE ME. YOU MAY ALSO TURN IN A JOINT REPORT WITH A

FELLOW INPUCTEE. THE TOPIC ANP

, FORMAT IS YOURS V TO CHOOSE AS

|j|FOK these ^NEXT TWO Wf MONTHS, |WE’RE GOING S/ TO BE J EVALUATED J DOWN TO

THE VERY

J LAST I DETAIL.

mm J^YOUARETO UQ '/REPORT TO THIS k-' / ROOM EVERY Vi « 'VI, / M0RNINSAT7AM. A fV*

FOR MORNINS

MISERABLE OFFICIAL

INITIATE HONS, you

ARE HERESY ASS16NEP TO

CLEAN THE LAVATORIES OF EACH

MINISTRY EVERY

MORNIN&./

IF YOU THINK \ A LITTLE

THIN© LIKE THIS 15 GOING

TO PUT ME OFF, THINK

7 AGAIN! MAKING THE NEWCOMERS

CLEAN TOILETS... THEY'VE PONE

THE SAME THING TO ME AT EVERY

PART-TIME JOE I'VE EVER

workep!

) JUST WATCH ME! I'LL SCRUE THESE

LAVATORIES UMTIL THEY SPARKLE S0 HARP THAT THEY'LL SLIMP / OFFICIAL RO! /

SURELY POES

SMELL IN HERE!

^ I GUESS IT MEANS THAT NO MATTER

HOW HIOHANP MISHTY THESE

MINISTERS MAY EE, WHAT COMES OUT OF THEM SMELLS

JUST THE SAME!

YUCK, IT stinks! it

SMELLS LIKE TO AROUNP

HOW FILTHY! EVEN IF IT

1$ ONLY ONE TO, THEY SHOULPN'T

LET FEMALES IN HERETO STINK UP

THE PLACE.

IT MAY ONLY SE CLEANING THE

LAVATORIES, SUT LETTING- IT WALK AROUNP FREELY

IN THE COURT IS UNSEEMLY!

WE SHOULP COMPLAIN TO

OUR SUPERIORS.

fgMfki

REMINPS ME... PIP

YOU HEAR THE NEWS

Y0LI-KNOW-

HO MATTER WHATAHY- oue SAYS, ALWAYS PE

YOU'RE A

REALLY WAS A CHILP!

SETTER LET HIM PE.

HE MISHT PEGPME

SOME PIS SHOT IN

THIS IS A FIRST FOR US AS WELL

TO HAVE OUR SHOES POLISHEP

RISHT EEFORE

US.

PIP YOU KNOW A

SHINE'S KIT CONTAINS

FOUNT OF INFORMATION,

/ OR I PERHAPS

ISHOULP SAY A

"TREASURE \ GROVE OF \TRIVIA"?

YOU MEAN A

TREASURE TROVE OF TRIVIA...?

I THINK IT MIGHT BE

BETTER TO ENTRUST

THIS SEAL TO MASTER SEIRAN—

NEEP, USE THIS TO

1 ' I NO... IN HIS CURRENT STATION,

SEIRAN POES NOT HAVE THE

ABILITY TO STAY BY

SHUREI'S

&

IP YOU

IMPACT, \ WE IMTEMP \

TO STALK £

YOU ALL CAUL POR THROUGH

06, WE THE PAY , SHALL AMP MIGHT / A APPEAR HO PROM /

MATTER HOW OH! // 11 i

YOU NEEPN'T WORRY ABOUT

THAT. OMLY THE VERY HI&HEST

MINISTERS WOULP KNOW ,

OUR FACE! /

fml

enough! PO YOU

REMEMBER WHO

YOU'RE SUPPOSEP , TO BE?

if THAT 7 ISN'T

THE ONLY vA PROELEMl!

104

■ 16t

h G

uar

d: T

he

squa

dron

of p

alac

e guar

ds

assi

gned

to

pro

tea

eac

h m

inis

try

and

i

THIS IS THE MOST PANSER-

OUS PERIOP FOR YOU EOTH. RISHT

HOW YOU NEITHER HOLP ANY RANK HOR HAVE ANY

OFFICIAL PUTIES. IF YOU WERE TO VANISH, NO ONE WOULP KICK UP

A FUSS. WOULP > EE AELE

PANGEfc?!

THERE ARE ARROSANT,

POWERFUL MEN HERE WHO WOULP

NOT THINK TWICE TO HAVE A PERSON KILLEP

SIMPLY EECAUSE THEY FOUNP HIM

k PISASREEAELE.

I RELIEVE AT THE

GELEERATI0N5, EIGETSU

REJECTEP ALL 0FFERS

0F MARRIAGE FR0M THE WEALTHY

RESIPENTS 0F KIY0...? .

AMP ALLyJk OFFERS 7 / 0? PRINK I," AS WELL. \

[MANY PFITS

PPPPNENTS STILL

SEAR A SRUPSE.

r THE \ MEASURE TPALLPW WPMEN TP SECPME

CIVIL SERVANTS WASHPTLV i

CPMTESTEP./

\ ICTuS

TO A HIGHBORN NOBLE, HAVING

THE OFFER OF A PRINK REFUSEP

FLATLY TO HIS FACE WOULP

BE PERCEIVEP > NOTHII THE WO SNUB.

/ SAME GOES > ' FOR THEIR

MARRIAGE PR0P0SALS.

IT W0ULP HAVE SEEN FAR

SETTER TO REPLY VAGUELY IN PERS0N, ANP THEM QUIETLY

WRITE Y0UR FORMAL REFUSAL

TO THEM LATER. THAT'S HOW

MOSLES HANPLE . SUCH MATTERS./

PUSLICLY REFUSING THEIR

OFFERS WAS TANTAMOUNT TO "THIS IS HOW

YOU'RE ASKING ME TO SE YOUR SON-IN-LAW? YOU'LL HAVE

TO PO SETTER THAN THAT!"

WHAT?!

THAT'S REALLY

HOW IT CAME

ACROSS?!

YE$. A NOELE

WOULP FINPYOUR

RESPONSES EXTREMELY

RUPE. THE LORP

WOULP THEM HATE YOU

FOR HAVING WRONGEP HIM SO GREATLY

FOR NO v APPARENT \ REASON.

IF A LORP'S POLITICAL

ENEMIES WERE TO HEAR OF IT,

THEY COULP SPREAP RUMORS

TO MAKE HIM A LAUGHINGSTOCK

ANP RUIN HIS REPUTATION.

IT IS A PANGER-

OUS SITUATION

INPEEP.

HE GOT SO OVER¬ WHELMED HE HAD TO SLIP AWAY

FROM REALITY...

HERE YOU ARE, MISS

SHUREI. PLEASE PO

PRINK IT

ONE MUST ALWAYS EE CAUTIOUS

WITH PEOPLE SO OVERLY CONCERNEP

LET'S VO OUR EEST

IN OUR AFTERN00N PUTIES T00,

EISETSU.

CERTAINLY SEATS

CLEANING LAVATORIES OR SHINING

SHOES. RIGHT,

EIGETSU?

A CIVIL SERVANT'S

WORK!

ANP IT'S THE KINP OF

WORK I'VE ALWAYS WANTEP TOPO.

THAT SOUNPS

CHALLENG¬

ING.

SjPK WHAT

ARE YOUR AFTER¬

NOON PUTIES?

corresponpence, BOOKKEEPING...

THERE'S A MOUNTAIN OF

POCUMENTS FROM THE VARIOUS

MINISTRIES THAT WE NEEP TO TAKE CARE OF TOPAY.

N0, IT PtfESN'T

I'M SO NAIVE.

,\V

USH... IT POESN'T

VO THEY THINK WE'RE

60M& TO &IVE UP

WE'LL PO THIS!

JUST ONE OUST YOU

WATCH US, OFFICIAL

THEY'LL

OFFICIM R0 FR0M

THE MINISTRY OF RITES,

V £H? ,

RUMORS WOULDN'T SE CIRCULATING

AT ALL IN A NORMAL YEAR.

PUT WE'RE LIVINS IN

EXCEPTIONAL , TIMES, MY / \ FRIENP. '

Cer

emo

ny

: T

he

cer

emo

ny

in w

hic

h th

e e

mp

ero

r ap

po

ints

civ

il s

erv

ants

to

new

post

s.

SO HE'S A

HURPLE YOU'RE

PLACING1 IN THEIR

WAY?

FORGING A GREAT

SWORP, YOU HAMMER IT

RELENTLESSLY TO TEST ANP STRENGTHEN

, ITS METTLE. .

MAJESTY < WILL EE THE ONE

TO PECIPE THAT AT

THE SPRING APPOINTMENT CEREMONY.'

TTgliiilMlr11-- 'liiiiiiiinimmi

MAPET0 CLEAN THE MINISTRY

LAVATORIES

SINSLE

INPUCTEE

TO SHINE vSH0ES...!

eecause THEY'RE

UNPER THAT OFFICIAL R 0.

IT CANNOT EE HEL.PEP.

I CAN'T 6EART0

WATCH THIS

HAPPEN...

am \\ mV \ mm

MINISTER... A SIMILAR TRAINING

PERIOP WAS 1MFLEMENTEP IN YOUR YEAR /

AS WELL, WASN'T IT?

MAKE SURE ’ YOU SLIP THESE

POCUMENTS SOMEWHERE

WITHIN THEIR WORK PILE

6EF0RE THEY ARRIVE AT THE

ARCHIVES

IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, THEIR

LAVATORY-CLEANING ANP SHOE-SHINING PUTIES ARE ONLY

PURINSTHE MORNING HOURS.

IN THE AFTER- NOONTHEYSORT

POCUMENTSIN THE ARCHIVES.

YOU MUST KNOW THEY

ARE ALREAPY RECEIVING FAR MORE

THAN THEIR ASSIGNEP SHARE OF

POCUMENTS TO SORT

EACH PAY!

I ( H-HOW COULP

K YOU SUGGEST

" —J SO WHAT? / AT LEAST

|l--^ THEY N HAVEN'T

SEEN REMOVE?

ENOU&H FRO M OF THIS, COURT.,

YURL JUST PO JT

AS I SAY. /

/ 60. YOU - ARE MY

SUEORPINATE, ARE YOU NOT? IF YOU THINK

OF MORE COM¬ PLAINTS WHILE ON YOUR WAY TO THE ARCHIVES, THEN AIR THEM

AFTER YOU HAVE TAKEN A LOOK

AT THOSE POCUMENTS.

HMPH! AS I T HOUGH Z IWOULP

EVER THINK SETTER OP SOMEONE

WHO WOULP - RESORT TO .

SENPINS ME ■ ERIEES. ,x

THEY WERE PROSASLY

MORE APRAIP OF WHAT

YOU'P PO IF THEY PIPN'T

SENP YOU SOMETHING

MOST OF \ THESE

LETTERS ARE SIMPLY

PEOPLE SENPINO

THEY'RE STARTING

TO TRICKLE

IN AGAIN... THOSE FOOLS...

WHY CAN'T THEY SET

IT THROUGH THEIR HEAPS THAT I HATE

WOMEN?!

MARRIAGE

THEMSELVES A PROMOTION BY COMING TO ME WITH TALK

OF MARRIASE?! IS THERE NO ENP TO THEIR ABSURPITY?! /

PON'T BRINS

THOSE MISER- honestly!

SHE WANTS TO' REPORT TO US IN PERSON ON THE CURRENT

SITUATION WITHIN THE

SACLAN. ...ANP IT SEEMS

SHE WANTS TO SEE SHUREI

/ THE GIRL WHO TRIED TO POISON

SHUREI WHEN SHE WAS NOBLE CONSORT HONG,

THINKING IT WOULD HELP

LORD ADVISOR ,

SHE'S A PIFFERENT

PERSON I

SHUREI, I MEAN,

A CIVIL SERVANT

SHE CAN HANPLE

HERSELF

THAT WON PERFUL

SMILE OF LACY SHUREI'S IS ABSOLUTELY

NOWHERE TO BE SEEN

THESE PAYS.

kMf

THE HIGHEST OF ALL

STATIONS...

THE MOST UNTOUCH-

ABLE , OF ALL...

«« V AND'SHE,1 nv L /NEVEKJI 1 r Lone to mi* ; \

OFFICIAL ANDU /PERSONAL \\

BUSINESS, WILL^L KNEEL ANDW

BOW WITHOUT HESITATION.

I KNEW

ALL OF THIS FROM THE

BEGINNING, OF COURSE.

BUT STILL...

IF EVEN I FELT fcrlcrn seeing

THAT PISTANCE BETWEEN US, I CAN'T IMAGINE

HCW HARP IT WILL HIT HIS HIGHNESS

IF THEY EVER MEET IN THEIR

OFFICIAL CAPACITIES. j

As, ' "PIFFIGULT" Y poesn't even \

SESIN TO PESCRIEE IT!

NOT TO MENTIS HAVING TO SIT IN THAT ROOM IN A CLOUP OF

INCENSE TO KEEP HIS PESK HIPPENFROM .

' I'M SURE IT'S SEEN PIFFICULT HAVINS TO HIPE HIS

ABSENCES FROM THE

\ MINISTERS. J

THOUGH LAPY SHUREI MAY

FINP IT A EOTHER, I THINK HIS

MAJESTY'S GUARP PUTY WAS A 600V

IPEA.

Chapter 27

m gS ^-W THESE / ARE

ri / THESE FOR THE / AMP THESE MINISTRY ! 60TO THE OF

j|| 4\i|l ■fA PEPARTMENTS RITES. 1 J OF THE SECRE¬ 7fl TARIAT AMP /' > CHANCELLERY ^ \ RESPECTIVELY. / '

MINISTRY , OF L.

JUSTICE. • -V,

ipg^irgnf

EIGETSU, ARE YOUR CALCU¬ LATIONS ALL RIGHT? YOU

WERE WORKING ON THAT ONE

FOR QUITE . , SOMETIME...

IT'S FINE. ^ IREMEMEER

EXACTLY WHAT THE

SUMS WERE EEFORE

HE EUMPEP INTO MY

\ AEACUS. /

WHO POES HE THINK HE IS TO REFER TO

HIMSELF THAT WAY? "LITTLE OL1" MY FOOT! I'VE HEARP RUMORS IN THE LAVATORIES AEOUT THE PIRTY

TRICKS HE USEP TO GET HIS CURRENT ,

POST!

OFFICIAL WA OFTEN COMES TO HAVE ME

SHINE HIS SHOES

FOR HIM.

SHOULD BE ALL RIGHT. YOU CAN

EAT IT A WITHOUT/

SEEMED THAT RYUKI

KNEW WHOM THEY WERE

COMING \ FROM. 7

TEA THAT RELIEVED

AHEAP PACK.

...IT’S NICE TO KNOW SOMEONE

OUT THERE WISHES

US WELL.

THOUGH WE DON’T

KNOW

WHO IT IS...

IFYOUPIPR'T HAVE POWER,

YOU REVER COULPHAVE

PAEEEP WITH E0HI6H A PARK A

SHOW THAT YOU CAN

SEANT YOUE WISHES WITH

YOUE OWN STEENGTH.

I WILL EE

WAITIR6 f i THERE f

FOR YOU. I

IT CAME FROM

WITHIR YOU. IT WAS THE STRER6TH OF YOUR

OWR WILL.

REMEMEER WHAT ALLOWEP YOU TO PACE AT YOURA&EAS

TARKA PIP ROT COME FROM

EITHER MYSELF OR MASTER

SHOKA. /

FROM HERE OR, THAT

WISH WILL SUPPORT

YOU ARP LEAP YOUORWARP. CLIME YOUR

WAY UP URTIL YOU REACH

IT. CRAWL IF YOU MUST.

MY TRUE WISH

WASN'T OUST TO

PASS THE IMPERIAL

MASTER KOYU...

AH... THIS MBSS IS GOING TO

WHILST?

I SWORE TO MYSELF

THAT I WOULDN’T

CRY.

without rank and designation

within the &ooMEee THE POCO- MENT5 ARE UHHARMEP.

I’M NOT GOING

TO CRY.

/so,seiran. i> mm I CAM'TLET ¥? MS')

\ YOU STAY \ . ^ / ANP MAKE IT U ) ! ALL SETTER | \ , Is

LIKE YOU 1 1 T'^ \ ALWAYS 90. v rt

i

CAN’T.

// V ^ '/.'mum a

THIS IS THE PATH IPECIPEP FCR MY¬

SELF. IT'S WHAT IWISHEP FCR ANP

WHAT ICHCSE. NG MATTER WHAT PRGELEMS MAY

LAY AHEAP, I CAN'T ALLGW ANYCNE ELSE T9 SGLVE THEM FOR ME.

THIS IS THE GNE THINGI

CAN'T ALLGW ANYGNE TO

RESCUE ME FRGM. NGT

YCU ANP NGT RATHER.

|THE\ DREAM I THOUGHTS

IMPOSSIBLE HAS COME } m

I MAY EE CLEANING

...EUT LAVATORIES, SC WHAT? ENPURING

THAT'S CRUEL WGRPS

WHAT I ANP SPENPING

WGULP MY PAYS WITH HAVE TOLP MY HEAP MYSELF A EGWEP... /

YEAR ACC. jL

THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN STEF IN TO HELP HER NOW ARE HER PEERS,

THE OTHER INPUCTEES.

...THOUGH\ i suppose

/ THAT GOES ___ FOR THE

^ EXISTENCE OF FEMALE

EUT PER- CIVIL HAPS IF SHE SERVANTS REACHEP A . TOO. /

HISH ENOUGH P-" POSITION

THAT NO ONE COULP PARE / /

IGNORE HER... / //

wag AS SHE IS

NOW-TO STAY SY

OUR SIPS SOMEHOW.

SHUREI WILL MAKE

ASOOP CIVIL

SERVANT?

SO LONS AS SHE

REMAINS THE PERSON

SHE IS NOW, YES,

I THINK SHE WILL.

I THINK Yi00 COOLP. AFTER ALU YOU'VE ALREAPY WAITEP A

FULL YEAR FOR LAPY SHUREI, RESPECTING HER WISHES TO TAKE THE EXAM. SO I THINK THERE'S AT LEAST A GOOP CHANCE YOU'LL

EE ASLE TO WAIT ► FOR HER... y

OFFICIAL RO_

...AS LONG AS YOU REMAIN

THE SINCERE, STRAIGHT¬ FORWARD

YOUNG MAN YOU ARE.

He ranked fourth on the Imperial

Civil Exam, directly behind Shurei.

AS THEIR V M0RMIMS PUTIES \

ARE 0MLY TRIVIAL \ TASKS SUCH AS CLEAMIMS THE I

LAVATORIES AMP SHIMIMS SH0ES, THEIR ASSEMCE I

FOR 0ME PAY !) \ WILLHARPLY / \ SEMISSEP. / /

M0W PLEASE EXCUSE ME.

I SHALL TAKE THESE TW0 TO THE

RESTIMS

SORRY.

NEVER MINP. v PUT IN RETURN, N

YOU'P SETTER GET SOME GOOP REST. IT WOULP EE EVEN WORSE IF EITHER OF YOU COLLAFSEP FROM

EXHAUSTION.

TWO, I'VE GOT LOAPS OF EXTRA

WORK NOW.

TWO OUT- RANKEP

ME ON THE

EXAM.

IF YOU GET CRUSHEP

60 EASILY, I'LL NEVER FORGIVE

HAKUMEL.

Kairi Yura was born on January 16.

She is the illustrator of both the manga

and the YA novels for The Story of

Saiunkoku. She is also the creator of

the Angelique series. Yura’s hobby is

going to the theater.

Sai Yukino was born on January 26. She

is author of both the manga and the YA

novels for The Story of Saiunkoku. She

received an honorable mention and the

Readers’ Award for Kadokawa’s Beans

Novel Taisho Awards. When she’s not

busy writing, Yukino enjoys massages.

THE STORY OF SAIUNKOKU Volume 6

Shojo Beat Edition

ART KAIRI YURA

STORY SAI YUKINO

Translation & English Adaptation/Su Mon Han

Touch-up Art & Lettering/Freeman Wong

Dcsign/Yukiko Whitley

Editor/Nancy Thistlethwaite

Saiunkoku Monogatari Volume 6

© Kairi YURA 2010

© Sai YUKINO 2010

First published in Japan in 2010 by KADOKAWA SHOTEN Co., Ltd., Tokyo.

English translation rights arranged with KADOKAWA SHOTEN Co., Ltd., Tokyo.

The stories, characters and incidents mentioned in this publication are

entirely fictional.

No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any

means without written permission from the copyright holders.

Printed in Canada

Published by VIZ Media, LLC

P.O. Box 77010

San Francisco, CA 94107

10 98765 4 32 1

First printing, February 2012