Chapter 47

## Chapter Guide

**"A Soot-Based Illness"** (すすによる病 (やまい) , *Susu ni Yoru Yamai*?) is the forty-seventh chapter of the Shadows House manga series. It is adapted into Episode 11 of the anime.

## Summary

All Shadows are given a book referred to as the *Shadows Family's Teachings* which contains information on how a Shadow should present themselves. In Emilico's room, Kate plays with Rolly for a bit before noticing her Doll's *Unthinking Notebook* where she learns of soot sickness, a disease that can be cured by drinking water. Kate then forces Emilico to drink several cups of water until she throws up soot, and cries over Rum's disposal. After calming down, Kate states that the Shadows House and its system is a mistake for every single one of its inhabitants.

## Plot

A book called the *Shadows Family's Teachings* is introduced, with the contents teaching the basic important information a Shadow should know before they debut, mainly that they should be attended by their Living Doll and strengthening loyalty to Lord Grandfather. Kate notes that the book doesn't touch upon soot, only that negative emotions create it and that Scorches are born from uncleaned soot. She compares this to the Living Doll's instruction manual, with the fact that soot is weak to water being new to her. Noticing Rolly left on Emilico's desk, Kate controls it for a bit, attempting to have it land on a target but misses and hits the floor where she notices Emilico's *Unthinking Notebook* when picking Rolly off the floor. Reading the notebook, Kate comments on the various things Emilico had experienced such as the Phantom Incident, touching on the topic of the Robed Shadow, Kate notes that Shadows must be influenced by their Dolls under the coffee, suddenly making the connection to soot sickness which is cured by drinking water.

Back upstairs, Kate has Emilico drink cups of water who readily goes about her master's request. Kate made the realisation that the information of soot was withheld from young Shadows as they would not be aware of the true cause of the difference in behavior of their Living Doll. Emilico is forced to drink until suddenly getting up to a bucket and throws up, with traces of soot in her vomit. Kate asks her to continue when she doesn't react to the mention of Rum but cries seeing Emilico in pain. She has Emilico stop once she begins to cry, but Emilico was actually upset having come to the realisation that Rum is no longer here and is frustrated at the fact that she only feels happiness when recalling the reveal.

Having calmed down, Emilico lays on a couch while Kate explains to her that she wants to oppose Lord Grandfather, having realised that not everyone are enemies from Emilico, and decides to try approaching Patrick and John to become allies. Emilico is confused at this reveal, Kate decides to reveal little information at a time to make it easier for Emilico, deciding to lay low while gathering power. Kate finally states that the Shadows House is a mistake for Shadows and Dolls alike, with the manor being a prison.

## Characters

1. Kate
2. Emilico (Non-speaking Role)
3. Lou (Pictured)
4. Rosemary (Pictured)
5. Mia (Pictured)
6. Master Robe (Fantasy)
7. Doug (Flashback)
8. Douglas (Flashback)
9. Maggie (Flashback)