The plot kicks in big-time this week. It would obviously be no exaggeration to say it’s been a slow build to get to this point. But despite that, the transition has been pretty seamless. The build has indeed been slow rather than nonexistent, and the groundwork laid for the developments taking place now. Most stories have conflict and resolution, even laid-back and contemplative ones like Marronnier. It’s simply a matter of focus – do the characters and the world-building exist to support the conflict, or is it the other way around? I think the answer is pretty obvious here.
As it turns out the Country of Long Nights isn’t the problem here. We haven’t heard much (any?) about the Country of Cold, but it’s they – in the person of the young sorcerer-type who shows up this week – who are behind the plot against Insomniac. Things start out innocuously enough, with the Queen inviting Eleonaora to breakfast. Ostensibly this is so Rollo can return her wrap, but when we hear breakfast is to be in the basement I admit I was worried there were nefarious intentions at play here. But no, the Queen just wanted to apologize for the trouble the flower spirits caused Elie.
Why the basement? Well the onsen is down there, and we learn this week that the flower spirits hate hot springs (root rot and all), so maybe that was why. Make no mistake, the Queen wants Insomniac to stay in the Country of Long Nights. It’s prophesied that his presence will bring prosperity, and Rollo affirms that his fragile health has improved since The Night arrived. But the Queen also knows that Insomniac is much loved at home and betrothed to Elie, and she’s apparently not the sort of person to kidnap another country’s son even if it would bring great advantage to do so. Rollo also notes than if Insomniac returns in the spring, he can meet an “old friend” of his father Peregrinus.
But the flower spirits were victims all along, as it turns out. The sorcerer from Cold threatened them with devastation for the land if they didn’t turn over The Night before Walpurgis Eve. He’s gotten tired of waiting and decided to take matters into his own hands, which apparently have the power to bring Walpurgis Eve whenever he wants to. He makes his move, bringing darkness and laying waste to the flower spirits as he searches for Insomniac. The flower spirits toss Kastehelmi into the hot spring (from the surface, ouch) to protect her from the invader.
The Queen orders that the delegation from Marronnier be evacuated to safety. But neither Insomniac or his fiancee are the type to cower in hiding when there’s a battle to be fought, and they soon don their gear and head to the castle walls. There are two conflicts here in fact – the obvious being the struggle with the sorcerer, who’s pretty OP to be sure. But there’s also the matter of what happens to the Country of Long Nights if Insomniac returns home, and what he’ll choose to do if whatever that is turns out to be as unpleasant as seems possible.
