“Ephemeral Dreams – Killing Stone”
What They Say:
Based off a light novel of the same name written by Fujino Omori and illustrated by Suzuhito Yasuda, Is It Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? is set in the world of Orario, where adventurers band together and look for treasure in the underground labyrinth known as Dungeon. However, for Bell Cranel, fame and riches are secondary to what he wants to find the most: girls. He soon finds out though, that anything can happen in Dungeon, and winds up being the damsel in distress instead!
Content (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
With their sights now set on finding a way to release Haruhime from her servitude with Ishtar Familia, Bell and the rest of his family start farming the Dungeon in earnest, until they are ambushed by said group and Aisha begins her counterattack. Thanks to a certain renard’s special enhancement magic this vicious Amazon is able to easily take on the Little Rookie, even if they are the same level the ferocity of her weapon clashes and unstoppable close quarters combat techniques are too much for him and he quickly succumbs to the relentless nature. Although Mikoto tries to save her friend with a surprise attack it proves of little worth as the beautiful woman brushes her aside like a bothersome insect, leaving Bell sprawled upon the dirt floor unable to do anything as he watches a massive fist deliver the finishing blow. Haruhime is stunned to learn her friends were the targets of this surprise ambush and collapses knowing she can do nothing, all as the other combatants haul off their prizes and return to their goddess.
However as Amazons gather to discuss the aftermath of the Dungeon ambush, they are surprised to learn their greedy captain has once again defied Ishtar’s orders and taken the man prize for herself, desperately leading to a search of the lavish surroundings for any clue where they may now be hidden. But in the secret torture chamber which no one knows about this gluttonous toad watches with great satisfaction as the white rabbit wakes, only to find himself chained to the wall amidst several grim punishment devices. Phryne eyes Cranel with disgusting pleasure as he struggles in vain knowing the boy cannot break free, approaching with sickening terror as she licks his face all to see how her prisoner will react but is disappointed his body does not respond in kind in appreciation to her nauseating beauty. As she excuses herself to fetch some medicine to make this night more pleasurable for both, Bell cannot but pitifully mourn knowing this may be his last night until the rusty iron door creaks open in response. A timid face peeks from behind the exposed frame and reveals itself to be Haruhime to which he begins to cry like a child knowing someone has come to save him, collapsing in her arms once the restraints are released. Only after leaving the underground confines behind does Bell relate their plans to buy back her freedom, but it does not elicit the expected response instead only receiving a pale acknowledgment of gratitude. Once they surface from the subterranean confines and find themselves back in the Pleasure Quarter, the pair is confronted by Mikoto who wastes no time and asks her lost friend if she knows about the Killing Stone. Her voiceless answer is immediate allowing a harsh rebuttal in questioning the reason why she would want to sacrifice herself for a goddess who does care? But before anyone can respond the enforcer Aisha interrupts and takes back the renard, acknowledging the cruelty of Ishtar’s plan and how a foolish prostitute once tried to free her but failed and now states she will not release her either … it is up to a real man to take back what he wants.
In Summary:
Although this episode was supposed to develop entirely beneath the depths beneath Ishtar’s home, the morose details are not lost within the heavily lit atmosphere. It is strange no one can see Mikoto clinging to the ceiling next to a bright chandelier. But even with these minor missteps and the problematic change with Phryne, once cannot but appreciate the intact personality of our anti-heroine Aisha. The moment when she confronts Bell and Mikoto plus challenges them to take back Haruhime clearly defines her personality and embodies her actions within what is to come. To watch her harsh exterior exposed as being kind-hearted is memorable since it shows a glimpse of how much she truly cares for those under her watch, while she may tries to keep the stony facade intact around those she does not know. This is what makes her such a complicated character and someone who is all the more endearing as we watch her expose herself to the future and what is to come for all.
Grade: A-
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
