There it is!
Just one person, 304 years ago...
A librarian...
Isolde Nebsolv?
Wait, isn't that...
Yes, it is.
Our head librarian.
But surely, that person is no longer living.
No.
Most witches live about 150 years.
But superior witches who are chosen to be head librarians
live much longer.
Her health has been failing, though...
I'm sorry to say.
Oh, no!
Say, what's so important about that book, anyway?
It is relevant to the goal of our journey.
And what goal is that?
What now, kid?
Please...
Here.
I'm giving you my special book,
so quit lookin' at me like that.
You owe me one, though.
Okay!
Episode 8 Meetings and Bonds Prayed For
It worked!
This is a map of the library, then?
Her special book is so cool!
Praline likely used this route to smuggle books.
It goes so far down!
A ventilation shaft, no doubt.
The head librarian's room appears to be on the lowest floor.
Let us proceed.
Dad!
What are those things?
An unfamiliar lifeform.
Wh-What's that sound?!
Intruders!
Intruders! Intruders!
Intruders!
Oh, no...
Guardians, your staves!
Proceed to the scene!
Come on!
Guess they got busted, huh?
I'm going to jump, Somali.
Dad!
Take a deep breath.
Come this way.
What was that voice?
I do not know.
But it appears that we have reached our destination.
Is she in there?
Hands up. Down on the ground!
You've entered a restricted area.
You will be punished.
Halt.
The voice from before!
But...
Please.
Send them to me.
It is a pleasure to meet you, travelers.
You are Isolde Nebsolv?
Yes. Please forgive my appearance.
You must be quite startled.
I-I'm okay!
We wish to inquire about The Chronicle of Haraiso.
What do you want with that book?
Do not be distressed, Senior Librarian Leigle.
But—
The Chronicle of Haraiso.
That name takes me back...
Perhaps it was our mother World Herself that guided you here.
What do you mean?
It is I who wrote that book,
and in doing so, drove the humans to their deaths.
Let me tell you the story of Haraiso.
Of the meeting of my ancestor, Feodora Nebsolv, and the humans...
What'll I do?
It's still a long way back to the witches' village...
My teacher mentioned this wind...
You awake?
You okay?
We found you collapsed at the edge of the village.
Um... where am I?
The village of Haraiso.
It's the largest village in the area.
The village of Haraiso?
What village do you hail from?
You have awakened.
You have a wounded leg, but no other sign of ailment.
Huh? Y-Yes...
You must be thirsty.
I will bring water.
Oh, I'll help!
Miya and Lord Haraiso found you.
"Lord Haraiso"?
He looks quite a bit different from the rest of you...
I suppose he does.
Lord Haraiso is a bit like a god to us,
since he gave us this place to live.
A god?
He's let us make a fine living off of this land.
He looks a little different,
but there's no need to fear him.
I see!
So you're a different species!
What did you just say?
Well... you have a name for your species too, don't you?
Where... exactly did you come from?
"Species" is a term you use for animals and plants, isn't it?
Um...
Are you saying... you're not human like us?
I... well...
Be at ease.
Lord Haraiso...
That girl is human.
There is no cause for concern.
Thank goodness!
If you say so, I know that it's safe.
Sorry for the accusations, dear.
I hope you feel better soon.
Drink this water.
Thank you.
Can I ask...
What happened with those people earlier?
They possess a great fear of the unknown.
Fear?
But why?
I'm not here to hurt anyone...
Humans are a frail and cowardly species.
Whenever they encounter a creature that does not conform to their worldview,
they cannot regain peace of mind until they purge it from existence.
If they were to learn that you were not of their species,
you would likely suffer the same fate.
That's awful!
Then... if I can't make it back... I...
Your fears are unfounded.
I will guarantee your safety.
I'm sorry. I was just so relieved...
My species cries in this unusual way.
You seem very kind.
Golems lack emotions.
I see. You're from a species called golems, then?
I'm Feodora Nebsolv of the witch clan.
I am Haraiso.
A pleasure.
Big Sis!
Here! My grandma sent it for you!
What is it?
Potato mochi!
Thank you, Miya.
I'll try it.
It's delicious!
What a wonderful flavor!
Do you want some?
No way!
Potato mochi isn't cute!
What?
Potato mochi is tasty,
but my friends all say that cake is cuter.
They say I look like an old lady when I eat it.
In that case...
There! All done!
So cute!
I can't believe it!
It's to thank you for saving me.
So cute!
Miya...
You're such a sweet and adorable little girl.
Even if you ate potato mochi,
no one could call you an old lady now.
Okay!
Thank you, Big Sis!
I'm gonna show all my friends!
This might just work out.
They seem to be treating you well.
They are.
And your leg?
It's all better now.
I see.
I have investigated your situation.
The Dragon Twisters that periodically appear above us
travel in a circle around the island,
then head back in the direction they came from.
If you ride an early morning wind,
it will likely return you to your home.
Really?
But...
We're all getting along so well...
Miya?
Big Sis, are you really leaving tomorrow?
Yeah.
But why? You should stay forever!
I'm sorry, Miya.
We'll still be friends even if you go away, right?
Of course.
I'll always be your friend, Miya.
What could that be?
A Grotesque...
A Grotesque showed up.
This is... awful!
Please stop this.
I haven't done anything.
I'm not... your enemy.
What in the world?! It talks like a person!
How unsettling...
We'll shut it up fast.
Stop...
No! It's not your enemy!
Stop!
Please!
You monster!
Disgusting!
Die!
Monster!
Never come back!
Enemy to humanity!
Go away!
I can't stay here.
If they learn what I am, they'll kill me, too!
Feodora...
If I can just wait out the night here...
Feodora, dear!
Where are you?
Please, answer us!
Big Sis?
M-Miya...
I figured you'd be here.
Let's go back now. Everyone's looking—
Huh?
Hey, Miya...
If I were a Grotesque, what would you do to me?
But you're human, right?
And you can't be friends with monsters.
I see...
Miya!
Feodora! There you are!
Miya! Is that Miya?
She's hurt!
We need to pull her up!
But how?!
Someone save Miya! Hurry!
I could save Miya...
But...
I'm sorry, Miya.
So, you weren't human?
Get out, monster.
You deceived us all!
How creepy that you even look human!
Kill her! Just kill her!
Big Sis...
Because you saved Miya, you will be pardoned.
Leave this instant, grotesque thing.
Very well.
Big Sis...
Stay back. She's a monster!
No!
She's my friend!
Thank you, Miya.
That is all that is known of The Chronicle of Haraiso.
Feodora returned to the witches' village.
In time, she became head librarian,
told the story to her successor,
and forbade it be written for a thousand years.
She believed more time would be needed before we—
and the easily frightened humans— could come together peacefully.
But then, I wrote it down in a book.
I killed the humans.
It isn't your fault!
Yes, it seems to be merely a series of coincidences.
Dad...
Were the people in the story human... like me?
They were.
So I'm... like them?
Come here.
Ma'am!
I permit it.
Your hand is warm.
Are you afraid of us?
No way!
I've got lots of friends here!
Then everything will be fine.
We can reach an understanding.
Just as a bond formed between Feodora and Miya.
A bond?
Yes.
A love between two hearts that could never be torn apart.
A love... between two hearts?
A bond?
If it is humans you seek, go to the ends of the world.
Their descendants may yet remain there.
You have my gratitude.
No...
It is I who am grateful... to have met you at my end.
May the World grant you Her protection.
Next Time: Memories of Minor Days