So yeah, I think this incident messed the Earl up, and that’s because the Earl suit needs Mana’s soul.
2. Lost Fragment of Snow (novel): We never get a good description of the Earl, because Red gets locked in the animal cage. I think the suit was empty there.
For those new to the “empty suit theory,” here’s more of the same Hoshino quote from above. Notice the importance of the Earl’s “outward appearance” here:
I have something to say because people often have the wrong idea: while the Earl’s human version has a sweet tooth, he’s not fat…! He’s not overweight!! I want to make that perfectly clear (laughs). I’ll reveal the secret of his outward appearance later down the story. I can’t say much yet, but that plumpness is very important (laughs).
3. Chapter 218 (flashback): Loose sleeves like Road’s memory in chapter 117. And these are the only chapters I know of where the Earl’s got floppy sleeves. I think these are hints those sleeves are empty.