English Dub Review: Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time “Resolve;Takumi Takes on Pioneering!”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Resolve
Takumi’s group learns that he’s being targeted by the Holy Empire of Sidonia and the Church of Divine Light.

Takumi Takes on Pioneering!
Takumi’s group challenges the dungeon, Forest of the Beast King, and strengthens their bonds.  Around that time, Marquis Godwin consults with Takumi and asks him to help create a pioneer village in the undeveloped lands to the south of his domain in order to secure a place for the refugees from a deserted village nearby.

Our Take:
With the assassins now identified as members of Sidonia’s Divine Light Squadron, Takumi’s mission to live a peaceful life became much more challenging than he expected.  Since we’re seemingly close to the end of the season, it’s evident that its stakes have started to ramp up a bit, with Takumi beginning to take the defensive side to avoid being executed.  While the girls suggest another ally to safeguard him, Takumi’s best choices of action are a barrier device and even an Iron Golem.  Since golems are difficult to create through alchemy magic due to requiring a high-level Spell Control skill, Takumi and the crew decide to tame one instead.  Luckily, their quest is surprisingly much easier than expected, as the Iron Golem, whom they named Titan, was guarding a temple relating to Nolyn.
However, their newest ally has put a wedge between Takumi and the girls, as Takumi considers dissolving their contracts to protect them.  This conflict arises from Takumi’s concern over the girls’ safety after the incident involving the Divine Light Squadron’s attack.  At the very least, the episode offered a small glimpse of character development during this moment, as Takumi learns not to let his guilt distance him from his new friends.  Although “Resolve” may not make its formulaic plot more interesting regarding the show’s direction, the friendship between the Wings of Nolyn has some merits to warrant its growing stakes. As for “Takumi Takes on Pioneering”, it’s another fine episode involving the team conquering the dungeon and building a pioneer village for the refugees. Additionally, they gained the final member of the Wings of Nolyn, Mani, a half-bunny woman who’s distrustful toward corrupt nobles despite the voice acting for her being a bit weak at times. Of course, it also signifies that the Summoning of Heroes has already commenced, meaning the season may have reached its endgame.