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The Lavender Flowers of Sympathy and Sleep - Episode 4
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[ Castle of Maiden's Tears - Office (Past) ]
Raven Witch: —— A-And to do that, I put the ghost to rest with a ritual of sleep. That's all for my report.
Maiden of Tears: I see. Why did you not exorcise her?
Raven Witch: O-oh, I’m s-sorry…
Maiden of Tears: I want to hear a reason.
Raven Witch: Oh… It's just… She’s the wandering ghost of a mother who lost her child, so it seems too cruel to exorcise or seal her away…
Exorcising her would be no different from killing her. Sealing her would mean that she's locked away with nothing but her grief and pain for company…
But… if she were to sleep, there's a chance that the passage of time would cure her of her suffering. … Probably…
Maiden of Tears: ‘Probably’?
Raven Witch: I-I'm sorry. I never had a proper magic teacher, but based on what I’ve seen in the past, there's a chance… she would recover… with time…
Maiden of Tears: … Very well.
I leave it to your judgement, so long as she no longer terrorises the people.
Raven Witch: U-Understood, my lady. … And…
Maiden of Tears: What is it?
Raven Witch: Did I manage to do good? For you, my lady, and for the people…
Maiden of Tears: Yes.
Raven Witch: …! T… Tha— Thank y…
Maiden of Tears: I would not have hired you if you weren't of use.
Raven Witch: ………
… Yes, of course…
Maiden of Tears: … By the way, you mentioned that your rituals are all self-taught.
But as far as I'm aware, ancient festivals and ceremonies require you to follow an exact procedure. Does that mean you’ve devised your own procedure for rituals?
Raven Witch: Umm, probably. It’s only the general framework that has to match. I can do the finer details my way, and I can still get the same results.
My raven curses work properly too…
Maiden of Tears: Is that so… I didn't know that. I thought your methods were largely similar to the traditional rituals that the elderly perform, with all those silly rules….
Raven Witch: ………
… I-If I… If I may…
Perhaps I could teach you? More about the ritual I performed earlier, that is…
Maiden of Tears: …!
… Hm. It does strike my fancy.
Raven Witch: I-I'm at your service…! Yes, most certainly!
I did the entire ritual by myself, but it's actually a ritual that requires eight people to perform. Firstly—
[ Present time ]
[ Castle of Maiden's Tears ]
[ BGM starts ]
The first step was to prepare the largest hall. We split up into groups to work on the preparations.
Akira: Is this a good place to set down the incense burner?
Faust: Yes. Thanks for helping out. I appreciate it.
Chloe: « suispisiva voitingoc » !
Chloe: Whew… The idea of escorting something makes my heart race.
Rutile: It sure does, doesn't it? I feel like I'll just immediately forget whether I'm supposed to stand to the left or to the right while escorting the raven.
Chloe: I know, right~? It's a ritual, so we can’t afford to mess anything up, not even the tiniest details.
It's all set in stone, from the words we have to say when escorting it, to the way we say it, to even the facial expressions we make… I've got to work extra hard to make sure I've got it all down!
Arthur: You really don’t have to worry about every single detail like that. The request letter said that the escorting part of the ritual is meant to convey our gratitude and blessings.
If that's the case, all we have to do is convey that with our hearts, and the ritual will be a success — even if there’s little errors in the exact procedure.
If you're really stumped, you could try this…
[ Arthur CG ]
With refined grace, Arthur gestured and bowed as a demonstration.
He glanced up at the other two with a gentle smile on his face.
Arthur: You bow, and then you smile.
That ought to suffice for the Great Raven — after all, the both of you have very lovely smiles!
Rutile: Arthur sama…
Chloe: Thanks! I think I might be feeling up to it now!
Heathcliff: Chloe, you're with me for our part of the escorting, right? Let's do our best, no matter what happens.
Chloe: Yup…!
Rutile: … Alright! We're done with the blessings upon the venue. Let's see what's next on the list…
Arthur: We have to purify the venue with incense and foci. Everyone, let's head over there.
Chloe & Heathcliff: Okay!
Figaro: Oh, would you look at that. The young wizards over there sure are getting along. It’s such a heartwarming sight.
Don't you think we should take a leaf out of their book and at least try to get along?
Owen: ………
Akira: (He's been staring at the tips of his hair since the start… He seems listless…)
Mithra: Owen. Please stop standing around doing nothing, and go put raven bones into that little jar.
Owen: No.
I already identified that the Great Raven is incapable of speech. Why do I have to stick around?
Mithra: Well, the ritual requires eight of us. And I, the specialist, will not permit you to leave.
Owen: There's Kenja sama over there. She can do it.
Akira: Me!? Oh, uhh, okay? If, uh, Owen really doesn't want to, then…
Owen: What? Don't you go nodding your head so agreeably. Can’t you see I’m trying to be unreasonable?
Akira: (I don't get him at all…)
Owen: In the first place, it's better to not perform this ritual.
This ritual's probably the reason why the natural order of this place is in disarray.
Akira: What, really?
Faust: … Yes. The Great Raven and the Calamity's influence may have aggravated it, but this ritual has also slowly introduced chaos into the natural order.
But considering the condition the Great Raven is in, I’m not sure we can afford to not perform the ritual…
Mithra: The ritual's imperfect anyway.
It's an ancient ritual for sleep, but its effectiveness has been dampened because of how things like giving thanks and blessings have been incorporated into it.
I think it's the reason why the Great Raven awakens every sixty-six years and six months.
Figaro: The general framework of the ritual is correct, but it’s like all the steps are performed without any real understanding of the nature of the ritual. It’s just going through the motions.
Even so, it’s very harmoniously designed.
Faust: The legend makes no mention of it, but there must have been a magic user involved at some point.
If that is indeed the case — then why? Why has this ritual been turned into something so warped? We don’t know the reason…
Akira: (… Yet another mystery to add to our growing list of mysteries…)
A logical noblewoman who gave an illogical order.
An imperfect yet harmonious ritual.
I was puzzling things over when Heathcliff left his group of younger wizards to come over to us.
Heathcliff: Excuse me, Faust sensei. Could you please come watch over us while we draw the magical glyph with the thorns of a hundred-year rose? We're just about to start.
You've said before to always let an older wizard know when we young wizards come into contact with these thorns…
Faust: Of course, Heathcliff. I'm surprised you even remembered that; it was something I only mentioned offhand during class.
Faust smiled at Heath, then he glanced over to the others.
Faust: We're almost done setting up the hall. What's left is the office, sleeping chambers, and then all the corridors we'll be passing through — they'll require the same prep work done.
Let us split up and get to work.
The Young Wizards & Akira: Yessir!
As I responded, I saw a shadow slip by through the corner of my eyes.
The shadow was a person that stood at the stair landing, with its back to the bright light filtering in from the glass windows.
That person was watching us.
Akira: (A blue dress and blue-grey hair… Is she the same person from before?)
Perhaps she had noticed my staring. She whirled on her heels and made a brisk exit.
Akira: (Oh…!)
Reflexively, I glanced at Rutile, who was staring at the same spot.
Rutile: ……!
Akira: (I knew it… Rutile was also looking at her!)
I hurried over to Rutile's side while the rest of us split up into groups, either to work on the ritual or to slack off.
Akira: Rutile, um, just now — were you looking at a lady in a blue dress?
Rutile: …! So you saw her too, Kenja sama. Actually, I saw her earlier as well, back when we were in the bedroom.
Akira: So did I! I wonder who she is? I mean like, seriously who.
Rutile: Hmm… Well, she seemed like a ghost, but she didn't give off any sort of presence.
Akira: How's that possible?
Rutile: It’s more like, maybe I just couldn't sense anything. Like when you're in the midst of a noisy crowd, it's really hard to tell voices apart from one another, isn't it?
It's something like that. I think she must have some presence, but I wasn’t able to sense it well enough to tell if she’s alive or a ghost…
But I don't think she's malevolent at least. If she had any ill-intent, or was some trespasser, I think Figaro sensei and the others would have picked up on that.
Akira: Yeah, Saccie didn't react like it would to danger either… Well, true identity aside, maybe she's someone in need of our assistance?
Rutile: It's possible. Something might be troubling her.
There’s no way for us to know unless we ask her… Let's go after her!
[ Castle of Maiden's Tears - Office ]
[ In the past… ]
Maiden of Tears: I want the latest report on the epidemic.
Raven Witch: … Two people from across the river have succumbed to the disease. I’ll be casting an invocation to purify the area around their remains.
I’ve already applied the disease-sealing invocation to the burial grounds, water sources, and the entrance to that settlement.
Maiden of Tears: But has it worked at all? How many more have fallen ill?
Raven Witch: ………
Maiden of Tears: … I see.
Raven Witch: …… My lady, please, believe me! I am not the one that spread the plague!
What I performed was a genuine invocation for recovery. I may have used the bones of ravens, but I’ve not cast a single curse!
Maiden of Tears: Now is not the time to discuss the truth of the people's rumours. Your job is to think of how to help the population.
Raven Witch: I'm supposed to think of how to save them?! They stoned me!
I want nothing more than to chase them all out, everyone except you, my lady!
Just like how people have chased me out time and time again!!
Maiden of Tears: ………
Raven Witch: … Oh… I-I apologise. I failed to control my emotions…
If I may ask… is there perhaps a lavender field somewhere nearby?
Maiden of Tears: For what purpose?
Raven Witch: I'm not sure why, but my magic is stronger than usual in fields of lavender.
If no such flower patch exists, then a bouquet of it will suffice… If I bring it with me when I perform my invocation to purify the land of illness…
Maiden of Tears: … I'm afraid no lavender grows on my land. The earth is ill-suited to it.
Raven Witch: … Ah… That's… I see…
Maiden of Tears: ………
Raven Witch: … Please forgive me for asking for something impossible.
I must go check on the deceased. … Please excuse me, my lady.
[ The Raven Witch exits the office. ]
Maiden of Tears: ………
… If it's just one bouquet, then…
next episode ⭢
[ Castle of Maiden's Tears - Office (Past) ]
Raven Witch: —— A-And to do that, I put the ghost to rest with a ritual of sleep. That's all for my report.
Maiden of Tears: I see. Why did you not exorcise her?
Raven Witch: O-oh, I’m s-sorry…
Maiden of Tears: I want to hear a reason.
Raven Witch: Oh… It's just… She’s the wandering ghost of a mother who lost her child, so it seems too cruel to exorcise or seal her away…
Exorcising her would be no different from killing her. Sealing her would mean that she's locked away with nothing but her grief and pain for company…
But… if she were to sleep, there's a chance that the passage of time would cure her of her suffering. … Probably…
Maiden of Tears: ‘Probably’?
Raven Witch: I-I'm sorry. I never had a proper magic teacher, but based on what I’ve seen in the past, there's a chance… she would recover… with time…
Maiden of Tears: … Very well.
I leave it to your judgement, so long as she no longer terrorises the people.
Raven Witch: U-Understood, my lady. … And…
Maiden of Tears: What is it?
Raven Witch: Did I manage to do good? For you, my lady, and for the people…
Maiden of Tears: Yes.
Raven Witch: …! T… Tha— Thank y…
Maiden of Tears: I would not have hired you if you weren't of use.
Raven Witch: ………
… Yes, of course…
Maiden of Tears: … By the way, you mentioned that your rituals are all self-taught.
But as far as I'm aware, ancient festivals and ceremonies require you to follow an exact procedure. Does that mean you’ve devised your own procedure for rituals?
Raven Witch: Umm, probably. It’s only the general framework that has to match. I can do the finer details my way, and I can still get the same results.
My raven curses work properly too…
Maiden of Tears: Is that so… I didn't know that. I thought your methods were largely similar to the traditional rituals that the elderly perform, with all those silly rules….
Raven Witch: ………
… I-If I… If I may…
Perhaps I could teach you? More about the ritual I performed earlier, that is…
Maiden of Tears: …!
… Hm. It does strike my fancy.
Raven Witch: I-I'm at your service…! Yes, most certainly!
I did the entire ritual by myself, but it's actually a ritual that requires eight people to perform. Firstly—
[ Present time ]
[ Castle of Maiden's Tears ]
[ BGM starts ]
The first step was to prepare the largest hall. We split up into groups to work on the preparations.
Akira: Is this a good place to set down the incense burner?
Faust: Yes. Thanks for helping out. I appreciate it.
Chloe: « suispisiva voitingoc » !
Chloe: Whew… The idea of escorting something makes my heart race.
Rutile: It sure does, doesn't it? I feel like I'll just immediately forget whether I'm supposed to stand to the left or to the right while escorting the raven.
Chloe: I know, right~? It's a ritual, so we can’t afford to mess anything up, not even the tiniest details.
It's all set in stone, from the words we have to say when escorting it, to the way we say it, to even the facial expressions we make… I've got to work extra hard to make sure I've got it all down!
Arthur: You really don’t have to worry about every single detail like that. The request letter said that the escorting part of the ritual is meant to convey our gratitude and blessings.
If that's the case, all we have to do is convey that with our hearts, and the ritual will be a success — even if there’s little errors in the exact procedure.
If you're really stumped, you could try this…
[ Arthur CG ]
With refined grace, Arthur gestured and bowed as a demonstration.
He glanced up at the other two with a gentle smile on his face.
Arthur: You bow, and then you smile.
That ought to suffice for the Great Raven — after all, the both of you have very lovely smiles!
Rutile: Arthur sama…
Chloe: Thanks! I think I might be feeling up to it now!
Heathcliff: Chloe, you're with me for our part of the escorting, right? Let's do our best, no matter what happens.
Chloe: Yup…!
Rutile: … Alright! We're done with the blessings upon the venue. Let's see what's next on the list…
Arthur: We have to purify the venue with incense and foci. Everyone, let's head over there.
Chloe & Heathcliff: Okay!
Figaro: Oh, would you look at that. The young wizards over there sure are getting along. It’s such a heartwarming sight.
Don't you think we should take a leaf out of their book and at least try to get along?
Owen: ………
Akira: (He's been staring at the tips of his hair since the start… He seems listless…)
Mithra: Owen. Please stop standing around doing nothing, and go put raven bones into that little jar.
Owen: No.
I already identified that the Great Raven is incapable of speech. Why do I have to stick around?
Mithra: Well, the ritual requires eight of us. And I, the specialist, will not permit you to leave.
Owen: There's Kenja sama over there. She can do it.
Akira: Me!? Oh, uhh, okay? If, uh, Owen really doesn't want to, then…
Owen: What? Don't you go nodding your head so agreeably. Can’t you see I’m trying to be unreasonable?
Akira: (I don't get him at all…)
Owen: In the first place, it's better to not perform this ritual.
This ritual's probably the reason why the natural order of this place is in disarray.
Akira: What, really?
Faust: … Yes. The Great Raven and the Calamity's influence may have aggravated it, but this ritual has also slowly introduced chaos into the natural order.
But considering the condition the Great Raven is in, I’m not sure we can afford to not perform the ritual…
Mithra: The ritual's imperfect anyway.
It's an ancient ritual for sleep, but its effectiveness has been dampened because of how things like giving thanks and blessings have been incorporated into it.
I think it's the reason why the Great Raven awakens every sixty-six years and six months.
Figaro: The general framework of the ritual is correct, but it’s like all the steps are performed without any real understanding of the nature of the ritual. It’s just going through the motions.
Even so, it’s very harmoniously designed.
Faust: The legend makes no mention of it, but there must have been a magic user involved at some point.
If that is indeed the case — then why? Why has this ritual been turned into something so warped? We don’t know the reason…
Akira: (… Yet another mystery to add to our growing list of mysteries…)
A logical noblewoman who gave an illogical order.
An imperfect yet harmonious ritual.
I was puzzling things over when Heathcliff left his group of younger wizards to come over to us.
Heathcliff: Excuse me, Faust sensei. Could you please come watch over us while we draw the magical glyph with the thorns of a hundred-year rose? We're just about to start.
You've said before to always let an older wizard know when we young wizards come into contact with these thorns…
Faust: Of course, Heathcliff. I'm surprised you even remembered that; it was something I only mentioned offhand during class.
Faust smiled at Heath, then he glanced over to the others.
Faust: We're almost done setting up the hall. What's left is the office, sleeping chambers, and then all the corridors we'll be passing through — they'll require the same prep work done.
Let us split up and get to work.
The Young Wizards & Akira: Yessir!
As I responded, I saw a shadow slip by through the corner of my eyes.
The shadow was a person that stood at the stair landing, with its back to the bright light filtering in from the glass windows.
That person was watching us.
Akira: (A blue dress and blue-grey hair… Is she the same person from before?)
Perhaps she had noticed my staring. She whirled on her heels and made a brisk exit.
Akira: (Oh…!)
Reflexively, I glanced at Rutile, who was staring at the same spot.
Rutile: ……!
Akira: (I knew it… Rutile was also looking at her!)
I hurried over to Rutile's side while the rest of us split up into groups, either to work on the ritual or to slack off.
Akira: Rutile, um, just now — were you looking at a lady in a blue dress?
Rutile: …! So you saw her too, Kenja sama. Actually, I saw her earlier as well, back when we were in the bedroom.
Akira: So did I! I wonder who she is? I mean like, seriously who.
Rutile: Hmm… Well, she seemed like a ghost, but she didn't give off any sort of presence.
Akira: How's that possible?
Rutile: It’s more like, maybe I just couldn't sense anything. Like when you're in the midst of a noisy crowd, it's really hard to tell voices apart from one another, isn't it?
It's something like that. I think she must have some presence, but I wasn’t able to sense it well enough to tell if she’s alive or a ghost…
But I don't think she's malevolent at least. If she had any ill-intent, or was some trespasser, I think Figaro sensei and the others would have picked up on that.
Akira: Yeah, Saccie didn't react like it would to danger either… Well, true identity aside, maybe she's someone in need of our assistance?
Rutile: It's possible. Something might be troubling her.
There’s no way for us to know unless we ask her… Let's go after her!
[ Castle of Maiden's Tears - Office ]
[ In the past… ]
Maiden of Tears: I want the latest report on the epidemic.
Raven Witch: … Two people from across the river have succumbed to the disease. I’ll be casting an invocation to purify the area around their remains.
I’ve already applied the disease-sealing invocation to the burial grounds, water sources, and the entrance to that settlement.
Maiden of Tears: But has it worked at all? How many more have fallen ill?
Raven Witch: ………
Maiden of Tears: … I see.
Raven Witch: …… My lady, please, believe me! I am not the one that spread the plague!
What I performed was a genuine invocation for recovery. I may have used the bones of ravens, but I’ve not cast a single curse!
Maiden of Tears: Now is not the time to discuss the truth of the people's rumours. Your job is to think of how to help the population.
Raven Witch: I'm supposed to think of how to save them?! They stoned me!
I want nothing more than to chase them all out, everyone except you, my lady!
Just like how people have chased me out time and time again!!
Maiden of Tears: ………
Raven Witch: … Oh… I-I apologise. I failed to control my emotions…
If I may ask… is there perhaps a lavender field somewhere nearby?
Maiden of Tears: For what purpose?
Raven Witch: I'm not sure why, but my magic is stronger than usual in fields of lavender.
If no such flower patch exists, then a bouquet of it will suffice… If I bring it with me when I perform my invocation to purify the land of illness…
Maiden of Tears: … I'm afraid no lavender grows on my land. The earth is ill-suited to it.
Raven Witch: … Ah… That's… I see…
Maiden of Tears: ………
Raven Witch: … Please forgive me for asking for something impossible.
I must go check on the deceased. … Please excuse me, my lady.
[ The Raven Witch exits the office. ]
Maiden of Tears: ………
… If it's just one bouquet, then…
next episode ⭢