Conscience does make cowards of us all. II

**Conscience does make cowards of us all. II** is the 10th episode of the second season of *The Ancient Magus Bride* anime.

## Synopsis

A pair of werewolves connected to Lucy and Seth's past ambush them to finish the unfinished business they failed to complete years ago, involving the massacre of their family. With the help of Chise, Ruth, and Elias, they escape with only some injuries. Still, Chise's compassion toward one of the werewolves draws some backlash from Chise, but she considers the silver lining of figuring out who the masterminds behind her family's demise are.

## Summary

Seth's bodyguard/chauffeur Nicholas is shown to be alive, but wounded as he crawled out from the river he was dumped into. Thanks to a protective charm he wore, Nicholas managed to protect himself from any severe damage. Approaching him from behind, Marielle notes how surprising it was to see him survive his near-death experience.

The following morning at the College infirmary, Seth awakens as his sister Lucy brushes his hair. They're soon joined by Chise with some mail, joins them. Immediately, Lucy recognizes one of the mail, which reveals that Seth had sent Lucy five million pounds for her financial expenses. Lucy then asks Chise how she knows her brother; however, Chise's vague answer upsets Lucy, making Seth laugh. After Lucy leaves, Seth explains to Chise that he's Lucy's caretaker after their parents have passed away.

Meanwhile, within the nurse's office, Elias stood by and observed as Alexandra used a special device that Simeon laid on to heal him. Once he has awoken, Alexandra gives Simeon a brief explanation of how Elias saved him, and when she goes off to fetch an IV for him, Elias steps in and further explains his condition when he found him. Elias then curtly mentions that Tory suggested that they become friends and was curious to know what Tory meant by that. On the other hand, Simeon didn't answer because he passed out, so Elias covered him up with his blanket.

Elsewhere, Lucy led Seth and Chise outside to Seth's car, where his guard was nowhere to be found. A werewolf wearing a brown hooded jacket and muzzle then appears and tries to kill Seth, but his watch, a protective charm, saves him. Before the assailant can make another move, Chise stands before the two to protect them as Ruth appears from her shadow. Unwilling to listen to the werewolf's demands to stand down, Chise and Ruth are attacked by another werewolf dressed in the same attire as the other. Elias's ring started vibrating, prompting Elias to warp by Chise's side, who was fleeing with Seth carrying Lucy.

Within the hallway by the entrance, the werewolves attacked the group, and Lucy recognized the assailants as the ones who killed her parents. One of the werewolves tacitly confirms it, claiming they failed to do their job before, but will finish it then and there. Unnerved by their predicament, Chise is told by another version of her that she knows where to go. From there, Chise opens a portal where she escapes with Lucy and Ruth, carrying Seth to follow her. Understanding Chise's plans, Elias allows the werewolves to pursue Chise without stopping them, and in the portal tunnels, Chise's group is confronted by Hound Dogs. Said Hound Dogs demand a toll; however, Chise argues they have luggage and requests passage, but one of the werewolves then attacks them.

Perceiving the werewolves as not part of the contract, the Hound Dogs attack the werewolves, and one of them, a female, cries out not to attack her mate as they have a child together. The beseechment makes Chise negotiate with the Hound Dogs to spare them. Once the Hound Dogs leave the scene, the female werewolf takes the head of her deceased mate and flees the scene as Lucy coldly scowls at her.

In the college hallway, Marielle arrives with the injured Nicholas, and Elias asks her to investigate something.

Later, Seth's injuries are treated, and while sitting at his bedside with Chise, she asks him about his family background. Seth reveals that he and Lucy come from a family of Sorcerers. A flashback shows the day Seth was banished from his family because of his inability to use magic. Lucy would become the family's successor and fall into a deep depression over this and her thoughts on how her brother perceives her. On the day that her family is massacred, Lucy finds the dead bodies of her family, a terrified child huddled in a corner, and a werewolf who committed the deed. Seth would arrive soon afterward and find his sister in a troubled state.

In the present, Seth claimed that it was a mystery why Lucy was spared and that every spider his family cared for was stolen. The incident caused many malicious rumors to spread surrounding Seth. Furthermore, it leads Lucy to believe that he hates her and has hired the werewolves to attack and kill their family out of jealousy for becoming the family's successor. Chise asks why Seth didn't deny or investigate who the perpetrators were, but he answers that he lacked the weapons or backing to do it. However, he at least has a good-paying job paying for Lucy's college tuition.

In the room where Simeon rests, Marielle informs Elias and Alexandra that an unknown force is perpetually draining Simeon's magical energy. Elias then claims two others share the same condition as Simeon and asks if a curse or something is responsible for Simeon's condition. Using her magic, Marielle learns that Simeon is suffering from an ailment as Phyllis that may have originated from the same book she had Elias use, The Testament of Carnmagos. The book was suspected of being used to steal its victim's magical power.

Out in the courtyard, Lucy and Chise have a heart-to-heart about why Chise decided to help Lucy in her time of need and why she decided to spare one of the werewolves. Chise's response to the latter question unnerves Lucy as Chise feels terrible that the attackers have a child with each other. Despite Lucy being upset about what Chise did, she considers the silver lining as she may have figured out who ordered the attack on her family in the first place and why. When Lucy tries to walk away, she collapses from a major headache, and elsewhere, Lizbeth is informed about something prompting her to believe a pest must be dealt with.

## Character Appearances

* Nicholas
* Marielle
* Seth Noel
* Lucy Webster
* Chise Hatori
* Alexandra Heath
* Elias Ainsworth
* Simeon Paladilhe
* Male Werewolf
* Female Werewolf
* Torrey Innis *(mentioned)*
* Ruth
* Seth and Lucy's Father *(mentioned/flashback)*
* Philomela Sargant *(flashback)*
* Phyllis *(mentioned)*
* Lizbeth Sargant