Chapter 73

Scales of the Foolish (愚者の秤, Gusha no Hakari) is the 73rd chapter of the To Your Eternity manga.

Summary
Cylira approaches Bonchien and Todo at their cliff-hanging cages and informs Bonchien that his trial for heresy begins tomorrow. He tells Bonchien that if he wants to leave his cage he must reflect on his past mistakes and pray to God. Bonchien angrily calls him "that so-and-so from the Church of Bennett." Cylira clarifies his name once more to Bonchien as he yells at him saying his father won't let him get away with this. Cylira informs Bonchien that his family has already paid the bail for all three of them, but since the money is tainted money by the devil Fushi they can't accept it. Cylira tells Bonchien he'll meet with him again tomorrow at his trail but Bonchien yells at him that they aren't finished yet.

Nixon and Fen try to comfort Bonchien by saying that death isn't so bad as they'll be by his side no matter what. Bonchien tells them to silence for how they — corpses — could understand how he feels. He then demands they find a way out for him. They both say they're scared of heights and can't leave the cage. He asks them if it matters since they're already dead and then screams for his mother and father. A bald child appears behind him and tells him to shut up. Bonchien turns around and the boy tells him that Bonchien's annoying him. Bonchien says the boy seems like he's been here the whole time and asks who he is. The boy says his name is Chabo and that he was put in here because he stole some bread. Bonchien says he was foolish and that if he didn't have any bread to eat he should've just eaten some peaches, which Uralis is famous for. Chabo corrects him by saying this is Ilsartia. Bonchien then asks who the lady sitting beside him is and if she's his mother. Chabo is confused as he can't see anyone next to him and explains that his mother got arrested with him, but she was taken elsewhere. Bonchien realizes she's a ghost and informs Chabo that he doesn't think his mother is alive anymore. Chabo is taken aback but then slaps Bonchien in the face saying his mother isn't dead. Bonchien holds his cheek and says it's awful to hit a prince. Todo pipes up and says he's the awful one for saying such mean things. Bonchien kicks back and says he's fine with being mean. He thinks to himself what's the use of lies, only the things you can see are worth believing in. If one seeks out hope in things that cannot see, they'll just end up crushed by despair one day, just like how his father chose his little brother to be King behind his back. Bonchien sheds a tear.

The next day, the trial begins. The cages are lifted back up to ground level and the questioning begins. A man describes how Bonchien found and captured Fushi in the Kargal District then questions how he found Fushi amidst the crowd. Bonchien explains that he knew how to find Fushi because spirits told him how to. The crowd murmurs and Todo looks at Bonchien puzzled. Another man asks Bonchien why he didn't suspect the spirits were servants of the devil. Bonchien says he's not really sure, he just sees them as people you can talk normally to; they were all nice to him. The first man asks him what they look like and Bonchien describes that they're all different, such as Fen and Nixon. The crowd murmurs more amongst themselves.

Todo says she's shocked. She always thought his outbursts were just fits but now she realizes he can see the dead. Bonchien confirms it. The cages are lowered back down the cliff and food is delivered to them. One slice of bread and a bottle of water for each of them. Bonchien quickly scarfs his share down then notices that Chabo is still eating his. He comments how they gave both of them the same sized portion even though they're an adult and child. Chabo rips his bread in half and offers it to Bonchien. Bonchien is touched and grabs both pieces of Chabo's bread to which Chabo promptly slaps him. Bonchien screams and Todo asks him what's the matter. She swings over a piece of her bread to him saying there's no helping it. Bonchien says it's wonderful and that she'll lose weight at the same time which annoys her. Chabo thanks Todo and says he'll give half his bread to his mother.

The next day a man asks Bonchien if he never felt like he was sinning while distributing the devil's powers (Fushi created food, weapons, and money) across the land. Bonchien asks how it's a sin to help those around him. The crowd murmurs. The man then tells Bonchien to recite the prayer from act two, section twenty-six of the Bennett Holy Book. Nixon whispers it into his ear and Bonchien recites it to the surprise of the crowd.

Later, Todo tosses Bonchien her bread again and he thanks her. He asks her what's with the thread and she explains that she had it under her shirt and, if it weren't there, she would've been stabbed. Bonchien says he figured the fat that the fat had stopped it. Todo changes the topic and asks Bonchien what kind of flower he likes. Bonchien responds with the Peach Flower but Todo doesn't know what it looks like. She then asks if there's anything else he likes and he replies with swords and crowns. Bonchien notices Chabo stacking a pile of bread and asks him what he's doing. He replies, "n-nothing", while tying the bread up in a cloth. The next day, a priest from the Church of Bennett asks Bonchien if he believes the power he has is a gift from God as well. Bonchien says he doesn't know. Then the priest asks him why does he think he has this power. Bonchien explains that it's because he can make good use of it to which the priests asks why him and not his younger brother; why does he think God specifically chose him. Bonchien is speechless for a moment then says it's because he's going to become King.

The priests tells Bonchien that the Bennett God grants alms equally to the hungry, so if his powers are a gift from God, then he must prove it.

Bonchien describes Chabo's mother: black haired, a plain cloth hair ribbon, reddish clothes, and the nail on her left pinky was short. He points to a guard and asks if that brings anyone to mind then reveals that he killed that woman. The crowd is shocked and asks the guard if it's true. The priest asks how is that a gift from God. Bonchien says he doesn't know as the crowd chides him for making it up and to give them real proof. Later, Bonchien lies in the cage next to Chabo as Chabo begins eating the bread he was saving for his mother. Chabo's mother's ghost hugs Chabo.

Bonchien asks himself why he wanted to be King in the first place and realizes he never had a good reason, he just didn't want to lose his dream. Todo yells to them to look at their shadows on the wall as it's pretty. Bonchien pulls himself up to see and sees the shadow of a slim girl.

Chapter Notes

 * Bonchien's trial begins and he gets questioned over his powers to see ghosts.
 * Bonchien realizes he never had a good reason for wanting to become King, he just didn't want to lose his dream.
 * Todo loses a lot of weight due to giving all her bread to Bonchien.

Trivia

 * This is the first chapter where Fushi doesn't make an appearance.
 * Uralis is famous for peaches.
 * A list of things Bonchien likes includes: the Peach Flower, swords, and crowns.