Knight’s and Magic: Season 1/ Episode 10 “War & Princess” – Overview/ Recap (with Spoilers)

… I’m glad I stuck it out with Knights & Magic but cannot forgive all that could have been done if they brought the Kingdom of Zaloudek in sooner.

The Rescue Mission: Ernesti, Eleonora, Archid

With the mini-Silhouette Knights, Ernesti and the rest of the Silver Phoenix order rescue Martina, Isadola, and Eleonora. Though, while most seem ready to leave with only the question of who is saving them, Eleonora causes trouble. If only because guilt, among other things, makes her feel unworthy to be saved. Making the fact Archid, commonly just known as Kid, being the one to find her ill-fitting. Yet, with him vowing to be her knight, she finally comes along.

Thus leaving Archid responsible for the princess for the rest of their journey east. Including making her happy and trying to get her into the idea of taking the throne. Not immediately, but eventually.

The Tides of Battle: Ernesti

Naturally, it would mean nothing to retrieve the few remaining royals of the Kurschpercha empire, and their allies, if a new defense wasn’t made. So, Ernesti helps modernize the offense, and defense, of a city which forces the Zaloudek to retreat.

But, before that, we officially meet Ernesti’s counterpart Lord Gojass. An eccentric, like Ernesti, who finds himself in awe of Ernesti’s Ikaruga as it flies and challenges his ship. However, being that Lord Gojass’ ship is but a holding cell and has seemingly no offensive capabilities, he is forced to retreat.

A Villain Lost: Kerhilt, Catarina, Edgar

With two losses, both out of nowhere, so comes the need to figure out what the next move will be. Leading to Kerhilt to be called upon by Princess Catarina. Someone who likely was her backer when it came to the first round of stealing Fremmevilla’s new tech. Though, there is no way to prove that now. For as Kerhilt tries to redeem her family’s losses, her whole squad is wiped out thanks to Nora and Ernesti’s new security measures.

Leaving just a battle between Edgar and Kerhilt. Someone who, at first, had the upper hand, but the year plus of training Edgar has had allows him to defeat Kerhilt. Thus killing her and ending her pursuit of redeeming herself and the Hietakannas family name.

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. So was part of the reason Kerhilt wanted war was because her family lost everything, and she an eye, due to the Kuschpercha?
2. So Isladola is Emrys’ cousin who is like a sister to him or his actual sister?

Highlights

Battles and Story Progress

Thus far on this show, it seemed either we would watch a lot of character development, in the form of us learning how great Ernest was, or an episode mostly dedicated to a battle. Now, however, we get a bit of both. We get to see Ernest and his team fight alongside us getting to know new characters, have a story which progresses things, and leaves you feeling that the writers/ animators know this show is ending in a few episodes.

Ernesti Showing He Is Psychotic

Genius and insanity go together, and I’d argue Ernesti has gone nuts. To me, being that mechs are no longer a hobby to do exhibition battles for, but now are being used to harm and kill, Ernesti is getting just a little bit too into taking people out. To the point, I sort of question if, in his past life, maybe he wasn’t just this awe-inspiring genius but a possible nut case.

Criticism

So, No One Heard These Huge Pieces of Metal Jump Down on Stone?

Minor issue: I don’t know how much the mini-Silhouette Knights weigh, but I don’t even with the best suspension, or what have you, no one heard them as they made their way into Laspade Castle. Especially since it was described that the area was a ghost town so I’m sure any noise they made had to echo. If not shake the whole building.

Going Through Villains Too Quickly

Kerhilt was the villain with the longest presence on this show and just as we were really starting to learn something about her, she gets killed. By Edgar of all people. Which I guess is fitting, for what she did to him, but come on! While I enjoy the Zaloudek family, they are still fairly new. Kerhilt, on the other hand, between that missing eye and this vibe of desperation, was the kind of villain we needed. Especially since it seems she could get over or has people in, the Fremmevilla kingdom. Meaning she could have been the spy who helped even things out. For, as of now, things are still far too tipped in Ernesti’s favor to really get too excited about the challenge these villains could bring.

On The Fence

Princess Eleonora’s Guilt

The back and forth between Archid and Eleonora was a bit annoying. Which I say despite understanding her guilt and feeling like she needs to sacrifice something or be punished. However, watching her trying to convince Archid to abandon her was perhaps more of an annoyance than all the moments Ernesti met a challenge with finesse – combined.