No life signs detected.
And their cargo...
Humans.
Understood.
A human child?
D...
Dad.
Dad!
"Dad."
Is that what Somali said?
Yes.
Even now, I do not know why.
A self-preservation instinct of some kind, perhaps.
However...
That day, in that forest, she called me her father.
Episode 10 The Infant Child and the Green Fortress
Human, you must leave this place.
Outsiders do not belong in this forest.
Dad...
I am not your father.
Cease your pursuit and leave this forest.
Dad...
I must not intervene in the affairs of outsiders.
The human child will starve to death. Or...
No. The child does not fall within my oversight.
My duty is simply to oversee the forest.
Dad!
I found you, Dad!
You are forbidden to pursue me further.
If you attempt to approach me again, I shall compel your removal myself.
You must leave this forest at once—
Eat.
You do not fall within my standard oversight.
Ingest that, and then depart.
Ingest?
Eat.
So good!
Is it?
Human child,
it is clear that you do not wish to leave the forest.
I request that you state your reason for this.
They said it was scary outside, and I shouldn't go.
Who issued this order?
What is your point of origin?
What is your name?
I dunno...
This line of inquiry appears futile.
Then where are your parents—
Dad!
That title is incorrect.
So pretty!
I cannot comprehend that sentiment.
Comprehend?
I understand the meaning of the words,
but I cannot empathize with them.
A guardian only acts in accordance with its determined tasks, and oversees the forest.
It exists only to serve the forest.
You aren't lonely?
Golems lack emotions.
Therefore, I exist in the forest alone for perpetuity.
You're not alone!
I'll be with you forever!
Remain still.
The rattling of the chains will alert the animals.
Thanks!
Such words are unnecessary.
I will now go to catch fish.
Dad?
Yes?
Stop!
Let go! Let go!
Why did you jump in?
Because... your arm!
It merely fell loose. It is not a—
No!
I don't want you to break apart, Dad!
Enough.
That part was not fused with me to begin with.
You must reflect on how close you came to drowning.
Your actions were entirely pointless.
I'm sorry...
Why am I...
I have little time remaining.
After I disappear,
the chance that the human will survive in the forest alone is extremely low.
Which means...
Leave the forest?
Yes. I will return you to the humans.
We can depart now, while it is the warm season.
And one more thing.
Your name...
Kitty!
No.
That creature's name is Komidori-Somali, "Steeped-in-Viridian."
It is the one that first found you.
"Somali."
I will name you after that creature, and henceforth call you Somali.
Somali?
Yes. You are Somali.
Okay! Got it!
That is how I came to know Somali,
and why we embarked on our journey.
Say, Mr. Golem...
How much longer do you have now?
If you'll allow it, I'd like to see the current state of your body.
Understood.
This is all of my outer skin that remains.
Cracks are forming on my inner flesh,
and fluid is seeping out.
A month ago, my joints began to creak.
When my body at last breaks down,
I hope that you will look after Somali.
I can do that.
But are you sure that's what you want?
Did you come this far with a failing body
purely out of a sense of duty?
Having traveled with Somali, I now know.
My reasoning from the beginning was clear.
I simply wished to see more of her smile.
Then you can't just give up.
You really want to keep watching over her, don't you?
So... you know?
Morning!
Hey.
Boy, it's cold!
Maybe I'll sleep in a little longer.
At least have a little dignity in the morning.
Have some tea and wake yourself up.
Is today the day we start doing bodyguard stuff at the inn?
Yes. The promise was for seven days.
We'll be dealing with some pretty rough customers.
We'll handle this ourselves.
I made some food, so eat it when you get hungry.
And after you eat, clean your room. Don't forget.
Fine.
I would typically prefer to stay home, but...
Don't you worry!
I'll look after Somali!
Somali is willful and foolhardy.
She will charge straight for anything that catches her interest.
Take care that she does not fall or run into anything.
M-Mr. Golem...
Regarding her tastes, she dislikes bitter vegetables.
However, their high nutritional content means that you cannot compromise on—
I think that's enough.
Boy, talk about overprotective.
But...
Don't you worry!
The great Shizuno will take care of everything!
Go on! See you later!
I am concerned.
Morning...
Shizuno! Did you see all that snow?
Dad!
Huh?
They went off to work.
Oh, right!
They're bodyguarding!
Right!
So you're home with me for the day.
Now, let's have breakfast together!
Down the hatch!
What do you want to do after breakfast?
I want to... um...
I can't think of anything!
Usually I just play with Dad...
I see!
I know!
I wanna make a thank-you present for Dad!
What a great idea!
But don't tell him, okay?
I won't!
Present! Present!
Makin' a present for Dad!
The present is...
Done!
All finished with your portrait of him?
It's too hard.
I think it's pretty good, myself.
It's gotta be better than just good!
It's gotta be totally perfect!
Okay, I'll make something else!
Like what?
Let's think it over while we clean.
Okay...
We have returned.
Welcome home, Dad!
Well, isn't that a dramatic welcome?
It's not!
I see.
This was my first time being away from you for so long.
Yeah...
I get it now.
Makes total sense.
But boy, that was a rough time.
I figured we'd break up fights between patrons,
but we had to deal with pickpockets and dine-and-dashers, too.
Good thing there were two of us!
I couldn't have handled it all on my own.
But we did get paid for our trouble,
so I guess it was all worth it!
That's not up to you.
I am reminded.
The innkeeper said he would send supplies here tomorrow.
Supplies? Like food, you mean?
Yeah.
It'd be pretty hard to go shopping in the snow like this.
So it's definitely appreciated.
Please receive them.
Got it!
That reminds me...
Your cleaning was pretty half-baked today.
Do a better job tomorrow.
And you must contribute, Somali.
Got it...
A present...
What would be good?
Are you all right, Somali?
I was thinking too hard...
That's it!
We have everything we need, so let's knit something out of yarn!
But I don't know how to knit...
Don't worry! I'll teach you!
O-Okay! I'll try!
What do I make, though?
Good question...
That must be the supplies.
Hello ther—
Oh, how charming!
Are you the little child they told me about?
Er... I'm an adult, actually.
The "little child" would probably be her.
Oh, pardon me.
I'm the innkeeper's wife, Rosa.
Call me Auntie Rosa, please.
You're giving us all this stuff?
Of course!
Your friends were a big help to my husband yesterday.
So eat up, by all means.
Oh? Are you knitting something?
We're making a present for Somali's father.
But I can't think of what to make.
In that case... how about a fita band?
So pretty!
Fita bands are commonly sold as souvenirs.
We sell them at our inn, too.
They're also known as "good luck bracelets."
You make them to wish good fortune on the recepient.
I dunno if I can do it, though...
Don't worry.
There's a simple three-color braid that even children can do.
Now, choose any three colors you like.
Okay... that one and that one!
And... this one!
Hold the three colors of yarn together, then bring the yarn on the right to the center.
Then bring the yarn on the left to the top...
Then keep taking turns, center to center.
Just do that over and over.
Well? Simple, isn't it?
Now, keep braiding the threads. Don't rush, now.
Cool! It's working!
Isn't that great, Somali?
I'm sure Mr. Golem will be thrilled.
Yeah!
The more feeling you put into it, the stronger the bond will be.
So braid with the greatest care!
Okay! I will!
Oh, what a good little girl!
You!
Hey, that tickles!
Auntie Rosa!
Teach me, too!
Oh... Certainly.
Now, what colors would you like?
We have returned.
Welcome back!
Take a load off, Yabashira!
Who taught you to say that?
You appear to be quite excited.
Has something happened, Somali?
Nope! Nothing!
It's been quite a while.
Yeah. That's valuable info.
You're not putting one over on us, right?
There's no question...
That smell was human.
Next Time: Those Who Protect and Those Who Threaten