A Deep-Dive on Holy Mother (教母) from the FE Echoes Drama CD
My visual depiction of Holy Mother
Happy Mother's Day! Today, I'd like to talk about Holy Mother (教母 kyōbo), a minor character from Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia Drama CD – Foreign Skies, Daybreak Forest. All the information gathered here is from Garmmy's translation of the audio drama.
DISCLAIMER: I am not fluent in Japanese, so feel free to correct me for any mistakes on this part of the post.
In regards to her name; the character '教' (kyō) in her JP name comes from the word '教師' (kyōshi) meaning 'teacher' and '母' (haha) means 'mother'. So her name would literally translate to, 'teacher's mother'.
As for why she's called 'Holy Mother' in the fan translation; I asked Garmmy (the translator) about it, but they couldn't remember why they chose to call her that. (And that's alright, it's been years since they translated the script!)
Holy Mother is a noble woman who established a place called the 'Holy Mother Village'. It is home to orphans who were abandoned by their families for being sickly and frail. It was seen as a common tradition in Rigel, so she rescues as many children as possible from this cruel fate. She's seen as kind and caring, but shows restraint like a parent would. She's suggested to be in a position of high ranking, as she's able to command the Rigelian soldiers guarding her territory from obstructing the Deliverance.
We first see her in Track #5: Premonition, where she approaches Yuri about why he was leaving their village so often. She laments how he arrived there at a much older age compared to the other kids and worried that he didn't trust her because of that. When Yuri talks about his encounter with Alm, she encourages him to follow his example and act on what he believes is right.
In Track #6: What to Believe In, she's mentioned in Vidar and Magnhus's conversation where the former says that he doesn't know [her] identity.
She's seen again in Track #9: Encounters and Farewells, as she calls in Alm and Lukas to speak with her. She thanks them for saving her village and apologizes for her children's actions. She offers to assist the Deliverance by allowing them to pass through the forest unharmed. She bids them farewell until Alm tries to speak with her again. She states that she was grateful towards Alm's kindness and his willingness to help those in need, regardless of their background. The two of them smile at each other and that's the last we see of her.
Now, the story does not directly state that Holy Mother is Alm's mother. But they do provide major clues that support her being related to him.
1. Holy Mother and Alm's Desires
Personally, this is my reason for why they're related. Both Holy Mother and Alm have expressed their wishes of lending a hand to anyone in trouble, whether they are Rigelian or Zofian. In Alm's case, this is a personal conflict that he has to deal with throughout the plot. The audio drama hammers down this goal that both of them share during the second half of the story:
Holy Mother: Why do you think he helped you, even though you were his enemy? It’s because he felt that was the right course of action. Decide not based on whether one is Zofian or Rigelian…decide and act based on what your heart tells you is right.
Alm: I do not wish to look at the world based solely on allegiances. The reason why I joined the Deliverance…the reason why I’m still here with all of you today…is because I acted according to what I felt was right. I want to do what my heart tells me to! For my own sake, and for the sake of those who have placed their hopes in me. Even if that means helping the enemy, or those who have made us suffer…I will not stand idly by as the weak are wrongfully tyrannised! It’s not right!
Holy Mother: Alm. Seeing that there exists humans like you who would extend a helping hand to the weak without any thought of discrimination…it fills my heart with joy. I am glad to have met you.
Alm: Ah…I’ll be there in a minute! Yuri. I…we can’t guarantee we won’t topple this country. But I refuse to accept a world that simply casts aside its weak and ill as right! That is why I continue to fight…this is the true enemy we need to rid the world of!
2. Holy Mother being caught off guard
After Holy Mother gives her words of encouragement to Yuri, Yuri mutters Alm's name which surprises her but she immediately brushes it off. There's even music that plays when she hears Alm's name.
Yuri: Follow in his footsteps…Alm’s footsteps…
Holy Mother: Alm…?
Yuri: Mother? Is something the matter?
Holy Mother: …No. It’s nothing.
Probably the most damning evidence of her being Alm's mother. Yuri points out to Alm that he seemed to resemble Holy Mother, though Alm wouldn't have known as he only saw her face concealed (for context, she was wearing a veil when she spoke to Alm). I think Yuri's remark can be read in a literal and metaphorical context.
Yuri: Alm, you…
Alm: Hm?
Yuri: Ah, don’t mind me! I just thought…you kind of resemble our Mother, in a way…
Alm: You think so? I mean, I never got to see her face beneath her veil, so I can’t really tell. Oh, but…
Miscellaneous (Questions, Theories, Headcanons, etc.)
Now that we've gotten to know about Holy Mother, I'd like to share some of my own thoughts on her!
I like to think Alm got his enjoyment of oranges from her lol
Seeing her talk about how she wants people to help others without discrimination... Maybe she's not from Valentia? Or at the very least, she might not be from Rigel
I always imagined her as a priestess... (since Alm and Lukas meet her in a chapel) but she probably isn't a Mila or Duma Faithful
I like how Alm and Holy Mother are polar opposites in that he goes out to fight and explore the wide world, while she stays secluded and protects what she has (her children). But at the end of the day, both of them share the same dreams
I like to think that Holy Mother chose the name 'Alm'. It's a way for him to stand on his own, while he's still required to have the name 'Albein Rudolf'
I wonder what her relationship with Rudolf is like? I don't think they love each other, but Rudolf still cares about her enough to grant her own army of soldiers to protect her land
She probably knew about Rudolf's plan, since she didn't tell Alm who she really was, as there would've been a lot more drama to Rigel's royal family than there needed to be. But that could also be due to the fact she's in a supplementary piece of media that is completely optional to experience...
A lot of Berkut's behaviour was attributed to his parents and Rudolf's influences... I wonder if he met Holy Mother, he would've acted a bit differently. Since he was a shy crybaby as a kid, I wonder if being too emotional is also considered a weakness in Rigel.
I hope you found this write up to be enjoyable and informative about an obscure character in the FE series!
And please, check out the Echoes Drama CD for yourself!
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