Pandemonium: Chapter 3

## Chapter 3

Zipher recalling the legend of the Wizard Village circling around Arkhamheim.

*"How do I put this... you look really adorable."*

— Zipher, talking with Domika.
Chapter 3 is the third chapter of the first volume of the Pandemonium: Wizard Village manga and the third chapter of the series overall, as written and illustrated by Shibamoto Sho. It was released on March 8th 2013.

## Overview

Chapter 3 eases the reader into the village and re-introduces two dozen of its residents as regular people rather than monsters which they seemed to be beforehand.

The chapter starts with Zipher retelling the legend of the village the the readers. Switching back to the main story, he asks Ainu to resurrect his lover again. Not taking no for an answer, Zipher's pushiness leads him to get beat up by Kayoh and Cosith.

While Zipher is cared for by Domika, he's continuously amazed by the unexplainable magic technology which the villagers wield. Helping Domika at her job, he experiences the regular life of a villager. Domika and Zipher bond, which Molte doesn't take kindly to. A mercenary army is shown to be roaming the area near the village.

## Summary

The chapter opens with a short retelling of the legend outsiders tell about the Land of the Variants. Accompanied by monstrous depictions of Vantiant people vaguely resembling the villagers, the legend speaks of a land shrouded in miasma where Variant Wizards twist the world into their own image, including the resurrection of the dead.

As the legend concludes, Zipher is shown asking the Village Chief Ainu to bring back his lover from death. Having confirmed Zipher's intentions, Ainu rejects his request claiming that he can't do it. Shocked, Zipher exclaims how he's ready to do anything for it. Rashly reaching for the Village Chief, Zipher is stopped by a tail slap from the chief's bodyguard Kayon.

Not listening to Ainu, Zipher goes on a monologue about death which the Sky Golems bring. Finally revealing his cards, Zipher shares the story of his lover being killed in one of their attacks and how he keeps her preserved in the box he carries around. Outraged, Cosith hits him unexpectedly hard. As Ainu and his troupe leave the square, a disorientated Zipher is seen apologizing and asking for help in a frenzied state.

    Later on, Domika uses a magical healing potion to treat Zipher's wounds from his encounter with Cosith. Molte teases Zipher about the futility of his quest, but he doesn't respond, almost fully focusing on Domika instead. The three sit by a table in Domika's house as Zipher gets treated to a magical meal. After a comfortable talk, he agrees to help Domika with her village chores the following day.

The story cuts to the inhospitable wilderness outside the village. Four mercenaries are shown commenting on the hardness of the road they're traveling on, revealing a few men had fallen down a cliff a while ago. Confirming everyone is fine, the mercenary band is shown adjusting their guns and other heavy weapons. The group rests for the day.

    Tomorrow, Zipher, Domika and Molte distribute food and various supplies to the denizens of the village. Many of the villagers whom Zipher previously perceived as scary and alien are shown engaging in mundane activities. Brepa is watering plants, Irv and Gulon sawing logs and Marco, Baal and Ipiria are fixing a house roof. Some others, such as Shushu, Grif and Anu, are looking at Zipher from afar with suspicion and disapproval.

As the trio finishes its daily deliveries, Molte asks Domika who she finds more important; Zipher or her. Confused by the question, Domika doesn't answer. Molte warns her not to show any sympathy to the manipulative outsider. Meanwhile, Zipher reflects on the magical technology he's seen in the village. He's certain that the village chief can resurrect the dead, but chooses not to share this power with him.

Thinking about the possible ways of infiltrating the village deeper, Zipher offers further help to Domika. Some time later, he accidentally walks into a room while Domika isn't wearing her headscarf. She goes into a panic, covering her head. Zipher convinces her not to be ashamed of her looks and calls her pretty.

    Zipher notices that the room is full of flowers from the outside world and recognizes freesia, a type of flower. Domika explains that gathering parties from the village regularly go on expeditions to the outside world. They collect goods which can't be produced in the village and she sometimes joins them so she can bring back flowers. Domika tries to grow them, albeit with very limited success because most of them die in the poisonous soil of the Land of the Variants.

Zipher opens up about how his lover always gave off a scent of flowers which changed with the seasons and about how much she influenced him. While talking, Zipher tears up. In the last page, Brow is shown sneaking into Domika's house and stealing one of Zipher's fireworks.

## Characters in order of appearance

### Main characters

Ainu

Kayoh

Zipher

Cosith

Marco

Domika

Malsus

Molte

Crain

Brow

### Villagers

In order of appearance:

* Brepa, Cornu, Rono, Aimu, Ipos, Wonk
* Neil, Gulon, Ipiria, Eva
* Baal, Irv
* Anu, Agare, Haggis, Makara, Sius, Grif, Shushu

## Trivia

* The first panel is a stylized representation of variant villagers and features a few silhouettes that are extremely similar to already introduced characters, most notably, Ainu and Kayoh.
* While previously talked about, pages 1 and 6 mark the first time Sky Golems are shown in Pandemonium.
* Chapter 2 introduced a magical ice cube machine. Chapter 3 follows this by showcasing a magical healing potion and a magical plate and cutlery contraption.
* The uppermost panel on page 7 depicts Zipher grieving over a white sheet. It is implied that his dead lover rests underneath. In the upper-left corner of the panel, petals of a withering flower can be seen.
* Even though it was previously implied, it is only on page 7 that Zipher confirms his dead lover's pristine body is stored in the box.
* Kugel, Stock and Faust of the mercenary group can be recognized by their distinctive ears and battle equipment.
* Domika and Zipher engage into another talk about flowers, this time referencing freesia, a genus of flowering plants.
* By the end of the chapter, most of the series' background characters have been introduced and no new characters appear until Chapter 10.

## Gallery

The legend of the Wizard Village circling around Arkhamheim.Sky Golems, as depicted in Chapter 3 of *Pandemonium: Wizard Village*.Zipher mourning over the corpse of his dead lover. Decaying flower petals can be seen in the upper left.Splat.A magical plate and/or storage device.Crain, Faust, Kugel and Stock leading the mercenary band.The mercenary band resting.Daily life of Pandemonium villagers.Zipher cries upon remembering his dead lover.

## References

1. ↑ http://hiyokonikki.blog.shinobi.jp/%E3%81%8A%E3%81%97%E3%82%89%E3%81%9B/pandemonium%20-%E9%AD%94%E8%A1%93%E5%B8%AB%E3%81%AE%E6%9D%91-%E3%80%80%E7%AC%AC%E4%B8%89%E8%A9%B1%E6%9B%B4%E6%96%B0%E3%81%AE%E3%81%8A%E7%9F%A5%E3%82%89%E3%81%9B%EF%BC%81