Episode 10

### Animation Direction

Tsuyoshi Yoshioka (Chief), Mayumi Hidaka, Masahiro Yamanaka, Kaito Mogi, Yuitsu Kusakabe

**Beautiful Flower** (美しい花, *Utsukushī Hana*) is the 10th episode of *Gleipnir* anime series.

A terrible ultimatum from a powerful enemy makes Clair, Shuichi, and their friends face an impossible decision.

## Short Summary

Shuichi and his team encounter a team of ferocious collectors who wouldn't hesitate to kill people. Their leader, Madoka, has exceptionally high fighting abilities and he asks them to join his team and collect coins for him.

Madoka tells them that since they attacked one of his members, he will kill one of them, letting them choose themselves on who will die.

## Long Summary

Madoka asks Shuichi what is he as he saw a girl entering inside of him. As he gets closer and tires to open his zip, Shuichi and Clair shoot him from upclose. But Madoka grabs the gun and points it at Chihiro, but as he is about to shoot, Shuichi undoes his transformation and Madoka realizes they were two. His group then arrives and surrounds them.

Madoka undoes his transformation and tells them to start gathering coins for him and with the power he will obtain, he will grant them any wish. he tell them that since they messed up with Morita, one of them has to die and will let them choose which one, otherwise he will kill all of them. Clair asks what will Madoka do if one of the two guys he punched ends up being dead, but Madoka still tells them they will need to pick one as a rite of passage to make them shitheads like them. But as a reward for the good question, Madoka tells Clair he will not kill her as he feels she is one of them already. Madoka then leaves to let them choose by themselves.

Isao and Yota are alive and Yota says they need to fight, but Ikeuchi states they don't have a chance. Clair agrees with Ikeuchi that if they fight they will be killed and need to choose a sacrifice and comments how brave Ikeuchi is. Ikeuchi then starts to realize they may choose him as sacrifice. Miku proposes that she can turn invisible and kill Madoka while he isn't transformed. Clair likes the idea, but thinks it may not work if they have someone like Ikeuchi in their group. Clair then approaches Isao and asks him to grow the flowers she gave him in order to save everyone. As he does, she thanks him and he leaves speechless and heads the others to tell them that they will be escaping. Clair tells Shuichi that he can't help, but he doesn't want to let her bear all the burden making her realize that even the most pure-hearted person can turn ruthless when he takes action for the sake of another.

Hanakawa informs Madoka that Sayaka's group is running and Ikeuchi approaches them asking Madoka for him and Chihiro to join them. Madoka then sees fire in the forest. Isao explains that the flower is oleander, but it has strong poison that also stays in its smoke when burnt. Ikeuchi tries to explain what Isao and Clair did, but in that moment Sayaka's choker activates and kills him. Madoka and his group heads after Sayaka's, but soon some of his men start to fall feeling nauseous. Madoka sees a flower and starts to wonder if its poisonous. As the fire grows, Madoka tells Taguchi and the rest to continue, while he stays and saves the rest as he promised to never leave them behind.

Clair and the rest manage to escape and Clair explains that if Madoka came directly for them, they would have been killed by him, but she bet he will try to save his men. Sayaka comments that Clair starts to scare her and though she can trust her, but now has no idea what she is thinking. Clair says that she couldn't figure out why her sister gave her a coin, but after meeting Shuichi, she kinda feels she knows now. She couldn't bare the weight of her crimes, but also couldn't run away from them. Clair thinks she is the only one that can save her sister.

Elena meets with the Alien, who asks her how is the coin search going.

## Characters

* Madoka
* Shuichi Kagaya
* Clair Aoki
* Chihiro Yoshioka
* Sayaka Koyanagi
* Miku Aihara
* Yota Murakami
* Isao Kasuga
* Morita (flashback)
* Ikeuchi
* Taguchi
* Alien (flashback)
* Tadanori Sanbe (flashback)
* Subaru (flashback)
* Elena Aoki (flashback)
* Hanakawa