Kino no Tabi:Volume3 Frontispiece

My name is Riku, I am a dog. My master, Shizu, is a traveler. This is a story about a certain time in a certain country.

"What is that?"

From the driver's seat of the buggy, Shizu sounded surprised as the country came into view. Usually a country will barricade itself with castle walls to protect itself from foreign enemies; however, this country had nothing but a small fence to keep animals in. Shizu met with the leader, and asked if there were no walls because the country had an unmatched army.

"Such barbaric things are not in our country," said the leader with a sinister grin.

"Then how do you protect your citizens?" Shizu asked somewhat shamelessly. As expected of the former prince.

"You're too old fashioned," said the leader with a condescending tone.

Shizu asked if up until now there's been any attacks.

"This is only my personal experience, but more than I can count on my hands. Despite this all matters were resolved peacefully, and it will stay that way. We have no need for murderous groups or walls that will hinder the natural scenery."

Then the leader said this with a dubious look on his face, and his chest stuck out. "We have a 'Love and Peace song'. If we sing it, we can defeat our enemies without fighting."

"Without closing the gates, they seem to be at ease. It's worrying."

"Let's stay in this country" was what Shizu's face was saying. He had wanted to leave, but because the buggy needed repairs, we decided to stay.

That morning, the entire country was making noise. Word came from across the plains; a neighboring country's army would be attacking. The enemy army sent a messenger, who said that tomorrow morning a general offensive would be launched.

The Leader came to see Shizu with a pleased face, and said almost sarcastically, "Well then traveler, I'm going to show you a beautiful spectacle. Tonight will be fun."

It became night. Beyond the fence, light from a campsite could be seen. On our side, a bonfire was lighting up a large stage which had been prepared. Wearing his favorite sword at his side, Shizu was beckoned by the leader. Shizu sat in a seat on the side of the stage, and I settled between his legs. The enemy army formed its ranks and began marching until they were lined up in front of the stage.

"Look at these fools only capable of violence. Even so, they will lose to us again."

The leader scornfully laughed and gave his subordinate a direction.

Shizu whispered to me, "When it's time to run, stick to the usual plan."

People gathered on top of the stage, and no matter how you looked at it, they seemed like a chorus group. Matching the rhythm of the conductor's baton, they suddenly began singing. It was a gently hummed melody. Before long, a beautiful woman in a flashy dress appeared on the stage. Accompanying the back chorus, a lovely voice began singing.

The lyrics were along the lines of: love and peace are best, fighting is foolish, kindness deep down in your heart, throw away your weapon and pick up a farming tool, etc. Shizu looked like he had overslept and had a headache.

Suddenly, the enemy soldiers who had just been staring at the spectacle started to change. Everyone put their weapons at their feet and happily joined in with the song. The songstress had just stopped singing and was hailed with applause. Everyone continued enjoying themselves.

"Take a look, Traveller. They no longer have any interest in fighting. The Song of Love and Peace changed them. Hmm...that's right. Traveller, the war is over. They listened to our splendid song, and now they will return," is what our messenger said. "Shall I treat you to some food and wine? Why not also lay down your weapon, Traveller?"

Before the beautiful woman on the altar, singing strongly from a sense of duty, the recklessly roused onlookers in military uniforms, and the leader triumphantly speaking in a sarcastic tone, Shizu-sama had been thinking of something.

The next morning, the buggy's repairs were finished so Shizu and I quickly left. Around noon, we caught up with the soldiers from the night before who were taking a break.

Glaring at the soldier in the distance who was pointing a persuader at us, Shizu said: "Are you going to shoot me? Are you in charge here? If not, doing as you please won't be good for your superior officer."

After saying this about five times, we wound up in front of the general. He formally apologized for his subordinate's impoliteness.

Shizu carefully introduced himself as a traveller who had no intention of ever returning to that country then said, "You were never planning to invade that country from the beginning, were you?"

The general laughed and nodded.

"Yes. That's where the soldiers relax. The lyrics have no meaning to them, and they don't know about the declaration of war either; they're just happy if they can party. We told them our vassal state was having a celebration banquet to thank us for protection, but we must be quiet at first"

"I see. Then who is your real enemy?"

"The large country across the mountain range. They have incoherent national policies, they are an evil empire. Exterminating them is our noble mission. If they were to invade that country then they would be "Committing an injustice to our vassal state" and all out war would start. Justice is on our side though, so victory will be as well."

We returned to the buggy, and I asked Shizu if we would visit that army's country. Shizu shook his head. "I'd rather go to a country that doesn't only think about war."

"Those are hard to find."

"Yeah... Sorry, making you live such a vagabond life," said Shizu as he looked into the sky.

"It doesn't matter to me. Wherever Shizu is, I will be," I answered honestly and Shizu looked at me.

"...."

Shizu was silent for a moment, then quietly smiled as always.

"Shall we go?"

"Sounds good."

We started the buggy's engine as usual.