It has been a while since we last met, Uncle.
You're becoming quite the monk, Bernard.
Would you like some apple cider? I bring you our best.
Very well.
And what is this about?
I have a matter to discuss with you, Uncle, as Le Comte Guillaume...
...regarding the witch Maria.
Mmm... That...
"Maria the Virgin Witch"
"Story 5: Courage, Prudence"
The witch Maria?
Yes. Her actions on the battlefield are affecting the feelings of the masses.
It seems her area of action has increased as well.
In any case, she is a witch.
I believe you are also considering what to do if something should happen, Uncle.
Yes. After all, that witch brings chaos to the entire battlefield.
The war is taking its toll, so the King's collection of taxes has intensified.
She is, after all, bringing chaos more than peace.
War holds purpose only when there are winners and losers in the end.
Indeed. Now, if she only weakened England, then maybe...
That's it, Uncle.
Hm?
We just have to make her get in the way of England's forces.
But how?
My friend shall probe England's quarters and report back to us.
If you can let Maria know what we learn, then...
But wouldn't that improve Maria's standing among the people?
The public is merely accepting her because we are in a state of war.
Once the war ends, there will be no reason for her to be admired.
Will this work?
--As expected, Uncle. --Hm?
Someone powerful in submission to God is needed to smite the weakened England.
So that is where we, in obedience to the King of France
and under the grace of God, come in.
We appear at the end, with power to lay waste to England's violence
and to repel the witch Maria.
Uncle, you are the very one who can contribute to the King's victory...
...as subject to the great administrator who will bring happiness to all.
Ouite a delicious drink to savor.
But is this acceptable?
To be using a witch is...
Kneel...
--Hm? --Kneel.
Ego Te Absolvo.
May your sins...
...be absolved.
So, you're not going to war?
Lord Guillaume has again assigned me as messenger.
You're just going to head to the battlefield again anyways.
--Huh? --The lord here...
Is there something I should know about Lord Guillaume?
He's gathering mercenaries.
Rumor is that the self-proclaimed Justicier Richemont is going to send in his ordinance.
Did you hear anything about it?
Of course you can't say, even if you know.
I'm sorry.
There's no need to apologize like that.
In any case, we'll finally be able to fight like usual.
You know quite a bit about what is going on.
Hey, now, my life is at stake out there.
This is no game.
Anyways, if I strike it rich in the next battle, I'll return the coins I borrowed from you.
No, that's...
I'll return them. I'm going to return them.
This is just my thanks until then.
You really don't have to--
--Say, Joseph. --Yes?
Did I say something while I was drunk the last time?
N-No. Nothing in particular...
I see...
Say, Viv? How'd it go with Maria?
It's going to take time.
Do you think it'll be difficult to get her to join our guild?
She said she'd rather be alone.
That's why she's not getting any guys.
Huh? But wasn't there a guy who visited her often?
Meow.
See? Even Edwina's cat knows about it.
You mean that familiar, Priapus?
The one missing his manhood?
No, he's some noble's vassal.
Huh?
Oh, she had a guy like that?
Joseph comes by a lot recently, but...
Maybe he has a lot of urgencies to convey.
He comes on horseback a lot more, too.
But he only brings with him petty quarrels.
The numbers just keep piling up.
It's been keeping Maria really busy.
I thought she was just stepping out to take a stroll?!
She said she wanted to fly alone, so...!
I-I'm just kidding!
There's no way she can hide from your watchful eyes.
Well, no, of course not.
Looks like minor requests are on the rise.
I'm very sorry.
Thinking of the condition between Lady Maria and Saint Michael does pain me,
but it is by order of my Lord.
Don't worry, I understand your position.
But if these can bring an end to England,
then there may come a day when there are no wars.
I sure hope so...
--Um... --Hm?
Ah, well... About the church of the heavens...
...has anything occurred...
Nothing.
Maybe Michael forgot about me already.
I doubt it.
In any case, please call for me if anything comes up.
I would like to be of use in any way I can.
Sure, thanks.
By the way...
Y-Yes?
You said, "a day when there are no wars," right?
If that comes true, what are you planning on doing?
--Excuse me? --So...
...what do you want to be, Joseph?
Just recently, my friend asked me the same question, but...
Since childhood, I have served Lord Guillaume, so I do not know any other way to live.
If possible, I would like to live in peace under Lord Guillaume.
Ah, I see...
One day, I will be wed, and will have children...
Something like Ann's family, I suppose.
Is there anything you have planned, Lady Maria?
--M-Me?! --Yes.
I-I'm, you know... a witch.
I am a witch, so regardless of the times, I can't be anything other than a witch.
I wonder why I get so irritated hearing stuff like that...
It's a beautiful form of love.
The witch Maria should just hurry and be bound to him.
That's going to make her lose her magic...
Such a power is tainted, so it's nothing to feel regret over.
--Wha--?! --Ezekiel.
Y-Yes!
This world isn't an existence made up solely of cleanliness, right?
War! We're going to have a war!
The forces of England are scattered about and weakened, being chased by Maria!
The next opportunity when they gather like fools is when we'll strike!
Trust me! This is for real!
As proof, I've got coins from the Count.
We'll pay half the battle wage, so form a line in front of the clerk later!
--Yes! --That's not all!
We've got fine, hard apple cider as well!
It's time to celebrate! Drink like there's no tomorrow!
Hey, Lolotte. Do you know where Galfa is?
Looks like he headed out, drink in hand.
I see...
He can be deceitful at times.
Don't open your heart to him too much.
If something happens, I'll think about it then.
Heh! Girls are a scary bunch.
Hey, Galfa!
That's the ordinance cavalry's sleeping grounds.
Yeah, I got it!
So, guess being a knight gets ya one of them lasses...
Are you going?
Why do you constantly head out into the night?
Is there something wrong with getting rid of wars?!
Have you ever considered what lies beyond that?
What?
Witch Maria... You are strangling yourself.
When the time comes that there are no wars, you will surely be forgotten.
And yet, you will go?
I just hate fighting!
That's all there is to it!
I've done it...
Good morrow, Galfa.
Yeah, morrow... And who are you?
Me? My name is...
J-Jean!
What is going on, Eugénie?!
Eugénie, eh...?
Yes...
This is quite a nuisance.
What do you think I should do, Bernard?
I believe you already know what to do, Uncle.
I'm asking you because it's not that simple!
The knight is furious, his honor marred.
But killing that mercenary will only diminish Yvain and his troupe's lust for battle.
Was it the Red Arm Brothers Troupe?
Yes.
Also, spoiling the ordinance cavalry may lead them to take away our lordship of this land.
Isn't there any way to resolve this while upholding both sides' honor?
--There is. --Hm?
I believe we can just have those involved hold a formal duel.
Hey, who are you going to bet on?
Normally, Galfa would have the upper hand, but...
...with that arm...
The duel will be held a day after tomorrow.
It will be held at the ordinance cavalry's sleeping grounds.
I will be... acting as witness to the duel.
I see.
Sorry.
Hey, now, you're the one who said it hurt.
Just take it easy for today.
Y-Yeah...
Right now, the odds are 2 to 8, with the opponent in the lead.
If you die, I'll waive your debts.
Shut it!
--This... --Hm?
...is meaningless.
Huh?
You could be tortured to death.
You should leave this land for the time being.
Return to your homeland, and...
I've got no place to run, nor any place I can call "home."
What?
Didn't the name "Galfa" strike you as odd?
He's probably run away from someplace before.
But... Sir Galfa must have a dream.
--Huh?! --Dream? Him?
Joseph, I gotta have a word with you...
So, you were lying to me back there.
I'm sorry...
That's fine.
But don't say things like that in front of others.
Very well, but that doesn't change my thinking.
You should escape.
You're planning to be a knight and king...
If it would help me realize my dreams, I'd run, or even grovel for my life. But...
Being killed for the sake of being killed is meaningless...
Whether it has meaning or not doesn't matter!
This is the life I chose!
But... I'm happy to know you were this worried, even for the likes of me.
Thanks.
Have a seat.
It's uncomfortable for me to talk to you like that.
Ah... If you say so.
This isn't about... work, is it?
Lady Maria... Well...
Well...?
My friend is about to die.
Huh?
Well, he may survive, but odds are likely he'll...
Oh? Just asking for advice, is he?
I could not stop him.
That's because he didn't ask for it.
He held a strong resolve in facing the trial about to come...
...even with his life at stake!
He still has a dream!
Lady Maria, you hold a strong resolve like him.
Can you please teach me what goes through your mind to bring out such strength?
Don't get me wrong.
I have no intention of facing the knights just because of you.
I know, Yvain.
So? How much are ya going to pay?
I'm not strong.
I'm always in doubt.
Huh?
No matter how many times I save others, there's no end to the conflict.
At times, even those I save try to kill each other.
I wonder what they're seeking in their lives.
But I bet that's the same thought they hold looking at me.
Huh?
They must be bewildered as to why I keep trying to stop the fighting.
This is probably a mystery I need to pursue.
The mystery of how people can understand one another.
Mystery...
Yes. All I know right now is that I made my own choice.
I think the same applies to your friend, Joseph. Um, so...
So?
Eh, so... What you don't like, you just don't like.
And if you decide on something, you hold to it to the very end. Got it?
Ah, I suppose...
Not only bothersome, but thoughtless as well.
We share...
...the same thoughts.
Tomorrow's finally it.
Sorry to make you help so much.
Well, you are hurt.
Besides, without patrons, I need to make coins any way I can.
Say, did you hear? The bet is 1 to 9 now.
Heh. Petty coins ahead of a fellow's life, eh?
Hurry it up!
Will this really maintain the mercenaries' morale?
Giving them coins should settle matters.
Is that mercenary going to be killed?
That is the reason why the cavalry accepted the duel.
A duel looks better than action born from envy.
Hah! How wretched!
There's nothing to brag about even if I win.
You're right!
It'll be a laugh seeing yer gear win!
If ya only want a win, just get started already!
Very well!
Then I will fight him on equal grounds.
Well, aside from my arm not being broken.
I see...
What if, perchance, the mercenary wins?
Even if that happens, the cavalry will have no reason for argument.
How is this, Sir Mercenary?
From here on, Galfa's on his own.
I can't wait.
By the rights given to Le Comte from the King of France under the grace of God...
...here the conflict between the knight Jean de Drouant
and the soldier Galfa shall be judged.
In the name of our Lord's record of suffering and of the Gospels,
each shall make his declaration.
Soldier Galfa...
I swear upon my body and blade
the truth of the shame you have wrought upon my love, Eugénie,
by the evils of your will!
I won't deny I'm the one who seduced her.
But everything after that was all of her own doing!
--What?! --Halt.
By their declarations, divine judgment shall be wrought.
The sins upon the spirit and body of the evil shall be decided.
Fulfill your obligation!
As witness, I will watch the judgment to come.
Begin!
Come on, go at it!
Don't hold out, Galfa!
Just hurry and get killed!
What disrespect towards the judgment at hand!
Such paid mercenaries do not hold the slightest piety.
One-armed isn't going to do the trick.
Sir Galfa...
It looks like the knight is going to win.
You're not going to stop this fighting?
Viv?
Or is that your guy fighting?
O-Of course not!
I put my coins on you losing.
Hurry and get yourself killed!
Say, are there fights that shouldn't be stopped?
Huh?
Holding out quite well there.
--Odd... --Hm?
Good, it's settled. Jean wins.
Finish him!
Hurry up already!
I can do anything I please now.
Right?
W-Wait!
I'm sorry! I'm sorry...!
It seems forgiveness from God is not needed...
...for a beast like you!
I see now...
Finally!
A straightforward move!
--Idiot! --It can't be!
Stinking deceiver! Look at his arm move!
Just as I thought.
Sword breaker?!
Take this...!
Stop...!
A-Astounding!
Halt!
Judgment from the heavens has been made!
Did I fulfill...
...my obligations?!
Did I fulfill my obligations?!
That bastard...
Thank goodness...
Tch! Jean...
It can't be helped. Let us just get our coins from the Count.
I see that our thoughts are not even close to those of our gracious Lord.
Soldier Galfa...
He will do fine...
Fine, indeed...
Maria... You were about to intervene, right?
Yes, and why not?
You're so cute!
Huh?
Are you all right?
I asked Yvain to put all my coins on me.
Now I'm filthy rich!
There, we're even now.
I have to thank that knight for this.
Haven't you heard?
Sir Jean de Drouant...
...killed himself, right?
Yes...
It seems he could not bear the words and stares from the other knights.
Knighthood is such a pain.
And that lady seems to have disappeared as well...
Do you know anything?
Of course not!
Got nothing to do with her, already.
She probably went back to her homeland or something.
She did say it was a quiet and beautiful place.
A girl like her leaving a place like that was a mistake all along.
Is that really so?
By the way...
Yes?
Who did you bet on?
Huh?
I was a witness, and...
Fine. What if you did bet?
I would put all I have on you, Sir Galfa.
Hey, now you're lying.
You're the one who was saying I was going to die.
Ah... I'm sorry...
Don't cling so close to me!
Quit it already...
I will inform you as details arise...
You're so mean, Joseph...
Glory to God, and peace to the land!