Mahoutsukai no Yome (The Ancient Magus' Bride)

Ethan!

Ethan!

Stella?

Mom, have you seen Ethan?

I can't find him!

Who's Ethan?

Um, about this...

Looks like it's working well.

It absorbs your excess magic and makes crystal flowers by the morning.

Do you like it?

They're beautiful.

Good.

I'm glad.

Although it looks a bit crazy.

They look tasty.

Tasty?

They look tasty to the likes of us.

They do, huh?

Elias, also...

Lindel got you dragon castings.

And the fish is from Selkie?

Simon got you a wristwatch.

Angelica got you...

Ah, she does quick work, as always.

Chise, can you show me the bracelet you got in Ant Hill?

Okay.

Yeah, that looks good.

With this, you'll be practically unable to absorb or create magic.

It'll be perfect for your body.

Listen, don't do any experiments or magic without my permission, all right?

Okay.

Thank you.

I can do hardly anything right now.

Everyone's given me so much,

and I can't give anything back.

I'll do whatever I can while my body still moves.

Elias, I'm going to thank Simon-san.

I'll come with you.

I can't have you sneaking off to London again.

I-I won't go without telling you anymore.

We'll see about that.

That's unusual.

There's no one out.

It's Christmas, after all.

Um, have you seen a boy around?

N-No, no one.

I've seen her before.

Wait, Stella, come back here!

What's gotten into her?

I have no idea.

She darted off, saying her brother's gone missing.

Her brother?

She's our only child, though.

Elias, um...

Yeah, go for it.

Um...

Please!

Please help me find my brother, Ethan!

I'm Stella Barklem.

I came to my grandma's place for Christmas break.

Along with my whole family.

I took Ethan to the yard, but...

He's frail, but he refused to go back inside.

Then we got in a fight.

You're such a selfish little brother!

I told them that Ethan had vanished.

But...

Who's Ethan?

I'm the only one who remembers my brother.

Why?

They suddenly forgot about their own child?

That's peculiar.

Elias.

How will you compensate us?

Compensate?

When we help people, we receive an appropriate payment.

What will you do for us?

I...

I...

Sweets.

I...

When I come here...

I-I'm here at least once a month.

I'll make lots and lots of sweets!

More than I can carry!

If it's money you want, I'll work.

For my whole life, if I have to!

Sure.

That will be your payment.

Thank you.

M-Monster!

No, he's a mage.

A mage?

Are you one, too?

A mage?

Technically, I guess.

You must be scared, with all these weird things happening.

Of course I am!

But it's not any scarier than not having my brother back.

Yeah.

All right, let's go.

The dog talked!

Is this where he disappeared?

It's dangerous to split up.

Don't stray away from any of us.

Okay.

Take this.

Wow, what's this?

It's pretty.

We can find you if you get lost, as long as you hold onto that.

Ruth will.

I will.

Thanks, Chise. I'll hold onto it.

Someone's interfering.

What?

Let's ask the neighbors here.

I don't know if they'll give us a straight answer, though.

Do you need help?

A Sleigh Beggy is a queen bee.

A queen bee gives birth to the children, so the hive takes care of her.

It's not magic, so it's okay, right?

It's not a bad negotiation tactic, I suppose.

Tell me where her brother is.

That way.

Wh-What?

What are you talking to, Chise?

Don't worry about it, Stella.

It's dangerous.

Let's go.

Know... Want...

Shoot... I'm out of flowers...

Chise, we need details.

Half a teacup's worth.

No more.

Chise! Why are you bleeding?!

It's okay, don't wo—

You idiot! How can I not worry?!

What are you even doing?

She's paying her compensation.

You're mages, aren't you?

Can't you do it without hurting yourselves?

We aren't omnipotent.

I had a brother, too, but I can't see him anymore.

So I want you to be able to see yours.

This is the only way we can find him for now.

I'm sorry I scared you.

Thank you.

I'm looking forward to your sweets.

I'm going to treat that when we get home.

Okay.

Sorry, Chise. I didn't want to make you do it.

I was the one who suggested it.

Hurry up.

Oh?

I should thank you for coming out this far.

Ashen Eye.

Ethan!

I found a young child abandoned in the snow.

Such a pitiful thing.

Give him back!

He's my brother!

Oh?

What an odd thing to say.

You are the one who abandoned him, are you not?

We hear human words often.

Words and text are sounds and shapes that bear souls.

Should they reach another, they cannot be undone.