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apothecaryscript · 5 months ago

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Episode 20 : Thornapple / 第20話『曼荼羅華(Mandarage)』

猫猫（白檀の香…壬氏様の寝室…なぜ、こんなところに…）

Maomao (Byaku-danno ko…Jinshi-samano shin-shitsu… Naze, konna tokoronin…)

Maomao (Sandalwood incense… Master Jinshi’s bedroom… How did I end up here…?)

水蓮「あら、目が覚めたのね。無理しちゃだめよ？15針も縫ったんだから…。医局で寝かせるのも何だって、壬氏様が連れてきたのよ。はい、どうぞ」

Suiren “Ara, mega sameta-none. Muri-shicha dameyo? Ju-go-harimo nuttan-dakara… Ikyokude nekaseru-nomo nandatte, Jinshi-samaga tsurete-kita-noyo. Hai, dozo.”

Suiren “Oh, you’re awake. Don’t push yourself. You had fifteen stitches. Master Jinshi brought you here, since it’s better here than at the infirmary. Here you go.”

猫猫「ありがとうございます」

Maomao “Arigato gozai-masu.”

Maomao “Thank you.”

水蓮「フフフッ、起きたところで悪いけど、着替えられる？皆さんを連れてくるわ」

Suiren “Fufufu, okita-tokorode warui-kedo, kigae-rareru? Mina-san’o tsurete-kuruwa.”

Suiren “I’m sorry to bother you after you just woke up, but can you get dressed? I want to bring everyone in.”

猫猫「分かりました」

Maomao “Wakari-mashita.”

Maomao “Understood.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

馬閃「一体どういうことだ！」

Basen “Ittai do-iu kotoda!”

Basen “What in the world is going on?!”

高順「馬閃！」

Gaoshun “Basen!”

馬閃「チッ」

Basen “Chi.”

猫猫（そりゃ、主人が危険にさらされればね…だからとて、どなられる筋合いはないのだが）

Maomao (Sorya, shujinga kikenni sara-sare-reba-ne… Dakara-tote, dona-rareru sujiaiwa naino-daga.)

Maomao (I mean, his master’s life was at risk. That said, I don’t deserve to be yelled at.)

猫猫「無作法ですみません」

Maomao “Bu-sahode sumi-masen.”

Maomao “I apologize for my lack of manners.”

壬氏「気にするな。それで、どういう経緯であの場所にやってきたのか、なぜ柱が落ちるのが分かったのか、説明してもらおうか」

Jinshi “Kini suruna. Sorede, do-iu keiide ano bashoni yatte-kita-noka, naze hashiraga ochiru-noga wakatta-noka, setsumei shite-moraoka.”

Jinshi “Don’t worry about it. So, how did you end up there, and how did you know the pillar was about to fall? Do explain.”

猫猫「フゥ…分かりました。…あれは、偶然が重なり合った事故です。しかし、まるで意図的に、偶然が引き寄せられたようでした。そういう意味では、事故ではなく事件と言えるでしょう」

Maomao “Fu…Wakari-mashita. …Arewa, guzenga kasanari-atta jiko desu. Shikashi, marude ito-tekini, guzenga hikiyose-rareta-yodeshita. So-iu imi-dewa, jiko-dewa-naku jikento ieru-desho.”

Maomao “Understood. That was an accident caused by multiple coincidences converging. But it’s as if the coincidences were drawn together intentionally. In that sense, it’s a conspiracy, not an accident.”

猫猫「一つ目の偶然は、去年、礼部の高官である浩然様が亡くなったことです」

Maomao “Hitotsumeno guzenwa, kyonen, Reibuno kokan-de-aru Konen-samaga naku-natta koto desu.”

Maomao “The first coincidence is the death of Master Kounen, a high-ranking official at the Board of Rites, last year.”

壬氏「あっ…」

Jinshi “A…”

猫猫「二つ目に、倉庫で小火が起き、同時に別の場所で祭具が盗まれたこと」

Maomao “Futatsumeni, sokode boyaga oki, dojini betsuno bashode saiguga nusu-mareta koto.”

Maomao “Next, the fire at a warehouse, and the theft of some ceremonial tools at a different warehouse.”

馬閃「ハッ…」

Basen “Ha…”

猫猫「そして三つ目は、ほぼ同時期に祭具の管理者が食中毒で倒れたことです」

Maomao “Soshite mittsumewa, hobo dojikini saiguno kanrishaga shoku-chudokude taoreta koto desu.”

Maomao “And the third is the manager of ceremonial tools falling ill due to food poisoning at around the same time.”

壬氏「そのどれもが、誰かの思惑で起こされたと？」

Jinshi “Sono doremoga, darekano omo-wakude oko-sareta-to?”

Jinshi “Those were all caused intentionally by someone?”

猫猫「恐らくは。さらにもう一つ、重要なことがあります」

Maomao “Osorakuwa. Sarani mo-hitotsu, juyona kotoga ari-masu.”

Maomao “Probably. There’s also probably one more important factor.”

壬氏「何だ？」

Jinshi “Nanda?”

Jinshi “What is it?”

猫猫「盗まれた祭具です。祭事では、祭壇��柱を金属線でつり上げ、床の金具に固定していました。もし事故に見せかけるのであれば、要である金具を狙うでしょう」

Maomao “Nusu-mareta saigu desu. Saiji-dewa, saidanno hashira’o kinzoku-sende tsuri-age, yukano kanaguni kotei shite imashita. Moshi jikoni mise-kakeru-node areba, kanamede-aru kanaguo nerau desho.”

Maomao “The stolen ceremonial tools. During the ceremony, the pillar above the altar was pulled up by metal wires, and fixed on to the floor with metal parts. If the goal was to make this appear as an accident, aiming for those metal parts would be effective.”

馬閃「そんなものが盗まれたら、作り直さないわけがないだろう！」

Basen “Sonna monoga nusumare-tara, tsukuri-naosa-nai wakega nai-daro!”

Basen “If someone stole those, they’d just make replacements!”

猫猫「当然、作り直したでしょうね。祭事にふさわしい、凝った装飾をすると考えられます。その職人に心当たりがありました」

Maomao “Tozen, tsukuri-naoshita-deshone. Saijini fusawashii, kotta soshoku’o suruto kangae-rare-masu. Sono shokuninni kokoro-atariga ari-mashita.”

Maomao “Of course they did. Since they’re used in ceremonies, I’m sure the design was elaborate. I can think of one artisan who might have been tasked with it.”

壬氏「亡くなった彫金職人か？」

Jinshi “Naku-natta choking-shokuninka?”

Jinshi “The metalworker who passed away?”

猫猫「はい。盗まれた金具は、彫金細工師によって作り直されたのです。もし、この金具が熱で壊れるようになっていたとしたら…」

Maomao “Hai. Nusu-mareta kanaguwa, choking-zaikushini yotte tsukuri-nao-saretano-desu. Moshi, kono kanaguga netsude kowareru-yoni natte-itato shitara…”

Maomao “Yes. The stolen ceremonial pieces were rebuilt by the metalworker. So, what if those metal parts were designed to break when heated?”

馬閃「バカか！金属だぞ！そんな程度の熱で…あっ」

Basen “Bakaka! Kinzoku dazo! Sonna teidono netsude…A.”

Basen “Idiot! What kind of metal would…”

猫猫「亡くなった彫金細工師の秘伝の技術を使えば、火のそばにあるだけで溶けてしまうのです」

Maomao “Naku-natta choking-zaikushino hidenno gijutsu’o tsukaeba, hino sobani aru-dakede tokete-shimauno-desu.”

Maomao “Using the late metalworker’s secret technique, the metal could be made to melt just by being near an open fire.”

壬氏「彫金細工師も、この計画を立てた一味ということか？」

Jinshi “Chokin-zaikushimo, kono keikaku’o tateta ichimito-iu-kotoka?”

Jinshi “Are you saying the metalworker was part of this conspiracy?”

猫猫「いえ、恐らく何も知らず、依頼された通りに金具を作ったのだと思います。“これと同じものを、あの特殊な金属で作ってくれ”…とでも頼まれて。しかし祭事で事故が起きれば、職人も不審に思います。その前に消してしまえば、依頼人の名も、低温で溶ける金属の技術も闇に葬られ、とても都合がよかったでしょう」

Maomao “Ie, osoraku nanimo shirazu, irai sareta-toorini kanagu’o tsukuttano-dato omoi-masu. ‘Koreto onaji-mono’o, ano tokushuna kinzokude tsukutte-kure’…to-demo tano-marete. Shikashi saijide jikoga okireba, shokuninmo fushinni omoi-masu. Sono maeni keshite-shimaeba, irai-ninno namo, tei-onde tokeru kinzokuno gijutsumo yamini homu-rare, totemo tsugoga yokatta desho.”

Maomao “No, I think he didn’t know anything, and just built the metal parts as ordered. Perhaps he was asked, ‘Please build one of these, but using that special metal.’ But if an accident occurs at a ceremony, of course the metalworker would have doubts. If the artisan is eliminated before the incident, both the identity of his commissioner and the secret of the easily-melting metal vanish with him. That would have been ideal for the mastermind.”

壬氏「…まさか、殺されたのか？」

Jinshi “…Masaka, koro-sareta-noka?”

Jinshi “Was he killed?”

猫猫「それは分かりません…。ですが、そう見せかけた事件の可能性もあります。少なくとも、死んだ職人に金具の制作を頼んだ人間は、その技術が何であるか知っていた…。私が言えるのはここまでです」

Maomao “Sorewa wakari-masen… Desuga, so mise-kaketa jikanno kanoseimo ari-masu. Sukunaku-tomo, shinda shokunin’ni kanaguno seisaku’o tanonda ningenwa, sono gijutsuga nande aruka shitte-ita… Watashiga ieru-nowa koko-made desu.”

Maomao “That I can’t tell. It could be a crime made to look like an accident. The customer who had the metalworker remake the parts knew the technique that made that metal possible. That’s all I can say.”

壬氏「分かった」

Jinshi “Wakatta.”

Jinshi “Understood.”

猫猫（…それにしても、まさかあの場に壬氏様がいるとは…あのまま祭事が続いていたら…何者なんだよ、こいつ…こんな大掛かりな事件で命を狙われるに値する人物……知ったところで面倒なだけだ。もう、私には関係ない）

Maomao (…Soreni-shitemo, masaka ano bani Jinshi-samaga iru-towa… Ano-mama saijiga tsuzuite-itara… Nani-mono nan-dayo, koitsu… Konna oogakarina jikende inochi’o nera-wareru-ni atai-suru jinbutsu……Shitta-tokorode mendona dakeda. Mo, watashi-niwa kankei-nai.)

Maomao (Anyway, who would have thought Master Jinshi would be at that ceremony? If that ceremony continued… Who is this guy? If he’s someone worth trying to kill with such a complicated scheme… Knowing the truth would just get me in more trouble. It has nothing to do with me anymore.)

水蓮「小猫」

Suiren “Shaomao.”

Suiren “Xiaomao.”

猫猫「はい」

Maomao “Hai.”

Maomao “Yes.”

水蓮「お客様よ」

Suiren “Okyaku-samayo.”

Suiren “You have a guest.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

李白「例の事件、翠苓という官女が関係していたんだが…」

Rihaku “Reino jiken, Suirei-to-iu kanjoga kenkei shite-itan-daga…”

Lihaku “About that incident. A court lady named Suirei had something to do with it…”

猫猫（やはり翠苓か…）

Maomao (Yahari Suireika…)

Maomao (Suirei. I knew it.)

李白「死体で見つかったよ」

Rihaku “Shitaide mitsu-kattayo.”

Lihaku “They found her corpse.”

猫猫「えっ…」

Maomao “E…”

Maomao “Huh?”

李白「刑部が部屋に乗り込んだ時には、毒をあおって倒れていたらしい。医官による検視も済んで、死亡も確認された」

Rihaku “Keibuga heyani nori-konda toki-niwa, doku’o aotte taorete-ita rashii. Ikanni-yoru kenshimo sunde, shibomo kakunin sareta.”

Lihaku “When an officer of justice entered her room, she’d already drunk poison and was collapsed on the floor. The doctors have already finished examining her, and she’s confirmed dead.”

猫猫「どうなるのですか？」

Maomao “Do naruno-desuka?”

Maomao “What next?”

李白「明日には、棺に入れたまま、火刑に処されるんじゃないか？」

Rihaku “Ashita-niwa hitsugini ireta-mama, kakeini sho-sarerunja naika?”

Lihaku “I think they’re going to cremate her corpse tomorrow, coffin and all.”

猫猫「他の関係者は？」

Maomao “Hokano kankeishawa?”

Maomao “Any other co-conspirators?”

李白「他にはいない。翠苓一人だけだ」

Rihaku “Hoka-niwa inai. Suirei hitori dakeda.”

Lihaku “Nobody. Just Suirei.”

猫猫(あれほど細々としたことを全部一人で？)

Maomao (Are-hodo koma-gomato shita koto’o zenbu hitoride?)

Maomao (She did all of those complicated things by herself?)

李白「とにかく、一件落着だな。それじゃ」

Rihaku “Tonikaku, ikken-rakuchaku dana. Soreja.”

Lihaku “Anyway, it’s solved. See ya.”

猫猫（毒をあおって死んだ…？本当にこれで終わりなのか？いや、それ以前に翠苓は自殺するような女だろうか？無気力な顔、投げやりな態度は先がないと分かっていたからか？でも、あの時の試すような口ぶり…）

Maomao (Doku’o aotte shinda…? Hontoni korede owari nanoka? Iya, sore-izenni Suireiwa jisatsu suru-yona onna daroka? Mu-kiryokuna kao, nage-yarina taidowa sakiga naito wakatte-ita-karaka? Demo, ano tokino tamesu-yona kuchi-buri…)

Maomao (She poisoned herself and died? That’s really it? No, more importantly, was Suirei the type of person to commit suicide? Was she behaving apathetic and unemotional because she knew she had no future? But the way she spoke, as if testing me…)

翠苓「ここに朝顔を植えるわ」

Suirei “Kokoni asa-gao’o ueruwa.”

Suirei “I’ll be planting some morning glories here.”

猫猫「…蘇りの薬」

Maomao “…Yomigaerino kusuri.”

Maomao “Resurrection medicine…”

猫猫（憶測じゃダメだ。断言できない）

Maomao (Okusokuja dameda. Dangen dekinai.)

Maomao (I can’t leave it as conjecture. I have to know for certain!)

猫猫「壬氏様！」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama!”

Maomao “Master Jinshi!”

壬氏「ん？」

Jinshi “N?”

猫猫「お願いしたいことがあります！」

Maomao “Onegai shitai kotoga ari-masu!”

Maomao “I have a request for you!”

壬氏「な…何だ？うっ…ああ」

Jinshi “Na…Nanda? U…Aa.”

Jinshi “W-What is it?”

猫猫「翠苓を検視した医官とお話がしたいのです…死体置き場で」

Maomao “Suirei’o kenshi shita ikanto ohanashiga shitaino-desu… Shitai-okibade.”

Maomao “I’d like to speak to the doctor who examined the corpse. At the morgue.”

壬氏「お前は何を笑って…」

Jinshi “Omaewa nanio waratte…”

Jinshi “Why are you smiling…?”

猫猫「えっ…」（好奇心に負けた）

Maomao “E…”(Kokishinni maketa.)

Maomao (Curiosity got the best of me.)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

高順「何も壬氏様まで中に入らなくても…」

Gaoshun “Nanimo Jinshi-sama-made nakani haira-naku-temo…”

Gaoshun “Master Jinshi, you don’t have to go in there with her…”

壬氏「薬屋が入��なら、俺も行く」

Jinshi “Kusuriyaga hairu-nara, oremo iku.”

Jinshi “If the apothecary is going, I’m going too.”

高順「ハァ……分かりました」

Gaoshun “Haa……Wakari-mashita.”

Gaoshun “Understood.”

猫猫「ハハ…」

Maomao “Haha…”

高順「小猫、こちらへ」

Gaoshun “Shaomao, kochira’e.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao, here.”

猫猫「ありがとうございます」

Maomao “Arigato gozai-masu.”

Maomao “Thank you.”

医官「お待たせして、申し訳ありません」

Ikan “Omatase-shite, moshi-wake ari-masen.”

Doctor “My apologies for the long wait.”

猫猫（…やはり、この医官が検視を。親しげに話していた官女が死んで、なおかつ罪人扱いされたのだから、やつれもするだろう…。でも、それだけだろうか…）

Maomao (…Yahari, kono ikanga kenshi’o. Shitashi-geni hanashite-ita kanjoga shinde, nao-katsu zainin-atsukai saretano-dakara, yatsuremo suru-daro… Demo, sore-dake daroka…)

Maomao (I knew it. This doctor did the examination. A court lady he seemed close to is dead, and she’s accused of crimes on top of that. No surprise he seems worn out. But is that really all?)

猫猫「単刀直入に聞きます。官女が飲んだ毒に、曼荼羅華が使われていませんでしたか？」

Maomao “Tanto-chokunyu-ni kiki-masu. Kanjoga nonda dokuni, mandarakega tsuka-warete imasen deshitaka?”

Maomao “I’ll be blunt. Did the poison ingested by the court lady include thornapple?”

医官「それは…」

Ikan “Sorewa…”

Doctor “That’s…”

猫猫「厩の上の小高い丘。あそこに曼荼羅華を植えたのではありませんか？毒性は強いですが、適量なら麻酔薬として作用します。医局にそれがないとは思えません」

Maomao “Umayano ueno kodakai oka. Asokoni mandarake’o uetano-dewa ari-masenka? Dokuseiwa tsuyoi desuga, tekiryo-nara masui-yakuto-shite sayo shimasu. Ikyokuni sorega nai-towa omoe-masen.”

Maomao “The small hill near the stable. Did she not plant thornapple there? It has a strong poison, but in right amounts, it can work as an anesthetic. I’m sure the pharmacy stocks plenty.”

猫猫（曼荼羅華は、白い朝顔の花に似ている）

Maomao (Mandarakewa, shiroi asa-gaono hanani nite-iru.)

Maomao (Thornapple looks like a white morning glory.)

医官「断言はできない。症状から見て、その可能性は高いが…特定はできない」

Ikan “Dangenwa deki-nai. Shojo-kara mite, sono kanoseiwa takaiga… Tokuteiwa deki-nai.”

Doctor “I can’t say for certain. It’s quite likely, given the symptoms, but I can’t say for certain.”

猫猫「では実際に、確かめてみましょう」

Maomao “Dewa jissaini, tashikamete-mimasho.”

Maomao “Let’s confirm with our own eyes, then.”

猫猫「んん…んっ！」

Maomao “Nn…N!”

医官「な…何をする？！」

Ikan “Na…Nanio suru?!”

Doctor “W-What are you doing?!”

猫猫「黙って見ててください！」

Maomao “Damatte mitete kudasai!”

Maomao “Just shut up and watch!”

医官「や…やめろ」

Ikan “Ya…Yamero.”

Doctor “S-Stop!”

猫猫「…フゥ…開きました」

Maomao “…Fu…Aki-mashita.”

Maomao “It’s open.”

医官「あ…ああ…ハッ…翠苓…じゃない…？！そんな…！確かに…確かに翠苓だったんだ…！」

Ikan “A…Aa…Ha…Suirei…ja-nai…?! Sonna…! Tashikani…Tashikani Suirei dattanda…!”

Doctor “That’s… not Suirei?! It can’t be… It was… It really was Suirei…!”

猫猫「本当に翠苓でしたか？」

Maomao “Hontoni Suirei deshitaka?”

Maomao “Are you certain it was Suirei?”

医官「私が翠苓を見間違えるわけがない…脈も、心の臓も動いていなかった…きれいなもんだったよ…」

Ikan “Watashiga Suirei’o mi-machigaeru-wakega nai… Myakumo, shinno-zomo ugoite inakatta… Kireina mon dattayo…”

Doctor “There’s no way I’d mistake her. She had no pulse. Her heart wasn’t moving. She was so clean.”

猫猫「つまり、いいように利用されたんですね。毒の正体を解明するために、死体を切り刻もうとは考えもしなかった」

Maomao “Tsumari, ii-yoni riyo saretan-desune. Dokuno shotai’o kaimei suru-tameni, shitai’o kiri-kizamo-towa kangaemo shina-katta.”

Maomao “In other words, you’ve been exploited. You didn’t think to cut open her corpse to find out what poison she used.”

医官「うっ…」

Ikan “U…”

猫猫「翠苓もそれを見越していた」

Maomao “Suireimo soreo mikoshite-ita.”

Maomao “That’s what Suirei expected.”

医官「お前！」

Ikan “Omae!”

Doctor “You!”

猫猫「翠苓が使ったのは、曼荼羅華だけではありません。医局の薬の在庫数を調べれば、何を使ったか分かると思います」

Maomao “Suireiga tsukatta-nowa, mandarake dake-dewa ari-masen. Ikyokuno kusurino zaiko-su’o shirabe-reba, nanio tsukattaka wakaruto omoi-masu.”

Maomao “It wasn’t just thornapple that Suirei took. If we investigated the drug stocks at the pharmacy, we should be able to tell what she used.”

猫猫（この医官を責めるとすれば、薬の管理が不十分だったことだろうか）

Maomao (Kono ikan’o semeruto sureba, kusurino kanriga fu-jubun datta koto daroka.)

Maomao (I guess the only thing we can fault this doctor for is not keeping track of the drugs properly.)

壬氏「どういうことだ？」

Jinshi “Do-iu kotoda?”

Jinshi “What do you mean?”

猫猫「ん？」

Maomao “N?”

壬氏「遺体が違うというのは」

Jinshi “Itaiga chigau-to iu-nowa.”

Jinshi “That the corpse is wrong.”

猫猫「棺桶を燃やすにしても、中身が空だと怪しまれます。新しい棺の中に、代わりの死体を入れて持ち込み、すり替えたのでしょう」

Maomao “Kan’oke’o moyasuni shitemo, nakamiga kara-dato ayashi-mare-masu. Atarashii hitsugino nakani, kawarino shitai’o irete mochi-komi, suri-kaetano-desho.”

Maomao “Even if the coffin was supposed to be burned, it would be too suspicious if it was empty. She must have placed a different corpse in a new coffin to replace her.”

壬氏「だが、翠苓の遺体はどうなる？持ち出すにしても、目立つだろう」

Jinshi “Daga, Suireino itaiwa do-naru? Mochi-dasuni shitemo, medatsu daro.”

Jinshi “Then what about Suirei’s corpse? Carrying it out would have caused a scene.”

猫猫「持ち出す必要はありません」

Maomao “Mochi-dasu hitsuyowa ari-masen.”

Maomao “There’s no need to carry it out.”

壬氏「どういうことだ？」

Jinshi “Do-iu kotoda?”

Jinshi “What do you mean?”

猫猫「自分で歩いて帰ったのですから」

Maomao “Jibunde aruite kaettano-desu-kara.”

Maomao “She walked out by herself.”

壬氏「なっ…」

Jinshi “Na…”

高順・医官「えっ」

Gaoshun to Ikan “E.”

壬氏「死んでいたのではないのか？！」

Jinshi “Shinde-itano-dewa nai-noka?!”

Jinshi “But wasn’t she dead?!”

猫猫「人を、死んだように見せる薬があります。ご存知ですか？」

Maomao “Hito’o, shinda-yoni miseru kusuriga ari-masu. Gozonji desuka?”

Maomao “There is a certain drug that can make a person appear dead. Are you aware of it?”

医官「聞いたことはあるが…そんなのは幻想だ」

Ikan “Kiita kotowa aruga… Sonna-nowa gensoda.”

Doctor “I’ve heard about it, but that’s just fantasy.”

壬氏「どんなものだ？」

Jinshi “Donna monoda?”

Jinshi “What is it like?”

猫猫「遠い異国にあるというその薬は、人を一度殺し、しばらくののち、蘇らせるそうです。詳しくは分かりませんが、材料に曼荼羅華とフグを使うと聞きました」

Maomao “Tooi ikokuni aruto-iu sono kusuriwa, hito’o ichido koroshi, shibarakuno nochi, yomigae-raseru-sodesu. Kuwashikuwa wakari-masenga, zairyoni mandaraketo fuguo tsukauto kiki-mashita.”

Maomao “That drug, which is said to exist in a faraway land, is able to kill a person, then resurrect them later. I don’t know the details, but I’ve heard thornapple and pufferfish are used as ingredients.”

高順「小猫」

Gaoshun “Shaomao.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao?”

猫猫「高順様、空の棺桶を調べていただけますか？」

Maomao “Gaoshun-sama, karano kan’oke’o shirabete itadake-masuka?”

Maomao “Master Gaoshun, could you investigate the empty coffins?”

高順「はい」

Gaoshun “Hai.”

Gaoshun “Yes.”

高順「あ…。釘の跡です」

Gaoshun “A… Kugino ato desu.”

Gaoshun “Fingernail marks.”

猫猫「恐らく、死んだ翠苓が入っていたのでしょう。そして、助けに来た者が棺桶を開ける頃に、息を吹き返した。別の死体が入った棺桶を代わりに置き、業者の格好に変装して出て行った…」

Maomao “Osoraku, shinda Suireiga haitte-itano desho. Soshite, tasukeni kita monoga kan’oke’o akeru koroni, ikio fuki-kaeshita. Betsuno shitaiga haitta kan’oke’o kawarini oki, gyoshano kakkoni henso shite dete-itta…”

Maomao “That must have been the one with the dead Suirei in it. By the time her rescuer arrived to open it, she came back to life. They set up a different coffin with another corpse to replace it, then disguised her as a vendor to walk out.”

壬氏「そんな確証のない方法を取ったというのか？」

Jinshi “Sonna kakushono nai hoho’o tottato iu-noka?”

Jinshi “They employed such a risky method?”

猫猫「どのみち見つかれば死罪になるのでしょう？私なら、喜んで賭けますよ」

Maomao “Dono-michi, mitsu-kareba shizaini naruno desho? Watashi nara, yorokonde kake-masuyo.”

Maomao “If she got caught, she’d get executed anyway. I’d take that bet any day.”

壬氏「いや、お前の場合、違うだろ…」

Jinshi “Iya, omaeno baai, chigau daro…”

Jinshi “I think with you, it would be different…”

猫猫「ここに遺体がないということは、翠苓は賭けに勝ったということです。代わりの死体が燃やされた後なら、完全勝利だったはずですが…」

Maomao “Kokoni itaiga naito-iu kotowa, Suireiwa kakeni kattato-iu koto desu. Kawarino shitaiga moya-sareta-ato-nara, kanzen-shori datta hazu desuga…”

Maomao “Since there’s no corpse here, Suirei must have won her bet. If the replacement corpse got burned, it would have been a complete victory, but…”

猫猫（ヒヒヒ…そんな真似はさせない…）

Maomao (Hihihi…Sonna manewa sase-nai…)

Maomao (Not on my watch.)

猫猫「フフフ、生きていたら、会いたいですね…」

Maomao “Fufufu, ikite-itara, aitai desune…”

Maomao “If she’s still alive, I’d like to meet her.”

猫猫（捕まえるためじゃない。数々の事件を事故に見せかけた知識…それをやってのける度胸…何より自分の命を賭けの代償にしてまで皆を騙そうとした、したたかさ…。こんな人物がさっさとくたばっては面白くないだろう！蘇りの妙薬、絶対に作り方を教えてもらう！）

Maomao (Tsukamaeru tameja nai. Kazu-kazuno jiken’o jikoni mise-kaketa chishiki… Sore’o yatte-nokeru dokyo… Nani-yori jibunno inochi’o kakeno daishoni shite-made minao damasoto shita, shitatakasa… Konna jinbutsuga sassato kutabattewa omoshiroku-nai daro! Yomigaerino myoyaku, zettaini tsukuri-kata’o oshiete morau!)

Maomao (Not to arrest her. The intellect that allowed her to make so many crimes look like accidents. The courage she had to pull it all off. Most of all, the nerves of steel it took to bet her own life to trick us all! A person like that dying so soon would be such a loss! Medicine to bring people back to life! She will teach me how to make it!”

猫猫「ハハハハハ！…あっ、すみません」

Maomao “Hahahahaha…! …A, sumi-masen.”

Maomao “…Pardon me.”

壬氏「な、なんだ？」

Jinshi “Na, Nanda?”

Jinshi “W-What is it?!”

猫猫「足を縫ってもらえませんか？傷口が開いたようなので」

Maomao “Ashio nutte morae-masenka? Kizu-guchiga hiraita-yonanode.”

Maomao “Can we get my leg stitched up again? I think the wound reopened.”

壬氏「それを早く言え！！」

Jinshi “Soreo hayaku ie!!”

Jinshi “Say that sooner!”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

侍女「楼蘭様」

Jijo “Roran-sama.”

Lady-in-waiting “Lady Loulan.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏（結局、翠苓のことは秘密裏に終わらせた。翠苓という官女についても、曖昧な点が多い。医官によると、彼の師が彼女の後見人だったという。数年前、彼女の才能を見抜き、養女に迎えたらしいが、それ以前のことはよく分からないと言う…）

Jinshi (Kekkyoku, Suireino kotowa himitsurini owaraseta. Suireito-iu kanjoni tsuitemo, aimaina tenga ooi. Ikanni yoruto, kareno shiga kanojono koken’nin dattato iu. Sunen-mae, kanojono saino’o minuki, yojoni mukaeta rashiiga, sore-izenno kotowa yoku wakara-naito iu…)

Jinshi (We ended up taking care of the Suirei incident in secret. Many things remain unclear about the court lady Suirei. According to the doctor, she was backed by his teacher. He took note of her talents a few years ago and brought her in as an adopted daughter. Not much is known about her past before then.”

壬氏「…長丁場になりそうだな…」

Jinshi “…Naga-chobani nari-sodana…”

Jinshi “This is going to take a long time.”

高順「小猫を送り届けてきました」

Gaoshun “Shaomao’o okuri-todokete kimashita.”

Gaoshun “I helped Xiaomao get home.”

壬氏「いつも悪いな」

Jinshi “Itsumo waruina.”

Jinshi “Sorry to trouble you, as always.”

高順「また傷口が開くようなことをされてはいけませんから」

Gaoshun “Mata kizu-guchiga hiraku-yona koto’o saretewa ike-masen-kara.”

Gaoshun “We can’t let her open up her wound again.”

壬氏「ああ」

Jinshi “Aa.”

Jinshi “Yes.”

壬氏（しかし、心配なのはケガだけではない…変人こと羅漢のこともある。父親であることは確かなようだが、薬屋の態度を見る限り、事情があるのだろう）

Jinshi (Shikashi, shinpai nanowa kega dake-dewa nai… Henjin-koto Rakanno kotomo aru. Chichi-oyade aru kotowa tashikana-yodaga, kusuriyano taido’o miru-kagiri, jijoga aruno-daro.)

Jinshi (But it’s not just her wound that worries me. There’s also the matter with Lakan, the weirdo. It’s clear that he’s her father, but given the apothecary’s attitude, there must be some issues there.)

壬氏「明日は後宮だな」

Jinshi “Ashitawa kokyu dana.”

Jinshi “To the rear palace tomorrow, right?”

高順「はい。…問題ないかと。いつもと同じです」

Gaoshun “Hai. …Mondai nai-kato. Itsumoto onaji desu.”

Gaoshun “Yes. There seems to be no problem. It’s the same as always.”

壬氏「すなわち微妙な味だと」

Jinshi “Sunawachi bimyona aji-dato.”

Jinshi “Meaning it tastes bad.”

高順「嫌なら飲まなくてもよろしいのに…」

Gaoshun “Iya-nara noma-naku-temo yoroshii-noni…”

Gaoshun “You don’t have to drink it if you don’t like it.”

壬氏「一応のけじめだ。宦官としてのな」

Jinshi “Ichiono kejimeda. Kangan-to-shiteno-na.”

Jinshi “It’s a responsibility of mine, as a eunuch.”

高順「鼻をつまむのは、人前ではやらない方がよろしいかと。ずいぶん幼く見えます」

Gaoshun “Hanao tsumamu-nowa, hito-mae-dewa yaranai-hoga yoroshii-kato. Zuibun osanaku mie-masu.”

Gaoshun “You shouldn’t hold your nose like that in public. It makes you look very young.”

壬氏「分かっている」

Jinshi “Wakatte-iru.”

Jinshi “I know.”

壬氏（洗練された所作、天女の笑み、蜂蜜の声。後宮が現帝のものになった5年前に宦官となった、齢２４の男、それが壬氏なのだ。壬氏の仮面をかぶると決めてから、こうして毎日、男でなくす薬を飲み続けている）

Jinshi (Senren sareta shosa, ten’nyo’no emi, hachi-mitsuno koe. Kokyuga gen-teino mononi natta go-nen-maeni kanganto natta, yowai niju-yon’no otoko, sorega Jinshi nanoda. Jinshino kamen’o kaburuto kimete-kara, ko-shite mai-nichi, otokode nakusu kusuri’o nomi-tsuzukete-iru.)

Jinshi (Refined mannerisms, heavenly smiles, and a voice like honey. The ‘twenty-four-year-old’ man who became a eunuch when the rear palace became the current emperor’s, five years ago. That’s ‘Jinshi.’ From the day I decided to wear this mask. I’ve been drinking this medicine to suppress my manhood every day.)

高順「そのうち、本当に不能になりますよ…」

Gaoshun “Sono-uchi, hontoni funoni nari-masuyo…”

Gaoshun “It will make you actually impotent one day.”

壬氏「ぶーっ！お前だって同じだろ」

Jinshi “Buuu! Omae datte onaji daro.”

Jinshi “Hey, same with you!”

高順「子はもう成人していますし、先日、孫がもう一人生まれました」

Gaoshun “Kowa mo seijin shite-imasushi, sen-jitsu, magoga mo-hitori umare-mashita.”

Gaoshun “My children are adults now. I even have another grandchild.”

壬氏「孫って、上の息子の方か？」

Jinshi “Magotte, ueno musukono-hoka?”

Jinshi “A grandchild? From your older son?”

高順「はい。末の息子も、そろそろ嫁を貰ってもいいのですが」

Gaoshun “Hai. Sueno musukomo, soro-soro yomeo morattemo iino-desuga.”

Gaoshun “Yes. My youngest son is ready to get married too, but…”

壬氏「末子って馬閃だろ？まだ１９じゃないか」

Jinshi “Masshitte Basen daro? Mada ju-ku-ja naika.”

Jinshi “By youngest, you mean Basen? He’s only nineteen.”

高順「ええ、あなた様と同じ、１９です」

Gaoshun “Ee, anata-samato onaji, ju-ku desu.”

Gaoshun “Yes, nineteen, just like you.”

壬氏「あ…宦官壬氏は２４だが？」

Jinshi “‘A…Kangan Jinshi’wa niju-yon daga?”

Jinshi “‘Jinshi the eunuch’ is twenty-four.”

高順「ハァ…」

Gaoshun “Haa…”

壬氏「さっさとお手付きを作って、こんな仕事終わらせろとでも言いたげだな？」

Jinshi “Sassato otetsuki’o tsukutte, konna shigoto owa-rasero-to-demo iitage-dana?”

Jinshi “Your look is telling me to find a wife and end this work.”

高順「早く孫を抱かせてください」

Gaoshun “Hayaku mago’o dakasete kudasai.”

Gaoshun “I’d like to have time to spend with my grandchild.”

壬氏「…努力する」

Jinshi “…Doryoku suru.”

Jinshi “I’ll do my best.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

楼蘭妃「ごきげんよう、壬氏様」

Roran-hi “Gokigen-yo, Jinshi-sama.”

Concubine Loulan “Greetings, Master Jinshi.”

壬氏「��日もまた、素敵な衣装ですね」

Jinshi “Kyomo mata, sutekina isho desune.”

Jinshi “Another wonderful outfit, I see.”

楼蘭妃「ありがとうございます」

Roran-hi “Arigato gozai-masu.”

Concubine Loulan “Thank you.”

壬氏（主上は楼蘭妃のもとに通ってはいるが、あまり食指が動かないという。楼蘭妃はかなりの洒落者で、髪も化粧もころころ変わる。訪れるたびに妃が誰か分からなくなり、混乱するそうだ。それでも10日に一度は通うことにしているらしい。楼蘭妃の父親が、先の皇太后に気に入られた重臣であり、下手に扱うわけにはいかないからだ。）

Jinshi (Shujowa Roran-hino motoni kayottewa iruga, amari shokushiga ugoka-naito iu. Roran-hiwa kanarino share-monode, kamimo keshomo koro-koro kawaru. Otozureru-tabini kisakiga dareka wakara-naku-nari, konran suru-soda. Sore-demo tookani ichidowa kayou kotoni shite-iru rashii. Roran-hino chichi-oyaga, Sakino kotaigoni kini irareta jushinde ari, hetani atsukau wake-niwa ikanai karada.)

Jinshi (The emperor does visit Concubine Loulan often, but apparently, he doesn’t find her very appealing. Concubine Loulan is very fashionable, changing her hairstyle and makeup often. Apparently, he can’t tell who she is every time he visits her, and gets confused. Still, he visits her once every ten days. Concubine Loulan’s father is an important high-ranking official who was the previous empress dowager’s favorite. He needs to be careful around her.)

壬氏（乗り気でないと言えば、里樹妃も同じだ。先の帝の幼児趣味を嫌悪している今の皇帝は、里樹妃に手を出すつもりはなさそうだ。少女のころに今の皇帝を産んだ皇太后は、その十数年後、もう一人子を産んでいる。その際、医官は皇太后につきっきりになり、何事もなく無事に出産を終えた。だが、阿多妃の出産は皇太后の出産と重なったためにないがしろにされ、結果、阿多妃は子宮を失い、今の皇帝の初めての皇子も、まもなく亡くなった。もし、その時の子が、今、生きていれば……くだらぬ妄想だ。さっさと次の東宮をこしらえてしまえばいい…）

Jinshi (Nori-kide-nai-to ieba, Rīshu-himo onajida. Sakino mikadono yoji-shumi’o ken’o shite-iru imano koteiwa, Rīshu-hini teo dasu tsumoriwa nasa-soda. Shojono koroni imano kotei’o unda kotaigowa, sono ju-su-nengo, mo-hitori ko’o unde-iru. Sono-sai, ikanwa kotaigoni tsukikkirini nari, nani-gotomo naku bujini shussan’o oeta. Daga, Āduo-hino shussanwa kotaigono shussanto kasanatta-tameni naigashironi sare, kekka, Āduo-hiwa shikyu’o ushinai, imano koteino hajimeteno mikomo, mamonaku naku-natta. Moshi, sono tokino koga, ima, ikite-ireba……kudaranu mosoda. Sassato tsugino togu’o koshiraete shimaeba ii…)

Jinshi (In terms of lacking appeal, Concubine Lishu is similar. The current emperor despises his predecessor’s taste for younger girls. He doesn’t intend to lay a finger on Concubine Lishu. The empress dowager, who gave birth to the current emperor when she was just a girl, also gave birth to another child, some ten-odd years later. At that time, the doctor spent all his time tending to the empress dowager, so the birth took place without an issue. However, Concubine Ah-Duo, who gave birth at around the same time, received no attention, resulting in the loss of her uterus. The current emperor’s firstborn child was lost soon after. If that child had survived… No, it’s just a silly delusion. He just needs to make himself a new prince.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

玉葉妃「ああ…来たのね」

Gyokuyo-hi “Aa… Kita-none.”

Concubine Gyokuyou “Oh, you’re here.”

壬氏「ずいぶんとお疲れのようですが…」

Jinshi “Zuibunto otsukareno yodesuga…”

Jinshi “You seem exhausted.”

紅娘「はいはい、あなたたちはお仕事に戻って」

Hon’nyan “Hai-hai, anata-tachiwa oshigotoni modotte.”

Hongniang “All right, back to work with you all.”

3人「は、はい…」

San-nin “Ha, Hai…”

Three ladies-in-waiting “Y-Yes.”

玉葉妃「実は…」

Gyokuyo-hi “Jitsuwa…”

Concubine Gyokuyou “To be honest…”

壬氏「あ…」

Jinshi “A…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「後宮ですか？」

Maomao “Kokyu desuka?”

Maomao “The rear palace?”

壬氏「ああ。玉葉妃の月の道が途絶えているらしい」

Jinshi “Aa. Gyokuyo-hino tsukino michiga todaete-iru rashii.”

Jinshi “Yes. Concubine Gyokuyou’s lunar cycle has stopped.”

猫猫（月の道…すなわち妊娠の可能性があると）

Maomao (Tsukino michi… Sunawachi ninshin’no kanoseiga aruto.)

Maomao (Lunar cycle. In other words, she might be pregnant.)

猫猫「いつからでしょうか？」

Maomao “Itsu-kara deshoka?”

Maomao “Starting when?”

壬氏「今日からでも行けるか？」

Jinshi “Kyo-kara-demo ikeruka?”

Jinshi “Can you start today?”

猫猫「はい」

Maomao “Hai.”

Maomao “Yes.”

壬氏「頼んだぞ」

Jinshi “Tanondazo.”

Jinshi “I’m counting on you.”

猫猫（むしろ都合がいい。後宮内は男子禁制。名前も聞きたくないあれと顔を合わせることはないだろう。…もしかして、気を遣ってくれたのだろうか？��ちらにせよ、また毒見役…フフッ）

Maomao (Mushiro tsugoga ii. Kokyu-naiwa danshi-kinsei. Namaemo kikitaku-nai areto kao’o awaseru kotowa naidaro. …Moshika-shite, kio tsukatte kuretano-daroka? Dochirani seyo, mata dokumi-yaku…fufu.)

Maomao (This is a good opportunity for me. Men aren’t allowed in the rear palace. There’s no chance I’d run into that man whose name I can’t even stand to hear. Does this mean Master Jinshi is looking out for me? At any rate, more tasting for poisons!)

水蓮「あら、機嫌がいいのね？」

Suiren “Ara, kigenga ii-none?”

Suiren “Oh, you’re in a good mood.”

猫猫「えっ、いえ、そんなことは…」

Maomao “E, ie, sonna kotowa…”

Maomao “Huh? No, not at all!”

水蓮「フフッ、残念ね…せっかく鍛えがいがある子が入ってきたと思ったのに…ねえ？」

Suiren “Fufu, zan’nen’ne… Sekkaku kitae-gaino aru koga haitte-kitato omotta-noni…Nee?”

Suiren “It’s unfortunate. I thought I’d finally found someone worth cracking the whip on. Right?”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（久しぶりの後宮生活は、以前と変わらず。毒見の毎日を過ごしている）

Maomao (Hisashi-burino kokyu-seikatsuwa, izento kawarazu. Dokumino mai-nichi’o sugoshite-iru.)

Maomao (Life at the rear palace is similar to the last time, tasting for poisons every day.)

猫猫「問題ありません」

Maomao “Mondai ari-masen.”

Maomao “This is safe.”

猫猫（月経が来ていないこと以外、これといった確証はない。阿多妃の件でも思ったが、ただの好色おやじじゃないのかもしれない…）

Maomao (Gekkeiga kite-inai-koto-igai, koreto itta kakushowa nai. Āduo-hino ken-demo omottaga, tadano koshoku-oyajija naino-kamo shirenai…)

Maomao (Besides the pause in her menstrual cycle, there’s no definite evidence. I’d had this thought during the events with Concubine Ah-Duo, but perhaps he’s more than just a lewd middle-aged guy.)

猫猫（相談役としても心強かった阿多妃が去り、代わりに入内してきたのは、宮廷にすら影響を与えかねない変わり者の娘…むげにもできず、だからといって子ができても厄介。頭の痛い話だろうな…）

Maomao (Sodan-yakuto-shitemo kokoro-zuyokatta Āduo-higa sari, kawarini judai shite-kita-nowa, kyuteini-sura eikyo’o atae-kanenai kawari-monono musume… Muge-nimo dekizu, dakarato itte koga deki-temo yakkai. Atamano itai hanashi darona…)

Maomao (With Concubine Ah-Duo gone as a trusted adviser, and replaced by a quirky girl who could cause political issues, as well… Someone he can’t just ignore, yet would cause trouble if she birthed a child… It all sounds like a headache.)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

禿「ねえねえ、聞いた？」

Kamuro “Nee-nee, kiita?”

Serving girl “Hey, did you hear?”

禿「えっ、三姫の一人が？」

Kamuro “E, San-Himeno hitoriga?”

Serving girl “What? One of the Three Princesses?”

禿「そう、身請けされるんだって」

Kamuro “So, miuke sarerun-datte.”

Serving girl “Yes! She’s getting bought out!”

李白「身請け…」

Rihaku “Miuke…”