God's mill grinds slow but sure.

God's mill grinds slow but sure. (神の臼はゆっくりと確実に粉を挽く., Kami no usu wa yukkuri to kakujitsu ni kona o hiku) is the 16th episode of the first season of The Ancient Magus Bride anime.

Synopsis
The time of Yule is drawing near, and one night, Chise receives a message from Alice, who needs help searching for a present for her Master Renfred. In their search for presents for their Masters, Alice runs into some drug dealers from her past, and after they lose track of them, she reveals to Chise her checkered past and how she first met Renfred.

Summary
Chise walks out early in the morning to find two Heralds of Yule flying by to warn her about the coming of Yule. Confused about what Yule is, Elias appears and explains to Chise its history and reassures the heralds that they're preparing for it. The Heralds of Yule take their leave, and when they return home, they find a despondent Ruth lamenting over his failure as a Familiar.

After Ruth is given a pep talk, they spend the rest of the day gathering materials for the upcoming events. During this, they almost have an encounter with The Deer and the Winter Goddess before making their way home. There, Chise and Elias kiss each other, standing by a mistletoe. An envious Ruth also gets one too. Chise is awakened by a courier bird from Alice that night.

The next day Chise and Ruth go to London, where they meet with Alice. Enjoying a meal together, Alice reveals that she o get a present for her Master Renfred. When asked what Chise was getting for Elias, she's becomes despondent over realizing she hasn't gotten one for him either. Hence Alice decides they should go around the city to find presents for their teachers.

Eventually, they run into Hazel, who advises them to get something they picture them using. Along the way, they encounter some trouble with a few drug dealers before making a run for it. At a safe location, Alice details her checkered past which lead to her meeting with Renfred to Chise. After this, the two part ways at the train station, where two children named Ethan and Stella bump into Chise.

When Chise comes home, she's scolded by Elias for leaving without telling him before going on to exchange presents with one another. Chise gave Elias a new brooch, while Elias gave her a big teddy bear that wore a tie that he personally made. Chise also learns that Angie, Simon, and Lindel had sent her presents. Then go to bed for the night.

Meanwhile, Ashen Eye finds Ethan in the woods.

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Episodio 16