Spice and Wolf (狼と香辛料)

No one knows when the people of this village

began to say "the wolf is running" to describe

the ripe wheat swaying in the wind.

Whene'er the wind lays flat the ears of wheat,

they become "trampled by the wolf"...

And should a poor harvest befall,

the crops are "eaten by the wolf"...

In the beginning, there was nothing...

There was only warmth...

And then, a promise was made.

The cycle of encounters

and farewells continued, with favour.

Until, one day, humans came to achieve

abundance on their own.

And there was no need to be faithful

to their promise anymore.

I bet you're getting just as tired

of these country roads as I am.

Right?

A peddler?

I am, yes.

Actually, I'm returning from

a small mountain village

half a day east of here.

Lucky for me,

they ended up buying my salt.

Really? Is that it?

No.

These are all furs.

Yeah, that's just a bundle of wheat.

It's the kind which can sustain either hot or cold.

What's going on?

Everyone seems a little over cautious.

Not really.

We've been told a village in the west

is holding a pagan festival.

Pagan festival?

Yeah.

It's a disgrace.

They refuse to believe in the one true God.

You'd think the Holy Father

would use his power over them.

If it were me, they'd be crushed.

But it looks like he won't do anything.

I don't know, maybe he just pities

the filthy and scheming.

Pagans, huh...?

So the people of Pasloei are pagans.

Who would have guessed it?

I can't believe the new method

led to such a rich harvest!

Can't thank the Earl enough.

Well, we couldn't just keep counting on the wolf.

Hey, don't insult her.

She's supposed to be a god, remember?

Oh! Hey Lawrence!

Hello!

It's been awhile, hasn't it.

Well, you came at the right time.

Our harvest festival starts tomorrow.

Tomorrow...?

I'm getting the impression it's already started, right?

You're right, We started early.

Care to join?

Hey now...!

He didn't do any work,

so why does he get to join us?

You didn't do any work either!

You wouldn't by chance

know where I could find Chloe would you?

Chloe...?

Oh, I see.

That's how it is.

Not at all.

She's a fellow merchant,

so I like to have a drink with her every once in awhile.

We like to talk work.

I have bad news for you.

They'll be the last ones this year to finish harvesting...

So Chloe will have to become Holo for the festival.

Look everyone; I can see her hiding

from us in the wheat!

Who'll be the lucky one to catch the wolf?

Who's it going to be?

Chloe!

Lawrence!

When'd you get here?

You better watch out,

Holo is gonna get away!

Finally, the last bundle!

Come on now;

don't keep all the wheat for yourself.

You better be careful,

or Holo will escape!

Who's gonna be the lucky one

to catch the wolf?

It's Chloe!

Holo the Wolf has appeared!

Catch her!

She's heading over there!

Lawrence, help us!

Don't let her get away!

It's been awhile,

so tonight is gonna be your treat.

What do you mean "tonight is my treat"?

You're going to be

locked up in there for a week.

Thanks to you, we were finally able

to find some new customers.

I'm sure Chloe's a help to you now...

She has a talent for this business.

Yes.

She is our price negotiator...

This village is not the same as it used to be.

Oh...

Those are Trenni silver coins...

I haven't seen them in this area before.

Yes, I know.

We are bidding a farewell to the old,

rusty Lute silver coins.

I suppose you will soon rival big towns like Pazzio.

Well, not yet.

But when we do,

it will be thanks to our new lord, Earl Ehrendott.

We will never have to pray to that wolf again.

Fortunately, we can now overcome

the drought and the wind all by ourselves

Forget about Trenni silver coins.

I'd like to fill our village with Lumione gold coins.

And when you do,

I hope you continue to use my services.

After all, an outsider

would just be a nuisance.

On the other hand,

filling the village with Lumione gold is a stretch.

Time for bed...

Finally.

What... a girl?

Hey...!

Hey you!

Get up now!

What are you doing in my wagon anyway?

I said get up!

Are those... ears.

A tail?

Wow, what a beautiful moon.

You there...

Do you perchance have alcohol?

No, I don't have any!

Who are you?

Why not?

Well, then do you carry any food?

Oh, no. What a waste.

Demon...

Are you possessed by the devil?

Ungrateful beast.

How dare you direct your blade at me.

What? Ungrateful.

Oh, an oversight?

You are not from the village, perhaps?

My apologies...

You may wield away.

My name is Holo.

This is the first time in a long while

I have taken this form...

I believe it to be working out finely.

Holo?

Yes. Nice name, is it not?

Amazing...

I have heard of someone else

who is referred to by that name.

Really? How unusual.

I have never known another Holo besides myself.

From where is this person?

It is the name of a god

a village nearby has known for generations.

Don't tell me you happen to be the same god?

I have been named a god

and bound to this region for quite a long time now.

I am not so grand...

Not as a god.

I am Holo, and Holo is all that I am.

A meager, lost, delirious woman

who must have been locked deep inside of her house

ever since she was a tiny infant.

You are thinking something like that?

I was born in a land from the far north.

North?

Yes, they have a short summer and a long winter.

My home is in the forest of Yoitz.

It is a world of silver where everything sparkles.

You are a traveling peddler, are you not?

Take me with you, then.

But why me?

Because I am a good judge of character.

And because I do not believe

you are at all the type of person

who would deny me this kind of request.

Stay away!

I am not that generous.