Hark, soldiers of England!
Hurry and return to your land!
Longbow soldiers, fire!
Shoot down that witch!
Hmm... So, that's your reply?
Well, then...
Melusine, one who has lost the love of Count Poitou...
...answer the calling of the witch of hearth and show yourself!
--It's Melusine! --By the gods!
I'm not fighting with these beasts around!
Run!
Hm, that should do it.
That was too blatant!
Divine punishment is going to come down upon you!
All I was doing was watching England's forces run.
And what about this dragon and Melusine over there?!
--Who knows? --Witch Maria! Stop lying to...
Ezekiel, did you actually see me using magic in front of the people?
England's forces around Rouen have been suppressed by the witch Maria.
They will probably head through Lisieux and onward to Caen.
All is as planned.
The accuracy of your foresight is astounding.
I'm relieved that you chose the path of faith.
I am who I am because of you, Uncle.
And I am fighting as well.
Hm?
Preaching the Scriptures and Psalms, granting forgiveness to sinners,
and praying at the altar for the return of those in battle.
That is our fight for the sake of God's peace.
Trees bear bounties with proper watering, ample sunlight, and care.
As it is with fruits, so it is with humans...
Hence, first...
...the insects must be exterminated.
"Maria the Virgin Witch"
"Story 6: Under the Rose"
Crying like a lass...
Good day, Sir Galfa.
Ah, Joseph, what timing.
How does this look?
Oh, you're buying that? I think it looks good.
A great choice!
Oh, yeah?
Thank goodness. I was thinking of lending you my cap.
Huh?
Well, I...
Thanks for coming!
Come back again!
Wasn't that a member of the ordinance?
Yeah.
We're bonding with them before the next battle.
--Joseph, was it? --Yes?
You want to "bond," too?
Ah? Um, well, I...
Stop with the jest, Lolotte.
Fine...
--So, what is it? --Huh?
Why do I need to have a cap?
Yes, well... my master, Le Comte Guillaume, wanted to speak with you.
Me?
There's someone he'd like to introduce to you.
Not Chief Yvain...?
Um, are you really listening?!
They were once children, too!
Leave them alone and they'll return to their homeland,
so there's no need for you to intervene!
Be quiet already...
I could use a hand.
There's no place for idlers here.
My mission isn't to help with household duties!
I'll go and scout England's quarters later.
Sure, got it.
And you, Ezekiel?
Like I said, I'm Archangel Michael's proxy!
My mission is to monitor and report on Maria!
Maria! Time to eat!
Ah...
Artemis, was Viv there where you were?
She was, but she just hung around for a bit and left.
Viv is England's witch, right?
Don't England's soldiers and issues bother her...?
--Hm? --Meow!
Don't tell me you're staying here tonight again...
Quit it already...
Come now.
Edwina, look... I brought you your favorite apple cider.
I just want to live in peace.
Don't drag me into your mess...
That's not my intention.
I'm actually the one being dragged into the mess, you know?
Hm? By who?
That was quite a display back then, mercenary Galfa.
Ah, well, thank you...
I'm surprised Joseph was acquainted with you.
I thought you lacked practice,
but it seems you have quite a broad range of acquaintances.
Well, I suppose...
--Mercenary Galfa. --Yes.
I heard you shared your winnings from the duel with your companions.
The coins were not earned, so it's best to use them for companionship.
As expected, you seem like one who can be counted on to watch over others.
It seems to me there is much to gain from this meeting.
Um...
Nice to meet you. I am Count Guillaume's confessor and bishop, Bernard.
You're a bishop?!
I am a monk, but I have received my ordination.
Do you hold fear of the great God?
Do you accept and embrace the Roman Catholic Church's sacrament?
I will always obey God and the Church.
I believe I survived that duel of judgment because God accepted my deeds.
You say that your deeds are in the right?
Isn't that why God made me victorious?
True...
I feel we will become great friends.
And... what did you want with me?
I was hoping you could help save the soul of the sinful witch Maria.
If she continues her sinful ways, then...
...kill her?
Lord Guillaume! Was this not supposed to be a meeting of goodwill?!
B-Brother Bernard!
The witch Maria has saved many people's lives.
She desires peace without wars.
We have received many blessings from her over time, so to kill her would be--
Silence.
Blessings from a witch?
Your words cause me to doubt your faith.
I-I am sorry, but...
I am speaking of salvation of the soul.
And, I did say "if she continues"...
If war is abolished from this land as she desires, she will have no reason to be a witch anymore.
There are rumors surrounding her and the Archangel as well.
We should become better acquainted...
Yes...
Mercenary Galfa, when the time comes, I ask that you bear in mind the words spoken here.
I see...
Joseph, I want you to notify Maria about Normandy.
--That's...! --Joseph!
Your father served me well as my vassal.
I have great expectations of you as well.
That girl you were talking about before was the witch Maria, eh?
Yes. I don't want any misunderstandings,
but Lady Maria has no intention of getting in everyone's way.
All she is trying to do is save people.
Well, I'll ask her myself about that.
Thank you for your continued cooperation.
Not at all.
The medicines you provide are well reputed and of great help.
And about England...
It seems they are gathering alongside the road.
I will inform you as details arise...
But the information is only that which was garnered by a peddler...
That will suffice.
Until we meet again.
Huh... So they were familiars?
I see.
Seeing you in person, I have to say... the witch Maria is really just a brat.
You've got some gall.
But she has a great body in the making.
Joseph! Who is this?!
Ah, he's my friend, Sir Galfa.
Ah, you mean the one who was dueling?
You know about that?
Great to meet you, though I may have to kill you later.
Huh?!
Witches don't take well to jests...
Hey, now! Stop with that magic of yours.
I don't feel like I can win against that.
Sir Galfa!
I know...
Witch hunting ain't my job, and there's little to gain from it.
Well, I always wanted to meet this witch that Joseph always talks about.
Always talks...?
A-About that, I, um...
Well, um...
Um...
Ezekiel!
Keep watch while I'm gone!
H-Hey!
Hold on tight.
Y-Yes...!
Magic is quite something!
She's so self-willed!
That's why she should just hurry up and get rid of her magic!
Hold it!
What did you just say?
D-Don't cling so close to me!
--But...! --Let loose a little!
I can't believe you're being called upon again...
That just proves how large this war will be.
I'll try to remain quiet towards the rear.
Don't worry!
I'll just ask for help when I get the medicine for Grandmother from Maria!
--H-Hey! --Don't worry!
Is this fine, Bonne?
What?
Being so reliant on a witch...
But she is Grandmother's acquaintance...
And hence, my question...
Um... Are you fine?
I'm fine...
Flying the skies...
Yes... This is the first time.
It feels good once you get used to it.
This is the first time I've brought someone here.
Huh?
Beautiful, isn't it?
Yes.
So, what brought you to me today?
A large-scale war is coming down upon us.
A war to drive the forces of England out of Normandy.
If we strike now, we can rid this land of warfare for some time to come.
And?
Lady Maria... Can we ask that you not intervene in this war?
Dovey!
The name's Ezekiel!
Is Maria around?
I came to get Grandmother's medicine.
I'm the one who wants to know where she is.
She's not here?
Just wait a moment.
The medicine must be around somewhere...
Thank you!
Um... This is for you, Dovey!
--Huh? --And these are...
...Maria's and Artemis's, and this is for Priapus...
Please give these to them!
Huh...
--And... --There's more?
Um, Father... has to go to war again.
So I wanted Maria to help.
No. Use of magic is forbidden.
Just this time! Please let Maria know!
I said no.
Please! Just let her know!
If it's just... letting her know, then...
Thank you, Dovey!
I'll bring something next time to return the favor!
But I'm going to stop her! I won't let her!
And...!
...I'm not Dovey.
A-Archangel Michael...?
To watch and to show the way...
That is your duty.
Also, when the witch Maria breaks the natural law of this world...
...you are to be my spear to bring judgment upon her.
Do not forget that.
Y-Yes...
Archangel Michael.
Is it arrogant to want people to be saved?
The heavens only watch over people's wishes.
That being the case, is it wrong for someone in this world to hear and fulfill such wishes?
Humans can only do so much.
The beasts know no reason and are not interested
in humans building castles or drawing lines upon the land to rule it.
Likewise, there are many things that are beyond the capacity of humans.
Yet this is the world humans live in, and thus they must accept it as it is.
My words are not of my mind.
They are the words of the Father among the heavens.
Ezekiel.
Should the witch Maria show her powers to the people again,
return her to the heavens by your own hand.
Y-Yes...
Maria...? Me...?
Brother Bernard, I have news.
England's soldiers have gathered near the road, and...
Huh?
Is something wrong? Are you feeling ill?
Maria... Pure?
P-Pure...
A witch?
God, your forgiveness...!
A "virgin," and "Maria"?!
What coincidence!!
Brother Bernard...?
Maria! France's forces are gathering around the road.
Hm...
What should we do?
--Hm... --Now listen up!
What was all that scouting during the day for?!
Hm...
A little more...
A little more until we reach England...
Let's go home...
Home...
--It can't be! --An ambush?!
France...?!
Fire!
With Saint Giovanni's divine protection!
Help me!
Onward! The ordinance cavalry shall drive England out!
In the name of Our Majesty, Charles, King of France!
Curse the king of Bourges!
Let us position ourselves on that hill!
Now...
What?! An ambush here?!
Come on, get firing!
Now this is what war is about.
Corner 'em!
Everything is going exactly as Bernard planned.
Keep this up and push England into the ocean!
Glory to God, and peace to the land!
Victory be with us!
With Saint Martin's divine protection!
Forward! Forward!
It'll end today... It'll end today... It'll end...
No more! Run!
Oh, they were surrounded by France.
Does that mean this is the end to the wars?
Maybe.
How about we go someplace else to make coins?
--Say. --Hm?
Where's Maria?
Isn't she around?
She's acting really strange...
Why isn't she on the move?
Maria...? Me...?
Oh, no!
Where...?!
Where... is Maria?!
The situation may be ironic, but...
Ah...
...if you truly desire a world without wars, now is the chance.
We will be able to win for sure.
So long as you turn a blind eye to us...
And you were told to convince me with that?
I'm sorry...
No need to apologize.
I'm always being swayed by others.
There are many people around me.
They all hold a dream.
Lady Maria, you also have a dream of ending wars once and for all.
But... I don't know... what I should do...
The least I can do is be a messenger...
Not everyone has a dream or a strong desire.
Even if it's small, there has to be something you want to do.
If such should be the case, then...
Lady Maria... I would like to be at your side and join you in fulfilling your dream.
--Huh? --Huh?
I will return safe from the war.
Then will you allow me to share your path and your dream?
Are you telling me to turn a blind eye for that?
I'm... very sorry.
Lady Maria?
You're so mean, Joseph...
Mean...
--Here. --Hm? What?
Ann brought it with her yesterday.
You were keeping to yourself, so I couldn't give it to you.
Um, and...
And... it looks like Ann's father is on the battlefield again.
So she said she wanted you to help.
Come closer and curl up your body!
Ann? Help?
She told me to tell you, that's all!
I won't let you go! That is my mission, after all!
Mission...
Ezekiel.
Thank you. I've made up my mind.
Huh?
Take this.
I said I won't let you go!
Are you merely a messenger?
Is that what you want to be?
Huh? What I want to be?
That has nothing to do with...
Wha--?!
Wh-What's going on?!
Stay home, you hear?
H-Hey!
Let me out!
Seriously...!
I'm telling you, don't!
If you appear now...!
Mariaaa!
Why is Edwina so reclusive?
Keep that up and you're going to make everyone your enemy.
Want to eat a mole?
Meow.