Summary
A thrilling yet surprisingly darker episode that illustrates the tonal shift occurring in the series.
Any fantasy fan knows that dabbling in dark magic can have dire consequences. Even if it was the only way to bring Falin back, dealing with the fallout from this will surely have Laios’ crew questioning their decision soon. Until then, Delicious in Dungeon Episode 13 will focus on the group’s most immediate problem: attempting to get Falin and everyone else to the surface in one piece.
Meeting the Mad Mage
The episode opens with Senshi prepping the salvageable dragon meat while the others sleep. Suddenly, Falin wakes up and wanders towards the corpse of the Red Dragon, where she encounters a strange elf.
Laios wakes up to realize Falin is gone but finds her outside. She mumbles about finding a man named Lord Delgal when the mysterious new elf addresses him, reminding Laios they met once when he entered the Living Paintings. Laios wonders if this elf is the Mad Mage.
Falin Has Not Returned As the Same Person She Was
Marcille, Chilchuck, and Senshi get a warning before the elf can attack Laios. However, he is attacked by Falin instead and knocked unconscious.
Using ancient magic, the elf summons dragons made of blood. Marcille attempts to take them out but is overwhelmed by their number. The elf then drops them into a hole and turns toward Falin, whom she addresses as Dragon, before offering to restore her to her normal body.
Laios’ party escapes to an empty room and finds themselves surrounded by ghosts. Just as the ghosts manage to disappear, a group of Orcs finds them and plans to take them hostage. However, Senshi recognizes the leader and Chief Zon’s sister and asks for mercy.
The Elf Who Rules the Dungeon
Chilchuck asks Zon’s sister if she knows anything about the elf they saw. She says this particular elf seems to rule over the dungeon and has the ability to create and control monsters. The group assumes he really is the Mad Mage, and upon hearing this, Chilchuck forms a plan to run off instead. Zon’s sister reluctantly agrees to guide him.
Zon’s sister encourages them to follow one of the ghosts who appears in front of them. As they pass the site of the Red Dragon’s body, they notice the corpse is gone and assume the Mad Mage took it.
Delicious in Dungeon Episode 13 ends with Laios listening to reason
As they walk, Zon’s sister attempts to convince Chilchuck to express his concerns with his party rather than just running away. As Chilchuck considers this, he stumbles upon Kensuke lying on the ground and assumes the sword must’ve also attempted to flee.
Chilchuck returns to the party to find Laios fighting Senshi in an attempt to find Falin. He begs Laios to be smart, head to the surface, and devise a better plan. Reluctantly, Laios agrees.
Delicious in Dungeon Has Reached A Tonal Turning Point
Many manga readers say that at a certain point in the series, Delicious in Dungeon‘s carefree tone shifts, changing the feel and course of the series, and I believe the anime has crossed that threshold.
Despite finding Falin in Episode 12, things only seem to have gotten worse, and it’s clear that Falin has not returned as the same person they once knew. Without being too jarring a shift, the series suddenly feels like the consequences have finally begun to carry some actual weight.
I’m curious to see how the series will balance the more lighthearted moments, like cooking, with whatever darkness is looming over Falin, especially now that the stakes feel that much higher.
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