WEBVTT 00:08.320 --> 00:12.120 The Apothecary Diaries 00:08.320 --> 00:12.740 The Apothecary Diaries 01:31.720 --> 01:34.500 Also, regarding today's schedule, 01:33.360 --> 01:36.360 This story is a work of fiction. The names of all of the characters, organizations, and so on are imaginary. It also bears no connection to any specific real-life events. 01:34.500 --> 01:36.570 there will be a medium ceremony in the afternoon. 01:37.610 --> 01:38.440 Yeah... 01:45.500 --> 01:49.280 I think I know what's on your mind. 01:49.280 --> 01:51.530 But please, don't forget about work. 01:52.820 --> 01:54.340 I know. 01:55.380 --> 01:59.390 Episode 19: Chance or Something More 02:00.120 --> 02:02.600 Master Lihaku, what's wrong? 02:03.070 --> 02:04.660 We have a problem. 02:05.220 --> 02:07.060 Trouble, is it? 02:07.430 --> 02:10.500 Remember that fire at the warehouse? 02:10.500 --> 02:11.150 Ah. 02:11.150 --> 02:15.380 Apparently, a thief broke in to a different warehouse on the same day. 02:16.430 --> 02:19.820 I'm sure they were taking advantage of all the chaos at the time. 02:20.120 --> 02:24.070 A looting. What got stolen? 02:27.130 --> 02:29.810 Not something to discuss openly, it seems. 02:29.810 --> 02:30.590 Sneak. 02:35.430 --> 02:39.680 Ceremonial tools. And not just one. 02:39.680 --> 02:42.090 Were they being managed that haphazardly? 02:42.340 --> 02:44.930 Well, I don't really know. 02:45.400 --> 02:48.480 There's no knowledgeable managers right now. 02:48.480 --> 02:50.850 The last one passed away last year. 02:50.850 --> 02:54.750 What about the current manager? He must know the basics, right? 02:54.750 --> 02:58.860 Well, he got food poisoning awhile back. 02:59.170 --> 03:00.500 Food poisoning? 03:01.000 --> 03:05.090 His favorite seaweed made him sick and he hasn't woken up. 03:05.090 --> 03:09.300 He can't come back to work. Trouble, right? 03:09.300 --> 03:11.560 Where have I heard that before? 03:12.050 --> 03:16.130 Was it that official who likes rare foods? 03:16.530 --> 03:17.910 How did you know? 03:18.350 --> 03:19.840 A lot happened. 03:20.540 --> 03:23.210 Theft at the time of a fire. 03:23.620 --> 03:27.380 The warehouse manager is missing due to food poisoning. 03:28.140 --> 03:30.180 It's a bit too suspicious to be a coincidence. 03:31.140 --> 03:34.860 Who was the manager who passed away last year? 03:35.210 --> 03:40.330 Hmm. I remember that he was famous for being really by-the-book. 03:40.330 --> 03:45.280 I forgot his name. I remember he had a sweet tooth and things like that, but... 03:45.940 --> 03:49.450 Was it Master Kounen, by chance? 03:49.450 --> 03:54.620 Oh, that's it! Hey, how'd you know? 03:54.620 --> 03:56.000 A lot happened. 03:56.840 --> 04:01.580 Master Jinshi told me about the tough official with a sweet tooth. 04:01.580 --> 04:03.970 The man who died of salt overdose. 04:04.630 --> 04:07.700 These are all coincidental? 04:07.700 --> 04:10.060 Each incident looks like an accident, 04:10.060 --> 04:15.190 but if they were all done in pursuit of some goal... 04:15.660 --> 04:18.340 So, what can I do for you? 04:18.340 --> 04:20.260 Right! The main point. 04:20.260 --> 04:22.650 Remember this? You gave it to me back then. 04:23.550 --> 04:25.420 Ah, from the fire. 04:25.780 --> 04:29.980 I tried to give it back, but the owner declined. 04:29.980 --> 04:31.040 He doesn't want it anymore. 04:31.580 --> 04:35.800 It seems very expensive. I assumed it was important. 04:35.800 --> 04:39.220 Apparently, he got it from some court lady. 04:39.220 --> 04:40.800 From a court lady? 04:40.800 --> 04:42.850 Sounds weird, right? 04:42.850 --> 04:46.150 Why give this to a random warehouse guard? 04:48.420 --> 04:52.640 Apparently, the guard escorted the court lady outside the castle, 04:52.920 --> 04:55.550 because she was walking alone in the dark. 04:56.130 --> 04:59.690 She gave him this pipe as a token of gratitude. 04:59.990 --> 05:05.200 Receiving such an expensive item might compel him to use it right away. 05:06.140 --> 05:09.080 Start a fire to divert the guards' attention, 05:09.080 --> 05:11.240 and break into another warehouse. 05:11.240 --> 05:16.110 If the court lady gave the guard the pipe for that purpose... 05:17.030 --> 05:19.420 Master Lihaku, about that court lady... 05:19.420 --> 05:22.430 Yeah, I tried to get the details about her. 05:22.850 --> 05:25.880 But she was wearing a scarf that hid her face, apparently. 05:26.530 --> 05:30.900 Maybe she was hiding her face intentionally. 05:30.900 --> 05:31.890 Yeah. 05:31.890 --> 05:37.210 But she was "quite tall for a woman, and smelled like medicine." 05:38.510 --> 05:42.160 I know it's not you, given the height. 05:42.160 --> 05:43.660 Can you think of anyone else? 05:45.230 --> 05:49.110 A tall court lady smelling of medicine... 05:50.330 --> 05:52.700 Don't speak based purely on conjecture. 05:54.350 --> 05:59.580 Were there any more strange incidents other than the events we mentioned? 06:00.100 --> 06:03.340 Hmm. I can't say... 06:03.890 --> 06:06.490 Do you think there's something to find out here? 06:06.490 --> 06:08.590 There could be. 06:09.260 --> 06:11.530 Or there might not. 06:11.530 --> 06:12.760 Which is it? 06:15.770 --> 06:18.940 Two coincidences can often occur simultaneously. 06:19.750 --> 06:22.250 Three at once isn't that rare, either. 06:23.250 --> 06:25.940 But when several of them pile up 06:26.270 --> 06:28.550 and become clearly intentional... 06:29.450 --> 06:34.450 What if a person who fits the description of a tall court lady appeared here? 06:36.590 --> 06:41.710 This way, even if Suirei's name comes up, it has nothing to do with me. 06:43.070 --> 06:47.400 Wow, you're a lot smarter than you look! 06:48.330 --> 06:53.690 Conversely, Master Lihaku, you're as big a brute as you look, so please go easy on me. 06:56.720 --> 06:58.600 Looks like fun. 06:59.800 --> 07:01.850 Looks like fun. 07:02.890 --> 07:05.110 There's nothing fun here. 07:05.720 --> 07:07.590 I'll take my leave! 07:11.820 --> 07:14.960 You seem very close to that officer. 07:14.960 --> 07:15.910 Do I? 07:16.260 --> 07:21.000 He just came to talk to me about some concerns he had. 07:22.370 --> 07:26.930 I can't say for certain that this has nothing to do with Master Jinshi. 07:29.220 --> 07:32.050 May I explain the details to you? 07:34.620 --> 07:37.140 What a strange way they connect. 07:37.140 --> 07:38.060 Yes. 07:38.550 --> 07:40.770 So, what do you think is behind them? 07:41.080 --> 07:42.400 I don't know. 07:42.400 --> 07:45.260 None of those incidents are certainties. 07:45.260 --> 07:50.530 It's more like setting several traps in the hopes that some of them work out. 07:50.780 --> 07:54.410 In that case, do you think there are other traps? 07:54.870 --> 07:57.250 I can't say for certain. 07:57.250 --> 08:01.570 It's hard to determine which are accidents and which were plotted. 08:01.570 --> 08:05.550 It's still possible that these are all just coincidences. 08:09.410 --> 08:10.630 You're not excited? 08:11.290 --> 08:12.330 Excited? 08:15.510 --> 08:20.140 I'm just a servant. I only do what I am told. 08:20.140 --> 08:21.710 Hmm. 08:23.430 --> 08:25.150 In that case, how about this? 08:26.360 --> 08:30.110 The other day, I visited the trader. 08:30.410 --> 08:33.020 He told me there's an interesting item in stock. 08:35.110 --> 08:37.740 Ox bezoar 08:35.490 --> 08:37.740 This is what it was called. 08:38.900 --> 08:41.660 Ox bezoar, a medicinal gallstone from a cow! 08:41.660 --> 08:45.540 The most exquisite medicine only found in one in a thousand cows! 08:45.540 --> 08:48.250 Are you going to give me that?! 08:48.250 --> 08:49.090 Ox Bezoar 08:48.250 --> 08:49.090 Really?! 08:49.090 --> 08:50.550 Ox Bezoar 08:49.090 --> 08:50.550 You'd better not be lying! 08:53.830 --> 08:54.680 Do you want it? 08:54.680 --> 08:55.700 I do! 08:55.700 --> 08:56.930 Xiaomao. 09:03.960 --> 09:05.020 Excuse me. 09:06.130 --> 09:08.110 Looks like you're excited now. 09:08.110 --> 09:10.070 Will you really give me this? 09:08.110 --> 09:10.070 Ox bezoar 09:10.530 --> 09:14.060 Depends on how well you work. I'll keep you updated. 09:14.060 --> 09:15.070 Understood. 09:16.170 --> 09:18.070 As you wish, Master Jinshi! 09:18.070 --> 09:21.320 And so, Gaoshun, take care of it! 09:26.840 --> 09:28.920 This is the incident from the other day. 09:29.230 --> 09:32.800 The officer who got food poisoning was from the Board of Rites. 09:33.570 --> 09:38.670 Which one was the Board of Rites, again? The education and foreign affairs one...? 09:40.660 --> 09:44.140 If only I'd studied for the court lady exams properly... 09:44.140 --> 09:46.060 I'll leave these here. 09:47.640 --> 09:49.070 Thank you. 09:49.070 --> 09:53.390 No problem. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions. 09:53.390 --> 09:56.120 Um, what does this division do? 09:56.120 --> 09:57.030 Hmm? 09:58.260 --> 10:00.820 They deal with ceremonies. 10:01.300 --> 10:02.930 Ceremonies? 10:06.670 --> 10:08.580 Do you have anything to write with? 10:08.580 --> 10:10.000 Huh? Y-Yeah. 10:10.460 --> 10:12.750 Ceremonies, ceremonies... 10:13.340 --> 10:18.090 The food-poisoned official and Master Kounen were both were related to ceremonies. 10:18.090 --> 10:23.220 If the incident with the pipe was a way to help steal ceremonial tools... 10:24.090 --> 10:27.490 These events, disguised as coincidences, must line up 10:27.490 --> 10:29.980 to form an intentional incident, somewhere. 10:30.390 --> 10:34.650 If someone went through so much trouble to steal ceremonial tools, 10:34.650 --> 10:37.140 it has to be a ceremony of some importance. 10:38.200 --> 10:40.070 Medium or higher, most likely. 10:40.070 --> 10:43.710 I should find out when all of these ceremonies take place. 10:44.670 --> 10:48.760 Come to think of it, Master Jinshi did purify himself often. 10:48.760 --> 10:52.740 If you're interested in ceremonies, here's something good. 10:56.930 --> 10:59.530 Is this a picture of a ceremonial building? 10:59.530 --> 11:04.170 Yes. It's at the west end of the outer court, and called the Altar of the Sapphire Sky. 11:04.170 --> 11:06.180 Quite an interesting design, don't you think? 11:07.480 --> 11:10.470 There's a large pillar hanging from the ceiling. 11:12.260 --> 11:15.730 There are these banners hanging above the central altar. 11:16.190 --> 11:20.150 They lower the pillar to add festive texts every time. 11:20.990 --> 11:22.900 You're very knowledgeable. 11:22.900 --> 11:26.440 Yeah. I'm ashamed to admit it, but before I got assigned to the archives, 11:26.440 --> 11:29.250 I was doing more important work at the Board of Rites. 11:29.950 --> 11:34.190 I talked back to my superiors once, and got demoted to this role. 11:35.560 --> 11:40.830 I used to be worried about the build strength, but I'm glad to know it's fine. 11:40.830 --> 11:42.220 What are you talking about? 11:42.910 --> 11:46.500 You see how the pillar is hanging from the ceiling like this, right? 11:46.500 --> 11:51.090 It's big, so I was worried about it falling down. 11:51.090 --> 11:53.230 When I voiced my concerns about the parts' strength, 11:53.560 --> 11:56.350 it got me sent to this place. 11:57.510 --> 11:59.740 That is indeed scary. 12:00.120 --> 12:05.860 If the metal parts fixing the pillar in place broke, and the pillar fell... 12:07.100 --> 12:11.290 The person directly underneath performing the ceremony would be at the highest risk. 12:11.720 --> 12:14.350 Someone of truly noble birth could be lost. 12:16.080 --> 12:18.960 Strength issue... Strength... 12:19.270 --> 12:23.090 What was the stolen ceremonial tool, anyway? 12:23.090 --> 12:27.180 If something so important went missing, surely they'd make a new one. 12:28.850 --> 12:30.600 Make a new one... 12:32.390 --> 12:33.490 Excuse me! 12:33.490 --> 12:36.610 When is the next ceremony taking place at this venue?! 12:36.610 --> 12:39.230 When? Well... 12:39.230 --> 12:40.700 Oh, today, actually. 12:49.820 --> 12:54.500 If my predictions are correct, this is a plan that was concocted over a long period of time. 12:56.710 --> 12:58.900 Not ever piece is likely to work. 12:58.900 --> 13:02.580 But by placing numerous traps everywhere, some are bound to work and overlap. 13:02.580 --> 13:05.130 And finally, it connected to this. 13:09.390 --> 13:12.580 It's just conjecture on my part. 13:12.580 --> 13:16.100 But if I happen to be correct... 13:19.000 --> 13:20.050 There! 13:28.920 --> 13:29.740 Hey! 13:30.040 --> 13:31.990 What are you doing?! 13:33.240 --> 13:34.370 I need to get inside! 13:34.840 --> 13:35.870 No. 13:35.870 --> 13:37.390 This is an emergency! 13:37.390 --> 13:41.000 What right does a servant like you have to interject in this ceremony? 13:42.860 --> 13:47.610 He's absolutely right. I'm just a servant with no authority at all. 13:47.610 --> 13:50.470 But if something happens, it'll be too late. 13:51.170 --> 13:53.940 That's always the case with things that can't be undone. 13:55.240 --> 13:59.330 There are lives at risk. Please stop the ceremony. 13:59.330 --> 14:01.290 That's not a decision for you to make. 14:01.290 --> 14:05.820 If you have something to say, put it in the suggestion box. 14:06.190 --> 14:08.140 That will take too long! 14:08.140 --> 14:08.910 No! 14:09.310 --> 14:13.160 A fatal defect was discovered in the altar! 14:13.160 --> 14:16.040 There is reason to suspect that someone tampered with it! 14:16.040 --> 14:20.420 If you don't let me in now, you'll regret it! 14:20.690 --> 14:25.220 If, after listening to my warnings, you still reject... 14:25.870 --> 14:29.550 Oh, I get it, so that's what it is! 14:29.860 --> 14:35.810 I see. You're obstructing me and waiting for the incident to happen! 14:36.250 --> 14:40.060 In other words, you're in league with the ones who tampered with the— 14:58.660 --> 15:00.700 I'm about to lose consciousness. 15:01.590 --> 15:06.090 It's only natural for him to get upset, hearing a girl talk to him like that. 15:06.370 --> 15:09.580 That was intentional, so it's fine. 15:11.100 --> 15:16.820 It's no use. This isn't a big enough of a commotion to stop the ceremony. 15:17.740 --> 15:22.220 I'm fine. I can't lose consciousness now. 15:25.790 --> 15:27.400 Do you feel better now? 15:30.610 --> 15:31.910 Please let me through. 15:34.860 --> 15:38.150 There is a person of the most noble birth inside, isn't there? 15:39.430 --> 15:43.380 If something happens, you all will be the ones to lose your heads. 15:44.350 --> 15:47.000 I won't ask you to cancel the ceremony. 15:47.890 --> 15:50.570 Please just let me through. 15:51.210 --> 15:53.820 Just say a rat got in accidentally. 15:55.070 --> 15:58.850 In that case, the only person getting beheaded will be me! 15:59.330 --> 16:02.850 Why should I trust the words of a girl like you?! 16:02.850 --> 16:06.020 What about my words, then? 16:13.030 --> 16:15.420 S-Sir, you're... 16:19.020 --> 16:24.500 Now, why would you strike a young girl like that? 16:26.140 --> 16:28.670 She's hurt. 16:31.460 --> 16:36.330 At any rate, why don't you just go ahead and do as the girl says? 16:36.330 --> 16:38.580 I'll take responsibility. 16:39.640 --> 16:42.200 I don't even want to see who's behind me. 16:42.200 --> 16:45.100 It's perfect timing, as if everything was planned... 16:45.100 --> 16:48.590 No, I can't concern myself with that right now. 16:48.890 --> 16:51.150 It doesn't matter who this voice belongs to. 16:58.740 --> 17:00.740 I must look terrible. 17:00.740 --> 17:03.130 I'll ask Master Gaoshun after all this is done, 17:03.130 --> 17:06.120 and take a nice, long bath. 17:06.970 --> 17:08.200 But first, 17:09.260 --> 17:11.720 I have to avoid getting beheaded. 17:56.840 --> 17:58.170 I made it... 18:05.510 --> 18:06.990 Gotta stitch that... 18:08.180 --> 18:09.060 Hey. 18:14.580 --> 18:17.280 What's going on here? 18:18.670 --> 18:20.110 Master Jinshi... 18:22.340 --> 18:24.700 Can I have the ox bezoar now? 18:26.570 --> 18:28.500 This isn't the time for that. 18:30.540 --> 18:34.290 What's happened with your face? 18:36.270 --> 18:40.450 Why is Master Jinshi here...? 18:42.340 --> 18:46.270 What's that look on his face? 18:50.540 --> 18:55.070 Sorry, I need to stitch up my leg first— 18:55.930 --> 18:56.900 H-Hey! 18:58.410 --> 19:00.370 Hey, wake up! 19:01.170 --> 19:03.870 Wake up! Hey! 19:04.270 --> 19:05.820 Hey! Stay with me. 19:06.530 --> 19:08.680 Hey! 22:35.040 --> 22:50.050 Next Time 22:46.050 --> 22:48.610 Next time: "Thornapple." 22:46.090 --> 22:50.050 Episode 20: Thornapple