Editing Kino no Tabi:Volume17 Chapter11

==“A Land with a Railroad” —Missing Link—==

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“See, there are five countries here, situated along the edge of this enormous basin.”

“Hmm, it would be more convenient if they just merged into one country in the middle instead, no?”

Kino and Hermes chatted with each other as they rode through a path in the midst of a meadow.

It was spring.

Under the perfectly clear blue sky was vivid greenery as far as the eye could see.

The grass covering a good stretch of ground, as well the fresh leaves of tall trees here and there, glittered as they reflected off the morning sunlight.

A river flowed through the meadow. The narrow dirt path that Kino and Hermes rode through ran parallel with it continued on, at times keeping close and at times going astray. Ahead the path, over at the right side, the river would appear and disappear from their view time and again.

As they were in a wide valley, they could see mountains left and right. There were still traces of snow left on the mountaintops and along the ridges where the mountain streams flowed. The water from the thawing snow gushed in the river vigorously. 

It was still quite cold to ride a motorrad (note: a two-wheeled vehicle, only to mean that it doesn’t fly), so Kino wore her brown coat with its excess hem wrapped up to her thighs.

She had on a brimmed hat with flaps that covered her ears, and silver-framed goggles strapped around it.

“They do say that it was originally a single, enormous country, Hermes. But its people were divided into five groups. There were disagreements between them, and before long, each group decided to build their own countries as far away as possible from one another. That was about fifty years ago.”

“In other words, they broke up on site.”

“…I think you mean ‘broke up after a fight’.”

“Yes that’s it!”

Hermes said, then fell silent. After a while,

“So… are they still not in good terms with each other? Or have things settled down after so much time has passed?”

“I didn’t find out that much.  All I know is that there are five countries here right now.”

“There are only two possibilities, Kino—they still don’t get along or their relations have improved.”

“No need emphasize something so obvious.”

“I could say the same to you.”

“Well, whatever. We’ll visit them one by one and observe. I’m curious as to how each one changed over time after they diverged.”

“Then Kino, if we see two walls at the same time, which one will we go to first?”

“Hmm? The closer one I guess?”

“Okay, then what if the distance is perfectly the same? What if at the end of this road, it branches off into two paths, and at the right there is a signboard that says so-and-so country is forty kilometers away, and at the left, this-and-that country is also forty kilometers away?”

“That would be troublesome. But when that happens, I’ll just leave it to luck.”

“Like tossing a coin?”

“That’s one way. Or, I can let go of your handle, and choose the direction where you fell…”

“That’s not how you use a motorrad, Kino!”

“Okay, let’s not go with that then. Anyway, for travelers like us, it doesn’t really pay to worry about the next destination. I’ll just go where I feel like when that happens.”

“That’s also part of life, huh?”

Kino and Hermes continued to traverse the road.

And before long, they found a signboard.

<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>

And the words written on the signboard were—

''[The area right ahead is our country’s territory. Trespassing and vandalism beyond this point will be deemed as assault towards our country.] ''

“So it says, Kino.”

“Yup, that message can’t be any clearer.”

The signboard was shoved in the middle of the road, where it splits left and right into the north and south.

“Then what we are looking at right now is their territory?” Kino asked.

“I doubt it could mean anything else,” Hermes answered.

Before them, were railroad tracks.

There was the track bed with its layer of crushed stones, or what was known as the ballast, on top of which lay numerous crossties and four thick rails lined up parallel to each other. The rails were more than three meters apart.

The railroad was noticeably well-maintained.

The tracks appeared to be free of weeds and rust. The sunlight glistened on the rails that stretched far beyond the grassy meadow.

Kino got off Hermes and propped him on his stand. Then, careful not to tread over the track bed where the words ''‘THIS IS OUR TERRITORY’ was written, she stood up before the signboard and looked left and right.

But she saw nothing but the wide tracks.

“That’s strange.”

Kino muttered under her breath. To this, Hermes responded with glee,

“Great! Kino, let’s ask them!”

“Ask who?”

“The ones about to come, who else?”

The plains fell quiet as soon as Hermes stopped talking. At that moment, Kino noticed.

It was the faint hum of vibrating metal.

The sound was coming from the rails in front of her.

The vibrations quickly grew louder, revealing the direction of its source. It was coming from the right—where Kino was looking—that is, from the north.

Kino focused her gaze towards the northern plains. Though she could not yet see what was coming, she had a fair idea what it was from the echoing clunks.

And it only took tens of seconds of waiting.

The sound became increasingly louder, and just when Kino could feel the tremors being transmitted to her legs, a gigantic train appeared in the middle of the meadow.


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It was an incredibly enormous train.

Although the track itself was three meters across, the cars riding on top of it were more than twice as wide. And because it was also about as tall as it is wide, from up front it seemed like an approaching house.

The lead car was somewhat elliptically streamlined and installed with a thick armor plate inclined to the left for repelling piled-up snow and other obstacles in its way.

The train, painted a dark blue color, came running amidst the plains accompanied by the shaking and roaring of the ground. It approached Kino and Hermes, and rushed past them.

Each car was around thirty meters long.

It ran by, one car after another, some with chimneys, many with large windows. The silhouettes of the passengers aboard could also be seen.

Without Kino noticing, the train that she thought has passed them by started to slow down.

“This thing… it’s so big! And long!”

“Amazing!”

In an attempt not to lose to the roaring, Kino and Hermes conversed in exchanged yells.

Over forty cars have gone by right before their eyes. Eventually, the train came to a complete halt, accompanied by a dull clunk.

The motionless train seemed like a wall. It was as if a long, blue wall materialized on the spot that only moments ago had nothing but a railroad.

On top of its enormous wheels and chassis that looked like a factory’s skeletal framework, was its iron body painted in blue. At its flank were the windows, shuttered at the moment. Only its roof was painted white.

One part of the roof opened upwards with a thud.

And from within appeared the face of a man, who looked around thirty and wore a black suit. He smiled at Kino and Hermes, and called out to them cheerfully with a megaphone.

“Greetings traveler! I am the immigration officer! Do you want to enter our country?”

“Yes, please!” Kino answered with a shout so that the other person would hear.

“So the nearest country to us is this one, huh?” Hermes muttered.

<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>

The door at the side of the huge car opened slightly, and out came the suited immigration officer together with soldiers carrying persuaders (note: guns).

And so the immigration check on Kino and Hermes, which was customary in any country, proceeded.

Of particular interest to them was as to whether or not Kino was carrying any powerful explosives with her.

Kino disclosed that she was only carrying the spare powder that she used for her persuaders, as well as fuel for Hermes. After agreeing that these items be temporarily put into their custody, Kino and Hermes was given permission to enter the country.

“Any questions before you come in?”

Kino took up the officer’s offer, and answered.

“I have too many questions I don’t know where to begin.”

“As to be expected. But as we can’t let the train stay stalled like this for too long, why don’t you come in, or shall we say, come aboard our country for the meantime?”

<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>

The side of the car now fully opened to the left and right, and a metallic slope slid out. Kino boarded Hermes and climbed up the slope, and finally entered the car.

The slope was straightened up, and the door was shut. Within the carriage rang a buzzer, which was then shortly followed by a humming sound, and soon the train was running vigorously on its way.

The interior of the car was lit up by the light coming in through the skylights in the celling. The carriage they were currently in seemed like a warehouse, with a large quantity of wooden boxes lined up and fixed with ropes.

The train continued to gain speed. The shaking was incredibly faint, and doesn’t match at all with the speed at which they were going, as they could see well from the flow of the sceneries outside the tiny windows.

“Kino, Hermes! Welcome to our country! Now let’s get down to business!”

The immigration officer spoke merrily. His face seemed like he would love to, and couldn’t wait to begin his story.

“First of all, this train is our country, and the rails are our territory! We all live inside this train!”

“You mean ''all'' of you?”

“Yes, everyone. This train is composed of fifty-five cars in total, and each car can hold four families of four. At present, this train has 934 people on board. People who live here carry out the duties assigned to them.”

Kino nodded, while Hermes asked from below.

“So, how many trains are there?”

“Oh, how did you know that there is more than one train?”

“Because of the double tracks. If the tracks were made for trains to pass by one another, then obviously there should be more than one.”

“That’s quite sharp of you. There are trains from one to four. This one is train no. 3. There are three trains consistently on the move, and the last one is reserved in case the others needed maintenance or refuelling. Our total population is 3,984 people.”

“The fact that there are trains running means that they must be connecting one place to another, right?” Kino asked.

“Of course,” the immigration inspector nodded.

Hermes butted in from below, “Well I doubt you’d say you’re doing this just for the heck of it. Not that I’m saying there aren’t people who think that way.”

“So, where do this train and the others connect to?”

“Kino and Hermes, are you aware of the five countries in this basin?”

“We heard about them. You mean those countries?”

“Yes. Our country is the train country. And it connects the four other countries at the edge of this basin!”


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Kino pushed Hermes and moved inside the running train.  They were headed towards the lead car.

The central part of the cars was wide, but the ceilings over the passageways were not too high because the upper part, as well as the areas to its left and right, served as living spaces.

The interior of the cars was coated with steel plates of a bright cream hue. It was well-maintained, and there wasn’t any part showing any signs of rust.

The vibrations were very little inside the cars, and the noise made by the train as it passed through rail joints was only faintly heard.

“Everyone! We have a traveler over here. There’s also a motorrad!”

The immigration officer yelled out as he guided Kino and Hermes along. Every time he did, the doors along the passageways would open one by one, and onlookers, mainly children with no work to do, would peek out and cheer.

While Kino acknowledged them with no particular expression,

“Hello!”

Hermes would greet them affably as Kino pushed him along the passageway.

“Well, it’s been a while since we’ve had a traveler aboard you see. We thank you for contributing to the education of our young ones!” the immigration inspector said happily.

And then he began his explanation.

As he said in the beginning, their country was composed of four trains.

Their territory consisted of the rail tracks, and the railcar station where they do the maintenance and fuel resupplying for the trains.

The trains can run for twenty years with continuous maintenance and repairs, and the citizens live inside them.

The tracks traced a circular path inside the enormous basin.

Each train make their stops at four ‘stations’ in front of the walls of the four other countries. They carry aboard the things that can only be obtained or can only be produced from one country, and deliver them to the others.

“I see. Even though that single, huge country has been divided, they still continue to support each other,” Kino said, and Hermes continued,

“And if this country shouldered this task, the rest don’t have to do too much. Cooperation at its finest.” 

“Exactly,” the immigration officer nodded, and continued his explanation.

One country was about two days travel away from another country. During that time, the three trains run day and night without connecting with each other.

Each train would stop in a country for about half a day to load and unload its cargo. Grains, vegetables, meat, industrial goods—the products that each country specialized in—were being transported through this country.

During the long explanation, the descriptions of the different train cars would sometimes come up.

“This is the engine car. It’s an enormous diesel engine.”

“This is the dining car. Are you hungry, Kino? Oh, not yet?”

“This is the school car. See the children are studying. Kids, there’s a traveler over here!”

“This is the tank car. This is where we store fresh water. It’s very important.”

“This is the armory car. It’s prepared in case bad fellows attack. There’s a cannon coming out of that ceiling.”

“This is the movie theater car. It’s the main form of entertainment in our country.”

Eventually, they finished touring about twenty cars, and yet were only halfway through to the lead car.

After the explanations were over, Kino asked the immigration officer a question while they were walking.

“When the country separated fifty years ago, each of the groups chose their preferred way of life. I am led to believe that your people chose this kind of life, and I am wondering about the reason behind it.”

“Oh yeah! We want to know why!” Hermes chimed in.

However the immigration officer’s reply was unexpected.

“So do we!”

“Huh?” “What?”

“We also want to find out why our founders chose this life fifty years ago…”

The immigration officer was looking up the ceiling, his gaze distant.

“So nobody knows…? That’s a surprise.”

“Shocking, really.”

Kino and Hermes expressed their honest impressions.

“I’m sure it is. Nobody knows. The ones who came up with this were the clan elders at that time. Oh, before I forget—”

The immigration officer began to speak of their history.

“Long ago, there lived five clans in this big country. However, they did not mingle with each other, and they could not get along so well. In time, they became more and more aware that no one would be happy as matters stand, and eventually talks of self-independence began to rise.”

“So we heard.”

“After that?”

“Four clans decided to establish their own countries. They built new walls, created new towns and tilled their own fields. Even our own clan could have built its own country someplace. And yet, our elders chose to use all their skills and effort into building an enormous train and in laying out rails in order to distribute goods to the four newly-built countries. And they bade their people to continue doing so. However, the reason for it all was wrapped in secrecy. There is nobody else alive at that time that knew, and who could tell us about it.”

“So you mean you’ll never ever find out?” Hermes asked.

“Actually, we’ll be able to find out very soon!” The immigration officer answered, his mouth forming an ear-to-ear grin.

Kino asked, “How? And when?”

“Our elders left behind a letter detailing the motive for building this country! And it will happen twenty days later! It will be exactly the fiftieth anniversary of our country’s founding! We’ll be able to open the vault where this letter is, and we’ll be able to find out!”


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“You must be the traveler and motorrad who went aboard the train country?”

In an open café at one country’s park, someone talked to Kino and Hermes.

It was one afternoon, three days after Kino and Hermes boarded the train. This was one of the four ‘normal’ countries situated in the basin, which Kino and Hermes entered the previous day. As usual, they will be staying for three days.

The one who spoke to them was a man about sixty years of age, with a completely bald head and wrinkled face. His expression was stiff. He held a tray with tea and two small donuts on it.

“Yes, that’s right. So everyone here calls it the ‘train country’, I see,” Kino answered.

The man requested to sit with them, and Kino readily agreed. He sat at the table opposite Kino. Hermes was beside her, propped on his center stand.

Without touching his lunch, the man questioned Kino, his expression still stiff.

“Tell me. What did those lot say about our country?”

Kino tilted her head.

“Nothing really. They’ve been kind to us during our two days there and told us a lot of things about their country, but they didn’t really say much about the other countries.”

“That’s true. They did tell us about arrival times and what sort of cargo they load and unload at each country, however.”

Even after hearing this answer, the man’s expression did not loosen up.

Then he asked another question.

“Did they tell you the reason why they keep on running the trains?”

“No.  It seems that they only followed the orders of their founders, and none of them knew exactly why they were doing it.”

“That’s what they said.”

“I see,” the man mumbled, then began to eat his donuts.

After he finished eating, Kino asked.

“You must be already alive fifty years ago. If it’s not too much of a bother, will you tell us what happened then?”

“…”

The man pondered for a while, then took two gulps of tea.

“Since you answered my question, it’s only right for me to answer yours,” so he said, then began.

“When I was ten years old, the once enormous country in this basin was divided into five. The adults at that time believed it was better to split up than to share the same walls with the other clans. And we believe it’s a good thing that happened. There were no wars that broke out even after the separation.”

“I see.” “Uh-huh.”

“However, the only thing we couldn’t comprehend was the train country’s actions. Why did they throw away the chance of forming their own country? And why did they choose to live like servants? If they could construct that kind of train with the knowledge, technology and manpower available to them, they could have just used it to build their own country.”

“That’s true.” “Indeed.”

“Everyone’s baffled by it. Not only this country, but the others too. However, we had no way of finding out something that was kept secret by the very ones involved in that decision.  Eventually, the four countries took advantage of that country’s actions, and settled down. If it were not for the train country, the divided countries probably wouldn’t be able to live in stability as they do now.”

After the explanation, the man finished up his tea.

“Anyway, I hope you enjoy your stay.”

With these words, he picked up his tray and stood up.

“Um, what kind of people are they? The clan who built the train country.”

Hermes’ question momentarily clouded the man’s expression.

He was silent for several seconds, and was probably thinking of leaving without answering, but in the end,

“You gave me an answer, so I will answer in return. That includes you, motorrad,” he spoke, then continued.

“Among the five clans, they were the most discriminated, despised, and persecuted.”

<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>

After they left that country, Kino and Hermes went around the remaining three countries.

And they also talked to the people there—

“What the people of the train country were thinking? No idea.”

“It’s really convenient. What happened in the past doesn’t matter anymore.” 

“My grandmother told me that it was such an annoyance to be receiving help from that country. But they were indeed a great help.”

“If it weren’t for those fellows, we won’t be able to eat fresh vegetables here.”

And heard all sorts of impressions about the train country.

Beside the tracks was a well-paved road that was used for maintenance purposes. Kino and Hermes availed of this road to get around without having to board the train.

“You can just ride the train and sleep you know.”

“We can only stay in one country for three days. We’ve been there for two days already, and I am reserving the third and last.”

“But didn’t you say that there’s an exception to everything? Whatever, it’s fine with me because I like to move around.”

As they rode, the train passed by them several times.

The train that sounded its steam whistle flowed like a river beside Kino and Hermes.

In the evening, Kino camped out a bit ways off the road, assembling her tent under a tree.

And that night, there was a straight, stream of light that pierced through the jet black meadows, accompanied by the hum of the rails.

“What was that for…?”

Kino peeked out of the tent, muttering.

“Maybe it’s to let us know about ''that,”'' Hermes answered.

And finally the day came.


<center><span style="font-size: 150%;">(5/6)</span></center>


It was the twentieth day since Kino and Hermes found the train country.

“It’s been a while, Kino, Hermes. Do you wish to come aboard our country? Well, of course you do.”

It was under the same clear sky, in front of the same train they have boarded before, and the same immigration officer with a smile on his face.

“Yes, please,” Kino nodded firmly as she answered.

“Today is the commemoration for the fiftieth anniversary of the train’s first operations, right?  And with it, the mystery behind this country’s founding, hidden inside a vault, will be unlocked too, correct?” Hermes asked in confirmation.

“It is the very day!” the immigration officer answered with his wide smile.

On this day, the trains stopped in their respective locations in preparation for the announcement that will be held at noon. 

The long train Kino and Hermes boarded in have been running throughout the morning. Just before noon, it dropped its speed and eventually stood still in the middle of the meadows.

The observation car containing Kino and Hermes was positioned exactly at the top of a bridge. 

It was a long and sturdy concrete bridge. The river, still with its gushing water, could be seen from the large windows at the side of the carriage.

“Because of this, we won’t make the schedule for our arrival on the next country, but maybe they can forgive us just for today,” the immigration officer shrugged.

“What a hardworking bunch. Nobody’s got any right to complain even if you slack off for one or two days, you know,” Hermes teased.

“That may be so, but you see, our country has always been proud of being on time as much as possible,” the immigration officer answered with a smile.

Noon approached closer and closer.

The citizens stayed in their posts—at school, at work, and in their own rooms—listening to the radio or to the train broadcast, eager to hear the truth from fifty years in the past. The train was pervaded with a restless atmosphere.

“It’s about time…,” Kino muttered.

“Now then, time to find out the reason behind all this!” Hermes exclaimed.

“This is the day our country’s history begins anew! And you shall bear witness to this, Kino, Hermes!”

Even the immigration officer had a face like that of a child before a field trip.

Time passed little by little, and at last, the wall clock indicated noon.

Music rang out from all of the speakers. Everybody stood up and began to sing a song. The lyrics were along the lines of ‘the rails shall forever go on’.

Kino and Hermes silently waited throughout the singing of the anthem.

[Everyone, this is the chief conductor of train no. 2 speaking.]

The voice of a middle-aged woman was transmitted crisp and clear from the speakers.

“It’s the current head of our clan. In short, our country’s leader. It’s her turn this year.”

The immigration officer explained in a whisper.

[Right now, I have in my hands the letter left to us by our great founders. The reason for our incessant voyage for the past fifty years is written here. ''—‘If you are still continuing to run the train to this day, break open the seal and announce its contents’—'' Such is written on the envelope, and is exactly what I will be doing now.]

The announcement was handed down in a stiff voice, indicative of its owner’s nervousness.

Kino surveyed the scene inside the train. Among the people waiting for the historic announcement, there were some who looked just about to collapse from excitement, and a few who were already moved to tears.

[I myself have not yet read its contents. I shall break the seal, and immediately read everything word for word, regardless of what kind of message it contains.]

The words were followed by the sound of an envelope being opened, and of paper being unfolded.

Inside the train that has grown silent, the chief’s voice echoed.

''[To you citizens fifty years in the future, we leave this letter. —Once, our history was beset with sorrow, back when this basin was one big country. For a long time, our people were treated with undue persecution. We were mocked and abused, for we were regarded as the lowest of the low. And so, when it was decided that the country shall be divided into five, we made up our minds.]''

It must be a rather concisely written letter. The voice stopped short, and the next sound heard was the turning of pages.

''[To construct a railroad, and to aid the four newly-formed countries. To bear the burden of transporting commodities in order to assist in building their nations, and later on, to support their way of life. And lastly, to continue doing so for the next fifty years. That you are reading this right now only means that you have performed your duties splendidly. And that is a joy to us.]''

Perhaps the letter was written in big characters, for once more, the shuffling of papers was heard.

''[And now we shall tell you the reason for it all. You shall now find out the truth that has been kept away from you. It is all—for you, my people, to cease the function of the trains from this day forth.]''

There was a stir among the citizens around Kino and Hermes.

The message from fifty years past went on, conveyed with the bewilderment of the one reading it.

''[Confusion will almost certainly reign among them. Without the means to maintain their current way of life, they will be plunged into dispute. This is the ultimate revenge that we have dreamed of—the moment when our years of resentment will finally be laid to rest.]''

The carriage, which was wrapped in silence, was disturbed by the sound of the turning leaves. It echoed, like the hum of a blade being polished.

''[After all of this is over, you are free to live as you desire. Once our revenge has been realized, you need not feel any more bitterness toward them. Confer among yourselves, and decide the path you shall take next. We wish that your future be of happiness.]''
After several moments of silence—

[T-that’s it…. That… would be all.]

From the speakers out came the chief’s trembling voice.


<center><span style="font-size: 150%;">(6/6)</span></center>


The atmosphere in the carriage where Kino and Hermes were in transformed from that of festival into that of a funeral.
	
Nobody spoke, and the humans inside it stood like life-sized dolls in a diorama.

Kino who was watching over this scenery looked out of the windows,

“…”

And saw the river gushing as lively as before.

[E-everyone…]

The first one to speak out was the chief.

Everyone came back to their senses and turned their attention to the speakers once more. The speakers attached to the ceiling emanated a wavering atmosphere, as if it could feel the helpless gazes directed to it.

[W-w-w-what…]

The chief fumbled for the words she was to say next—the words she ''has'' to say next—to her people, who at that time were united in mind and thought in anticipation of her response.

[W-what are we supposed to do now?]

“Oh my,” Hermes said in a tiny, tiny voice, so that only Kino would be able to hear him. “What’s going to happen?”

Kino also answered in a whisper, “That is something this country’s people will have to decide on. But I don’t think there’s any need for them to rush into a decision.”

Kino’s words weren’t exactly said aloud, but the chief’s next words were,

[T-to all chief conductors… I would like to hear your thoughts on this after two hours. Please discuss this among the adults and come up with your stance.]

<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>

During the tumultuous two hours that followed inside the train—

Kino and Hermes mostly kept quiet. And,

“As we are no citizens of this country, I don’t think we have a say on this matter.”

“Same here.”

Were all that Kino and Hermes said.

<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>

And two hours passed.

In the end, the sentiments that were gathered from each train, as announced by their respective chief conductors—

Were all the same.

<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>

“You were late! And by more than two hours, too!”

The workers from the third train were scolded in front of the walls of one country.

“We are very sorry. We will unload the cargo right away.”

They loaded and unloaded cargo just as they always have. They worked harder than ever to make up for the delay.

And the citizens of that country said,

“You’re such a great help! If it weren’t for you, the country would have stopped functioning a long time ago!”

And began to help with the work.

Kino and Hermes looked at the scenery beyond the open windows of the train.

“So Kino do you want to help too?” Hermes asked.

“Nope,” Kino answered, and began her preparations for departure. 

<center><span style="font-size: 200%;">—</span></center>

“You’re getting off here? Don’t you want to stay until noon tomorrow? If you’re heading west, we can get you there.”

Kino answered the surprised immigration officer,

“To do that, you will have to stop the train in the middle of the route, and will be delayed by a minute or so, right?  We have imposed on you so much already.”

“I see. Well this is goodbye. We were happy to have met you. May you continue to have a wonderful journey ahead.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Good luck to all of you!”

Kino and Hermes set off, leaving behind the immigration officer and the children bidding them farewells from the train’s windows.

As soon as they started running on the road beside the tracks, they heard a high-pitched whistle from behind. Soon, the gigantic train heartily caught up with them.

They looked at the enormous train that was gradually getting smaller as it ran farther and farther away.

“I was surprised when everybody answered the same thing. I was so sure there would be at least one who would have a different opinion,” Hermes said.

“We haven’t heard the viewpoints of the people from fifty years ago, however,” Kino answered as she gazed at the rails at the right side of the road.

“Maybe that country as it is now was the kind of country they wanted to build,” said Hermes. And then, “Kino, stop for a bit.”

“Hmm?”

Just as she was told, Kino stepped on the brakes.

They stood stock still in the middle of the meadow path.

“All right! Now it’s the end of end of Kino’s journey!” Hermes suddenly announced cheerfully. And two seconds later, “Okay, now it will start all over again. Let’s go!”

“Haha, nice of you to remember, Hermes.”

Kino loosened the accelerator.

And as she looked at the sceneries flowing past them,

“Hm, I wonder what kind of country we’ll arrive in next?”

Kino mused, the question not directed to anyone in particular.

Hermes answered.

“Maybe it’s a country wondering what kind of travelers would visit them next!”


<noinclude>
{{Navigation
| Kino no Tabi
| [[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume17_Chapter10|Chapter 10]]
| [[Kino_no_Tabi:Volume17_Chapter12|Chapter 12]]
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