Ep 15. Slow Life in the Doldia Village

Rudeus, Eris, and Ruijerd arrive at the Doldia Village, where Ruijerd was born and raised. The village is situated along the coast and is known for its fishing industry. Ruijerd visits his former mentor, whom he refers to as "Sensei," who taught him how to wield his unique magic. As Ruijerd enjoys a reunion with his old teacher, Rudeus and Eris explore the village. They find a shrine dedicated to a hero who saved the village from a dragon's wrath, which Eris insists on visiting.

As they approach the shrine, they encounter an old woman who tells them a story about the hero and the dragon. She recounts how the hero, a human, befriended the dragon and saved the village from destruction. Rudeus finds similarities between the hero and his own situation, where he has an opportunity to befriend Ruijerd and possibly end the conflict between the demons and the humans. Eris, on the other hand, is impressed with the story and considers becoming a hero herself.

After their visit to the shrine, they meet Ruijerd's childhood friend, Ada. She welcomes them to the village and prepares a big feast for them. During dinner, Ada reveals that Ruijerd left the village after being falsely accused of killing a human. Rudeus realizes that this is the same incident that caused the conflict between the demons and the humans, with Ruijerd being blamed for the actions of another demon. Ada insists that Ruijerd is innocent and encourages them to stay in the village and learn more about his past.

The next day, they receive an invitation to visit the village chief, who turns out to be Ada's mother and Ruijerd's former lover. She asks Ruijerd to stay in the village, but he declines, saying that he has a mission to fulfill. The chief reveals that she has been keeping tabs on Ruijerd and his movements, and knows that he has been helping humans. She expresses her desire for peace between the humans and demons, but also admits that there are still those who are against it.

As they continue to explore the village, they encounter a group of humans who are skeptical of Ruijerd's intentions. They are convinced that the demons will never change and that humans will always be their enemies. Ruijerd tries to reason with them, but they remain hostile towards him. Eris intervenes and challenges the leader to a duel, hoping to change their minds by proving her strength.

The duel ends in a draw, but Eris earns their respect and convinces them to give Ruijerd a chance. They agree to meet with Ruijerd and hear him out, giving him a glimmer of hope for reconciliation. The episode ends with Rudeus contemplating the hero's legacy and what it means for his own journey.

Overall, "Slow Life in the Doldia Village" is an introspective episode that explores Ruijerd's past and his hopes for the future. It also showcases Eris's growth as a character and her newfound determination to become a hero. The conflict between the humans and demons is still present, but there are glimpses of hope for a peaceful resolution.