Like a movie in miniature, its impeccably structured, starting with the harrowing river ambush by goblins.
Having two civilians aroundespeciallythesetwoonly heightens the danger.
In that regard, Cow and Guild arent just traveling with friends to a wedding.
Theyre experiencing first hand what its like to be an adventurer.
In effect, its aride-along, only no cops.
More than that, they see each other and treat each other as family.
Dwarf and Elf do their playful verbal sparing mid-battle.
Fanservice quota aside, this is another quintessential adventurer experience:the downtime.
Slayer wants Elf to be able to relax as she nears her home.
Even Slayer can cut back alittlebecause theyre now in the land of the elves.
Elf opens up about elf courtship, her big sister, her soon-to-be brother-in-law.
She regales them with how he was singing about his heroic exploits she stopped and corrected him.
Hearing about Elfs home warms Slayers heart.
He says her homeland sounds nice, and Elf says Well, yeah.
Thats where my heart is.
Such is his status as an incurable worrywart.
But hes not nearly quick enough to notice when an elven warrior suddenly confronts him at swordpoint.
Of course, this is Elfs brother-to-be.
I loved that little delay between them all waking up and realizing a guy was in there.
Also, now we know Elf is the (ora)Daughter of Starwind.
We learn Slayer was vigilant because he sensed goblins.
But unlike him, the elves arent too bothered by them.
But even more splendid than the strange yet welcoming new environs is Elfs pent-up excitement finally bursting.
Shes justso damn happyto show everyone her home.
Suddenly, her sister pops in, asking what the bras about.
Shes going to be okay.
Elf explains this to her sister, and says their entire party aided in her rescue.
Her sister can also tell a big part of why her sister still adventures is to be nearhim.
That should be enough for now.
Its such a lovely, subtle way of saying she loves the guy without saying it.
Just as it was in the river, they now have to fight whatevers coming while protecting a civilian.
