Original subtitles

Humans combust in the presence of natural flame.

The people of the forest known as the spiders

finally launched their coup against the divine clans' rule.

Their advance on the factories with the fiends has plunged the capital into chaos.

While searching for his sister, Hinako, and the Okibis' daughter, Kira,

Koushi reunites with Touko, and they hurry onward.

The Fire Hunter

The Fire Hunter

The Fire Hunter

Sea of Trees

Sea of Trees

Down there, mister?

Who knows?

Whether or not we believe what that god said,

the Flickering Flame was leading us this way.

I guess we just have to keep going.

Kun!

Kun!

Kun, are you hurt?

Kun!

Kun!

I'm fine!

Hey, wait!

This fish doesn't fight back.

Fish?

We don't get fish like this in forest rivers. Think it tastes good?

Why are there fish here?

So many huge fish.

I'm sorry to say they don't seem natural.

Did the gods make them?

They can remake humans. I wouldn't be surprised if they made these fish, too.

But what for?

Let's keep going.

Do you smell that, Mr. Koushi?

It's the forest.

We're in the dark forest.

When did we get here?

Akira!

Ms. Akira.

Lady!

Ms. Akira!

Hey, kid. Surprised you're not dead.

Roroku.

Yeah, so I met up with him, and we got as far as the palace entrance.

But then, things got weird,

and the next thing I knew, we'd wandered into the forest.

The gods must have pulled a fast one on us.

Temari and I got separated on the way.

M-Ms. Akira, your hand.

Oh, yeah. But it's no big deal compared to his.

This guy's called Roroku.

He's a wandering fire hunter like me.

I helped you out back in the factory district, remember?

Don't sweat it.

You weren't yourself then. I doubt you remember a thing.

The gods must have cast an illusion to get us out of the way.

Did it to you, too, I'll bet.

Yes, the same happened to us.

Mr. Koushi...

Fire hunters hired by Okibi tortured a captive spider here.

I guess he still hasn't gotten over it.

We'd better figure out how to get back to the capital.

Let's get some sleep first.

Koushi, are you awake?

That god called Hibari showed you, didn't he?

What the Flickering Flame looks like.

Yes, but... was that real?

And she didn't seem solid.

But you saw it.

They said the gods have prepared a vessel

to make the Flickering Flame the next Lady Goddess.

They're going to put the Flickering Flame inside Kira.

Who knows if she's safe?

You must really love dogs.

I've never seen Temari so comfortable with anyone other than me.

Thank you so much for letting me cuddle your hunting hound.

Try acting a little more worried. At least about the people who matter to you.

You hated that house.

But that girl who was born and raised in it is the only one you can open up to, and...

Well, whatever. Get some sleep for now.

Boy.

Is the enemy always in front of you?

What's wrong?

Nothing.

The point of sleeping was to rest. How'd you wake up looking even more tired?

Kun.

I need a favor from you.

Can you find one of those bugs?

What?

You sure come up with some rotten ideas.

Don't tell me you want that bug that made the spiders fireproof...

If the spiders can control combustion, I don't see why humans and gods can't.

I knew it.

That's just the kind of thing you'd think of.

I killed so many of the spiders who entered the capital.

I want to at least do what I can to stop things from getting any worse.

I can do it.

I can find that bug.

It might go faster if I use my bugs, too.

Why?

Why aren't you going to help Hinako and Ms. Kira?

I'm sure they're both okay. They must be waiting for you.

Touko.

I think Koushi has given this a lot of thought.

We should let him do what he wants this time.

I have three letters. They all say the same thing.

Someone will deliver one.

Roroku, you take one.

And Koushi, you hold on to one.

Good grief. Why do you come up with such ridiculous plans?

I'll take Kun and Touko with me to track down those bugs.

In the forest, Touko will be a lot more help than you.

You two head back to the capital.

We'll make our way there, too, before sundown.

At least try to fill in for the hand Roroku lost.

I'm counting on you.

Chewing these leaves makes you hurt less.

Where would I be without you kids?

Kanata will go with you.

But...

He's your dog now, Touko.

Mr. Koushi...

Stay alive. Please.

Don't fall behind, Touko.

We should get moving, too.

What if the path I've chosen brings even more destruction?

Maybe that's why the Flickering Flame can't make up her mind.

Will the future be a world worth living in?

If a world like that really exists,

I'd like to see it, too.

Then, you'd better live.

I hate this smell.

It doesn't look like anything's burning.

I hear voices.

It'll be a pain if someone finds us.

Let's split up.

There are three letters.

What's the point if we go down together before reaching the palace?

You deliver yours if I don't make it.

But find your sister first.

Little Miss Okibi must be in the palace.

Go find your sister, then bring her back.

Hey.

Did you get left behind?

Why didn't you run for it?

Don't tell me...

Are you with those guys going around setting fires?

Tell us the truth.

N-No, I'm...

Hang on. Are you from the academy?

What? Some brat here to help his teacher?

I can't stand those eggheads, acting all full of themselves.

Are you crewmen? From a collection truck?

Hey, go tell your teachers we need more guys to carry the wounded.

Please wait.

By "the wounded," do you mean fire hunters?

And teachers from the academy are here?

What about—

What?

The factory district.

I'm looking for my sister.

The only people left here are crewmen who are hurt too bad to move.

Well, them, and dogs whose owners have died.

At least that stink keeps 'em docile.

The treefolk smell.

The treefolk?

Yeah.

Where are the treefolk now?

Over there. At the relief station.

I'll try there.

Thank you.

Thank you!

Koushi told me.

You talked with the Flickering Flame.

Did I really? It might have been a dream.

Koushi saw it, too.

So I think you really did talk to it, Touko.

Koushi said it looked like a girl.

But according to legend, the Flickering Flame is a mechanical doll.

The Flickering Flame you met must be...

Found some!

They might still be close. Want me to find some more?

No, that's enough. We'll head back to the capital.

Kanata?

What are you trying to do?

You just want to die.

Believe Tokohanahime and become the "lord of the fire hunters"?

You want to die satisfied that you carried on your brother's will?

Ms. Akira, what's...

Ignore them.

The gods just want to spook us.

Poor Tayurahime.

False petitions to the Flickering Flame.

Pretty underhanded for high and mighty rulers.

Let's go.

An excuse for the divine clans to live on.

No wonder Hibari pities her.

Petitions at the chief clan's dictation.

Can't we at least get disinfectant and bandages?

I told you! The medical supplies burned up!

What the hell are they thinking?!

They have no need of lives, so what use is medicine to them?

For now, stop the bleeding and give them painkillers.

What about the group that went to pharmacies to get supplies?

Let the doctors handle triage. Our stock's running low.

Koushi.

Koushi, is that you?

Get anyone who can walk to go into town.

Shut those dogs up! I can't hear myself think.

Mr. Hitoo?

It's all because the hunters were sent into town without them.

I thought I recognized you.

What idiot split up hunters and hounds?

But really, fancy seeing you here.

They only listen to their owners.

Who cares?! Just get them to shut the hell up!

Check vitals. We need to free up beds.

Are you hurt? I'm amazed you've survived.

This'll become a morgue at this rate.

I'm fine. But my sister, Hinako...

We need more people. Call the workers back.

The standby order got extended.

No worker recall until they're sure all the fires are out.

This isn't the best place to talk. Let's go out there.

Oh, great. So no one cares if we burn up.

Your sister, huh? That's certainly concerning.

The first cannon...

What could tear up the ground like this?

Did something come up from below?

Are you helping at the relief station?

No. Unfortunately, medicine isn't my field.

I'm gathering data.

Data?

I want to determine the distance at which humans combust.

I estimate the size of a flame,

then measure the distance to the point of combustion.

This data will prove useful someday. Or so I believe.

By the way...

A strange rumor is going around the city.

They say a red-haired fire hunter will become a "lord" and save us all.

It reminded me of that red-haired fire hunter I met,

but at this point, it seems like more than an urban legend.

A red-haired fire hunter...

I know one.

Let me tell you everything that's happened.

You made this, Koushi?

I called it a lightning cannon.

I see. Thank you for telling me.

How dreadful that must have been.

I don't know what to say. For children like you to shoulder such a burden...

I feel ashamed of how little I can do.

I'm sorry. You always told me to turn to you when I was in trouble,

but I convinced myself I could do everything alone.

And I killed so many spiders.

Koushi, I think I understand why you keep blaming yourself,

but it doesn't seem quite right to say that you bear all the blame.

I thought up this horrible machine and killed dozens of spiders. Maybe more.

But did you do that out of malice? Or because you had some evil intent?

I wanted to shield the cityfolk from the war between the spiders and the gods.

You wanted to save the people you care about.

Even if I did, I ended up making things worse.

Koushi, sometimes people can't bring themselves

to kill one person in front of them, even for a good reason.

And sometimes, they kill a hundred, even a thousand when trying not to.

That only goes to show that people's hearts

are just as good or evil as they think they are.

But a person's true morality ought to be judged separate from their feelings.

What could be more arrogant than believing you can control everything?

But perhaps I should mind my own business.

Koushi, what is that?

How horrible.

They used animal blood to keep the gods away.

How could they?

Next Episode

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The Divine Palace

The Divine Palace