THAT Animeblog

After the more light hearted events of Episode 4, Episode 5 opens up a two episode mini arc revolving around a girl that is regarded to be demonic. She does not seem to be harming anyone at all, but what is the story behind this little girl. As Rahzel, Alzeid and Heat enters this small town, they are about to find out about the demons in the “bird graveyard”.

Screenshots: http://www.sendspace.com/file/qde7f6

Episode summary

Rahzel remembers the time she is abandoned, and we return to reality as the pathfinder (Rahzel) is a directionally challenged seeker. As she insists that she is using a shortcut, they somehow found a girl staying on a clearing surrounded by trees. She ran off after Heat called her. They chased the girl into some ruins, only to find a graveyard with corpses hung like scarecrows. The girl is Larawell, the daughter of an innkeeper at the nearby town. Larawell’s father explained that it is a custom for them to use that place as a cemetery to fit the birds. Larawell came in and she seems very shy. Larawell’s father tells them that his wife died early and created a post-trauma for Larawell.

Larawell’s father wondered about the strange partnership of the three. Heat joked that he is going on a honeymoon with Rahzel, and Alzeid says that he’s looking for a murderer. Larawell suddenly asks why he is going to do when he finds her. Alzeid describes his mother as black haired and blue eyed, and Rahzel thought that it is her until Alzeid says that it is thirteen years ago (when she is just one). Larawell’s father says that he has seen no customers like that, but told them that there is a village at the southwest with such people. Larawell ran off suddenly, and Larawell’s father explains that Larawell’s mother died during child birth and Larawell felt it was her fault. Larawell’s father says that he will do anything to protect her.

Rahzel says this form of a cemetry is strange, but Alzeid says that there are very strange customs. A group of people including the mayor persuaded the three not to stay in the town (while his wig keeps falling). The three makes fun of him, and Alzeid being the slow one tells the mayor that his wig is falling much to the dismay of the other two. The mayor and co eventually left, as they discussed about their journey to that village in the southwest. Rahzel did not want to go because that will make her less special. Alzeid said that it is a ridiculous reason as Heat and Alzeid ignored her comment but Rahzel says she wants to gain attention by being unique.

Larawell is not back, and Rahzel seems somewhat flustered as she gave chase despite the warning by Alzeid that the searcher might become the searched. They saw the shadow of the mayor with a gun as Heat told Alzeid to take care of Rahzel. Eventually, Rahzel finds Larawell at the cemetery as Rahzel asks about the cemetery. It is there where Larawell says that the bodies of those diseased, homeless and criminals are sent here for the birds to devour, so as to bring the disease away from the village. Larawell says it seems beautiful for them to be flying to a place, but Rahzel says that it is better to be a human as humans continue to live despite extreme trials and asks Larawell to think why. The mayor tracked the two and pointed the gun but Alzeid stops him.

Rahzel and Larawell returns home, as Heat asks about Alzeid. Larawell apologizes somewhat for being too friendly but the talk is broken by the village boys who threw a stone at Larawell’s head. Larawell says that it is common practice as she returns home. Larawell’s father sees the injury and looks completely freaked out. Heat catches the three boys and wants to play soccer using the three boys as balls. However, Rahzel appears with a red card, as Heat says it is better to use violence against violence. Rahzel says it’s right but there is no need for Heat to be the villain. The boy called Rahzel a hag as Rahzel says she has the temptation to play soccer too.

The boy says it’s queer that they hang out with the demon. The story is that Larawell’s mother is pregnant but is killed along with her baby in a burglary eight years ago. She is left to hang in the cemetery but one day, Larawell’s father returns with a born baby. It is strange in such conditions when the mother is dead, but the baby is alive. It seems that all the visitors in the inn are killed in gruesome ways, and there is a saying that it is “black magic” in order to feed the demon as a sacrifice.

Larawell visits Rahzel late at night and says that it is simply the flow of civilization. Rahzel says that she has something important in order to live no matter what. Larawell says that she is a murderer and asks Rahzel whether she is disgusting. Rahzel talks about her history, and asks Larawell whether she is disgusting. As Rahzel sleeps, Larawell holds Rahzel’s hand for warmth. Larawell’s father looks to have snapped in an altar as he mumbles that he has to protect Larawell.

Thoughts

First of all, it’s apparent that there are a lot of lies in this episode. Firstly, how did Larawell’s mother really die? Larawell’s father seems to say that she dies of child birth, while the village insists that she is already dead after being killed by a burglar when Larawell’s father disappeared. Moreover, as we have seen from the plot of “The Village”, it might be likely that it is a whole roleplay by the whole village in order to consume the visitors that are coming into this place. I wonder who is telling the truth.

If anything, Larawell’s father clearly looks like the satanic follower that will do anything to make sure Larawell is born. If anything, Larawell definitely does not seem to have any strange features for a demon child. However, there are quite a few outstanding things that happen during this episode that makes me really suspicious. One thing for sure is the obsessive fear and care for Larawell by her own father, to the extent that it makes him look downright crazy despite the normally peaceful demeanor. Moreover, Larawell does ask a very shocking question about what Alzeid is going to do when he meets the murderer. It does not feel like a child who is speaking.

In a way, I do wonder what Larawell has to endure considering her dubious upbringing. If she says that the stone that is thrown at her head is just one of the many times that she has been attacked by the children. It’s a very disturbing life, and I think that if her father is the one that is killing the villagers in order to protect Larawell, it’s a warped but stupid way. It is only to make her more hated, and I can understand her somewhat shocked behavior when Rahzel treats her so nicely.

The two guys seem to be somewhat lost at the background during this episode. I kind of miss the huge sarcasm of Alzeid, as well as the slow behavior of Alzeid. There is only one instance that does not feel really strong (the scene where he mentions about the wig) but it is always comical relief when he does it. Heat is also pretty much mellow in this episode, but I really wish to know the background behind Heat and Rahzel. These two are surprisingly mysterious, while Alzeid is somewhat open.

One last thing I like to mention before I wrap up is paranoia. I also feel that a long fetching theory is the possibility that it is a wave of confusion and paranoia in the village. Paranoia or perhaps the need to hide their shame (sending the criminals, homeless and diseased) about the cemetery has resulted in them trying to lynch Larawell. It might be possible that Larawell knows something sinister about the village. Is it even possible medically that a child is able to stay alive in the womb after the mother’s death? That feels highly impossible considering that the child gains its nutrients from the mother. That makes it a rather strange supernatural occurrence, that is perhaps not surprising in this context.