Mahoutsukai no Yome (The Ancient Magus' Bride)

How irresponsible.

You don't care if she dies or succeeds?

She won't die, and I don't intend to let her.

She was expensive, after all.

You can neither become human, nor return to being a fairy, you filthy creature.

Do you really think you'll be forgiven for buying a human?

It seems you're still as much of a human supremacist as ever, Renfred.

Why do you know about Chise?

You've never liked auctions, have you?

That event is strictly private.

What happens there is to be kept secret.

Besides, what use do you have for this mass of human rage and regret?

I see.

Who took that arm of yours?

Good work, Chise.

Elias.

Flowers, huh?

You're safe!

That was clever.

Chise isn't all about destruction the way you are.

He looks relieved.

Let's go, Alice.

Master...

Are you leaving?

You still haven't told me anything.

The corruption is gone. I have no further business here.

I don't care how you use the girl.

Be careful.

There are countless people interested in her.

You knew them?

That sorcerer is famous for his distaste for mages.

He's always liked picking fights with me.

He still had both of his arms the last time I saw him, though.

Something's going on.

Are you okay, Chise?

Her magical production circuits must be exhausted.

You can get some sleep.

Thank you.

Elias...

When am I going to die?

You hadn't forgotten, huh?

In three years, maybe, if nothing's done about it.

I've thought of a way to prevent it.

You don't have to worry.

Why didn't you tell me?

Because there was no reason to.

Your death isn't a part of my plans.

So your experiment is to see if you can keep me from dying?

Sure.

To see what will happen if I have a Sleigh Beggy around me, a reservoir of limitless magic.

But you don't need more magic, do you?

So, why me?

I'm half-baked—neither human, fairy, nor spirit.

I've lived for a long, long time, and seen many humans,

but I still don't quite understand any of them, including you.

I can comprehend your thoughts,

but I can't empathize.

I can understand the reasons behind your tears, anger, and laughter,

but I can't make them my own.

I bought you because it was advantageous for me.

That's all.

Because you had nothing, and you couldn't part from the non-human that is me.

I let you hear the words that I suspected you would want to hear, and gave you shelter, food,

knowledge, and attention.

I thought I might learn something if I raised one of you myself.

I did plan on telling you after you'd become completely attached to me.

It's strange.

Though I had to do it earlier, thanks to Renfred.

His facial expression doesn't change.

I know.

If you don't need this memory, I can destroy it for you.

Yet the glimmer in his eyes is like a child's.

There's no need to be scared.

Until you don't need me anymore...

I'll stay by your...

side...

Look at that quality male, being confessed to by a female.

You've impressed me, mage.

I think she meant, "You're so pathetic, I can't just leave you."

She touched me for the first time.

It looks like you'll finally have what you've sought, after your long journey.

I'm glad for you.

Shall we return to our home, Chise?

Is this all for today?

Indeed, I hope she wakes up today.

Her breath and her pulse are stable.

It hasn't hurt her physically yet.

Chise may be more capable than I thought.

You're back, Simon?

At least let me worry about her.

Two weeks you've returned from Ulthar, and she's still not awake.

It's to be expected.

She's keeping her physical functions to a minimum,

so she can focus on replenishing the magic she used.

Recovery is faster in the forests or under water than in the city.

She'll awaken soon.

I don't approve of you letting such a child be so reckless.

You're still hiding something, aren't you?

You can tell, huh?

It's been ten years since I was assigned to keep an eye on you.

I can tell when your bony face is pale under your cloth.

Sing, sing, sing.

Ruffle, trees, in the wind,

let not the sunlight pass.

Dance, flowers and grass,

let not your scent be lost for direction.

Sing praise, homeless bird, that the mistress of the night

shall not tear off your wings.

Return to the earth, and sing,

flutter in the skies, and sing,

bow your head to the noble garden and sing,

for the great Gealach of Tir na nÓg has arrived.

Well, well, two strapping young men to greet me.

How kind of you both.

My queen, you ought not speak directly with the commoners.

You're so strict.

He is one of my own, Spriggan.

I have no respect to show a being of flesh.

Who is she?

Try not to talk to her too much.

She's the Queen of Faeries.

She commands all of the creatures of the night in Britain.

Titania.

You're perhaps the only one besides my husband that calls me by my name, Thorn.

Where's the king?

He gets rambunctious, so I left him behind.

I wanted to see you and your hatchling today.

Oh?

You worship that foreign god.

You're called a "priest," are you not?

Y-Yeah.

Yes, though the scent is faint...

Those who kneel to the one who condemned the fruit of paradise as evil are not welcome.

Be gone.

That was uncivil.

He'll merely wander the woods for a while.

I'll return him after the hour of honey mead.

Now, Thorn, would you introduce me to your wife?

Wow, a redhead.

She'll become a great mage.

Oberon... What are you doing?

Shucks, you found me.

You weren't even trying to hide.

Faerie King Oberon.

She's neither a toy nor a doll.