The Winter Goddess pays a visit to Elias and Chises home, only to find Silver and Cartaphilus.
When she learns Chise isnt there she and her mount turn into a murder of crows.
Much to Lucys anger, the second dive into her memories brings up more questions than it answers.
But with Christmas coming up, Chise surprises everyone by offering them handmade rune amulets as presents.
They contain the thorn rune, which represents both her and Elias.
She asks Isaac to give Rian his amulet, then asks Alcyone to give Philomela hers.
The cut to Philomela suffering almost seems to imply Philomela is reaping whatshessown…or is she?
When Philomela answers the almost robotic knocking and calling of her name from Veronica, she is no longerjustPhilomela.
By possessing her, the book voices things Philomela herself would never say, like shes always feared Veronica.
When Ruth and Elias enter the infirmary, Chise tells him she wants to help.
The old Elias might have refused out of overprotectiveness, but not this one.
He says theyll go help together, as they both have friends they want to protect.
Chise is at first shocked, then incredibly touched.
Shortly after neutralizing Rian, Book!Philomela (Bibliomela?)
She said she was attempting to achieve the most by doing the least.
If thats the case, she has the book exactly where she wants it.
