10 "Kind Country —Tomorrow Never Comes.—"

Curious to enter a country known among travelers for its terrible reputation, Kino and Hermes are warmly welcomed, much to their surprise. Kino befriends a girl named Sakura, whose parents own an inexpensive inn. While Sakura takes Kino and Hermes on a grand tour of the country, they visit a Persuader Smith who services Kino's gun for free and even gives her a semi-automatic pistol. Sakura takes Kino to see a play about how her ancestors settled in the heavily forested land. Later on, Sakura shares her future dreams of becoming an innkeeper and tour guide. Kino considers staying longer after a couple marries, but the gate guard reminds her of the time limit. The citizens see her off when she leaves, and Kino remarks how different the country turned out to be. That evening, Kino camps on a ridge and watches in horror as a pyroclastic flow engulfs the land. She then reads a letter given to her, explaining that the people knew of the impending destruction but decided to stay in the place that they were raised and always cherished, and treated Kino kindly so that at least one person would have positive memories of their country.