Deep in the dungeon, the Investigation Team (including Abel's party and court magicians) gets snatched by a teleport trap after examining a mysterious black square set into the wall. They suddenly find themselves relocated to an unknown place. Clive makes a rough guess that they are on the 38th floor, and the gate they found may be the source of the recent monster outbreak.
So, the dust is settling after the Goblin King showdown, and the adventurers are totally hyped about their hard-won victory. But Guildmaster Hugh is definitely looking rough, buried under a mountain of ominous paperwork, confirming that the fun is probably about to stop.
As Azuma confronts Takopi, his demeanor a blend of sadness and newfound resolve, he explains that the ongoing investigation means he can no longer see Shizuka, and his family is enduring immense pressure. Takopi, overcome with sorrow, cries at this news. Moved by Takopi's empathy, Azuma too breaks down, expressing heartfelt gratitude. He admits that despite his own self-doubt, Takopi consistently praised him as smart. He cherished their time together, finding joy in school and friendship when the trio was united. As a gesture of thanks, Azuma returns all of Takopi's Happy Gadgets.
Following his intense encounter with the demon Leonore, Rio focuses on strengthening his movement magic and overall battle readiness, feeling the need to shore up his weaknesses. He attempts to figure out a method for rapid movement on land using water jets, similar to how he used them underwater. However, the initial results are comically slow, which he labels as a work in progress. Rio decides to shift his focus to research, heading to the library to study advanced alchemy texts and lore concerning the Akuma (demons).
Shizuka radiates pure joy and hope as she and Takopi embark on a journey to Tokyo, a stark contrast to the series' usual bleakness, as she imagines reuniting with her father and beloved dog, Chappy, exploring the vibrant city for the first time. However, this fragile happiness is brutally shattered upon their arrival at her father's apartment building. Her father opens the door, revealing he has remarried and now has two new step-daughters, effectively starting a completely new life. He shockingly pretends not to recognize Shizuka, telling his children he doesn't know why she's calling him dad. The devastating truth that Chappy was never with him, having died earlier, completely dissolves Shizuka's fantasy.
