Chapter 75

Punishment and Pardon (罰とゆるし, Batsu to Yurushi) is the 75th chapter of the Fumetsu no Anata e manga.

Summary
Fushi breaks Bonchien and Chabo out of their cage with his newfound abilities to create heat from his hands. As Fushi is melting the cage's bars, it suddenly drops to the water below due to the change in weight. Fushi summons a boat and Bonchien tells him to take Chabo first. Bonchien realizes even if they escape, the Church of Bennett won't give up pursuing them. Fushi tells him it won't be a problem since they still believe he's trapped in the iron block. Fushi then creates a husk of Chabo and leaves it in the cell, telling Bonchien that the Church will think Chabo just died instead of escaping.

Fushi tells him to get in the boat but Bonchien says he's going to stay behind. He explains that Cylira's and the Church's objective is to show citizens what happens to those who support Fushi. Even if he runs away, they'll just go after his family, kingdom, and the Guardians instead. He needs to stay and face the Church's trial alone. Fushi asks how he'll be saved and Bonchien explains that he'll get a pardon and be released by acknowledging that Fushi is a servant of the devil. Bonchien apologizes to Fushi but Fushi tells him that "whatever keeps you alive. That's what I'm in favor of." Fushi pats him on the shoulder and tells him he'll be waiting.

Before Fushi leaves, Bonchien asks him to rescue Todo too and to tell her that he's sorry he couldn't make the right choice. Fushi transforms into Ligard and flies up to Todo's cage and rescues her. Bonchien watches as Fushi's boat leaves with Chabo and Todo as Fen and Nixon appear and praise Bonchien for doing the right thing. Bonchien suddenly remembers something and says aloud that he forgot to tell Fushi something. Nixon asks what he means and Bonchien says it's nothing. He thinks and realizes it's for the best that Fushi doesn't know, as even without him, he's sure Fushi's already fulfilled. The next morning, Cylira and a crowd arrive at the cages to find Todo's and Chabo's lifeless bodies. Cylira asks Bonchien what happened and Bonchien tells him a devil came and took their lives and that it probably didn't take his since God is protecting him. Cylira is puzzled but suddenly Bonchien laughs and tells him not to believe everything he hears. He then tells Cylira that the truth is that the devil knew he could see him so he gave him a message. Bonchien says he told the devil, "who'd do a favor for the devil?" And then the devil told him that if Bonchien doesn't, he'll do this and took Todo's and Chabo's souls. A man asks Bonchien what the devil looked like and Bonchien describes it in great detail. Cylira nervously asks what the devil's message was. Bonchien tells him: "How dare you seal my comrade in metal?! But this is the last time. In the future, if you take interest in us again, we will kill you." The crowd is stunned.

Another man comes forward and asks Bonchien to confirm that he witnessed proof that Fushi is a devil and is in cohorts with them to which Bonchien concurs. He then asks Bonchien to renounce Fushi and pledge his allegiance to the Church of Bennett and God. Bonchien flips and says no and that he loves Fushi. The crowd is astonished and Cylira laughs hysterically. Bonchien is then escorted in chains back to the town by Church members and guards. As he walks, Bonchien reflects on his life: how he was the happiest man in the kingdom because he thought everything would be his and threw a tantrum to get what he wanted (the throne and Fushi), and yet despite his powers he was too cowardly to face the truth of Fushi's resurrection powers. He shakes as he realizes this is who he truly is and how his mediocre life is coming to a mediocre end. Just then, Fen and Nixon reach out their hands to his.

Fen describes how in life he was a beggar that lived in the castle's ceilings. He would sneak into the kitchen to eat, but one day while stuffing his face, he didn't even notice the castle was under attack and got stabbed in the head. Nixon describes how he had his arm cut off before he could protect anyone. No one stopped to helped him and he died from his wound. Nixon tells him those are mediocre ends and Fen tells Bonchien that he doesn't know anyone who made a choice more noble than him. Fen then says he knew Bonchien lied to Fushi by saying he would save himself. He protected Fushi and the kingdom by playing the villain and letting the Church be the hero. Bonchien tears up and Fen says they will stay by his side. Bonchien arrives at the gallows where he's sentenced to be executed in front of a large crowd. Bonchien places his head in the guillotine and Fen and Nixon place their hands on his.

Chapter Notes

 * Fushi rescues Todo and Chabo from prison while Bonchien stays behind to face the Church of Bennetts' trial against him.
 * We learn a bit about Fen and Nixon's backstory. Especially how they died.
 * Bonchien gets sentenced for execution by the Church for supporting Fushi.

Trivia

 * As Bonchien is heading toward the gallows, Fen assures him he and Nixon will be by his side. This calls back to something they said in chapter 73.