Ep 15. The Rumor

As a warning, this episode contains elements of violence and gore.

In "The Rumor," we follow the story of Shoukei, a former princess who was exiled to the kingdom of Kyou for her father's crimes. In Kyou, Shoukei disguises herself as a commoner and struggles to make a living. She hears rumors about a group of rebels who want to overthrow the queen of Kyou, and she decides to join them in hopes of one day reclaiming her position as a princess.

The episode opens with Shoukei fleeing from guards sent by the queen. She seeks refuge with a young girl, who is part of the rebel group. The girl takes her to a hideout where Shoukei meets the other rebels. The group has heard rumors that the queen is planning to execute several citizens for plotting against her, including a man named Youka. Youka is the father of Shoukei's friend from the hideout, and she begs the rebels to rescue him.

The rebels agree to help, but they need Shoukei's help in return. They want her to use her connections to gather information about the queen and her plans. Shoukei agrees and sets off to the palace to gather intelligence.

Inside the palace, Shoukei poses as a servant and befriends a high-ranking official named Enki. Enki is kind to her and helps her gather information about the queen's plans. However, as Shoukei leaves the palace, she discovers that Enki is actually one of the queen's spies.

Shoukei rushes back to the hideout and tells the rebels what she has learned. They realize that they must act quickly to rescue Youka and the others before the queen carries out her executions.

The rebels launch a surprise attack on the queen's guards, and a brutal battle ensues. Shoukei fights alongside the rebels and discovers that she has a talent for combat. Together, they manage to rescue the prisoners, including Youka.

The episode ends with Shoukei realizing that her destiny might not be to reclaim her position as a princess, but to fight for the people of Kyou.

"The Rumor" is a gripping episode that explores the themes of loyalty, identity, and sacrifice. Shoukei's journey from an entitled princess to a determined rebel is a compelling one, and her growth as a character is evident throughout the episode. The action scenes are well-choreographed and intense, and the episode's pacing keeps the audience engaged throughout. Overall, "The Rumor" is a standout episode in The Twelve Kingdoms that showcases the series' strengths.