Nothing seek, nothing find.

Nothing seek, nothing find. (何も求めない, 何も見つかりません., Nani mo motomenai, nani mo mitsukarimasen) is the 23rd episode of the first season of The Ancient Magus Bride anime.

Synopsis
In his grotesque, monstrous form, a desperate and disconcerted Elias wanders around until he's stopped and helped by Titania to locate Chise. On her side, Chise witnesses the memories of Joseph and how he first found and later merged with the man known as Cartaphilus.

Summary
Elias, in his grotesque, monstrous form, wanders the woods in search of Chise and inadvertently absorbs the life force from the surrounding area. Before he can continue, Spriggan appears and uses a weapon to restrain him. Moments later, a branch of Titania appears and stops them, being followed by Oberon shortly afterward. The Fae rulers try to convince Elias to settle down with them inside their realm, but the Mage refuses, stating that he's ready to change to remain with Chise. Albeit surprised and disappointed, the couple proceeds to help Elias and Ruth by casting a spell to track down Chise while also calling out for some aid. Several of Chise's acquaintances feel the spell pass by them from separate locations until it reaches Alice, who notes that she felt a shiver down her spine. Out of nowhere, Will o' The Wisp appears before them, upset about how the Queen asked for a favor.

Meanwhile, Marielle is visited by Phyllis, who rebukes her for informing Chise and Elias of forbidden information. Despite Marielle arguing that her motives were to benefit Phyllis, she embraces Marielle and, after consoling her, asks Marielle to finish what she started.

Switching over to Chise, who found herself peering into Joseph's past as a lowly gravedigger feared by the residents who believed he could talk to the dead. At that time, Joseph hears a voice coming from the woods and finds a man buried in the ground, weakly asking for help.

That night at his cabin, Joseph prepares some medicine as the man he found is shown to have had his injuries treated and awakens from Joseph's bed. When Joseph asks for the man's name, he weakly answers Cartaphilus and begs for his "help". Joseph happily agrees to Cartaphilus' request without hesitation and nurtures him back to health.

Eventually, the local's prejudice against him takes its mental and physical toll on him, causing Joseph to ask Cartaphilus when he's fully recovered. They leave the village and go on a journey somewhere together. However, Cartaphilus' condition never improves, causing Joseph to lose his cool in front of his guest. Then realizing that his friend was cursed with immortality, Joseph decides to merge with Cartaphilus to be together forever. This act would become Joseph's biggest regret as he struggles through life, now as an amnesiac, stealing body parts and trying to find a way to break the curse that binds him.

In the present, Joseph wakes up after calling for help, prompting him to attack Chise for making him remember his past. But Titania, Elias, Ruth, and Spriggan intervene, which causes Joseph to release his Chimeras, and a short battle ensues with Will o' The Wisp, Alice, and Renfred joining them seconds later. Joseph escapes during the commotion, but is pursued by Chise, Ruth, and Elias. While in their pursuit, they encounter Marielle, who scolds Chise before turning into a bull and helps them chase after Joseph. With Elias hiding in her shadow, Chise finally catches up with the Sorcerer.

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Episodio 23