Welcome to the weekly review of Spice and Wolf (2024)! In Spice and Wolf episode 23, Lawrence and Holo become embroiled in Tereo’s dispute with Enberch. Join us as we contextualize the business talk and discuss key differences between the anime, manga, and light novels.
"Orchestrated Catastrophe and Appropriate Retribution"
During Spice and Wolf episode 23, Elder Sem has called everyone to the center of town, including Lawrence, Holo, and Elsa. Sem explains that a resident of Enberch has died from eating bread made with infected wheat purchased from Tereo. The townsfolk accuse Lawrence, Holo, and Evan of poisoning their harvest. They also berate Elsa for being a burden and less capable than Father Franz. Sem disperses the crowd and asks Lawrence and Holo to stay in his home to lessen suspicion.
Lawrence speculates that Enberch has fabricated this crisis using him and Holo as scapegoats. Holo says they could easily escape with her wolf form, but that would leave Elsa and Evan at the mercy of the enraged townsfolk. They go to the church to convince them to leave as well. While they prepare to depart, Holo reads Father Franz’s writings about the moon-eating bear. The only passage about Yoitsu explains how the native spirits fled before the village’s destruction. With that small bit of relief, Lawrence, Holo, Elsa and Evan make their escape through a secret tunnel.
Fun Fact: The author, Isuna Hasekura, was inspired by the real-life medical condition called ergotism, also known as ergot poisoning or Saint Anthony’s fire. Symptoms include dry gangrene, seizures, spasms and psychosis. It is caused by ingesting the alkaloids of the fungus Claviceps purpurea known to infect rye and other cereals. Infected plants are identified by dark-purple or black grain kernels.
Summarizing the Wheat Crisis
The supposedly poisoned wheat was purchased from Tereo by Enberch. Because it’s impossible to separate the bad crop after it’s been milled, Enberch will return the wheat and demand monetary recompense. After lounging around with no additional income, the townsfolk don’t have enough money to pay back. Lawrence deduces that Enberch will exploit Tereo’s remaining debt to purchase next year’s harvest at a significant discount. Enberch would then have the advantage to set their asking price regardless of the harvest’s abundance. In all likelihood, the townsfolk would be selling their wheat at a deficit, forcing them into a cycle of long-term debt. Enberch would also have due cause to alter Father Franz’s arrangement or even forcibly convert the town.
Review of "Spice and Wolf" Episode 23
Spice and Wolf episode 23 was a whirlwind of an episode. It is very action-driven with high stakes. It’s interesting that Lawrence and Holo decide to run rather than prove their innocence. If this were a more standard fantasy story, the protagonist probably would have waited to confront the oppressing party and win over the townsfolk with their charisma. Lawrence and Holo, on the other hand, are much more pragmatic, knowing their only allies are outside of Tereo.
Even if the townsfolk do fall to ruin, it’s clear the characters have little attachment. Elsa in particular is forced to face the reality of her situation. Scorned by the town and ignored by the church, her decision to run feels justified and earned. There’s another wrinkle that feels like it needs pay-off; the pagan snake god Truyeo. Given Holo’s revelation about her friends from Yoitsu and the clear presence of other spirits like her, it feels natural that Truyeo’s influence may be felt before this conflict is over.
Stream Spice and Wolf (2024) on Crunchyroll.
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