Record of Grancrest War (Episode 21) – Purge
News of the Mage Association’s action has reached Theo and Siluca. The potential appearance of the Grancrest is enough for them to tear the world apart. The Alliance, the Union, and the Treaty will need to unite to stop them!
What happened?
The Mage Association had begun assassinating all mages that remained loyal to the lords using a secret organisation. One mage managed to broadcast the details putting himself at risk. Siluca gathered the lords and their mages at the battleground and told them what was happening. Some seemed horrified, others defiant, but whatever he feeling, the world had changed in that instant.
Theo revealed that they were going to unite the Alliance, the Union, and the Treaty to form the Imperial Army and march on Eramu, home of the Mage Association. He gave all of the mages and lords the chance to walk away now if they didn’t want to be involved. Surprisingly, or not, Alexis’ mage broke his contract and left, along with several more.
The next thing to deal with was the mage’s wands. Siluca told them that the Mage Association could track their whereabouts and listen in using them. They needed to be broken. It would hamper their ability to perform magic. The mages all broke their wands. Marrine’s mage, who is also Siluca’s adopted father, confirmed that he had checked the others around the camp.
Siluca met with her father to discuss the plan going forward. They were joined by Aishela who was still mad at him for what he did to Siluca. It was revealed that they were both his adopted daughters although Aishela was expelled from the Mage Association for not being good enough.
Siluca retired to her tent and continued to work, eventually falling asleep at her desk. She was woken by Aishela calling her, but when she got to the tent opening she was met by Aishela’s dagger. Of course, Irvin was there to stop her. It was a half-hearted attempt to kill Siluca, but an attempt nonetheless. Theo asked them all to come into the tent, rather than creating a scene.
Aishela was bound to a chair and asked about what happened. She revealed that she was part of a secret organisation called Pandora and had been spying on Theo and Siluca. When Theo was made emperor, she was ordered to kill them both. Had she not followed the order, a magical curse would stop her heart. In fact, just telling them about it activated the curse. Siluca wanted to break it but without her wand, it would take too long. However, Priscilla was able to remove it with her crest – the Holy Grail.
What did you think?
I was actually quite surprised to see Aishela betray Siluca, even if she didn’t really have a choice and did it in such a way that she knew she would fail and forfeit her own life. I was expecting Siluca’s father, Aubest to be the one to betray her. He still could be, but I liked that they managed to surprise me.
The one thing that is bothering me is why the Mage Association let things get this far. If they are determined to maintain the chaos then why are they only reacting when things are almost at their worst for them? Surely, a more proactive method would have been preferable and efficient. Feels like a lot a slacking off from a secret organisation attempting to control the world. Must try harder!
What have you learnt?
There are a couple of things that I really liked about this episode. Firstly, forcing the mages to destroy their wands was a nice touch. It instantly puts them at a disadvantage but is absolutely necessary. Now, it’s on Siluca to come up with a new solution to their problems. I like that it’s taken away the over-powered nature of the mages. I do wish they had made more of the decision to do so, especially as that seems to be the theme of the entire series. Can you give up power?
The second thing was the unpredictable nature of Aishela. We’ve always known she was close with Siluca, but at the same time, she is a bit of a rogue and an enigma. So, when she tried to kill Siluca, it was surprising, but also not surprising. That’s what you want from your twists. If it’s too surprising, that it feels like a convenience rather than a natural progression of the story. It should always feel natural.
Other reviews in the series
- Season One
- Episode 1 – Contract
- Episode 2 – Ambition
- Episode 3 – Battle Flag
- Episode 4 – Decision
- Episode 5 – Forest of Eternal Darkness
- Episode 6 – March
- Episode 7 – The White Prince
- Episode 8 – The Congress Dances
- Episode 9 – The Black Princess
- Episode 10 – Blade of Betrayal
- Episode 11 – The Fall of Castle Unicorn
- Episode 12 – A Treaty Formed
- Episode 13 – To the Homeland
- Episode 14 – The Liberator of Sistina
- Episode 15 – Return
- Episode 16 – Outpost
- Episode 17 – Two Heroes
- Episode 18 – Leader
- Episode 19 – The Awakening of a Noble
- Episode 20 – Pitched Battle of the Three Forces
- Episode 21 – Purge
- Episode 22 – The Holy Grail
- Episode 23 – Castle Walls
- Episode 24 – Grancrest
