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WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 33 of The Rising of the Shield Hero, "A Parting in the Snow," now streaming on Funimation, Crunchyroll & Hulu.
Episode 32 of TheRising of the Shield Hero differed significantly from the previous episodes, filled with battle strategies spearheaded by the quest to defeat the Spirit Tortoise. In addition, the episode starred a newly-revealed character, Kizuna, the Hunting Hero, and a new setting in the form of the Infinite Labyrinth. Luckily, Naofumi and his companions were able to escape the magical prison, but Filo, one of Naofumi's core party members, remains unseen.
Episode 33 introduced a town with different races, and identities and renewed the goal of Naofumi to pursue the elusive Book Hero, Kyo Ethnina, in the new world. To execute their objective, Naofumi, Kizuna, Rapthalia, and Rishia devised new, on-the-spot plans to utilize their new setting. The plan goes smoothly, without any hitches, until a familiar, sinister force resurfaces, wrecking the Shield Hero party once more.
A New Goal
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After escaping from the Infinite Labyrinth, following Naofumi's genius plan, another problem showed up as the Shield Hero party considered how to navigate the new world and achieve their primary goals: finding Filo and capturing Kyo Ethnina. However, executing their objectives seemed nearly impossible until Kizuna suggested a workable plan. The group needed to head towards the country, Sikul since it was safer than their current location. The group just escaped from a prison widely considered impenetrable, so if news of this development spreads, it could be dangerous for Kizuna, Naofumi, and the rest.
So, to counter the issue of discovery, the Sikul plan was the ideal solution. However, there was a major perk to the plan: Sikul is a 7-day journey from the party's current location. Fortunately, Kizuna had a plan to get the bunch to the country faster. The plan involved using the Dragon Hourglass in the capital of Mikakage, the country that imprisoned Kizuna, to teleport directly to Sikul. This suggestion surprised Naofumi and confirmed that similar entities in Naofumi and Kizuna's summoned world possess significant differences.
In Kizuna's world, only Cardinal Heroes and Vassal Heroes can teleport using Hourglasses, so Kizuna's presence was a bonus for the party. Despite the newfound solution, the party still had to embark on a three-day journey to the capital of Mikakage and obtain a pass with money to use the portal. This forces Naofumi to play the hand of a merchant, a refreshing occurrence that reminds fans of his journeys through Melromarc in The Rising of the Shield Hero's first season.
On their way to find shelter for the night, Kizuna introduced her new companions to the main races in the countries they ventured into, such as the Grass, Jewel, and the Sprits tribe. This surprising discovery was also linked to Glass, the Fan Hero, allowing viewers to finally understand the reason behind her robust power and why Naofumi's Soul Eater attacks were able to harm her. Members of the Spirit tribe possessed immense energy, which can only be revived naturally without any magical weapons, making their vital feature also their weak point. On hearing, this Naofumi hatched a smart plan to utilize the discovery and increase the party's finance.
The next day the bunch haggled special potions that could increase the vitality of Spirits – something that had never happened before. Using his skills as an experienced merchant, Naofumi gleaned a good sum of money from the Spirit people, preying on their thirst for his revitalizing potion. In two days, the group earned more than enough to purchase passes and upgrade their equipment & clothing, which they did. Accomplishing their new goal, Naofumi and the rest of the party members headed towards their next objective: the Dragon Hourglass.
Despair Resurfaces, Again
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After accomplishing their financial objective, Naofumi and Co decided to check out the location of the Dragon Hourglass. On their arrival, they met a packed crowd and discovered a mysterious individual, claiming that he could use the Hourglass to teleport despite being a non-Hero. The sketchy-looking character that made the claim looked eerily like Kyo Ethnina. His actions and deceitful-looking mannerisms suggested that there was more to his unsettling presence. Even Naofumi remarked that there was a negative air surrounding the mysterious character. After a fun-filled night and a six-day deadline till the next wave, Naofumi’s party then decided to sneak into the temple holding the Dragon Hourglass and teleport to Sikul.
However, the plan didn't go smoothly; a trap was laid for the bunch, and the mysterious, sketchy character, Kazuki, was the figure behind the set-up. He was in league with Kyo Ethnina to stop the Shield hero party from teleporting to Sikul, or that’s what it seemed like at first. After Naofumi and his companions defeated the soldiers in the temple stationed to capture them, Kizuna headed towards the Hourglass, easily bypassing the poorly constructed defense of Kazuki's subordinates. Kizuna's original plan goes smoothly until the Hourglass teleportation feature touches every member of the party, excluding Rapthalia.
Apparently, this unprecedented occurrence was part of the nasty plan set up by the malevolent Kyo Ethnina since he wants to use Rapthalia as a test subject. The episode then ends with Rishia's conviction to bear whatever trials may come her way on behalf of Naofumi, showing her loyalty and strong-willingness as Naofumi's aide. Naofumi is then transported to a different country, leaving the demi-human in the hands of Kyo's subordinates. Viewers can only hope that Rapthalia is rescued before Kyo does anything irreparable to her.
Episode 33 of The Rising of the Shield Hero ends on a sad note, with Raphtalia’s predicament leaving Naofumi in a state of despair. With Naofumi's original party members displaced, it now falls on him and his remaining allies, Rishia and Kizuna, to find them while devising a strategic plan to capture Kyo Ethnina.