This was back in the days when the battle against England was still ongoing.
There was a witch living near our village who hated wars.
That witch would not curse people nor do evil deeds...
...but instead used her powers to put a stop to the fighting.
Her name was Maria.
She held the same name as the Blessed Virgin...
...and shared her virginal status as well.
Ah, damn it!
If I'd known this was going to happen, I'd have made my decision sooner!
Owls, I'm going on ahead!
Got it!
Stop... I need to stop Maria!
"Maria the Virgin Witch"
"Story 7: War Feeds on War"
Here they come!
Gauls here, too?!
It's the ordinance cavalry!
Here too?!
Not yet...!
They're surrounding us!
We'll hold our ground while the rest of you run into the forest!
This way! Hurry!
Damn Genoese!
Saint George, we beseech you to lend your power to our bows and arrows.
There was nothing to worry about.
It is frustrating that the ordinance doesn't heed orders,
but at this rate, victory shall soon be ours.
This war is ours!
Take that, puny Britons!
Look at how good this fabric is!
I killed him!
It's your fault for not finding his stash!
We only got grunts around here, Yvain.
Even if we win, the ordinance is going to take all the credit.
We should make haste, too.
But that's going to break our deal with Le Comte.
We ain't going to get much out of this.
Le Comte would understand, right?
Heh. All right, let's get moving!
S-Save me...
--Go... --Huh...?
Go!
Th-Thank you...!
May Saint George's...
Don't let a single England soldier get away!
Corner them! Kill them all!
So what, should we move somewhere else?
Like I would know which other battlefield is good.
How about England's side of things?
Duller than here.
There are a lot of witches looking for their means.
Guess there are no coins to be made anywhere.
Well, Maria is part of the reason why it's like this here.
Speaking of, she didn't come after all.
And it was such a conspicuous battle.
I guess she's done with her "hating wars" bit.
If that's how it is, she shouldn't have even bothered in the first place.
Beloved brethren...
It is written in the Book of Wisdom that our words, our thoughts...
...and even the knowledge gained from our toils, are within the Lord's hand.
Yes...
Our conflicts, our enemies, and we ourselves are embraced by the Lord.
Let us always love our enemies, and offer prayer to our persecutors.
The Lord hast said...
...that His peace shall be granted to us.
But the Lord also mentions that peace shall not be granted in the manner the world expects.
Wh-What?!
--Huh? --Magic?!
In the name of the witch Maria, I command you!
All who are here...
...stop fighting this instant!
--Maria...? --It's Maria!
Maria, here?!
Ah, there she goes again...
She's so serious, even when there's nothing to gain.
Quite amazing... Just my type.
England and France, heed my words!
Leave this land at once!
Drop your weapons and carry the injured back home!
Return to your homelands!
Damn her! This can't be happening...!
Lady Maria... Why...? Why?!
Hark! The war has ended! Go home!
End...? The war...?
Don't let them escape! If we don't finish them, our land...
They will return back to England!
I won't let anyone give chase!
Witch Maria! Whose side are you on?!
She's planning to help England escape?
What in the world is she thinking...?
Do you know, Maria?
There was one like you who wanted to save the world.
But in the end...
That's it, Maria.
Stop it; you're wasting your time.
Humans are just...
--Damn it! --Why, you...!
Wha...?!
Get 'em!
How dare you lay hands on my troupe?!
Hurry! Grab the spoils and let's get out of here!
Why are they fighting?! I said go home!
All right, that does it!
Caldaria!
Answer the calling of the witch of hearth and show yourself, La Velue!
Force those here to withdraw, and return them from whence they came!
David attempted to provide just rule...
...but his arrogance led to the Lord punishing his kingdom with three days of pestilence.
You cannot always help others by trying to save them.
Only the church of the heavens knows the truth of just salvation.
Hence, Lord, may you grant us light within our hearts...
...and let our mouths...
...speak your word...
Maria!
Run!!
Maria!
Huh?
What?
Where'd that witch go...?
She vanished? But why?
Viv, did she...?
Lady Maria...
Lady Maria.
Lady Maria!
Now! Go after Le Comte Guillaume!
Do you know where she fell?!
--Who? --Maria!
Huh, she fell?
Viv!
There's Le Comte! Charge!
Genoese or not, send a message out not to let the enemies get any closer to Le Comte!
But we're the ones who are supposed to stop them, and...
You don't have to tell me that!
Here they come!
Where's the Red Arm Brothers Troupe?!
Where's Yvain?!
It seems they left their position, and...
Fools! They won't be paid a single coin!
Cannons! Fire the cannons!
--But...! --Our allies are out among the enemies!
I paid a lot of gold to hire the very best cannon bearers!
Now is the time for them to earn it!
Anyone! Hurry, go and protect Le Comte!
Galfa! This is all your fault!
Look at what you've done!
Hey, you agreed with me!
Shut up! I'm going to have you pay for all this when we return!
What do you mean by that?!
It means you're going to spit out every coin you made the last time!
You're not getting out of this, you Moor!
Anyone who can walk, come with me!
We're going to go and save Le Comte...
Gal...!
Heh, thanks for everything.
Galfa...
You...
Lolotte...?
Ready the botefeux!
Very good!
Um, did you...?
No! No, Lolotte!
Hear me out!
Galfa, your...
What's the matter?
Huh?
--Where is... my... my... --Hey! Don't move!
Is she that witch from earlier?
She's the one called Maria.
We were winning, but because of her...
It's her fault!
--It's her... --It's her...!
I see, so she's why my younger brother...!
Stop...
Because of you, we won't make our coins, either...
Why, you...!
Stop it!
What?!
Don't touch her!
Get out of the way, you...
You're...?
Viv!
Why did you miss?
Ezekiel, you are my spear.
Why then did you miss?
This is...
So, England won't stop...
Notify all to retreat.
Retreat...
Retreat!
Meow.
Ah, oh... You're awake...
Don't overdo it.
You do have a fracture, after all...
You're...?
Huh? I'm Edwina...
You?
You sure feel different from your familiar.
Awake, are we? That's a lot faster than I expected.
Viv?
--Maria! --How do you feel?
Um... What happened...?
It was Ezekiel!
Ezekiel turned into a spear and pierced you.
If she'd been pierced, she wouldn't be alive now.
You're right...
I don't know why, but she purposely missed me.
Missed?
Well, you just stay quiet for now.
It's not like you're out of Michael's sight.
You best rest yourself for a few days.
Thanks for taking care of me.
Sure... No problem...
Edwina may be shy, but her medicines are really good.
I know. I buy materials for my medicines from her, too.
This is the first time we've met, though.
Huh? Really?
Why didn't you tell me?
Because my cat there does the deliveries for me.
Meow!
Hello! Is this the witch Edwina's house?
--Hm? --Is Viv around?
She said she'd be waiting here.
Here?
Why, you...
France withdrew. Yeah, they lost badly.
England took a major hit too, but they somehow retreated back to Caen.
Looks like they're preparing again, calling for reinforcements from their country.
Oh, really? We should keep watch a bit longer, then.
Let's share our information.
--Hey... --Hm?
What are you doing, treating my place like a meeting spot?
I just want to live in peace and seclusion...
So sorry!
Meow.
So Maria, what are you going to do now?
Huh? What do you mean?
Are you still planning on getting involved in wars?
Next time Michael may really kill you.
Doesn't matter to me. I just do what I want to do.
You know what? I've been wanting to say this for a while, but...
...what you're doing is a real pain to us all.
I heard that from Viv too, but what's wrong with that?
If we can get rid of wars, then it's better without them.
War won't go away.
There are those who would starve to death without them.
Well, I still don't like it.
I don't care what anyone tells me.
I don't like having conflicts near me.
What the...? You're so self-centered.
Right!
Shouldn't we stop them...?
Leave it be. Maria needs to listen to other people's words.
I'll continue my ways so long as I still have my magic.
Even if Michael keeps targeting me.
If that happens again, I'll be your shield.
I won't let danger come upon you again, Maria.
Oh, where's that fork of yours that you always carry?
Ah... Maybe I dropped it when I was hit by Ezekiel.
I'll go search for it.
Me too.
So Lady Maria is alive, then?
Probably...
I actually had to pierce her back there, but...
Why did you miss?
I don't know...
I really don't know!
Know what?
Everything about that girl, Maria...
Ezekiel.
You are my spear.
A spear does not worry.
That is because it has no need to think in the first place.
Next time, pierce.
I committed a sin...
Why did this all happen?
We all... probably have made many mistakes.
Why didn't I notice it then...?
I unnecessarily troubled her...
I do not think you were in the wrong at all.
What do you think I should do when I meet Maria?
Do, as in...?
I wounded her...
She must hate me.
It wasn't by your will, was it?
Then I believe Lady Maria is aware of that, too.
If only a person like you would just marry Maria, then...
Ezekiel!
Joseph here, too? Perfect.
Ezekiel, you...!
Just come with us.
Maria's waiting.
Why is Edwina so reclusive?
Yeah, her familiar fills in for her at the guild meeting.
Meow!
I know! Maria, why don't you join our witches' guild?
Sure! And we can work together to control the wars.
Sounds great! If it's just magic we're talking about, hers is exceptional!
N-No!
I can do things by myself.
Keep that up and you're going to make everyone your enemy.
So be it!
This ale's so good! Got more?
--What? Where? --Um... How much longer are you going to be eating...
Refill!
--What's this? --Well... Let me first get this served, then...
It's so good!
Oh? Finally back, are we?
What's with all the commotion?
Want to eat a mole?
Joseph?
--Hm? --Who's that?
Lady Maria... I'm glad to see you safe.
Ezekiel!
Come.
I'm sorry, Maria...!
That's fine.
Thank you for saving me.
But...
Curses, Maria!
All was going as planned until that witch appeared!
Could she be our enemy after all?
Brother Bernard, about the man carried to the hostel of God...
With the help of the barber surgeon, it seems he will be saved.
But... is there any meaning in using such expensive medicines for the likes of him?
H-Hey... I have a good plan regarding... that witch...
Yes...
I believe we can be the best of acquaintances...
Thanks...
Don't mind.
I'm sorry I couldn't keep our promise.
That was very much like you, Lady Maria.
I'm the one who led you astray...
Are you all right?
Yes.
Edwina's medicine works wonders. Hers is probably the best around.
If this medicine was available to all, I'm sure the sick would recover quickly.
I see.
Then...
--Hm? --Ah, no...
Nicey-nicey!
Hm?
Father!
--I'm home, Ann! --Father!
Thank goodness!
Grandmother! Father's home!
Grandmother! Grandmother!
Grandmother!
Thank you, Maria.
Are you stupid or something?!
Oh? So this is the rumored...
Did you "do it" with Joseph?
It is about to occur.
Are you serious?