Episode 9

**"A Deep Sorrow from the Past"** (遡る嘆き, *Sakanoboru Nageki*) is the ninth episode of the *Wandering Witch* anime.

## Synopsis

Elaina is desperate for money, and accepts a job escorting a fellow witch to the past on a mission to save her childhood friend from a terrible fate.

## Summary

Elaina - out of funds and beginning to starve - encounters a flier that promises payment for an ultra-short-term job, instructing readers to visit the listed address immediately. Elaina - at the listed address - meets Estelle, a fellow witch whom has been researching time travel magic. After insulting each other, Elaina inquires about the payment and job. Estelle explains her history with Selena, how she turned into a psychotic murderer after the death of her parents and abuse by her uncle, her capture, and her execution at Estelles own hands. She then reveals that the job is to escort her to the past ten years ago in order to rescue Selena's murdered parents to prevent her unfortunate fate. Elaborating on how this can be done, Estelle reveals that she has gone to drastic lengths to ensure the success of the spell, bloodletting herself to stockpile mana, and further revealing that she will sacrifice her own magical abilities in the process of enacting the spell. She then reveals two sets of magic rings, that when worn, allow users to share their magic power, allowing Estelle to retain magical abilities for as long as they both wear the rings. Interested in seeing the city in the past, and agreeing to the terms, Elaina and Estelle travel back in time ten years.

Upon arrival Estelle explains that they have one hour to locate Selena's parents and save them before the magic ends and they return to their time, further elaborating that this will not effect their timeline, and is purely to help Estelle live with herself. Later, Estelle encounters a young Selena, and emotionally apologizes for not being able to save her before and vows to be successful this time. Alarmed, Selena politely says goodbye to Estelle, who then goes off to locate Selena's parents to save them. Elsewhere Elaina ponders the story that Estelle had told her, and wonders why a mere robbery would result in such an intense stabbing. Resuming her search, Elaina's ring activates, indicating to her that Estelle has entered combat, supposedly with the murder. However, shortly before Elaina can reach Estelle, the stream of magic is cut. Now panicking Elaina turns the corner to discover a veritable hellscape. A figure stands amidst the flames, blood, and corpses, and turns to face Elaina, revealing herself as Selena. Realizing that Elaina was the woman she saw earlier with Estelle, she laughs through blood-covered teeth, stomping on Estelle's body. She explains to Elaina that her parents were cruel people, and their happiness was a facade, so she killed them. After asking Elaina who they were, she explains that they had come here to save her from becoming a murderer and being executed by Estelle. Selena, amused by this development, charges at Elaina. Still alive, Estelle overheard the exchange, and attacks Selena, launching her at a wall. Estelle, blinded by fury and heartbroken, frantically attacks Selena with magic. Elaina begs Estelle to stop, and struggles to remove her ring. However it does not stop Estelle, who is now burning the memories of Selena in order to kill her. As the clock strikes 6, Selena's decapitated head and body fall to the ground amidst the fire. It is revealed that she no longer retains any memories of Selena, and Elaina flees her home without the payment. Collapsing on a park bench and crying, Elaina reflects on the situation, how Estelle no longer remembers her childhood friend, and had now killed her twice with her own hands.

## Differences in Adaptation

* This episode is supposed to take place before Elaina visited the country with dolls.
* In the light novel, when Selena killed her parents and stabbed Estelle, she is shown to be wearing her casual clothes. In the anime, she wears a cloak instead.
* The anime didn't adapt the scene where Elaina heals Estelle's wounds after Selena was killed. As a result, the anime seemly gives an impression that Estelle might've died after they time traveled back to the future instead.

## Characters

* Elaina
* Magician Brothers (cameo)
* Estelle
* Selena
* Selena's Parents

## Trivia

* The events of this episode actually take place in a parallel timeline, where this never happens to "Protagonist" Elaina; this story creates her violent counterpart.