While trying to make sense of the behavior of Clan Wingnut and the others, Axel encounters the town witch, Isolde, collecting mushrooms in the forest.

The witch breaks him out of his unfocused state by tickling him, which seems to actually work. She explains that the important part of being a living person is feeling things, whether you understand them or not.

He tells her about how he thinks he hurt Parsley, and by extension Gunther as well. Isolde makes him examine what really happened, and that the reason Parsley was hurt was because she was trying to take on Axel's own distress, because that's just the way Parsley is.

She also explains to Axel why his plan to force Clan Wingnut to exonerate Gunther would have failed, and instead would have made them even more resentful of the Kettenrads. It was important to let the Clan come to their decision, and use that to judge the direction they were heading. She also explains why the Wingnuts are so protective of their past.

The witch tells Axel about gaining wisdom, and about sometimes just appearing wise. When Axel tries to articulate a desire to do something nice for Parsley, Isolde tells him she likes carrot cake.