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apothecaryscript · 15 days

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Episode 19 : Chance or Something More / 第19話『偶然か必然か(Guzenka Hitsuzenka)』

高順「それから、本日の予定ですが、午後に中祀が行われますので」

Gaoshun “Sorekara, hon-jitsuno yotei desuga, gogoni chushiga okonaware-masu-node.”

Gaoshun “Also, regarding today’s schedule, there will be a medium ceremony in the afternoon.”

壬氏「ああ」

Jinshi “Aa.”

Jinshi “Yeah.”

高順「何をお考えかは大体想像がつきますが、仕事のこともお忘れなく」

Gaoshun “Nanio okangae-kawa daitai sozoga tsuki-masuga, shigotono kotomo owasure-naku.”

Gaoshun “I think I know what’s on your mind. But please, don’t forget about work.”

壬氏「分かっている」

Jinshi “Wakatte-iru.”

Jinshi “I know.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「李白様…どうしました？」

Maomao “Rihaku-sama… Do shimashita?”

Maomao “Master Lihaku, what’s wrong?”

李白「困ったことが起きた」

Rihaku “Komatta kotoga okita.”

Lihaku “We have a problem.”

猫猫「困ったこと…ですか？」

Maomao “Komatta-koto…desuka?”

Maomao “Trouble, is it?”

李白「前に、倉庫で小火(ぼや)があったろ？」

Rihaku “Maeni, sokode boyaga attaro?”

Lihaku “Remember that fire at the warehouse?”

猫猫「あ…」

Maomao “A…”

Maomao “Ah.”

李白「同じ日に、別の倉庫で盗みがあったみたいなんだ。あの時の騒ぎに乗じたとしか考えられない」

Rihaku “Onaji hini, betsuno sokode nusumiga atta-mitai nanda. Ano tokino sawagini jojita to-shika kangae-rare-nai.”

Lihaku “Apparently, a thief broke in to a different warehouse on the same day. I’m sure they were taking advantage of all the chaos at that time.”

猫猫「火事場泥棒ですか…何が盗まれたんです？…ん？」

Maomao “Kajiba-dorobo desuka… Naniga nusumare-tan-desu? …N?”

Maomao “A looting. What got stolen?”

猫猫（人目を避けた方がいい話題か…ちらっ）

Maomao (Hitomeo saketa-hoga ii wadaika… Chira.)

Maomao (Not something to discuss openly, it seems. Sneak.)

李白「祭具がなくなったんだよ…しかも、一つじゃないらしい」

Rihaku “Saiguga nakunattan-dayo… Shikamo, hitotsuja nai rashii.”

Lihaku “Ceremonial tools. And not just one.”

猫猫「そんなずさんな管理だったんですか？」

Maomao “Sonna zusanna kanri dattan-desuka?”

Maomao “Were they being managed that haphazardly?”

李白「いや、俺も分かんねえんだよ…ちょうど今詳しい管理者がいなくてな。去年亡くなったらしいんだよ」

Rihaku “Iya, oremo wakan-neen-dayo… Chodo ima kuwashii kanrishaga inakutena. Kyonen nakunatta rashiin-dayo.”

Lihaku “Well, I don’t really know. There’s no knowledgeable managers right now. The last one passed away last year.”

猫猫「今の管理者は？基本は把握しているのでしょう？」

Maomao “Imano kanrishawa? Kihonwa haaku shite-iruno-desho?”

Maomao “What about the current manager? He must know the basics, right?”

李白「それが、ちょっと前に食中毒になっちまったらしくて…」

Rihaku “Sorega, chotto maeni shoku-chudokuni nacchimatta rashikute…”

Lihaku “Well, he got food poisoning awhile back.”

猫猫「食中毒？」

Maomao “Shoku-chudoku?”

Maomao “Food poisoning?”

李白「好物の海藻に当たったまんま、意識が戻んなくて、仕事に復帰できねえ状態だから、困っちまったよ」

Rihaku “Kobutsuno kaisoni atatta manma, ishikiga modon-nakute, shigotoni fukki deki-nee jotai dakara, komacchimattayo.”

Lihaku “His favorite seaweed made him sick and he hasn’t woken up. He can’t come back to work. Trouble, right?”

猫猫（…どこかで聞いた話だ）

Maomao (…Dokokade kiita hanashida.)

Maomao (Where have I heard that before?)

猫猫「それってもしかして、珍味好きの官吏の話ですか？」

Maomao “Sorette moshika-shite, chinmi-zukino kanrino hanashi desuka?”

Maomao “Was it that official who likes rare foods?”

李白「なんで知ってるんだ？」

Rihaku “Nande shitterunda?”

Lihaku “How did you know?”

猫猫「いろいろありまして…」

Maomao “Iro-iro ari-mashite…”

Maomao “A lot happened.”

猫猫（小火と同時に起きた窃盗…倉庫の管理者は同じ時期に食中毒で不在…偶然にしては不可解だ）

Maomao (Boyato dojini okita setto… Sokono kanrishawa onaji jikini shoku-chudokude fuzai… Guzenni shitewa fukakaida.)

Maomao (Theft at the time of a fire. The warehouse manager is missing due to food poisoning. It’s a bit too suspicious to be a coincidence.)

猫猫「その、去年亡くなった管理者は、どのような方でしたか？」

Maomao “Sono, kyonen nakunatta kanrishawa dono-yona kata deshitaka?”

Maomao “Who was the manager who passed away last year?”

李白「うーん…堅物で有名なおっさんだったのは覚えてるんだけど…名前が出てこねえ。甘党だったとか、そういうのは覚えてるんだけど…」

Rihaku “Ūn… Katabutsude yumeina ossan datta-nowa oboeterun-dakedo… Namaega dete-konee. Amato datta-toka so-iu-nowa oboeterun-dakedo…”

Lihaku “Hmm. I remember that he was famous for being really by-the-book. I forgot his name. I remember he had a sweet tooth and things like that, but…”

猫猫「もしかして…浩然様ではないでしょうか？」

Maomao “Moshika-shite…Konen-sama-dewa nai-deshoka?”

Maomao “Was it Master Kounen, by chance?”

李白「あっ！それだ、それ！…っておい、なんでお前知ってんだよ」

Rihaku “A! Soreda, sore! …Tte oi, nande omae shitten-dayo.”

Lihaku “Oh, that’s it! Hey, how’d you know?”

猫猫「いろいろありまして…」

Maomao “Iro-iro ari-mashite…”

Maomao “A lot happened.”

猫猫（以前、壬氏様から聞いた甘党の堅物高官、塩の過剰摂取で死んだ男だ。…これが全て偶然の重なり？一つ一つは事故に見えるが、もし何かの目的のために、わざと引き起こされたものだとしたら…）

Maomao (Izen, Jinshi-sama-kara kiita amatono katabutsu-kokan, Shiono kajo-sesshude shinda otokoda. …Korega subete guzenno kasanari? Hitotsu-hitotsuwa jikoni mieruga, moshi nanikano mokutekino tameni, wazato hikioko-sareta-mono dato shitara…)

Maomao (Master Jinshi told me about the tough official with a sweet tooth. The man who died of salt overdose. These are all coincidental? Each incident looks like an accident, but if they were all done in pursuit of some goal…)

猫猫「それで、私に何かご用ですか？」

Maomao “Sorede, watashini nanika goyo desuka?”

Maomao “So, what can I do for you?”

李白「それだ！本題！嬢ちゃんから預かってたこれなんだけどよ」

Rihaku “Soreda! Hondai! Jo-chankara azukatteta kore nanda-kedoyo.”

Lihaku “Right! The main point. Remember this? You gave it to me back then.”

猫猫「ああ、小火の時の」

Maomao “Aa, boyano tokino.”

Maomao “Ah, from the fire.”

李白「返そうとしたら、持ち主に突き返されちまってよ…要らないってさ」

Rihaku “Kaeso-to shitara, mochi-nushini tsukikae-sare-chimatteyo… Iranai-ttesa.”

Lihaku “I tried to give it back, but the owner declined. He doesn’t want it anymore.”

猫猫「上等な品なので大切なものかと思ったのですが…」

Maomao “Jotona shina nanode, taisetsuna monokato omottano-desuga…”

Maomao “It seems very expensive. I assumed it was important.”

李白「なんか、どっかの官女にもらったらしいんだ」

Rihaku “Nanka, dokkano kanjoni moratta rashiinda.”

Lihaku “Apparently, he got it from some court lady.”

猫猫「官女にですか？」

Maomao “Kanjoni desuka?”

Maomao “From a court lady?”

李白「変だと思わないか？なんで倉庫番にわざわざこんなもんをやるんだ？なんでも倉庫番のやつ、暗い中一人で歩いてた官女を城外まで送っていってやったらしいんだよ。このキセルは、そん時に礼でもらったんだと」

Rihaku “Hen-dato omowa-naika? Nande soko-banni waza-waza konna mon’o yarunda? Nandemo soko-banno yatsu, kurai naka hitoride aruiteta kanjo’o jogai-made okutte-itte-yatta rashiin-dayo. Kono kiseruwa, son-tokini reide morattandato.”

Lihaku “Sounds weird, right? Why give this to a random warehouse guard? Apparently, the guard escorted the court lady outside the castle, because she was walking alone in the dark. She gave him this pipe as a token of gratitude.”

猫猫「こんな立派なものをもらったら、すぐに使いたくなるかもしれませんね」

Maomao “Konna rippana mono’o morattara, suguni tsukai-taku-naru kamo shirema-senne.”

Maomao “Receiving such an expensive item might compel him to use it right away.”

猫猫（小火を起こして警備が薄くなった隙に、別の倉庫に忍び込む。初めからそれを狙って、官女が倉庫番にキセルを渡したとしたら…）

Maomao (Boyao okoshite keibiga usuku natta sukini, betsuno sokoni shinobi-komu. Hajime-kara soreo neratte, kanjoga soko-banni kiseruo watashita-to shitara…)

Maomao (Start a fire to divert the guards’ attention, and break into another warehouse. If the court lady gave the guard the pipe for that purpose…)

猫猫「李白様、その官女って…」

Maomao “Rihaku-sama, sono kanjotte…”

Maomao “Master Lihaku, about that court lady…”

李白「ああ、一応詳しく聞いたんだが…襟巻きをして顔が隠れていたらしい」

Rihaku “Aa, ichio kuwashiku kiitan-daga… Eri-makio shite kaoga kakurete-ita rashii.”

Lihaku “Yeah, I tried to get the details about her. But she was wearing a scarf that hid her face, apparently.”

猫猫「もしかすると、あらかじめ顔を隠していたのかもしれませんね」

Maomao “Moshika suruto, arakajime kao’o kakushite itano-kamo shirema-senne.”

Maomao “Maybe she was hiding her face intentionally.”

李白「ああ。ただ、女にしては上背があって、何か、薬の匂いがしたそうだ」

Rihaku “Aa. Tada, onnani shitewa uwazeiga atte, nanika kusurino nioiga shita-soda.”

Lihaku “Yeah. But she was ‘quite tall for a woman, and smelled like medicine.’”

猫猫「あっ…」

Maomao “A…”

李白「身長からして、お前じゃないのは分かってるんだが…心当たりはないか？」

Rihaku “Shincho-kara shite, omaeja nai-nowa wakatterun-daga…kokoro-atariwa naika?”

Lihaku “I know it’s not you, given the height. Can you think of anyone else?”

猫猫（薬の匂い…長身の官女…）

Maomao (Kusurino nioi… Choshinno kanjo…)

Maomao (A tall court lady smelling of medicine…)

羅門「憶測でものを言っちゃいけないよ」

Ruomen “Okusokude mono’o iccha ikenaiyo.”

Luomen “Don’t speak based purely on conjecture.”

猫猫「さっき挙げた事故や事件のほかに、何か不可解なことはなかったでしょうか？」

Maomao “Sakki ageta jikoya jikenno hokani, nanika fukakaina kotowa nakatta-deshoka?”

Maomao “Were there any more strange incidents other than the events we mentioned?”

李白「うーん、そう言われてもなあ…調べたら何かあるってわけか」

Rihaku “Ūn, so iware-temo-naa… Shirabe-tara nanika arutte wakeka.”

Lihaku “Hmm. I can’t say… Do you think there’s something to find out here?”

猫猫「何かあるかもしれません。何もないかもしれません」

Maomao “Nanika aru-kamo shire-masen. Nanimo nai-kamo shire-masen.”

Maomao “There could be. Or there might not.”

李白「どっちだよ」

Rihaku “Which is it?”

猫猫「偶然が2つ重なることはよくあります。３つ重なることもあるでしょう。そうした偶然がいくつも重なって、やがて必然になったとき…ここに、その長身の官女に似た人物がいたら、どうでしょうか？」

Maomao “Guzenga futatsu kasanaru kotowa yoku arimasu. Mittsu kasanaru kotomo aru-desho. So-shita guzenga ikutsumo kasanatte, yagate hitsu-zenni natta-toki… Kokoni, sono choshinno kanjoni nita jinbutsuga itara, do-deshoka?”

Maomao “Two coincidences can often occur simultaneously. Three at once isn’t that rare, either. But when several of them pile up and become clearly intentional… What if a person who fits the description of a tall court lady appeared here?”

李白「ハッ…」

Rihaku “Ha…”

猫猫（これで、翠苓という官女が浮かび上がったところで、関係ない話だ…）

Maomao (Korede, Suirei to-iu kanjoga ukabi-agatta-tokorode, kankei-nai hanashida…)

Maomao (This way, even if Suirei’s name comes up, it has nothing to do with me.)

李白「ハハハハッ、なるほど！お前は見た目によらず賢いな！フフフフフッ」

Rihaku “Hahahaha, naruhodo! Omaewa mitameni yorazu kashikoina! Fufufufufu.”

Lihaku “Wow, you’re a lot smarter than you look!”

猫猫「李白様は見た目通りバカ力なので、もう少し手加減して下さい。ん？」

Maomao “Rihaku-samawa mitame-doori baka-jikara nanode, mo-sukoshi tekagen shite kudasai. N?”

Maomao “Conversely, Master Lihaku, you’re as big a brute as you look, so please go easy on me.”

壬氏「楽しそうだな…」

Jinshi “Tanoshi-so-dana…”

Jinshi “Looks like fun.”

李白「え？うわっ！」

Rihaku “E? Uwa!”

壬氏「楽しそうだな…楽しそうだな…」

Jinshi “Tanoshi-sodana… Tanoshi-sodana…”

Jinshi “Looks like fun.”

猫猫「別に楽しくありませんけど」

Maomao “Betsuni tanoshiku arimasen-kedo.”

Maomao “There’s nothing fun here.”

李白「では！俺はこれで！」

Rihaku “Dewa! Orewa korede!”

Lihaku “I’ll take my leave!”

壬氏「あの武官とは、随分仲が良いようだな？」

Jinshi “Ano bukan-towa, zuibun nakaga yoi-yodana?”

Jinshi “You seem very close to that officer.”

猫猫「そうでしょうか？気になることがあったので、私に話を聞きに来ただけのようです」

Maomao “So-deshoka? Kini naru kotoga atta-node, watashini hanashio kikini kita dakeno-yodesu.”

Maomao “Do I? He just came to talk to me about some concerns he had.”

猫猫（今回の話、壬氏様にも関係がないとは言い切れない…）

Maomao (Konkaino hanashi, Jinshi-sama-nimo kankeiga nai-towa iikire-nai…)

Maomao (I can’t say for certain that this has nothing to do with Master Jinshi.)

壬氏「ん？」

Jinshi “N?”

猫猫「詳しくお話ししてもよろしいでしょうか？」

Maomao “Kuwashiku ohanashi-shitemo yoroshii-deshoka?”

Maomao “May I explain the details to you?”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「…妙なつながりがあったものだな…」

Jinshi “…Myona tsunagariga atta mono dana…”

Jinshi “What a strange way they connect.”

猫猫「はい」

Maomao “Hai.”

Maomao “Yes.”

壬氏「それで、何があると思う？」

Jinshi “Sorede, naniga aruto omou?”

Jinshi “So, what do you think is behind them?”

猫猫「分かりません。一つの事件を確実にというより、いくつか罠を仕掛けて、どれかが成功すれば良い…という具合にも見えます」

Maomao “Wakari-masen. Hitotsuno jikan’o kakujitsuni-to iu-yori, ikutsuka wanao shikakete, dorekaga seiko-sureba yoi…to-iu guai-nimo miemasu.”

Maomao “I don’t know. None of those incidents are certainties. It’s more like setting several traps in the hopes that some of them work out.”

壬氏「そうなると、他にも仕掛けてある可能性があると」

Jinshi “So-naruto, hoka-nimo shikakete-aru kanoseiga aruto.”

Jinshi “In that case, do you think there are other traps?”

猫猫「断言はできませんが…どれも事件か事故か判断のつかない案件ばかりです。まだ、偶然が重なっただけの可能性も捨てきれません」

Maomao “Dangenwa deki-masenga… Doremo jikenka jikoka handanno tsukanai anken bakari desu. Mada, guzenga kasanatta-dakeno kanoseimo sute-kire-masen.”

Maomao “I can’t say for certain. It’s hard to determine which are accidents and which were plotted. It’s still possible that these are all just coincidences.”

壬氏「ん？乗り気ではないのか？」

Jinshi “N? Noriki-dewa nai-noka?”

Jinshi “You’re not excited?”

猫猫「乗り気？ハア…私は単なる下女ですので、言われた仕事を行うだけです」

Maomao “Noriki? Haa… Watashiwa tannaru gejo desu-node, iwareta shigoto’o okonau dake-desu.”

Maomao “Excited? I’m just a servant. I only do what I am told.”

壬氏「ふーん…あっ。なら、こういうのはどうだ？先日、交易商人のところを回った時、面白い物が出ていると聞いてな…こういう名だったんだが」

Jinshi “Fūn… A. Nara, ko-iu-nowa doda? Senjitsu, koeki-shoninno tokoro’o mawatta-toki, omoshiroi monoga dete-iruto kiitena… Ko-iu na dattan-daga.”

Jinshi “Hmm. In that case, how about this? The other day, I visited the trader. He told me there’s an interesting item in stock. This is what it was called.”

猫猫（牛黄とは、薬の一種であり、牛の胆石！千いるうちの一頭しかないとされる、薬の最高級品！！）

Maomao (Goo-towa, kusurino isshude ari, ushino tanseki! Sen iru-uchino itto-shika naito sareru, kusurino saikokyu-hin!!)

Maomao (Ox bezoar, a medicinal gallstone from a cow! The most exquisite medicine only found in one in a thousand cows!)

猫猫「もしかして、それをくれるというのか？！本当か？！嘘じゃないだろうな？！ハァ、ハァ、ハァ…」

Maomao “Moshika-shite, soreo kureruto iu-noka?! Hontoka?! Usoja nai-darona?! Haa, haa, haa…”

Maomao “Are you going to give me that?! Really?! You’d better not be lying!”

壬氏「要るか？」

Jinshi “Iruka?”

Jinshi “Do you want it?”

猫猫「要ります！！！」

Maomao “Irimasu!”

Maomao “I do!”

高順「小猫」

Gaoshun “Shaomao.”

Gaoshun “Xiaomao.”

猫猫「ハッ…失礼しました」

Maomao “Ha… Shitsurei shimashita.”

Maomao “Excuse me.”

壬氏「やる気になったようだな」

Jinshi “Yarukini natta-yodana.”

Jinshi “Looks like you’re excited now.”

猫猫「本当に頂けるのでしょうか？」

Maomao “Hontoni itadakeruno-deshoka?”

Maomao “Will you really give me this?”

壬氏「仕事次第だ。情報は逐一やろう」

Jinshi “Shigoto-shidaida. Johowa chiku-ichi yaro.”

Jinshi “Depends on how well you work. I’ll keep you updated.”

猫猫「分かりました！壬氏様の思うままに！」

Maomao “Wakari-mashita! Jinshi-samano omou-mamani!”

Maomao “Understood. As you wish, Master Jinshi!”

壬氏「ということで高順、手配を頼む」

Jinshi “To-iukotode Gaoshun, tehaio tanomu.”

Jinshi “And so, Gaoshun, take care of it!”

猫猫「フフ～ッ！」

Maomao “Fufuuu!”

高順「ハァ…」

Gaoshun “Haa…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（これは先日の事件だ…食中毒を起こした官は、礼部の者だったのか。礼部とは確か、教育や外交をつかさどる部署だったはずだが…うう…官女の試験勉強を真面目にしていれば…）

Maomao (Korewa senjitsuno jikenda… Shoku-chudoku’o okoshita kanwa, reibuno mono datta-noka. Reibu-towa tashika, kyoikuya gaiko’o tsukasadoru busho datta-hazu-daga… Uu… Kanjono shiken-benkyo’o majimeni shite-ireba…)

Maomao (This is the incident from the other day. The officer who got food poisoning was from the Board of Rites. Which one was the Board of Rites, again? The education and foreign affairs one…? If only I’d studied for the court lady exams properly…)

文官「ここに置いておくぞ」

Bunkan “Kokoni oite-okuzo.”

Civil official “I’ll leave these here.”

猫猫「ん？ありがとうございます」

Maomao “N? Arigato gozai-masu.”

Maomao “Thank you.”

文官「いや、何か分からないことがあれば、いつでも聞いてくれ」

Maomao “Iya, nanika wakara-nai kotoga areba, itsu-demo kiite-kure.”

Civil official “No problem. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.”

猫猫「あの、これはどんな官職ですか？」

Maomao “Ano, korewa donna kan-shoku desuka?”

Maomao “Um, what does this division do?”

文官「ん？ああ…これは祭事をつかさどっているんだよ」

Bunkan “N? Aa… Korewa saiji’o tsukasa-dotte-irun-dayo.”

Civil official “Hmm? They deal with ceremonies.”

猫猫「祭事ですか…ハッ…何か書き物はありますか？」

Maomao “Saiji desuka… Ha… Nanika kaki-monowa ari-masuka?”

Maomao “Ceremonies? Do you have anything to write with?”

文官「あ…ああ」

Bunkan “A…Aa.”

Civil official “Huh? Y-Yeah.”

猫猫「祭事…祭事…」

Maomao “Saiji…Saiji…”

Maomao “Ceremonies, ceremonies…”

猫猫（食中毒の官も、浩然様も、祭事に関わる官吏だった。そして、あのキセル騒ぎが、より確実に祭具を盗み出すためのものなら…偶然に見せかけられたこれらの事件が重なり合う、必然が起こる場所があるはずだ）

Maomao (Shoku-chudokuno kanmo, Konen-samamo, saijini kakawaru kanri datta. Soshite, ano kiseru-sawagiga, yori kakujitsuni saigu’o nusumi-dasu tameno mono-nara… Guzenni misekake-rareta korerano jikanga kasanari-au, hitsuzenga okoru bashoga aru hazuda.)

Maomao (The food-poisoned official and Master Kounen were both were related to ceremonies. If the incident with the pipe was a way to help steal ceremonial tools… Three events, disguised as coincidences, must line up to form an intentional incident, somewhere.)

猫猫（ここまで手をかけて盗んだ祭具が使われるとすれば、祭事でもそれなりの規模…中祀以上だろう。いつ行われるのか、全て調べた方がいいな）

Maomao (Koko-made teo kakete nusunda saiguga tsuka-wareru-to sureba, saiji-demo sore-narino kibo…chushi-ijo daro. Itsu okona-wareru-noka, subete shirabeta-hoga iina.)

Maomao (If someone went through so much trouble to steal ceremonial tools, it has to be a ceremony of some importance. Medium or higher, most likely. I should find out when all of these ceremonies take place.)

猫猫（…そういえば、壬氏様もよく禊(みそ)ぎをしていた…）

Maomao (…So-ieba, Jinshi-samamo yoku misogi’o shite-ita…)

Maomao (Come to think of it, Master Jinshi did purify himself often.)

文官「祭事に興味があるなら、ここにいいものがあるぞ」

Bunkan “Saijini kyomiga aru-nara, kokoni ii monoga aruzo.”

Civil official “If you’re interested in ceremonies, here’s something good.”

猫猫「これは、祭事場の絵ですか？」

Maomao “Korewa, saiji-jono e desuka?”

Maomao “Is this a picture of a ceremonial building?”

文官「ああ、外廷の西の端にある、蒼穹(そうきゅう)檀(だん)って言ってな。なかなか変わった造りだろう？天井に大きな柱をぶら下げているんだ。中央の祭壇の上には、ひれが垂れ下がっていて、毎回柱を下ろして、祝いの言葉を足していくんだ」

Bunkan “Aa, gaiteino nishino hashini aru, So-Kyu-Dantte ittena. Naka-naka kawatta tsukuri daro? Tenjoni ookina hashirao burasagete-irunda. Chuono saidanno ue-niwa, hirega tare-sagatte-ite, mai-kai hashirao oroshite, iwaino kotobao tashite-ikunda.”

Civil official “Yes. It’s at the west end of the outer court, and called the Altar of the Sapphire Sky. Quite an interesting design, don’t you think? There’s a large pillar hanging from the ceiling. There are these banners hanging above the central altar. They lower the pillar to add festive texts every time.”

猫猫「お詳しいのですね」

Maomao “O-kuwashiino-desune.”

Maomao “You’re very knowledgeable.”

文官「ああ、恥ずかしながら、書庫に来る前は、礼部でもっとちゃんとした仕事をしていたのさ。上に余計なこと言ったら、こちらに飛ばされてしまってね、ハハハッ。最初は強度が心配だったんだが、問題ないみたいで安心したよ」

Bunkan “Aa, hazukashi-nagara, shokoni kuru maewa, reibude motto chanto-shita shigoto’o shite-itanosa. Ueni yokeina koto ittara, kochirani toba-sarete shimattene. Hahaha. Saishowa kyodoga shinpai dattan-daga, mondai-nai mitaide anshin shitayo.”

Civil official “Yeah. I’m ashamed to admit it, but before I got assigned to the archives, I was doing more important work at the Board of Rites. I talked back to my superiors once, and got demoted to this role. I used to be worried about the build strength, but I’m glad to know it’s fine.”

猫猫「何のことですか？」

Maomao “Nanno koto desuka?”

Maomao “What are you talking about?”

文官「こんな風に、天井から柱をぶら下げるだろ？それが大きなものだから、もし落ちたらと思うと心配で…強度について進言したら、こんな場所に飛ばされてしまったんだ」

Bunkan “Konna-funi, tenjo-kara hashirao bura-sageru-daro? Sorega ookina mono dakara, moshi ochitara-to omouto shinpaide… Kyodoni tsuite shingen shitara, konna bashoni toba-sarete shimattanda.”

Civil official “You see how the pillar is hanging from the ceiling like this, right? It’s big, so I was worried about it falling down. When I voiced my concerns about the parts’ strength, it got me sent to this place.”

猫猫（確かに恐ろしい話だ…もし柱を固定する金具が壊れて、天井から柱が落ちてきたら…一番危ないのは真下にいる祭事を行う者。やんごとなき方が犠牲になる）

Maomao (Tashikani osoroshii hanashida… Moshi hashirao kotei-suru kanaguga kowarete, tenjo-kara hashiraga ochite-kitara… Ichiban abunai-nowa mashitani iru saiji’o okonau mono. Yangoto-naki kataga giseini naru.)

Maomao (That is indeed scary. If the metal parts fixing the pillar in place broke, and the pillar fell… The person directly underneath performing the ceremony would be at the highest risk. Someone of truly noble birth could be lost.)

猫猫「強度の問題。強度…」

Maomao “Kyodono mondai. Kyodo…”

Maomao “Strength issue… Strength…”

猫猫（しかし、一体どの祭具が盗まれたんだ？こんな重要な祭具がなくなれば、必ず作り直すはず…作り直す…ハッ！）

Maomao (Shikashi, ittai dono saiguga nusu-maretanda? Konna juyona saiguga naku-nareba, kanarazu tsukuri-naosu hazu……Tsukuri-naosu…Ha!)

Maomao (What was the stolen ceremonial tool, anyway? If something so important went missing, surely they’d make a new one. Make a new one…)

猫猫「すみません！この会場で、次に祭事が行われるのはいつですか？」

Maomao “Sumi-masen! Kono kaijode, tsugini saijiga okona-wareru-nowa itsu desuka?”

Maomao “Excuse me! When is the next ceremony taking place at this venue?!”

文官「いつって…ああ、ちょうど今日だな」

Bunkan “Itsutte… Aa, chodo kyo-dana.”

Civil official “When? Well… Oh, today, actually.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（予想が正しければ、これは長い時間をかけて練られた計画のはず。一つ一つは確実じゃない。でも、いくつも仕掛けることで、どれかが重なり合う。そして、ようやくここまで結びついた。…あくまで予想だ。予想に過ぎない。でももし、その予想が的中していたとしたら…）

Maomao (Yosoga Tadashi-kereba, korewa nagai jikan’o kakete nerareta keikakuno hazu. Hitotsu-hitotsuwa kakujitsuja nai. Demo, ikutsumo shikakeru-kotode, dorekaga kasanari-au. Soshite, yoyaku koko-made musubi-tsuita. …Akumade yosoda. Yosoni suginai. Demo moshi, sono yosoga tekichu shite-itato shitara…)

Maomao (If my predictions are correct, this is a plan that was concocted over a long period of time. Not ever piece is likely to work. But by placing numerous traps everywhere, some are bound to work and overlap. And finally, it connected to this. It’s just conjecture on my part. But if I happen to be correct…)

猫猫「ハァ、ハァ、ハァ。あそこか！」

Maomao “Haa, haa, haa. Asoko-ka!

Maomao “There!”

武官「あっ！おい！お前、何をしている！」

Bukan “A! Oi! Omae, nanio shite-iru!”

Military officer “Hey! What are you doing?!”

猫猫「通してください！」

Maomao “Tooshite kudasai!”

Maomao “I need to get inside!”

武官「ダメだ」

Bukan “Dameda.”

Military officer “No.”

猫猫「緊急事態です！」

Maomao “Kinkyu-jitai desu!”

Maomao “This is an emergency!”

武官「お前のような下女が、祭事に口を出す気か？」

Bukan “Omaeno-yona gejoga, saijini kuchio dasu kika?”

Military officer “What right does a servant like you have to interject in this ceremony?”

猫猫（もっともだ。こちらはただの下女で、何の権力も持たない。でも、何か起こったあとでは遅い。取り返しのつかないことは、いつもそうだ…）

Maomao (Mottomoda. Kochirawa Tadano gejode, nanno kenryokumo motanai. Nanika okotta ato-dewa osoi. Tori-kaeshino tsukanai kotowa, itsumo soda…)

Maomao (He’s absolutely right. I’m just a servant with no authority at all. But if something happens, it’ll be too late. That’s always the case with things that can’t be undone.)

猫猫「命の危険があります。祭事を取りやめてください」

Maomao “Inochino kikenga arimasu. Saiji’o tori-yamete kudasai.”

Maomao “There are lives at risk. Please stop the ceremony.”

武官「お前が決めることじゃない。言いたいことがあるなら、投書箱に文を入れるところから始めるのだな」

Bukan “Omaega kimeru kotoja nai. Iitai kotoga aru-nara, tosho-bakoni fumio ireru tokoro-kara hajimeruno-dana.”

Military officer “That’s not a decision for you to make. If you have something to say, put it in the suggestion box.”

猫猫「それでは間に合いません！」

Maomao “Sore-dewa mani ai-masen!”

Maomao “That will take too long!”

武官「ダメだ！」

Bukan “Dameda!”

Military officer “No!”

猫猫「あの祭壇には、致命的な欠陥が見つかりました！誰かが工作した可能性があります！ここで私を中に入れなければ、後悔することになりますよ？！こうして、私が危険を説いているのに、それを拒んだのであれば…あっ、もしかして、そういうことですか？なるほど、あなたは私を邪魔して、事が起こるのを待っているのですね？」

Maomao “Ano saidan-niwa, chimei-tekina kekkanga mitsukari-mashita! Darekaga kosaku shita kanoseiga arimasu! Kokode watashio nakani ire-nakereba, kokai suru-kotoni nari-masuyo?! Ko-shite watashiga kiken’o toite-iru-noni, soreo kobanda-node areba… A, moshika-shite, so-iu koto desuka? Naruhodo, anatawa watashio jama shite, kotoga okoru-no’o matte-iruno-desune?”

Maomao “A fatal defect was discovered in the altar! There is reason to suspect that someone tampered with it! If you don’t let me in now, you’ll regret it! If, after listening to my warnings, you still reject… Oh, I get it, so that’s what it is! I see. You’re obstructing me and waiting for the incident to happen!”

猫猫「つまり、工作した輩と繋がっているとか…」

Maomao “Tsumari, kosaku shita yakarato tsunagatte-iru-toka…”

Maomao “In other words, you’re in league with the ones who tampered with the―”

武官たち「ああっ…」

Bukan-tachi “Aa…”

猫猫（気を失いそうだ…こんな小娘にあんな物言いをされたら、腹が立つだろう…わざとそう仕向けたのだから、しかたない…騒いでもダメか。こんな小さな騒ぎでは、祭事は止まらない…。大したことはない。まだ気を失うわけにはいかない！）

Maomao (Kio ushinai-soda… Konna komusumeni anna mono-ii’o sare-tara, haraga tatsu-daro… Wazato so shimuketano-dakara, shikata nai… Sawaidemo dameka. Konna chiisana sawagi-dewa, saijiwa tomara-nai… Taishita kotowa nai. Mada kio ushinau wake-niwa ikanai!)

Maomao (I’m about to lose consciousness. It’s only natural for him to get upset, hearing a girl talk to him like that. That was intentional, so it’s fine. It’s no use. This isn’t a big enough of a commotion to stop the ceremony. I’m fine. I can’t lose consciousness now.)

猫猫「気は済みましたか？通してください…中にやんごとなき身の方がいらっしゃるのでしょう？何か起きたら、飛ぶのはあなた方の首ではありませんか！」

Maomao “Kiwa sumi-mashitaka? Tooshite kudasai… Nakani yangoto-naki-mino kataga irassharuno-desho? Nanika okitara, tobu-nowa anata-gatano kubi-dewa arima-senka!”

Maomao “Do you feel better now? Please let me through. There is a person of the most noble birth inside, isn’t there? If something happens, you all will be the ones to lose your heads.”

武官「うっ」

Bukan “U.”

猫猫「祭事を中断しろとは言いません。私を見逃してください。偶然ネズミが入ったとでも言って…それなら、飛ぶのは私の首だけで済むでしょう！」

Maomao “Saiji’o chudan shiro-towa ii-masen. Watashio minogashite kudasai. Guzen nezumiga haitta-todemo itte… Sore-nara, tobu-nowa watashino kubi-dakede sumu-desho!”

Maomao “I won’t ask you to cancel the ceremony. Please just let me through. Just say a rat got in accidentally. In that case, the only person getting beheaded will be me!”

武官「お前のような小娘の言葉を信じろと言うのか！」

Bukan “Omaeno-yona komusumeno kotobao shinjiroto iu-noka!”

Military officer “Why should I trust the words of a girl like you?!”

羅漢「では、私の言葉ならどうだい？」

Rakan “Dewa, watashino koboba-nara do-dai?”

Lakan “What about my words, then?”

猫猫「ハッ…」

Maomao “Ha…”

武官「あ…あなた様は…」

Bukan “A…Anata-samawa…”

Military officer “S-Sir, you’re…”

羅漢「それにしても…年若い娘を殴るとは、どういうことだろうね？」

Rakan “Soreni-shitemo… toshi-wakai musumeo naguru-towa, do-iu koto darone?”

Lakan “Now, why would you strike a young girl like that?”

武官「うっ…」

Bukan “U…”

羅漢「ケガをしているじゃないか…」

Rakan “Kegao shite-iruja naika…”

Lakan “She’s hurt.”

武官「ハッ…ハッ…」

Bukan “Ha…Ha…”

羅漢「ともかく、その娘の言うとおりにしてやるってのはどうだい？私が責任を取るよ」

Rakan “Tomokaku, sono musumeno iu-toorini shite-yarutte-nowa do-dai? Watashiga sekinin’o toruyo.”

Lakan “At any rate, why don’t you just go ahead and do as the girl says? I’ll take responsibility.”

猫猫「くっ…」（誰がいるのか見たくもない…こんな謀ったようなタイミングで…いや、今はそんなことを気にしている場合じゃない。声の主が誰かなんて、どうでもいい！）

Maomao “Ku…” (Darega iru-noka mitakumo nai… Konna hakatta-yona taimingude… Iya, imawa sonna koto’o kini shite-iru baaija nai. Koeno nushiga dareka nante, do-demo ii!)

Maomao (I don’t even want to see who’s behind me. It’s perfect timing, as if everything was planned… No, I can’t concern myself with that right now. It doesn’t matter who this voice belongs to.)

猫猫（ひどい格好だろうな…高順様にでも頼んで、全て終わったらゆっくり湯あみをさせてもらおう…その前に、首をはねられないようにしないと…！）

Maomao (Hidoi kakko darona… Gaoshun-samani-demo tanonde, subete owattara yukkuri yuami’o sasete morao… Sono maeni, kubio hane-rare-nai-yoni shinaito…!)

Maomao (I must look terrible. I’ll ask Master Gaoshun after all this is done, and take a nice, long bath. But first, I have to avoid getting beheaded.)

猫猫「ハッ！」

Maomao “Ha!”

猫猫「ああ…間に合った…うっ！…縫わなきゃ…」

Maomao “Aa…Mani atta…U! Nuwa-nakya…”

Maomao “I made it… Gotta stitch that…”

壬氏「おい」

Jinshi “Oi.”

Jinshi “Hey.”

猫猫「ん？」

Maomao “N?”

壬氏「なんで…こんな状況になっている？」

Jinshi “Nande…konna jokyoni natte-iru?”

Jinshi “What’s going on here?”

猫猫「壬氏様…牛黄をいただけますか…？」

Maomao “Jinshi-sama… Goo’o itadake-masuka?”

Maomao “Master Jinshi… Can I have the ox bezoar now?”

壬氏「それどころじゃないだろう…どうしたんだ…！その顔は…！」

Jinshi “Sore-dokoroja nai-daro… Do-shitanda…! Sono kaowa…!”

Jinshi “This isn’t the time for that. What’s happened with your face?”

猫猫（どうして…壬氏様がここにいるんだろう…なんで、そんな顔をしているのだろう…）

Maomao (Doshite… Jinshi-samaga kokoni irun-daro… Nande, sonna kao’o shite-iruno-daro…)

Maomao (Why is Master Jinshi here…? What’s that look on his face?)

猫猫「うっ、うう…すみません。先に足を縫わせ…」

Maomao “U, uu…Sumi-masen. Sakini ashio nuwase…”

Maomao “Sorry, I need to stitch up my leg first―”

壬氏「お、おい！おい！しっかりしろ！目を覚ませ！おい、しっかりするんだ！おい！おい…」

Jinshi “O, Oi! Oi! Shikkari shiro! Meo samase! Oi, shikkari surunda! Oi! Oi…”

Jinshi “H-Hey! Hey! Wake up! Wake up! Hey! Hey! Stay with me. Hey!”

(Continue to episode 20)

#apothecary english #apothecary romaji #the apothecary diaries #apothecary diaries #薬屋のひとりごと #薬屋のひとりごと　英語 #learning japanese #薬屋　英語　学習 #japanese

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