"Middle Ages, Northeastern France"
"Story 1: Perfect Virgin"
Mother, do witches really live in places, such as this?
I believe so, but...
I can't see the village...
We haven't walked that far yet...
Don't worry.
Continue your prayers for Saint Margaret's divine protection.
Y-Yes...
Ann, your grandmother would always return safe, right?
I'm sure the witch Maria is a kind soul.
E-Excuse me... Is anyone home?
It's so dark...
I wonder if she's away...
I've heard about you both. Martha's daughter and granddaughter, yes?
Yes, my name is Ann.
Ann, it is.
Martha is acting quite maliciously, isn't she?
It is not as if she is too weak to walk.
Well, Grandmother is ill.
That's why we came in her place.
How spirited you are.
Go, take it.
It's the usual medicinal concoction.
Maria, you really are a witch!
But I wonder why...
The bishop said that witches are evil, dirty, and corrupt--
Mind your manners, Ann!
W-We're very sorry...
You're overthinking a bit.
We were respected in villages for being able to use magic and medicinal concoctions.
Now, about the bishop's words... Let's see...
The Roman Catholic Church does have its share of enemies, so...
Enemies?
I suppose you're too young to understand.
Can I also become a witch?
Wh-What are you saying?!
Why a witch?
Well, I could make medicine for my grandmother.
And if I can use magic, I can help my father when he's hurt. That's why...
Did something happen to your father?
Father is going to war.
By our lord's decree, we have to send soldiers from our village.
Father was chosen to be one of them.
People can get hurt going to war, right?
But if I can use magic, then...
You're not fit for that.
After all, you are a fair lamb of the church.
Besides, this is something you cannot learn from others.
I... didn't know.
That's why I will watch over him in your place.
--Huh? --With magic.
But if he still gets hurt, bring him here. I will prepare the proper medicine--
Thank you!
You're such an amazing witch, Maria!
Amazing! Amazing!
Why, of course! I'm not like any other witch...
Huh?
Wha--?
That was so far!
I'm so tired! I feel like my hip is going to crack.
Huh?
Ah, if it isn't Martha's daughter and her kid.
I heard you were coming to get the medicine.
That aside, what are you doing?
I'm home, Maria.
Maria was cute!
Yes, there was no reason to be scared.
Can I come and visit her again?
Well, she is a witch...
You there, owl!
Artemis.
It's important to give brats the right first impression!
The witch Maria has to be an existence of awe!
And that's why you made this?
Yes!
And you disguised yourself with this all this time?
Yes!
Too much time, I see.
Shut up!
This doesn't mean a thing.
Once they return home, Martha's going to blow your cover.
Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
Say, Maria?
I'm hungry.
Fine...
Hax pax max Deus adimax...
...turbidus!
In the first place, you took too long.
I was able to finish all my tasks yesterday.
You and I do things differently.
I know you wouldn't understand, but my work takes quite a bit of time.
Well, I did soften up everyone at the commander level.
The battlefield to the south is already at peace.
You didn't take any lives, did you?
If a succubus goes too far...
We're not waging a war, right?
Don't worry. I'm not like the others.
I just massaged them enough
to have them crying my name for the next month while they rub themselves.
Massaged?
Um... R-Rub what?
Wait a second... My jaws are killing me.
I must have overused them.
Jaws? Why the jaws?
Oh? You're curious today, aren't you?
Well then, shall I report to you in detail, Master?
Maybe next time.
I need to go and pick up the arrows outside.
--Maria? --Hm?
You smell a bit like sweat.
Just eat and go to sleep!
Ah, that's right...
There's another war up north, and...
Must be puberty...
Good morning, Lady Maria.
I came bearing another request.
What now? A bit too many requests, don't you think?
If one's wish for a battle to end is written down and sent into the forest...
...then the powers of a witch will make that battle disappear.
It seems rumors of you have reached the enemy forces.
There were a lot of arrows from England as well.
Enemy?
It's not like I'm siding with France, you know?
I just don't want to see battles happening in front of me.
Huh...
You know, France's Imperial Army sure has gall
to send a messenger like yourself to someone they branded a heretic.
About that...
What?
As of today, my duty as messenger for my liege is done.
I too have now been commissioned to partake in war.
I will go to regain control of England's position located up the Loire, for passage to Calais.
A brat who doesn't know a thing about girls is going for something as stupid as war?
What an idiot.
That is my duty...
A while back, a hermit living in the forest told me of peace, without wars waged by god.
I was told that nothing would be better than a life without conflict among people.
One day, that world...
That very world may come from your very acts, Lady Maria.
As a witch, you may not be willing to hear this, but I would like to make a statement.
Instead of going to war, I would rather continue coming to visit you forever more.
Please, forget what you heard.
Be careful.
Some of your superiors are aware that you have been seeing me, correct?
Well, yes...
Sometimes people will sell others for their own sake.
If ever you're questioned...
...gain forgiveness from the Church by saying that I deceived you.
M-May I have the grace of your hand?
What?
Ah... Your name...
What was it?
It's Joseph.
Farewell...
Come agai...
It's nice to know Maria is doing well.
Yes! And she was very cute, too!
--But... --But?
Maria was saying that the Roman Catholic Church has enemies and things.
What does that mean?
Who knows?
Even Grandmother Martha doesn't know?
That aside, what about your errand to your father?
Oh, that's right!
Ah, I'm sorry!
Maria...
Hm, but why?
Why the jaws...?
I depart at sunrise.
If something happens to me, rely on the village officials.
I'm sure they will be of help.
Really, why you...?
Why for war...?
It can't be helped.
I don't want to go, but this is still my duty.
If only we could have paid you out of levy...
If I survive, I will be back soon.
Father!
I made this!
It's a charm that Grandmother taught me!
Thank you, Ann.
I have nothing to be afraid of with this.
Be a nice girl, and listen to what the others say.
I'll be fine! And Maria will be protecting you, Father!
The Blessed Virgin?
No, the one in the forest.
She said she'll keep watch over you with magic!
Ann, that Maria in the forest is a heretic.
Don't speak her name in public, you hear?
It would be a hassle should the priests hear you.
But... she said she would watch over you.
--Puny Britons! I'll crush them! --That's right!
Villon! Everyone's waiting for you!
--I got it! --Hurry up!
War...
Lady Maria... What would you...?
Say, Maria? I don't have to go out tonight?
Hm? I'm sure it's fine...
I did tell Ann to bring him if he's hurt.
Well, that too, but what about the other one?
Huh?
You know, that boy Joseph.
Ah, well he said that the battle...
Wait... Why do you know his name?
I-I'm sorry. I'm not used to this...
No, I'm sorry I didn't notice earlier.
Can you please help me stand...?
The hell you doing?!
Th-Thank you.
Pretty good gear you've got on you. You some vassal or something?
Ah, no, I'm just borrowing these...
Huh. So this is your first time in battle?
Yes.
Don't fall during the battle.
You'll get in the way of our making gold.
I will be careful.
You're an odd one, acting polite to a mercenary.
Is that so?
Um, we better return to our positions...
Ah, that's right.
May we go on ahead?
Do what you please.
There's no need to be with me.
Ah, we'll go on ahead, then.
The name's Galfa. Make sure you pay me back later!
Yes!
My name is Joseph!
Someone you know, Galfa?
More like, "someone I used to know."
He's as good as dead out here.
Neither side is really in much chaos.
My succubus did pretty well, too...
Hey, I haven't seen you before... Where are you from?
If you'd like, you can join our guild.
I came from Winchester.
Aw, so you're from England.
Winchester? You mean Henry Beaufort?
He's still going strong?
I don't care where the gold comes from.
I have to say, you French witches are so prudish.
Instead of using your succubus, you should just enjoy the moment yourselves.
Children of God!
Even if you have neither shield nor helm, with the divine blessing of our Lord...
...the cross shall lay waste to the heathens!
Lord... Please...
Lord...!
Hmph. As usual, it seems.
Isn't this a bit too close?
Children of God! Even if you should face the demonic opposition of the Englanders...
...we have the divine protection of Saint Martin...!
I knew it was too close...
Here it goes!
Putrid Saxon!
Blessed Virgin Maria... Please pray for our sinful ways, now and to the end--
Get up! Stand!
Hold no fear! God's divine protection is on our side!
Forward! Forward!
The Red Arm Brothers Troupe is moving in!
All right!
Don't let them spoils get away!
I wonder if Father is faring well.
It will be fine. Maria said she'd protect him, right?
If so, there's nothing to worry about.
Maria has never broken a promise, ever.
And he does have the charm you made, too.
Yes!
Don't come near, Gallia!
That bastard...
Wait... Did he...?
Hurry it up!
I know, Yvain!
Hey, England is starting to fall apart.
Too bad for you!
I'm not on England's side.
I don't care who I side with as long as I'm paid.
With God's divine protection!
With God's divine protection!!
Here, this is for earlier!
Come on, start walking.
Be sure to pay your dues to the Red Arm Brothers Troupe.
The Imperial Ordinance Cavalry?
They must be planning to take the best of the spoils.
It'll take them a while to get through the bog, so we'll have to see
how much we can earn before then.
Where's our "gold" hiding?!
Do you want to be a prisoner and pay the ransom?
Or do you want to die?
Lower your blade.
I swear to be prisoner to you.
Heh. You got it.
He's gold to us! Take care of him!
Was I able to pay you back?
You...?!
No! England moved first...!
Ann... I'm sorry...
Just... Just once more...
I...
I wanted to see you...
Lady Maria...
Wh-What's that?!
What? Could it be...?
She's probably going to come...
Oh, come now... What a hassle...
Say, what's coming?
Heed my warning!
Hm?
Listen to my order, all on the battlefield.
All within my sight...
Lady Maria...
...stop with the battling!
Ancient, hunted by Marcel of Paris...
...answer the call of the witch of hearth...
...and within the moment, show yourself!
Have any seen a dragon before?
No! But, now you shall!
D-Dragon?!
Dragon! We're not like the ones who seek to destroy heretics.
Don't harm any of them or take their lives, you hear?
Run...!
Ann, it's not good to ask for favors from such a terrifying witch!
I hate battles!
If, knowing this, you still resist, I will not go easy upon you!
Aww... There she goes again...
Does she even know why we went through all the hassle of using our succubus?
Right?
Hate... battles?
That was close.
If the knights had charged into battle, we could have won.
When Maria appears, things always get muddled.
Damn it! What's with that witch?!
We still could've made more gold!
Right?!
Thank you, Lady Maria...
Say, what brought you here all of a sudden?
You were saying you would keep watch over Ann's father from afar.
I may be a witch, but I am this cute...
--Huh? --There was a guy who thought
waging war between men was more enticing than my oath with him!
That's why I came to teach him a lesson!
Huh? That's...
There's only one person who has ever kissed my hand.
But according to human rules--
But he looked happy!
You know what?
That's only because you asked him for his name!
But... he kissed me!
On your hand!
Just because you're a virgin, that doesn't give you the right to push your values onto others!
What a joke.
All this chaos was caused by a witch
who holds the apotheosis of Christians, commanding love and respect; a virgin.
You really are a pain.
How about making a confession at church?
What are you saying?! The Roman Catholic Church is filled with people scared of females!
Do you know what they did to La Pucelle, the girl who rose to save France?!
They stuck their fingers up her crotch to see if she was a virgin,
used her, betrayed her, and set her on fire!
Just you see!
One day, they'll canonize the girl they treated like a witch as a maiden of patriotism!
I won't lose to that kind of Roman Catholic Church!
That's why that had nothing to do with virginity!
Virginity?! I'll offer it anytime and to anyone, even to a dog!
So, you're just at an age where you're interested in things...
Hm? Huh?
Maria...
Follow me: I'll just show you some guy's thing!
Good evening, my dear...
Divine protection is...
Why are the hearts of people so foolish?