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The Dawn of the Witch Episode 4 Review – Quick Summary
In The Dawn of the Witch episode 4, “I’m Not Afraid to Die,” Cervil, Holt, and Coudeau came to the village, where the blind priest Shinpu met them. At first, he spoke rudely to them, then apologized. The excuse he gave? He used to hate witches, and old habits died hard. Or were they old habits? Just who is Shinpu? Why is the village so quiet? Why do villagers avoid even looking at the three from the magic academy? And what’s with all the stories of a cruel, iron-fisted witch ruling them?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from The Dawn of the Witch Episode 4
Cervil’s conviction sold the importance of his words. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Coudeau confronted Cervil over the latter’s desire to take care of the village’s witch problem among themselves. I appreciated his reasoning: namely, that if they called in the army, villagers would be killed, too.
Coudeau said he didn’t want to die, and that he thought taking on a witch of unknown power, a witch who had employed a wildly strong and dangerous mercenary, sounded like certain death. He even expressed surprise that Cervil would risk death to avoid being expelled. Keep in mind: being expelled in this context meant that all of Cervil’s memories would be erased.
“You’d die to avoid starting over?” Coudeau asked, shocked.
“I realized something when we were attacked by the Arbiter and I decided to use the Staff of Ludens,” Cervil said solemnly (10:38). “I’m not afraid to die.”
The conviction in his voice stuck with me. I don’t know his past. He doesn’t, either. But I get a very strong impression that he’s seen some dark stuff. And I have to say that I like how the show is introducing it to us, a little at a time!
Best in Show Moment for The Dawn of the Witch Episode 4
I believe Cervil when he said he’d try to save her. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
The part of my brain that works on story mechanics tells me I should not enjoy this show. I tend to listen to that voice, because it helps me write novels (you can follow my writing journey on my other site). But in spite of my usually tight relationship with that part of my brain, I find that this show appeals to me. Take my favorite moment, for example.
I don’t know yet where Cervil has been. His past remains mysterious. Yet, if you look at my favorite quote, you can see he has a gravitas that comes through in what he says and how he says it.
At the same time, he’s just a kid. That’s how I think Roux Cristasse saw him, too, and I think it shaded her expectations. After Holt’s kidnapping, Roux and Cervil followed her trail through a cave. Roux shared her idea that maybe the witch of this village actually wanted Cervil for his limitless magic. Even the mention of that possibility brought back a wave of memories that hurt so much, Cervil dropped to his knees.
Roux reacted with alarm when Cervil nearly collapsed. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Roux didn’t quite know what to make of it, but she’s not a cruel woman. She said she would not blame him at all for bolting. In fact, she said he placed too light a value on his own life. To make her point, she asked him if he would still try to save Holt if Roux had opposed the idea. He said he would because they were friends.
“Ah, friendship,” she said (22:14). “I, too, had that once.”
Cervil, a little embarrassed, said (22:20), “Y-You are, too, Professor. I would try to save you, as well. Without question.” His expression was utterly earnest.
I loved seeing the 300 year-old Roux shocked. I also liked seeing her shock give way to delight. Roux lives for entertainment. Unless I miss my guess, that means she likes surprises, too. It seems like Cervil was able to give her both! So despite what the story engineer in me says, I enjoy seeing the characters, these two especially, interact.
What did you think of the deal Mercenary offered to Coudeau? What were your favorite moments in the episode? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
The Dawn of the Witch Episode 4: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Mahoutsukai Reimeiki – Episode 4 discussion
- J Reacts: ZERO! | The Dawn of the Witch episode 4 Reaction (魔法使い黎明期)
- Its SpoRTan: HORT DIED?! The Dawn Of The Witch Episode 4 Reaction
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 1: The Remedial Student and the Witch of the Staff
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 2: Don’t Call Me a Traitor
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 3: Beyond the Stream
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 4: I’m Not Afraid to Die
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 5: I Decide Who’s Worthy
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 6: Knowledge of Ignorance
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 7: I Can’t Save Anything
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 8: Respective Costs
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 9: A Stone Cast Into the Pond
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 10: Snack Time
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 11: Determination to Kill
- The Dawn of the Witch Episode 12: The Beginning of the Adventure
