English Dub Review: Sentenced to Be a Hero “Sentence: Aid in Evacuation of Ioff Cheg Port 3”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
In the aftermath of the battle, revelations are made, and Kivia faces a haunting decision.

Our Take:
The penultimate episode would’ve been an awesome way to close off this surprisingly good series.  But, as it turns out, there are still some loose ends to tie up or introduce before the first season concludes.  Of course, one of them is Kivia’s secret investigation of Marlen’s “alliance” with the Coexisters.  Usually, the season offers episodes, or, in this case, “sentences”, that last only two parts.  However, for this occasion, the series decided to add one more part in the evacuation of Ioff Cheg Port assignment, focusing on the aftermath of Xylo’s thrilling showdown against Boojum.  Unfortunately for them, the events after the ultimate confrontation aren’t as peaceful as they hoped, as the revelations that unfold would play a huge role in the upcoming second season.
One such case is that Spriggan isn’t the only demon that can disguise itself as a human, as Puck Puca, a Demon Lord, can also assume one’s identity, which is none other than Rhyno.  While Puck has his intentions on killing other Demon Lords, it remains uncertain if he’s worth trusting or when Xylo and the others would discover his true identity.  However, the biggest twist that elevates the finale’s dramatic tension is Marlen himself, who reveals to Kivia that he’s conspiring with the Coexisters to ensure survival.  However, this left Kivia as the only person who knew Marlen’s treachery, as she was arrested for murdering her own uncle.  This also led her to discover the shocking truth about the heroes: they’re actually corpses revived by the First Goddess, meaning they must die to become one.
This exact moment is exactly what makes audiences, including me, want to come back for more.  I’m not just talking about the animation’s emphasis on drama and bleak color palettes, but also Kivia’s tragic downfall from captain of the Holy Knights to a criminal facing the cruelest punishment.  It also further demonstrates that the drama can be just as intense as the action the show delivers. This is largely thanks to Dawn M. Bennett, who deserves extra flowers for her effective performance in conveying Kivia’s emotional turmoil upon her shocking discovery.  With the second season already announced, I do not doubt that I will be back to experience Xylo’s second chapter of his grueling sentence.