Looming Crisis
Hmm...
A piece of the talisman should be enough
to send you to the village's vicinity...
In that case,
please help us!
Mm... However,
they're a dangerous bunch.
We want to save Zakuro, but we cannot endanger you.
I'm willing to do whatever it takes!
While we're standing here, who knows what's happening to Zakuro?
Heh.
Just as we thought...
You're Zakuro's steady.
No...
It's not like that.
Agemaki?
I've always relied on Zakuro to protect me.
Never being able to do anything...
I've done nothing to be worthy of her.
But...
But I want that to end.
I want to save Zakuro...
And to stand by her side!
Oh...
Please, Lords A and Um!
Lords A and Um!
Did you sense that, Brother?
Yeah...
There was an odd presence.
Nothing evil, but it worries me.
This is...
Look over there!
Is that a house?
It may be the Village Chief's residence.
Let's go!
W-Wait, where's Agemaki?
Hey!
Hey, everyone!
W-We got split up?
Stop that!
It's not the time for fear!
That's right!
I can save Zakuro by myself...
Huh?
Uh...
Excuse me...
Please...
Huh?
Deliver my voice to Zakuro...
To Omodaka...
Could it be that you're...
Lord Omodaka!
Found you!
Now give Zakuro back...
You're...
Lieutenant Hanadate!
Oh?
You managed to find this place.
The Village of Oracles rarely has visitors.
Show them our hospitality.
We must join them!
Understood!
The ceremony is incomplete.
Byakuroku, we leave.
Yes, sir...
For that accursed place, where I will plant my seed in this girl.
Wait!
Susukihotaru!
Please kill us,
half-spirit girls...
Our lives will eventually be sacrificed to create more half-spirits.
We do not wish to see any more unfortunate children born.
Kill us.
Run.
Kill us.
Kill us and run...
What's wrong, Susukihotaru?
They're crying...
The fox spirits wish us to kill them!
That can't be...
That reminds me...
A fox spirit, against a village where fox spirits are tamed...
You stand no chance.
Fox spirits must abide by their master's wishes.
Even when they would prefer not to.
No! No!
We cannot hurt them!
The fox spirits have done nothing wrong!
If the rest of you cannot,
I shall shoulder this burden!
Riken!
Agemaki was right.
We've been relying on you girls to carry out the difficult tasks.
Unless that changes, we have no right to be with you!
Riken!
I shall liberate the fox spirits!
Riken!
That's right!
If we defeat the master,
the fox spirit will be freed!
This place is...
Yes, the accursed place...
Where that disgraceful woman and Zakuro's father...
...were bound.
Lord Omodaka.
Byakuroku...
Yes, sir.
Such fair skin...
Free of corruption...
Yes, for you never needed to seek corruption.
Everything I sought and could never have,
you were able to obtain.
The power to conquer this world...
Trustworthy friends...
And a mother's love...
All yours.
That's not true.
You...
Lieutenant Agemaki, is it?
What's the matter?
Aren't you surprised to find me here?
Lieutenant Hanadate...
No, Omodaka.
Give her back to Spirit Affairs.
Heh, Zakuro was attracted to me.
The Village of Oracles desires our union.
And so does Zakuro.
What's wrong?
You can't do anything if Zakuro's not around to protect you?
Can you see?
That man is risking his life to protect you.
Why are you so loved?
What makes us different?
Finished?
Pathetic...
You'll die here, before you can save Zakuro!
Zakuro isn't the only one I'm trying to save!
What?
We're here to help, Agemaki!
Hanakiri...
Everyone!
It appears that I've been underestimated.
I may be Chief of the Village of Oracles,
but my power pales in comparison to Zakuro's.
The previous chief continued to pursue
Zakuro's power until his very last breath.
However, I have more than enough power to deal with you!
They're crying...
I apologize for being frightened.
Don't cry...
I promise to...
Were you crying?
Riken!
Zakuro!
You are familiar with the jade pendant that Zakuro wears?
Yes, she said it was from her mother.
It serves as a seal on Zakuro's power.
That's...
Agemaki!
Remove the pendant and release Zakuro's true power!
Wh-Why?
Why will you not release Zakuro's power?!
No...
Your mother sealed Zakuro's power
to prevent the Village of Oracles from finding her.
But that wasn't all of it!
Agemaki...
Zakuro's mother wished for
Zakuro to live a normal life.
What?
I heard Zakuro's mother's voice.
That's why...
You could hear that woman's voice?!
Yes, I heard her feelings
and the reason she returned to this village alone.
Reason?
That should be obvious!
That woman loved Zakuro!
She wanted to protect Zakuro!
To keep her away from the Village of Oracles!
That's why...
Why she returned to the village she loathed.
However, that woman...
She refused to give birth to more half-spirits, refused to eat, and then...
That woman refused to become a tool of this village, refused me...
Choosing death instead...
And even worse...
She retains the same form in death.
She means to torment me...
To punish me, leaving me frozen in time!
Lord Omodaka...
She sacrificed herself for Zakuro...
So why must she hate me so?
It's just as your mother said...
Your heart aches and trembles.
There was another reason why she left Zakuro with Kushimatsu
and returned to this village.
I could hear your mother's feelings of sorrow.
I let go of Omodaka...
I hurt Omodaka...
I never had any intention of participating in the births of innocent half-spirits.
Should my power be used for ill intent, I was prepared to take my own life.
With that decided,
my only wish was to be with the child from whom I'd been separated.
With Omodaka at the very end...
Mother...
I want to see Mother.
I want Mother to hold me!
I want Mother to...
Omodaka...
And what of it?
What...
Agemaki!
You tell me this now, but the sin remains!
And the scars remain.
She is the daughter of a disgraced woman.
Her power is just as disgraceful!
Please stop!
I no longer need this filthy, cursed power...
I will rid this world of Zakuro and her power...
Right here, right now!
Burn! Burn!
Come! Come out!
N-No...
We'll get in trouble...
Don't worry!
Lady Rangui will dispose of the villagers!
Run! Run hard!
There is nothing for us to fear.
Lady Rangui is on our side!
Daidai...
Lady Rangui!
Excellent work.
You're such a sweet girl.
Sweeter than my sister?
Yes, of course.
I no longer need Byakuroku...
You are the one I want, Daidai.
Do you understand?
Will you help me?
A-Absolutely!
Help me...
The house is burning...
That's where...
Wait!
Byakuroku, was it?
I have to go after him.
Even if it means that I must hurt you...
You said that Zakuro wasn't the only one you were trying to save, yes?
You must have seen Lady Tsukuhane...
I shall assist you...
If you can save Lord Omodaka from his past...
Byakuroku!
Come!
Don't cry...
Don't cry, Omodaka.
Sorrow and pain serve a purpose.
Action morphs into miracles.
My power comes from my loved ones.
Next time: Brilliant Finale.
Brilliant Finale
Prepare to be bewitched!
See you next episode!!