Episode 6

**"The Land of Truth Tellers"** (正直者の国, *Shōjiki-mono no Kuni*) is the sixth episode of the *Wandering Witch* anime.

## Synopsis

Elaina visits the Land of Truth Tellers and discovers its citizens are strangely quiet, and not at all the honest people she expected to see.

## Summary

Guards at The Land of Truth Tellers explain to Elaina that the country was renamed just six months ago which explains why she couldn't find the country on her map. Sceptical that the country prevents people from lying, Elaina decides to come into the country to find out herself.

Elaina first performs a test to see whether she can speak of a lie, but ends up inadvertently speaking the truth. She then notes that the town is awfully quiet. After being deceived for freshly baked bread, Elaina realises that the country is not what it expected to be; honest and pure. She is then interrupted by a woman asking if she was "the witch who was dispatched by the United Magic Association", to which Elaina denies, as affiliates of the association have moon-shaped brooches.

Elaina then finds out it is also impossible to lie when writing words on paper. Nearby, a fight breaks out to which an observer explains to Elaina that no one talks because only speaking truths can turn into fights like these. Suddenly, a witch interrupts the fight with her magic to stop the violence, however after noticing Elaina, the spell stops and the punches from the fight end up connecting. It is revealed that Saya has now become a fully fletched witch named "The Sooty Witch", resembling Elaina's witch name. Saya also explains that she is working for the United Magic Association to earn money while travelling.

Elaina and Saya meet with Eihemia, and they learn why she cannot talk. Eihemia explains that six months ago, the King asked for her to find a way to remove all citizens that speak lies because he wants those that speak the honest truth by his side. Eihemia decides that the best way would be to create a barrier in the country that will stop anyone from lying. She then casts a spell on an old sword to use as a vessel for the barrier however it required so much power that she was forced to offer her own voice for the spell to work. The barrier sword has then been wielded by the King ever since, and due to Eihemia's loss in magic powers, she was expelled from the palace. Returning to the present, Eihemia's intentions was for the two witches to make the country return to its original form. This could be done by destroying the king's sword which will also restore Eihemia's magic and voice too. It is revealed that the king will leave the palace to hold a speech in a month, however Elaina doesn't want to wait a month with Saya's presence, so they decide that the best way would be to enter the palace themselves.

Using broken up pages to write a sentence, the witches manage to grant permission by fooling the guard into letting them in. As the three prepare to speak with the King, the guards are called to stop the witches. Saya is tasked to handle the guards while Elaina handles the King. A fight ensues and Elaina tries to convince the King that only truths are not always the best thing, as lies can serve as a purpose to smooth over social interactions and preserve harmonious relationships between people. Those with ill intentions can still do bad things, even if they're unable to lie. Elaina gives an analogy that if the truth is the sword, lies are its scabbard which form a protective cover to prevent the sword from harming others. As Saya starts to struggle against the guards and the King thinking that the intruders have nothing left, Elaina launches her broomstick from behind the King that she prepared the whole time during the fight to hit and force the King to release the sword. Elaina then uses her magic to summon a hammer to destroy the barrier sword which at last restores the kingdom's original form, plus Eihemia's ability to talk and use magic again.

With the barrier sword finally destroyed, the kingdom becomes bright and happy again. Additionally, the King acknowledged his errors of his ways and apologised to the country. Eihemia is also reinstated at the palace. In the last scene, Saya thanks Elaina for helping her and gifts Elaina a dual dolphin heart necklace which matches Saya's. Saya then makes a promise to Elaina that they must meet again in the future, to which Elaina agrees.

## Characters

* Elaina
* Saya
* Sheila (indirectly mentioned)
* Eihemia
* King
* Mina (indirectly mentioned)

## Trivia

* The Truth Spell backfired for several reasons
	+ Truth is not an absolute concept; what one *perceives* as truth (bias) is what the spell makes them speak
		- Example: Elaina believes herself to be pretty; so she couldn't lie that she was ugly.
	+ Literature took a downfall
	+ Example: Its impossible to write fiction; since its a form of lying. As Elaina noticed on a sign outside a book store.
	+ Fighting breaks out easily since everyone truly says what they think
		- Elaina explains that lying helps protects others' feelings.