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Episode 11: Louise’s Marriage

Impressions:

A good episode for the series, but once again there was not enough clashing when Saito and Ward fought. I wonder if the last fight will be with him and Saito or Louise with her new soon-to-be-found powers. It should be Louise, as she has yet to really prove herself as a good mage. Saito has definitely proved himself to be a tough adversary, even though his battles were quite brief. Another thing, Derflinger doesn’t get enough lines. His character doesn’t develop enough (even though he’s a sword, he still has a personality and past). At the end of the episode, it seems that Saito has made up his mind about being with Louise, though I can’t see him completely forgetting about Siesta. Kirche is definitely out of the picture, so it’s only those two now. I wonder if Siesta is actually related to Saito in some way. At least if that were true, it’d give him a reason to go with Louise. So…let’s see what happens in the final two episodes…

Summary:

Louise catches Saito on the verge of tears as he is thinking about how Ward had told him he would not be able to protect Louise after he lost the duel. She tries to console him, but is unaware of the real reason he is upset. Saito ends up pushing Louise away, who in turn starts walking away and tells him she has decided to marry ward. Saito is quite shocked to hear this, but is too angry to object.

When Guiche comes to hurry Saito up (as the ship which they are meant to be on is about to leave), the ground starts shaking and before them, Fouquet appears on her golem. Taking advantage of the situation, Ward tells Louise that both Saito and Guiche have decided to turn back from here. She is quite upset, but thinking about the way Saito reacted earlier makes this fairly easy to believe. Ward reassures her that they can complete the mission by themselves.

As Ward and Louise ride up to the pier, Fouquet fights Saito and Guiche. Saito is able to hold his own against the beast, but its speedy ability to restore itself after wounded leaves him constantly at full power. Guiche tries to counter with his own earth warriors, but they are defeated quickly. When it looks like things are taking a turn for the worst, Kirche and Tabitha arrive at the scene on Sylph. Shortly after that, the villagers appear in force, which forces Fouquet to flee. As she flies off, she says to herself that she’s delayed Saito and the others for long enough. Immediately after that, the signal for departure sounds.

Back at the hotel, Saito asks the manager about Louise and Ward, but it seems they have already left on the ship. Outside the hotel, the ship soars past (heading to Albion – a floating continent). In the ship, after thinking about her rocky relationship with Saito for a while, agrees to marry Ward.

On land, Guiche wonders why Ward would leave them behind. Saito tells him about how Fouquet had said something about delaying him, which implies that she is Ward’s accomplice. Unfortunately, the next ship won’t depart until morning, so they’ll have to wait the night. Just then, Belldandy appears after following Guiche all the way to the port town.

On the ship, Ward asks Louise about the location of the Prince Wales, but she cannot answer because she was told by Henrietta not to tell anyone until they reach Albion. Ward leaves it at that and encourages her to get some rest. When he leaves, Louise makes a lousy attempt at convincing herself her choice to marry Ward and ditch Saito was a good thing.

The next day, Louise and Ward enter the church where Wales is meant to be. Upon entering, they are surrounded by the Prince’s guards. When Ward tells them they are from Tristain, the guard who approaches them does not believe him. Louise steps in and shows him the ring she received from Henrietta. Seeing this, the guard sheaths his sword and takes off one glove, revealing a similar ring on his hand. He asks Louise to raise her hand so that the ring is close to his own. Colours start to resonate from the middle of the rings, forming a glowing rainbow. The man explains that his ring is the Wind Sapphire, while Louise’s is the Water Sapphire. As water and wind creates rainbows, this is proof that the ring is authentic. Seeing this, he takes off his helmet, revealing that he is not a guard, but the Prince himself.

When Louise and the Prince are alone, she gives him the letter from Henrietta, and in turn receives a reply that had already been prepared. After some questioning from Louise, Wales tells her that a group called the Reconquista, who are actually controlling the Nobility (the enemies of the Royalty, namely Wales).

The next day, Ward tries to force himself onto Louise and get married at Albion, but she refuses as it is too soon. Ward lets slip that he is from Reconquista and Louise tries to flee, but is caught by another member of Reconquista and mind controls her. And so, the marriage proceeds, with Louise’s actions and words being controlled by the Reconquista mage.

Before she can accept the marriage, Saito barges in and yells out Louise’s name, which snaps her out of being mind-controlled. Ward demands to know how he was able to find them, to which he replies that Belldandy was able to pick up the scent from Louise’s ring, as she never forgets the smell of jewellery. Saito draws his sword, and thinking he is the enemy, Wales calls upon his guards to take him out. However, Ward takes the chance to stab Wales in the chest. Louise drops down onto her knees and kneels over the bloodied Prince, who gives her his ring, before passing away.

Ward makes one swing of his sword, which creates a barrier of wind that forces all the guards away. Saito, being further away, is not affected as much, but finds himself at the point of Ward’s foil. His rune starts to glow, which causes Ward to back off. He makes a speech about not having anything left in his life except being Louise’s familiar. With all his energy focused, Derflinger suddenly becomes shiny and new. The fight is quite fast: Saito absorbs a magic attack from Ward, before lunging and cutting through the next. Ward knows he has lost, but is not injured. He explains that he at least as achieved two of his three objectives: killing Wales and getting his hands on his letter. The third objective was to take Louise with him, but that seems impossible now. Satisfied with what he has, starts a small quake in the curch which brings down a few burning lamps. Soon, the entire floor of the church catches fire. Ward calmly walks out, but Saito and Louise have no way left to run. To save them, Tabitha and Kirche levitate Saito and Louise out of the burning building.

As the five fly back on Sylph, Saito kisses a sleeping Louise, who wakes up just as their lips are touching. Instead of freaking out or objecting, she closes her eyes and returns the kiss.

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