PAGE 40 (7 Panels)

Panel 40.1

It’s a bright, cloudless day, and the sun shines brightly overhead. In the distance, the cart moves toward the reader. Omohnari and Sim-Qian sit in the driver’s seat, with Omohnari holding the horse’s lead. The cart travels on a muddy road, with water running on both sides. The cart moves from left to right, coming closer to the reader.

On the left, thick coral woods line the road, while on the right, a fence marks the boundary of an occupied piece of land—specifically a rice farm. Water canals are visible behind the fence, indicating the irrigation system. The scene can be framed through the trunks of coral trees, providing a natural frame for the view without obscuring the clarity of the landscape. Alternatively, the scene could be shown from above, offering a bird’s-eye view of the entire setting.

 

Panel 40.2

We see the cart’s back. Ewumon has cracked the door open, looking outside with worrying eyes.

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267. EWUMON:

Think they’re still mad at me?

 

Panel 40.3

This time, we see the cart from the inside, revealing that it’s much larger than it appears from the outside. The interior is a cozy, eclectic space filled with various furnishings: coffee tables, rugs, plants, bookshelves, an armoire, a weapon rack, a bed, and a study desk.

On the left side of the panel, Zuhei sits on a cushion, leaning his back against the wall. Opposite him, Ewumon remains in nearly the same pose as before, her body still positioned as if she’s peeking outside. But she’s turned her head back to look at Zuhei. The cart’s door remains half-open. Next to Ewumon, her black cover is now cleaned and neatly placed.

Zuhei has a band-aid on his nose, smeared with a mix of healing and pain-killing herbs.

Scattered throughout the cart are various objects that will appear in future editions: a tiki mask, a large ceremonial inkstand with ornate legs, a crystal resting on a pedestal, a glowing jar, a skull adorned with a crown, a framed written charm hanging on the wall, a mirror, a bonsai tree, a giant acorn, a dragon scale, and several East Asian-style idols.

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268. ZUHEI:

They’re always mad at something, so yeah, probably.

 

Panel 40.4

Ewumon tilts her eyes and closes the door. Her lips are pursed. The girl looks sad and confused.

 

Panel 40.5

Ewumon crosses her arms and rests her back on the armoire beside the door. She’s frowning. The girl has pulled her knees towards her chest.

 

Panel 40.6

A close-up of the top of the armoire. A helmet rests there, shrouded in darkness. It belongs to Omohnari and has red tones, but its features remain ambiguous due to the murkiness of its surroundings.

 

Panel 40.7

A close-up of one of the wheels of the cart. The whole vehicle shakes when it bumps into a rock.

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269. SFX:

TOK!

 

PAGE 41 (6 Panels)

Panel 41.1

We see Ewumon as the red-toned helmet falls from the top of the armoire. It hits her head, bounces, and lands on her lap. She clenches her teeth and squeezes her eyes shut in pain, her fingers tensing instinctively.

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270. EWUMON:

Ouch!

 

Panel 41.2

The helmet’s in Ewumon’s hands now. It’s almost looking at Ewumon’s face with its huge, black, and empty eyes. We don’t need to see Ewumon’s face.

 

Panel 41.3

Ewumon drops the helmet with a scream as though she’s holding a real skull, shocked and terrified.

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271. EWUMON:

Eeek! Even his armor hates me now!

 

Panel 41.4

We see Ewumon’s hand reaching for her black guise, trembling slightly. It’s a close-up shot: the black clothing is on the left side of the panel, her hand is on the right, and between them, Zuhei appears in the background.

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272. ZUHEI:

Problem?

 

Panel 41.5

Ewumon’s pupils have shrunk. She’s pulled the black cloak all the way up to her chin as though she’s hiding from monsters under a blanket. Her lips are tense.

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273. EWUMON:

Father’s helmet. Does it creep you out as well?

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274. ZUHEI (OFF):

Never seen it. How many times do I have to remind you that I’m blind?

 

Panel 41.6

Ewumon is on the right side of the panel, and Zuhei is on the left. Between them, the cart’s door is visible in the background. Ewumon’s position remains unchanged, while Zuhei sits as if in meditation.

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275. EWUMON:

Such a conversationalist.

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276. ZUHEI:

Sarcasm?

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277. EWUMON:

Sarcasm.

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278. ZUHEI:

Can you even spell conversationalist?

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279. EWUMON:

Shut up. You don’t get to question my Qanji skills.

 

PAGE 42 (7 Panels)

Panel 42.1

It’s the driver’s seat. We see Omohnari and Sim-Qian. Omohnari holds Tachi’s lead, his katana is sitting between him and Sim-Qian. Sim-Qian’s staff is on his lap, and his arms are crossed. They’re both looking front, at the reader. Sim-Qian’s on the left side of the panel, his eyes are narrowed and his lips are pursed. Omohnari’s on the right side. His face looks milder.

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280. SIM-QIAN:

I blame puberty.

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281. OMOHNARI:

She needs training.

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282. SIM-QIAN:

She needs a beating.

 

Panel 42.2

The exact same layout, but this time, Omohnari tilts his chin up and glances over at Sim-Qian. A small smile tugs at his lips as he lifts the reins slightly, giving them a light shake to encourage Tachi forward. The horse responds, picking up speed, her steps a little more eager now.

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283. OMOHNARI:

It’s not easy for her, being an alien and stuff. She only wants to be heard.

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284. SIM-QIAN:

I hear her alright. I hear her asking for a beating.

 

Panel 42.3

The exact same layout, but now Omohnari is glaring at Haeng, who has turned his head to meet Omohnari’s gaze. Haeng’s mouth is open, his hands raised with palms facing the sky. He slouches slightly, as if instinctively defending himself, though uncertainty lingers in his expression. He looks like he’s yelling.

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285. SIM-QIAN:

What? She hurt your feelings, not mine!

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286. OMOHNARI:

…

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287. SIM-QIAN:

Fine. She needs to be trained and heard… and beaten.

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288. OMOHNARI:

Please, drop it.

 

Panel 42.4

From a distance, we see the cart moving from right to left. The reader's perspective is set in the middle of the rice farm, where several farmers are working the flooded fields. They have paused their winnowing, heads lifted as they gaze toward the cart. All the workers are men, clad in long-heeled getas. Sim-Qian stands upright on the cart, looking in the direction of the farm.

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289. SIM-QIAN:

Oh, look, a farm!

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290. OMOHNARI:

So?

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291. SIM-QIAN:

We should make a stop.

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Panel 42.5

Haeng’s holding Omohnari’s shoulders, squeezing. Omohnari’s kind of hurt and scared. Haeng’s a bit too excited to see a farm. He’s clenching his fist with his free hand and looking kind of too happy in a perverted way.

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292. OMOHNARI:

Why?

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293. HAENG:

To ask for work, why else? We’re broke. They may hire your sword or buy my hemorrhoid creams or something.

 

Panel 42.6

Haeng is shaking Omohnari vigorously. The poor man looks utterly confused and dizzy, his eyes spinning. Haeng, on the other hand, is beaming. He's merrier than Robin Hood’s men. His face can take on a more exaggerated, cartoonish look here, maybe even with a touch of manga-style expressiveness.

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294. OMOHNARI:

Your hemorrhoid creams don’t work. I’ve tested.

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295. HAENG:

Neither does your sword. I’ve tested.

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296. OMOHNARI:

Ouch! Literally below the belt!