But there's no doubt.
I verified her body.
She died on an island, next to a barrel.
It was about a month and a half ago.
I heard from Samon-san and the others.
So I returned to the Kusaribe family manor.
It's me, Junichiro.
Come in.
Thank you for coming, Junichiro.
Why did you call me here?
I have disposed of the princess.
Episode 6 The Paradox of the Skull
How'd you manage that, when Hakaze-chan has
the Tree of Genesis's full protection?
Not to mention that killing her would require
disrupting reason far too much.
Who knows what might happen...
It was a risk.
I used medicine to put the princess to sleep,
placed her in that barrel,
and then stranded her on an island.
It isn't impossible for her to escape, given sufficient assistance.
But the Tree of Genesis has yet to fully wake.
So you gambled to see if
nature's own logic would kill her.
You may not be deemed guilty of violating logic, then.
Yesterday, I went to retrieve
both barrel and corpse from the island.
I'm uncertain if an animal on the island ate her,
but she'd already been reduced to bones.
I'm surprised you could ascertain Hakaze's identity from bones alone.
The skull was Hakaze-chan's.
I always did think she had a nicely shaped head.
It was based on instinct,
but I knew it was Hakaze-chan.
Junichiro,
the clan will now take definite steps to wake the Tree of Exodus.
I see.
I can't use magic,
and the previous leader ordered me to stay as neutral as possible.
Yes.
That's why if you were to order the Tree of Exodus's awakening,
it would be much more likely to unite the clan.
So you really killed Hakaze-chan?
What good would it do me to lie?
It just doesn't sound like something you'd do.
Even though you did not kill her directly,
the potential consequences would have been unclear.
There is no time to mourn her passing.
The bones will be placed at the head house,
but I leave the memorial service to you.
I knew Hakaze-chan felt isolated within the clan,
but I never thought I'd be in charge of her funeral.
It appears that you believe Hakaze-chan to be alive.
You think she's the type to die, even if killed?
I'd have to agree,
not to mention the Tree of Genesis's protection.
I believe she'd be lucky enough
to send a message in a bottle
and establish contact with the outside world.
He's perceptive.
I'll stop the inquiries there.
I was merely asked to hold on to that.
I'm sure you two know what has to be done.
And you're okay with this?
Huh?
You know something messed up is happening, right?
This is the best that I can do.
And also...
And also?
Never mind.
I guess it isn't anything worth bothering you about.
Let's go, Yoshino.
Thanks for your time.
Who the hell is that guy?
He's the last leader's distant relative,
who lost his parents at a young age and was adopted into the clan.
Thus, he can't use magic,
nor was he given any real power.
But the previous leader trusted him,
and everyone in the clan knows him.
Sounds like you let your guard down with him...
What the hell was that "Hakaze-chan"?
Because of his position,
he wasn't really required to treat me as the princess.
So I was like a little sister.
And you were happy having him pat you on the head.
I never said I was happy about that!
Anyway, we can trust him, right?
Yes.
Jun-niisan wouldn't lie or betray.
Oh...
Then why did this Jun-niisan say you were dead?
I'm not sure.
He's a very perceptive person,
and I doubt he'd jump to any baseless conclusions.
However, he believed the bones were mine...
Why?
If we think about it simply,
is it possible that he's joined Samon and is trying to trick us?
Then he could have just captured us there.
And we have proof that she's alive.
Maybe it's because he didn't know about the doll and that we're connected in real time.
But if what he said was a lie, it was pretty weak.
His word is our only proof of Hakaze's death.
So maybe Samon wants the whole clan
to believe Hakaze-san is dead?
What good would that do?
Also, knowing how thorough Samon is,
I doubt he'd actually believe he could fool Junichiro with fake bones.
But he was pretty certain that you were dead,
just by looking at the skull.
That's why I don't really know.
Unless those were my bones somehow...
What would that make you? A ghost?
There are no such things as ghosts.
True.
Something that absurd wouldn't exist...
Well, if we want to go there,
everything about this is absurd.
Mahiro! Butterflies!
What?
This isn't good.
So that's what a fruit of Exodus looks like.
Now this area's within reach of the black iron syndrome.
Junichiro-dono.
Keep driving,
or we won't be able to escape this area.
Wh-What's...
It doesn't matter.
Just put your foot on the gas and drive!
And be thankful later.
If you weren't around us,
you'd have turned into metal by now.
Are you all right?
Seems Samon's getting pretty impatient.
Looks that way.
Hakaze, we're shelving the bones issue for now.
Whatever the answer,
if we can stop the awakening, we win.
Right?
Very well.
I give you permission to head to Samon's location.
We'll end this quickly!
It's been a while.
I'm glad to see that you're well.
I have a talisman from the previous leader.
We're currently at a point
from which we can no longer return.
Please consider dropping your neutrality and joining our side.
Emotionally, I'd have to say I'm on Hakaze-chan's side.
Well, then we'll have to do this by force.
I'm pretty sure Samon-san would tell you to leave me alone...
I shall check on that later!
Do you know why Samon-san acknowledges me, even though I can't use magic?
Magic? No...
Regardless, I have no intention of helping you.
Besides, today alone, how many have died?
However, I'm sure that you are aware
that the real threat is far worse.
It's probable that those two haven't been told...
That it's the Tree of Genesis and Hakaze-chan, not the Tree of Exodus,
which are more likely to destroy the world.
Now what?
I guess we'll have to walk...
Thanks for stating the obvious.
Listen...
Don't even think about returning the way we came.
Unless you'd rather be turned into metal.
Hakaze-san sounded pretty girly when talking about Junichiro-san.
What was that?!
You should wait to say those things when she's asleep—
Don't say things like that when I'm asleep, either!
First of all, Jun-niisan and I are...
To your girlfriend?
Eh? Yeah.
If you're that worried about her, just go to her.
Did you hear the rumor that Aika had a boyfriend?
Nope.
She bought someone Valentine's Day chocolates one year.
Something wrong?
No.
I was just surprised because she didn't seem the type
to give someone chocolates.
Not good.
That totally showed on my face.
You really don't get her, do you?
Aika, I mean.
So he believed me...
What's with the chain?
Maybe because it's special?
Hey, Hakaze.
Why is the special talisman such a blatant weapon?
When Kusaribe magic offers the Tree of Genesis a lethal weapon,
it tends to make it easier to use powerful magic.
Isn't that a contradiction?
Why would a Tree that's supposed to protect this world
desire destructive weapons?
You think so?
If the Tree of Genesis absorbs the whole weapon, destroying it,
wouldn't that reduce conflict?
Isn't that a step toward preserving the world's equilibrium?
The world's equilibrium, huh?
Not that any of this matters to me...
It's true that
to Mahiro, the world has been out of joint
since long before any of this.
Ever since that day...
Yoshino.
We're surrounded.
You have a talisman, right?
This is bad!
At this rate, magic won't do us any good!
Let go! Let go of me!
Yoshi—
Are you feeling at all guilty?
About the fact that we had a secret deal behind his back?
Not really.
I've been keeping an even bigger secret from Mahiro.
True... I suppose you have a point.
However, don't you think it's a little extreme?
How intensely he feels for his sister?
Is it?
Even though they were siblings,
they weren't blood relations, right?
You knew?
What relationship do you want to have with me,
Mahiro?
Mahiro.
Mahiro!
Shut up...
Yoshi—
Damn it!
Mahiro!
Yoshino!
What happened, Mahiro?
I don't think Mahiro himself knows
the basis for his feelings toward Aika-chan.
Or what, exactly, those feelings were.
It was obvious to everyone else, though.
It'd be easy to follow us if he wanted...
Considering the size of our escort.
Do you think he'll follow?
Who knows?
Is that it?
Aren't we still a bit far from Mt. Fuji's base?
There's someone I'd like you to meet.
Hey, I'm glad you're safe.
You say that so easily,
considering the dangerous place you sent me to.
I believe in you.
I'm holding back the tears.
Here he is.
Thank you for all the information you've provided us.
I'll introduce you.
This is Hayakawa Takumi,
Assistant Director of the Black Iron Syndrome Countermeasures Force.
He's also an old friend.
Because we go back a long way,
I ask her to do work that'd be difficult through official channels.
Basically, I'm a volunteer.
But I have clearance to use weapons.
So you're the head of this army?
Partially because my grandfather was friends with a past head of the Kusaribe clan.
It became necessary to form a secret government organization
to respond swiftly in case of incidents where magic led to social problems.
However it isn't unusual for us to be behind on things.
In truth, we're somewhat puzzled by
all these illogical events.
But we can't just stand idly by and watch.
We'll wage war on the mages.
War?
These surreal events
are having an impact on the very fabric of society
and even trying to destroy it at times.
We have no choice but to strike back using force.
H-Hey, no need to tackle a weighty topic so soon.
Oh, here.
The thing you requested.
Thanks, this will help.
And I'll give you this in return.
Now I can join the club as a mage, too!
There are limits, though...
What will you use those for?
They're sort of an insurance,
since there's someone who likes to make unexpected moves.
So that's why you came alone?
Something like that.
Could I have that, too?
What?
That's your backup, right?
You're perceptive...
But you're also rather dangerous.
You could calmly shoot someone if you had to.
Wouldn't it be worse if I panicked when it came down to it?
Be careful handling that.
Could you let me in on your plan?
Of course.
Isn't that why you agreed to come in the first place?
In all honesty, we were hoping for this, as well.
To be able to work with the two of you, who have the closest connection
to the world's greatest mage.
The army plans to attack two days from now, at 1600 hours.
You'll need to break up enemy movement.
We'll enter from the other side of the barrier.
Hey, there's no trespassing!
What's wrong?
Apparently, a civilian has entered the premises.
Can you show him on the monitor?
Mahiro!
You are not allowed to come any closer.
Promptly leave...
Shut the hell up!
I know you're in there, Yoshino!
Do you have the guts to shoot me?
I'm unarmed.
Don't move!
Permission to fire.
We're dealing with a child!
I think you'll find out soon enough
whether we should treat him as a child or not.
He's being way too reckless!
Where are we going?
We're retreating!
We sort of kidnapped you, remember?
He's above?
Damn it...
Hey!
Yoshino!
Are you all right?
What the hell were you thinking?!
Get up... This way!
Huh?
Have the men withdraw.
Yes, sir.
What do you think of those two?
Even though we share a final goal,
we see things quite differently.
You're right.
It's a gamble to see if their assistance
will ultimately prove good or bad.
Why'd you come?
What do you mean why?
Well, I mean...
Do I need one?
Huh?
Do I really need a reason?
Well, no...
I will save you.
Just like when he said, "I'll save the world,"
these words were devoid of enthusiasm.
What were you thinking,
leaving something so important out?
Sorry about that.
Oh, well...
Why doesn't Mahiro even think of suspecting me?
Or...
That was quite some treatment.
You don't need to worry.
Until you fulfill your promise, there's no way I'd throw you away.
Revenge really is the only thing that matters to you, isn't it?
Yep, that's it.
Come on, let's go.
Or does he simply not want to admit it?
Just like he doesn't want to admit that he's being swayed
by conventional feelings.
Then...
Could I be something to you?
So, what you're asking...
is if I would be your woman?
A girlfriend
isn't something you get
just because you want one.
I'll introduce you. This is Takigawa Yoshino.
So cute...
His being younger might not be so bad.
I had no idea you were so sensitive.
A kiss...
Not here, though.
Episode 7 First Kiss