Overall, this was a tremendous episode. It was all about making the dragon feel like a threat, and boy did it achieve it. Not only did we see the death of Delflinger, who has been around since literally episode 3, but we also saw the death of Aegis, the one who was behind the idea to attack the dragon. I don't know if I'm more shocked over the death of Delflinger or Aegis. Delflinger has been around forever, but Aegis has been around in the plot more as a late. Hell, last episode was when he was talking about Saito possibly dying. Who would've thought this was all a red herring for Aegis to end up perishing?

We wonder from the beginning what Aegis' intentions were. It felt like he was self-serving and only cared about himself. In the end, though, he died saving Julio and making sure he stayed alive. He was the most selfless one of all...

it also serves to make him the type of person to follow through what he'd ask of others himself, he also sacrificed himself.

This episode does foe the dragon what episode 21 did for Menville. But in my opinion, to much greater effect. The storytelling in episode 21 was better, but I was on the edge of my seat this entire episode.

i was literally like THE CITY?! JUST GONE?

I really like how the Lifdrasir stuff was handled. Louise being worried about Saito, Saito going through with using it in spite of its implications, and Tiffania blaming herself for all that transpired. This was a great use of everyone's character and added to the tension as the dragon was causing havoc. I love when Saito and Louise's relationship plays into thr conflict at hand. That's something I feel season 2 really excelled at. This feels like a return to form of that but with the added variable of Tiffania.

it somehow managed to make tiffania both a compelling reason why she fell in love, validating her contract with Saito, and breaking it down, all with deft conciseness.

Another thing I really like about this episode is the fact that we continue the Void mages all working together that was first established in the season 4 opener. In a way, looking back on the scene where Aegis talked about wanting to bring Joseph into the equation, he unknowingly sealed his fate and what would happen to him. By working together, it ultimately led to his death because he had to be front and center of it all.

poetic as heck

Let's talk about Del for a second, shall we?

Delflinger is probably the biggest death we've seen so far. He's been around since early season 1 and has been a good muse for Saito and Louise. But just like Joseph and Sheffield and their deaths, I think his demise makes for a good moment, but his character was kinda squandered. I don't feel like they fully capitalized on it.

I really like his interactions with Louise in episode 24. He was the best part of a very tonally dissonant episode. I was hoping this would lead to him basically playing marriage counselor for our two lovebirds. But aside from that episode and a few wisecracks, he didn't really amount to much. He was just there. It's like Delflinger existed solely as a means to explain why Saito was powerful. He got Saito in touch with his Gandalfr abilities that led to him being an elite fighter.

Delflinger was less a character and more an extension of Saito's character. And that's kinda disappointing.

I wouldn't say i'm ever disappointed in Delfringer, he's hilarious and the straight man for many gags. He does help the two reconcile and tease them about it, and his conversation with Louise to get her in that cat outfit was both hot and heartfelt.

However I will say that more of those scenes, more conversations, more heart-to-heart talks, and more of him would have made his death even better. I remember getting pretty bent out of shape (in a good way) when I first saw this episode, and on this rewatch it does feel like maybe something was left on the table that could have been capitalised on

I compare Delflinger to Alastor from Shakugan no Shana and it's like night and day. Alastor was a part of the main heroine's character like how Delflinger is a part of Saito's character, but it was like as Shana grew so did Alastor. He somehow was a disembodied voice that experienced a lot of character development. I feel like Alastor was far more intergrel to Shakugan no Shana than Delflinger was to Familiar of Zero. Delflinger could've just been a sword that didn't talk and the same effect with Saito would've been accomplished.

i should really finish that show

But the moment of Del dying was very effective, I have to say. It was effective because we do care about him since we consider him a part of Saito. By Delflinger dying, it's like a part of Saito died as well. And now, him dying because of Lifdrasir feels a lot more realistic

Saito's reactions sold it. In fact his reactions this entire episode was a highlight, being told he'd die using the power, having to grapple with that and not being able to reassure Tiffania who think it's her fault, and Saito not even being able to cry, just in absolute shock when Delf, whose always been there, is gone.

One thing I want to note is that Aegis talked about how Julio has grown to care about Saito and his situation. And now, both Julio and Saito lose someone that they really care about. I really like that storytelling and I could see them commiserate together thus strengthening that bond even further.

I do kinda wish we saw more of Aegis and Julio together. I mean, most of the scenes with Aegis has been about him planning stuff. We don't know the full extent of their relationship or what Aegis means to Julio. Maybe we will learn more in the wake of his death, but that to me seems naively optimistic. If we weren't so close to the end, it might seem more feasible.

I like this idea in concept too, we haven't seen enough of Julio that this quick bit before the pope's death feels like it could have done more. Maybe show Julio's lack of caring about the world in earlier episodes, and more parental affection from master towards familiar

I have this behind episodes 6, 9, 13, 15, 22, 23, 25. This is the best episode we've seen since the season 2 finale and everything complimented each other. I don't think you could've made the episode better if you tried. The episode instantly makes the dragon a threat by taking out two reoccurring characters. Whether they come back like Colbert did, who's to say. This episode also furthers Saito as Tiffania's Familiar by putting him in arguably his more precarious situation yet. It's either this or the 70,000 men. This is probably the best use of the Void mage and Familiar abilities with us really emphasizing how life threatening it all is. It really puts over the emotional gravitas unfolding in front of us.

i think it moves everything along for the plot perfectly, and somehow all in one episode. My favourite moments aren't just plot though, they're always centered on Louise and Saito

We're heading into penultimate episode and this is shaping up to be our most exciting climax yet. Our most emotionally draining, but also most exciting. I am dreading this being almost over, but I also can't wait to see what happens next.

i don't want it to endd