Around 75,000 years before the 21st century, Incubators find Earth and the Homo sapiens race.[1]
The Toba supereruption, a volcanic catastrophe at the site of present-day Lake Toba in Sumatra, Indonesia, causes a global volcanic winter and pushed early human populations to the brink of extinction. The Homo erectus goes extinct due to this catastrophe.[1]
Incubators establish the Magical Girl system with Homo sapiens to harvest emotional energy and combat universal entropy. The first Magical Girl is born, using her wish to save humanity from the eruption.[1]
The "Cognitive Revolution" occurs—an evolutionary adaptation driven by the Incubators' selective pressure to create more efficient Magical Girls. The capacity for storytelling evolves as a mechanism to optimize human relationships for the generation of emotional energy. The narratives and fictions that Homo sapiens developed served to materialize and diffuse templates for relationships that were highly efficient at generating emotional energy. This evolutionary pressure ensured the dominance of a species whose social and cognitive structures were perfectly tailored for producing powerful Magical Girls.[1]
Around 40,000 years before the 21st century, Homo sapiens, equipped with Magical Girls, begin migrating out of Africa and into Eurasia, where they encounter Homo neanderthalensis. Their cognition is fundamentally rooted in the intuitive recognition of the laws of physics as defined by the theory of everything. As a result, they are incapable of perceiving magic at all. Meanwhile, members of the Homo sapiens, whose cognition had been shaped by the Magical Girl system, could see and utilize these magical forces. The Homo sapiens systematically wipe out the Homo neanderthalensis through this.[1]
Pernelle is born in a cave associated with the god Hermes in Arcadia, a region in the central Peloponnese of Ancient Greece. She is likely born in Mount Kyllini to the Cult of Hermes, possibly as far back as 1 BCE, and at some point she makes a contract with Kyubey and becomes a Magical Girl.[2]
Pernelle creates the sword, Épée de Clovis, for Clovis I (c. 466-511), and weapons for his siblings, including Audofleda who was also a Magical Girl.[2]
In Mid-14th Century, a girl in the port town of Kaffa makes a wish to repel the Mongol invasion, which brings a plague upon the enemy that ultimately destroys her own town and spreads across Europe as the Black Death.[2]
In Mid-14th Century Pontoise, France, Pernelle meets Nicholas Flamel and the two soon marry.[2]
In 1385, at the age of fourteen, Isabeau de Bavière arrives in France to marry King Charles VI. Soon after, Kyubey—or Cube—approaches her to form a contract, and, after questioning him, she makes her wish: "I want everything you possess." She becomes a Magical Girl and part-Incubator, gaining the ability to make contracts, access to Incubator knowledge, and an eternal body. For the following decades, Isabeau makes contracts with many girls, causing them to lose their souls and become mindless servants to her.[3][4]
In 1392, by using her network of Magical Girl servants, Isabeau successfully drives her husband Charles VI mad, causing him to attack his own brother.[3]
In 1393, Isabeau orchestrates what would come to be known as the Bal des Ardents, using magic to set fire to the court and nearly kill her husband.[3] Charles VI gets traumatized by the incident at the masquerade ball, and soon becomes progressively more mentally unstable and unable to rule.[5]
In 1420, Isabeau is involved in and signs the Treaty of Troyes, successfully marrying Catherine to Henry V and disinheriting her own son, the Dauphin Charles. She thus cedes France to the English and becomes known as the "woman who swore France away."[5][3]
Likely during this time, Corbeau makes a contract with Isabeau and wishes to become the spear that protects her sisters and Isabeau herself. As a result she becomes a Magical Girl with the power to push her own impurities on Magical Girls around her.[6][7]
On May 1422, King Henry V of England dies and on October 1422, King Charles VI of France dies, collapsing Isabeau's plans.[3]
Shortly after, Isabeau uses too much of her magic and fully transforms into a Witch in front of three of her daughters. Lapine makes a wish to return Isabeau to how she was before and as Isabeau retains Incubator powers even as a Witch, the wish is granted and her human body becomes a puppet for her Witch self, creating Crépuscule de la Reine and allowing her to continue her plans.[3][5]
An unknown amount of time after Lapine's wish, Minou learns of a prophecy spreading among the people: France will be lost because of a woman and shall thereafter be restored by a virgin maiden. She contracts with their mother and becomes a Magical Girl, wishing that their mother shall not be defeated by any type of Magical Girl in existence. This makes Isabeau invulnerable to any kind of attack from Magical Girls and also allows for Minou to gain a way to communicate with her mentally "deteriorated" mother.[8][4]
Pernelle learns of Isabeau's status as a Witch, covering France in her Barrier which also makes Witches visible to normal humans. Cube explains that Isabeau is harmful because they cannot harvest energy from the Magical Girls she creates, and Pernelle agrees to cooperate with Cube and they begin searching for the girl who will save France.[2]
Melissa de Vignolles is born to Milene, who kept her a secret from the father, Étienne de Vignolles—or La Hire. After Milene died of the plague when Melissa is very young, La Hire arrives to her hometown and, after finding out she was his daughter, takes her along with him.[9]
Liz Hawkwood is the granddaughter of John Hawkwood, the English mercenary captain known as both a traitor and a hero. When Cube appears Liz becomes a Magical Girl with the wish to be the one from whom a new, true hero would spring. Afterwards, she travels Europe with Cube in search of this hero to fulfill her wish.[9][10]
The first candidate she meets is referred to as "Machete," and she dies in battle against a Witch after her Soul Gem breaks.[11]
The second is referred to as "Frusta" and she would also die in battle against a Witch.[12]
The third and fourth are twins from Lithuania, where one is referred as "Falce" and the other one "Lancia." After Lancia becomes a Witch, Falce believes Liz had lied to them, turning against her and forcing Liz to kill her as well.[13][14][10]
Elisa Celjska, being the illegitimate daughter of the Holy Roman Empress, was exiled by the court along with her mother. She is approached by Pernelle and Cube and she makes the wish for everyone to acknowledge her existence, resulting in her and her mother being welcomed back to the court. Elisa joins the Order of the Dragon, coming to only trust her uncle Oswald, and she uses her powers for the Emperor in missions across Europe.[15][9]
On July 31st, 1423, the English win the Battle of Cravant and Corbeau takes captive Finella—a noblewoman and archer under the Earl of Buchan.[6]
In 1424, Verneuil falls to a Scottish force led by a Magical Girl who uses Camouflaging magic. Corbeau has Finella contract to temporarily restore Isabeau's full faculties, losing her free will and having Isabeau give her the name Flèche.[6][16][17]
On August 17th, the English army wins control over Normandy at the Battle of Verneuil.[6][17]
In 1425 in Domrémy, Jeanne d'Arc and Catherine are saved from a Witch by Liz. Cube offers Darc a Magical Girl contract, but she hesitates and Liz stays in Domrémy as a guard and trains Darc and Catherine for three years.[18][19]
In 1427, Minou’s faction sends Flèche and the new Magical Girl Lame to assassinate Pierre de Giac and frame Richemont. Their mole La Trémoille becomes Charles VII’s chamberlain.[17]
Pernelle and Elisa retrieve Clovis I’s sword from Fierbois. Pernelle reveals the sword is part of her experiment: if the prophesied savior bears it, her causality may grow stronger.[2]
In 1428, Corbeau attacks Orléans, Lapine takes Normandy, and Minou spreads destruction through French villages while forcibly recruiting new Magical Girls.[3] Minou learns from Isabeau of an “abominable light” in Domrémy and she sows Grief Seeds near the village to incite brigands.[8]
Soldiers attack Domrémy while Liz is away, killing Catherine. Darc becomes a Magical Girl, wishing for “the power to bring light to France.”[19]
On January 1429, Darc, Liz, and Cube travel to Vaucouleurs to seek an audience with the Dauphin and they save the town from a Witch.[20]
Darc's audience with the Dauphin is approved, and they learn of Orléans having fallen to three girls, whom they suspect are Magical Girls with the English, so they leave for Chinon.[21]
At Chinon, Charles VII tests Darc by hiding among the courtiers while Gilles de Rais sits on the throne. Guided by Cube, Darc correctly identifies Charles and declares her mission to crown him king. After Darc transforms into her Magical Girl form, Charles is convinced and publicly declares her a true messenger of God—La Pucelle.[22][17]
On April 1429, Elisa is assigned by her mother to travel to France and assess La Pucelle.[15]
Darc’s fame grows after theologians in Poitiers confirm her purity and divine mission. Soldiers rally to her cause, and Melissa is assigned to serve Darc, quickly becoming her friend.[23][16]
While Lapine and her servant Fauchard go on a mission to replace a traitorous lord in an English camp. Despite being warned by Pernelle and Cube, Fauchard refuses their offer to join Darc.[24]
As the French army marches, Cube reveals Melissa has the potential to become a Magical Girl. Pernelle also appears and gives Darc the Épée de Clovis.[23]
Darc and the French army arrive at Orléans displaying her banner and the French forces, led by Gilles de Rais and La Hire, begin their counterattack, successfully reclaiming several fortresses.[16]
On May 7th, 1429, the French attack Les Tourelles, the key fort outside Orléans. When Darc and Liz confront Flèche and Corbeau, who reveals she can transfer the corruption her own magic would put into her Soul Gem onto nearby Magical Girls. Flèche gravely wounds Darc and La Hire, so Melissa contracts with Cube, wishing to heal Darc and her father and giving her the power to annihilate matter entirely.
Liz deduces Corbeau’s transfer range is about half the distance Soul Gems can be furthest away from the girls' bodies. Darc guards their Soul Gems and fights Flèche, while Liz and Melissa fight Corbeau. Darc destroys Flèche’s position and Corbeau’s Soul Gem is polluted, forcing her to retreat with Minou. Flèche is left behind as a Witch, and Elisa secretly helps Darc defeat her.[16][25][26][15]
After Les Tourelles, Minou takes Fauchard, Lapine’s servant, to Isabeau and tortures her until she makes a wish and becomes a Magical Girl servant.[24]
On May 8th, 1429, John Talbot, the English commander, requests a parley and proposes ending the battle on the Sabbath, liberating Orléans.[27]
On May 11th, 1429, Elisa reveals herself as the Magical Girl who aided Darc and Liz and pledges the Order of the Dragon’s support to Charles.[27][28]
On June 18th, 1429, at Patay, Minou, Corbeau, and Lapine lead the English forces, while Darc, Elisa, Melissa, and Liz lead the French. Lapine transforms into a Witch that controls weapons on the battlefield, except Elisa’s weapon and Darc’s sword, and her flashing eyes also revert the Magical Girls' transformations. Elisa protects Darc from a distance with her weapon, while Darc strikes the Witch directly, defeating it and reverting it to Lapine’s Magical Girl form. Corbeau retrieves Lapine and unleashes her new magic, spreading an enhanced black plague upon them.[28][29][30]
Darc achieves a second transformation, with her magic circle healing the battlefield and Kyubey identifies her as an “irregular.” Darc defeats Corbeau, but Minou teleports to her and breaks Corbeau’s Soul Gem, and takes Corbeau’s body.[30]
From July 16th to 17th, 1429, Darc and her entourage arrive in Reims and Charles VII is crowned at Notre Dame Cathedral. During the celebration, Isabeau and Minou attack. Isabeau proves invulnerable to their attacks and easily defeats Darc’s team. Minou declares that Darc will die within a year, and the two depart.[31]
La Trémoille secretly meets with Minou and pledges his loyalty, explaining that Charles has fallen into madness and can be easily manipulated. Minou orders him to prevent Darc and the king from entering Paris. Charles disbands the army and Darc’s comrades are dispersed, leaving her to fight on with a small group.[32][5]
On May 1430, after many missions, Darc's team arrive at Compiègne, where Minou summons an army of mind-controlled Magical Girls and transforms them into Witches. Lapine joins the fight, now stronger, and Minou separates Melissa and Elisa into another Barrier with Witches.[33][34]
Liz immobilizes Lapine and Darc and uses her attack, the “Gates of Hell,” pulling Lapine, the surrounding Witches, and herself into the void. Darc is left devastated and is captured by the Burgundian faction.[34][35][36]
Darc is sold to the English and taken to Rouen, while Charles VII refuses to pay her ransom.[9]
On February 21st, 1431, Darc is tried for heresy by the English, who aim to discredit Charles VII. The trial led by Cauchon has Darc be denied legal counsel, but she refuses to sign the articles of accusation and maintains her innocence.[9]
In her cell, Cube visits Darc and reveals Liz’s wish to her, while outside, the French forces launch a rescue assault for her. Melissa, Elisa, and Pernelle infiltrate the prison, where Elisa encourages Darc to keep fighting and reveals her own wish to her.[9]
Isabeau arrives to the battlefield and Cube explains her how she ended up becoming a Witch, Isabeau is part Magical Girl, part Witch, and part Incubator. Minou reveals her own wish protects Isabeau from Magical Girls and Isabeau transforms into her complete Witch form, Crepuscule de la Reine. Liz’s Soul Gem appears in front of Darc, stabilizes Darc’s corrupted Soul Gem, and grants her a new form once more. Darc’s new transformation lets her harm Isabeau, and she destroys her Witch the “Gate of Heaven,” leaving Isabeau's body behind.[9][4][37]
After the battle, Liz's Soul Gem has crumbled and Darc's Soul Gem is akin to a Grief Seed and unable to be purified. To prevent her transformation into a Witch, she surrenders to Minou, and Pernelle teleports their friends and the armies away, leaving Darc alone.[37]
Darc is sentenced to death by burning at the stake as a relapsed heretic, despite many attempts to rescue her.[37][35]
On May 30th, 1431, Melissa and Elisa rush towards Darc while she is about to be burned. She telepathically urges them to not save her and the flames consume her.[37][2][38]
In the following years, Melissa and Elisa would work together with Pernelle to hunt many Witches across Europe, growing up and becoming Magical Girl veterans.[39]
In 1435, Isabeau's death is recorded in 1435, her funeral going almost completely unattended and unnaturally subdued for a queen.[37]
In 1456, Charles VII convenes a new church trial to revisit her case, restoring her reputation and clearing her name.[37]
Trivia
In Episode 11, it is hinted that Cleopatra VII and Himiko were Magical Girls in this universe.
