#chillypepper

So I’ve been thinking about what could be the meaning behind the switch Charioce did at the end of episode 17, and the conclusions are… not great.

In Nina and Charioce’s encounter, we start with character growth – Charioce says he had never been in the slums – meaning, indirectly, that he had never faced, head-on, the consequences of what he had done. But it’s not Charioce who wants to visit – it’s Chris. We are given a very distinctive line – Charioce is the King, a name that was forced upon a person; Chris is the civilian, the human, someone who misses their mother and visits her grave. When he’s dressed like this, he’s Chris, not the King; Nina also tells him she sees two different people, and doesn’t know which one is the real one.

(Do you notice the hand from Charioce’s Death Device between them in the background)

From that point on, Charioce’s ‘Chris’ persona starts to crumble. He literally give it up, piece by piece, for other people’s sake.

In addition to that, it’s not only Charioce who plays out a different persona. Nina takes on a completely different identity, and poses as a demon; so there’s a motive of “costumes” and “fake identity” playing in the episode overall. Nina’s fake identity melts away when she transforms; it was always a costume, and she’s pretty aware it didn’t fool Chris (no to mention the transformation is done in water, which has reflections upon it’s sufrace)

Chris’s transformation isn’t as smooth, nor as joyous.  

First he gives up his glasses, arguable – his world views (as a civilian, not as a King), and trades it off for a necklace. He gives it later, to Nina. (Much like how he had given up his sight when he rescued her, leaving him mostly blind in one of his eyes)

Then he joins the demon children and plays with them. He seems genuinely happy. He tries to invite Nina to join, but Nina ruins an integral part of the game – the ball, due to her sudden distress. So Chris gives up his turban, and uses it to make a new ball. He gives another piece of himself, but doesn’t stay to enjoy it – he immediately takes off with Nina, escaping the Onyx knights.

Last they go to the spring. When he rolls up his sleeve, we can see he was using the cloak he was wearing to hide his pain – the bracelet and the issuing magic-rot that had taken into his flesh. 

Nina transformers into a dragon, and is now comfortable in both of her skins; she grows out her wings to allow her to fly. Later, Chris gives her the cloak to cover her and protect her, leaving him with nothing to conceal his identity as the King. (SHE IS LITERALLY WAVING GOODBYE)

BUT ALSO.

He gives up the option to ever return to being Chris. 

Technically, he could buy new things, but I don’t think that’s the point; Charioce had given up the three major parts that still allowed him to be Chris and mingle around with the people. He relented all the parts of himself for someone else, and left himself only the option of being Charioce, the King.

Furthermore, they end up the date not in the spring, from which they’ve taken off - but at Chris’ mother’s grave, the place which Charioce said gives him conviction in his acts and helps him cope with the guilt he feels and convince himself he’s right, all while Nina - who Chris said make him doubt himself - walks away, and her influence slowly decreases until it’s just Charioce, by his mother’s grave, once again determined in his quest to protect humanity, no matter the cost.

There’s also the parallel with the two times Charioce got to witness Nina transform; the first time, while he’s Charioce, wearing armor, he holds her naked form and doesn’t have even a moment to help her and cover her. The second time, when he’s still Chris, he can give her a part of himself to keep her safe.

In addition there’s the question of when would be the next time they would meet. In their first date, Chris was unsure they’d get to meet again. This time, Charioce is sure they would, even if he doesn’t know when

I know the necklace seems suspicious, and it could’ve possibly been a plot with the Onyx knights to effect Nina in some manner, but I don’t think it’d be it; while they technically could’ve placed it there and faked the whole thing with Charioce (because we see the knights strolling around the slums), Charioce clearly didn’t share with them what he knows, and the Onyx Commander thinks he’s under Nina’s influence.

Basically what I’m saying is that Charioce is preparing for some sort of suicide mission for the greater good, because he’s the type to put his kingdom’s needs first and had already showed he doesn’t care much for his life, if it’d help him achieve his goal. I hope he fails and Nina kicks him in the face because I really don’t want to see him die. What was the point of making Nina’s ovaries burst with all this kiddies-interaction if you don’t plan on delivering, man?! 

So let’s hope MAPPA is up to break another trope, this time of “Character Who Says ‘I’d Tell You That Next Time We Meet’ Dies Before They Get To Say It”.