English Dub Review: Overlord “Disturbance Begins in the Royal Capital”

Tensions are rising in E-Rantel!

Overview (Spoilers Below)

When we last left him, Sebas Tian, the enigmatic butler supreme, was called to face Ainz Ooal Gown and explain his reasoning for bringing a human into his care. The tension in the air is palpable, as Sebas stands trial with the eyes of the floor masters of Nazarick upon him. Tsuare soon joins him, and is allowed to remain standing when speaking to Ainz, due to the bravery she’s shown thus far in facing him. Ainz is curious about the situation here, and needs to test Sebas’s loyalty, to make sure this new human pet of his isn’t indicative of some treachery on his part. Bluntly, he orders Sebas to kill Tsuare immediately. Sebas is surprised, but dutiful. He readies a mortal punch while Tsuare closes her eyes and accepts her fate, but just as his attack is about to land, Cocytus blocks the blow, revealing that this was indeed just a test. Ainz accepts the veracity of Sebas’s loyalty, and with their business complete, teleports back to Nazarick

Later, Sebas speaks to Tsuare in the hallway, who is rather undisturbed by this whole affair. Despite Sebas’s monstrous masters, she still feels greatly indebted to him, having had the only happiness in her life under his care. Even before she was taken into slavery, she was the offspring of poor farming folk, who toiled all day only to have their crops taken from them by their feudal lords. This is a far cry from anything else she’s experienced, and she expresses to Sebas that she wants to continue serving him. Sebas promises to try and convince Ainz to allow her stay, but she must give up her attachments to the human world in exchange. She agrees, and just before Sebas leaves, she surprises him with a tippy-toe sweetheart kiss. Awww.

Sebas returns to speak to Ainz once again about Tsuare’s fate. Ainz initially believes it best to alter her memories and send her on her way, but Sebas speaks with another option: having her serve as a maid in Nazarick. Demiurge takes issue with this, thinking it needless to have a human in their ranks who would serve much better as labor in his camp. Sebas responds, in turn, insisting that she’s a skilled cook, which is a rare thing in the Tomb of Nazarick. Demiurge counters again, and so on and so forth until the two are staring each other down with an intense stare as they debate over Tsuare’s fate. All this bickering takes Ainz back to his glory days with his guilt, remembering the other members arguing over events and raid planning. His memories fill him with a mirthful laughter, that triumphs over Demiurge’s and Sebas’s argument.

Eventually, Ainz acquiesces Sebas’s request, accepting that she is willing to forgo any attachments to her past life. He gives Tsuare the protection of his name, a sign of his acceptance of her as his servant. Ainz sends Sebas off to get grain for Demiurge, who asks if Ainz knew of Tsuare before meeting her here. He admits that he knew her sister, Ninya of the Swords of Darkness, who provided him with valuable information on the world when he traveled with her. This is the least he can do to repay that debt.

Meanwhile, in royal matters, Princess Renner has assembled to the blue roses to schedule seven powerful raids on the Eight Fingers all occurring on the same day. Renner decides to speak with Marquis Raeven and her brother, Prince Zanac, to bring in more forces to assist her in the raids. Here, her cunning nature is revealed, as she confesses she knows about the shady dealings the two of them have been up to, and she makes no pretense about holding such actions against them to get her way. The skilled tricksters are surprised, by unphased and agree to play ball, under the condition that Princess Renner reveals her true self to them. Then, we see that sinister smile creeps across her face again, as well as the devious eyes that Marquis Raeven has longed to see come forth. She admits that her virtuous persona is just an act, though she is hopelessly obsessed with and in love with Climb for his puppy dog loyalty. Her sadistic tendencies become more clear here, and one wonders if Climb is in for more than he bargained for in trying to win her love. The two nobles soon fall in line, even revealing to Renner that her elder brother Barbro is in cahoots with the Eight Fingers as well, giving them one more target to attack.

Back at the mansion, Sebas and Solution return from their errand to find the place has been broken into and Tsuare is missing. A note left by the perpetrators reveals this to be the work of the Eight Fingers. Clutching his fists in rage, Sebas demands that they find her and punish those responsible. Ainz hears of this, and similarly angry, commands Albedo to gather forces to bring these kidnappers to justice. Nobody trifles with the name of Ainz Ooal Gown.

Our Take:

The climax of this season is nigh upon us, and this appears does an excellent job of getting all the pieces of the coming conflict into place. Though the episode is mostly just conversing, the solid writing and pacing keep me interested in the progress of events throughout. This episode offered a nice payoff to Sebas’s relationship with Tsuare, which is just adorable and melted my heart a little bit. The deep cunning of Princess Renner is also a trip to see and keeps me on the edge of my chair wanting to see what happens next with her. Needless to say, this week a good time was had by all.