MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE ENTIRE MANGA (<97ch)
I have a major theory that explains why every action taken by the Knights Moralis actually makes sense, and why this is all one massive Chekhov's gun that has been set up since the very beginning of the manga.
Kamome Shirahama is known for building the world of Witch Hat Atelier down to the patterns carved into furniture. She planted the Silver Tree plotline ten years ago. But why would she write the Knights Moralis so poorly? In the manga they are portraited as very evil antagonists whose only purpose is to stand in the way of children trying to do good.
(English is my second language, so I'm sorry for my mistakes)
Everything they do starts to make sense if we assume that there is some kind of Force / Entity / Powerful Magic above humans and witches. It either intimidates and controls the world, or at times shows it favor.
However, the only people who know about it are the two sages and Vinanna's successor (and probably the king as well).
Lagrah had only just assumed his position. It was literally his first day on the job, so nobody had time to tell him.
Now, let's take a look:
Chapter 57 ^
It's the first chapter in which the Knights Moralis are the focus of the story. Almost immediately Easthies nearly lets it slip that they are not the ones to make the final decisions.
But there is no authority above the knights in Zozah.
If not you, then who?
Chapter 75 ^
The next time we hear about this is three years later.
This is the chapter where Coco tries to convince everyone to use the Time Reversal spell against the leech. Vinanna doesn't like the idea. She is surprised that Beldaruit, of all people, approved it. He should have understood the consequences of using the forbidden magic.
Then Vinanna says a coded phrase that only the two of them know. As the second sage, Beldaruit immediately understands what she is referring to. Neither Coco nor we, the readers, do.
This is the first mention of the "Anomaly" (I'll call it like that, based on Chapter 97).
To witness this Anomaly either means to receive permission to use forbidden magic (keep this point in mind, it will be important when we get to Easthies), or, conversely, to be reminded of the consequences of doing so.
Vinanna chooses the first version.
Chapter 80^
When this chapter came out, we started thinking (well, I did) that Easthies had some deep trauma related to forbidden magic.
We thought that it was PTSD. That he snapped, attacked people and even his superiors while being confused. And that once we we had learned about his past, we would have cried, forgiven and loved him.
NO.
Remember that Easthies is the only person present, aside from Beldaruit and Vinanna, who knows about this Force/Anomaly in the sky. And what It will do to them, if people start using forbidden magic on a large scale.
He was so terrified that he immediately rushed to erase the memories of everyone involved as soon as he heard the plan. At the same time, he wasn't erasing all of their memories. Only connected to that day's forbidden magic.
And as we learned from chapter 97, he did it with a clear mind, fully aware of his actions.
To him, it is better to let the leech devour the city than to allow whatever is above them to happen.
"What is it that burdens you?" Lulucy asks.
And behind Easthies we see a serious and tired Beldaruit, who, like Easthies, carries the burden of knowing what hangs above them.
The question is addressed to both of them.
Chapter 79 ^
Why did I ask you to remember what I said about Vinanna earlier?
Vinanna had seen the Anomaly and knew that the permission to use the forbidden magic had been given that night.
But she didn't have time to tell Easthies.
In fact, she was trying to tell him right in the chapter. We just didn't realize what she was trying to say at the time.
Easthies decided that his captain had lost her mind. That he was the only sane person left who could still save everyone. And so he attacked Vinanna without even listening to her.
And that's the only thing he was condemned for. Otherwise, he wouldn't have faced any consequences for his rampage.
Attacked civilians and erased people's memories?
Pfff fair
Vinanna completely understands his actions and would have done exactly the same thing herself, if the Anomaly in the sky hadn't given her permission to break the law.
That's how terrifying this thing hanging above them is.
The Scales ^
Throughout the entire manga we're constantly reminded how important the balance between humans and witches is. Otherwise, something terrible will happen. But we're never told exactly what.
(The Anomaly in the sky will punish them. That's what.)
Beldaruit's entire arc with King Deanreldy revolves around this.
Beldaruit knows what consequences the Anomaly will bring, if that balance is lost, and he does everything he can to oppose the king.
The manga tells us that after the Silver Night the scales tipped in favor of the witches because they were the ones who saved everyone.
And that was before...
Chapter 88 ^
THE KING KNELT BEFORE THE WITCHES.
Lagrah doesn't understand what's happening. Beldaruit, on the other hand, is absolutely horrified.
He wasn't this frightened even when the entire city was being devoured by the Leech.
The balance has been completely destroyed.
He's the only person currently conscious who understands the consequences and can see the guillotine hanging above them.
(Vinanna is unconscious, Easthies has been knocked out with sleeping powder, and Lagrah is a newby.)
It's unknown whether the King knew about this Force above them. What kind of power does something have to possess to terrify even a Sage?
Chapter 97 ^
Vinanna finally speaks about the Anomaly directly and says that it absolutely cannot be ignored.
The Sages have their secrets. So does Vinanna, and she will share them only with her future successor.
Easthies is depressed, sitting alone in his quarters.
No position. No support. No understanding. But even so, he doesn't regret his actions. And he is still prepared to erase the memories of an entire city, if that's what it takes to save the world from whatever is threatening it.
WHAT is it?
He's not a fanatic. He simply knows too much and can't tell anyone else. (Even if you take away his pudding.)
Conclusion:
We have some kind of Anomaly that terrifies the Sages, and the Sages, in turn, terrify everyone else in an attempt to save the world.
But we can only piece this together through the clues scattered throughout the story.
So if erasing the memories of an entire city is safer than leaving things as they are, then erasing the memories of a twelve-year-old girl at the very first sign of forbidden magic is even more justified.
The world is falling apart.
The Knights are trying to keep it from plunging into the abyss.
The Brimhats are swinging the scales around.
The Anomaly officially exists.
And it turns out I wasn't losing my mind for the last fifty chapters.
Thank you all for coming to my TED Talk.
And thanks to Commander Effie for helping me with English ^^
