Highlights

Unveiling Rose's tragic past, Episode 8 of The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic delves into her dark history with the Demon Lord's Army.
Rose's immense strength and healing powers shine in a face-off with demons, showcasing the offensive potential of healing magic.
Rose's bond with her subordinates, particularly Aul, offers a glimpse into her emotional depth and the devastating loss that shaped her.

Warning: The following contains spoilers for The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic, Episode 8, "Battalion Commander Rose," now streaming on Crunchyroll.

The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic is nearing its climactic battle with the Demon Lord’s Army, making this the perfect time to reveal a few mysterious elements of Rose’s past. While the series has already stated that Rose lost her entire squad to the demon invasion a few years prior to the present time, the details of this horrific incident were left unexplained.

The current episode of The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic focuses solely on these events, slowly unraveling Rose’s past and the incidents that shaped her current persona. Showcasing past events right before the beginning of such a significant event might seem a bit misplaced, but this exposition is necessary for viewers to understand the roots of Rose’s actions. This becomes even more necessary considering the significance of her role in the upcoming war.

Rose Talking to Usato in The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

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The Beginning Of the Demon Lord’s Aggravation

Humans and demons have always been at odds, yet it was never exactly specified when their mutually-shared detest led to an all-out war. Since Rose’s past and the Demon Lord’s invasion go hand-in-hand, several key details about the demons have also been revealed. The first move made by the demons against the Kingdom of Llinger can be traced back to five years prior, though this was merely the beginning of a long-hauled conflict.

Since the previous war between both belligerents took place two years back, it’s likely that the three years before the actual full-scale invasion were laced with either minor altercations or preparations for an all-out war. However, the timeline of these events can only be confirmed once the series reveals more information related to the demons’ advances.

Rose Verses the Demon Lord’s Followers

With sightings of demon activity within the Darkness of Llinger, Rose and her squad are sent to investigate the enemy's movements. This mission led to a face-off between a group of demons within the forest and Rose’s squad, with a powerful demon named Nero Argence leading his squad.

Your immense physical strength and high-speed healing make you a strong melee fighter. What a monster...

The altercation showcased Rose’s non-human strength, as she hurled dozens of trees at immense speeds. Up until this point, Rose’s fighting abilities had remained a mystery, but this scene has revealed exactly how powerful this healer is. Her brutal strength coupled with infinite regeneration showcases the potential healing magic has for offensive purposes.

The demons were caught maiming monsters within the forest and locking them up in cages. The purpose of this peculiar mission hasn’t been explained, but it is likely to be linked to the current research and experiments that these demons have been seen conducting. The venomous snake was merely a glimpse of the artificial monsters the Demon Lord’s Army has produced, and those experiments arguably had their roots in this mission five years back.

Rose’s Relationship With Her Subordinates

Another major highlight of the episode is Rose’s relationship with her former subordinates. It is revealed that Rose lost her entire unit during one of the Demon Lord’s advances, and that traumatic incident has her drowning in guilt. This flashback also serves as an exposition of the fate of these soldiers, acquainting fans with what exactly went down.

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While Rose bore the same rigid disposition as she does now, a subtle gentleness can be seen in her interactions. It’s clear that this version of Rose is yet to witness a grave loss, one that would change her outlook on battle forever. Out of all the members of her unit, she seems to bear a strong bond with her Deputy Commander named Aul.

Aul and Usato's Similarities

Rose’s current characterization presents her as a person that would rarely open up to anyone, but the Rose from five years back seems to have slightly more room for emotions. Deputy Commander Aul is a timid soldier, usually being pushed over by her subordinates. However, Rose seems to trust her the most, even stating her willingness to entrust the position of Commander to Aul after she herself takes on the role of Battalion Commander.

It’s clear that her eventual loss would be the most devastating for Rose, considering the special bond they have with each other. Aul and Usato bear a somewhat similar disposition, with both characters being known for their resolve to never give up. The two also stood their ground against Rose and her aggressive training regimen. Given the similarity Usato has with Aul, it’s possible Rose sees the same potential in him.

You never give up once you've put your mind to something. You keep looking forward, no matter the situation.

It’s likely that the next few episodes of The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic will revolve around Rose’s past. While it may seem odd for a flashback to be placed right before an imminent war, it serves as a much-needed exposition for Rose and her character. Moreover, it will allow viewers to understand where Rose’s rigid sentiments stem from, presenting her as a more fleshed-out character.