Editing Kino no Tabi:Volume13 Special (section)

===“A Brilliant Country” —Creators—===
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The next place Kino, Master, Hermes, and the rest entered in was a…

“That’s mean!”

The next place Kino, Master, Hermes, and luggage-carrier entered in was a normal country.

It was a country which was normal in size, technology, and prosperity. It’s a normal country. To put in other words, it’s a boring country.

“From time to time, it’s not bad to see a country with no quirks, like this one. Right, Kino?”

“I agree. Let’s relax this time, Master.”

Soon they found a hotel, and as they were drinking their tea in the lobby,

“Welcome to our country. Aren’t you glad to have visited such a wonderful country?”

A resident said. Without them noticing it, they were surrounded by people of all ages and genders. Every single one of them held a conceited air.

“Our country is the most wonderful country in this world!” “Yeah!” “That’s right!”

The residents declared with overflowing confidence. However, as Kino, Master, Hermes, and luggage-carrier weren’t too impressed, they only interjected with insincere yeah’s, right’s, and oh’s.

“Ah of course, travelers who have just entered won’t be able to appreciate our country’s greatness. —Fine then, let me give you the details.”

The travelers only had ‘You don’t have to,’ or ‘We didn’t ask you for it,’ in their minds, but they kept these thoughts to themselves.

They began. First, this country’s history was apparently, amazing.

“Our country has over ten thousand years of history! Around the time when humans from other countries used stone tools and living barbaric lives, our country has already developed a fine civilization!”

And they also said this: Most of the great inventions and discoveries in the world originated from their country.

“These great inventions and discoveries were accomplished by our great country. Wheels, iron, science, culture—everything—originated from our country! Even those persuaders that you use were invented by our blacksmiths six centuries ago! The gasoline engine was discovered 120 years ago by our prodigious scientists!  Even the creation of the hat you wear on your head was ours! It was our country’s idea to attach strings on your shoes! All forms of art and the development of knives was ours! Even the idea of boiling water! It would take a long time if I tell you each and every single detail, but our liberal country imparted these discoveries to its neighbors without asking for anything in return. With all of this, you can say that we are at the peak of evolution in this planet! Even if the whole world bows to us a hundred times and cried, it wouldn’t be enough to thank us!”

And the people continued their boastful speech in such a manner.

“Do you have proof?” Hermes asked.

“Of course!” They answered without hesitation. As if it was a matter of fact, common sense, and absolute truth.

“Everything we said are recorded in the ''‘Great World History Encyclopedia’'' and the ''‘Great Book of Inventions and Discoveries’''! The things written here are unquestionable proof! Anyone who reads this, no matter how foolish, will have to believe!”

And the things they took the pain to bring before the travelers were two massive and gorgeously decorated encyclopedias.

Then Kino asked, “If that’s the case, then where did these ''‘Great World History Encyclopedia’'' and ''‘Great Book of Inventions and Discoveries’'' came from?”

The residents answered with confidence no less than before, 

“Of course, it’s from our country! —Isn’t it obvious?!”


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