Chapter 78

Chapter 78
Chapter Information
Chapter Title	Solitude
Japanese Title	孤独
Romanized Title	Kodoku
Volume	8
Release Date	September 6, 2007
Story Arc	Escape from Zhao Arc
Navigation
Previous	Chapter 77
Next	Chapter 79

Solitude is the 78^th chapter of the Kingdom manga.

Summary

Shi Ka is thinking about Ei Sei's condition. There are cases of children shutting down their emotions due to traumatic experiences, having it experienced it herself. However, something like having no reaction to being shot in the arm isn't a problem of emotions. The smugglers continue as they're now on their way to the last checkpoint, 4 days after their departure from Kantan. Ei Sei is still unable to believe he is going to Qin and asks Shi Ka if they will be able to.

Finally, they reached the last checkpoint. Things were going smoothly until they are suddenly asked to stop. One of the guards stationed at the last checkpoint asks Shi Ka who these men are. She tells him that they are new recruits from villages on the way.

As they pass the final checkpoint, the gate shuts down behind them. The Zhao army discovered Ei Sei absence. It is only a matter of time when Zhao sends out soldiers to pursue. They are traveling the fast they can in order to outrun the Zhao Cavalry.

Ei Sei is experiencing nightmares and starts to see them while awake now. The consciousness of Ei Sei takes a creepier form of himself. Ei Sei then jumps out of the cart. The others don't understand his actions and Shi Ka tries to convince them everything will be OK ones they reach Qin. Ei Sei then stabs himself and claims to not feel anything at all. Ei Sei then explains the horror he was forced to endure. Shi Ka explains to him that he does have emotions and that he will be a good king.

Characters

Qin

• Royal Palace
  • Shi So (mentioned)
  • Queen Mother (mentioned)
  • Ei Sei Faction
    • Ei Sei (flashback)
  • Ryo Fui Faction
    • Dou Ken (flashback)
    • Ten Ji (flashback)
    • Tan Gen (flashback)

Zhao

• Zhao Black Market
  • Shi Ka (flashback)
  • Kou Shou (flashback)
  • A Mon (flashback)
  • Shi Kei (mentioned)

• Rokan Checkpoint
  • Unnamed official (flashback)
  • Unnamed guards (flashback)
  • Unnamed travelers and merchants (flashback)

• Kantan City
  • Unnamed citizens (flashback)

High Points

• The escot group reached the last checkpoint and continue traveling for 4 days now.
• They past the final checkpoint.
• The Zhao Military discover Ei Sei's absence.
• Ei Sei is experiencing nightmares and starts to see them while awake now.