Episode 42: Seimiya’s Tears
Summary:
Seimiya grieves over the loss of her grandmother, the Queen. Erin meanwhile visits Lilan and informs her of the news. Back at the palace, Nami bows to Seimiya, addressing her as the “Queen,” but she tells her “Seimiya” is fine when they’re alone– just as before. The Grand Duke stresses over the news, and Shunan informs him that others are trying to frame them for killing the Queen. Shunan advises they calmly think about the country’s future: for years they have protected the Queen’s quarter but are scrutinized by its members. In addition, those who have fought in the fearsome war can no longer look up to or hear her voice. As such, if they were accused of murdering the Queen, there would be no place for them to go. The Grand Duke starts to conclude something, but it’s not revealed what exactly. Shunan says it’s easy for them to crush the Queen’s quarter, but it will not bring them trust. He proposes an alternative that does not involve killing the Queen, and asks his father to leave it to him.
Seimiya looks up at an alter commemorating her grandmother, and tearfully reflects. Damiya enters and comforts her. He sheds tears of his own, and Seimiya realizes his pain, too; however, he says it hurts him more to see her crying. Seimiya is anxious to give birth to the next Queen, but Damiya tells her not to rush, for she isn’t a mere tool for that purpose. He claims she’s the only one that can choose any man to marry, and asks who is it she loves. Seimiya hesitates, stating there is no one. He then asks who loves her the most, implying himself. Outside, Ial again reflects on Hagal’s words. Kyle arrives and says it’s the end of the country should the Grand Duke march in with his army; regardless, they still have to live as shields. Ial agrees with him, but Kyle questions this, wondering if it was part of their duty to worry about the country’s future.
Shunan and others arrive, requesting an unscheduled audience with the Queen. As they wait in the throne room, Damiya tells Seimiya to talk to him in a dignified manner, reminding her who was responsible for the Queen’s death. When he enters, Shunan bows and offers his condolences. Both scorn him, a majority dealt by Damiya. Shunan asserts whether Seimiya really knows who was behind the attack, and she quickly accuses his quarter. However, he says that the need for Touda has risen ever since the war against Larza began, and that there are those who handle Touda in the Queen’s quarter. Seimiya is skeptical, but Shunan reasons there is no merit in killing the Queen through such an underhanded method. If they wanted to overtake the country, they would instead directly attack with their forces and claim the throne gloriously. Seimiya hesitates, but Damiya mocks his thought process: what Shunan said would be true, but the Queen is a god; killing such a divine being would result in the country’s immediate death. Shunan denounces her “divine” status because of her inability to bring peace to their country. Seimiya questions his statement, and he poses a simple question: how will she cure the plague killing their country? She tells him his greed is the disease, and that she will govern the country with a pure heart.
Shunan aggressively reminds her of their country’s protectors. He asks if she has the courage to see some of these men. She confidently says she will not be fearful, and Shunan has his companions come in: they are injured men from the war, covered in bloodied bandages. Seimiya immediately cowers in fear, and scenes are shown depicting the grim cost of war. An infuriated Damiya tells them to get out, saying it’s natural for soldiers like them to fight.
Later, Seimiya reflects on Shunan’s words and their relatively happy past. She cries near the floor, unsure of what to do. Ial offers Shunan and his horse lodging. He instead decides to visit the courtyard. In her room, Seimiya looks out the window and sees Shunan gazing up against the rain. She meets with him outside, asking what he wants. He wanted to talk where her favorite flower, the salo, blooms. Seimiya says she also has words to share: she may not know the realities of the world, but wants to govern like her grandmother did, so that the country will remain as beautiful. He understands, but explains at this rate the country will perish. He grabs her hand and states they must unite for the sake of Ryoza.
She asks what he means and he states it simply: he is proposing to her. Seimiya draws her hand away, though Shunan argues this is the only way to save their country. Seeing her worried face, he figures she feels it unjust to marry him, believing herself to be a god. Seimiya confirms this by nodding. He then makes a different proposal: in four months, he will be waiting at Tahai Aze, the origin of their country. There will be an army of Touda representing their quarter. If she can reenact the legend’s miracle of a beast-lord descending to save her, proving her divinity, then they will retreat and pledge eternal loyalty to her and the people. However, if this does not happen, then she must admit her mortality and marry him. Seimiya summarizes his words: she must choose either a path of war against or marriage to him. Shunan nods, saying if she decides on marriage, to raise a blue flag; only by that signal would he stop the Touda from marching. Seimiya tearfully concludes he only wants to marry her for the sake of Ryoza, and not because of love.
Shunan tries to correct this but Seimiya dismisses him. He grabs her and tries to lay a kiss, but Seimiya pushes him away, worried that she’ll be defiled if they become one. Damiya interrupts and leads her away. She takes one last look over at a drenched Shunan, who reflects on the past and watches the salos carry the rain like tears.
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My Thoughts:
Things could have easily been patched up if Shunan just shouted, “I love you! I really love you!” at the end. Alas, we need more drama to feed the masses :). His proposal of having a beast-lord descend to her to save their kingdom immediately points the responsibility at Erin. It’s pretty coincidental and somewhat unrealistic on the point of what difference it would make to give Seimiya four months. If she were really a god, then she should already have the ability to do it. Then again, Shunan could be using the time frame to muster their forces. It probably wouldn’t be a large mass, since most of them are facing off against Larza. I also wonder if Ngan’s going to play a factor, since it’s obvious he holds the same belief as Damiya: the soldiers are meant to serve the Queen no matter the cost.
Damiya is confident because he knows about Erin, but I wonder what type of plan he would have without her? Sure, he probably has a good-sized Touda army, but I doubt anything close to the Grand Duke’s forces. Also, it’s creepy that I’m getting romantic vibes from him to Seimiya, since he is her uncle. I thought it was possible because of his side talk about Shunan’s flowers, but I didn’t think it would actually manifest. I don’t want to see any Damiya x Seimiya babies! Since the Queen was her grandmother, I wonder who Seimiya’s mom is?
At times I want to slap some sense into Seimiya, but I sympathize with her. Like I said awhile back, she was raised in a way dictated by others, and consequently doesn’t have a realistic grasp of the world. All that talk of governing with a “pure heart” and thoughts of being “divine” and “tainted” by Shunan makes me shake my head. She’d be even more “defiled” if she formed a “union” with her uncle. I hope things end well for her and Shunan. It’s possible Ngan may step in and assassinate Shunan, ruining the plan. Just a random thought.
One interesting thing is Seimiya did not hesitate to visit Shunan alone in the courtyard. This at least indicates she knows he’s not the one responsible, and harbors some feelings despite what she told Damiya.
The focus shifts back to Erin and Lilan next week. It looks like Damiya is carrying out his plan to use and abuse her. Stuff gets messy, though. Check it out next time, on Kemono no Souja Erin: “Beastinarian!”
Tags: anime, fantasy, heart-warming, Kemono no Souja Erin
