Now that they have approval from the Sorcerer’s Guild, the gang heads back to the labyrinth. Kazuhiro and Marie struggle to obtain a tent at a marketplace established in the area though fortunately, they receive help from a prestigious adventurer named Zera (Ryōta Suzuki). Grateful for Kazuhiro and Marie’s discovery and the boon it’s providing his country, Zera helps the two obtain a tent and even has his men lend some furniture and set up the tent for them. Kazuhiro and Marie also meet Zera’s captain and unrequited crush Doula (Maki Kawase), who also shows her appreciation to the duo by gifting them some local tea. It’s kind of neat seeing Kazuhiro and Marie expand their circle, they’ve mostly been adventuring on their own, but there likely isn’t enough time for the show to go over these new characters.
Kazuhiro and Marie return to Japan while Wridra volunteers to stay behind and keep watch. It’s later suggested that Wridra also wanted to give the two some alone time. Once again, I thank Wridra for getting the ship to sail. Kazuhiro successfully brings the tea Doula gave him over to his world. I was wondering if his ability to transfer food across worlds works both ways so it’s nice to have some confirmation. It’d be fun if the show leans into that more by having Kazuhiro bring more delicacies from Marie’s world and offer those the next time the two hang out with the Ichijo couple. After some shopping and curry, Kazuhiro makes a brief trip back to the other world to invite Wridra to trying some curry Marie made with his help. I really like that this episode cuts back and forth between the two settings. The pacing feels a lot snappier as a result. That said, I am curious at how quickly Kazuhiro can switch between worlds. Like, can he just take a nap and boom, he’s back at the campsite?
Wridra feels a little bad for mooching off of her friends though Kazuhiro says it’s not a big deal at the moment because he has Golden Week coming up. I chuckled over the concept of days off being foreign to Wridra. It’s so silly and yet it makes way too much sense, considering that Wridra usually stays cooped up in her dungeon and she has the ability to simultaneously control multiple versions of herself. When you think about it, this lady effectively has nothing but free time. Kazuhiro and Marie try to explain the joy of a vacation by bringing up their planned trip to Aomori. Wridra gets super interested about the train the duo plans to ride, only to then get depressed that there aren’t enough tickets to include her for the trip. Aside from the fact that it’s cute how this almighty dragon wants to try out a train, I love how in one moment, Wridra gives her friends some alone time but the next, she’s sad that they’re leaving her out.
Back at Marie’s world, Hakam and Aja provide the gang with a communication device that also has the most current map of the labyrinth. Per Hakam’s request, Kazuhiro decides to name his party Team Amethyst for the expedition. The fact that he chooses amethyst because it’s the color of Marie’s eyes is so sweet. Dude needs to confess to her already!
So at long last, the show finally has the gang exploring the goddamn labyrinth. About time. I can’t believe it took about a third of this stinking show to get to this point. Marie proceeds to light the way with her new staff, revealing that it’s given her a new skill for her spirit magic. My prediction that Marie can light up a room better actually came true and I’m as annoyed as I said I would in the last episode review. To add insult to injury, a good chunk of the labyrinth have already been cleared up so Marie isn’t able to form a new contract with any spirits for the time being. Why does this show refuse to let her do anything cool?
Team Amethyst soon comes across a mural, depicting a legend about an era known as the Age of Demons. While that could be an ominous bit of foreshadowing, I doubt the show will elaborate on them in the last two episodes. The team has enough on their plate with Wridra deciding that she wants to have a swordfight with Kazuhiro. This probably is just for the scene but it would be hilarious if this continues over into the next episode. I imagine Wridra has been meaning to give Kazuhiro some pointers but I do buy that her main motive is out of spite for not getting to ride the train. Knowing this character, that sounds about right.
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