Episode 3: How to Scare Away an Evil Spirit
In search of clues regarding the majimun, Yuuki and the others had been asking around the village. In the middle of that, they heard that one villager had witnessed it taking the form of a plushie.
Makoto
Hey, so. That must mean...
Kaori
Hmm. I'd like to think it was just a coincidence, but I feel like it couldn't be...
Maho
All of my children have turned evil, it seems...
Makoto
H-Hey, Princess. We can't be sure of that yet, right?
Maho
It is absolutely unforgiveable to steal people's souls away. If they've really been doing that, then I'll...
Yuuki
1. "Believe in them."
Maho
Believe...?
Makoto
That's right, Princess. Even if it seems like this has something to do with their disappearance, we still need to trust that they're not evil.
Kaori
Yeah! Well said, Yuuki!
Kaori
It'll be okay! One thing they say in my homeland is, things that are shown lots of love always have good-natured souls!
Kaori
So there's no way that your plushies could've turned evil!
Makoto
Definitely. You talk to them and brush them clean every day, and with that much love in their lives, they would never do such evil things.
Maho
Ha ha. Thank you, Kaori. And you too, Mister Prince, and Makoto. You're right. I have to believe in them.
Later.
Makoto
Well, it looks like this is the place where they spotted it. Honestly, when we came to the beach, I didn't think we'd end up trudging through the forest in our swimwear.
Kaori
But this is where the fishermen were attacked, so there's not much we can do about it. Anyway, I wonder if there are bitter melons growing anywhere around here?
Makoto
As similar as it looks, this isn't actually your homeland, so I wouldn't get my hopes up. Take a look around. There are only trees and plushies here.
Yuuki
1. "Plushies?"
2. "There are bugs, too."
Option 1.
Makoto
Yeah. Right there... Wait, whaaat!?
Option 2.
Makoto
Hey, don't bring that near me, it's gross! Wait, what!? I said something weird just now!
End of branches.
Arthur
......
Maho
Arthur!
Makoto
There's no doubt, this is one of your plushies, Princess. Whoa, whoa, it's really floating!
Maho
Arthur, can you hear me?
Makoto
Hey, be careful, Maho!
Makoto
I have a bad feeling about that black aura surrounding your plushie -- I mean, Arthur...
Makoto
If worst comes to worst, it might really steal your soul away.
Maho
But...!
Arthur
......!
Yuuki
1. "Watch out!"
Maho
Mister Prince!? You shielded me...!
Makoto
It's attacking! Nice, Yuuki! Take care of the Princess!
Arthur
......
Makoto
But what do we do now... I can't attack one of the Princess's plushies...!
Kaori
Don't worry about it!
Maho
Kaori!?
Arthur
......!?
Kaori
Gotcha!
Makoto
Hey, Kaori, that's dangerous!
Kaori
It's okay! Now, I just need to do this!
Kaori
Boo!
Makoto
Whoa!? Why did you shout all of a sudden!?
Arthur
......!
Maho
The dark aura disappeared from Arthur...?
Yuuki
1. "Are you okay?"
Kaori
I'm as good as always!
Makoto
What did you do just now? All I saw was you letting out a shout.
Kaori
That's all there was!
Kaori
They say in my homeland that you can cast off spirits by surprising them!
Maho
Including evil spirits?
Kaori
Yeah, yeah! Like, when you sneeze, a bit of your spirit flies right out of your mouth!
Makoto
What a frightful homeland. But I mean, I guess you all manage somehow.
Kaori
Okay, Arthur, time for you to go back to Maho!
Maho
Arthur! Welcome back... Kaori, thank you so much...
Yuuki
1. "I'm glad he's back."
Maho
Thank you for protecting me, too, Mister Prince. Are you okay? Your spirit wasn't stolen, was it?
Makoto
Hey, hey, Princess! Isn't it pointless to listen to his pulse like that!? You're too close! Way too close!
Makoto
You should really have more boundaries, Yuuki! ... Honestly.
Makoto
But anyway, it looked something really was possessing him.
Maho
When Kaori shouted out, I could see something resembling a snake leaving Arthur.
Kaori
The majimun is said to take on many forms. A snake is a typical form for it.
Maho
Then, everyone has been taken by the majimun...
Makoto
From the look of it, there's no doubt. Didn't you bring tons of plushies, Princess? I can't imagine how we can take on that many.
Kaori
But at least now we know our goal! All we've got to do is push forward towards it!
Maho
That's right. Just as Kaori says.
Maho
Everyone... Wait for me. I'll save you, for certain.