We can just sleep normally then, can't we?
Yes?
Young Mistress, the Mistress has called for you.
She did?
She called for me?
I asked Lord Kudo to watch over me for now, but…
I'm nervous.
Excuse me, ma'am.
I've brought the young Mistress with me.
You may enter.
How beautiful.
Change into that clothing at once.
This is…
Servant clothing.
I believe that should be sufficient for the likes of you.
Uh, I, um…
You'll be working alongside our servants from now on.
Candidly, your being under this roof was never something that I consented to.
So if you're going to be here, you had best make yourself useful.
Um, yes, ma'am.
That son of mine truly upsets me.
The thought of him being engaged to such a shabby girl.
Furthermore, you're Saimori's daughter, are you not?
There is no value in building a relationship with a family like them.
You are thoroughly an unfit match for the Kudo family.
Nae, you are to work her like the uncivilized animal that she is.
Mistress, are you confident that this is all right?
I beg your pardon?
Do you mean to tell me that you will not do as I say?
Ah, no. I wouldn't dream of doing that.
Although, I wonder what Master Scion would say.
-Pardon me. -Hm?
Understood.
I will start right away.
Please allow it.
You see, the girl even said herself that she'll do it.
I'll do my best.
I would appreciate your guidance.
There's no folklore from this area that features demons.
Which means that any demons found in this region
are unlikely to have come about naturally.
It would be helpful to have someone from the military investigate.
If word gets out that demons are appearing around here, it's bad for business.
So you wanted to know the location of the rundown shack?
There it is.
You see that roof there?
That is where you'll find it.
Hm.
To start, could I ask you to sweep around the garden area?
Yes.
This is fine.
I can clean the same way that I did during my time
at the Saimori house.
Hm.
Hm…
Until the moisture disappears completely.
Hm…
She's probably packing her things with tears in her eyes, ready to go back home.
Is that not the case?
Groveling on your knees in the dirt scrubbing the floor?
This menial labor suits you very well.
Yes, ma'am.
I will endeavor to do my very best.
Little girl!
Are you actually understanding the words coming out of my mouth?
Uh, I am.
I am saying that you are ill-suited for the Kudos in every aspect.
If you understand, then you remove yourself from this house at once.
Yes, I know it is just as you have said.
My being here, it's-- it is much more than I deserve.
And what of it?
However, I will not leave, ma'am.
I know Lord Kudo wants me to be here with him.
And so, I do not intend to ever give up.
Don't be ridiculous.
I have never once looked to you as my mother.
It's laughable.
Unbelievable.
You insolent, foolish girl!
Fuyu, this I cannot allow, even if it is you.
Lord Tadakiyo.
Honey, why don't you take a rest upstairs?
Apologies, Miyo.
Oh, it's fine.
Why don't you understand?
You are a universe away from being perfect.
There is no way that someone like you would be allowed into the Kudos.
You are not equipped to take responsibility for the Kudo name.
Let's go upstairs.
Excuse me.
To be honest with you, young mistress, I was surprised.
I shouldn't have judged you.
What?
I ask for forgiveness.
I made a careless, naive assumption.
I thought a daughter of a decent family wouldn't know how to clean well.
No-- no need to apologize.
It's alright.
All of us servants were moved with admiration.
I believe that our mistress will one day recognize you.
Yes, it is now completely understandable to me why the Young Master Scion
chose you to be his wife.
All of you, thank you very much.
What is this?
What on earth?
What-- this is…
An unknown cult.
How offensive.
Beyond an inverted sake cup,
the idea of surrounding the sacred sakaki trees in fire
is scandalous.
It is clear rebellion against the Emperor.
It's them. The new religious group that's been developing.
They're the ones inciting all this chaos.
Correct.
The government has been trying to gather information.
However, as of yet we know nothing.
Not their name, the scale of the group, nor any details of its inside affairs.
It's as if someone placed this here with the clear intention of it being found.
gasps]
Identify yourself.
Kiyoka… Kudo.
How futile.
Die!
His movement and abilities are so unbalanced.
He seems to be anomalous.
Identify yourself.
Answer.
The founder has bestowed upon me the greatest of blessings.
A sacred power that is beyond all human understanding.
Behold the awesome power we wield.
The Gifted Communion!
The Gifted Communion.
So that's the name of this cult.
Perhaps it was a mistake to bring Miyo here with me.
My selfish motives have put her in danger.
The safest option is for her to stay at the Kudo Mansion,
but my mother is there.
You asked me to watch over you.
Miyo, are you certain that you'll be alright?
I hope I haven't kept you waiting out here for too long.
I'm pleased to see you return, Lord Kudo.
Lord Kudo.
Thank you for your hard work.
Don't go.
My lord?
Come here.
Sit with me.
Come closer.
Oh, alright.
L-Lord Kudo.
Let yourself be calm.
But…
It is warmer this way, isn't it?
It… it is.
Did my mother say anything to you?
Well…
Thanks to your mother,
I think that I understand your family a little better after today.
It is different from the Saimori house.
There's an undercurrent of kindness here.
Did you say kindness?
I did.
I haven't seen a single face in this house with a dark expression since I arrived.
And your mother is the one who protects this family.
She's amazing.
This is the first time anyone has said something like that.
Miyo, you're certain you're not just tolerating this?
I'm certain.
I would like to ask you to watch over me a little longer.
But how long is a little longer?
If possible, until I can't continue any longer.
Is that… alright?
Even if I refuse, will you accept that and give up?
I… I will not give up.
Lord Kudo?
Very well.
Then I will watch over you without a word.
Thank you, Lord Kudo.
I'm determined to see her today.
It's me, Miyo.
You may enter.
Pardon my intrusion.
Mother, are you…
are you not well?
Because of you, I received a scolding from my lord.
My humble apologies.
And?
What has brought you here?
If I may, I would like to speak with you, Mother.
Well, I have nothing at all to speak with you about.
In that case, will you consider speaking with Lord Kudo instead?
What nonsense are you saying?
It is thanks to Lord Kudo
that I was able to learn what the warmth of a family is.
And it is clear to me how much warmth there is in this household.
But in spite of that, you and Lord Kudo are in conflict with one another.
You are an outsider!
Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong!
But, um, I believe that the only reason you're hard on him
is because you care for him, ma'am.
Be silent!
You will not utter another word!
See yourself out!
Ah….
It is just as you've said, young mistress.
What?
Why my mistress is so severe, it is for the sake of the Kudo family.
She was particularly strict while raising Young Master Scion as
the next head of the family.
As a result, Kyoka has long harbored some aversion when it comes to women.
Father!
Nae, fetch me a cup of tea as well.
I must apologize to you, Miss Miyo.
I'm partly to blame for why my Fuyu behaves in that way.
She was a gentle, noble woman when we first met.
But Fuyu did not allow herself to be merely a pretty wife.
Our family's responsibilities are a heavy burden.
And she has carried far too many of the expectations
others have had for the Kudo family.
The mistress of the house has always been uncompromising about living that way.
To the point that it subverts her true nature.
I didn't ask for an apology.
She and Lord Kudo do resemble one another, don't they?
Yes, young mistress.
Kiyoka needs you, that much is certain.
Don't worry.
My Fuyu is not so foolish that she does not understand that fact.
Father!
-Please help us! -What's wrong, ma'am?
What is happening?
Please, Commander!
My son needs help!
It was a demon!
A demon appeared!
It ate my companions!
Be calm and tell me exactly what happened.
Some villagers and I went to run the outsiders out of town.
When we arrived, a demon appeared before us!
It attacked all of us!
I barely escaped with my life!
Please help us!
At this rate, our village…
K-Kota! Kota!
I must leave for the village.
Then I will strengthen the barrier around the mansion.
Sasaki, I'm leaving the rest to you.
Yes.
Miyo, you stay behind here.
This is where you'll be safe.
Oh, Lord Kudo, please be careful.
I'm off then.
What on earth is happening to you?
Kota?
Kota!
If I were to use my dream sight ability…
What should I do?
Mr. Arata told me it would be dangerous if I were to use my ability without him.
If I can save him…
What in heaven's name is going on?
Oh, Mother…
You are acting without thinking!
Get away from him!
But Mother, this man…
We do not even know what is causing his condition!
You could very well put those around you in danger.
-What would you do then? -I would…
There is absolutely nothing someone like you could do, so you will be silent!
-There is… -And what is that, pray tell?
I will save him…
with my ability.
I'm well aware that you have no ability to speak of.
But I do, for I am a part of the Usuba family bloodline.
Usuba?
How can you speak such nonsense?
Are you that desperate to attract my son's affections?
I only want to be of help to Lord Kudo.
Simply being his fiancée is not enough for me.
There is a role that only I can fill.
And so I want to fill it and be useful.
Even if your own life is put at risk?
Yes, I will do it.
I'll do anything for Lord Kudo.
Can you help?
Are you going to save my son?
Be at peace.
All is well.
This is going to work.
Miyo! No! Stop!
Mister… Arata?