ppa
っ走
shi
tte
って
ku
く
ze
ぜ
GLORY
DAYS!
On the path to becoming a Great General,
（ﾅﾚｰﾀｰ） 大将軍への道を目指す信(しん)が―
Xin, as well as his rivals Wang Ben and Meng Tian, have been working diligently on the battlefield.
若き好敵手 王賁(おうほん)や蒙恬(もうてん)たちと
戦場で切磋琢磨し 躍動していた そのころ…
Meanwhile, in the capital city Xiangyang, a strange situation has arisen.
王都 咸陽(かんよう)では 異常な事態が起きていた
A messenger from the forbidden area, the harem, delivered a letter sealed with a replica of the sovereign seal.
禁断の地 後宮からの使者が―
玉璽(ぎょくじ)の複製によって封かんされた 書簡をもたらしたのだ
With the King Faction at a loss as to how to combat the Lü Shi Faction,
それは 大王派が 呂不韋(りょふい)派の猛威に窮する中
with this act, Zheng's mother, the queen dowager, has as good as announced herself as a third force!
政(せい)の実の母 太后が 更なる第３の勢力として―
名乗りを上げたに 等しい出来事であった
The harem is a third force?!
（壁(へき)）後宮が第３の勢力？
Does that not make this a quick matter?
（壁）だとしたら 話が早いではありませんか
As the queen dowager is high highness's mother,
大王さまのお母上であらせられる 太后さまならば―
I'm sure that she will become our ally if we ask it of—
こちらが お頼み申し上げれば 必ずや…
（昌文君(しょうぶんくん)）そう簡単にいくのなら 初めから そうしておる
If it could have been done that easily, we would have done so long ago.
My lord, just what do you mean?
殿 それは一体…
（政）壁 （壁）はっ！
Bi...
Y-Yes, my king?!
The situation... is not that simple.
（政）事は そう単純ではないのだ
My relationship with my mother is...
（政）俺と母上の間柄は…
Mother...
（政）母上…
Don't come in here!
（趙姫(ちょうき)）入ってくるんじゃないよ！
Beautiful Venom
（太后）フッ… おい （宦官(かんがん)）はっ！
You, there.
Yes.
All of you, you may raise up your heads.
皆の者 苦しゅうない 面(おもて)を上げよ
This is the queen dowager, Zheng's mother.
（ﾅﾚｰﾀｰ）これが太后 政の母である
A woman of ruinous beauty...
のちにいう“傾国” すなわち―
One so beautiful that she stole the heart of the former ruler, endangering the entire kingdom.
時の君主が心奪われ 国を危うくするほどの美女であった
The queen dowager appears so beautiful that rumors cropped up saying that she has never aged.
“太后は年を取らぬ”と ウワサが 立つほど その姿は若々しく
誰にも かなわぬ独特の妖艶さを まとっていた
She possessed a unique bewitching charm unlike any other.
His highness's mother really is a beautiful person.
（向(こう)）大王さまのお母さま 本当にお美しいお方だ
But, I wonder...
でも なんだろう…
I know how rude this is,
大変 失礼だけど いつ拝見しても なぜか太后さまからは―
but whenever I look at the queen dowager, I never sense any human warmth from her.
人のぬくもりみたいなものが 感じられない
That is why all of the palace maids here fear the beautiful queen dowager from the bottom of our hearts.
だから ここにいる宮女全員が―
あんなにお美しい太后さまを 心の底から…
恐れている
The reason we have not attempted to win over the harem thus far
あの後宮をこれまで我々が 取り込もうと動かなかったのは―
太后の勢力を政(まつりごと)に近づけぬためだ
was to prevent the queen dowager's power from spreading to the rule of the country.
Mo Xi of Xia, Da Ji of Shang, Bao Si of Zhou, these three were not queen dowagers, but ruling queens.
（昌文君） 夏(か)の末喜(ばっき) 商(しょう)の妲己(だっき) 周(しゅう)の褒姒(ほうじ)
いずれも太后ではなく 王妃ではあったが
It is said that due to their influence on the royal court, they led to the destruction of the dynasties of their time.
朝廷に悪影響を与えたことで 時の王朝は滅んだといわれている
Women who are amateurs to government matters and get involved in the royal court always results in calamity.
政の素人である女人が 朝廷に絡むと 凶事が起こる
In addition, the harem is the den of the cunning eunuchs, obsequious to the queen dowager.
（昌文君）おまけに 後宮は―
太后に 悪賢く媚(こ)びへつらう 宦官どもの巣窟である
If the queen dowager is won over, they will come along with her.
太后を抱き込めば おのずとヤツらもついてくる
It is also notable that the harem is protected by special extraterritorial rights.
（昌文君）その上 後宮は 特別な治外法権で守られている
ひと度 政の力を与えれば 制御は難しい
So if she is given any governmental power, controlling her will be difficult.
だから あの呂不韋でさえ これまで あそこには手を出さなかったのだ
That is why even Lü Buwei has yet to get involved with the harem.
As of now, the queen dowager has been indifferent to politics,
（肆氏(しし)）太后さまも これまでは政治には無関心で
so she has been silent in regards to the struggle between his highness and the Lü Buwei Faction.
大王さまと呂氏派の争いにも 沈黙されていた
But as she has sent this,
（肆氏）だが これを送ってきたということは―
one can surmise that it is an expression of the position she is taking.
なにがしかの態度の表れかと 推察される
Just what is written in there?
一体 そこには何が…
封を解いてみよ 肆氏
Open the seal, Shi Shi.
Th-This...
こ… これは…
Hey! You little squirt...
（呂不韋）ほ～れ！ ンン～ッ…
（李斯(りし)）丞相(じょうしょう)さま （呂不韋）うん？
Chancellor.
We have received a somewhat odd report.
（李斯） 少々 奇妙な報告が入りました
（呂不韋）何かな？
What is that?
Shi Shi was visited by a messenger from the harem last night.
“昨日 肆氏のもとを 後宮の使者が訪れた”と
誠か？ （李斯）はっ！
Are you serious?
Yes, sir.
Investigate it.
詳しく調べよ （李斯）はっ！
Yes, sir!
双方の監視を強めるのを忘れるな （李斯）ははっ！
And make sure to strengthen surveillance on both of them.
Yes, sir.
The harem, huh?
（呂不韋）後宮か… （若い娘）うん？
A troubling place has gotten active...
やっかいな所が動きだしたのぅ
Shi Shi, what did the queen dowager say?!
（壁）肆氏 太后さまは何と？
It-It's blank!
（肆氏） 白紙です 何も書かれておりませぬ
Nothing is written in it at all!
（一同）なに！ （ざわめき）
What?!
Wh-What in the world?
（壁） こ… これは一体 どういう意味だ？
What does this mean?
We could interpret this as nothing but a practical joke.
（昌文君） ただの悪ふざけとも取れるし
But it may also mean she is unable to decide whether to join the King Faction or the Lü Shi Faction.
大王派と呂氏派のどちらにつくか
決めかねているとも取れる （壁）ハッ…
Your highness, I am of the same opinion as Changwenjun.
大王さま 私も昌文君と同じ意見です
“今のところ 中立”という 意味ではないでしょうか
As of now, it would seem to mean that she is remaining neutral at present.
We cannot so easily surmise as to what that person is thinking.
あの人の胸の内は 我々には そう やすやすと推し量れぬ
（政）俺も その白紙は中立の意味かと思うが
I, too, believe that the blank paper may be indicating neutrality,
but I also feel it may have a completely different meaning.
全く別の意味があるようにも感じる
計り知れぬのだ あの人は
That person... is unreadable.
They must be in quite a panic just about now.
今ごろ きっと騒いでいるだろうね
Do you know why I did what I did, Zhao Gao?
どうして 私が あんなことをするに至ったか
分かるかい？ 趙高(ちょうこう) （趙高）いえ…
No, ma'am.
I wouldn't expect you to.
だろうね 私ですら分からないんだから
You see, even I don't know.
You, there.
おい （毒味役）あっ はっ！
Y-Yes?
I'd like you to take the next thing you taste to check for poison and...
次は お前が毒味でくわえたのを そのまま…
B-But...
し… しかし… （太后）うん？
Hurry, will you?
早くおし （毒味役）あっ はっ！
Yes, ma'am.
（太后）ウ～ン…
I am quite excited to find out how things will play out from here.
この先 どんな流れになるのか 楽しみだよ
（政）ハァ… ハァ… ハァ…
I wonder what kind of man that brat with those glaring, unpleasant eyes has become?
あのギラついたイヤな目のガキは 一体 どんな男になったかねえ
The aspect of this letter we should place importance on is the seal.
この書簡で 今 重きを置くべきは“印”
It is blank to see what the intention for deliberately using the replication of the sovereign seal on this letter was.
わざわざ国王印の複製を押して 送ってきたところの意図は―
分かりやすい
They sent this to us knowing we could not simply continue to let them be.
こちらが 当然 放っておけぬと承知のうえで
向こうは送りつけた
Which means they are telling us, the royal court, to turn our eyes towards the power of the harem.
つまり “朝廷は後宮勢力に目を向けよ”と
（政）間違いないだろう
Undoubtedly.
Your majesty.
（肆氏）大王さま
I believe you're already aware,
ご存じと思いますが 太后さまのもと―
but behind the Three Maids which manage the harem under the queen dowager,
後宮を仕切る三侍女の後ろに 三大宮家があります
are the Three Great Princely Houses.
The Fan family, Jie family, and Liao family.
（肆氏）氾(はん)家 介(かい)家 了(りょう)家
古きより 陰で後宮を支える実力者たちです
They are powerful people that have supported the harem since long ago.
Though the power they hold varies on their lineage,
（肆氏）我らとは また 系統の異なる力を持つ彼らですが
if we make them our allies, our power map will be nearly equal to that of the Lü Shi Faction.
もし味方につけるなら 呂氏派との 勢力図は五分に近づけます
しかし…
But, if they instead join Lü Shi's side...
逆に彼らが 呂氏側につくようなことがあれば
我々に あらがう手は 皆無となりましょう
we will no longer have any means of resistance!
Either way, they are opponents we will not be able to avoid.
（肆氏） どちらにせよ 避けては通れぬ相手
この機に 腹を据えて 彼らを取り込みにかかるべきかと
I feel it may be apt to take this opportunity to prepare ourselves and attempt to win them over to our side.
I am against it!
（昌文君）わしは反対だ
（廷臣）ハッ… 殿！
Lord?!
大王さまの前で口にするのは 心苦しいですが
It pains me to say this in front of his highness,
but I must say this despite its impropriety.
無礼を承知で言わせてもらいます
The queen dowager is venom!
太后さまは猛毒です！ （どよめき）
It is true that the power of the Three Great Princely Houses is great,
（昌文君） 確かに 三大宮家の力は絶大ですが
but they are the venomous fangs that make up the limbs of the queen dowager!
彼らこそ 現在 太后さまの手足となる毒の牙
By simple addition, it would seem that they would expand our power,
単純な足し算なら 勢力は増大すると考えられますが
彼らと組んで 果たして 本当に 一丸となり―
but if we join with them, I doubt that we will truly unite and become a force that can fight the Lü Shi Faction!
呂氏派と戦う勢力になれるかは 疑問です
（肆氏の部下Ａ） では どうするというのだ？
Then what do you propose we do?!
このまま無視して 呂氏派に流れたら 一大事だぞ！
If we just ignore this and they drift to the Lü Shi Faction, it would be catastrophic!
（壁） なにも無視するとは言っていない
He's not saying anything about ignoring them!
My lord is merely stated that we should not take joining forces with them lightly.
殿は 軽々しく後宮と手を組むのは 危険と言っておられるのだ
（肆氏の部下Ｂ）だが この書簡が 来た以上 我らは何らかの…
But now that we have received this letter, we must do something...
Queen Dowager
U-Um...
（向）あ… あの… （政）うん？
Are you feeling tired today?
今日は お疲れですか？ （政）なぜだ？
Why do you say that?
Um, nothing. You just seem a little different than usual.
いえ… いつもとご様子が違う気がしたので
You look at me quite a lot, don't you, Xiang?
向は よく見てくれているのだな 俺のことを
N-No! It's nothing like that...
い… いえ… そんな…
（政） 今夜は 読むのは やめにしよう
I think I'll stop reading here for tonight.
向… いつも隣で じっとしているだけで悪かったな
Xiang,
sorry for always just sitting here next to you, doing nothing.
No! Don't be absurd...
い… いえ めっそうも…
ああ… い… いよいよなのかな？ いよいよ 私 大王さまと…
F-Finally...
I'm finally talking with his majesty.
ヒエ～ッ… 陽(よう)ちゃん うまくいくように祈ってて
Yang, please pray this goes well.
Would you like to talk with me?
（政）話し相手をしてくれるか？ （向）えっ？
What kind of mother did you have?
お前の母親は どんなだった？
My... mother?
（向）私の母ですか？
Yes, tell me.
ああ 聞かせてくれ （向）そうですね…
Ah, all right.
I came from a poor merchant family, and my mother is a small woman.
私は貧しい商家の出で 母も小さな体で
Every day, she would get drenched in sweat running the store.
毎日 汗だくになって 店を切り盛りするおばさんです
She's careless, softhearted, and not beautiful at all.
（向）そそっかしくて お人よしで 全然 美人でもありません
Do you like your mother?
そんな母親を お前は好きか？
Yes. She was always scolding me,
はい 顔を見ると小言ばかりの母ですけど
but I haven't been able to see her often since I started working in the harem,
後宮にお仕えして めったに会えなくなってからは―
I sort of look back on all that scolding with happiness.
そんな小言も なんだか うれしいんです
I see.
そうか いいものだな そんな関係は
That sounds like a good relationship.
Your mother is a really beautiful person, your majesty.
大王さまのお母さまは 本当にお美しい方です でも…
But...
うん？ （向）あっ いえ…
No!
Oh, so you've met my mother, Xiang?
そうか 向は母に会っているのだな
お元気か？ 母 太后は （向）はい
Is my mother, the queen dowager, doing well?
Yes.
Do you not see her often?
お会いに なってらっしゃらないのですか？
No, it's been quite some time since we have last met.
ああ もう随分 会っていない
Why is that?
どうしてですか？
大王さまと太后さまなら いつでもお会いになれるのでは？
You and the queen dowager could meet whenever you want, your majesty?
For a normal king and queen dowager, we could.
普通の王と太后ならば そうだろう
But not for my mother and I.
だが 俺と母は そうじゃない
Doing just that is a difficult task.
そんなことすら難しい関係なのだ （向）えっ…
His majesty...
大王さま…
What?!
（昌文君） なに？ 大王さまが後宮に？
His majesty is going to the harem?!
D-Did he go to meet the queen dowager in person?!
（昌文君）た… 太后さまに 直接 お会いに行かれたのか
（肆氏）お前にすら相談せず 動かれていたとは意外だった
I'm surprised he has acted without even consulting you first.
（昌文君）おお… （壁）殿！
My lord!
No, this really is an issue between the queen dowager and his highness now.
い… いや…
これは もはや 大王さまと太后さま お２人の問題だ
My lord, please tell me just one thing...
殿… ひとつだけ お教えを
Why is it that the queen dowager, his highness's mother, will not help him?
（壁）そもそも なぜ母上である太后さまが―
大王さまを お助けになられぬのですか？
Just what happened between those two?
あのお２人の間には 一体 何が？
They can't help but remind each other of the time they were held hostage in Handan, the capital of Zhao.
（昌文君）あのお２人の間には―
趙国(ちょうこく)の王都 邯鄲(かんたん)において 人質だったときの思い出しかない
Basically, they remind each other of that darkness.
（昌文君）つまり 闇しかないのだ
I've heard that his majesty lived in the State of Zhao until he was nine years old.
大王さまが９歳まで 趙国に お住まいだったことは知っています
Also, that as the prince of the State of Qin, their hated enemy from the battle of Changping,
長平(ちょうへい)の戦いの仇敵(きゅうてき) 秦国(しんこく)の 王子として―
he suffered from insults and abuse every day.
日々 侮辱と虐待を受けていたことも
ならば なおさら 母親として 守り 慈しむ立場だったのでは？
But then, as his mother, wouldn't that be all the more reason for her to love and protect him?
The suffering the queen dowager endured was even greater.
太后さまが受けられた苦痛は それ以上だったのだ
Her husband, King Zhuangxiang, escaped to the State of Qin.
（昌文君） 夫である荘襄王(そうじょうおう)が 秦国に脱出され
孤立無援となった太后さまは 周りの者 全てを憎悪した
The queen dowager, left alone and helpless, was hated by all those around her.
It truly was everyone.
本当に 全ての者を
Hardened by the ill treatment from so many people, the strings of her mind finally snapped.
人々の仕打ちに すさみきった太后さまは―
ついに 心の糸が切れた
And... finally...
そして ついに…
she laid her hands on her own child!
我が子にまで手をかけたのだ
Zheng... Zheng... die...
（趙姫）政… 政… 死ね （政のうめき声）
That's insane!
そんなバカな！
A mother would never try to kill her own child!
実の母親が 我が子を殺(あや)めるなんて そんな…
That can't... For that to happen to his highness is...
それでは あまりに大王さまが…
（肆氏） そんな厳しい幼少期を送りながら 大王さまは よく立ち直られたな
His highness has done well to recover after such a traumatic childhood.
There was a woman that risked her life to rescue his highness from the darkness.
（昌文君）大王さまを 命懸けで闇から救い出した女がいた
If it weren't for her, his highness may still have been in the darkness.
彼女がいなければ―
大王さまは いまだ闇の中に いたままだったかもしれない
But, even as his highness is now...
（昌文君）しかし…
今の大王さまでも 太后さまとの関係には―
a great shadow hangs over his relationship between him and the queen dowager.
大きく影を落とされたままだ
And now, those two will meet face to face.
そんなお２人が 直接 顔を合わせる
Honestly, I have no idea where their conversation will lead.
正直 会談が どこへ向かうのか 見当もつかぬ
（太后）フフッ… どうした？ 政
What's wrong, Zheng?
It's been so long since we've seen each other. Come a bit closer, won't you?
久しぶりに会ったのだ もっと近くへ来ぬか
Or are you afraid of your mother?
それとも この母が怖いとでも？
（政）いえ
No.
Come closer.
（太后）もっと近くへ
Closer.
もっと
Closer.
もっと
（太后）もっと！
Closer!
You are my son, indeed.
へえ… さすがに私の息子だねえ
In the short time I haven't seen you, you've become quite a good man, haven't you, Zheng?
ちょっと見ない間に 随分と いい男になったじゃないか 政
You too, mother. You have not changed a bit.
母上も お変わりなく
But it's such a surprise for you to come and see me.
しかし お前から この私に 会いに来ることがあるなんてねえ
It seems things have gone just as you predicted, Zhao Gao.
あんたの思い描いたとおりに なったねえ 趙高
（趙高）ハッ… いえ めっそうも…
N-No, nothing of the sort.
趙高…
Zhao Gao...
So, what is it you wanted to talk about?
…で 何の用だい？ 政
Please stop feigning ignorance, Mother.
おとぼけは おやめください 母上 （太后）うん？
I came here to take your replica of the sovereign seal.
（政）玉璽の複製を いただきに上がりました
お戯れにしては度が過ぎております
This is going too far, even as a joke.
If this act becomes publicized, you will be accused of being a traitor to the kingdom, Mother.
このことが明るみに出れば 母上は国家反逆罪に問われます
Traitor to the kingdom?
（太后） 国家反逆罪！ それは大変だねえ
That really would be troublesome.
But it is quite odd that between the two of us the words "traitor to the kingdom" would be uttered, don't you think?
しかし 私たち２人の間で―
“国家反逆罪”なんて言葉が 出るなんて
おかしいと思わないかい？
Considering that life we led in the State of Zhao.
（太后）趙で一緒に あんな生活を していた私たちの間でさ
When you and I were in Handan,
お前と私が邯鄲にいたころ―
the attacks against us were beyond imagining.
私たちへの攻撃は 想像を絶するものだった
Doing everything we could to raise money so we dirtied ourselves to be able to eat.
金の工面のアテもなく ２人とも その身を汚(けが)しながら食いつないだ
While literally dirtying ourselves, as well.
文字どおり “身を汚しながら”ね
地べたを這(は)いずるとは 正に あのことだよ
Crawling on the ground as we did.
But what has come of those two now?
だが そんな２人が 今は どうだい？
You are the king of the great State of Qin, and I am its queen dowager.
お前は この秦国の大王で 私は太后
形式上 この秦国では 私たちの上に立つ人間は―
Formally, we are at the absolute peak position in this State of Qin, without a single person above us.
１人もいないという 最上の位置にある
What an incredible trick of fate, is it not?
なんという 運命のいたずらだろうねえ
Some scholars say that fate is determined by heaven,
（太后）どっかの学者が “運命は 天が定めしもの”とか言ってたけど
but if that is true,
それが もし本当なら…
I feel like I want to tear apart that greatest of curses, the heavens!
呪いの限り 天を切り裂いてやりたい気分だよ！
（太后）ハハッ… ハハハハッ… お前も同じ気持ちなんだろう？ 政
You must feel the same, don't you, Zheng?
Would you like to hear about it, Zhao Gao?
教えてやろうか 趙高
私たち親子が 互いに会おうとしないのは―
The reason we do not see each other is because we do not want to remember those hellish days.
あの地獄の日々を 思い出したくないからさ
Isn't that right, Zheng?
（太后）ねえ？ 政
Please return the sovereign seal, Mother.
玉璽の複製をお返しください 母上
フッ… 玉璽か あんなおもちゃ どうでもいいよ
The sovereign seal?
I do not care one bit about that toy.
If you want it, you will get it from the eunuchs on your way out.
欲しけりゃ 帰りに宦官どもから受け取りな
What is the meaning of this, Mother?
どういうことなのですか？ 母上 なぜ急に あんなことを…
Why would you suddenly do such a thing?
No reason.
ああ 別に
ただ 久しぶりに お前の顔が見たくなっただけだよ
I just wanted to see your face again. It's been so long.
In that case, excuse me.
それでは 失礼します （太后）もう帰るのかい？
Are you leaving already?
I was certain you had come to ask something of me.
てっきり 何か私に お願い事をしに 来たのかと思っていたけど
No.
いえ とても 聞き入れてもらえそうにないので
It seems very unlikely that you will comply, so I will refrain.
やめておきます （太后）おやおや
Oh my. You sure have assumed quite a bit before even asking anything.
まだ何も聞いていないのに 随分だねえ
それとも なにかい？ ダメな母親に 頭は下げられないのかい？
Or is it perhaps you can't bear to bow your head to your failure of a mother?
フッ… やってみなよ
Give it a try.
It has been nine years since we came here from Zhao.
（太后）趙から秦へ移って９年
Perhaps things have changed a bit.
少しは 何かが変わってるかもしれないよ
Because of my lack of self-confidence, even though I am in the position of King,
（政）自身の不甲斐(ふがい)なさから―
王という身でありながら 実権は呂不韋丞相のもとにあります
the actual power rests with Chancellor Lü Buwei.
We are now truly in a long struggle over that power.
いま正に その勢力と争っていますが
苦戦が続いております
Please, lend me the harem's power, Mother.
どうか 後宮勢力の力を 私にお貸しください 母上
フッ… 相分かった
I understand.
You may raise up your head.
（太后）もう下がってよいぞ
I will give you my answer shortly, I hope you'll look forward to hearing it.
（太后）追って返事を送るゆえ 楽しみにしておれ
Um, may I ask?
あの… 聞いてもよろしいですか？
What?
何だ？
（向） おウワサを耳にしただけですが
I have only heard rumors, but...
is it true that there is someone you are indebted to, your highness?
“大王さまには恩人がおられる”と （政）恩人？
Indebted?
I believe it was... someone called Si Xia?
確か… “ヒカさん”とかおっしゃる…
Preview
A Cursed Prince
End