Chapter 30

The 30th chapter of Claymore by Norihiro Yagi, first published in the May 2001 issue of Shonen Jump.

Short synopsis
After a flashback showing how close Miria came to awakening, she tells her friends that they are able to draw on Yoki beyond normal limits because they have Awakened already. As Galatea and Ermita watch their argument from a distance, Deneve tries to force herself to heal by going beyond her Yoki limit. Helen and Clare prepare to kill her if she loses her mind, but the experiment is successful. Clare vaguely senses Galatea watching, while Galatea is told by Ermita to memorise the auras of all four Claymores, in case they come into conflict in the future.

Detailed Synopsis
In her flashback, Miria kneels over the dying Awakened Being that used to be Hilda, asking why she didn't say anything. Ophelia, in the background, tells her that the Awakened was no longer human, and as Miria begins to Awaken, expresses a desire to fight her.

In the present, Miria tells how she resisted Awakening and secretly investigated The Organization, refusing to reveal their darkest secret, or her history with Orphelia to her friends. She goes on to say that since all four of them have come close to Awakening, they can draw on Yoma power over their normal limit on a regular basis, and occasionally feel hunger. All of them have already partially Awakened.

Some distance away, Ermita, an Organisation man, and a new Claymore, Galatea are watching the four. Galatea, whose yoma sensing abilities have a greater range and precision than any other Claymore, relates the status and feelings of the four Claymores, realising that Clare is inwardly troubled by her past, despite her calm exterior. Ermita will only describe his interest in the Hunting party as the concern of a parent for their child.

Miria explains that she doesn't know if they have escaped Awakening, or will fully Awaken over time. Deneve is determined to prove their partial Awakening by raising her yoma above the point of no return so that she can heal her stomach, and then returning to her human form, normally impossible. Helen and Clare make ready to kill Helen if she does Awaken, to Miria's dismay. Galatea observes that Deneve has passed her limits, and taunts Ermita for his lack of concern.

Deneve does recover, and is scolded by Miria for her recklessness. Clare senses some watcher, but Miria tells her that anyone in range to sense their yoma would themselves be sensed by her. Galatea realises that Clare has sensed her, and that Deneve has recovered. She tells Ermita that she was wrong about Deneve Awakening, who doesn't seem satisfied, and tells her to memorise the auras of the hunting party, in case they come into conflict later. Galatea thinks that this will only be at the end of a thorny road.

Introduced Characters

 * Galatea
 * Ophelia
 * Hilda