Summary: Azazel gains the trust of the rebel demons when he tells them that he plans to use the Red Dragon to destroy the power the humans stole from the gods and kill Charioce on the day they celebrate the fall of Cocytus.
Azazel thinks of a better future for the demons and that he'll make the humans pay.
Nina and Mugaro go shopping downtown. Nina persuades the owner of a clothing and accessories store to give her a bargain if she beats him at arm wrestling. Nina gets her way, and she and Mugaro buy dresses, shoes, and accessories for each other, as Nina thinks Mugaro is a girl like her.
Back at the chariot, Nina and Mugaro watch as a slaveholder treats his demons badly by torturing them through stones on a bracelet that responds to magic words.
Nina disapproves of his actions and tells him that what he's doing isn't right. The slaveholder, annoyed, tells her that he'll make her his slave too. Nina is ready to defend herself, but Mugaro intervenes before she's attacked, using the power of his red eye to nullify one of the collars and make them disappear, leaving the demons free and ready to take revenge on the slaveholder. However, he ends up running away in panic with his men.
Sofiel detects the power of the Holy Child and rushes to Nina and Mugaro, but doesn't find them as she didn't reach them in time.
At the castle, the leader of the Onyx Task Force reports to Charioce that he suspects gods are searching for the Holy Child in the city. Charioce tells him to ignore them, as his priority is to take care of the Rag Demon, as he'll lead them to the Holy Child's whereabouts. The Onyx Soldier is puzzled by the order to ignore the gods but complies.
Meanwhile, the Orleans Knights train under Vice Captain Dias, but Alessand doesn't participate, as he's disappointed because he joined the Orleans Knights in the hope that he could have met Jeanne D'Arc, but instead, he has an uncaring captain.
Dias tells him not to be mistaken about Kaisar, as he's a man of integrity who managed to join the unit ten years ago after defending the capital from demons.
Kaisar isn't present because he invited Rita to lunch, giving her the false hope that it was because he has feelings for her. But instead, he just wanted to express to her that he doesn't feel worthy of being an Orleans Knight because he wants to do what's right and can't because Charioce's methods are extreme. And not only that, but he also tells her that he understands Azazel, but he doesn't agree with his actions either.
Kaisar understands them both and doesn't know what to do, him being in the middle.
Rita, annoyed with so much verbiage, punches him and tells him that the Kaisar she met ten years ago would never stop doing the right thing.
In the afternoon, Sofiel visits Bacchus to ask him if he has truly been searching for the Holy Child, as he must have felt his power a while ago, but Bacchus reserves a comment on the matter. Sofiel reiterates to him to help her and leaves.
Nina stares at Sofiel as she leaves the chariot, and then asks Bacchus who that woman was, but Bacchus says nothing. Nina interrogates Hamsa, who tells her that she and Bacchus were partners a long time ago.
Nina jokes and asks if she was really a partner or a lover, and Hamsa plays along and tells her that it isn't uncommon for partners to become lovers.
Sickened, Bacchus shuts them up.
In an effort to change the topic, Nina tells Bacchus that Mugaro chased away bad people when his eye began to glow and that he made the stones in the demons' collars disappear. This comment makes Bacchus and Hamsa suspect that Mugaro is the Holy Child.
In parallel, Kaisar finds Charioce in the hall of the Orleans Knights, the same that tells the story of Bahamut's incident.
Charioce asks Kaisar what he was doing ten years ago, to which Kaisar replies that he was a bounty hunter and would never have imagined that he would become a captain.
Charioce tells him that there was also a big change in his life since when Bahamut appeared, he had no chance of setting foot in the palace, as he was the son of one of the king's concubines. But, paradoxically, Bahamut allowed him to be in the palace. And since then, it has been ten eventful and bloody years. He has eliminated those who stood in his way, defeated gods, and conquered demons, and, thanks to his actions, the human species was able to gain new power and will continue to prosper in the future.
Kaisar tells Charioce that he understands him, but that prosperity at the expense of gods and demons won't last forever and will only cause more rebels like Azazel to appear.
Charioce insists that he'll rid the world of anyone who opposes humans. Kaisar again insists that this will only bring more hatred, but Charioce insists that he'll gain the power to prevent that hatred. Kaisar tells him that cooperation between humans, gods, and demons saved humanity from extinction because of Bahamut. Charioce sticks to his point of view, for him being saved from extinction isn't a reason to settle, for mankind must change to face anything, even Bahamut, and this is his calling as king.
Kaisar agrees that humanity must change, but a change through power isn't true evolution, and he won't give up his belief that the three species can live in peace.
Charioce tells him that he's naive and can't explain how he has survived for so long. He's emphatic in that he should live his life his way, just as he himself lives his own. However, if Kaisar interferes with his plans, he'll kill him.
In the early morning, while Mugaro and Nina sleep, Bacchus and Hamsa try to verify if Mugaro is the Holy Child by removing the hair covering his eye, but end up in a misunderstanding and Nina calls them perverts, especially Bacchus.
When Mugaro awakens, his red eye is exposed, confirming to Bacchus and Hamsa that he's the Holy Child.
Style: The message is given mainly by Kaisar and reinforced by Bacchus, who despite having to take orders and obey, has a strong sense of what is right and what's wrong.
Point of view: Kaisar's and Charioce's are both strong, with Kaisar being a character who's loyal to the king, but puts his beliefs first; and Charioce being someone who does his duty and is true to his beliefs at the same time.
Tono: Persuasive
Fixed literary devices:
- Transversal themes:
- Love
- Identity and Secrecy
- Transversal symbols (motifs):
- Red
- Flames
- Tea
Mutable literary devices:
- Episode Themes:
- Duty and Beliefs
- Changes: Past vs. Present vs. Future
- Justice and Injustice
Conflicts: Duty vs. Beliefs
Thematic elements:
- Duty vs. Beliefs:
- Charioce emphasizes that his calling as king is to evolve the human species through power. He thinks he's right and that, as king, it's his duty to do so.
- Kaisar is torn between doing as he's commanded and following his own beliefs according to what he thinks is right. He expresses to Charioce that, unlike him, he believes that there's a way for humans, gods, and demons to coexist peacefully and that it's not necessary to trample on them. Charioce tells him that if he stands in his way and disobeys him, he'll kill him.
- Bacchus shows some disinterest in obeying Sofiel's orders and searching for the Holy Child. It's inferred that Bacchus is being true to his own beliefs despite having a duty.
- Azazel thinks he's right to use Nina for his purpose, as he thirsts for revenge for how humans have degraded the demons and he feels he must lead the rebellious demons in order to change this reality.
- Changes: Past vs. Present vs. Future:
- Ten years ago, Charioce lived away from the palace, as he was the bastard son of a concubine. He became king thanks to the Bahamut incident.
- Kaisar used to be a bounty hunter and is now the captain of the Orleans Knights.
- Charioce and Kaisar act according to what represents a better future for humanity. In the same way, Azazel does with demons.
- Justice and Injustice:
- Nina does what she thinks is right when she sees a slaveholder torturing a demon unjustifiably.
- Mugaro uses his power to free unjustly tortured demons.
- Love:
- Nina suspects that Bacchus and Sofiel are a couple.
Hamsa tells her that she's just Bacchus' former partner, but that it's normal for partners to become lovers over time. - Rita harbors the hope that Kaisar had invited her to lunch to confess to her.
- Identity and Secrecy:
- Nina thinks Mugaro is a girl, so she goes shopping with him, and they buy a dress each.
- Azazel reveals his identity, the Rag Demon, to the rebellious demons to gain their trust and ask them to join his cause to take revenge on the humans.
Symbols: Food plays a very important role in communicating messages and character traits in this episode.
- Meat: Charioce consumes meat when the leader of the Onyx Task Force reports to him that they detected a divine power in the city.At first, Charioce eats it in chunks and with cutlery, but when he gives the order to ignore them and focus on the Rag Demon, he takes it in his hand and devours it. This change symbolizes his hunting facet: the Rag Demon is his main target, not the gods.
- Tea: Having tea with someone symbolizes trust and respect. This reflects the idea that Rita is somebody Kaisar trusts.
- Red: It symbolizes Mugaro's supernatural power. It's also the color of the Bahamut sculpture in the hall of the Orleans Knights.
- Flames: In the scene where Charioce eats, the candle flames are aligned with him to portray his strength and power.
Scenarios:
- Royal City of Anatae
- Suburbs
- Rebel demons' lair
- Shopping streets
- Royal Castle
- Hall of the Orleans Knights
References:
- Orleans Knights: Alessand tells that the squadron was formed with Jeanne D'Arc at the head, just as it happened in real life.
Foreshadowing:
- Scenes:
- Charioce is left thinking after he gives the order to ignore the gods and focus on the Rag Demon, who'll lead them to the Holy Child.
Judging him based on his actions, he doesn't intend to kill the Holy Child, being true to his word when he told Jeanne that he'd let her see her son one more time.
- Foreshadowing lines:
- Kaisar: Ten years ago, when the world was on the brink of destruction, I beheld men, gods and demons join together to fight Bahamut. Had it not been for that cooperation, mankind would have perished.Kaisar not only solidifies his belief in inter-species peace and collaboration but with these lines he foreshadows that it's a scenario that could happen again and that they should live together in harmony should it happen in the future.
Charioce: Don't worry. I'll obtain the power to avoid that hatred you speak.These lines directly relate to the events of episode 24, when Charioce shoots Dromos to finish off Bahamut. Ultimately, he has the power to avoid that hatred.
- Charioce: Ten years ago, mankind bowed to the gods and feared demons! Mankind must change. Change and become strong enough to face gods, demons, and even Bahamut. And to achieve that is my calling as king.Kaisar: It may be true that humanity must evolve. But to simply possess power, as you suggest, is to change?These lines are key, as they clearly communicate Charioce's intentions: to kill Bahamut. It's interesting that he mentions this monster since, so far, everyone thinks that Bahamut was slaughtered by gods, demons, and humans ten years ago.One has a foreshadowing that the same collaboration will happen again soon. And that the power Charioce talks about will not, on its own, be able to guarantee the evolution of the human species, but something else is needed, as Kaisar mentions. This is also resolved in episode 24.
Characters:
- New:
- Slaveholder:General description: Demon slaver who works in the heart of the city of Anatae with his men.Physical description: Tall, dark, white-haired, and middle-aged. He wears a hat and leather clothes and accessories in his hair. In addition, he has a black bracelet with a green stone that allows him to torture his slaves.Psychological description: Cruel and merciless. He warns Nina that he'll make her his slave for reproaching him for the way he treats those he owns.
- Previous:
- Nina: She goes shopping with Mugaro, and they buy dresses for each of them, as Nina thinks Mugaro is a girl. When they meet a slaveholder who unjustifiably tortures the demons who serve him, she expresses her discontent and ends up pissing off the slaveholder, who declares that he'll make her his slave for her insolence.Nina is helped by Mugaro, who uses the power contained in his left eye to free the enslaved demons from their shackles, who end up leaving after their owner.Nina realizes that Mugaro used his power, and asks him what exactly he did, but unable to speak, Mugaro lets her know that there's nothing more to worry about.Upon returning to the chariot, Nina sees a beautiful woman get out of it and asks about her identity. When Bacchus doesn't answer her, Nina forces an answer from Hamsa, who tells her that it was a former partner of Bacchus. Nina jokes as she thinks she may be a former lover of Bacchus. Bacchus doesn't like her jokes, so Nina ends up changing the subject and tells her that Mugaro helped some enslaved demons after she made his left eye glow. Nina notices that Bacchus and Hamsa have been struck by the story, but when she asks them what's wrong, Bacchus only stops to ask Mugaro why he's wearing a dress.At night, Nina wakes up to feel Bacchus and Hamsa on top of her and, thinking they are a pair of perverts, kicks Bacchus in the face and makes them sleep outside.
- Charioce: The leader of the Onyx Task Force informs him that they have detected the presence of gods tracking the Holy Child in Anatae, and asks for orders on how to proceed. Charioce, who has no interest in fighting the gods, tells his soldier to ignore them (*) and focus on the Rag Demon.(*): Charioce vowed to make Jeanne see her son one last time before killing him, but the truth is that all his actions towards the gods so far indicate that he has no intention of actually fighting them. If they're looking for Jeanne's son, he should just focus on finding him first and keeping him away from them. He intends to use him to persuade Jeanne to join him, and he knows well that, if he kills him, he can never have her loyalty and that the gods will declare war on him if he does, a scenario that wouldn't be at all favorable to him if what he seeks is to get rid of Bahamut.In the evening, in the hall of the Orleans Knights, he asks Kaisar, whom he has summoned to the place, what he used to do ten years ago when he was the same age as he's now —25 years old—. Kaisar tells him that he used to be a bounty hunter and is now a Knight Orleans. Charioce tells him that these last ten years have been eventful for him too, as he used to live outside the palace for being the bastard son of the king and a concubine. However, thanks to Bahamut's attack he came to the crown. Thanks to that change in his life, he was able to eliminate those who prevented him from approaching the throne. He also defeated the gods and conquered the demons, and his actions made humanity prosper and will continue to do so in the future.Kaisar thinks differently than him, as he's sure that prosperity at the expense of gods and demons is going to last, and that his actions will only lead to more Rag Demons in the streets. Charioce tells him that it doesn't matter what they do, as he'll eliminate all who oppose him. However, Kaisar insists that engendering hatred will only bring more hatred that will turn against humans. Charioce insists that no matter what happens, he'll get the power to prevent that hatred.Kaisar remains firm in his point of view and relates to him that he saw how gods, demons, and humans once joined forces to wipe out Bahamut and that, had it not been for that cooperation, they'd have all perished. Charioce, not satisfied with this, tells him that he isn't satisfied with just surviving; he wants humanity to evolve so that it no longer has to fear neither gods, demons, or Bahamut, and that this is his vocation as monarch (*).Kaisar definitely agrees with him that humanity must evolve, but that it cannot do so simply through some power like the one Charioce seeks, that there must be a way for all species to live in peace without posing a threat to each other and that he'll never give it up.Charioce tells him that he's a naive man, and to live his life his way, but that if he interferes with his plans, he'll kill him.(*): Charioce wants to impose human power to such a degree that other species can't attack humanity. Unfortunately, he doesn't understand it yet, but this would only end up fomenting fear toward humans, something that threatens true peace.
For that reason, Kaisar is adamant that possessing unlimited power isn't the wild card that's going to make humanity prosper positively. Based on his own experience, the only thing that'll change humanity is good relations between the three species, all of them endowed with a different power that must be used not to fight each other but to face a greater threat together.
- Azazel: He goes to the rebel demons' lair and identifies himself as the Rag Demon to gain the trust of his species' rebels on the surface. Azazel is determined to take revenge on the humans on the day they celebrate their invasion of hell, for which he pledges to use the Red Dragon. By mentioning it, he gains the trust of his companions. With the power of the Red Dragon (*) on their side, humans will have no choice but to surrender to them.(*): Azazel, like Charioce, thinks that only by having some great power on his side will he be able to impose himself on the humans; however, he's counting on Nina, who has already expressed to him that she has no interest in meddling in his affairs and that she has only saved him because he has been at risk of death. Azazel relies on a power that doesn't belong to him instead of getting one and thinking better about the decisions he makes.
- Mugaro: He goes shopping with Nina, who gives her a dress while thinking she's a girl. Seeing his friend confront a slaveholder who abuses his demons unjustifiably, Mugaro helps her get rid of them by using his power, with which he disintegrates the slaves' shackles, setting them free. In this episode, Bacchus and Hamsa confirm that he's the Holy Child when Nina tells them what he's capable of doing.
- Kaisar: He finds himself in a dilemma between having to obey Charioce's orders and respecting his own pacifist principles. At the same time, he also understands Azazel's motives and reasons, but he doesn't agree that he should resort to violence. In order to know what to do in the face of this dilemma, he invites Rita to lunch, with whom he vents. After beating him and refreshing his mind, Rita tells him that instead of whining, he should return to the resolve of the Kaisar he knew ten years ago, the one who didn't hesitate to do the right thing.Thanks to Rita's words, Kaisar is able to express his point of view to Charioce that same night.While his king wants to achieve a peaceful world thanks to a power that will allow him to crush those who oppose him and avoid hatred, Kaisar thinks that having a power like that won't lead him to his ideal world. Kaisar won't give up until he achieves a world where humans, gods, and demons coexist, even if it costs him his life.
- Rita: She accepts Kaisar's invitation to lunch in the hope that he'll confess to her since she loves him and hopes he feels the same way about her.
To her disappointment, Kaisar only wanted to talk to her about his dilemma in understanding the actions behind Charioce's extreme methods and having to support him as captain of the Orleans Knights and not being able to impose on him although he believes in peace. He also understands Azazel's motives and actions but thinks violence isn't the answer.When he bores her with his venting, Rita punches him, angry at how indecisive he is and not daring to do what he thinks is right.
Rita ends up frustrated because she really wanted Kaisar to be romantic toward her. - Sofiel: She doesn't understand why Bacchus hasn't been looking for the Holy Child, and again orders him to let him know if he ever finds him. She ignores Hamsa when he asks her to take him back to the land of the gods. She leaves the chariot and returns to her search.
- Bacchus: He isn't interested in looking for the Holy Child for some, as yet, undisclosed reason. When Sofiel leaves, Nina and Mugaro come back after a shopping day. Nina wonders if Sofiel is Bacchus' ex-lover, but Bacchus shuts her up.When Nina then tells him how Mugaro helped some demons who were having terrible things done to them after making his left eye glow, he realizes that Mugaro is the boy Sofiel tasked her to find. He confirms that he indeed has different colored eyes at night when accidentally wakes Nina, who takes him for a pervert and sends him to sleep on the roof of the chariot next to Hamsa.
- Hamsa: He wants to return to the land of the gods and tries to act cute with Sofiel, but it doesn't work out. When Nina asks him who the attractive woman was who visited the chariot, Hamsa replies that she's Bacchus' former partner. When Nina thinks Sofiel is actually Bacchus' ex-lover, Hamsa joins her in laughing at his friend.Soon after, when Bacchus gets fed up with her teasing and Nina changes the topic, he learns that Mugaro is the Holy Child. He confirms it hours later with Bacchus.
- Rebel demons: The group is made up of several demons, with two of them being the predominant ones: Dante —the leader of the rebels— and Belphegor, a sexy female demon who was previously rescued by Azazel.The group agrees to listen to Azazel when he reveals to them that he's the Rag Demon and that he has the Red Dragon on his side.
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