Original subtitles

Your father always gave your brother special treatment.

But what about you?

I bet it was nothing but strict discipline since childhood to make you into an Exorcist.

You're sure you aren't a useful tool he raised specifically to protect your brother?

You're wrong!

I chose this path of my own free will!

My father and brother have nothing to do with it!

You're firing wildly now. At least your heart is being honest.

It's only natural.

You must've asked yourself again and again why you're forced to do this for your brother.

Even though that brother has no inkling of the hardships you've endured.

You've thought, "This isn't fair!"

or, "I can't take this injustice anymore!"

Oh, man! We're so high up!

W-We're gonna die!

The truth is, you absolutely despise your brother, don't you?

Episode 9: Through Thick and Thin

I'm not going to play your game!

Oh? Is this how you keep your cool?

This is how you've always avoided any self-reflection, isn't it?

I...

When we were little...

It's a puppy!

Hey, what are you two doing?

Why can't we keep him?

Bye!

Take care!

...I looked up to Rin.

But...

Stop that!

It's Rin!

Are you okay?

I don't need your help!

- What's with you? - Stop trying to protect me!

I was just trying to help!

I looked up to him, but at the same time...

Want the soy sauce?

the truth is, I was...

Yukio, thanks.

Oh no, Rin put that...

always...

always...

always...

so frustrated!

Oh, my. What's the matter?

Are you worn out already?

When did he—?

Corycia. Melaina.

Cleodora. Cleochareia.

Bateia. Drosera. Solaia. Periboea.

I see.

You made me think you were missing,

but you were actually using those magic bullets to create naiad summoning circles.

You truly are gifted.

At least be honest with yourself.

I love my brother and I hate him.

But more than that, I hated the weak, snivelling boy I used to be.

The person I really hate is myself!

Naiad Water Prison!

They attack whenever I touch down!

It might look like a building,

but this thing is a mountain demon, all right!

There's nowhere to set the earth-touching mudra, the barrier's center.

And even if there was, I wouldn't have time to chant the spell!

Kuro! Is there anywhere we can land near the sporangium?

I'll look!

That sporangium is huge.

I only heard the barrier spell once.

To be honest, I'm not totally sure I have it memorized.

And even if I do manage to cast it, how are we gonna beat something that big?

It looks like a huge meat bun!

I missed dinner, so I'm starving!

Hey! How can you be so calm?

I gotta tell you, I'm freaking out!

Hey, that's...

Winner gets front! One, two, shoot!

...because you lost fair and square!

That's not what I'm talking about, dumbass!

And if you can't draw that sword, you're just a strong guy with a stick!

Aren't you the least bit scared?

Rin! There's a rocky spot below!

Hold on tight!

This outcropping is the only place the mountain demon hasn't taken!

Okay! We'll make our stand here!

You aren't wallowing in despair again, are you?

Nah, I'm fine for now.

More to the point, aren't you the one who's freaking out?

I mean, I bet everybody else is doing everything they can right now.

So let's do what we can, too!

You just focus on making that barrier, Princess Suguro!

Wh-Who are you calling Princess? I'll beat you to a pulp!

You were practically in tears.

I sure don't wanna play knight to an unladylike princess like you!

Dammit! I was gonna do that anyway!

Okay! Then I'll leave you to it!

We're gonna win, Suguro!

Charge, Kuro, my noble steed!

I'm not a horse!

I know this guy isn't an idiot.

Deep down, I know that!

Om!

But this bozo and my dad are always pulling this "tough lone wolf" crap.

And that...

pisses me off!

Ryuji Suguro.

Your barrier incantation has reached my ears.

What's that?

A fire-attribute barrier? But who cast it?

What a truly lovely fireworks display.

Whoa, Suguro! You're awesome, dude!

That was cool, Suguro!

At least the barrier's up.

I haven't done this before. Summoning demons is surprisingly draining.

Most impressive!

I'm amazed you were able to summon so many naiads without a Tamer Meister!

However, you still need some practice.

Is this your answer, then?

You're more interesting than I had expected. What a pity.

I'm going to have to kill you now.

I wonder, how long will it take to reduce one human to ash?

I must be thorough and time this.

Rin!

Yukio?

Okumura! Eyes front!

Get off!

Oh, man. This doesn't look good!

That thing might burst any second!

That explains why these little guys are moving faster!

No matter how many we beat, more keep coming!

Ryuji.

Don't break the earth-touching mudra.

If the mudra is broken, the barrier breaks with it.

I know that, don't nag me!

I'll die before I let this break!

Lighten up, Highness!

Cut that out, dammit!

If you keep freaking out, you're gonna pass out!

It looks like Bon managed to get the barrier up!

We need to hurry before the sporangium bursts!

Hurry? But how? The path is totally blocked by spore goo.

Crap!

Renzo. This k'rik is—

Koneko?

Shima! Up here!

Thanks for the save!

Rot kin are vulnerable to fire.

We can use this to keep it back as we advance, and...

Koneko.

It's hopeless.

Think about it rationally.

You'd only be doing it to feel better about yourself.

Let's run, okay?

Trying to get through by ourselves is basically suicide.

Bon and the others will understand! Nobody will think less of us.

Right?

"The others" aren't just the other cram school students.

Your family is out there fighting!

How can you even think about running away?

I'm not running.

If I ran now, I'd couldn't ever look anyone from Myoda in the eye again.

Not you, too, Koneko.

Everybody's all "obligations" this and "responsibility" that...

And "blood" and "Myoda"...

I'm sick of hearing it.

That's not something worth throwing your life away to protect!

How can you say that at a time like this?

None of that matters when you're dead!

Sorry, but...

Sh-Shima?

I'm not that noble a guy.

Koneko, if you're not gonna run, I'll go by myself.

You heartless coward!

What a pain! Koneko and Bon and my dad and my brothers!

Renzo.

Our eldest brother, Takezo, died protecting you and Bon.

He gave his life to save yours,

so you mustn't live a shameful life.

Like I care.

When I'm unsure about something, I ask myself, "What would Takezo do?"

Takezo's the pride of the Shima family!

Who is this Takezo guy to me?

This k'rik is mine.

Now, as a man of the Shima family, I entrust it to you.

As a representative of the Shimas, protect Bon and Konekomaru!

All that is too much for me.

I wish Myoda and blood and obligations, would all go away! Just disappear!

Om!

My life would be so much easier if I could separate myself from that.

My k'rik's on fire!

Oh, right! Master Yaozo must have summoned Ucchusma!

I'll chant a mantra to strengthen the flame, so you fight them off, Shima!

Seriously? I made myself come back and get put out front?

Shima, I'm sorry for calling you a heartless coward!

Shut up! Just shut up!

That sound... I think the sporangium is going to burst!

We have to hurry.

Uke! Mike!

Honestly...

Is this any way to treat fox spirits?

Come forth, kin of Ukemochi!

Come forth, kin of Miketsu!

Heave ho!

They're so cute!

I'll have these little ones carry Master!

They sure are strong for such little things!

When we were camping, couldn't they have carried the Peg Lantern?

Look. I can't concentrate, so would you please stop talking?

I-I'm sorry!

Actually, why am I doing this?

Back then, why did I decide to cooperate?

I don't even understand myself!

I've been all messed up ever since I met these people.

But I gave my word, so that's that.

It just means we have to make it out of this alive.

Ms. Kamiki, let's do our best!

I'll do anything you need, so just let me know!

This girl in particular is annoying.

You don't need to go out of your way to be helpful!

You're weak!

Just be quiet and let me protect you!

Ms. Kamiki!

Oh, no!

D-Don't worry about me! Uke! Mike! Take the head priest away from here!

Oh, dear.

This is what we get for serving a half-trained master.

Dammit!

What am I doing? I don't want to die here!

You start running, too!

I can't do that!

I can't abandon you!

What are you saying?

You'll just get in my way, so start running, idiot!

Uke! Mike!

Master!

I have to do something.

Nee...

Please! Come out!

If you don't come out now, what's the point of having you?

I don't want to go on being weak!

Come out!

I can't bear the thought of not being able to save Kamiki!

I want to stay with everyone!

Come now!

N... Nee!

Will you help me?

First, I want to save Kamiki!

No matter how much the spores rot, let's sprout twice as many new plants!

Nee!

Th-That's amazing, Nee! You're so strong!

She's making her greenman grow huge...

Hang in there, Ms. Kamiki!

I'll definitely save you!

Let's go, Nee!

Not yet!

O-Okumura!

Kuro!

There's no end to this stuff!

Okumura, behind you!

Got it!

Crap.

It's about to...

No...

I'm going to die.

S... Stop!

What's this?

Everything's gone blue.

What's going on?

What's happening to my eyes?

Your eyes...

What's happened to them?

For a second, my instincts took over and I leapt back.

I always thought you were a fascinating specimen,

but perhaps I underestimated you.

Wh... What are you doing?

Those eyes don't belong to you.

Oh, it's you.

Quite tenacious, aren't you?

I'm surprised you knew to find me here...

Mr. Shima.

When you throw around that much flame, it's obvious to anyone!

You sneaky old weasel!

Juzo...

You ruined everything that was precious to me!

There won't even be ashes left when I'm done with you, so say your prayers!

Next Time

Episode 10: Unbowed and Unbroken

What was I even saved for?