The Insipid Prince's Furtive Grab for The Throne

Fine earned her whole keep this episode. she walked into that room with Traugott and just talked him into a southern campaign by flattering his novel dream. that is the kind of manipulation I watch this genre for. and the whole thing only worked because Alnalt let her be reckless for him in the first place. so their scene before that set all of it up. good stuff

the AOE spells raining everywhere while random bystanders just stand around untouched was killing me. nobody is getting hit by crossfire in this world apparently

I teared up a little when Alnalt took the mask off for Fine. he spends so much time hiding behind Silver and Leo and the dull prince act and he just shows her his real face. that got me

RIP Yuuji Yanase. this show kept a really steady hand through the politics and the action and that deserves a mention before we get to the finale

Leviatano showing up right as the alliance ceremony wrapped was such a mean move from the writers. the kings refusing to retreat while Alnalt yells at them to fall back is exactly the kind of stubborn pride that always gets people killed

fans keep sleeping on Lynfia. she has been sharp this entire arc. watching her clock exactly what Silver really is while everyone else stays oblivious is the best part of the episode for me

the emperor's face when he looked at Silver said everything. that man knows. he has known the whole time. nobody stares at a random adventurer like that

Traugott is basically Inosuke in a prince costume and I am completely fine with it

the second Fine told Silver to be safe in front of Lynfia I knew that woman had already put it together. too smart for that. the fake puzzle thing really cracked me up

I was not ready for the brothers swapping places mid battle. Alnalt pretending to be Leo while the real Leo has to act like the dull prince is way too funny to me. that sea serpent fight was wild

Arnold is literally building Leo a whole kingdom one scandal at a time and Leo is just asleep somewhere having zero idea. Three fiancees and a duchy incoming and this man has done nothing

Fine offering herself as leverage to that vampire lady was something else. She winked when asked which twin she loved and I lost it. Girl knows exactly what she wants and it aint Leo

Fine really said put my whole name and status on the line and I mean it. From damsel to the one handling the scariest faction in the empire while the boys are off sailing. The wink at the end was everything

I keep thinking about that advice Arnold gave Julio before boarding the ship. Some people say you're kind others say you're soft some say brave some say reckless. Just decide what you think is right and act. Thats the most mature thing this show has said and its from the 'dull prince'

yall keep praising Fine and rightfully so but can we talk about the tribute to the late director Yanase that got shown. This whole show is his posthumous legacy and it made me tear up a little even mid comedy scene

The stormy sea animation was gorgeous. MAHO FILM put real effort into that Sea Dragon scene. But the episode felt like it hit pause right when things got good. Arnold charging the cannons then flipping to surrender was clever I'll admit but I wish they'd shown more of the Grand Duke meeting

I need someone to gif Elna tackling Leo to shut him up because that was the funniest thing all season. These two have the most chaotic older-sister-style bond and watching her get flustered when he mentioned how she's always watched over Arnold was too good

Zandra smashing her wine glass was the real highlight for me. Watching her lose her mind while Leo plays lazy on a sofa and Arnold does all the actual work is so satisfying. The feud she thinks she's waging is against thin air and she doesn't even know it

The white flag overload made me laugh out loud but honestly that's exactly the kind of theatrical nonsense this show does best. Arnold rebranding Leo as a saint who saves enemy nationals is genius. Also Marc pulling his childhood drowning story was too cute

The flag surrender bit worked way better than using speakers because Arnold knows image is everything. A verbal surrender gets forgotten. Eighty-seven white flags make a statement that the whole port will retell for years. That's the difference between a prince and a leader