Conscience does make cowards of us all. I

**Conscience does make cowards of us all. I** is the 9th episode of the second season of *The Ancient Magus Bride* anime.

## Synopsis

The auctioneer Seth is revealed to be Lucy's older brother, who visited her after learning about her condition. Some of Lucy's checkered past is revealed concerning the infamous Webster Tragedy. To make matters worse, a book in the forbidden library is missing, and it is one that Elias once read. Although cleared of any suspicion, a single piece of evidence left behind directs the culprit maybe associated with the Webster family.

## Summary

Auctioneer Seth gets into his car and informs his chauffeur that he must head to the airport because a member of his family is sick.

At the College, Zoe Ively visits the infirmary where Chise sits beside the bedridden Lucy who had been unconscious for ten days since the camping trip. They briefly chat until Zoe is called by Alexandra for his annual physical. When Zoe leaves, Elias appears from Chise's shadow and notes his curiosity about Chise's concern, whereas she explains what it is and like to him.

They then talk a bit about Chise's worry for Lucy, and a flashback reveals when Chise returns Elias' other half to himself about his own "worry" situation. As Chise gets a haircut from Silver in the library, Ruth and Elias talk about the incident that had occurred during her camping trip. Later, Chise visits Joseph for his advice on what had occurred during her camping trip, mainly about the voice she heard within her when she fought against the Nucklavee. Despite having no concrete answer for Chise, Joseph claims that wherever it came from, it was from within her. While Chise leaves, Joseph relishes that Chise is slowly descending toward madness after obtaining a Dragon's Curse and his immortality.

In the present, Elias returns into Chise's shadow when Seth visits the infirmary, and he talks with Chise revealing that he's Lucy's older brother. As Alexandra leads Seth outside the infirmary to discuss Lucy's condition, Chise finds that Lucy is struggling in her sleep. Chise then puts a wet towel over her forehead and sees a bloody and traumatic memory of Lucy, where she demands that her "Spiders" are returned. Lucy then awakens, but is immediately upset that Seth is there and, after demanding he leave, falls unconscious again. Seth catches her and claims he'll stay by her side for some time.

Afterward, Chise walks through the College hallways, thinking about what she saw in Lucy's memory, and runs into Philomela "practicing" her magic. They briefly chat, and amid it, Philomela admits she's anxious talking around people; however, it's okay when they talk. Philomela then disappears when Rían and Isaac approach Chise and then learn from her about Lucy's condition.

Elsewhere, a librarian reprimands two subordinates for losing an item from the forbidden library. A meeting is later held concerning this topic in front of the college faculty led by Liza and the librarian. It's determined that the book in the storage area was a fake, and Simeon's question confirms that the book was recently swapped out with a fake book. The title of the book was The Testament of Caranamagos. The name strikes a chord with Torrey, who recalls Elias once using the book for his studies.

Elias (in her female form) then chimes in and confesses that she once read the book and disclosed what contents she read from the book to the group. Mainly how to create and destroy mortals while also bringing back the dead. Hearing this intrigues Liza, and when pressed as to why she read it, Elias claims it was for her interests, but admits she had no actual use for it. Torrey internally admits that this was a tactic to alleviate any suspicions from Elias. Liza then announced that investigations regarding the incident would continue internally and broadly; furthermore, if anyone finds out anything, to report it to her. Before the meeting ends, the librarian reveals that a single strand of Spider Silk was found on the remains of the missing book. Simeon proclaims that the silk may be from the Webster Family. Liza confirms the plausibility of that notion, asks that Lucy be left unaware of that fact, and warns her faculty not to become too engrossed in their research.

Outside, in the hallway, Elias tries to ask Torrey about the Webster Family. However, they're interrupted by their faculty colleague, whose sudden appearance cause Elias to revert to his male form. Torrey breaks up the informal questioning, noting Elias was ignorant of the Webster Family tragedy, and Simeon explains the controversy surrounding it. Once the explanation was over, the faculty members left, and Torrey explained to Elias a bit of Simeon's background and that he should try befriending him. This leads to an explanation of the differences between an acquaintance and a friend.

Meanwhile, as Simeon walks down the hallway humming a tune, he's ambushed by a shadowy figure wielding a book.

That night, within the infirmary, Lucy awakens and finds her brother asleep by her bedside with a gift beside him. Seeing that upsets Lucy as she believes that he hates her. Outside, Seth's chauffer/guard exits his car to get some cigarettes and is immediately stabbed and thrown into the nearby water by an assailant. The assailant was joined by another who confirmed the guard was taken out and that they'll proceed with their plan.

## Character Appearances

* Nicholas
* Seth Noel
* Zoe Ivey
* Chise Hatori
* Lucy Webster
* Alexandra Heath
* Elias Ainsworth
* Silver Lady
* Ruth
* Nucklavee *(flashback)*
* Joseph
* Philomela Sargant
* Rían Scrimgeour
* Isaac Fowler
* Narcisse Maugham
* Mikhail Renfred
* Whoopi
* Simeon Paladilhe
* Fabio Zaccheroni
* Sigrid Wachmann
* Torrey Innis
* Liza Quillyn
* Male Werewolf
* Female Werewolf