The irony is that even if the village and even Anne forget about Maria, Bernard, prideful asshole that he is, never will. He'll always remember his victory over the influence of the blasphemous witch who dared to be named after the holy virgin. Bernard has built her up in his own mind as his greatest foe, and in turn given her even more power. She's free to lose her virginity and lose that power, but his plan has backfired already by his own revolting nature.


But there is also something else that doesn't add up. Where did Bernard get this pot of "rape aphrodisiac" to give to Galfa? Where did Gilbert and Bernard get medicine that is as good as Maria's? That's when it hit me.

The peculiar unnamed girl in the OP appeared in episode 6 giving medicine and information to Gilbert around the 9:15 minute mark. It was a short scene and easily overlooked. Until this episode. This was before Galfa got injured and before Martha ran out of Maria's medicine.

I'll bet Galfa's right arm that she's the Church's witch.

Bernard was willing to recruit Maria all the way back if she would, "repent her evil ways," until she pissed him off. The church has much to gain by being able to obtain healing medicines and use them on random villagers. They can then claim that the grace of God and the receiver's faith was what enabled mere herbs to heal the sick. It worked on Martha, her family, and the other villagers. It's started to confuse poor Anne.

That mysterious girl is giving the church the same means that Maria uses, while using their superior societal position to gain further power and influence. It was no surprise that they are hypocrites, but the loop finally closed. Gilbert might not realize it, but Bernard definitely knows who he is conspiring with.