Some time in the Kingdom of Aradicia, we tune in at the royal palace at the center of its capital city of Stalt (unless they really are going that on the nose and named it Start). The palace has a large courtyard in it that doubles as a training ground, and as the curtain of night falls, Rutilix is there having finished up his 200 practice swings. He’s still unsatisfied with it though, saying he needs to make up for his failures that day. Alphecca walks up and observes Rutilix’s training, noting that he’s working hard at it. Rutilix is surprised the king has come out and apologizes for all his noise, but Alphecca waves it off and says it’s alright.
Alphecca talks about how he’s known for a while now that Rutilix trains there all night every night, so he figured it was about time for him to actually go up and talk to him for once. Rutilix is embarrassed by this, saying he can’t believe senpai the king would see the training efforts of someone still an apprentice knight. Alphecca notes that while Rutilix would describe himself as inexperienced, nobody got to where they did without instruction. There are plenty of people who could be thought of as sword masters around the place, and Alphecca suggests Rutilix could ask one of them to help him train.
Rutilix laughs and says that would be amazing, but he doesn’t feel he’s in a position to be asking that. He comes from some no name family and isn’t even the eldest son of said family. His sword skills are nothing to speak of, and people have told him that more to the point, he has no talent for the sword. Rutilix is so embarrassed by his lack of ability that he chooses to train alone at night rather than ask for guidance, hoping to catch up somehow. Alphecca is saddened by this, which Rutilix notices as he asks if he said anything to upset him. Alphecca quickly says it’s nothing and explains it off as him getting sentimental all of a sudden. But anyways, Alphecca starts talking about how an apprentice becomes a full fledged knight by achieving something, though Rutilix hasn’t managed that yet. He starts thinking about that as he puts his hand on his chin, though Rutilix is unsure where he’s going with this. Alphecca then declares that he wants to order Rutilix as King Alphecca Genma XXI, confusing him.
Title card pops up, and this episode is called The Starting Town.
We then tune back on our end, where we have spent what felt like six hours on a space flight bouncing through warp gates to get to our destination. The party is walking along a bustling marketplace lines with stalls, and you all make your way towards the palace. Marfik takes note of the place being the biggest city in the country, and while its cultural development is slower than that of Earth’s, this place is rather peaceful. The best part of a journey is to feel the sense of emotions in places in other countries, he says. Akashi comments on how cheery Marfik is and says he’s feeling stiff in the shoulders himself since he’s never sat down for that long before. Marfik laughs at this and says they still need to buy supplies for the trip.
Akashi is flabbergasted at this considering how much you guys had to bring already, so Marfik says he didn’t pack any food in there. It’s his philosophy to buy food at his destination instead. He’s already changed currencies at the space port, so he’s got enough money for food and board for four nights. Akashi sighs at this, then asks you if you’re feeling fine carrying your part of the luggage. You either say you’re feeling a little tired, are surprised at how heavy it is, or ask Akashi to carry you on his back. B gets an extra line where Marfik apologizes and says he was going to take that bag since it has a tent in it. C gets a different extra line where Akashi is taken aback at this and says he’s carrying as much as you are already.
Anyways, Marfik prompts you guys to stop complaining and to try enjoy the trip and see the sights you wouldn't find back on Earth here. Random vendors are hawking their wares at the market, which includes stuff like a vial of magical herbal medicine going for 300 gold and Dragon Tears brought back from knights hunting evil dragons. The random faceless citizens also talk about how the Sorcerors really helped out on that occasion so now they're finding new respect for them all over again. You mull over the people talking about magic and dragons and comment that it feels like you guys are in some RPG world what with people talking about things they wouldn't back on Earth.
Akashi is surprised by something and points your attention at it, and said thing is a two-legged horse reptilian creature having a harness put on it by some merchant patting it on the nose and talking about going to bring milk to the next town over with it. You either express surprise at seeing a dragon like that or say you want to ride it. In the former (A/B), Akashi is amazed and says he wasn't expecting to see something like that even if he did figure he'd see something he wouldn't back home. In the latter (C), Akashi dissuades you from doing so since you guys don't know how to handle one.
Marfik explains that those dragons are called dorcs (re: riding dragons) here. They were domesticated a long time ago as beasts of burden, and while they look like carnivores they actually have friendly and gentle personalities similar to dogs. Akashi is surprised, though he says that the dog comparison does make it easier to grasp. Said dorc wags its tail as it starts licking its owner's face, and you take note how cute and amiable it is. You can also say you want to take one home with you, and if you do Marfik speaks against it since there's a law about that and that there are concerns it'd upset Earth's ecosystems.
Akashi comments on how the setting and appearances of everything looks different but is surprised that there can be similar living beings here. Marfik explains that it's become standard to use Earth based animals as a base line for comparison for all other planetary life, possibly because it's one of the most optimal ways of doing so. While they may look different, it does make organizing the food chains very similar. Dorcs have taken up the place dogs do back on Earth, appearances notwithstanding. Akashi nods at this and says he's learned a bit. You nod yourself and say it's interesting or say there are doglike people around too. B gets an extra line from Akashi as he sighs and figures you were totally thinking about Mokdai and Barrel just now.
Marfik figures it's time to change the subject from cultural lectures to get on with the supply shopping when someone yells for help in catching their dorc that's run off. People start vacating the streets, and Akashi tries asking what's happening when a dorc comes stamping in from the other end shaking its head as a chewed up bridle hangs from its mouth. You freak out about this turn of events, and Akashi asks Marfik about dorcs being friendly given that this one has gone nuts. Marfik says that's what the book he read says, and some random man tries to get the dorc to calm down with some keller meat. It instead flips out and knocks him into a stall. Akashi repeats his question about how that thing is supposed to be friendly, so Marfik gets flustered as he says he can only go with what the book told him. You think about how there are different kinds of dogs too, then suggest getting out of there before the dorc sends you guys flying too.
Marfik says that if you guys need to stop a rampaging animal, then he should take care of it. He quickly sets down his bags and pulls something from his waist as he gets ready, and you see that he's holding a leather woven rope with a handle of sorts. Akashi recognizes it as a whip and tries to ask what Marfik plans to do with it, so Marfik tells you two to get back first before he gets to answering the question through action. Marfik whips the whip at the dorc's feet and ties it up, causing the thing to fall over with a crash. Random citizens react in alarm and poke their heads out to look, and the angry dorc passes out from a possible concussion as its eyes swirl around in classic cartoon fashion.
Marfik declares the problem settled and is glad he managed to do so in a way that didn't result in a dead dragon horse thing. You express how impressed you are with his whip handling, and Akashi compares it to something out of a movie. The next moment a red wolf mob guy who is apparently the dorc's owner runs up aghast to the creature. Marfik asks if the dorc belongs to him and apologizes for his slightly rough manner in handling it but is glad it's not going crazy anymore. Red is outraged however, which surprises you as he is joined in by two more mobs. Suddenly you guys are surrounded by angry people.
Akashi tries to ask what's up with the mobs' reaction since you guys stopped the dorc from rampaging, but the mobs are offended that you guys would try to damage the dorc's legs given how important they are to their lives. The utter barbarity. You are either baffled at this line of reasoning or wonder if this is a cultural difference, and Akashi turns to Marfik for ideas about dealing with the angry natives. Marfik ruminates on having picked a bad method of problem solving, and random city folk start talking about how the mobs are reserve members of the palace cavalry, rough and rowdy Magical Warriors. You pick up on the chatter and wonder if you guys are stuck in a fight with some problematic people, and the mobs declare they're gonna make you pay for what you did.
Red calls out to a Sorcerer behind him and asks for his weaponry. The Sorcerer nods and raises their hand towards the mob, and you recognize the light that starts shining as the mobs transform and turn their weapons towards you guys. Akashi is surprised by this and asks if they're villains, but Marfik says them being called Magical Warriors in this world seems about right. That said, you guys can't let yourselves be beaten before you finish what you came to do, so Marfik turns to you and tells you to get ready. Akashi agrees you'll just have to fight back, and you agree as you flip on their transformations. Once Marfik and Akashi have suited up, they challenge the mobs to come at them. Red is surprised you guys are also Magical Warriors with a Sorcerer in tow, but he says it's even worse that you guys claim to not know what you were doing and says he'll beat the customs into you as he starts the episode battle. More happens after that.
Things tune in after the battle with the mobs in disbelief at how strong you guys are. Akashi scoffs and asks if that's all they've got as he says the guys aren't that strong. Marfik apologizes for his ignorance on the cultural etiquette of the planet, but he shames the mobs for attacking visitors and tells them to brush up on their manners. Red is still angry about everything, but suddenly someone else calls out to stop the fight and tells everyone to stand down. You turn to look and see who it is, and a contingent of dorc riders steps in. The well dressed leader gets off his dorc, then starts approaching.
The mobs recognize the man as the prime minister and are shocked that he's here. The prime minister says he came because he received a report that they were in a fight with travelers and rebukes them for being unprofessional. The mobs apologize as they bow to him. Akashi says he doesn't get what's going on but wonders if the new guy is a bigwig and if you guys are saved. Marfik says he's surprised this incident reached up to the prime minister and comments on how fast they work around here.
The prime minister turns to you guys and apologizes for the rudeness of the soldiers, then compliments how well you all fought even if he only saw a small bit of it. Given how strong you are he'd like to ask a favor of you guys, and he'd still like to do more to apologize for this incidence of fighting. If you guys have a moment he'd like to invite you all to the palace, and he seems sincere as he bows. Akashi's mind is blown at the idea of going to the palace, and Marfik comments on this being another unexpected development.
Time passes as you all are taken to a grand hall inside the Aradicia palace where the prime minister has laid out some food for you guys while he talks to you. Marfik repeats what the minister had said offscreen about the king having gone to the phantom labyrinth and hasn't come back yet. The minister sighs deeply and says it's a huge problem, and the mental and physical strain of having to do the king's job while he's gone is etched into his face. He talks about how the king worked hard for the kingdom soon after being crowned and is deeply trusted by the people. The minister also says the king seems a bit too involved with the soldiers though, especially the knights. Sometimes he gets up from his work to go watch the soldiers train, and sometimes he even joins in with the training. He also sometimes promotes or moves knights around, which is another headache for the minister. Akashi says he sounds pretty rascally, then gets distracted by how nice the meat is and tells you to try some. You either ask if Akashi is listening or try some of the meat yourself. B gets an extra line as Marfik chides you guys to pay attention.
Akashi says he's listening, then asks if the minister is requesting that you guys bring the king back. The minister confirms this and adds that he heard you guys were planning to go to the labyrinth anyways. He figured he may as well ask since you guys seem to know about it already. The minister doesn't know much about it himself since only Magicians talk about it much and he isn't one.
Marfik asks why the king went over to the labyrinth to begin with. As much as the king sounds like a mischief maker, Marfik doesn't see a reason for him to be over there. The minister has a pretty good idea about that and figures he wanted to get the apprentice knight Rutilix some sort of accomplishment under his belt. You ask further into this, so the minister tells you that Rutilix is the third son of one of the imperial guard families. He was only added to the Magical Warriors division last year as an apprentice, but he unfortunately has little skill at it. Rutilix still attempts to stand on the front line despite that, and the division treats him as a problem kid.
Akashi pegs Rutilix as a high hopes zero talent sort of guy and says you see that a lot in sports. The minister says that the king interacting with the soldiers is all well and good, but he seems focused on Rutilix in particular and seems to be trying to give him a leg up when he doesn't have promotion in the cards in his future. The minister figures he's trying to get Rutilix to defend him and recognize his deeds when they come out of the maze. He has the testimony of the Sorcerer who was brought with them.
Marfik nods at this, then notices that the minister referred to the Sorcerer's involvement in the past tense, so the minister say he knew of all this because the Sorcerer came back and is right there. The robed lady sitting next to him nods in response, and Akashi asks if the king sent the Sorcerer/Operator back. Akashi then asks in confusion about this since her not being around should mean Rutilix won't be able to transform. The Sorcerer lady says he can, which is why the king ordered her weak ass self to go back. She watched them go into the labyrinth, then came back.
You are confused that Rutilix can transform without an Operator around and ask how that can be. The Sorceror lady says she doesn't know, but as soon as Rutilix stepped in he was able to transform on his own. That much she's sure of, but she doesn't know anything beyond that. Marfik comments on how much more mysterious things have gotten. The minister says that while Rutilix is with the king, he's still worried about him. It is the labyrinth few have ever said to have come back alive from, and even the soldiers stay away from the place. Under the circumstances, all they can do now is ask you guys since you're already going there. He promises to pay you guys for this and asks if you'll go get them back.
Marfik is surprised at the request and says he's fine with accepting, then talks to himself about how the place clearly aren't normal ruins and is glad he brought a hero and Operator as backup. He thinks to himself with his hand on his chin, and the soldiers standing behind him start talking among themselves about the king's favoritism may have backfired. They wonder why he'd pick that stupid 'potato eater' of all people and wish the White Knight were here. You and Akashi pick up on their conversation and wonder what they're talking about, and you say the White Knight sounds strong based on that title.
The minister scolds the mobs for talking, then apologizes as he explains to you guys that the White Knight is a knight of unknown origins that appears when the cavalry is dispatched and looks to be in trouble. Once he saves them he disappears soon after, and he's said to be strong enough to eliminate an evil dorc on his own. Nobody has any idea as to who he is though. Akashi comments that Mokdai would be happy to hear about a mystery hero knight who swoops in to save people. Marfik says that the knight doing this without seeking repayment makes his motives hard to understand, but it's still admirable of him. The Sorcerer lady looks away upon hearing Marfik's comment, and you notice this in confusion but don't say anything about it.
Anyways, Marfik says you guys can't rely on the White Knight and suggests heading out. He also asks the Sorcerer lady to show you guys the way to the labyrinth, and she agrees as she asks you guys to save the king. While she's at it, she comments on you being equipped rather lightly and offers to lend you some of her own things. You are confused at this, so the Sorcerer prompts you to follow her for a change in clothes. Some servants standing behind you pick you up and lead the way as you react with slightly alarmed bafflement.
Several hours pass as the party heads over to the center of some wasteland away from the kingdom where a giant gate stands among the emptiness. The Sorcerer says that this is the place and that the gate is visible only to Magicians. Marfik is fascinated by the thing, then excitedly tells you two it's time for your adventure to begin. Akashi is willing to go, but he's more curious about what you're wearing as he faintly blushes. You've been changed out of your suit into a robe decorated with ether crystals and gold accessories. It pretty much looks like a classic fantasy mage getup. You shrug at Akashi's question, say it's getting you pumped up a bit, and ask if it looks good on you.
Akashi says the robe looks kinda sexy on you, and the Sorcerer explains that the robe is a uniform that's used by the kingdom and that the accessories amplify your abilities. While Magical Warriors can transform on their own inside the labyrinth, it'll be tough if they get into a situation where they can't. The robe is meant to be a countermeasure against that, and that's all she's able to do for you. You thank her and note that you do feel your abilities getting stronger.
Marfik laughs and says the robe looks good on you. It's pretty fitting attire for going to a mysterious place, he thinks. Akashi asks him (or you? not sure) to not be too conspicuous in his movements because that might lead to things he shouldn't see in various meanings of the phrase. The Sorcerer excuses herself at this point since she was ordered not to come along, and she tells you guys she'll pray for all your safety. She gets back on the dorc she came in on, then rides away. After she leaves, Marfik says it's time to go in and asks Akashi to help him open the door. Akashi moves to comply, though he wonders if something that big can be opened. When Akashi and Marfik touch the door, the door opens on its own to your surprise. Akashi is also surprised, and Marfik comments that the door seems to be inviting you guys in. He excitedly decides to roll with it, then waves the two of you to come along as the episode ends.
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