Baccano! Episode 07

Synopsis
In 1711, aboard the ship Advenna Avis, a girl with glasses asks a boy named Gretto Avaro if he is worried about his brother. Gretto is scared and wonders if alchemists are permitted to summon demons. He doesn't think immortality is necessary or a good thing. He would rather have a limited life spent together with the girl, Sylvie Lumiere. Sylvie says even if she has to give up immortality, as long as she can be with Gretto, she won’t be afraid.

In the ship's dining hall, there is an argument. An old man, Szilard Quates, argues that alchemists summoning demons is a heresy. Another man says that the Grand Panacea, the Elixir of Immortality, is every alchemist’s dream, and they should obtain it even if they have to call on demons. At Quates's protests, he tells Quates should Maiza Avaro succeed, he will stand besides Synesius and Zosimus as one of the greatest alchemists.

A man named Huey Laforet visits the cabin of Gretto and Sylvie. He quotes from the Emerald Tablet, which is an ancient text said to reveal the secret of the primordial substance and its transmutation, with "That which is above is like that which is below, and that which is below is like that which is above". The demon they are thinking about might not be evil. Gretto asks Huey if he is anxious, but Huey is merely looking forward to see how mankind will change because of this.

Maiza draws a symbol on the floor. He asks that everyone be brought there.

Later, some men are investigating the disappearance of a man from the ship when they recieve word that another man is also missing. They hear a noise coming from the upper deck. One of them climbs up to check. He sees a cloaked figure, which crawls toward him and presses its hand against the man’s forehead. The man disappears with only his clothing left.

Maiza explains to everyone aboard the ship that that he doesn’t know whether what he is going to do would be the right thing for him. The one who taught it to him was a man who never aged, who never aged and summoned a demon 300 years ago. Obtaining the Grand Panacea is every alchemist’s desire. Maiza announces that he will begin summoning the demon and tells his fellow alchemists to watch over him until the last moment.

Maiza, Gretto, and a man named Denkuro Togo step into the symbol Maiza has drawn. Maiza begins a chant but is cut short when a voice tells him to stop.

In the future, a confusion has arose due to the disappearance of several men from the ship. Sylvie is worried about Gretto.

Back to the ritual, the voice denounces summoning chants as little more than complaints, as it constantly hears their voices, even in their minds. It says that there is no more need to call it by any name, much less 'demon', and uses it's pet phrase, "well, no matter". A bowl of liquid appears in Maiza's hands and is told that whoever drinks it will have eternal life. Quates steps forward. The voice says it seems the old man wants to avoid death badly. Quates says that he only wants to quickly put an end to their ridiculous situation and scoops up some liquid, which he drinks. When nothing happens, Quates declares it’s all deception.

A blade suddenly strikes off Quates head and he falls. The others are shocked. After a few minutes, however, the old man stands up, his head restored. The others, seeing the miracle, rush to have their share of the elixir. The voice tells them not to quarrel as there’s enough elixir for everyone in the room. Gretto looks at his brother, Maiza, who drinks to his health. Gretto drinks his too, but Sylvie looks at hers dubiously.

The voice then says that if they are tired of becoming an immortal and wish to die, they should go to the others and have themselves be eaten by them. The voice explains that it’s not an eating done with the mouth but one done with the right hand. One places his right hand on top of another’s head and just by thinking he wants to eat the other, the other will disappear into the right hand. The eater will obtain the knowledge and experiences of those he has eaten. One could also share knowledge by putting their right hand on another’s head. Lastly, the voice says that those who drank the elixir are forbidden to use false names. If they do, they will never be able to find the other immortals. The voice also says that if they wish to know how to make the elixir, they must ask the one who summoned him.

The following day, another argument arises. Maiza wants to seal the knowledge regarding the elixir claiming it would be better if it remains just among those who drank it now because it’s dangerous. Quates objects, but Elmer C. Albatross agrees with Maiza. Denkuro, Gretto, Sylvie, Fermet, Czeslaw Meyer, and the others express their support for Maiza as well, since Maiza can always decide to share his knowlege in the future. Huey, however, says he will suspend his vote. He says it’s not something that can be solved with just a majority vote, although he mostly agrees with Elmer and Fermet. Quates inquires when he will decide, to which Huey replies in a hundred years or two, since it will never be too late to decide. Maiza thanks his fellow alchemists.

At night, someone seems to be devouring the other passengers, thus their disappearance. As Sylvie is looking for Gretto, someone puts his right hand on her head.

As he and Gretto talk in their cabin, Maiza regrets his actions. The knowledge they obtained isn’t something humans should posses after all, since it will only create conflict. Maiza debates devouring Quates. He realizes that if there is an immortal who could bring happiness to the world, the knowledge would be irreplaceable, and will share half of the knowledge with his brother. Gretto hesitates, saying the responsibility is too strong. Maiza tells him he’s the only one he can trust in the ship. Unbeknownst to the two, Quates, is eavesdropping outside.

Maiza goes to Quates’s room and to devour him but Elmer stops him. Maiza says Quates will eventually cause harm. Elmer tells him that someone will eventually start devouring, but Maiza shouldn’t be the first one. However, Maiza doesn't listen and prepares to devour Quates, but the old man is not in his room.

Quates has found Sylvie and is about to devour her. He claims to know of Gretto's love for Sylvie. He also thinks there are no limits to what he can and wants to learn, and that he will keep devouring to learn that knowledge. Sylvie asks him if he devoured Gretto.

Maiza and Elmer discover that Gretto is also missing and look for him. Quates realizes that Sylvie didn’t drink the elixir and prepares to hurt her when Nile cuts off his right arm and attacks Quates. Maiza and Elmer find Sylvie and Maiza goes after Quates. Elmer tells Sylvie that he will convince Quates, but of what Sylvie is not sure. The optimistic Elmer says it’s not impossible.

Quates is cornered on deck. Maiza tells him he won’t hesitate to devour him anymore and reaches out his right hand. However, Elmer calls out to Quates, distracting Maiza, but falls off the ship. The old man aims for Maiza’s head but Nile cuts him into the sea. The demon's voice tells Elmer that it finds him strange for trying to get the old man’s attention. It says it will grant him one wish. Elmer, who is sinking into the sea, makes his wish.

The other alchemists find Elmer, who asks of the location of Quates. He is told of what happened to Szilard and is disappointed. He tells Sylvie to smile, who knew Elmer didn't have a chance and walks away. In the crow's nest, the demon speaks to Huey. It worries that it has been the one to cause this greediness in humanity and says that it and Huey are a lot alike. They both observe the world from an outsider's perspective.

in the 1930s, Maiza speaks with Ronny Sukiart, the Martillo Family's Chiamatore. He to the trouble it would cause to have the Runorata as their enemy, but that there’s no need to fear Gustavo. Ronny asks if there’s no need for them to intervene. Maiza replies they shouldn’t have any problems. After Maiza leaves, Ronny wonders if Maiza can feel Quates's nearing presence, and uses the demon's pet phrase, "well, no matter".

Adapted From
Adapted from? which chapter of manga and/or novel

Referbacks
refs to previous episodes

Unanswered Questions

 * What was Elmer's wish to the demon?

Cultural References

 * The Zosimus mentioned by Fermet is  Zosimos of Panapolis, Greek alchemist and Gnostic mystic who provided one of the first definitions of alchemy.  Synesius  is a Greek bishop of Ptolemais who made contributions to alchemy.