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 was herself a virgin, too.
On that day, despite losing her magic...
...she still went onward to the battlefield.
Was it recklessness, or was it courage?
Or maybe...
"Maria the Virgin Witch"
"Story 11: If You Wish to Be Loved, Love"
Meow!
It can't be...
The medicines were...
Brother Gilbert.
What of the escaped witches?
They must be caught, of course.
They must not go unpunished.
Huh? So, the inability to move my body was...
I'm sorry. I didn't know they were going to use it like that.
I suspected you were the one who made that, Edwina.
The monk said he was going to give it to the barber surgeon, so...
Oh, that's right! Master, maybe that rochetta was also...
You mean the one that was going to be used for the artificial arm?
See? Humans are the scariest...
Um... Where are the guild members?
Well, Viv was the one who was trying to contact them...
Viv! What should I do?! I left her home!
Well, then I'll...
...meow.
I'm counting on you.
Edwina, how much longer until we get to the battlefield?
Do you really want to go?
You can't even use your magic...
It doesn't matter! I'm going no matter what!
We rushed back here after being contacted, but isn't the battle almost over?
The gate is already destroyed.
In the first place, where in the world are Viv and Edwina?
Say, isn't Maria being in trouble a completely separate issue from the war?
What if she was caught by the church of the earth?
No way.
We secured the way through the gate.
The enemy continues to resist, but the tides of battle are greatly to our advantage!
Good!
Notify everyone to make their way in!
Yes, sir!
It looks like we will finally win...
Is Joseph at least taking up arms in battle?
Hey...
What's the matter? You seem afraid.
Why...?
Why did you take Lady Maria's purity?!
That was just work, y'know?
Work?
Otherwise, I would never sleep with a witch.
My manhood would rot!
Galfa!
Did...
Did the monk order you?!
Wouldn't you like to know...!
You shouldn't be breaking the church's belongings.
Why get angry?
Compared to burning her as a heretic, taking her virginity is much more merciful.
Merciful?
So you're saying you're not in the wrong?!
Is it that frustrating that I beat you to her... virgin boy?
Stop it already.
Let that bleed and you're going to go blank.
And if you continue siding with the witch, Le Comte is going to abandon you.
All this for a witch. She isn't--
Witches have their pride as well!
I'll make you beg for your life at Lady Maria's feet!
Heh, all words.
Meow.
I understand, but...
You shouldn't be moving yet.
Let me get you medicine to stop the pain.
--Cat... --Hm?
How's Maria?
Master saved her.
Edwina did that?
Yes, but then they continued onward to the town England's occupying.
Why?
Because there's a war going on.
She can't use magic yet, so she really shouldn't overdo herself.
What a strong girl...
Good! Carry them out!
Hey, Lolotte! You better hurry, or else you'll miss out on the spoils!
Got it!
What are those foolish mercenaries thinking?!
Pillaging should take place after the enemy is defeated!
I guess it's almost over.
So then, we can't make our living here anymore?
Maybe we should head east next.
What's the matter?
I wonder why humans continue to do the same things over and over again...
They're like bugs...
Say, you don't really think a witch's pride is worth all this, do ya?
Those eyes...!
It's those eyes of yours...!
I disliked those eyes from the first day we met!
Those eyes can't see what's going on in this world!
I got no clue how noble your father may have been,
but I bet you didn't have to worry about food, clothing, or shelter!
Is that the reason why you keep spewing nonsense no matter what happens?!
As old as you are, you're still a kid!
Cry! Pander! Beg for your life!
At least try to run, like a coward!
Ever since I first met you... I was envious of you.
Huh?
You have a purpose in life...
You have the means for it...
You have a strong will to support that!
That strength...
I see that strength you hold...
...as being the same as that of Lady Maria!
What?
That's why...!
That's why I would like you to repent to Lady Maria!
I'm just like that witch?
Who do you think you are to say that?!
Only someone who has everything would have the gall to say that!
You're not a man of evil...!
Was that medicine made by a witch?
Did you repeatedly send me on your errands knowing that?
Yes.
Why did you do that?
Those medicines are of use to people.
And hence, they were used.
Have you no sense of guilt over being in contact with a witch?
Anything in this world can be used to make the world a better place.
Be it politics, war, or witches.
Potentially, even...
Where are Viv and Maria, anyway?
--Hm? --What's that? --Huh?
Get out of my way!
Is that...?
Maria?!
What's that...?
H-Hey...!
This...
I give up...
Look for Joseph! Hurry!
--Understood! --Sure thing.
Ah, Artemis! Found him!
--Where? --This isn't good!
What should we do?! This isn't good at all!
I'll call Maria!
Take this!
Out of my way!
P-Priapus...?
I'm going to run you through!
Are you all right?!
Somehow...
Lady Maria? What are you doing here?!
Joseph... you're alive.
Ah, yes, somehow...
Well then, can I ask you something?
Yes?
Why in the world are you fighting at a time like this?!
Ah... Huh?
It's just like when you went to war after making a vow to me, right?!
Damn witch...!
Ran away, did ya?!
Lady Maria!
I appreciate your saving me, but it is dangerous here.
Please leave him to me!
Perfect.
This time I'll tear through her purity for sure...
...and before your very eyes!
Why, you...!
Joseph...?
Don't you dare judge me based on your skewed views!
Why, you...!
Damn kid!
How dare you...?!
How dare you... say such a...?!
Joseph...?
Joseph!
Stop it!
Say, Joseph?! Please stop already!
Stop!
I...
Oh, my?
Is that you, Joseph?
Did you see Galfa around?
He said he was going to loot the church's treasures, and...
Huh?
Well, look at that!
Did you win?
Ooh, he's still alive.
I'm sure there was a lot that happened, but how about you let him go already?
--Huh? --Fine?
Can you hold onto this for a second?
If a chief isn't around...
...sometimes the client won't pay out the coins.
Why so quiet?
You won, right? Be a bit happier about it.
♪ As long as we get our coins, we'll happily die... ♪
♪ Death is the same no matter where we die, even if it be in morrow's war... ♪
♪ O Wheel of Fortune... ♪
♪ Take the swords of the betrayers and feed their carcasses to the dogs... ♪
What are you doing here...?
Who's there?
I am no one.
I am but one who has been forgotten.
Are you by any chance Maria's friend?
Are you?
Yes, but I did something horrible.
What should I do?
Forget.
Huh?
Humans have a weapon by the name of "forgetfulness."
Maria is not on the side of humans.
Forget, and your pain will--
I won't forget!
I like Maria!
I'll never forget!
Don't try to drag Maria onto your side!
That's right.
If Edwina hadn't saved me, I would've been burned at the stake.
Burned at the stake?!
How did it come to that?
I thought the verdict wasn't going to be passed until later...
No, wait! Are you hurt badly?!
Um, how about we talk when we get back?
No, I...
Lady Maria, please leave by yourself.
Huh?
I do not have the right to stay at your side, Lady Maria.
Huh?! What are you talking about?!
Um... Well...
Even though I agree with your feelings against fighting...
...I was unable to stop myself in a moment of rage.
What happened earlier?
Yes...
I believed that I could be a modest, faithful, and good person at all times.
And yet, to know that I had such an unsightly heart...
But that was to protect me, right?
Even so...
I should have restrained myself...
I was happy, you know?
No... I'm merely a puppet that only follows Le Comte's orders...
A fool that has no dreams or purpose of his own...
Has Joseph's personality been this annoying all along?
With everything going on, he was probably stretching himself too thin.
Let's first return, then relax and--
Return where?!
I couldn't save you during your tribulation!
Lady Maria, please abandon me here!
That is my earnest desire, and...
Oh, she's lost it now.
Look at you!
What's with all that babbling?!
"Yes! I won! I'm saved!"
That's all you needed to say!
Why are you needlessly going through all this suffering?!
W-Well...
"Well," what?! Say it!
Well...
In the first place, why are you even here?
What are you thinking, going off to war and leaving me behind?
My duty is to serve Le Comte.
By his orders, I need to head to the battlefield.
Wait, why are you here and not at home, Lady Maria?
Isn't it obvious that I came to rescue you?!
Me? Why?
You must be really stupid.
In any case, what's with you always putting that coot Le Comte ahead of me?!
Isn't it important to do what you want to do?!
Well...!
Well, that may be possible for you, Lady Maria.
But I don't have power or will as strong as yours!
Huh?
Magic aside, you can hold your own will! So do it!
Like I've been saying...
If I could, I would rather be by your side!
I want to be of help to you!
Then do it! Do it!
I told you, I can't!
You can!
--How?! --Stay with me!
Stay with me and support me!
That's all you need to do!
I worry sometimes too!
About how I'm doing, or whether I've done something wrong!
I lose sight of my own self, and wonder who I really am!
It's tough without someone like you beside me when that happens!
So please stay with me!
Stay only beside me!
--Um... --Maria?
What?!
About what you just said, Maria...
Was that...
...an invitation of marriage?
Huh?
I-I'm sorry...
That wasn't what I wanted to say...
I see that you can, be at a loss at times, too.
I was wrong not to see that there's more to you than being a witch.
Yes, now I clearly know what my dream is.
That's not it... I already knew.
No matter the hardship... I would like to be beside you forever more.
Please marry me.
I love you...
...Maria.
This is...!
Huh? Who...?
It's Maria!
First, believe in one's self...
Maria has remembered that.
She got her magic back...
What is going on?!
Not again?! The weapons...!
Somebody! The bombard...!
Look, it's Maria!
I can't believe she's using her magic so brazenly.
So, are my bruises gone?
Yes...
Everyone! Thank you!
Thank you very much!
To all things, to all living beings, to all the souls, thank you!
I think it's because of all of you too!
I found my happiness!
--Look at how happy she is. --As expected from a virgin.
Shoot her!
Shoot Maria down!
But our weapons...
Now, everyone...
Let's go back to our loved ones!
Caldaria!
Those forgotten by new faith...
...answer the calling of the witch of hearth and show yourselves!
Will you not see your loved ones?
No! You shall!
There's so many of them!
Run!
It's all over!
As long as you don't resist, they won't pose a threat.
Heed my warning!
Don't ever fight around me, you hear?
May everyone...
Maria!
W-Where is this headed...?
I'm not done yet...
What are you saying? We're done for the day.
I didn't lose...
Ah, sure, whatever.
--I didn't lose...! --I heard you already.
I didn't lose...
--Lady Maria! --Just Maria!
Ah, yes... Maria.
And what's happening?
I'm being summoned...
...by a certain someone...
Long time no see, Michael!
Look!
I've got a boyfriend now!
Her name was Maria.
She held the same name as the Blessed Virgin...
...and shared her...